John Willmott, the Founder, and his Sons bricklayer living in the small village of village small the in bricklayerliving John 1852 In journeyman Willmott,young a his own. He was asked to provide a labour only price to excavate and brick excavateand to price only labour providea to own.wasasked his He Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire,in forwasworkingBassingbourn John why he didn’t start a business on his own account.own his on gaveThisJohnbusiness a didn’tstart whyhe John Wimpole owned by the 4th Earl of Hardwick. of Earl 4th the byowned Wimpole at largeestate a Revillson called builder local a the job. This was to be the beginning of a business which has thrived forthrived has which business a job.of beginningthe the be wasto This line a new well in the grounds of the Wimpole Estate and as water is very wateris the as of and grounds Estate Wimpolethe in well new a line food for thought and after some consider some after and thought forfood close to the surface in Cambridgeshire the well only needed to be 12 foot 12 be to needed only well Cambridgeshirethe in surface the to close deep and to be bricked up with 4 inch brickwork. inch at 4 time with the wagesWithup at bricked be to and deep over 150 years.over150 3 pennies an hour for labourers and 5 pennies for bricklayers,for pennies John 5 and labourersfor hour an pennies 3 submit The estate needed a new well to be dug and the Estate Manager askedManager Estate the and dug be to well new a needed estate The ted h ted is estimate, and the princely sum of £1 was agreed forwasagreed £1 of sum princely the estimate,and is John Willmott – The founder The John – Willmott 1 e decided to strike out on strikeout to decided e ation h ation Willmott Edward (Camb- ridge) Willmott (Ilford) Fred John Willmott, the Founder, and his Sons William George Willmott William John Willmott (Hitchin) ofaround 12, a stayingthe week, and walking back the followi andas time went on his sons were taken into the business, probably at the age Church.John often told the story of walking from Bassingbourn to Ware, familyof ten children over the next twenty years (seven boys and three girls) buildingof the Royston ‘Lock-up’,and the repair and re-seating of Ware spaceto build aJoinery Shop. His domestic responsibilities also grew, with a travelledto work on foot. Other notable jobs around this time were the hesoon moved to larger premises at Park House, Bassingbourn where he had alot of work was carried out on local farm buildings and John would have As the family grew up and their participation increased it became necessary to look further look to necessary became it increased participation their and up grewfamily the As Afterhis marriage to Mary in 1853 John Willmott’sbusiness grew steadily and Samuel, operated a branch at Hornsey, carrying out work in the London area.London the weretheyHornsey,in workAs at branchout Samuel, a carrying operated still working in conjunction with their father John, the firm became known as John as known became firmJohn, fatherthe their with conjunction in working still afield for work. Edward, the eldest son, went to Cambridge and started a business there, business a work.forstarted Edward, afieldCambridge and to son,went eldest the Willmott & Sons and is the forerunner of the present company.present the forerunnerof the is brother,and sixth TheSons Frank,& Willmott and Fred and Albert moved to Ilford and established F & F A established IlfordIlfordand Fredand Hill.movedto 1878, at and Willmott In Albert trained as a pharmacist and ran a retail chemist in Radstock but did not marry.not did but Radstock in chemist retail a ran and pharmacist a as trained John Wi William John, moved to Hitchin where he purchased a business from FrederickJeevesbased from business a purchased he whereHitchinJohn,William movedto in TrevorfewyearsRoad,a and llmott carried on working until his retirement in 1896 at the age of 66. of age the at 1896 in retirement his until working on carried llmott Willmott Grace Harold Sam Peter William Willmott Rick John Rick Willmott Willmott Willmott Walter (Hitchin) ndtrained as either carpenters or bricklayers. In the early years Robin Forbes Cecil Elborn Willmott Willmott Willmott Willmott Samuel (Hornsey) later he was joined by his brother his by wasjoined Walter.he later brother,Another John 2 Willmott Sarah Willmott Martha ngweekend. Willmott Albert (Ilford) Willmott Emily Willmott Frank A century of building – 1852 to 1952 World War,which included work as far away as Manchester, Leeds, Norwich, Doncaster, Theycarried on working for British Railways for many more years up to and after the Second buildingthe over-bridge at Norton Wayin the newly formed town of Letchworth Garden City. Counties Arlesey,Stevenage and Brookman’s Park. Later the company was also responsible for carriageand motor works in WalsworthRoad in 1906 and later became motor dealers WalsworthRoad he moved to No. 80, and this address remained the head office for the forworkshops. Whenhe first came to Hitchin, WilliamJohn Willmottlived at the Trevor andeventually became a subsidiary of Camford Engineering. Roadpremises he had purchased from Frederick Jeeves but after the villas were built in TheJoiner’s Shopmoved Hitchinto fromBassingbourn earlythein1890s. Thiswas a Duringthe same period the branch ofthe family business atHornsey, run by Samuel wherethey built two terraces of villas along the frontage, reserving the land at the rear 1875as coachbuilders for horse drawn carriages. Theyopened their purpose built Harwichand Clacton on Sea. machinery,as well as munitions during the war years. Theymoved to Stevenage in 1952 lateroccupied by Ralph E Sanders & Sons Limited who were established in Royston in George WKing & Sons Limited who manufactured agricultural, and later industrial Asthe business flourished the family purchased a large field in WalsworthRoad, Hitchin andheld the Austindealership for many years. AdjoiningSanders site was the works of theJoinery WorkshopatHitchin provided allthe joinery for both Hitchin and Hornsey. companyfor some 80 years. Opposite this site at the time, was a corn field which was various estates, felled and transported by rail to the Saw Mill at Hitchin, where it wassawnHitchin,it at where Mill Saw the to railby transported variousestates,and felled tosize and kiln-dried inthe Joinery Shop. Other significant contracts carried out inthe early “bottomman”. WilliamPettengell, whomoved fromBassingbourn company,withthe was Willmott,worked onsuch notable contracts asthe rebuilding oflargea block offlats and timberbuilding standingwooden on posts, firstshopitselfthewiththeon floor. Below was Th joinery work, and specialised in bank and shop fittings. shop and 1914- Afterbank the in specialised work,and joinery a timberstorea which includedsawwherepit a trees were converted intoplanks. Machinery of oak panelling was made for war memorials, with one contract having over23,000 havingcontract one warmemorials,forwith wasmade panelling oak of letters carved and gilded on the panelling. woforthe this oak on Thegilded and carved letters JoineryShopForeman foryears,52 firstBassingbourn at Hitchin. thenatand beingrebuilt and modernised. Contracts were completed at Huntingdon, Yaxley, Three shopsinMarchmont Street, Camden, the re-erection ofbuildings inClifton Street inthe City, workwas carried out for the then Great Northern Railway Company, when stations were had not yetnotbeenintroducedhad anytogreat extent around butfirst thistimethe circular saw Inthe early 1890s they were trading as John Willmott&Sons, and aconsiderable amount of andBaldwin’s Place inGray’s Inn Road. Joinery formed largea partof work inthose days and wasinstalled, powered portableoldboilerbyanwhich generated steamitsfromrefusethe of the Joiner’stheof Shop. Twosawyers, the Worbeybrothers, worked as “topsawyer” and e company built up a very good reputation for the quality and craftsmanship of its of craftsmanship and quality the forreputation good very a up built company e 3 rk was purchased from waspurchased rk 18 war a great deal great wara 18 Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School GrammarSussexHove Brighton and

