Twenty years ago, RI Cruden began with a simple goal: to do good work and treat people well.
Two decades later, that promise still holds, but its purpose has grown.
With a renewed vision and refreshed values, the business is laying the foundation for the next 20 years: one built on people, progress, and long-term impact.
Founded in 2005 as a family venture, RI Cruden has grown into one of the Highlands’ leading providers of mechanical, electrical, and renewable energy services.
Today, it employs more than 75 people across Scotland and supports a diverse portfolio of domestic and commercial clients.
In celebration of this milestone year, the company has just launched a future-facing vision shaped by its people and the businesses it works alongside.
With updated values centred on quality, sustainability, collaboration, and leadership, this shift formalises a culture that has quietly powered RI Cruden for years, setting a clear direction for the future.
“This isn’t about branding, it’s about direction,” said Callum Cruden, director at RI Cruden.
“We took time to listen to our team and understand what matters to them, as well as to our clients and the communities we serve.
This new framework gives us a clearer focus for how we lead, how we work, and how we will continue to grow.”
The new values framework focuses on five clear principles: Working Together, Delivering Excellence, Taking the Lead, Developing Talent, and Making a Difference.
But these values aren’t just words on a wall; they’re lived every day across sites and teams.
From empowering early-career employees to lead projects, to staying late to solve problems others might walk past, RI Cruden’s culture is built on action and accountability.
“We’ve come a long way,” said Callum.
“We’ve grown, made mistakes, learned, and kept moving.
“But the one thing that has never changed is our belief in doing good work and doing it the right way.
“This new vision is about holding onto that and pushing it forward.”
From engineers and estimators to apprentices and office staff, RI Cruden’s success has always been grounded in its investment in people, with the company building a culture of mutual respect, opportunity, and shared purpose.
A key part of that success is the company’s award-winning apprenticeship programme, helping early-career professionals gain the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience to thrive in a growing sector.
Alec Shaw, who joined the team through its apprenticeship programme, said:
“The career path for my job was very appealing and the workplace itself was one of the nicest that I had been to.
“I was being taught by people who know how to teach and knew a lot about what they were teaching.”
John Russell, an ex-Royal Navy Officer and now an apprentice plumber, added:
“I was looking for a career in the renewable industry and saw RI Cruden as a forward-thinking employer and business.
“The teamwork on display is the most rewarding thing, all departments are happy to ‘muck in’ and help.
“They also support me in my volunteering, which allows me to give back to my local community.”
As part of its anniversary celebrations, RI Cruden announced on the day that it has so far this year donated over £40,000 through sponsorship initiatives and to local charities, including New Start Highland, Heathers Heroes, and Race against Dementia.
RI Cruden was founded in 2005 by Ian Cruden, with his eldest son, Rory, joining in 2008 to form R&I Cruden Heating Services.
As the business evolved to specialise in renewable energy solutions, Ian’s wife, Isla, and youngest son, Callum, also came on board, making it a true family venture.
Today, the company has grown into a thriving team of over 75 employees, including engineers, estimators, and apprentices.
It delivers mechanical and electrical building services, renewable energy solutions, and facilities management across both domestic and commercial projects while remaining true to the values on which it was built: quality, community, and sustainability.
For more information, visit www.ricruden.net or check out the company’s Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
