RCDC’s website puts it plainly in bold letters: “RCDC came out of frustration”.
Vince Ruane founded RCDC in 2019 out of a frustration with what he saw as the industry’s sluggish adaptation to a net zero future. With a vision to align construction and innovation practices with a decarbonising world, Ruane left his role at a large corporate consultancy to create a more dynamic and inclusive environment that champions innovation.
RCDC emerged from Ruane’s desire to overcome the constraints he experienced in a large consultancy environment. Corporate ownership of intellectual property often stifled creativity, as bright ideas were either hoarded by individuals fearing loss of ownership or developed but rarely implemented beyond consultancy services. Ruane’s solution was to establish a company where innovation could flourish without such constraints.
For the first 18 months, RCDC was just Vince. Jumping from a large corporate environment to a one-man-band scale-up was not without its difficulties. Whether time management troubles or feelings of ‘imposter syndrome’, Vince took his time to surround himself with the right people to help RCDC along its initial journey. Vince is now part of an Innovate UK peer group – which he highlights as an important forum through which he can share ideas or frustrations with similar people.
Inclusivity was another cornerstone of RCDC’s foundation. Ruane speaks to a critical lack of diversity within the construction industry – particularly in leadership positions. RCDC aims to break this mould, creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive sustainable design. This strategy remains central to RCDC’s operations as they grow and evolve. RCDC encourages an inclusive environment, not only attending pride and giving people the time and space to be who they are, but also on the business side; RCDC has an open salary structure, for example.
Four and a half years down the line, RCDC has grown to a team of 12 people based in London but working all over the UK. It is currently in the exciting new process of formally launching its first spin out business after a £150k investment from InnovateUK. One project Vince highlights as one he is really proud of is a scheme where RCDC assisted in delivering a multi-million decarbonisation of a waste recycling centre for Islington council.
Starting RCDC just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges. Balancing the growth of the consultancy while launching a spin-off business tested both time and financial resources. Managing these dual responsibilities required strategic and careful investment to avoid jeopardising the consultancy.
Ruane also faces difficulty in accessing the right talent at executive level. A notable challenge was recruiting a CEO for the new spin-off, a task still in progress. The difficulty lies in finding someone with the right expertise and vision to lead the new venture while Ruane continues to oversee the consultancy.
RCDC is now in the early stages of its spin-off business, with revenue generation expected within the next 6-12 months. For the consultancy, the focus is on controlled growth, targeting a 30% annual increase and aiming for a team size of 50 within eight years. This deliberate pace ensures the company retains the culture and character integral to its success.
The next five years present significant opportunities as both private and public sectors push for decarbonisation. Ruane believes RCDC is strategically positioned to capitalise on these investments by offering critical expertise to clients on driving further innovation and expansion in sustainable construction. Currently, the company is undertaking a delivery of Smart windows to offices in Scotland, with two others likely in England.
Economic volatility, marked by inflation, energy prices, and supply chain disruptions, poses challenges for RCDC. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced substantial changes to work practices, affecting public sector funding and market confidence. Councils used to be a reliable source of income for RCDC, but funding challenges have made recent business with them difficult. Like many ScaleUp leaders however, Ruane remains optimistic – believing that upcoming elections may bring back some stability and unlock opportunities for growth.
Vince is also quick to highlight the critical skills shortage facing the UK domestic talent pipeline – particularly for his sector. He mentions that RCDC encourages its team to take part in up-skilling programmes, as well as facilitating involvement in the STEM ambassador programme which conducts outreach work with schools, colleges, higher education institutions, and youth group organisations to encourage youth to get involved in engineering.
RCDC has benefited from support by InnovateUK, with Ruane noting both the invaluable advice alongside the financial assistance received through multiple grants. He gives a shout-out to InnovateUK’s Lesley Rubenstein-Pessok, whose guidance has been particularly instrumental in shaping the company’s direction. This support has enabled significant progress in both the spin-off and the broader business.
Looking ahead, RCDC plans to secure private investment to further accelerate its spin-off ventures. This critical infusion of capital will drive the company’s innovation agenda, solidifying its unique offering in sustainable construction expertise.
Like many scaleups, RCDC was founded as a disruptor; seeking to chart a course to net-zero that overcame innovation-stifling practices. By addressing systemic challenges and fostering an inclusive, creative environment, RCDC is paving the way for a sustainable future in construction. As the company continues to grow, adapt and spin-out, the company looks well-prepared to seize upon the opportunities presented by a decarbonising world.
Read more about RCDC via their website and read more of our scaleup stories here.
Vince Ruane, CEO, RCDC