A century of building – 1852 to 1952 carpenterand joiner, and in 1912 was also sent to Robinson & Roods as an apprentice of Walter Willmott,was apprenticed to his uncles at F & A Willmottin Ilford in the trade of demobilisedin 1919 when he also rejoined the business. &Roods in London and qualified as a Surveyor. Likewise in 1907 Harold Sam Willmott,son woundedin 1916 returning to the company after being discharged, and WilliamGeorge was straightdealing and fairness to his employees, and was mourned by all when he died in 1922. aJustice of the Peace in 1916 and also served for several years on the Hitchin Urban District WilliamJohn, was apprenticed to WilliamSeymour & Sons in 1899 for three years, working a 59hour week for three shillings a week in his first year. In 1902 he was articled to Robinson the late the John William Willmott. surveyor.Both WilliamGeorge and Harold Sam served in the 1914-18 war. Harold was badly Willmott (known as Mr Sam),and Mr as George(knownWilliam Willmott Mr of as son (known WillmottWG) Council,and became its chairman. He was a very keen business man, well known for his The first directors of the Hitchin company werecompany Hitchin the directorsof WalterfirstThe Sam Harold Willmott,son his Limited. John(Hornsey) and Sons Limited & JohnWillmott(Hitchin) Sons & Willmott separate the Hitchin and Hornsey branches and form two separate companies namely,companies separatetwoform and branchesHornsey and Hitchin the separate stayingClacton-on-Seaat where companythe was rebuilding railwaythe station. (Note: Walter WillmottalsoservedHitchin the on Urban District Council wasandmember aof 1900sincluded Hitchin Girls’ Grammar oldHitchin Cricket Club off London Road on the south side of the town. Theroads are now WilliamJohn Willmott,who has been described as the pioneer of the Hitchin company, became werethe Hitchin Boys’ Grammar School, the North Herts & South Beds Hospital Extension, Amongthe many important local contracts completed by the company around this time the thenHitchinthe BoardGuardians. of diedsuddenlyHe 1929batheseawhilstinaftera turntheir sons came into the business after serving apprenticeships. WilliamGeorge, son of finallyHitchin Hospital untilclosureits 1992.) inBothbrothers theirandfamilies were TheBoardGuardians of originally administered PoortheLaws the and Workhousethein knownby the names of Lister Avenueand Coach Drive, Hitchin. Mr Sam and his wife Gladys community. Theseinstitutions were abolishedBoardthe 1929butinGuardians of Hitchin,a Nurses’ Home at Barnet, work at Fairfield Hospital at Arlesey,and the Queen prominentactiveand members Hitchintheof Congregational Church QueenStreet,in Indue course the sons of John Willmott, WilliamJohn, Walterand Samuel married, and in Hitchin.wasIt perhaps fateful therefore thatmanyyears later, 1974,in companythe was continuedcharitablea as organisation community.forthepoortheof TheHitchin andBrighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School, ArchitectS.B. Russell, FRIBA ofGrays Inn. to purchaseto thisthenredundant churchnewbuildhead andofficea site.the on WorkhousebecameChalkdell 1930,Housein thenListerHospital from1943-1972 and VictoriaMemorial Hospital at Welwyn.In 1925 the company also completed a housing I developmentin Hitchin, known as the Manor Estate, which n 1924, as the families were growing up a weregrowingupfamilies the 1924,as n 4 School, ArchitectEdward Burgess FRIBA ofHitchin, nd the business expanding, it was decided to wasdecided it expanding,business the nd wasbuilt on the grounds of the “Oakfield”Drive,Coach Hitchin

A century of building – 1852 to 1952 ceilingbeams from a demolished barn in Letchworth. The Architectwas the late Amyas pewterplates, tapestries, oak chests, tables and cupboards, many whichof were also WalterGuinness). Themansion was erected in a 15th century medieval style around a central buildingin Hitchin, probably a Cloth Hall destroyed under a slum clearance scheme, and ofBailiffscourt at Climping near Littlehampton, Sussex for the late Lord Moyne (formerly housewas furnished in a pseudo-medieval style, with items such as two pronged forks, decay by Lord Moyne. They were restored in the grounds of Bailiffscourt and i and Moyne.Lordby decayBailiffscourt of grounds the Theywererestoredin fireplacefrom a house in TilehouseStreet, Hitchin, an oak screen said to be from a medieval relocation of buildings from around the country which were saved from demolition or demolition weresavedfrom which country the around from buildings of relocation historicarchitecture, and this was his only architectural commission. Aftercompletion the Oneunusual contract in 1930, which took nearly three years to complete, was the building Driveand Gosmore Road. which is still in use today for marriageblessings.fortoday the use included in also contractThestill is which “You can imagine the wild rumours that swept throughout the pl the throughoutswept that rumourswild the imagine “Youcan 90 percent of the trees survived, and years later the Ministry o Ministry the survived,yearslater trees and the of percent 90 One of the Foremen on this project was John (Jobby) Upchurch, who rented a house fo house (Jobby)Upchurch,a rentedwasJohn whoproject Foremen this the on of One aroundthe country. Some of the materials came from Hertfordshire, namely a 16th century confidently over the counter on counter overthe confidently A ash, from a nearby forest, which were uprooted and replanted on his property.his on replanted forest,nearbyand wereuprooted Almost ash,a which from something to do with the strange happening at Clymping.at leant happening strange barman Thethe withhotel do to something Phillips,of Phillips of Hitchin (Antiques) Limited. He was an antiquarian and enthusiast of the Fields’the Gerardby Young,Ball,Manager,Moyne’sLordinvolvingMr Estate below: see of living in Climping and attending the local primary school. She recalls that the that recalls school.She primary local the attending and Climping in living of curious about him, not knowing where he went or what he did.he discoveredwhathad Thenor wentthey heknowing where hehim, not about curious during the building of Bailiffscourt, and went to and fro each day.eachfro and to wentwere and folk TheBailiffscourt, hotel of building the during deforestation by the previousowner,and trees,the deforestationbyoak 1,500 mainly purchasedMoyne Lord designedby AmyasPhillips and made from reclaimed materials. ‘em at Clymping’. Mr Ball said Ball surprise.”‘Really’,Clymping’.eyebrowsMr mild at his raisedin ‘em and courtyard,using reclaimed materials collected from various derelict and abandoned buildings A rather interesting reference is made to Bailiffscourt in a book entitled book Cottage‘Thea in in Bailiffscourt to made referenceinterestingratheris A his family in nearby Climping. His daughter,HisClimping. Bradbeer,nearby Mary in family his experienceremembersthe saw whole trees going by on lorries for months on end.Mr.an on stayedhotel Arundel at months Ball lorriesfor onby going trees whole saw brick and timber 15th century gatehouse, a sandstone and thatched 16th century 16th thatched and gatehouse,sandstone century a 15th timber and brick wereto raise their family in one of these houses named “Oakfield”on the corner of Coach trees for the Festival of Britain site in London. in site FestivalBritain the forof trees of transplanting the with connection procedurein this John on from Sons & Willmott building, and a 17th century timbered house.timbered century 17th followingToa estate improveand the building,further the rivers, bringing ‘em over the Atlantic in a special boat, and 500 lumbermen areplanting lumbermen 500 boat,and special a bringing overin the rivers, ‘em Atlantic the on down there. They’ve got an army of men in Canada digging up trees, floating downtrees,‘em up floating digging Canada in there.men down of armyon an They’vegot large part of the work involved the restoration and reconstruction of a Norman Chapel Norman a of reconstructionrestorationinvolved and workthe the of largepart e evening, and said to him:to said evening,‘Y-know,and e aregoing things funny 5 f Worksadvice sought ain when the inhabitants the when ain ncluded a ncluded r A century of building – 1852 to 1952 Letchworth The Ozone Swimming Pool, Swimming Ozone The Thecompany also completed many notable buildings inLetchworth Garden City, such as Harris,many,Machinist,and more.many the unusual features commissioned by Lord and Lady Moyne.Lady and Lordby featurescommissioned unusual the They value the, albeit pseudo, medieval architecture and have retained and highlighted pseudo,Theyvaluethe,and haveretainedalbeit medieval and architecture Willmottmen were accommodated inverya old derelict building known asKent’s business,and Brice, decorator,Arthur Monk,Foreman,Berk Tom Worsley,Labourer, Frank LetchworthGolf Club, and Letchworth Open AirSwimming Pool. Other contracts ofnote twofactories for the Irving AirChute Company, largea part ofthe British Tabulating boughtfrom Willmottsatthe time ofher marriage. Mary also worked for Willmottsasa MachineCompany Factory, St. Christopher’s Theatreand School, (now St Francis School) the AirMinistry all over the country, and after the war, moved ontobomb damage repair youngwoman, atboth R.A.F. Chivenor and R.A.F. Alconbury. At Alconburyshe recalls the inthe area were work toconvert TempleDinsley for use asthe Princess Helena College at farmhousewhere they had tolook after themselves without any gas orelectricity. Candles Willmottemployees being allowed tolisten towartimea concert given by Bob Hope. workand the construction ofbadly needed new housing for local councils. wereused for lighting and cooking was done intheir rooms over coala fire. Themen on Preston,near Hitchin, and the construction ofBurloes Hall near Royston for Sir Cecil Izzard, SkelchWilliam apprenticeships and stayed with the company all their working lives, such as lives,working such their Arthur all company the stayedwith and apprenticeships B 6d.During the second world war the company was almost totally engaged oncontracts for Newman. copyA ofthe final account for Burloes Hall shows totala cost of£12,853. 