What our Customers say....
On providing VT Project Management services....
Danny Webster - Public & Life Sciences Director, MACE
"Working with Townshend Associates on our large-scale construction projects has been a game-changer. Their expertise in project managing vertical transport lift packages is second to none. From initial planning through to final delivery, they demonstrate exceptional coordination, ensuring everything is executed seamlessly and on time. Their proactive communication and ability to solve complex challenges have been invaluable to our operations.
With over 70 years of combined experience in lift operations and strong relationships with every major lift company, Martin and Ash consistently deliver fast-track solutions. Their expertise has given us complete confidence in their work, enabling us to focus on other aspects of our projects. We continue to use their services and find they provide a reliable and expert vertical transport project management service." - April 2025
James Bassett - Commercial Director, Midgard Ltd
"We have been working with Townshend Associates Ltd for several years and find that the support they offer is second to none within the lift industry. We initially employed Townshend Associates on an ad-hoc basis, as and when specific issues with our new lift installations arose, but more recently we have been engaging them much earlier in the process to ensure the lifts are removed from the critical path of our projects at the earliest possible stage.
The extensive senior level operational experience of Ash and Martin, together with a strong technical background and large contact book is the backbone of their success. Townshend Associates is currently actively engaged on seven of our key projects and feedback from all, as expected, is very positive. We look forward to working with Townshend Associates on our future projects and would highly recommend them." - May 2025
Martin Halley - Project Director, Midgard Ltd
“We engaged TAL on our project in Chelsea when the lift package on the project was approximately 80% complete. Progress at this stage was stuttering somewhat with regard to getting the lifts to a complete and to a compliant state. TAL had an immediate impact, using their extensive network of contacts and decades of senior operations experience to unblock issues and to re-engage all the stakeholders. A thorough and robust plan was quickly established and through the renewed collaborative approach that developed (and the consistent structured monitoring), the lifts were completed to the agreed plan and to a good quality. Ash personally has a calm, engaging but firm approach and is not worried about holding the relevant parties to account on their commitments. His technical and leadership qualities are sadly a rare commodity in the modern-day lift industry. I would not hesitate to engage Ash and TAL on my next project and will definitely involve them as early as possible in order to remove the lifts from the critical path of the project. Highly recommended.” - May 2025
Steve Templeman - Project Director, Midgard Ltd
"We have been working on the 2 Trafalgar Way project with Townshend Associates Ltd for approximately 20 months at the time of writing. The project comprises of 20 lifts across three towers with the tallest being 45 floors and running at 5m/s. Working with Ash has been an absolute pleasure due to his engaging nature and extensive operational & technical expertise in the vertical transportation industry. Ash has been the glue between the Midgard and Kone teams and has fostered a highly collaborative and transparent culture between both parties. As a result, all lifts are either on or ahead of programme, with key Beneficial Use lifts going into service ahead of time.
I do not believe that there are many organisations such as TAL in existence that provide this kind of service to such a high standard. Meticulous planning and relentless follow up are key strengths that Ash has bought to this project. I am looking forward to a successful close out of this project in the coming 10 months and would highly recommend TAL to anyone looking for support with their lift installations." - May 2025
On providing VT Management training....
Daniel Rose , Construction Director, Fujitec UK ltd
"Having had the privilege of working with Martin and Ash in the past, me and my team approached the TALVTC Project Manager training with high expectations—and I can confidently say those expectations were exceeded.
Martin brings a calm authority and a deep well of practical experience that immediately instils confidence in the room. His ability to translate complex project management principles into real-world scenarios makes the material not only accessible but genuinely applicable. His focus on structure, planning, and risk management is grounded in hands-on knowledge, and he challenges participants to think critically about the decisions they make as project leads.
Martin delivers a thoroughly engaging training experience with a clear emphasis on what matters most in successful project delivery. The insights, tools, and frameworks provided are immediately transferable to the workplace, and the delivery is of the highest quality.
I would highly recommend this course to any current or aspiring project manager. Having known and worked with Martin and Ash, it’s no surprise they’ve created something this impactful at TALVTC. On behalf of everyone at Fujitec UK, thank you to Martin for delivering such a valuable and professionally executed programme, we look forward to applying what we’ve learned and continuing to develop our project management capability." - June 2025
Henry Gregory , Head of Major Works, Precision Lift Services, a member of the Anlev Elevator Group
"On behalf of the Precision & the Anlev team, I would like to thank you for your time and the invaluable experience (of your training). As we know, the lift industry is quite unique - the majority of management roles are filled by ex-engineers or ex-testers, having trade experience but little actual management knowledge. I have counted myself in that category, rising through the ranks but lacking the edge with the management element, unfortunate not to have had the senior person to guide my experience. That aside, I take great pride in the position I hold today, but sometimes wonder “what if” this type of training had been offered at the earlier stages of my career.
You guys have developed an engaging experience, a recommendation to any new (or existing) Manager looking to develop or better themselves. I have learnt many skills which will be adopted with future projects. The phrase ‘Project Heartbeat’ has cemented itself into my mind!" - Feb 2025