SME UK Enterprise Awards 2024/ 48 Best Nationwide Refurbishment & Fit-Out Specialists 2024 Yorkshire & UK Enterprise Client Service Excellence Award 2024 Lodestone Projects A Yorkshire fit out specialist with 75 years’ experience and a wealth of ‘exciting plans in the pipeline’ has recently scooped not one but two SME News awards. Headed up by directors Richard Hall, Matt Ellis and Josh Donnelly, Leeds-based Lodestone Projects received the following accolades: ‘Best Nationwide Refurbishment and Fit Out Specialists 2024 – Yorkshire’, and ‘UK Enterprise Client Service Excellence Award 2024’. “The awards are testament to both our work and our team”, Josh told SME News. “We aim to be our clients’ long-term partner of choice and we work hard to solve problems and find the right solutions. We always do what we say we will, offering exceptional quality and a right first time approach.” Specialising in projects up to five million in value, the refurbishment and fit out firm directly employs its own team of tradespeople, supplemented by trusted supply chain partners. “Unlike a lot of contractors, we’re very proud to directly employ our own site operatives which can be a huge differentiator in controlling quality, programme and achieving outcomes on our projects. Our clients often tell us they really like this and appreciate those trusted pair of hands who get what is important to them as a business.” A positive and collaborative company, Lodestone Projects works on a non-contractual basis across Yorkshire and nationwide. The company has amassed a loyal client base, with everyone from Skipton Building Society to Virgin Media, Grainger PLC, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, and Rudding Park, putting their trust in the team. The team prides itself on the fact that its projects are director or shareholder led. “We’re empowered to make the right decisions for our clients and projects.” says Josh, adding: “Daily management from our leadership team is key for an SME like us, and it allows us to stay focussed on the bigger picture and put longterm relationships above short-term thinking.” The Yorkshire fit out contractor says the firm has seen ‘huge growth and opportunity’ since its inception but says this year’s market is more uncertain. “The construction market is definitely depressed, and work availability is more challenging.” says Josh, who adds that the team is seeing larger companies dropping into smaller markets, with prices tightening across the board. “We have no desire to enter into a race to the bottom, in an industry which is already plagued with unrealistic margin levels, and high levels of insolvency. For us, retaining our fantastic team is key to navigating this period of uncertainty.” The firm is collaborating with clients to ‘try to lift the bar even further in terms of delivery and service’, developing into new markets where opportunity is strong. Josh, Matt, and Richard put the wellbeing – and therefore, the retention – of staff high on their agenda. “We do this by offering them competitive packages which provide work/ life balance and the opportunity to grow” says Josh. “We also offer profit share and bonuses, based on annual company performance.” Josh describes the company’s management style as ‘hands-off’, adding that they’re big believers in ‘trusting great people and giving them the platform to do what they do’. “In terms of new staff, personal skills and approach are the key drivers and are nonnegotiable. Technical skills can be developed and harnessed but having good people who are passionate about what they do (and can provide our clients with a great experience) is what we really look for.” Everyone is trusted to ‘deliver and do their job’, with Lodestone Projects providing all the tools they require to succeed – and remain happy employees. “We are here to support but not interfere. If our clients are happy, we are. Younger members of staff and those who are still learning, work with senior mentors who can help shape their progression.” explains Josh. “All staff have a personal training plan to ensure we stay compliant and that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to be comfortable in delivering their roles.” In the last year, the company has replaced its van fleet and is joining several frameworks, while also developing its social media channels and its website. Exciting schemes are in the pipeline for Lodestone Projects, too, both for existing and new clients, the details of which Josh cannot yet disclose. The Yorkshire refurbishment contractor does not have solid targets in terms of turnover, with the key, says Josh, being to ensure the team continues to ‘enjoy the journey’, and its clients ‘love what they do. The rest, says Josh, will take care of itself. For more about Lodestone Projects, head to www.lodestone-projects.co.uk Contact: Josh Donnelly Company: Lodestone Projects Website: www.lodestone-projects.co.uk
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