Thackray (UK) Ltd has appointed two new directors as it plots further growth.
The company offers commercial and residential building services for the Cambridge region.
Thackray is working on a project on Vision Park in Histon. From left, Carl Fisher, Kevin Elstub and Dan Wright. Picture: Keith Heppell
Kevin Elstub has been appointed as director to head up its commercial division, which provides office fit-outs along with a full design, bespoke manufacture and installation service for the life sciences sector.
Carl Fisher has been appointed director for the residential side of the business, which includes building, refurbishing and extending luxury and executive homes.
Managing director Dan Wright bought Thackray nearly eight years ago. He has grown its residential business while expanding its operations into the commercial field, in which he has many years of experience.
“It’s gone from strength to strength and every year we’ve doubled our turnover. We are now working for all the well-known local surveyors,” said Dan, who previously sold a large painting and decorating business.
Cambridge’s burgeoning life science scene means Thackray’s commercial services are much in demand, and it is currently on site working for a client at Vision Park in Histon.
Kevin, who has 35 years’ experience in the field, said: “We offer full turnkey project delivery – design, build, furniture – the complete package. We can do this directly with clients or via project managers or building surveyors.”
This includes the specialist fit-out operations required for laboratory installations and a particular trend Kevin is witnessing is the conversion of offices into lab spaces to help meet the acute shortage of sites for the life sciences sector here.
“We are currently converting a two-storey office building at Vision Park,” explained Kevin. “Three-quarters will become lab space and the other quarter will be offices.”
Such conversions are sure to become an increasingly common sight as Cambridge’s commercial property sector struggles to meet the demand for lab space.
“The work varies according to the building, but one of the key factors is the mechanical side, such as ventilation,” notes Kevin.
Meanwhile, Thackray’s long-term background in residential building means it continues to earn recommendations for exciting projects.
“We have completed some really nice high-end buildings and conversions, on which we worked closely with a lot of long-established architects throughout Cambridgeshire,” said Dan. “We’ve done whole house renovations, kitchens, extensions to luxury houses and gardens.
“We have completed a large outdoor natural swimming pool in a luxury property within Cambridge city and have been working on a high-end, new bespoke build in Little Wratting.”
The natural pool runs with no chemicals, has jets installed to aid swimming and an electric pool cover.
Carl has worked his way up at Thackray. A plasterer by trade, he has progressed through site manager and contracts manager roles to become a director for residential.
With Kevin and Carl now in place, the Soham-based company is expecting the demand for its services to continue to grow throughout the Cambridge region.
Business News Life Science Paul Brackley
