Consultant takes an unorthodox step in its international expansion by launching its own global TV station

Gleeds has taken an unorthodox step in its international expansion by launching its own global television station.

The channel, GTV, will initially broadcast footage of company projects and interviews with industry celebrities, mostly conducted by senior partner Richard Steer, who insists he is 鈥渘ot doing a Jeremy Paxman, but trying to be friendly鈥�.

The consultant intends the venture, believed to be the first of its kind by a construction company, to eventually become an 鈥渋ndustry channel鈥�.

The programmes and a linked website, gleeds.tv, are aimed at creating closer ties between the consultant鈥檚 international branches, which stretch from the US to Australia and the UK. Gleeds is also promoting GTV in universities and schools.

Steer said: 鈥淭he medium has the unique power of moving image and sound to attract people鈥檚 attention to the industry.鈥�

The channel, was developed in partnership with content management system provider Bionic, will be accessible in Gleeds offices from January.

Among Steer鈥檚 first interviewees will be architect Ken Shuttleworth and five-time Olympic gold medallist rower Sir Steve Redgrave, who is an ambassador for Gleeds.

Steer said: 鈥� We鈥檝e been working on the initiative for the past year, and believe it has the potential to be hugely informative.鈥�

He added that the venture would foster a community spirit in Gleeds鈥� offices. He said: 鈥淭hey can always switch it over to Match of the Day if they get bored,鈥� said Steer, 鈥渂ut hopefully they won鈥檛 need to.鈥