Identity Consult was founded in 2006 with a simple ambition to do things differently. In this piece – the first in our IC20 series – founders Mark Doherty and David Dent reflect on two decades of growth, challenge and change.
David has since stepped away from the business following a management buyout in 2018 but remains close to Mark and the team. Looking back, both are clear on one thing: the foundations were built early, and they were built on people.
“2006 was a very different world to the one we inhabit now,” Mark recalls. “The market was buoyant; finance was readily available and there was a lot of activity. But when we decided to establish IC, it was because we saw a gap – one that would make a difference and help our clients.”
Mark says that gap was to meet changing demands. No longer content with just traditional PM and QS services, clients wanted people who could offer something broader, with people who would roll their sleeves up and get stuck into development in all its forms – something IC sought to provide.
Starting out in Sunderland with just a handful of clients, it was, as Mark puts it, “hand to mouth”. There was no pipeline, no brand recognition, just strong relationships and a belief that they could offer something better.
“We were unknown,” he says. “Work came through people we knew and trusted. And very quickly we learned that it wasn’t about a polished pitch or a nice slide deck. Clients wanted to see what you could do and how you could add value to their business.”
For David, the early focus was clear. “Our point of difference was our relationships and trust between us and our clients. That’s why we put so much emphasis on people, investing in a team before we necessarily had the work, because we knew that was how we’d grow and continue to deliver. It was a big decision at the time – and taking people on when you don’t have a huge workload behind you takes a bit of courage.”
That early investment paid off. Drawing on their experience from larger corporate environments, the pair were able to bring a different level of rigour to a local market. “We’d both come from a big consultancy background,” David says. “So, we took those standards, those processes and that experience, and applied them in a more personal, hands-on way. That helped us stand out.”
Even so, the early years were intense. Long days, constant pressure and a need to prove themselves at every turn. “There were some very long hours,” David reflects. “Looking back now, I’m not sure I’d do everything the same way but am proud to have learned lots of lessons.”
“We didn’t really mind at the time though,” Mark adds. “It was exciting. You’re building something from nothing, so the motivation was always there.”
That momentum was tested just two years in when the 2008 financial crisis hit. “That was the big moment,” says Mark. “Construction was hit hard. For a young business, it could have been a real problem.”
“We were relatively insulated,” David adds. “We had a strong pipeline in affordable housing, which helped. There was an element of luck in that, but also some foresight in the type of work we’d gone after.”
Even so, it was a learning curve.
“It made us think differently,” Mark says. “The big lesson was not to rely too heavily on one sector. We needed to diversify and build resilience into the business.”
It was this thinking that shaped the next phase of growth as education became a key area for the team alongside its well-established experience in housing. Relationships deepened, and opportunities began to open beyond the North East.
“One breakthrough project in Cumbria really changed things for us,” David recalls. “It gave us a foothold in the North West, and from there the work grew organically.”
In 2011, Identity Consult opened its second office in Preston. “That was a big step,” Mark says. “We went from being a small team in one location to operating across regions. It felt like a real shift in the business.”
But growth was never just about geography or scale. It was about maintaining the same approach that had defined those early years. “We didn’t set out with a target of how big we wanted to be,” David says. “It was more about building something sustainable, with good people, doing good work.”
Looking back and the pair humbly acknowledge how impressive that growth is, especially in a wildly different construction sector. “Everything has changed so much, especially now with more scrutiny and changing regulations,” Mark explains. “There’s more process, more governance. Public sector procurement has evolved, and there’s a greater reliance on frameworks. Clients are more informed and expectations are higher.”
Identity Consult has responded by continuing to adapt and invest: “We’ve always tried to stay ahead of the curve,” Mark adds. “Whether that’s modern methods of construction, digital tools or responding to changes in legislation. Even before things like Part L came in, we were modelling different scenarios for our clients and advising them on how to achieve best value.”
Sustainability is now a central focus too, with increasing attentions on carbon reduction and retrofit. “The carbon agenda is huge,” Mark adds. “And we’re working closely with partners, including Northumbria University, to develop new tools to help clients make better decisions earlier in the design process. That’s where you can really influence outcomes.”
Alongside this, the industry continues to face a significant skills challenge. “We need to do more to attract people into the sector,” Mark says. “There are so many opportunities, but we don’t always tell that story well enough. That’s something we feel strongly about.”
That commitment to people has remained constant throughout Identity Consult’s journey. From early recruitment decisions to long term culture, it has always been central.
“We’ve always tried to create an environment where people feel trusted,” Mark says. “Where they can take ownership and grow.” Importantly, those values were not imposed from the top: “Our vision and values were shaped by the team,” he adds. “We spent time together, talked about what mattered to us and built it collectively. That’s why they’ve stayed relevant.”
For David, that people first approach is what he is most proud of: “Getting the right people in was key from day one,” he says. “It wasn’t always easy, but it made a huge difference.”
The impact of the business goes beyond its commercial success. Both founders speak about the importance of making a difference through the work they do. “Projects like the Beacon of Light stand out,” Mark says. “It was complex, with multiple stakeholders, but the impact it has had on the community is incredible.”
For David, it is often the smaller, more personal moments that resonate most. “ I also have a few smaller projects I fondly reflect on.
“My wife and I run Shildon Association Football Club, which is a big passion project for us. Yes, it’s important to achieve success on the pitch but equally important is the real social value that we are delivering in what is a deprived part of the North East. We drew on our experiences gained from the Beacon to deliver a brand new 3G pitch which will allow our community programmes and reach to grow massively. This was a real full circle moment.
“No commercial return can compete with that feeling.”
Since stepping away from the business following the 2018 management buyout, David has taken a different path, but his connection to Identity Consult remains strong. “I’m incredibly proud of what it has become,” he says. “Not just in terms of growth, but in how it has stayed true to what we set out to do.”
Today, the business is formed of 70 people across five offices and for Mark, the real measure of success is those colleagues. “I’m proud that the team here today still embodies the day one culture,” he says. “What an achievement 20 years on to see people building their careers and staying for the long term. Members of our team who joined as graduates now Directors and helping to strategically drive the business forward”
Looking ahead, the focus remains unchanged for Mark and the team now running IC: “We’ll keep investing in people,” Mark says. “That’s the key to everything. The industry needs talent, and we want to play our part in bringing people through.”
There is also a message for those considering a career in the sector. “Go for it,” he says. “There are so many different pathways. Get as much experience as you can, work with good people,don’t be afraid to ask questions and pick an employer who has a track record in investing in its peoples growth. Reputation matters in this industry, so build relationships and take pride in what you do.”
Twenty years on, Identity Consult’s story is one of steady, thoughtful organic growth. Built on strong and trusted relationships, shaped by challenges and driven by people. As Mark puts it, “We’ve come a long way. But at the heart of it, nothing has really changed. It’s still about our people, delivering an excellent service and helping to make a real impact in the communites and areas we operate.”