In our regular feature, we find out about members of the Scottish Decorators’ Federation. In this issue, we’re talking to Mark Ivinson and Jonny Blurton, Directors at Trinity Decorating Services of Dalkeith near Edinburgh.
What’s your background?
We have both been in the construction industry all our careers. We established our building and renovation company Orocco in 2012, which has been growing ever since. When the opportunity rose to invest in Trinity Decorating Services in September 2019, we believed it was a great decision to expand our portfolio.
What’s your speciality?
We specialise in residential and commercial painting across Edinburgh. We have a team with decades’ worth of experience combined. Our work varies from new exhibition spaces at the National Galleries of Scotland, to sash and case windows in Edinburgh’s old town, communal stairs in tenements and home renovation.
Trinity Decorating Services was one of the first painting and decorating businesses in the UK to introduce a four-day working week. We introduced this in 2019 to improve the work/life balance of our staff. The team now enjoys every Friday off to enjoy time with their friends and family, taking advantage of the extra-long weekend.
Our staff and clients have adapted well to the change, with our commitments to delivering projects on time stronger than ever. We retain flexibility and when we’re busy, overtime is available for staff if they want to work extra days.
When did you join the SDF?
Trinity Decorating Services has been a long-established member of the Federation since the firm joined in 2002. Since then, we’ve built key relationships across the industry.
What’s the best thing about the Federation?
The Federation allows us to engage with other businesses within the industry, while discussing challenges and opportunities in the sector. It’s a supportive network in a busy industry.
How has the Federation changed?
The recent development of its social media channels allows us to share even more about the good work painters and decorators do across Scotland. From our own experience, we know having a great social media presence is important for reaching new and existing customers.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your career?
We’re a resilient team; this has been proven over the recent expansion. The challenging part for us is ensuring we protect enough time for our families as possible, sustaining a work/life balance. As the business has grown, we have developed a strong team structure to help allow for more time to spend with family and friends.
What’s been your favourite job?
We’re lucky to have worked on some of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings. For us, our work at the National Galleries of Scotland always takes us by surprise. Over the last 20 years our team has transformed the galleries to complement the incredible exhibitions that they host.
What would be your dream job?
Tough question – how big can we go? We’d love to decorate and renovate more of Edinburgh’s iconic buildings. Edinburgh Dungeons, the Castle, Holyrood – you name it!
What are your long-term plans for the business?
We’re an ambitious team. We’re growing rapidly at the moment, with more people and projects coming on board. As we grow, we’re determined to continue the excellent service and quality delivered by our team.
One of the things that’s distinctive about Trinity Decorating Services is that we’re an innovative team.
We love to develop our services and remain at the forefront of design, continuing our work with award-winning interior designers.
Tell us about life beyond work
Jonny: While work keeps me busy and focused, I love being able to escape to the golf course for a few rounds. We’re lucky to be surrounded by some incredible courses – at least when the weather holds up. When I’m not on the golf course or at work, I’m spending time with my wife and kids. We love to get out into the fresh air, with visits to Loch Lomond.
Mark: I love to keep busy. Catching up with friends and family is a great way for me to unwind over some good food. As a family, we’ve started going camping. We enjoy packing up for the weekend, finding somewhere new and discovering the outdoors.
Picture shows Mark Ivinson and Jonny Blurton. See trinitydecoratingservices.co.uk