11s. Th h o lo couldhear rats inthe roof atnight, theandtop the floor toilet, fivea seater, was inthe groundsoutside. Mary still lives inSt. Ippolyts near Hitchin inbungalowa built onland ailiffscourt, which is now Grade II listed, is currently owned by Historbycurrentlyownedlisted, is II Gradenow is ailiffscourt,which ere were many loyal, long service employees during this period, who completed their period,loyal,completed weremanythis erewhoemployees during service long restoredby 1930 in Willmotts Bailiffscourt at Chapel Century 13th er, John Emerton, and Charles Faulkner on the Joinery side of the of side Joinery the Faulknerer,on Charles Emerton,and John 6 Irving Factory,Airchute Letchworth Bailiffscourt Hotel in 2008 in Hotel Bailiffscourt Burloes Hall,Burloes Royston ussex Hotels. ussex ic S ic A century of building – 1852 to 1952 Mr.E.J. Wils which time he was a director of the John the Limited. of Plant directorWillmott wasa he time which replied offering congratulations to the company the offeringto congratulationsreplied 1950 as a plant fitter and remained with the company until his retirement in 1981 by 1981 retirementin his until company the with remained and fitter plant a as 1950 conditions had changed beyond recognition. At that time transport was either on foot or beyondrecognition.footchanged on had waseither conditions transport time Atthat a toast to the future of the firm and Mr John Upchurch,JohnForeman, GeneralMr and firm the of future the to toast a winner of the firm’s Darts Championship. Jack firm’sDarts the of WestonJohn in winner joined Sons & Willmott by a Concert Party compered by Peter Drake.Peterbycompered Party Concert a by Chairman,TheMr WG,proposed world of difference.of world In the 100 years since John Willmott had completed his first contract in 1852,workingin contractfirst John his yearssince completed 100 had Willmottthe In the company, and Mr Jack Weston was presented with a cup and pewter tankard as tankardcompany,pewter the and Jack cup Mr a and Westonwith waspresented bulldozers, electric drills, portable saws, mechanised wheelbarrows and hoists made a made hoists bulldozers,wheelbarrowssaws,drills,and electric mechanised portable “Mr WG Willmott,Chairman, presided over one of the largest and jolliest of gatherings seen in day.the of taken over by Miss Ivy Wilson who remained with the company until her retirement in 1962. hand. With the introduction of motor vehicles and steam trains, transport of materialstrains,of steam transport and vehicles hand. motor of introduction the With a Dinner for all employees at the Hermitage Halls in Hitchin.in Halls Hermitage wasfollowedthe Thisemployees at all for Dinner a was chosen because we had recently built the new Golf Clubhouse. Golf new the recentlybuilt had we because waschosen 1952.June 10 on venueThisClub Golf Letchworth and Hotel Hall Letchworth at friends and men was speeded up tremendously, and site machinery such as excavators,as tremendously,such up machinery wasspeeded site men and and following is a short quote from a report in the Hertfordshire Pictorial the local paper local the HertfordshirePictorial the in report a from quote short a followingis by O Sam (Managing Director) now included John Budgen, George Froy, TheCecil Board Toll, of Directors Ben expandedWard, after Miss the war and in addition to Mr. W.G. (Chairman) and Mr. Company Secretary in 1949 after 50 years service, when the role of CompanyGrace Secretary Willmott was (sister of WG) and Mr. E.J. Wilson. Miss Grace was to retire as Director and theHermitage Halls of recent years, there being about 340 employees and friends present fromHitchin, Stevenage, WelwynGarden City, Cambridge, and Weston-super-Mare.” Miss Ivy Miss Wi n Tuesday 6 May 1952 the company commemorated its 100th n its commemoratedcompanyAnniversarywith Tuesdaythe 1952 May 6 horse and cart, there was no machinery in use on site, and all woodwork was done by woodworkwasdone all site,and on use in machinery wasno cart,there and horse lson was presented with a gold watch in recognition of 25 years service to yearsservice 25 of recognition in watchgold a with waspresented lson on also organised a separate celebratory dinner for architects,and for clients dinner celebratoryseparate organised a also on 7 n reaching its centenary.its reaching n The o SeeSpirella Building on right behind the trees LetchworthCollege of Technology1957

Progress after the war years very young age of 41 in 1970. In 1961 John Budgen John 1961 1970.In in 41 of ageyoung very Pirton,Needingworth, Yaxley of the company’si Centenarythe Brochure of In 1969,John(Hornsey In Sons & Willmott and in fact the picture of Hitchin Girl’s Grammar School which adorned the front coverfront the adorned which Girl’sSchool GrammarHitchin of picture the fact in and works in their respectivegeog their in works surviving son, Michael Willmott, had a career in agriculture and regrettably died at the at regrettablydied son, and agricultureMichael surviving in career Willmott,a had completed at Beckett Hall,Beckett at completed Welwyn,Lister and AvenueRise Benslow Hitchin,Kimpton, Ben Ward. Unbeknown to many, John Budgen had a talent for sketching and painting Ben and sketching for Ward.talent many,a to Unbeknownhad Budgen John was sold to Silvertons, a small local builder,local 1970. small in Silvertons,a to wassold the “Hitchin”and building covering subsidiariessmall “Hornsey” became companies not prove viable and the M&E companies ceased trading four years later and C.F Burr C.F and yearslater fourtrading ceased companies M&E the and proveviable not of ‘Mr shareholders.as business,WG’s’onlyHisaccept the into followedfamilyhim formed,Johncontracts, large building and out ConstructionWillmott carry Limited, to Pound in 1967 had significant c significant had 1967 in Pound the devaluationof the addition business.In the on impact considerablePayments, a had traded successfully for over 10 years building houses for sale to the public. Projects wereProjects public. the to sale for houses yearsbuilding over10 forsuccessfully traded after they had separated into two companies in 1924.wasin company parentcompanies new two A into separated had they after Chairman and at the same time his son,Peterhis time same director.Willmott,the a at wasappointed None and Chairman Limited, together with a small local builder, C F Burr & Sons Limited.Howeverdid Sons these & builder, Burr local F small C a Limited,togetherwith Shops & RailwayPremises,& IndustrialShops Training,ContractEmployers, of Redundancy and Governmentlegislation.significant Offices,by Such the wasaccompanied Actswhichas Chairman in 1966.wereGeorgeFroy,in time Chairman that fellowTheirdirectorsat Cecil Toll,and companies, Engineering Services (Luton) Limited and C S Thompson Heating & Plumbing S & C Heating Thompsonand Limited (Luton) companies,EngineeringServices housing company,housing John which 1965 DevelopmentsLimited,Willmottin wasformed director in a part time role until his death in 1964.cousin HisSam’in ‘Mr became death his until role time part a in director With a view to widening the company’s portfolio and increasing turnover,increasing and company’sspeculativeportfolio the a widening to view a With Willmott and his son Robinson yearsbusiness,his 45 Hitchin and Willmott the Willmott, with wasreunited and Peter Willmott became Deputy Chairman. Peter was to succeed his father as father his Petersucceed Chairman.and wasto PeterDeputy became Willmott Duringthe 1950s the company maintained modesta growth, despite difficult trading later.In1960 John Bayliss,W an Accountantwith the company auditors TingleComber The company continued to grow in the sixties, despite a severe credit squeeze in 1965 in severesqueeze credita sixties, despite the growin to continued companyThe & Company,& began advising the Board ontheir accounting methods and was appointed conditions. TheChairman, ‘Mr WG’,introduced new guidelines onestimating and a Directora in1965. Hecontinued toadvise the board asFinancial Consultant, Director controlofcontract costs leading tothe appointment ofSurveyor,a Brian Howard, a andCompany Secretary for many years until his retirement in1999. I fewyears later in1962. Anearly form ofCost ValueComparison was introduced for all contracts,morea sophisticated version ofwhich isstill inuse more thanforty years n 1957 ‘Mr WG’ retired as Chairman after over 25 years in the post 1957 the n yearsin ‘Mr over25 after WG’Chairman retiredas and Brampton. The company also acquired two M & E Brampton.