In an industry as tough as scaffolding, it’s rare to find a story that stops you in your tracks. But Aaron King, founder of AK Scaffolding, is doing more than just erecting towers; he’s rebuilding lives.
After walking out of prison with nothing but the clothes on his back, Aaron didn’t just look for a job—he looked for a way to change the narrative. Today, he runs a successful Manchester-based agency that is making waves for two very important reasons: its commitment to hiring ex-offenders and its fearless stance on mental health.
Why this matters for our industry
Scaffolding has one of the highest suicide rates of any trade. By creating a “safe space” culture—complete with open group chats and a focus on looking out for one another—Aaron is proving that “toughness” isn’t about staying silent; it’s about having the strength to speak up.
From competing on the world stage at ScaffChamp in Lithuania to mentoring men who the rest of the world has written off, Aaron’s journey from a prison cell to a company director is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves a second chance.
“Often the black sheep becomes the goat,” says Aaron.
It’s an incredible story of redemption, resilience, and the power of the trade. We highly recommend giving the full interview a read to see how AK Scaffolding is setting a new standard for the UK scaffolding scene.