Agilité, an international commercial interiors specialist, has announced its commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of women working in the commercial property sector. An investment of £10,000 is going towards women at all levels within the company, both in France and the UK. The commercial interiors specialist boasts a workforce
Fit-out specialist Pexhurst is currently refurbishing a spacious industrial unit for SEGRO, the leading UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The project involves the fit-out of an existing warehouse located at 160-161 Bestobell Road, Slough and is set for completion in September 2022. The warehouse is conveniently situated on the
One of the UK’s leading joinery and interior fit-out contractors, which has posted the highest annual revenues in its history, has £60 million of secured work for the new financial year. Leicester-based EE Smith Contracts, which is celebrating its 125th birthday this year, has recorded a turnover of £61.5 million
Jarltech, one of Europe’s leading specialist distributors of POS systems and Auto-ID hardware, has completed a relocation of its UK operation to newly refurbished offices in Brighton city centre. The fit-out work to the 330 sq m offices, worth £125,000, was completed by BRAC Contracts. The move to Aspect House
Commercial interiors specialists Paramount say they are “proud” to have been appointed to create an “inspiring workplace” at the heart of historic Bath’s flagship regeneration project. The Paramount Bristol-based team are masterminding the interior design of the prestigious new office space in the Bath Quays office building for leading local
1000 Aztec West, the South West’s first net zero carbon in operation out-of-town development, is fast taking shape. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for CEG, 1000 Aztec West near Bristol is set to become a state-of-the-art working environment which promotes inclusivity, sustainability and wellbeing, creating a new benchmark for office spaces
Willmott Dixon Interiors has completed the £47.35 million refurbishment of London South Bank University’s (LSBU) London Road Building. The national fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has redeveloped the university’s learning environments as part of one of the biggest transformation programmes in its history. The new learning hub features modern workspaces,
Pan-European commercial interiors specialist Agilité Solutions has marked its continued growth with the expansion into London and its first hire in the city – as the company celebrates its fourth year of trading and expected turnover in 2022 exceeding €40 million. With existing bases in Paris, Milan, and Luxembourg, as
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture specialists in the healthcare sector, has delivered a second hospital fitout project in the Scottish Highlands. The new Broadford Community Hospital on the Isle of Skye is part of a £40m development by NHS Highland. This investment included the award-winning Badenoch & Strathspey
One of the UK’s leading joinery and interior fit-out contractors is celebrating a major milestone this spring. EE Smith Contracts in central Leicester reaches its 125th birthday – and is marking the occasion with numerous celebrations and team building events. The company goes into its 125th year of trading with
BDC 322 : Nov 2024
Agilité, an international commercial interiors specialist, has announced its commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of women working in the commercial property sector. An investment of £10,000 is going towards women at all levels within the company, both in France and the UK. The commercial interiors specialist boasts a workforce that is 31% female, including 57% of its senior leadership team. With this pledge, Agilité will be supporting CREW France and UK, affiliates of the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network, which counts for a total of 12,000 members globally. “When it comes to supporting women at all stages of their careers, I’ve seen the power of CREW first-hand, having been a member since 2019 and also sitting as the chair of CREW UK’s communication committee. We are passionate about supporting women in the real estate industry, and with bases in both the UK and France, we were keen to invest in fostering real estate talent within the local markets,” explained Agilité’s development director, Kirsty Shearer. Established in London in 2016, the past two years have seen the UK arm of the network offer leadership opportunities, via board positions and committee roles, to more than 30 real estate professionals within the UK. Meanwhile, Agilité’s investment into the fledgling CREW France will help to power a mentorship program headed by Laurence Girod, head of enterprise IPM solutions EMEA at Cushman and Wakefield. The programme will include 15 mentors from all aspects of the commercial real estate industry providing a broad perspective, guidance, and career insights to mentees. “Agilité’s support will help us to build bridges between real estate women globally,” said Siobhan Godley, head of Deloitte real estate and CREW UK board chair. “The power of the CREW Network in the United States and Canada is undisputed, and we’re delighted that, with Agilité’s longstanding support, we can open CREW UK and France to be part of an established organisation that connects, supports, and advances women globally.