Meet the team – Ross McCormack
From The Black Isle to Glasgow, and a safari adventure in South Africa, our Cladding System Development Technician, Ross McCormack, has plenty of stories to share. In this edition of ‘Meet the Team,’ we explore his passion for architecture, design, and, of course, his love of good food and travel.
Architecture to timber innovation
Ross studied at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen, where he graduated in 2020 with a degree in Architectural Technology. During the pandemic, he moved back home to The Black Isle, a peninsula in the Highlands of Scotland, located north of Inverness. Soon after, he relocated to Glasgow, where he worked in the residential sector as an Architectural Technologist.
His journey to Russwood was driven by an interest in manufactured products and innovative timber solutions. Originally joining as an Architectural Liaison Technician (ALT), Ross’ expertise quickly saw him transition into the role of Cladding System Development Technician. He enjoys working closely with Gareth, David, and Scott in the R&D team to develop Russwood’s cutting-edge cladding solutions. “We’re always collaborating to refine and improve our products, which makes every project exciting,” explains Ross.
One of Ross’ favourite aspects of the role is working on Autodesk Revit, Autodesk AutoCAD and other software, where he enjoys technical drawing and design. He recently produced the drawing pack for our latest fixing product, Russwood Finfix®, an experience he found particularly rewarding. He also loves working in the Glasgow office and tells us: “The people are what make it.”
City life versus the Highlands
Growing up in The Black Isle, Ross has fond memories of the rugged landscapes and close-knit community. However, the fast-paced city life, music events, and incredible food scene in Glasgow make it his preferred place to call home.
When he’s not developing new cladding systems, Ross spends some of his free time cooking, painting, playing board games, and collecting vinyl records. He has a strong interest in architecture and design, staying up to date with industry trends and regularly networking with friends and ex-colleagues. If you need any Glasgow Southside recommendations, Ross is your guy! When asked for his top picks, he didn’t hesitate – Big Bear Bakery for sweet treats and, just across the road, French Monkey, which is supposedly great for a coffee.
A South African safari adventure
Ross and his girlfriend, Desiree, share a love for travel, food, and exploring new cultures. Originally from South Africa, Desiree took Ross along on a family trip last year. In the office, we joke about how Ross never misses a chance to bring up his South African adventure!
Their travels began in Johannesburg before heading to Deneysville (Desiree’s hometown), Sabi Sands, and the Inyati Game Lodge, where Ross had the unforgettable experience of seeing elephants, giraffes, leopards and other animals up close on a game drive. Cape Town was the final stop, where Ross enjoyed indulging in South African cuisine, including biltong and a traditional braai.
This year, Ross and Desiree are planning plenty of travel around Europe – slightly closer to home. Their most recent trip took them to Barcelona, where they soaked up the sun, scenery, and (of course) plenty of good food. Hasta la vista!
Would you like to join the team?
We are always keen to hear from people who are interested in working at Russwood both in our yard and office teams. Available positions and details of how to apply speculatively can be found on our careers page.