People

Henry Dempsey MRICS

Director & Chartered Building Surveyor

Henry Dempsey joined the firm in 1964 as an apprentice Building Surveyor and has remained at the company throughout his career. After gaining his qualifications in 1969 he was later to become partner in 1977 when the firm began trading as Harry Taylor & Co.

With over 50 years of experience, Henry’s knowledge is invaluable and his credentials as a Chartered Building Surveyor make him ideally suited to assessing the condition of existing buildings and providing solutions to their problems.

Robbie McDowall MCIAT, BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology, MSc Arch Conservation

Director & Chartered Architectural Technologist

Robbie carried out his secondary school work experience within the company and would also help out on the occasional weekend, usually surveying existing properties. This was to inspire him in his choice of career and in 2000 joined the company following completion of his studies at Napier University, Edinburgh.

During his time with the company he has gone on to complete an MSc in Architectural Conservation at Edinburgh College of Art and plays a key role in our listed building projects. His architectural technology background is also a great asset when developing our construction drawings and inspecting works on site.

Robbie was appointed a director in 2017 when the practice was incorporated as a private limited company.

Ryan Watson ARB

Architect

Ryan’s passion for Architecture, construction and the built environment began with regular exposure and involvement in his father’s joinery business. With the experience gained from his father’s business and a keen and practical knowledge of timber framed construction, Ryan started his formal education in Architecture at the University of Dundee in 2007. He graduated in 2013 with a First Class Masters Degree, an achievement supported by a principal role in the Macro Micro Studio Project, for which he was jointly awarded the Guildry-Geddes Award for Urban Design in 2013.

Ryan then went on to carry out freelance design work before starting his Part 3 professional experience with Keppie in 2014, working on projects such as The Capitol, Aberdeen and Perth College Academy of Sport and Wellbeing. Ryan gained a position with Harry Taylor & Company in 2016 and went on to successfully complete his Part 3 examinations with the company in 2018, becoming a fully qualified Architect.

As well as being proficient in AutoCAD, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite, Ryan also has a strong enthusiasm for hand sketching and photography.

Grahame Nicoll BSc Arch

Architectural Technologist

Grahame joined Harry Taylor & Company in September 2019, bringing with him a wealth of experience from nearly 40 years of working in private practice. After graduating from Dundee University, he joined LDN Architects in Edinburgh working mostly on the restoration of historic buildings. He then moved back to his hometown of Perth to work for Murdoch Chartered Architects, and then most recently for Robin Baker Architects where, for 14 years, he has worked on mostly residential projects.

Grahame has a particular interest in sustainable design and technology, and the use of eco-friendly materials. In 2000 he bought a plot of ground in Dunkeld and designed and built a timber-framed house (with recycled newspaper insulation) for himself and his family, where he still lives.

Jerry Taylor

Office Secretary

Jerry started at Harry Taylor & Company in June 2005 following a year at Perth College studying NQ Administration. While at the practice she has went on to gain her European Computer Drivers Licence and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (Levels 2 & 3) as well as other various administration units.

As office secretary Jerry helps with the day to day running of the business, such as office administration, answering telephones, greeting visitors and assisting other members of staff when required.

Margaret McDowall

Office Manager & Personal Assistant

Margaret joined Harry Taylor in 1972, as an Office Junior/Tracer, when the practice moved from Atholl Place to its current location at Melville House. Having worked at the company for over 40 years, Margaret has taken various courses ranging from Office Management to AutoCAD. This variety of knowledge can see her performing not only administrative duties but on the odd occasion plotting existing drawings on some of our smaller projects.

Margaret’s main role within the office is that of staff co-ordinator and Personal Assistant to Henry Dempsey. This involves arranging appointments and liaising with clients and contractors. Margaret also has the very important job of looking after the accounts and wages.