TSS Announces Key Leadership Appointments to Drive Continued Growth

TSS Announces Key Leadership Appointments to Drive Continued Growth

As T Sumner Smith Limited (TSS) continues its impressive growth trajectory, the company is pleased to announce three significant appointments within its leadership team. These strategic promotions reflect the business’s commitment to building a strong foundation for future success with experienced and dedicated professionals at the helm.

Michael Collum has been promoted to Operations Director, bringing his extensive industry experience and proven operational expertise to the role. Mick’s leadership will be instrumental in optimising the development, deployment and operational performance of the F0CUS work management platform as the company scales 

Alistair Bradley steps into the role of Commercial Director, where his commercial acumen and strategic insight will help to drive new business opportunities, strengthen client relationships and retain the high standard client and stakeholders expect.

James Austin has been appointed as Finance Director, responsible for guiding the financial strategy and ensuring the company’s continued financial health during this exciting phase of expansion.

Each of these leaders brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to their new roles. Here’s what they had to say about their appointments:

Mick Collum, Operations Director:

“I’m extremely happy to be appointed Operations Director within TSS. Over the past 11 years, we’ve worked extremely hard to develop and refine the F0CUS platform, and this new role reflects the growth of the business during that time. This role is a chance to accelerate F0CUS’s growth and keep pushing the platform forward. We’re solving real problems with practical insight, not just tech. It’s about staying ahead, scaling smartly, and delivering real value to our clients.”

Alistair Bradley, Commercial Director:

“I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of Commercial Director with TSS and look forward to working with the whole team to continue the growth that the company has seen over recent years. Having worked in the Utilities and Civil Engineering sector for over 30 years, I believe that these are exciting times for both our company and the wider industry as we all seek to embrace modern ways of working and implement innovation.”

James Austin, Finance Director:

“I’m pleased to have been appointed as TSS’ new Finance Director while we’re celebrating the 120th anniversary of the business. I’m looking forward to the times ahead for the F0CUS platform and our commercial teams as they continue to provide innovative and professional solutions to our clients”

Nick Smith MD:

“These appointments demonstrate TSS dedication to investing in top talent as the company evolves and strengthens its market position. With these experienced leaders in place, we are well-positioned to achieve its ambitious growth objectives myself and the board hold”

Recognising Innovation and Impact in the Industry

On March 13th, we were honoured to receive the Digital Award at the 2025 Red Rose Awards for our groundbreaking project management tool, F0CUS.

The Red Rose Awards is a prestigious Lancashire Business View magazine event to promote success and encourage trade within the county. This year, we were entered into the Digital Award category, a division for those who employ digital thinking, technologies, or marketing for clients who have met and exceeded expectations.

Over the past 12 months, F0CUS has significantly impacted the industry, transforming how projects and assets are managed. Developed by industry experts, F0CUS is designed to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency and provide real-time insights, helping businesses optimise operations across all contracts.

What is F0CUS?

F0CUS is a next-generation work and asset management platform, built to adapt to the evolving needs of modern industries. With its modular design, the system can be tailored to specific requirements, ensuring users get the right data at the right time. Each module functions independently while integrating seamlessly, creating a flexible and powerful management tool.

The Origins of F0CUS

The journey of F0CUS began in 1992 with ARM, a UK based utility company that worked with BT to manage thousands of jobs across vast networks of assets. Recognising the need for a centralised system to coordinate tasks efficiently, ARM developed WorkManager, the predecessor of F0CUS.

As ARM expanded, it evolved into Enterprise plc, the UK’s largest Utilities and Local Authority contractor. WorkManager played a key role in securing major contracts across StreetWorks, Highways Management, Waste Management, Parks & Gardens, and Housing Maintenance (including the UK’s largest MOD contract).

Drawing from over 150 years of combined leadership experience, TSS has since evolved WorkManager into F0CUS, incorporating cutting-edge technology and industry insights to create today’s award-winning solution.

Why F0CUS?

What truly sets F0CUS apart is its real-world foundation. Unlike other platforms, it has been developed by industry professionals who have firsthand experience in the field. This deep understanding of industry challenges ensures that F0CUS is not just another piece of software; it’s a lived experience.

Designed to evolve with industry standards, F0CUS continues to push the boundaries of innovation and efficiency, a testament to its recognition as an award-winning solution at the 2025 Red Rose Awards. 

Request a brochure today to learn more about how F0CUS could boost your project management. 

TSS Awarded a Spot on London & Quadrant Housing Trust’s Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Services DPS!

We are excited to share that earlier this year, we achieved the ‘Investors In People’ (IIP) accreditation. This is a big accomplishment for our team and shows our dedication to building a positive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive.

TSS are beyond thrilled to announce that our project has been shortlisted for the Infrastructure Category at the prestigious RICS Awards 2024! This recognition is for our outstanding work with Cadent Gas on their Backfill and Reinstatement Contract.

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news with our community: TSS has officially achieved Investors in People accreditation! This milestone represents a significant accomplishment for our team and reaffirms our dedication to creating a positive and supportive work environment.