FIVE years after the merger which created the LHL Group – one of Yorkshire’s biggest independent firms of surveyors and architects – John Denton, its managing director, is preparing for the next stage in its development.

Soon the business’s head office, based at Clifton Moorgate, York, for 20 years, re-locates to new £3,000 sq ft offices at Stanley Harrison House, the former Time Office at The Chocolate Works, once headquarters for Terry’s of York.

John says: “When we were putting together the merger with Hawley and Partners, one collective aim was to move our entire team into new headquarters of regional significance, and the old Terry’s site fulfils this.

“Although business has been tough for the last three years, progress has to continue and we did not want to miss out on this opportunity, which will help us create a major new focus for the company. The new headquarters is aimed at nurturing teamwork and creating a platform for business development from a national perspective.”

John, 52, an avid sports fan and outdoor life enthusiast, joined LHL Group’s predecessor, Lightly & Lightly, in 1987. He became a partner the following year and has been a director of LHL Group since its creation in 2005.

Now the company, which has more than 35 staff at offices in York, Doncaster, Harrogate and Hull and a £2million turnover, provides a range of services including building surveying, architecture, quantity surveying, health care and project and construction management. LHL operates for commercial and domestic clients as well as in primary care and education and works for several large country estates.

John is married to wellness manager Joanne, and they have two sons, Tom, 22, and Oli, 20, both professional rugby players with Leeds Carnegie.

John took over as LHL Group managing director last autumn, when the UK was in recession and the property sector at a low ebb.

How has he found it? “You have to remain positive and trust in the abilities of the team around you. Some tough decisions have been taken but we are stronger for having done so.”

Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?

Running a yacht charter business somewhere exotic so I can combine business with pleasure.

Greatest achievement?

Fathering two boys who are currently making their own way in the world.

Biggest mistake?

Not investing in the mobile phone industry while in my first job in London 1981. I considered that no way would anyone want to carry a car battery around with them to make a call!

What makes you most angry?

People not taking personal responsibility for their actions and then trying to offload on to someone else.

What makes you laugh?

I try to find the funny side of most situations. You needed a good sense of humour to keep going in recent years.

What fools do you suffer least?

Those that give up before they have even given it a go.

Whom do you most admire and why?

There are a few but one that sticks in my mind is Nelson Mandela for his personal sacrifice for the greater good of the people.

What do you need to make life complete?

Keep my health into retirement so I can enjoy pursuing various activities, including watching the boys playing rugby around the country and maybe the world ( I hope).

How do you relax?

By carrying out some form of sporting activity be it squash, tennis or mountain biking.

Favourite record?

Difficult one but one that sticks in my mind from student days was Roxanne by the Police ...its maybe a time and place thing.

Favourite holiday destination?

Has to be New Zealand. It’s a natural playground for me to pursue my love of the great outdoors.

Why do you make a difference?

I have a positive attitude to achieve and believe anything is possible.

Name the organisation you see as the perfect one (not your own) and why

No such thing as a perfect organisation and always can do better. The day you think you have reached perfection is the time to get out.

Your epitaph

At last he is keeping still (well, so we think).