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Fit-out specialist Pexhurst is currently refurbishing a spacious industrial unit for SEGRO, the leading UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The project involves the fit-out of an existing warehouse located at 160-161 Bestobell Road, Slough and is set for completion in September 2022. The warehouse is conveniently situated on the popular Slough Trading Estate in close proximity to a number of local amenities and transport links. Built in 1988, the single-storey unit stands at an expansive 20,120 ft2 and is in need of modernisation. The client’s ambition is to transform the 34-year-old unit into a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable industrial and warehouse space. Pexhurst were commissioned by SEGRO for the project, working alongside Hollis as the contract administration and project manager. This is an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focussed scheme, with a net-zero carbon operation targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A+’ standards. Pexhurst was the contractor of choice, due to their experience on fit-outs of this calibre. The project required many sustainable initiatives designed to combat air pollution, reduce water wastage and improve energy efficiency. The most distinctive detail on this project is the living green wall on the warehouse’s exterior; providing not only an aesthetically pleasing attribute, but measurable sustainability impacts. The living green wall will significantly increase air quality, producing 94kg of oxygen and extracting 71kg of carbon dioxide per year. In addition to this, Pexhurst are also installing EV chargers and cycle shelters to the exterior, promoting sustainable travel. The bike sheds will also feature green roofs. Additionally, Pexhurst has installed 136 kWp of photovoltaics onto the roof, which is designed to save 26 tonnes of CO2 annually (equivalent to planting over 1,200 trees per year). The team are also installing energy efficient LED light fittings with PIR sensors and daylight sensors. With regards to improving air quality, Pexhurst are installing air source heat pumps, fresh air ventilation and carbon dioxide sensors to reduce energy consumption. The design is also water efficient, entailing waterless urinals, self-closing push taps and dual flush WC cisterns. Moreover, all carpets used in the space are carbon neutral. Pexhurst have participated in the ReEntry scheme whereby old carpet tiles from site were reused, repurposed or recycled and donated to local businesses and charities, ensuring that nothing goes to landfill. Pexhurst are also providing planting and nesting boxes for birds and bats, ensuring that local wildlife is suitably accommodated for. Pexhurst are enthusiastic with their progress on this project, as they are on track to hit their BREEAM ‘Excellent’ target, accounting for only the top 10% of refurbishment or fit-out projects in the UK. However, the extensive sustainability measures implemented by Pexhurst on the fit-out suggest that the project may even achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ grade, which accounts for less than the top 1% of the UK’s refurbishment or fit-out projects. Pexhurst’s experience is proving invaluable on this sustainable warehouse fit-out project. The contractor’s skill is ensuring that a decades-old warehouse is modernised and fit for use and is contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
One of the UK’s leading joinery and interior fit-out contractors, which has posted the highest annual revenues in its history, has £60 million of secured work for the new financial year. Leicester-based EE Smith Contracts, which is celebrating its 125th birthday this year, has recorded a turnover of £61.5 million for the year to March 31, 2022. This record-breaking activity has been secured partly by working on multiple prestigious developments including the luxurious The Peninsula London hotel overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the completion of 15 super-prime apartments in Knightsbridge in London. Profits have bounced back strongly following Covid-19 and are forecast to exceed pre-pandemic levels for the year ahead. EE Smith Contracts enters the new financial year with £60 million of secured work, with significant flagship opportunities for the months ahead. The business, which employs 285 staff, has reduced carbon emissions by over 20 per cent in the last year despite the growth in activity at its sites in Leicester and London by investing in a new £125,000 extraction system. There is also continued growth in long-established apprenticeship programmes, with 35 new apprenticeships having been recruited since the outbreak of Covid-19. Neil Simpson, Finance Director at EE Smith Contracts, said the company has enjoyed record-breaking liquidity through the year, giving it a secure platform for the coming years. He said: “The annual results to March 2022 have delivered the highest annual revenue in the company’s history which is due to the hard work and unwavering commitment of our staff. “We are in advanced discussions regarding a few contracts in the high-end residential and hotel markets which remain stable despite a challenging economic backdrop. “All this is the best possible way for the business to celebrate its 125-year history which is a history built on employee training and development and investment in cutting-edge technology, and delivering best-in-class craftsmanship. “EE Smith Contracts has a long history of training youngsters and a significant number of our current employees are former apprenticeships who have stayed with us because it is a family environment. “We have established great links with London colleges and have 30 apprentices on our sites in London who are learning from among the finest craftspeople in the country. The London labour market is very dynamic and we’re building the EE Smith Contracts family environment on those sites as well to retain our apprentices and provide a pathway for their career. “Further reductions are forecast in our carbon emissions following significant investment in carbon saving technology in the last six months because this is an area which is really important to us. “Overall, after evaluating the cost of the pandemic, which we estimate cost the business £3.8 million, to reach a stage where profits are now healthier than pre-Covid is testament to the high standard of our work and the high calibre of our staff.”
