A Hull workspace specialist is toasting the commercial property sector’s post-pandemic bounceback as it increases the team by 50 per cent.
Chameleon Business Interiors has added 11 new hires as it improves its scope to handle larger and more complex projects, with a shift in requirements noted following Covid-19.
And allied business acquisition could come to the fore as the international operator seeks to grow further.
Turnover, though not revealed, has doubled in the past financial year, with one client even including its new landlord, Rix Group, at the Two Humber Quays. It has also just been awarded a contract to fit out Yorkshire Housing's city centre hub at The Place in Leeds.
Shaun Watts, chairman of the 24-year-old business, said: “I’m delighted to welcome new quantity surveyors, site and project managers, sales and project administrators, buyers and estimators to the team, who bring with them a wealth of experience and industry understanding. We’ve brought on experts in a variety of areas – from health and safety to design, and site management to operations. This will really benefit our customers and ultimately, the people who will use the spaces we create.”
Chameleon had closed off 2020 with 14 staff, it now employs more than 30.
“The last two years have certainly presented us with a few challenges,” Mr Watts said. “It’s been a difficult period to navigate and sadly, we’ve seen some businesses close their doors. But as the industry bounces back we’ve been busier than ever and I’m optimistic about our region’s future. 2022 looks to be more successful than ever.
“The pandemic has shifted the office working environment requirements, so we’re continuing to respond to this and lead from the front, innovating to ensure we continue delivering inspiring spaces. Growing our team at Chameleon will support with this work and assist in delivering larger and more complex projects.”
Mr Watts has told how 2021 did see a slowdown in the Canadian business “despite delivering several projects successfully due to our strong management based in Toronto”.
“Overall, I’m very grateful and humbled that we have bucked the trend, starting 2021 on the back of the growth and success of 2020. We secured a number of large and complex contracts early on, with clients that took a long-term view to workspaces: they wanted to think creatively, design spaces their employees wanted to return to, and prioritise collaborative and safe working.
“As a result, sales have increased significantly and we have our innovative and hard-working team to thank for that. I also saw clients’ confidence in us grow because we’ve continued to invest and recruit. But I do recognise that we represent a small proportion of companies that emerged from 2021 in a strong position.”
Chameleon is embracing carbon negative client-briefs which has brought a “phenomenal purchasing mindset shift” for the team, while maximising spaces and highlighting opportunities for British manufacturing due to delays and inflated costs on importing of materials.
Mr Watts added: “The year has begun well, with a number of prestigious projects already on site across the country that we’re all very excited about and new projects in the design stage.
“With the addition of new talent and expertise to the business, we anticipate the size and the complexity of our projects to continue to grow. Acquisition will be part of our growth strategy in 2022, and I am actively looking for the right opportunity.
We have some ambitious targets to meet that will stretch us all but we are up for the challenge. The infrastructure and talent we now have in place gives us the strength and depth to support our growth ambitions over the coming year.”
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