Legacy Founders
Our Legacy: Founders
At Dunbar & Boardman, our journey began with two visionary engineers whose leadership and technical foresight laid the foundation for one of the UK’s most respected vertical transportation consultancies.
Peter Geoffrey Boardman
Full Name: Peter Geoffrey Boardman
Role: Co-Founder & Director (1981–2015)
Peter Boardman served as the public face and technical leader of D&B for over 40 years.
Peter Boardman was not just a co-founder of Dunbar & Boardman — he was the heartbeat of its vision, the architect of its culture, and the driving force behind its reputation as one of the most trusted independent vertical transportation consultancies in the UK and beyond.
With a professional journey that spanned decades, Peter combined deep technical knowledge with a uniquely human approach to engineering. His philosophy was simple yet powerful: to provide clear, well-informed, and client-focused solutions that stand the test of time, while also developing people along the way. Under his leadership, Dunbar & Boardman quickly grew into a respected consultancy renowned for its meticulous standards, ethical approach, and collaborative spirit.
Peter’s influence extended far beyond project delivery. He mentored countless engineers, many of whom have gone on to lead projects and organisations of their own. His ability to nurture talent, listen thoughtfully, and challenge constructively created a legacy of leadership that still runs through the organisation today.
Notable achievements under Peter’s leadership include Dunbar & Boardman’s early expansion into international markets, the establishment of industry-defining technical standards in VT design, and the cultivation of long-term client partnerships across the UK, Middle East, and Europe.
Even after his retirement in 2015, Peter has remained a guiding presence, always available for advice, encouragement, and support. His role as a mentor and well-wisher continues to inspire the current leadership, especially as the company begins a new era of independent ownership under Ascendrix Holdings.
As we continue to grow across regions, serving projects in the Middle East and India, we honour Peter Boardman’s legacy — not just as a founder, but as a pioneer, educator, and the quiet force behind our enduring values of trust, quality, and innovation.
His vision helped D&B become a byword for quality in lift and escalator consulting—trusted by developers, architects, and global clients alike.
Henry George Dunbar
Co-Founder
Full Name: Henry George Dunbar
Role: Co-Founder & Director (1981–2003)
Henry George Dunbar co-founded Dunbar & Boardman and served as its Director for over three decades, retiring in May 2003. Born in January 1943 in the United Kingdom, Henry was a pioneer in the vertical transportation sector. His early leadership established the firm’s technical depth, client-first approach, and independent ethos.
Under his stewardship, D&B grew from a boutique engineering practice into a trusted name across the UK, involved in high-profile commercial, residential, and public sector developments. Henry’s legacy lives on through the design standards, performance methodologies, and consulting frameworks he helped establish, many of which remain core to D&B’s practice today.
Team Contribution
Our journey began with a clear vision—to create a consultancy dedicated to excellence in vertical transportation. As part of this journey, the early team played a vital role in shaping the values and standards we uphold today.
Among our very first engineers were Mick Pittam and Geoff Hutchinson, who joined the firm in 1983. Their technical expertise and commitment were instrumental in establishing the foundations of our consultancy:
- Mick Pittam, a former apprentice with Express Lifts, rose to become Chief Test Engineer before joining Dunbar & Boardman.
- Geoff Hutchinson began his career as a J&E Hall apprentice and later continued with Otis following its acquisition of J&E Hall.
Both retired in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and team spirit that continues to inspire us.
As co-founder Peter Geoffrey Boardman reflects, these contributions underscore a broader truth: “Everyone’s contribution adds to the value of team delivery and company growth.” This ethos remains at the heart of Dunbar & Boardman today.
The content shared here reflects our observations and collective feedback from long-standing team members—an acknowledgment of the shared effort and dedication that have shaped our journey.