& and M two acquired also companyThe raphical areas.raphical 8 onsequences on the national economy.national the on onsequences n 1952 wasdrawnhim. by1952 n ) Limited,byrun ) Sam’s’ ‘Mr Cecilcousin was appointed Managing DirectorManaging wasappointed a nd remained as a as remained nd Moving home – The 1970’s FormerHitchin Congregational Church yearswasit decided to relocate to premises where the joinery and plant operations could be theadjoining graveyard. Thenew head office was built using the steel framed S.E.A.C. blocks,and application had to be made to the Home Office for approval to move graves in Thecompany moved into the new offices at 43 Queen Street in June 1971 but within a few companyat TheCutting beside Hitchin Railway Station was considered but rejected andit Planningpermission was granted to demolish the church and build two 2-storey office RailwayCutting. Thereforein 1975, ninety-seven years after the company had become whichoperated through a subsidiary named Systems Construction (UK) Limited. severaloptions for larger accommodation. Constructing a new building on land owned by the establishedin Hitchin, they moved out of the town to a site at Henlow in Bedfordshire which waspurchased from a pyramid sales company called Golden Chemicals. aconsortium to construct schools, offices and industrial buildings using this S.E.A.C. system accommodatedon one site and to dispose of the premises at WalsworthRoad and The Street,where an earlier generation of the Willmottfamily had worshiped in the early 1900s. theadjoining property at No. 81, the company had outgrown this space and looked at buildingsystem marketed by the British Steel Corporation. Thecompany had recently joined wasfinally decided to purchase the site of the Hitchin Congregational Church in Queen Thiswasgreenfield a siteincludingofficessuite ofa warehousing,and welllandasas te Budgen,departed,John namelyGeorge Froy, Cecil TollBen and Ward.Dixon,Ian who directors,1949, longstanding1970’s fourin the appointed ofAt beginning the had joined the company in 1967 as General Manager,General as and director1967 a in wasappointedcompany the joined had Althoughthe offices at 80 WalsworthRoad, Hitchin, had been extended by the purchase of withdevelopment potential. Initially the AccountsDepartmentSpecialist and companies was soon to become Managing Director. He then led the company through a period a throughcompany Director. Managingthe become led to then wassoon He movedHenlow,to including Joinerythe Shop. Theparent company board took a suite of officessuiteofaGoldington in Road, Bedford perishortfor a of significant growth, resulting in it becoming widely recognised as one of the top the of one recognisedas widely growth, becoming significant it ofin resulting other companies at Henlow in 1978 after a new office block had been had block office new a after 1978 in Henlow at companies other n privately owned construction companies in the UK.the in privatelycompanies n constructionowned 9 Hitchin 1971 Hitchin New Offices,Street,WillmottQueen od before rejoining the beforerejoining od NewOffices at Henlow 1978 built on the site. the on built Assurancein 1976 Newheadquarters for Provident Mutual Life

Growth in the 1970’s provided a considerable boost t boost considerableprovided a 1976,which of contractsin Leytoncurrent the of A.E.SymesLimited of acquisition activities began at this time with severalacquisitions.the with beingtime significant this most at Thebegan activities Th contract to refurbish the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors headquarters i SurveyorsRoyal Chartered headquarters the refurbishof to contractInstitution Other building company acquisitions d acquisitions company building Other Queen on 8 March 1978 . 1978 March 8 on Queen and based on the importance of excellent workmanship and the quality and loyaltyits and of quality the and workmanshipexcellent of importance the on based and employees Most importantly the acquired workload included the high profile £1.7 million £1.7 profile high the included workloadacquired the importantly employeesMost Despitea depressed national economy in the mid 1970’s, the company successfully sustained added bonus the newly refurbished premises were officially opened by Her Majesty the Majesty Her by openedwere officiallypremisesrefurbishednewly the bonus added • difficultieswith local building permits. Theyceased to seek further work or investments in 1974 • In 1975, to compensate for the downturn in the investment in new buildings by both Government but also the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the John the of organisation.foundationWillmott the anniversaryof 125th an the As also but • andcompleted or sold off current developments in Guernsey over the next few years. • • • Willmotts, Symes was an old established family firm, founded by Albert Eli Symes in 1892, firm,familybySymesfoundedin established Willmotts, Eli old SymesAlbert wasan successfully in 1977, which was not only the Silver JubileeSilver the only Queen Yearwasnot 1977,the which in Majesty successfully Her of theirgrowth momentum. By 1980 they had a network of regional geographical bu • companies, a varied group of specialist support companies, and a small property small a companies,and support specialist of variedcompanies,group a Parliament Square,Parliamentcontract Centralthis London.completing in pride took companyThe • wereacquired:followingcompanies the and companies subsidiary separateand intowere “Joinery”formed departments In 1971 the parent company name was changed to John Willmott Holdings Limited to John Limitedto waschangedHoldings Willmottname companyparent the 1971 In development division. The Group turnover had increased from £2.2m in 1970 to £29.8m in 1980. mainly through acquisition. A Specialist Division was established, partly to protect wasestablished,acquisition.to throughDivision mainly partly Specialist A expansion,considerableof periodsubsidiaries. a on embarked then companyThe and industry, John Willmott Maintenance Limited was formed to provide a 24 hour building them from an acute shortage of qualified operatives in specialist trades.specialist operativesin qualified of shortage The acute “ an from them reflect its role of focusing on strategic and policy matters for the operationalthe formatters policy strategicand on focusing of role its reflect Holdings(CI) Limited with two subsidiaries, but this proved not to be viable, mainly due to maintenance service to local authorities and the industrial, commercial and domestic markets. Fora short spell from 1972 to 1975 the company traded in Guernsey through John Willmott e company’s long range plans to achieve national coverageconstruction national achievetheir for to rangecompany’splans long e 1978 - Seaman (Building Contracts) Limited of Lowestoft,Contracts)of (Building NorfolkLimited Seaman - 1978 1978 - Norwich 1978 of W.W.Limited (Norwich) Gould 1976 - Lester & Co.& Lester (Contractors)- 1976 Limited,Sydenham, Kent 1974 - Kengal Sales Limited (Interior Furnishings)(Interior Limited Kengal Sales - 1974 - 1974 WachalLimited Flooring Limited Decorations Classic - 1973 1976 - James Whiffin Limited of Epping, EssexJames Epping, - of 1976 Limited Whiffin 1973 - Dolling & Goss Limited (Plasterers)Limited Goss & Dolling - 1973 o turnover and established a presence in London. LikeLondon. in presence a established turnoverand o 10 uring the 1970’swere:the uring Plant” ilding n Growth in the 1970’s years. The theme of recognising the importance of staff loyaltysevenyears staff wascontinued of years. importance the recognising of theme The annually, when long service giannually, service long when Manager, with 41 years, and Jim Smith, Machine Shop Foreman,Manager,48 Shop years,completed Smith,Jim 41 Machine had and whowith Duringthe 1970s the Sports Social& Club became very active, with internal and external sportstournaments and regular social events such asdinner dances, children’s Christmas return for being allowed t allowed being forreturn Harris,Foreman Carpenter,years, Castle,49 Don with TrainingformerlySite Manager sold in 1980. The boat has since been traced to a mooring on the River B River the on mooring a to traced been1980. since in sold has boat The and kept in touch with the company’s activities through regular contact and newsletters.and contact regular throughcompany’s activities the with touch in kept and would be formed to recognise service and loyalty to the Group.loyaltythe held and to be would servicerecognise Dinner to formedA be would John Willmott. She was used by trainees and apprentices for severalJohnfor apprenticesyearsbefore being and trainees byWillmott. wasused She more years’Jack more included service.eventand this wereacknowledgedat recipientsfirst The well for the Earl of Hardwick.of Earl National Thethe for well Trustacquired in just and had Hall Wimpole successfully completed and launched on 1 April 1977 at Ipswich Docks, and named Docks,and The Ipswich at 1 1977 on April