Basingstoke: Hackwood Homes placed 11th in Fast Track listing

Basingstoke-based Hackwood Homes has been placed at number 11 in the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100. Hackwood Homes, a construction and property development business operating throughout the South West, has posted four successive years of increased growth, revenues and profits. In that time staff levels have increased from 10 to over 100.

The company turned over £30 million last year and has forecast to reach £100m by 2019/2020 founded on its current business plan, which would elevate it to the top five fastest growing private companies in the UK.

Managing director Christopher Goddard and construction director Paul Williams will now attend a conference and awards dinner next May in London to be co-hosted by Sir Richard Branson.

Carving out a reputation for listed building conversions and new build homes all over the south, Hackwood ventured into Norfolk for one large project. In recent years the company has been building large luxury retirement developments for Renaissance Retirement all over the south coast. With seven already completed and another seven underway, Hackwood has scaled up its operation in all three divisions – people, plant and machinery.

Hackwood was built from a solid plan laid down by founders Christopher Goddard and Paul Williams, and ably aided by Roxeen Drury, office manager, 12 years ago. In September this year, the company moved into its own purpose built premises outside Basingstoke, boasting 12,000 sq ft of custom-built floor space.

Christopher Goddard, managing director, said: “We are delighted to be included in this year’s Fast Track league. This is testimony of having a clear vision, pre-planning and a great deal of hard work as well as focusing on a growing team effort.”

Paul Williams, construction director, added: “It’s an exciting time for the business as we have enjoyed a sustained period of growth which is forecast to continue for the foreseeable future.

“We have a great team here - we call them our ‘Dream Team’. Hackwood has a family feel to it - a progressive company with good old fashioned values.

“We are looking to recruit in a number of areas of the business – from administration, site workers and the team management.

 “We have a great work ethic and company ethos. Our culture is very important to us and everyone buys into it from day one.”

“It makes recruiting easier,” explained Williams. “As we are getting more established and well known people are coming to us for positions. It’s about reputation in the market place and being able to offer exciting challenging roles in the construction industry.”

The company has just taken on four apprentices with ambitions to take on a further 10 next year.

Goddard added: “I was particularly delighted to be part of that decision. It’s how Paul and I started out many years ago and we believe that it sets you up with a firm foundation for a career. We are constantly recruiting  high quality people. You have to surround yourself with talented people who share your ambitions and vision for the future.”