Meet the Member – Duncan Gordon

Duncan Gordon’s first job was working in the building trade as a labourer in his home town of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. He worked alongside his father as bricklayer on a variety of building sites in the during the first half of the ‘90s. However, he had another long-held dream to fulfil before he would return to the civilian workforce.

“At the age of five I watched The Longest Day with my Grandad (who had served with the Scots Guards), who said ‘You can do that’, so joining the Army was my focus from my early years,” explains Duncan. “I joined the Royal Engineers knowing that I would be able to gain a trade and qualifications which would help me when I finished my time in the Army.”

In 1996, Duncan joined the British Army as a Royal Engineer and by the following year he had qualified as bomb disposal engineer.

“In 1999, while on tour in Kosovo, we were informed that our trade stream was changing and that we had to apply for other artisan trades within the Corps of Royal Engineers,” explains Duncan. “There was a long list of artisan trades open and available for all my training party to choose from, such as plumber, electrician, carpenter, welder, painter and finisher for example. I looked across the breadth of the trades available and chose to become a plumber and heating engineer. I chose this option due to the complexities of the trade and I enjoy problem solving. It also offered career progression.

“In 2000, I was fortunate to be selected to go to 1 RSME (Royal School of Military Engineering) in Chatham, Kent to start my journey in the trade. The course lasted nine months and took us through Water Regulations, iron, copper, drainage pipework, system design and installation, leadwork, oil boilers, tools, and various other techniques to be awarded NVQ level 2.”

In 2002, Duncan returned to 1 RSME to complete the H&P 2-1 (Heating & Plumbing Class Two to One) course. This six-month course was for NVQ level 3 and was primarily focused on gas. To gain gas boiler experience and build enough credits for their portfolios, members of the course were attached to civilian contractors.

“This was a fantastic part of the course as it allowed us to work in the industry, gaining as much hands-on experience as possible at dealing with everyday plumbing problems, installing and fault-finding gas boilers under the watchful eye of our highly competent mentors.”

During the remainder of his 24-year-long career with the Army, Duncan was employed as a bomb disposal operator, serving in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. He ended his career as a Warrant Officer and the head trainer at the Defence EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and Search School based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Although his contracted time within the services as a regular has ended, Duncan is still in the Army Reserve.

Civilian life

When Duncan knew the end of his Army career was approaching, he began thinking about his next career and what he would like to achieve. He decided to pursue a career as a plumbing and heating engineer.

“I wanted to utilise the ELC (Enhanced Learning Credits) that had been accrued during my time in the service to retake my ACS (Accredited Certification Scheme) Core Gas skills and appliances,” says Duncan. “I was also fortunate to have time in the last few months of service to study and bring myself back up to date with current Water Regulations and plumbing legislation.”

Before leaving the Army, Duncan’s next steps were to buy a house, purchase a van, tools, insurance and establish himself as a self-employed plumbing and heating engineer. In Afghanistan, the callsign for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) for British forces was Brimstone. He created his company, Brimstone Gas & Oil, in 2021, servicing Rugby and the surrounding area.

“My first job, once I’d settled in Rugby, was to assist my friend in building his house extension, doing their plumbing and gas work while overseeing the work that was being completed by the contractors,” explains Duncan. “This led to helping on other extensions that the company was carrying out in the local area, and from there my name was being recommended to others and odd plumbing jobs/boiler services being passed on to me.

“I really enjoy engaging with the local community fixing problems, finding faults in boilers and other plumbing issues,” says Duncan. “I sometimes sub-contract work for local estate agents when they require additional specialist help with properties. This would normally be where a G3 qualified person, or plumbers on their books have not dealt with macerators before. Bathroom renovations have been a focus for the past two years – it is pleasing to help customers fulfil their bathroom and cloakroom dreams.

Finding a balance

“A very enjoyable part of being self-employed is the ability to control work/life balance. I know that when not working unfortunately income stops but it is important to have a good amount of family time. This was something that I was not able to control previously. Both being members of the 100 Marathon Club, my wife and I enjoy running and quite often will have a weekend away running marathons around the country, clearing our heads, seeing new sights and meeting new people before the working week starts. That being said, a weekend relaxing watching movies with the kids and just spending time together is a great reset.

“I would consider a role teaching in the plumbing and heating industry in the future, after I have gained the knowledge and experience working in the trade for a few more years. I do see myself continuing to work in the trade until retirement age comes, but could reduce days to lecture where required.”

Member benefits

Duncan visited the CIPHE’s stand at InstallerSHOW at the NEC in 2021, and decided to apply to become a member after chatting with membership director, Tim Sainty.

“I returned the following day to hand in my completed membership paperwork,” recalls Duncan. “Unfortunately, for Tim and I, his bag containing the membership forms were stolen from him on a train when he was returning home. The following year I met back up with Tim, I hadn’t realised what had happened so started the membership process again. I’m sure that Tim put me to the top as I had my membership email later that same day – top guy.

“Becoming a member has opened up a lot of opportunities for me and my business,” enthuses Duncan. “Being able to gain Registered Plumber and Registered Heating Professional status through CIPHE has enabled me to join the Approved Contractor Scheme and become a member of WaterSafe, which in turn has led to my company being listed with Severn Trent as a reliable/professional Plumbing and Heating Engineer. I also recently joined the lead safe campaign as part of WaterSafe’s campaign on trades to use lead-free solder.”

Duncan has found that a lot of his additional work has come from customers who have used CIPHE’s Find a plumber tool, WaterSafe or Severn Trent, instead of utilising social media platforms to look for trades people.

“Being a member allows me to continue CPD through the CIPHE Academy, download technical information and shop for discounted or free materials and guidelines,” adds Duncan. “It’s a great resource to quickly check and confirm legislation that is needed on a job you are completing.”