launched and completed successfully skills.carpentry and plasteringwas workshops,their Henlowboat The using the at yacht retired whilst in service. Diamond Club Members would be entertained at an annual lunch annual an at entertained be wouldMembers Club service.Diamond in retiredwhilst where the founder, John Willmott, had undertaken his first contract in 1852 to build a founder,build the to where 1852 John in contractfirst his Willmott,undertaken had At the 125th Anniversary Dinner it was announced that a that Tenwasannounced 125th Atit the AnniversaryDinner Yearemployeesfor Club Van Nost which had fallen into a sad state of repair.of state sad a into Vanfallen had which Nost members and staff in the grounds of grounds the Hall,Wimpolein staff and members Arrington,Cambridgeshire. wasThis restoration of an 18th century lead statue called “Samson Slaying the Philistine”called Johnthe bySlayingstatue “Samson lead century 18th an restorationof la In 1977 the company celebrated its 125th Anniversary with a dinner and dance for all for dance and dinner 125th a its celebratedcompanyAnniversarywith the 1977 In years125 celebratescompanyThe partiesand summer barbecues many ofwhich were held atRobin Willmott’shome Cainhoe bythe Luton Dunstable& Branch ofthe Institute of TrainingOfficers and took its name Manornear Clophill inBedfordshire. Thecompany’s Traineessuccessfully participated inthe fromGeorge Burnside who was General Manager ofSKF Ball Bearings when the competition beganasaninter-company event for local engineering companies. BurnsideChallenge Competition for several years, and in1979 Willmottswere the first companytowin both the overall Burnside Challenge Shield with their boys’ team and the HarryHaslam Trophywith their girls’ team. TheBurnside Challenge was organised annually trainees and apprenand trainees Wi ter when the Diamond Club was launched in 1984 for 1984 in Ten waslaunched Club Diamond the when ter YearwhoMembers Club th the emphasis very much on training and development, in 1974 the company’sthe development,1974 and trainingin on much very emphasis the th tices were given the task of building a ferro-concretesailing hulled a building of task weregiventhe tices o hold the event in the grounds, the company paid for the for paid grounds,company the the eventin the hold o fts would be presented to employees reaching 20, 30 or 20,employees30 reaching to presented be would fts 11 lackwater at lackwater Growth in the 1970’s galley.originalstructuraljoiner the Howeverof most was still in good condition and the interior has now been refitted with a new modern new a with refitted been now has interior the and condition good in wasstill 1990s.hullStructurallythe the of most for neglected sadly vessel,trainingthen sail and 1996 under the name of the ‘Hartly Southseas’. She had been used during the 1980s as a as 1980s the during used been had the She Southseas’.of ‘Hartly name the under 1996 testimony to the skill and workmanship of the apprentices.of workmanshipand traineesWillmottand skill the to testimony Launchof TheJohn Willmottat Ipswich in 1971… the name current‘Amaric’.Maldon, Essex,her under in her acquiredowner present The original twin furling headsails and 72 Thorneycroft engine are still in use.72 in and stillsurely a Thorneycroftareheadsails engine is This furling originaltwin 12 …andafter a refit and a new name in 2001 y in the lower cabin is intact and the and intact is lowercabin the in y The challenges of the 1980’s instrumentalin the decision to send Ian Dixon to Harvard Graduate School of Business and severalofthe company’s technical and professional staff benefited from the experience of roleas Management Development Advisorto the Group over a number of years, and was completedtheir first commission for a major contractor in Egypt. Over the next few years monthsecondment to ArabContractors in Cairo in 1983. John Andrewshad played a vital conjunctionwith Professor John Andrewsof University College London and in 1981 O.C.D. and maintenance of company vehicles. In 1982 Ironbridge Motors Limited,John a FordWillmott Main Transport Limited was formed to provide an in-house service for the purchase developedcalled ‘Viewdata’. Th Willmott Contract Vehicles Limited to form a Motors Division. However it transpired that car workingor lecturing overseas and one of surveyor, Glen Godfrey, successfully completed a 12 Dealership in Southall, was purchased which joined John Willmott Transport Limited and John and still later by ‘Screensaver’ which was available to all staff on their own computers. computers.ownby their later on still ‘Screensaver’staff and all wasavailableto which and outside the Group. In 1982 an internal networked information system wassystem networkedinformation internal an Group.1982 the In outside and Willmott Estates Limited which was headed up by Robinby up washeaded which Willmott.Limited Estates Willmott independent activity.John independent named companyparent separatelyfunded a had This hospitals, Seltzer PLC at Manor Hospital,I HertfordshireBiddenham,Manor and at PLC hospitals,Seltzer training services. The intention was for these companies to provide services both inside both provideservices to services. trainingcompanies these wasfor intention The superseded by a more flexible Intranet service called service IntranetflexibleNews‘Intranetmore a bysupersededTouch’ (IN Touch) speculative housing and commercial development companies weretransferredan developmentcompanies commercial to and housing speculative technicalsupport and advice to construction companies overseas. Thiswas set up in company information and news.and progressed,wasinformationcompany system technology informationthis As group’s insurances for a period of time. Investments were also made in two privatetwo in madetime. Investmentswerealso of period a group’sforinsurances computers,Resourceand provideTrainingto wasestablished DevelopmentLimited Administrationin 1976, where he successfully completed an advanced management course. VDU unit was installed in all offices enabling staff to call up a wide range of inter rangeof wide a up call to staff enabling offices all in wasinstalled unit VDU I A company called Consyst Computer Services Limited was created to deal in micro in deal to wascreated ConsystLimited ComputercalledServices company A Hospital PLC at Pinehill Hospital,Hitchin.Pinehill at PLC Hospital Th th diversifiedovercompany the activities building core their on focus the maintaining economy national the with company the for time difficult a provedbe 1980s to The reorganisation took place and some redundancies unfortunately occurred.unfortunatelyredundancies some and reorganisationplace took Whilst early the in recession of depths the in industry construction the especially and years. Emphasis was placed on efficiency and increased marketing;increasedstructural and efficiency years.on wasplaced Emphasis sales were not the company’s forte and the dealership at Southall was sold two years later. Acompany called Overseas Construction Development Limited was established to provide n 1982, in order to separate the Group’s development and building activities,the building Group’s developmentand the separate to order1982, in n e next few years in order to spread the risk. the spread to orderfewyears nextin e e company invested in an insurance broker,insurance an the Limited,managedinvestedin companywho Bonn Hedgese is seemed somewhat revolutionary at the time and a and time the revolutionarysomewhatat seemed is 13 ndependent London W1 John WillmottMobile Meetings Room 1983 HeadOffice in 1984, 34 Upper Brook Street,

The challenges of the 1980’s AngliaRegion, until 1991 when they acquired two significant long established companies, J nextfew years the company’s building activities were consolidated around London and in the Upper Brook Street Brook Upper company leased a suite of offices in Mayfair,in yearoffices that of Centralof ‘34 suite October a London.In leased company and Karen Stott a Junior Secretary,Junior yoa KarenStott the and 1966,in Chairman retiredas whocompany the of with W.W.Gould Limited to form Bush Gould Limited operating from Norwich. During the However, conscious of the need to promote the company nationally,company the the promote1984 However,to in need the of conscious high flying form of tra of formflying high morevariousoffices.rathertravellingcompany the a between to contrast wasin This ‘Mr.Sam’Sam member (Harold oldest the Willmott) Continuingthe Group’s aim to provide national coverage, the Construction Division was period of trading in the Channel Islands. Channel the in trading of period in Hitchin looking from Bridge Street towardsBridgeStreetfrom looking Hitchin in TilehouseStreet. was held on 22 Februaryby1983,22 jointly performed on washeld converted for use as a mobile meetings room, and used to hold board meetings whilst meetings board hold to room,used meetings and mobile a as use forconverted used to transport directors and staff to and from Guernsey during the company’sshort the during Guernsey from and to staff directorsand transport to used ofland on the outskirts of Cambridge. Theother three partners were ArchitectsLister Drew Limitedwith the original intention to develop aHigh TechnologyScience Park on 56 acres was presented with a specially commissioned painting by Andrew King of a street scene street bya painting of commissioned speciallyKing Andrew a with waspresented forming an forming ‘L’building.Ceremony shaped Opening An In1984 the company joined aconsortium of four partners to form Camtech Developments the frontage and a new two storey wing at one end one at storeywing two new a frontageand the across Henlow,floor at second additional providingan In the early 1980s the company purchased a Winnebago motor home which wasa purchasedwhich company home the Winnebagomotor 1980s early the In & Associates,Quantity Surveyors Bridgewater & Coulton, and Surveyors Young& Company. it was piloted by Robin Willmott, who gained his pilots licence at that time, and wastime,and Robinthat by waspiloted at it licence pilots Willmott,his gained who board, and remained so until they moved back to Hertfordshirein to 2000. moved April back they until so board,remained and expandedby the acquisition was Bush Builders (Norwich) Limited in 1983, which was merged memberof staff at that time (see picture right). ‘MrSam’ single engine Piper aeroplane capable of carrying up to four people. On some occasions some people.fourOn to up carrying of capable aeroplane Piper engine single Wimpenny& Co. Limited based in Huddersfield and E. Turner& Sons Limited of Cardiff. In1983 a large extension was added to the Head Office Afternegotiating a rather long and tortuous path through complex planning issueswith Cambridgeshire County Council over several years, the site was eventually sold to Sainsburysin 1991 and provided an excellent return on the investment. ’ became the registered office and home to the parent companyparent the to home registeredand office’the became nsport used in the early 1970’s, when the company owned a owned1970’s,companyearly the the when in used nsport 14 ungest andMark Tantfar right ChrisDurkin,3rd left, TimCarpenter 6th left, DistinctionClub 1988 InauguralLunch of WillmottDixon

A change of name – 1987 achieved mainly by acquisition. In 1987 they acquired acquired they 1987 acquisition.byWriIn mainly achieved performing s performing Membership was open to those employees achieving one D one employeesachieving those to wasopen Membership achieving national coverage the company embarked on a programme of expansion,programmeof a coverageon embarkedcompanynational the achieving The building maintenance activity was strengthening at this time and with a view to view a with and time this at wasstrengthening activity maintenance building The Transport Plant Hire Limited in 1988. in HireLimited Plant company ceased trading due to a reduction in the need for specialist joinery.specialist for need the in reductionThe a to due trading ceased company 1980s.Specialist the Tradesof towardsJoineryend Thewasdisbanded the Division extended to cover all activities, with awards presented twice yearly for the best the yearlyawardsforactivities, twice coverwith presentedall to extended and refined waslater but contracts building major the on concentratedinitially them to trade outside the Group, and this company was subsequently sold to sold wassubsequentlycompanyAshtead Group, this the and outside trade to them In order to focus on the core activities of construction and building maintenance,the building and construction of activities core the on focus to order In Distinction Club was formed to recognise excellence in professionalstudies. in excellencerecognise to wasformed Club Distinction theme throughout the history of the company and in 1988 in Theand company the Dixonof Willmott history the throughout theme to have such an internal policing scheme, which continues today.continues scheme,which policing internal an havesuch to The importance of people as the most valuable company asset has been a continuing a been has asset valuablecompany most the as people of importance The Birmingham. professionalexaminations. FounderThewere Members Carpenter,Tim Cotton,Dennis levied by a Group Safety Inspector who made regular unannounced site visits. site unannounced Thisregular made who Inspector SafetyGroup a bylevied emphasis on improving safety on building sites. This involved a system of internal fines sites.internal building of on improvingsafetysystem involved on This a emphasis Leeds, and the following year purchasedfollowingyear the Leeds, and All Tradesin Limited (Maintenance) On 1 May 1987 the name of the Group was changed to waschanged GroupLimited, Dixon Willmottthe to of name the 1987 May 1 On developmentyears.previousovertwentythe house company the time Atsame the Group’sgrowththe and to Dixon Ian by made contribution significant recognisethe style was completely reviewed and a new company logo,companynew reviewed wascompletelya new style and togetherwith In June 1987 a 1987 June In improved livery for sites and vehicles, was introduced throughout the Group.vehicles,the and improvedthroughoutwasintroduced sites for livery ites and site managers.site and company itesconstruction first wasthe DixonWillmott and Plant companies were merged to become enableweremergedto companiesto HireLimitedPlantWimpole and S ite Safety Inspection Scheme was introduced, to place evenmore wasintroduced,place to Scheme Inspection Safety ite Peter Willmott and Sir Ian Dixon shake hands on the creation of the of creation the on hands shakeDixon Peter Ian Sir and Willmott Willmott Dixon name. DixonWillmott 15 ght Maintenance Limited of Limited Maintenance ght istinction or more in their in more or istinction

WillmottDixon in 1993 Manuel Vieiraof Contacto to Ian Dixon of Presentationof a silver Barcos Rabelos by

The 1990’s and expanding horizons to the Group and invaluable experience for senior management wo management invaluablesenior experienceforand Group the to silver model of a Portuguese sailing boat known as known featurein Rabelos’.boat ‘Barcos(See ‘ sailing Portuguese a of model silver buildingcompany inthe country. TheGroup structure was rationalised with anUltimate Inthe 1990s the aim ofthe Group was tobecome established asthe largest private Director and then in 1993, Group Chief Executive.1993,Chief Groupin then and Director operated successfully for several years and provided a significant financial contribution financial significant providedseverala forsuccessfullyyearsand operated when the Chairman of Contacto,of Chairman Manuel the when solid Vieira,a with company the presented Group’sessentially averse’‘risk policies. competed annual Barcos Rabelos race on the River Douro in Oporto.in Douro River partnershipthe This on race Rabelos Barcosannual competed from the vineyards, and today the port lodges of Oporto take part in a fiercelya in part take Oporto of lodgesvineyards, port the fromthe today and handing over executive management to Colin Enticknap, who became first ManagingfirstColinover Enticknap,becameexecutive to managementwhohanding A lunch was held at the head office in London to celebrate this joint ventureagreement, joint this celebrate to London in office head the at washeld lunch A Oporto. in based companyconstruction ContactoPortuguese SGPS,in a sharethird one Ginnes Navarro, it was decided to withdraw as their future plans did not fit with the with fit not did plans future their Navarro,withdrawas Ginnes to wasdecided it However following the inclusion of a third partner in 1997, a civil engineeringcompany civil 1997,a in partner third a of Howeverinclusion followingthe through two joint venture schemes, one at Meia Praia in Lagos and the other at other the and Lagos in Praia Meia ventureat schemes,joint one two through Market,Single European1989 the in Portugal in workingbeganDixonWillmott 3 year contract which lasted some 5 or 6 years. Mark joined the company in 1982 as 1982 in companyyears. the 6 joined or Mark 5 some lasted which contract year 3 Site’ Issue 9) These sailing boats were once used to transport casks of port downstream port of casks transport to used wereonce Site’9) boats Issue sailing These ParentCompany known as WillmottDixon Limited and three Divisional Parent Companies, In order to expand the Group’s overall operations further and to take advantagetakeof Group’sto overallthe and expand to operationsfurther order In Distrinction Club. Subsequently many more employees and their families took up took familiesClub. Distrinctiontheir employees moremanyand Subsequently managed byMark managed Ta Rosa,Quinta Carvoeiro. company,subsidiary Portuguese A DixonWillmott a Trainee Site Manager and was one of the founder members of the of membersfounderDixon Willmott a the of Traineewasone and Manager Site Bothcompanies were long established family owned construction companies, founded in the opportunity to broaden their experience by working in Portugal. in experienceworkingby their broaden to opportunity the Construçoes (Portugal) SA, was formed in 1991 based in Lagoa.in based 1991 ConstruçoesSA,(Portugal)wasinitiallyin This wasformed In 1993 Group activities i activities Group 1993 In operationsfor the Maintenance Division. Housing was tocontinue its expansion by his 60th birthday and Ian Dixon continued in the role of C of role the in continued Dixon Ian and birthday 60th his WillmottDixon Construction Limited, WillmottDixon Maintenance Limited, and Willmott 1884and 1885 respectively, with similar philosophies and background tothe original John Deputy Managing Director.Managing on Deputy 1991,Chairman PeterIn Joint as down stepped Willmott geographicalgrowth rather than by acquisition. Willmottcompany. (See ‘OnSite’ Issues and5 6) TheHousing Division had expanded DixonHousing Limited, each with their own regional business units. Theprovision of I considerablyby increasing activity inthe social housing market, and the acquisition in nationalcoverage was achieved in1991 following the major construction company acquisitionsofJ WimpennyCo.& Limited inLeeds and E TurnerSons& Limited ofCardiff. 1991ofKalkare Property Maintenance Limited inCheltenham had broadened their area of n 1990 Colin Enticknap was appointed to the Ultimate ParentCompanyUltimate as Boardthe to wasappointed Colin Enticknap 1990 n nt, who moved to the Algarve with his wife Katie for an initial an forKatient, wifethe moved whohis to Algarve with n Portugal were significantly expanded with the purchase of a of purchase the with expandedweresignificantly Portugal n 17 hairman,graduallywhilst rking in Europe. in rking On The 1990’s and expanding horizons experienced but after several difficult years the economy gradually recgraduallyeconomyseveral yearsthe difficultafter experiencedbut a market presence.market a neverpreviouslyredundancy levelsof regrettablyThismeant amalgamated in order to increase competitiveness whilst, at the same time,maintaining same whilst,the competitivenessincrease at to order in amalgamated withsocial housing companies and public sector housing authorities respectively. Likewise WillmottDixon Maintenance Limited had consolidated its position as the leading need for a for need time as the largest social housing project in the country.the in project housing largestsocial the as time Animportant factor inthe recovery was that the Group embraced the recommendations andincreasing efficiency. Both Housing and Maintenance went on to forge partnerships maintenance. maintenance. for all subsidiaries was contracted on a partnered basis, and there was no longer the longer wasno therebasis, and partnered a on wascontractedsubsidiaries all for turnoverof proportion increasing an Group the throughout spreadpractices Partnering completed in 1997 was the £27m Blackbird Leys project in Oxford,the in projectat recognisedLeys Blackbird £27m wasthe 1997 in completed structure to achieve overheadsavings.achieve werestructureto companies subsidiary possibleWhere of the country’s leading social housing contractors. One notable contract successfullycontractors.contract notablehousing One social country’s leading the of ofSir Michael Latham’s report “Constructingthe Team”published in1994. Thisadvocated Project at Paignton and the £15m 3Com Project at Hemel Hempstead.HoweverHemel at 3Comas Project £15m the and Paignton at Project group consolidated its performance in the three sectors of building, housing and housing building, of sectorsthree the in performance its consolidated group which was very successful and won Contractwon Journaland successful wasveryNortel Awards which £20m the both for theuse of ‘Partnering’aswaya ofdramatically reducing conflict inthe construction Willmott Dixon Housing Limited made steady progress and became established as one as established became progressand steady made Limited Housing DixonWillmott buildingfabric maintenance service provider in the country by focusing on customer needs In 1992, with the economy in recession, it became necessary to streamline the company the streamline to necessary recession,became in it economy the 1992,with In were carried out by out werecarried SirMichael was appointed non-executivea director ofthe parent company in1996. Best Valueprojectsprospectiveclients.PartneringforInitially ProcurementSeminars process,and was tobecome hugea influence onthe company’s future operations. Partnering was embarked upon for all employees,all Partneringfor alongside upon wasembarkedPartnering Workshopsand Un der Colin Enticknap’s leadership a comprehensive training programme on the ethos of ethos the programmecomprehensivetrainingon a ColinleadershipEnticknap’s der separate company.separate a specially formed company,formedspecially a Limited, ManagementDixon Willmott an industry leader in Partnering. in leader industry an Partnering project that helped pave the way for the business to become to business waythe forpavethe helped that projectPartnering The 3com project, built in 1998 in Hemel Hempstead, was a successful Hempstead,wasa Hemel in 1998 project,in 3com built The 18 overed and the overedand IanDixon, Pat Willmott ValeriaDixon, Rick Willmott,Sara Willmott, Lto R: Peter Willmott, Tanya Willmott, PETER’SRETIREMENT

The 1990’s and expanding horizons October 1994, to be awarded annually in recognition o awardedrecognition be in 1994,annuallyto October as Group Chief Executive and co-directors John Bayliss,co-directorsJohnS Executiveand Chief Group as benefit during his three years on the board.1994,Rick the in Following yearson appointment three his his during benefit The PeterThe Willmott Achievement Awardthe at wasinauguratedTen Yearin Dinner Club Sir Michael Latham succeeded Sir Ian as Non-Executive Chairman, with ColinNon-ExecutiveChairman,Enticknap with as Ian Sir succeeded Latham Michael Sir winners being winners “Construction Tu painting by Andrew King, of the Hitchin Girls Grammar School built by t by built School Grammar Girls Hitchinby the painting of King,Andrew Knighthood in 1996. 1996. in Knighthood Marketing Director, in the last step in the implementation of the succession programme.succession the of implementation the in step Director,Marketinglast the in House of Commons, when the company presented him with a specially commissioned specially a with him Commons,presentedcompany of the House when Peter Willmott presented him with a magnificent silver statue of a racehorse,Coa and of statue silver magnificent Petera with him presentedWillmott River the on Thames.cruise dinner a at colleagues and friendsbyrecognised as a non-executive director, whose area of expertise in finance and banking was of great wasof banking and finance non-executivein director,expertisea as of area whose considerable contribution to the success of the Group’s growth during that time wastime Group’sthat growthduringthe of success the to contributionconsiderable refocused to acknowledge outstanding performance in client satisfaction, with the first satisfaction,the client with in performance acknowledgeoutstanding refocusedto Three years later in 1997, Steven Dixon was appointed to the board as Group Sales and Sales Group as board the to 1997,wasappointed StevenDixonin Threeyearslater board of his son Rick Rick son Willmott.his of boardPeterfor the dinner celebrationat A washeld Willmott who made an astounding recovery from a serious brain tumour.brainserious recoverya fromastounding an awardmade Thiswho waslater marked the end of one era and the beginning of another with the appointment to the to appointment the with another of beginning the and era one of end the marked previously been recognised by the well deserved award of a CBE in 1991 and a and 1991 in CBE awarda deservedwell of the byrecognised previously been In December 1998 Sir Ian Dixon retired after 31 years with the company.the yearswith 31 His retiredafter Dixon Ian Sir 1998 December In 2000. year the in Rhondda congenital disease and a successful heart and lung transplant, and Don Bowles in 1996 in Bowlestransplant, Don lung and and heart successful a and disease congenital service with the company.Sheridanthe Christopher with appointed boardservice the time same Atthe In May 1999 John Bayliss retired as Director and Company Secretary after 30 years30 Companyafter and SecretaryDirector retiredas Bayliss John 1999 May In acquired computer. His public work inside and outside the construction industry had industry construction the outside and computer.inside acquiredwork public His 1908. Peter Willmott presented the company with an elegant chiming bracketclock. chiming elegant1908. Peteran with company the presentedWillmott The retirement of Peter Willmott in 1994, after 47 years service with the company,the with Peteryearsservice retirementof The47 1994, after in Willmott Enticknap handed over an enormous bundle of software to run on Sir Ian’snewlySir on run softwareto of bundle enormous overan handed Enticknap employee. Initial winners were Peter Smoothy in 1995 who triumphed over a lifetime of lifetimeover a triumphed who 1995 employee.in SmoothywerePeter winners Initial Rick Willmott joins the board following the retirement of his father Peter.father his retirementof following boardthe Rick the joins Willmott 19 rner” for their work on the on workTonyrefailrner” their for CentreLeisure in f significant achievement by an byachievement significant f teven Dixon, and Rick tevenDixon,Rick and Willmott. he company in company he lin Burtonon 1993 Trent– BassCorporate Services Headquarters,

