Propetual was founded by Steve Gilchrist to bring a "developer’s lens" to the challenge of business efficiency. Having managed major, high-stakes developments in London, Steve understands that for any innovative solution to be adopted, it must be practical, defensible and value-adding.
We don't believe in chasing badges or ticking boxes. We believe that efficiency - using less energy, less material and less time - is the most direct route to a resilient business. Whether we are leading the industry conversation through the Circular Steel conference or helping a small family business protect its IP and scale, we remain focused on one thing: making innovation stack up.
A blue-chip London client issued a tender with an ambitious requirement to track and control the destination of key demolition materials, including metal, concrete, glass, and aluminium.
Drawing on years of experience working within major developers, Propetual provided the "inside track" on what decision-makers were looking for in a compliant, pragmatic response.
We helped the bidding team translate complex material-tracking ambitions into a clear, realistic plan that aligned with the developer's specific project demands.
Although the overall tender was not successful, the specific sustainability and resource-tracking section scored highly, validating our approach to commercial realism in circularity.
A family-run business developed innovative, all-electric roofing equipment with no flame - a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional gas-powered methods. They needed to move from a "family firm" mindset to a more structured, growth-oriented business.
We are providing the strategic oversight needed to professionalise operations, focusing on IP protection and long-term value creation.
Acting as a strategic advisor, we are helping the business build the necessary structure to increase revenue and eventually attract investment or a high-value exit.
The business is shifting its focus toward a more disciplined, scalable model, with clearer goals for market expansion.
An innovative concrete reuse startup needed to move from a technical concept to being a specified solution on major London developments.
We used our property and construction network to facilitate high-level introductions and provide feedback on how the product could solve specific "pain points" for developers.
By providing strategic ideas and opening doors to key decision-makers, we helped the startup gain visibility where it matters most.
As a result of these strategic introductions, the startup was successfully written into the specification for a major project in London, providing a direct route to revenue and market validation.
The construction industry often lacks a practical forum for sharing knowledge on material reuse, particularly regarding high-value assets like structural steel.
Identifying a gap between policy and practice, we used our network to create a platform for honest, technical and commercial exchange.
Steve founded and runs Circular Steel, an annual mini-conference and co-directs the Circular Do Tank, a group dedicated to lobbying for practical and regulatory change in the built environment.
With a community of 200+ industry professionals who meet annually to learn about the circular economy of steel, Propetual is positioned as a leading voice in industry-wide efficiency.
Clients often have complex sustainability requirements that range from high-level strategy to granular technical compliance, such as energy audits or carbon reporting.
We act as the strategic lead, identifying the core business needs and then assembling a "best-in-class" technical team to deliver the work.
Using technical partners, we can provide a seamless service covering everything from materiality assessments to ISO certification.
This collaborative model allows us to bid for major contracts while providing clients with a single point of contact for both strategic advice and technical delivery.