Gradient has built its reputation over the last 35 years by helping customers solve complex flat roof challenges through specialist in-house design, surveying, manufacturing, and technical expertise.
But as construction evolves, so too do the opportunities for insulation to solve new challenges. From modular construction and timber frame systems to cold chain logistics and bespoke fabrication, new applications are emerging that demand the same precision, technical understanding, and service that have long underpinned Gradient's success.
It's against this backdrop that Darren Hollingsworth joins as Business Unit Manager. Bringing nearly four decades of experience across distribution, insulation, and construction products, he arrives at a pivotal moment for the business, as it looks to build on its expertise while unlocking new possibilities for the future.
A business with untapped potential
Having spent more than two decades at SIG plc and seven years at Galaxy, it’s safe to say Darren has seen the industry from multiple perspectives. For Darren, Gradient was the perfect opportunity in the next stage of his career, allowing him to help shape the next phase of a business with huge potential.
"I see Gradient as a sleeping giant," he says. "There's significant potential for us, not just in what we do today, but in the opportunities that lie ahead. There are new markets to explore, new applications to support, and a real opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place."
While Gradient has firmly established itself as one of the UK's leading tapered insulation specialists, Darren believes there’s still room to grow its presence, introduce its service to more customers, and continue to improve the way the business communicates value.
"There are areas in the business where a fresh perspective can help us identify opportunities to improve and strengthen what we already do well," he explains. "Part of my role is bringing those pieces together. It's a big opportunity, and one I'm genuinely excited to be part of."
Building on what Gradient does best
As Gradient enters this exciting new chapter, Darren is clear that the foundations of the business will remain unchanged. "The level of expertise will stay the same," he says. “Without a doubt.”
"That's what Gradient is known for in the industry – and that expertise runs throughout the business, from the surveying team and design department to manufacturing, technical support, and customer service,” Darren continues.
“Together, these capabilities allow Gradient to offer a comprehensive solution for flat roof projects, helping customers move from concept through to installation with confidence. Our comprehensive offering for tapered flat roofing isn’t matched by anyone else.”
Equally important is the experience behind that offer. “We've got a wealth of experience within this business,” he says. “Not just in the design and survey department but also our area sales managers; they’re all at the top of their game, and it’s a core part of the Gradient offering.”
More than a new look
A rebrand can often be seen as just a visual change. For Gradient, however, it represents something much broader: an opportunity to better communicate the value the business already delivers and the ambitions it has for the future.
For Darren, that starts with highlighting the qualities that set Gradient apart. "It's about looking at Gradient as a whole and identifying where we can add more value, strengthen our offer, and better communicate what makes us different," he explains. "We want customers to understand not just what we do, but how we do it, and the expertise that sits behind it."
At the heart of that ambition is a belief that customers should choose Gradient for more than price alone. "It shouldn't all be about price," says Darren. "It should be about the service elements too. It's about the support we provide, the expertise we bring, and the confidence we deliver to customers throughout a project."
This thinking is reflected in Gradient's new strapline, Your precision fit. For Darren, precision extends far beyond the insulation itself. It includes the accuracy of surveys, the quality of designs, the speed of response, and the ability to support customers throughout a project.
"It reflects accuracy and compliance," he says. "By utilising our surveying team to carry out accurate roof surveys, we're able to provide designs that customers can trust from the outset."
"It's also about responsiveness," he adds. "In construction, timing matters. Making sure we respond quickly to enquiries and support customers when they need us is absolutely essential" - because that’s what ultimately gives them confidence in the solutions we deliver and the decisions they make.
Unlocking new possibilities
Alongside strengthening its core offer, Gradient is also looking at how its expertise can be applied in new ways. Some of the most exciting opportunities lie in areas such as modular construction, timber frame systems, and cold chain logistics.
These are sectors where thermal performance, precision manufacturing, and efficient use of space are increasingly important. While applications may differ from traditional flat roof projects, many of the underlying challenges remain the same.
Whether supporting modular manufacturers, timber frame specialists, or temperature-controlled facilities, the ability to design, fabricate, and supply insulation solutions to precise requirements creates opportunities to add value from the earliest stages of a project.
Modular construction is an area that Darren finds particularly exciting. "With offsite construction, efficiency is everything," he says. "Boards need to arrive cut and ready to install – so they can be picked up, fitted into place, and the assembly process can continue without delay. That's where Gradient’s manufacturing capability can add real value."
The same flexibility can support a wide range of bespoke applications. "Our facility is nowhere near maximum capacity," Darren explains. "We've got space so if somebody wanted us to make a specific product bonded to another product and ensure it meets the required technical and compliance standards.– then we could do that for them. It’s a really strong position to be in.”
Keeping customers at the centre
For Darren, growth and innovation are important, but they should never come at the expense of good customer relationships.
Throughout his career, he has built businesses by focusing on customer needs, improving service and understanding challenges from the customer's perspective.
"Putting the customer first has always been at the top of my priority list," he says. "I always try to see things from their point of view. If you understand their challenges and help them achieve their goals and better outcomes, then growth comes naturally.
As Gradient continues to evolve, that philosophy will remain central to the business. For existing customers, it means the same expertise, support and responsiveness they rely on today; while for new customers, it means access to a project partner that’s continually looking for new ways to solve problems, innovate further, and unlock opportunities for customers in the construction industry and beyond.