BUSINESS POST: New dad brough this work home.

QUANTITY surveyor Stuart Kendall set up his own building firm six years ago in order to work closer to home after becoming a parent for the first time.

However, the successful venture at Llandudno Junction certainly hasn't allowed him a quiet life. It now employs nine people plus a team of sub-contractors and has a healthy order book stretching into 2007.

The firm, ASK Development, handles projects from small home extensions and refurbishments to housing developments, mostly in North Wales.

Mr Kendall, 45, who now has two children, said becoming a parent persuaded him to take more control of his life by starting his own business and working closer to home.

Having grown rapidly when it was first established, the business has been streamlined and is currently training a multi-skilled workforce.

There is already enough work in the pipeline to keep the company busy until next year. A property development of six exclusive apartments is programmed for later this year and ASK Development has recently achieved Investors in People recognition from post-16 education and training body ELWa.

"We have a good client base in North Wales and the business is aiming for gradual rather than rapid expansion," added Mr Kendall. "Our plans for the future include possibly developing new build and home improvement divisions, each with specialist teams."

CAPTION(S):

ASK Development's Managing director Stuart Kendall (right) with his wife Marion with (from left) site supervisors Carl Griffiths and Kevin Roberts