Technology, longevity and shifts in society in general have all brought change to Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS), but the foundations of the business remain unchanged, uncompromising standards, strong values and a commitment to doing things the right way.
Founded in 1982 by Adrian Rooney, MSS is now led by Adrian’s daughters Lisa Rooney and Amie Bailey alongside Contract Director, Ben Ekins. More than four decades on, MSS continues to work with long standing clients across the region, delivering scaffolding solutions for commercial developments, public sector schemes, heritage projects and MoD contracts.
Today, the company stands not only as a respected regional contractor but also as a powerful example of how leadership in construction is evolving. In an industry still largely male dominated, Lisa and Amie are helping to reshape perceptions of what construction leadership looks like.
Lisa is also Regional Chair at the NASC, the UK’s leading trade body for the access and scaffolding industry, following in the footsteps of Adrian, who was Chair of the organisation’s Health and Safety Committee for many years. MSS and the NASC share a long history, they play a vital role in setting safety standards, promoting best practice, shaping legislation and championing training and workforce development across the sector. Lisa’s role not only reflects her standing within the industry but also gives Midland Scaffolding Services a voice at regional level, contributing to higher standards and helping to influence the future direction of scaffolding and access nationwide.
The success of the past 44 years has been built on excellent service, safety, reliability and maintaining a personal approach. Whether supporting small local projects or major schemes at the likes of The Bull Ring in Birmingham or The Pinnacle in Milton Keynes. That balance of scale and care remains central to the company’s identity.
Commercial Director Amie said: “We describe ourselves as ‘big enough to deliver, small enough to care’ because that’s the principle we believe in. No matter the size of the project, we never lose sight of the personal service we’re proud to provide.
“Since Adrian retired in 2021, we’ve carried forward the work ethic he instilled in the business while introducing modern systems and processes. Construction has changed significantly since the early Eighties and so have expectations around leadership and opportunity.”
Amie believes representation matters, not just at board level, but throughout the industry.
“It would have been unusual to see women leading a construction company when MSS was founded. While the industry is still male dominated, respect is earned through knowledge, consistency and delivering high standards. Gender shouldn’t define capability.
“What I’d really like to see is a shift in how construction is perceived. It’s not all about hard hats and boots, although those roles are vital. There are opportunities in design, project management, estimating, quantity surveying, health and safety, ESG and technology. We need to show young women that construction offers long-term, rewarding careers both on and off site. Greater diversity brings broader thinking, stronger collaboration and ultimately a better business.”
Innovation is also central to MSS’s forward-looking approach. The company is currently developing a new app to streamline site operations, inspections and compliance reporting, supporting the wider move toward paperless systems that many major contractors now expect. This will complement its existing digital order and invoicing systems, improving efficiency while maintaining rigorous compliance standards.
With around 65 employees across its headquarters and sites throughout Northamptonshire and its surrounding counties, North London and Birmingham, MSS combines regional strength with strong internal culture. In partnership with HR specialist CE People, the business has strengthened its internal processes, placing increased focus on wellbeing alongside its long-standing safety commitments.
“Health and safety has always been paramount in scaffolding,” Amie added. “But physical safety is only part of the picture. Mental health remains a significant issue within construction, and creating a culture where people feel supported is just as important as any on-site procedure. That’s why we have recently invested in an Employee Assistance Programme, ensuring our team has access to professional support whenever they need it.”
By investing in wellbeing initiatives and modernising operations while championing greater female representation in construction, Midland Scaffolding Services is demonstrating that progress and tradition can sit side by side. Honouring its heritage while helping to shape a more inclusive, professional and forward-thinking future for the industry.
Find out more by visiting the Midland Scaffolding Services website or call on 01933 229111.