Jarltech, one of Europe’s leading specialist distributors of POS systems and Auto-ID hardware, has completed a relocation of its UK operation to newly refurbished offices in Brighton city centre. The fit-out work to the 330 sq m offices, worth £125,000, was completed by BRAC Contracts. The move to Aspect House on Queens Road, is part of Jarltech’s strategy to be more conveniently located for both existing and future customers as it seeks further growth. Harriette Wysocki, Country Manager UK&I, comments on why this has proved to be the perfect location. “With a UK-wide customer base, being located near to strong transport links is vital and with the return to face-to-face meetings, having nearby restaurants and bars to entertain those customers in is a bonus. “We viewed countless offices, but Aspect House not only ticked the boxes in terms of location, but it also provided us with a blank canvas to really make the space ours.” Local property consultants, Flude, negotiated the tenancy of the 3rd floor to Jarltech and recommended BRAC Contracts to carry out the Category B fit-out. Work included M&E alterations, stud partition walls and glass partitions to create distinct office areas, installation of a kitchen and break-out areas, and internal finishes including carpeting. Harriette continues: “Having never project managed a scheme of work like this before, it was hugely reassuring to work with a team like BRAC. I had input into all aspects of the fit-out, but they advised me with honesty and transparency and really helped to bring the vision for our new offices to life. Both myself and the 20-strong team based here are delighted with our new surroundings. “I’d have no hesitation in recommending BRAC Contracts to other businesses looking to complete a commercial fit-out and, in fact, have already done so to another new tenant here at Aspect House!” Concluding, Adam Clark MD at BRAC Contracts said: “This is the latest in a very successful run of commercial fit-out projects that we’ve completed in central Brighton in the last year alone, and it has once again been a pleasure to be recommended by the team at Flude. “Harriette and her team at Jarltech were keen to maximise the blank canvas that the third floor at Aspect House offered them and it’s fantastic that their experience of working with us has led them to recommend us to another soon-to-arrive tenant in the same building.” Aspect House is owned by Savills Investment Management and managed by Savills.
