Celebrating 65 Years of Curtins: A Legacy Built in Liverpool 

Where It All Began

Curtins’ story begins not in 1960, but in 1921 with the birth of our founder, Bill Curtin. Growing up in post-war Britain, Bill was shaped by a deep sense of social responsibility and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to his community. Whether driven by a passion for sharing knowledge or a commitment to creating opportunities, his vision laid the foundation for what Curtins would become a business built on integrity and a belief in doing the right thing for people and places.

In 1960, Curtins was born in the front room of Bill and his wife Ella’s home in Aigburth, Liverpool. Just a few years later, we moved into our first office on Rodney Street. And in 2025, we proudly celebrate 65 years of impact.

Bill’s early work included delivering 50 schools across the Merseyside area as part of the post-war schools building programme, as well as lobbying for the Royal Albert Dock’s conservation – both of which remain enduring legacies in the region. These projects weren’t just about engineering they were about enhancing lives, a principle that continues to guide us.

Curtins’ success in Liverpool fuelled rapid expansion throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with eight new offices opening across the UK. We broke into Scotland just a few years after I joined as a Technician Apprentice in our Liverpool office, still based on Rodney Street at the time.

Throughout this growth, Bill remained deeply connected to the community. His values and purpose-led approach were passed on to the next generation and continue to guide us today.

At the Forefront of Innovation

I’ve seen Curtins consistently lead the way in the construction industry. From developing the now widely adopted diaphragm wall design to being among the first in our industry to embrace hybrid working in 2020, we’ve consistently been pioneers driven by curiosity and a desire to challenge convention for the better.

We've long been at the forefront of the industry, harnessing research and development to tackle complex challenges with confidence. From publishing widely respected technical guidance to driving forward innovative engineering solutions, our commitment to progress is evident at every turn. We’re proud to have been among the first in the sector to recognise - and embrace the transformative power of digital technologies.

Throughout the years, we've received multiple consultancy awards, including the recent Consultancy of the Year at the Insider Liverpool City Region Property Awards 2025, where we were recognised for our strong local presence and dedication to nurturing talent.

We’re proud to be 100% employee-owned, and since 2019 have held the Investors in People Platinum accreditation reflecting our commitment to excellence, not just in engineering, but in how we support and empower our people.  

A Legacy in Liverpool

Our legacy in Liverpool is woven into the city’s fabric. We’ve shaped thousands of buildings across the region, and we’ve also played a vital role in conserving and adapting many of the city’s iconic listed buildings from the Royal Albert Dock and the Three Graces to Liverpool Museums India and Municipal Buildings to our head office on Tithebarn Street. These projects reflect our integrity in preserving heritage while embracing progress.

Our expertise in waterfront placemaking is industry-leading. We’ve developed sustainable engineering solutions that honour the heritage of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront while addressing modern challenges like climate change. I’m proud to say that our work spans Liverpool and Wirral Waters, Kings Dock, Festival Gardens, Hind Street and the globally significant deep water container port.

Through every project, we aim to enhance the built environment and improve lives. Our deep roots, local expertise, and national reach ensure that as we grow, so too does our positive impact on the Liverpool City Region.

Continuing in Bill’s Values

The Liverpool City Region is defined by the legacy of great engineers. Through our values of curiosity, impact, integrity, and being human, we aim to preserve and enhance this legacy for future generations through the built assets we help create, and the high-value employment and career opportunities we generate through our head office in Liverpool.

We’ve worked collaboratively to regenerate the derelict industrial docklands on both sides of the Mersey, on a journey transforming them into vibrant communities, workplaces, and cultural destinations. Our conservation and repurposing of listed buildings ensures their continued relevance and accessibility, delivering with lasting sustainable and social and economic benefits.

Beyond engineering, we actively collaborate with anchor institutions across the Liverpool City Region to drive skills development, innovation, and STEM engagement. One of Bill Curtin’s founding principles was to create opportunities for growth, and that ethos remains central to our business. Many of our team began their careers as apprentices or graduates and have grown into industry leaders, a testament to our belief in nurturing potential.

What’s Next

We are proud of our legacy, but equally excited for the future. Our contributions have been recognised with both Investors in People Platinum status, and our work with The Purpose Coalition to break down barriers and promote equity. We work on schemes ranging from £100,000 to £1 billion masterplans and have racked up more than 70 awards in the last 3 years.

This month, we’re marking our 65th anniversary with a celebration at the iconic Royal Liver Building another landmark we’ve had the pleasure of working on.

It’s a moment to reflect on our journey and look ahead to the future with pride, purpose, and most importantly recognising the importance of relationships and people, at the heart of everything we do.