Perfect Circle People | Craig Scott
As part of our Perfect Circle People series, we spotlight Craig Scott, Director, Scotland & Northern Ireland at Gleeds LLP.
He started his career as an apprentice quantity surveyor in 2000, completing a first-class honours degree on a part time basis while delivering projects as both PM and QS. Craig became a chartered QS and PM in 2007 and has since led major projects and programmes across urban regeneration, commercial, defence and infrastructure sectors. In 2013, he relocated to Doha as Senior Project Manager, leading multidisciplinary commercial teams on a multibillion-pound mega project.
Since returning to the UK, Craig has held leadership roles with Gleeds, leading teams delivering complex projects and programmes for major clients across the UK and overseas. His core specialisms include project and team leadership, procurement strategy, and governance of large-scale projects.
Career Highlight
'Lusail City Mega Project $35Bln - Doha, Qatar 2013-2015. I led the commercial and contract management function on a multibillion-pound city-scale programme in Doha as Senior Project Manager, overseeing 70 plus contract packages and a large multidisciplinary team. Faced with performance and fragmented governance issues, I reset commercial controls, reporting structures, and team accountability. Within six months, programme KPI performance improved from below 50% to over 90%, restoring client confidence and stabilising delivery. The role required strong leadership across a multicultural environment, balancing pace, risk, and stakeholder expectations on one of the region’s most complex infrastructure programmes'.
Lusail City Land Use Master Plan (courtesy of Lusail Real Estate Company)
Perfect Circle Project(s):
'Historic Environment Scotland £18m CAPEX - Bonnybridge, 2022-2024. Archive House is a flagship sustainable retrofit project, targeting both the Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard and Passive Haus EnerPHit benchmark. I led the team delivering cost and commercial management for the delivery of a specialist national archive facility, ensuring robust procurement, cost control, and delivery certainty'.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
'I am motivated by the significant challenges and complex problems projects involve. My role spans strategic advisory, project leadership, and leading teams to deliver consistent, high-quality outputs. I also enjoy developing new business and helping to shape the direction of Gleeds’ service offer in the region'.
What does a typical day look like?
'No two days follow the same pattern, but most involve a blend of client discussions, commercial reviews, site engagement, and technical input. Improving outcomes is what drives me. When a project moves from concept to delivery with clear purpose, strong governance, and momentum, it feels worthwhile. I also place strong value on developing people, seeing individuals grow into their responsibilities and perform at a higher level is as rewarding as the project outcomes'.
How much of your workload includes Perfect Circle commissions?
'Gleeds plays a significant role in delivering projects as part of the Perfect Circle consortium. My role within business development is closely aligned to Perfect Circle’s public sector and infrastructure priorities, particularly through regional relationship development, pipeline planning, and strategic support. I am focused on strengthening relationships and developing pipeline across Scotland and Northern Ireland, while supporting Gleeds’ wider contribution to Perfect Circle commissions'.
What do you like most about your role?
'I value Gleeds as a place where you can deliver complex work at a senior level without losing the human side of the business. Technical expertise is combined with a culture built on trust, relationships, and straightforward communication. I am particularly proud of the long-term partnerships I have built with major clients, many of whom rely on my team as trusted advisors across multiple programmes'.
If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be?
'Anyone who gets paid to test golf courses full time, although I suspect I would still find a way to make hard work of it!'
What is your biggest achievement to date?
'Professionally, leading mega-project turnarounds and building long-term client partnerships. Personally, raising three children while maintaining a demanding career, is by far the most complex but rewarding challenge'.
Tell us a secret/guilty pleasure:
'Possibly not that secret, but I have a nerdy side. I enjoy politics, history, physics, and cosmology podcasts, particularly those from Goalhanger Podcasts and StarTalk, although I balance that with far too much attention to pop culture and sci-fi'.