Commercial interiors specialists Paramount say they are “proud” to have been appointed to create an “inspiring workplace” at the heart of historic Bath’s flagship regeneration project. The Paramount Bristol-based team are masterminding the interior design of the prestigious new office space in the Bath Quays office building for leading local financial services consultancy and software provider, Altus. Paramount, whose headquarters are in Cardiff, were engaged by Altus to transform the 9,445 sq ft workspace on the top floor of the five-storey, energy-efficient office building, after Altus had signed a deal to move its headquarters to the city centre site. It confirmed Altus as one of the first tenants of No 1 Bath Quays – the first new office block to be built in Bath for a generation and a key part in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s ambitious regeneration programme and climate emergency priority. Paramount Client Lead Carly Willis said: “Paramount create places where people want to be; workspaces that inspire employees and embrace well-being. “We have relished working closely with Altus to create an inspirational, attractive, sustainable, and eco-friendly workplace for a company at the forefront of bold local authority plans to revitalise Bath as an economic hub. “Our objective for the new Altus office is to create an uplifting workplace that is both a showcase to clients and a joy for staff – high-end destination space that encourages positive interactions between staff and clients. “Bath is a stunning city, famously steeped in history. We are proud to play a part in ensuring it enjoys a vibrant commercial future, creating a workplace that will help Altus – and Bath as a whole – go from strength to strength.” In order to ensure that the new workplace met Altus requirements and post-pandemic hybrid working habits, Paramount conducted a company-wide staff survey and several stakeholder engagement sessions. Results showed an increased need for a variety of meeting places, easy access to video conferencing, privacy, enhanced acoustics and plenty of collaborative social space. Paramount Lead Designer Bethan Hellings said: “The words ‘collaborative’, ‘spacious’ and ‘fun’ came up time and again during our engagement sessions and they’ve coloured my work in more ways than one. “Finishes have been carefully selected to be soft and calming yet also happy and bright and we have been particularly mindful of enhancing light and space, avoiding dark colours and keeping the space as open as possible. A calming base palette is unobtrusive and minimises visual stress, but we have also added uplifting colour accents to add life to the space.” Timber finishes provide warmth and bring natural texture. Rounded corners provide soft transitions and easy movement between spaces and angles have been used throughout in desk positioning and floor finishes to create more interesting sightlines. Now the new office, which includes a terrace offering stunning views of the city, is in the final stages of development, with Altus staff expected to move in by mid-October. The move will represent a significant milestone for the Bath business, which was founded in 2005 by a small group of friends, but which now employs more than 100 people and prides itself on its strong roots in the local community. Altus Consulting Director Martyn Evans said: “Paramount are very much like Altus in size, culture, values, and their team just ‘got us’. They are very receptive to our ambition to provide an inspiring workplace for our staff while focusing on environmental consciousness. “Our new HQ will provide the next step in the growth of our business and will provide an inspiring place to work for current and future staff. We are delighted to be moving the business to No 1 Bath Quays and to be part of the city’s regeneration journey.” The 4.5-acre Bath Quays project incorporates a blend of historic buildings and contemporary architecture and will become a key strategic site for the city centre. Councillor Kevin Guy, Bath and North East Somerset Council leader, said: “We are delighted Altus has chosen No 1 Bath Quays for its new headquarters. This is an excellent endorsement of our commitment to delivering market-leading, next generation workspaces to help attract skills and talent to Bath.”
1000 Aztec West, the South West’s first net zero carbon in operation out-of-town development, is fast taking shape. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for CEG, 1000 Aztec West near Bristol is set to become a state-of-the-art working environment which promotes inclusivity, sustainability and wellbeing, creating a new benchmark for office spaces in the UK. South Gloucestershire council leader Toby Savage has visited the site to see the rapid progress of the £17m transformation which is being delivered by Beard Construction. The structure’s existing 1980s footings, frame and building structure have been retained, saving some 1.7 million kg of carbon and creating a pathway to a net zero carbon development. The savings have been made by a clever conversion of the existing steel frame and much of the preparatory work was devoted to shot-blasting a cement fire treatment from the steel, which was then given a rust-proof coating. With the steel skeleton work complete, the existing roof will be removed to create a new floor and roof, which will see the capacity of the building grow from 38,000 sq ft to 80,000 sq ft, creating space for an 850-strong workforce. Councillor Savage, South Gloucestershire Council Leader and cabinet