From the bustling cityscapes of Aberdeen to the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, Kieran Graham has made a mark in the construction industry.
Now the Managing Director of Tulloch Homes, Kieran has overseen projects that shape communities and meet the growing demand for housing in the Highlands. With nearly two decades of experience, his career reflects a dedication to both personal growth and a vision for delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes. In this candid conversation, Kieran shares his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and what’s next for Tulloch Homes as it approaches a historic milestone.

Can you take us back to the beginning of your career — how did you first get involved in the construction industry, and what initially drew you to this sector?
I was drawn to Quantity Surveying because of the diverse skill set it offers and the wide range of career opportunities it unlocks. While many of my peers gravitated towards careers in oil and gas, construction captured my interest from a young age. When the time came to decide on my career path, I knew this was the right choice for me.
What pivotal roles shaped your path to becoming Managing Director of Tulloch Homes?
I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible colleagues and mentors along the way, which has been instrumental in shaping my career. My early days as a Quantity Surveyor working with W M Donald shaped me — I learned the importance of relationships, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
After spending five years with Stewart Milne in Aberdeenshire, I moved to Robertson, where I gained invaluable experience as a Commercial Manager. That role prepared me to take on the position of Commercial Director at Tulloch Homes, and three years later I became Managing Director.
Reaching a senior leadership role relatively early in your career is impressive. Can you share a key moment in your career that helped you achieve this?
One of the defining moments in my career was deciding to leave Aberdeen and move to Inverness to take on new challenges. It wasn’t an easy decision; it meant moving away from my family and friends and a fair share of personal sacrifice. However, it was the right step for my career and ultimately led to my current role at Tulloch Homes.
As MD of Tulloch Homes, what does a typical day look like, and how do you manage the demands of leading a major housebuilding company?
Every day is different, which keeps the role exciting. Tulloch Homes employs nearly 150 people, and we’re involved in every stage of the housebuilding process, from land acquisition and planning to construction and customer sales.
The demands of the role require proactive planning and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to delivering high quality, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of the communities we serve.
What are your future goals for Tulloch Homes, and are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?
Next year is a big year for Tulloch Homes as we enter our 100th year. From starting up in 1925 from a small workshop in Nairn, we have come a long way. To mark this occasion, we are launching two exciting new developments in Conon and Slackbuie, Inverness.
These developments will deliver over 200 homes, including private sale, private rent, and affordable housing options. This all-tenure approach has become central to our mission, helping address the growing housing demand in the Highlands. Built with zero-carbon heating and high energy efficiency, our homes reflect our commitment to sustainable living.
The Local Development Plan highlights the need for over 25,000 homes in the Highlands over the next decade. With the Green Freeport and infrastructure upgrades driving growth, collaboration across the region is vital to securing a prosperous future for all and we’re well-positioned to play a key role in meeting this demand.

Reflecting on your career, what achievement or project holds special significance?
One project that stands out is our partnership with the Highland Housing Alliance to deliver 75 mid-market rental homes. This initiative addresses a critical gap in the private rental sector, providing high-quality homes for hardworking families who might otherwise struggle to find suitable housing.
This partnership strengthens our relationship with HHA, an organisation playing a pivotal role in addressing housing needs across the Highlands. Delivering these homes over the next nine months is a milestone that reflects our commitment to supporting the local community.
Our efforts don’t stop here. We continue to explore similar partnerships and projects to ensure our business contributes to delivering homes across all tenures, addressing housing demands while meeting the diverse needs of our region.
How do you balance your demanding role with being a father to a young family?
I genuinely enjoy my work and have a deep passion for housebuilding. Creating homes and communities is incredibly fulfilling, making the challenges of the role easier to navigate. That said, family time is a priority for me. My three-year-old daughter keeps me grounded and ensures my weekends are always lively and full of joy.
I’m also fortunate to work for a company that values work-life balance. As part of the Springfield Group, Tulloch Homes fosters a supportive culture that promotes both professional and personal growth, allowing me to thrive in my career while cherishing time with my family.
Do you have hobbies or interests that help you unwind?
Parenting is definitely my main hobby at the moment! It’s rewarding and fulfilling, even if it doesn’t always feel like relaxation in the traditional sense.
You’ve had a longstanding partnership with W M Donald across several roles. How did that relationship begin?
My relationship with W M Donald began during my time as an Assistant Surveyor at Stewart Milne. One of my first projects was in Cults, where I worked closely with Willie and his team.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with W M Donald on various housing developments across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire. When I moved to Inverness, I saw an opportunity for W M Donald to bring value to the Highlands. After discussing the significant workload with Ian Gray, W M Donald quickly secured major housebuilding contracts, leveraging local labour to strengthen our partnership.
The success of any housing development depends heavily on planning and the quality of the groundwork. This synergy has been key to my positive experiences with W M Donald. In Inverness, our teams collaborate closely ahead of project starts, ensuring meticulous planning and maximising value engineering opportunities, which sets the foundation for successful developments.
Are there standout projects you’ve worked on with W M Donald?
W M Donald has been working with us at The Maples for the past one to two years, consistently delivering high-quality work. The collaboration between our project team and W M Donald’s team has been excellent.
While The Maples is a flat site with great ground conditions, it’s been crucial to have a contractor like W M Donald to help address the unique challenges this project presents. The high volume of work at this flagship site in Inverness reflecting the strong customer demand requires a skilled groundworker capable of managing such scale.
On projects like this, close teamwork ahead of the site launch is essential to maximise efficiency and prevent issues during construction. It’s well known that the ground can present the biggest commercial and construction risks in housebuilding, so it’s vital to work effectively with our groundworker to mitigate these risks and ensure a smooth and successful build.
What advice would you offer to someone starting out in the construction industry?
Focus on an area you’re genuinely interested in and work for a company that supports training and development. This is a core focus within the Springfield Group, where we are committed to creating pathways for those starting their careers.
At Tulloch, we currently have over 20 apprentices working across our sites in the Highlands. With a skills shortage in the industry, it’s crucial that companies like ours continue to offer these opportunities. Apprenticeships provide a vital foundation for anyone starting their career.
Looking back, I often think that an apprenticeship would have better suited my journey as a Quantity Surveyor. I didn’t fully start learning until I graduated and began working, so the practical experience and hands-on training apprenticeships offer is invaluable. Supporting apprenticeships not only helps individuals but also strengthens the industry as a whole.
Looking back, what’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned that influences the way you lead today?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is just how important strong relationships are. Whether it’s with colleagues, contractors, or community partners, the success of our work really boils down to trust and collaboration.
As a leader, I focus on creating an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to share their ideas. When we come together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish, and that’s how we continue to build homes that truly make a difference in people’s lives.
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This article featured in our latest Winter edition of our company magazine From The Ground Up. You can view the magazine by following the link below: