TALKING BUSINESS
THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES
Over the past seven decades Briggs and Forrester has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent building service contractors. The Group’s chief executive PAUL BURTON explains what makes the business so successful.
The Briggs and Forrester Group began life 70 years ago as a heating engineering business in Northampton. The company was launched in 1947 by William Briggs and
Charles Forrester and although both Briggs’ and Forrester’s time with the firm was relatively short, the name has remained. Briggs and Forrester diversified in the 1960s and 1970s as the
construction industry grew. During the next decades economic challenges, changes to working methods and growth in employees and new offices reflected the highs and lows of the industry. The multi award-winning company has seen its turnover rise from £50,000 in 1965 to a projected turnover of £200m this year. This success is unsurprising given that in the past decade it
has delivered more than £1.3bn of building services across virtually all market sectors, including commercial developments, luxury residential properties, hi-tech laboratories, engine production and testing facilities, retail and leisure developments, educational establishments and healthcare. The Group’s chief executive, Paul Burton, said: “We have
achieved our reputation through a high quality, results- orientated approach combined with today’s growing emphasis on energy efficiency, energy conservation and other environmental sustainability. Throughout our history we have always focussed on our customers’ needs and on delivering quality, service and innovation.” Remaining true to its roots the company’s headquarters has
stayed in Northampton but it has also developed a network of additional regional offices throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham and Warrington. Its workforce has also grown dramatically and now
stands at just over 800. Paul said: “Our greatest asset has always been
our people. Their talent, expertise, motivation and commitment drives and enhances our continued success and we highly value every person in our workforce.” The company’s commitment to its people is
evident in the number of industry awards it has achieved over the years, recognising the quality of its apprentices, engineers, projects and its impressive health and safety record. Despite increases over the last few years in project
‘WE ARE PROUD TO
BE A HIGHLY RESPECTED BUILDING SERVICES COMPANY’
turnover, number of man hours worked, number of workers and supply chain involvement, the company has seen a year on year reduction in accidents and lost time injuries. In 2016 the group, and its sub-contracted workforce,
completed in excess of 7.4 million man hours and achieved an 26 inbusiness APRIL/MAY 2017
Accident Frequency Rate & Accident Incident Rate of zero for RIDDOR reportable accidents. Paul said: “Our robust procedures give
greater responsibility for workplace safety to our teams on site. In our industry there is always the potential for risk, but we are proud of our long record of success including the RoSPA Awards and in our recent health and
safety figures.” Following a management buyout in June 2016 the business looked at its group and management structure, with some important changes taking place
recently reflecting the company’s focus on looking to the future. From February 2017 Paul Burton, formerly the managing
director of Briggs and Forrester Engineering Services, became the Group’s chief executive. Other internal promotions have resulted in the appointment
TALKING BUSINESS
PHOTOS BY JANE RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