member for the local economy, said: “South Gloucestershire is the economic powerhouse of the West of England and is a fantastic place to live, work and base a business. We welcome CEG’s confidence in this location, which, thanks to its excellent connectivity, is booming. “This building is being re-developed and modernised with sustainability in mind and is in line with our own ambitious goal of tackling the climate emergency by becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The 1000 Aztec West redevelopment fits into a wider picture of significant investment in office, residential and leisure facilities in this part of our district – from the thousands of new homes being built on the former Filton Airfield, to nearby landmark leisure facilities like surfing centre The Wave, Bristol Zoo’s Wild Place and the recently opened ice rink Planet Ice.” Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG, said: “The development delivers the key requirements of contemporary tenants – environmental sustainability, staff wellbeing, on-site facilities and data connectivity, all of which respond to the requirements of businesses seeking to provide with people with the best workspace environment.” Ed Hayden, Director at Scott Brownrigg, said: “It’s great to visit the site with Councillor Toby Savage and see the work progressing on our Aztec 1000 design for CEG. The lakeside setting and carbon conscious design will make this a really exciting new addition to the Park.” Designed to meet BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, 1000 Aztec West will be powered by renewable energy and use energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. A striking three-storey atrium will be added to the centre of the stunning new, all-glass structure which will include a secure cycle block with male and female showers and changing facilities to encourage sustainable travel. A 1,300 sq ft gym and wellness facility will be the heartbeat of the building, with daily gym and yoga classes to help tenants balance their work and leisure commitments. Attractive indoor spaces will provide places to eat, meet, drink and work, with access to Wi-Fi and plug-in points. Outside, a new café, decked terrace area and rooftop terraces will overlook Aztec West’s existing lake and parkland. Completion of the project is expected in summer 2023. More information is available at: www.1000aztecwest.co.uk
Willmott Dixon Interiors has completed the £47.35 million refurbishment of London South Bank University’s (LSBU) London Road Building. The national fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has redeveloped the university’s learning environments as part of one of the biggest transformation programmes in its history. The new learning hub features modern workspaces, amenities and technology, designed to support individual learning needs and create new and different ways of engaging students. LSBU staff and students will benefit from 191,000 sq ft of dedicated learning spaces, including a new state-of-the-art library and learning resource, as well as improved Academy of Sport facilities, with a fully equipped gymnasium. There are new open access computer rooms with updated equipment, private rooms for group work and study, additional lecture capacity and new and improved places to eat. The transformation has also completely overhauled the arrival experience at the London Road Building, with a new entrance lobby, staircases and lifts greatly improving accessibility. Willmott Dixon Interiors has delivered the BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rated space to maximise natural daylight, removing existing facades and installing skylights in the library and concourse areas. It features a new building management system to support the efficient use of energy and uses LED lighting throughout. Sustainably sourced natural materials are a feature of the design, including a birch plywood feature wall showcasing a large fabric artwork, which injects colour and vibrancy into the building. Externally a new blue roof system and rain attenuation tank have been installed to attenuate and manage stormwater. The project used BIM Level 2 methodology, with works delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors and its supply chain partners during the pandemic and within a live campus environment. It is a key part of LSBU’s wider redevelopment project at its campus at Elephant and Castle, which aims to consolidate its position as a leading modern university, and provide benefits to students, staff and the wider community. Graham Shaw, managing director of Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “This is a bold and exciting project that realises LSBU’s vision for revolutionising the student experience. It has made best use of space across the entire campus, delivering dedicated learning zones and the capacity and facilities to serve students, staff and the wider community for many years to come. “We have a substantial presence in the university sector and have built a deeply collaborative relationship with LSBU during the course of the project. It has provided us with the opportunity to showcase our full range of capabilities in structural refurbishment, interior fit out and working in a busy campus environment.” The project was delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors and a team including Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Eckersley O’Callaghan as structural engineers, BDP as services engineer and Fulkers LLP as project manager and cost consultant.
Pan-European commercial interiors specialist Agilité Solutions has marked its continued growth with the expansion into London and its first hire in the city – as the company celebrates its fourth year of trading and expected turnover in 2022 exceeding €40 million. With existing bases in Paris, Milan, and Luxembourg, as well as a planned expansion into the US and Germany, the London headquarters will further support clients in the UK, that are looking to establish or grow their presence in mainland Europe. The expansion of Agilité — which provides office, retail, and hospitality construction and fit-out work across the continent — follows 30% year-on-year growth and has included an extensive branding project to reshape its core principles, service set, and visual identity. Operations in London are headed by development director Kirsty Shearer, with her local team bolstered by the appointment of assistant project manager, Kiran Kondrapu – a qualified civil engineer with a master’s degree in construction project management. The company has also expanded its international remit, with the recent opening of a Luxembourg office and recruitment of several new colleagues across its French, Italian, and Luxembourg bases. “Agilité has completed 151 projects since its inception in January 2018, amounting to 120,000 sqm of work, delivered across 11 countries – and a large number of those clients have a base of operations in the UK.” explained Kirsty Shearer. “While we’ve had a presence in London since our inception, formalising this with our first UK hire is a crucial part of our business strategy. Currently, we’re managing the delivery of 14 Lids’ stores in the UK – 12 completed, two in progress – and retail rollouts are something we expect to increase in the coming months – therefore, it makes sense for us to have a permanent base in the UK.” The Yorkshire-born founder and CEO of Agilité Solutions, Neil Coales, credits loyal customers — who account for 65% of the company’s order book — as the driving force behind its rapid expansion: “When we launched Agilité, the strategy was always to have a seamless pan-European business that could be operational in multiple locations for multiple customers. “We don’t want to have an office in every country, rather we identify locations that best support our clients’ growth plans and the strong local supply chains we are building. The pursuit of quality is as much our goal as the overall expansion, which is why we allocated €1 million in investment in our people and systems (in 2021) as part of a five-year plan – it’s critical to our success.” Agilité’s thriving client portfolio includes brands such as LVMH, Lids/NBA, Booking.com, Deutsche Börse, Fred Perry, Five Guys, and The Instant Group, as well as several major multinationals in the tech and finance sectors. The news follows a successful year of trading in 2021, which saw a 30% growth in turnover and headcount, as well as exponential growth in revenue — amounting to €35million by the end of 2021, with a forecasted increase to €45million by 2022.
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture specialists in the healthcare sector, has delivered a second hospital fitout project in the Scottish Highlands. The new Broadford Community Hospital on the Isle of Skye is part of a £40m development by NHS Highland. This investment included the award-winning Badenoch & Strathspey Community Hospital in Aviemore, which opened towards the end 2021, and was also fitted out by Deanestor. Delivered by hub North Scotland and designed by Oberlanders Architects with Rural Design, the new 24-bed hospital on Skye provides a range of services. There are consultation and treatment rooms on the ground floor, emergency department, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, chemotherapy, x-ray and ultrasound, and a midwife-led maternity facility. A renal dialysis unit – a new service for Skye established last year – ensures patients can access treatment closer to home. Deanestor provided both loose and bespoke fitted furniture for 142 rooms throughout the new hospital. This included storage units, medicine cabinets, height-adjustable changing benches, bedroom wardrobes, foldaway beds in some inpatient rooms, nurse stations, and a main reception desk with a walnut wood-effect finish and contrasting glacier white solid surface countertops. Bespoke joinery was also manufactured and installed by Deanestor for a new six-bay suite for chemotherapy and renal patients to help create a more welcoming patient environment. This suite has large picture windows with stunning sea views. The white low-level counters are designed to house medical gases and vacuum outlets, and incorporate lighting, solid surface worktops, oak privacy screens, coat and bag storage, and IPS panels. Commenting on the opening of the new hospital, Tracy Ligema, Project Director at NHS Highland, said, “This is a significant milestone in the history of Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross. There has been a considerable amount of work involved in this process and we want to thank everyone who has contributed.” “The new hospital will serve the community for many years to come and highlights the health board’s commitment to developing remote and rural health and social care services.” Peter Ramsay, Project Director for hub North Scotland, said, “Broadford Hospital is a fantastic health facility which will bring huge benefits for the communities of Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross. We faced major challenges progressing construction during the Covid pandemic but the support of all the partners and the local community ensured we have delivered a hospital that everyone can be proud of.” A durable laminate finish was used for the storage solutions in two shades of blue to reflect the sky and the sea in the surrounding landscape. Darker blue was specified for the inpatient bedrooms and utility areas, with calming aqua for the treatment areas. As part of the infection control strategy, infill panels were designed to fully integrate the wall cupboards up to the ceiling. This feature is an efficient and highly effective alternative to sloping cabinet tops to avoid dust gathering on top of the units in the clinical areas. Deanestor also fitted out the pharmacy with tall cabinets, worktops, dispensing cabinets with integrated trays and metal drugs cabinets. A wide range of specialist equipment was also installed across the hospital – from physiotherapy bars to white boards, dispensers, sanitisers, and appliances. Originally established in 1948 to manufacture hospital furniture and fittings for the newly established NHS, Deanestor now has the resources and expertise to manage 5,000-room hospital projects. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific healthcare project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach and a single point of contact for contractors, NHS trusts and other construction clients. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/healthcare, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com.