The 1990’s and expanding horizons Officers. Theaim was to encourage much greater co-operation and teamwork across regional yeara specialist interiors business, insp@ce, was launched, concentrating initially upon the supportedby Professor David Gann of Sussex University, one of the country’s leading experts leadby John Frankiewicz and Chris Durkin respectively in the new roles of Chief Operating business, the Group focused on establishing spec establishing on focusedGroup business, the 1999,as part of their move towards broadening the range of services provided. In the same strategicissues such as modularisation and standardisation of components. Thisinitiative was Wi ‘matrix’management structures were introduced in the Construction and Housing Divisions standardisation,prefabrication and whole life costing. clients. TheMaintenance division was re-branded WillmottDixon Property Services Limited in completedthe same AdvancedManagement Programme, and returned fired with enthusiasm problemsand ensure the widespread application of best practice, before moving on to more ‘IntroducingChange’ was accepted by the board and implemented the following year. New ininformation technology, to support the additional expertise needed for issues such as boundaries,more sharing of best practice and a better co-ordinated service for national leaders in Partnering. in leaders TheHousing Division invested in a small Innovations Teaminitially to ‘designout’ repetitive a partnered basis and Willmott Dixon was becoming widely recognised as industry and as recognisedwidelybasis wasbecoming partnered DixonWillmott a In1998 Colin Enticknap, like his predecessor Sir Ian, went to Harvard University where he particularly at site level.site at particularly GreaterLondon market. andideas to lead the company through its next period of evolution. His paper entitled turnover of £245m.turnoverturnoverof on wascontractedGroup percentage of everincreasing An continued the task of marketing the Group and developing brand positioning, developingbrand and Group the marketing of task the continued inthis field. Theinvestment in the training and development of staff continued, particularly Division in 1996 responsible for its five regionaloffices.fiveStevenDixon Meanwhileits forresponsible 1996 in Division Profits had steadily increased since 1995 and broke the £3m barrier in 1999 on a on 1999 in barrier £3m brokethe and 1995 since increasedsteadily had Profits the hotel and leisure industry, and with local authorities and housing associations. housing and authorities industry,leisurelocal and with hotel and the Willmott, developed his role in the Construction Division, becoming Chairman of that of ConstructionChairman Division,the becoming in Willmott, role developedhis th the emphasis very much on Partnering, client relationships and repeat orderrepeat and relationships client Partnering, on much very emphasis the th regarded as one of the most sustainable buildings everbuilt. buildings sustainable most the of one regardedas Built for the University of East Anglia in 1999, Elizabeth Fry House is still is House Fry1999,East Elizabeth in Universityof Anglia the for Built 20 ial client relationships in sectors such as such sectors in relationships client ial Changes ahead in the new century Construction and to encourage the concept of concept long’within encourage‘lifethe learning to Construction Dixon.and Willmott determined fight aga fight determined the company established and funded a Trust in his name to promote change in UK in change promotea to funded Trustname and his established companyin the executive Deputy Chairman. Sadly, later that year, Sir Ian Dixon lost his long and long Chairman.executiveSadly,his Deputy year,lost Dixonthat Ian later Sir and grandfather before him, and Sir Michael Latham remained on the board as non- as board the on remained Latham Michael grandfatherSir beforehim,and and as well as in the construction industry at large.at industry presence,construction his the of in Tocontinuance as wella ensure as particular emphasis on Empowerment.emphasis Achievingand Potentialparticular The theme of change continued in 2000 with the move from the very traditionalverymove the fromthe with 2000 in continued change of theme The In 2001 Rick Willmott became Chairman, following in the footsteps of both his father his both of footstepsRick the Chairman,2001 followingbecamein WillmottIn Head Office in Upper Brook Street,Brook new,Upper Mayfairto in the Office on premisesvibrantHead more modern open plan, demonstrated the board’s wish to become more visible and to and visible more become to plan,board’swish openthe demonstrated modern City.Garden Letchworth in to complexSpirella space office movecellular Thefrom be progrebe promote communication and teamwork. This style and statement of intent wasto teamwork.intent andof communicationstatement promote and style This ssively spread across all company offices and staff training increased with increasedtraining staff and offices company all ssivelyacrossspread inst cancer and was to be greatly missed by all at all by Dixongreatlymissed Willmott be wasto and cancer inst 21 new head office, now open for business office,for openhead nownew Rick the Stevenat DixonWillmot,and ColinEnticknap Changes ahead in the new century Willmott Dixon Cornwallis Stakes and t Cornwallis DixonWillmott and Stakes races were sponsored by the company,the byweresponsoredraces the earth, and an afternoon tea buffet.tea afternoon an Twoearth,and outlets serving food from all corners of the of corners all fromfood serving outlets almost 2,500 people. 2,500 almost World’ themed lunch pavilion with six World’with pavilion lunch themed children’sentertainment,an ‘Aroundthe for the sole use of all guests during the day,the during enjoyedwasthoroughlybyguests which all of use sole the for day’sat racing Ascot. included dayThe shareholders, staff and their families to a to families their shareholders,and staff Lounges with betting facilities, and reserved seating in the Grandstand wereavailableGrandstand the in facilities,reservedseating betting and with Lounges its 150th all its entertaining Anniversaryby In October 2002 the company celebratedcompany the 2002 October In 22 he Princess RoyalPrincess he Stakes.DixonWillmott Changes ahead in the new century to come which can be the subject of future instalments of this story.this of instalments future of subject the be can which come to but the original large iron gates had been sacrificed for the wareffo the forsacrificed been had gatesoriginallargeiron the but to the parish council in 1936 by Samuelby John founder1936 the in Willmott,of Willmott,council parishson the to set to continue into the 21st century. This will be very evident in the significant changes century.significant 21st the the in evidentinto very continuebe to will Thisset as economic climates fluctuated, and h fluctuated, and climates economic as time, this during storms weatheredmany has company the that fact the by vindicated deliver sustainable and resilient growth for its shareholders and staff alike and this looks this and alike staff shareholdersand its growthforresilient and sustainable deliver gates to the Willmott Playing Fields in the village.the donated the to been gatesin Fields Playinghad Willmott fields playingThe development of its employees at all levels. One could say that this approach has been has approach this that saylevels. could all employeesOne at its developmentof beginnings at Bassingbourn was recognised in 2004 when the company replaced the iron the replacedcompany the when 2004 in wasrecognisedBassingbourn at beginnings number of its competitors from the early years.early the fromto competitors determined its remainscompany Theof number service to the customer,value,loyaltyencouragethe to the and and recogniseto and service The company is still essentially family owned and the memory of its humble its of memory the and ownedfamilyessentially still is companyThe Over the last 150 years the company has continued to focus on providing a high quality high providinga on focus to continued has company yearsthe 150 last the Over Second World War. 23 as outlasted or exceeded the performance of a of performance the exceeded or outlasted as Margaret Valentine rt during the during rt 2009