Construction firm Morris & Spottiswood has completed the acquisition of its Leeds office which could pave the way for 60 new recruits within the year.
The firm which specialises in interior fit-out, housing and maintenance services has bought Nash House, in Pym Street, for an undisclosed sum opening up additional space on a second floor of the building.
UK Group Managing Director Jon Dunwell, who is Yorkshire born and bred, and based in the Leeds office, said the firm is building on strong momentum after posting record financial results.
Mr Dunwell said the Leeds site is now set to play a vital administration role in the firm’s ambitious business development drive across the North of England.
Sales for the region have seen the greatest increase for the nationwide firm growing from £10million in 2012 to £44million in 2015. While latest audited accounts revealed total turnover increasing from £74million in the 2014 financial year to £88million, and up to £104million including inter-company trading.
“After completing our due diligence we have now acquired our Leeds office site,” said Mr Dunwell. “While this is a practical move to help manage our staff expansion plans it is also a clear signal of our intent to ramp up activity across the North of England. This is a firm commitment to the region as we look to lay down a strong foundation and build over the next ten years and beyond.
“Our employment figures have risen sharply from 329 in 2015 to 375, including 24 apprentices. Many of these recruits are highly skilled tradesmen working on sites across the UK. To support this manpower on the ground we also need a highly capable and efficient office team to manage the many administrative aspects surrounding the projects. We have now identified our Leeds site as the main administrative hub to essentially direct our expansion plans across the North of England. This expanded site will become a strategic base to widen our footprint in the North East region.”
Morris & Spottiswood recently launched a new strategy targeting maintenance, facilities management and technical services contracts. In a bid to capitalise on growth opportunities the firm has also launched a specialist team working on national framework agreements and reinforced its M&E (Mechanical and Electrical) flooring and maintenance divisions.
“We strongly believe in serving local markets with a local supply chain, and directly employing local people in our regional offices,” said Mr Dunwell. “Our staff are the backbone of the business and we are very keen on talent management at Morris & Spottiswood. We look to reward the efforts of our team, by promoting from within and working on career paths to ensure employees are constantly developing skills and realising their ambitions.
“One of Morris & Spottiswood’s greatest strengths is the ability to combine a national delivery model with highly skilled local service providers. This ensures our clients get a consistent and reliable service from local tradesmen who can draw on their local connections and provide high level support and tailor made solutions.
“Due to this model we offer something unique to the market – a complete fit-out solution at great value. By offering experienced M&E and flooring as part of our fit-out services we can give clients better value, we can plan jobs more efficiently and we can react faster to their needs. Our package is further supported by expertise in maintenance, facilities management and technical services.”
Mr Dunwell started his career as an electrician at D. B. Haigh Ltd. He then moved to Rotary Group Ltd. He invested 14 years at the firm working through the ranks as foreman, estimator, projects and contracts manager to director and managing director roles.
He joined Morris & Spottiswood in 2012 as M&E director which has seen sales grow from £4million to £17million in the last three years. Mr Dunwell took responsibility for national delivery across England in 2013 based out of the Warrington office which recorded £44million in sales last year, half of total turnover.
For further details about Morris & Spottiswood’s contact the Warrington office on 0141 425 1133 or visit www.morrisandspottiswood.co.uk
Notes to editors
Background
Morris & Spottiswood is a family-owned business founded in Glasgow in 1925 by George Morris and John Spottiswood. The early Morris & Spottiswood workshop serviced Glasgow’s strong industrial base. When the second generation of the Morris family were leading the business in the 1960s, the shop-fitting and construction divisions were built up. The business is now being led by the third generation of the Morris family and has a UK-wide reputation in fit-out, housing and maintenance, a turnover of circa £90million and around 400 employees in offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Warrington and Leeds. The culture of the company has always remained strongly people-centred.