Content area
Full Text
Verry Construction is steadily turning itself from a solid SME into a forward-thinking, contractor with a diverse portfolio. Helen McCormick talks to chief executive Craig Jones about how his big brand experience is bringing a fresh approach to the company.
After a successful career with some of Europe's biggest brands, including SmithKline Beecham, British Steel, Del Monte and most recently a seven-year stint with Phillips Consumer Electronics, Craig Jones was looking forward to a well-deserved break.
But his planned sailing trip has been put on hold. Instead, his friend John Gibson, chairman of London-based Verry Group, persuaded Jones to help him set up Verry Europe, as a vehicle to develop property in Latvia.
This first step towards a more diverse business model has already paid off, and Jones's relatively low-key initial involvement with Verry has led to a significant change in the company's structure, and perhaps more importantly, its outlook.
Jones's first challenge was the extremes of Eastern European weather. The daunting prospect of attempting to build residential property in a country which experiences very cold winters and frozen ground, led to the discovery of German firm Weberhaus, whose prefabricated houses proved an ideal solution.
Verry Europe became the firm's agent in Latvia, and when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's £60,000 homes initiative was launched, it presented a ready-made entry. Verry won two of the available sites - Hastings and Aylesbury - in collaboration with Weberhaus and architects Make. And Jones, while he remains managing director of Verry Europe, made the transition to chief executive of the Verry Group, a move he has never regretted.
Don't look back
"It's a challenge I didn't want at the time, but having been in the business for more than 12 months, I'm really passionate and absolutely determined to make it happen," he enthuses. "I've introduced some values which I think were needed within the organisational culture, and everybody has embraced them in a very positive way. If we can have these values as part of our DNA and have a bit of fun at the same time, that's the ideal. I see me staying here for the long-term - I'm enjoying it very much."
Verry Construction director Geoff Taylor says Jones's involvement has brought...