One of the UK’s leading joinery and interior fit-out contractors is celebrating a major milestone this spring. EE Smith Contracts in central Leicester reaches its 125th birthday – and is marking the occasion with numerous celebrations and team building events. The company goes into its 125th year of trading with its largest ever order book, totalling an impressive £115 million, which will lead to record annual revenues of £60 million this year and £70 million next year. To support the ongoing business growth and with eyes on the future, they continue to expand their award-winning apprenticeship scheme. This year, the business is increasing its number of employees more than ever before across its factory and site operations with 40 apprentices currently earning while learning across various departments in London and Leicester. The business was founded back in 1897 by Edward Elijah Smith who supplied and repaired gas stoves and chandeliers from Canning Street, Leicester. In 1937, he employed 14-year-old apprentice Basil Richardson who, after serving in the Second World War, returned to find Mr Smith in poor health, leaving Basil as the managing director and foreman at just 22! Basil put the company back on the road to prosperity, and later taught his eldest sons, Rodney and Nigel, who worked their way up through the business to take over in 1989. Under their guidance, EE Smith Contracts continued to thrive when the company expanded and developed into the super prime residential and five-star hotel market before a management buy-out in 2016, including Basil’s youngest son John Richardson. Rodney Richardson said there are not many companies in its sector that have been in existence for as long as EE Smith Contracts and with such a wide breadth of experience. “We have always delivered to a very high quality, with a real customer focus and I think that has been vital to our success and longevity,” he said. This trade-based, directly employed but customer centric approach to the joinery and interior-fit out sector led the company to undertake some of the most iconic projects across London such as the Savoy Hotel, Battersea Power Station, the Houses of Parliament, One Hyde Park Penthouses and The Corinthia Hotel. Further testament to the excellence EE Smith has continued to offer over the decades is the 40-year continuing relationship with the Edwardian hotel group, culminating in the recent fit out of The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square which is the largest in the company’s history and included a full fit out of 355 bedrooms and bathrooms and all of the public area spaces. Neil Bottrill, managing director at EE Smith Contracts, said that the 125-year milestone was an incredible achievement and was a testament to the hard work and skill base throughout the company and the loyalty of the staff who give the business, despite its size, a real family feel. “Our current portfolio of projects is amongst the best in the UK fit-out and joinery markets and we have every reason to believe that further exciting times are ahead for the business,” he said. “We are growing year-on-year and we currently have 40 apprentices, doubling last year’s apprentice joiner workforce. We hope they will rise through the ranks and be an asset to the company as we teach them the skills we have always relied on for EE Smith Contracts to prosper. “Despite our evolution over the years our core values established by Edward Elijah Smith in 1897 are the same, as we strive to deliver the highest quality product and service whilst operating as a close-knit community, with our incredible people at the forefront of our success. “We will continue using the latest cutting-edge technology and seamlessly merging this with our unparalleled craftsmanship to continue setting the standard in our industry. Here’s to the next 125 years!”
