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Where we operate
A regional contractor serving all London Boroughs and the South East, our Orpington Head Office is supported by two regional bases and a central London specialist fit out division. Our Winchester base serves clients along the south coast and Thames corridor and our Hemel Hempstead office strengthens our reach across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire - enhancing our service around the capital.
1967 – Neilcott founded Neilcott was founded in 1967 by Dennis “Neil” Brown, his father, and Arthur Chill “cott”. Starting out at No. 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, the business operated from a modest garage with an office above, initially focusing on small works and domestic extensions. |  |
1970s – early growth By 1974, Neilcott had expanded significantly, securing major contracts with housing associations, the Home Office Prisons Department, British Rail, schools, and hospitals. As the company grew, International House in Orpington became our headquarters, initially renting a small space until our expansion allowed us to occupy the entire building. |  |
1980s -new chapter In order to facilitate the founders’ retirement, Neilcott was sold to PJ Walls, a family owned business and one of Ireland’s most prominent building and civil engineering organisations. David Gynn relocated from Ireland with his young family to take on the role of Managing Director and so began a new chapter in the life of Neilcott. As a lifelong employee of the Walls Group and a professional engineer, David brought with him the ethos of a family owned business and an ambition to tackle the most demanding projects – attributes which remain embedded in the Neilcott business to this day. |  |
1990s – embracing innovation & resilience Under David’s leadership, along with surveying director Shane Wilson, the company not only successfully navigated the early 90’s recession but with the technical and financial backing of the Walls Group, were able to pursue new technologies, construction methodologies and procurement routes – enhancing efficiency and project outcomes. |  |
| 2000s – new leadership & expansion In the 2000s, Malcolm Elster, Joe Gissane and Neil Harrison joined the business. Building upon the firm foundations already laid, the business went from strength to strength and in 2001, having outgrown the International House premises, the head office relocated just a few hundred yards along Cray Avenue to standalone premises at Excel House from where we still operate today. As turnover grew, so did the geographical spread of activities in response to which a southern regional office was established in 2002, initially in Woking before moving to Trident House in Farnborough in 2007. |  |
2010s – milestones & expansion Following a management buyout in 2013, Neilcott regained its earlier independence and another chapter in the Neilcott story began. Under the leadership of Malcolm, Joe and Neil, the company continued to thrive. Entrusted by our clients to deliver ever larger and more complex projects, in 2016, we reached a significant milestone with turnover exceeding £100m for the first time. Our 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2017 at the Tate Modern with staff past and present together with delighted clients, many of whom had been collaborating with Neilcott for almost 20 years. In 2018, our southern regional office relocated to Winchester where it remains today. |  |
2020s – a new chapter of growth & leadership In 2021, Neilcott became employee-owned, marking the transition to the next generation of leadership. Paul Reeves joined as Group Commercial Director, followed by John Papworth’s progression to Winchester Regional Director. In 2022, we established our London Fit Out division, followed in 2023 by a new Hemel Hempstead office under Regional Director Mark Doyle. Later that year, Dave Huxley joined as Managing Director, completing the leadership team. Guided by Dave, Paul, John and Mark, Neilcott remains committed to the core values that have fuelled our success for decades, positioned for continued growth as a leading employee-owned company. |  |
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1967, Neilcott founded Neilcott was founded in 1967 by Dennis “Neil” Brown, his father and Arthur “Chillcott”. Starting out at No. 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, the business operated from a modest garage with an office above, initially focusing on small works and domestic extensions. |
|
1970s, early growth By 1974, Neilcott had expanded significantly, securing major contracts with housing associations, the Home Office Prisons Department, British Rail, schools, and hospitals. As the company grew, International House in Orpington became our headquarters, initially renting a small space until our expansion allowed us to occupy the entire building. |
|
1980s, new chapter In order to facilitate the founders’ retirement, Neilcott was sold to PJ Walls, a family owned business and one of Ireland’s most prominent building and civil engineering organisations. David Gynn relocated from Ireland with his young family to take on the role of Managing Director and so began a new chapter in the life of Neilcott. As a lifelong employee of the Walls Group and a professional engineer, David brought with him the ethos of a family owned business and an ambition to tackle the most demanding projects - attributes which remain embedded in the Neilcott business to this day. |
|
1990s, embracing innovation & resilience Under David’s leadership, along with surveying director Shane Wilson, the company not only successfully navigated the early 90’s recession but with the technical and financial backing of the Walls Group, were able to pursue new technologies, construction methodologies and procurement routes - enhancing efficiency and project outcomes. |
2000s, new leadership & expansion In the 2000s, Malcolm Elster, Joe Gissane and Neil Harrison joined the business. Building upon the firm foundations already laid, the business went from strength to strength and in 2001, having outgrown the International House premises, the head office relocated just a few hundred yards along Cray Avenue to standalone premises at Excel House from where we still operate today. As turnover grew, so did the geographical spread of activities in response to which a southern regional office was established in 2002, initially in Woking before moving to Trident House in Farnborough in 2007. |
|
2010s, milestones & expansion Following a management buyout in 2013, Neilcott regained its earlier independence and another chapter in the Neilcott story began. Under the leadership of Malcolm, Joe and Neil, the company continued to thrive. Entrusted by our clients to deliver ever larger and more complex projects, in 2016, we reached a significant milestone with turnover exceeding £100m for the first time. Our 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2017 at the Tate Modern with staff past and present together with delighted clients, many of whom had been collaborating with Neilcott for almost 20 years. In 2018, our southern regional office relocated to Winchester where it remains today. |
2020s, a new chapter of growth & leadership In 2021 the Neilcott story progressed once more, becoming an employee-owned business and initiating the transition to the next generation of leadership. Beginning with Paul Reeves, joining as Group Commercial Director in 2021, this continued with John Papworth becoming Regional Director of the southern region after 8 years with the company. Expansion continued with the establishment of a dedicated London Fit Out division in 2022. The opening of our northern regional office in Hemel Hempstead followed in 2023 under the leadership of Regional Director Mark Doyle, enhancing our ability to manage projects across the Home Counties. Later that year, Dave Huxley joined as Managing Director, completing the leadership team. Under the guidance of Dave, Paul, John and Mark, Neilcott remains committed to the core values that have driven the company’s success for decades, poised for further growth as the industry’s leading employee-owned organisation. |
Tim Goodman
Managing Director of SWestPM
Jake Crawford
Associate Director - WT Partnership
Narzyny Khan
Principal of New City College (Epping Wellness Centre)
Darren Baker
Project Manager, Peninsula Projects (Frimley Park Hospital)
Guido de Koning
Associate Project Manager, City University of London
(Bayes Business School)
Neil Dowsing
Programme Manager, London Borough of Hillingdon
Rose Brepotra
Senior Housing Development & Supply Officer, LB Hounslow (Framton Road)
Juliette Hanks
London South East Colleges
Senior Project Manager - University of East London
Barking, Havering, Redbridge University Hospitals
King George Hospital Theatres
Tim Goodman
Managing Director of SWestPM
Jake Crawford
Associate Director - WT Partnership
Narzyny Khan
Principal of New City College (Epping Wellness Centre)
Darren Baker
Project Manager, Peninsula Projects (Frimley Park Hospital)
Guido de Koning
Associate Project Manager, City University of London
(Bayes Business School)
Neil Dowsing
Programme Manager, London Borough of Hillingdon
Rose Brepotra
Senior Housing Development & Supply Officer, LB Hounslow (Framton Road)
Juliette Hanks
London South East Colleges
Senior Project Manager - University of East London
Barking, Havering, Redbridge University Hospitals
King George Hospital Theatres
