Mitchell Glass is looking to capitalise on the strongest order pipeline in its 146-year history by investing in the talent of the future.

The Galashiels-based company is expecting 20% growth over the next 12 months as it attempts to fulfil projects that were stalled due to Covid restrictions, which prevented its installers from working in residential properties.

Led by fourth generation owner Lewis Roden, the company has turned to youth to help it meet pent-up demand and to achieve long-term sustainability, taking on four apprentices and developing a new personal development programme that allows everyone in the business to build new skills and have clear progression routes.

It is one element of an overall strategy that has seen the firm achieve the Gold Investors in Young People standard for the first time, coming a few weeks after it was re-accredited as a Silver Investor in People.

“Our reputation for excellent customer service is down to the people we employ and the culture we try to instil into staff the minute they start with us,” Lewis said, who himself joined the business in 1999 when he was 16 years old.

“Investing in apprentices is a big part of our recruitment plans and we currently have a mixture of young and mature learners across administration, sales and in our installation teams,” he said.

“Growing your own tends to breed quality and also gives the chance for older, more experienced employees to pass down their knowledge to the next generation, meaning our succession planning is always in place.”

Mitchell Glass became the first Scottish retailer to join the Conservatory Outlet network in 2011.