On 1st May 2026 Open Contracts officially celebrates 25 years creating spaces that work for people. To mark the occasion we’re looking back at a few of the most memorable moments we’ve collected over the last 25 years.
Open Contracts was started in 2001 by our Founder Director Peter Smith and former Director Malcolm MacDougall – they gave the company its name as they wanted a brand that reflected their straightforward approach to office and industrial refurbishment and fit out. Those foundations marked the beginning of what continues to be a steadily growing business underpinned by the values we share with all those we work with.
In the early years, we secured key relationships, first partnering with Savills in 2002 and then forming relationships with Dorrington, Workman and JLL. As the company strengthened we achieved major industry certifications including Safe Contractor and ISO9001, demonstrating our commitment to quality and safety. By the end of the first five years, we had successfully completed our first 100 projects, establishing a strong foundation for future growth.
Over the next five years, the company continued its momentum, reaching 1,000 enquiries by 2007 and expanding our client base to include Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE and surpassing 500 completed projects. Our success reflecting our growing reputation as a reliable contractor, one who understands the importance of building long term relationships and works hard to ensure our clients are always delighted with the service we provide.
During this time our team strengthened with the arrival of Site Manager Trevor Yates and Project Manager Sam Taylor. In 2011, we proudly celebrated our 10th birthday and marked the occasion with a move to a new office on Flitcroft Street, in London’s West End – a location that put us at the heart of our work in London and the South-East.
In this time, we broadened our portfolio – working with CORE, Spring Building Consultancy, CS2 Building Surveyors and TFT – and achieved Construction Line Silver Membership.
Our team continued to grow in knowledge and expertise as our Managing Director Matthew Parsons was recruited (back in 2013 he joined us as an Estimator) and our Projects Director Mark Skilbeck joined (his first role in 2014 was Site Manager). In that same year we welcomed Site Manager Daniel Mitchell to our team and saw enquiries passing 2,000 supported by new partnerships with Avison Young, Hollis, and Stewart Watson. We also enjoyed the successful completion of our first Considerate Constructors Scheme project at Admiral House in Woking.
From 2016 to 2021, we completed our first BREEAM project at 12 Forbury Court, Reading, and formed new partnerships with Cogent, Workspace, Hart Dixon and The Howard de Walden Estate. At the same time, our team grew with the appointment of Site Manager Paul Johnstone, Estimator Harry Smith, Pre-Contracts Manager Les Turton and Operations Director Karen Smith.
In 2018 we moved to Devonshire Square and achieved Construction Line Gold membership. At the same time we welcomed Sales and Marketing Manager Gabriela Moglan, and Site Managers Nikolai Mikhailov and Carlos Gonzalez to our team. By 2019, enquiries reached 3,000 and we’d refreshed our brand to bring it up to date, creating a new website and marketing materials to make our vision and mission more clear. In 2020, we brought financial management in-house with Amalia Dragomir appointed as Accounts. And, despite the external challenges of that time we saw enquiries rise to 3,000 and celebrated completing 1,000 projects.
In the last five years Open Contracts celebrated more success, winning Mix Interiors’ Project of the Year for Elsley House and the FX Award for Best Large Workplace in recognition of our Panagram project, as well as being awarded the Mixology 2023 Project of the Year for 72 Broadwick Street. We’ve become established as a Living Wage Employer, and, having moved again in 2021, we’re now very much at home in Temple Chambers – a stunning office building that we are proud to have refurbished over recent years.
In the last five years, we’ve recruited more members of our team, including Site Managers Luke Woodger and Keith Shepperley, Project Managers Tom Tresadern and Gemma Skilbeck, Estimators Danielle Hartwell-Diable and Tia Ambersley, Office Manager Kathryn Kane and, most recently, Assistant Project Managers Samit Rai and Georgia Hinds.
We enjoyed celebrating our 21st birthday and found time to refresh a brand so it better reflects who we are today and our vision for the future.
As part of our 25th anniversary year, we’ve set ourselves an ambitious collective goal: to raise £25,000 for a range of charitable causes and organisations that create real, lasting impact. So far, we’re proud to have raised nearly £9,000 in support of Samaritans, Cancer Research UK, Little Princess Trust, RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation, Rooprai Spinal Trust, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
On 4th July, nine members of our team will take on The Three Peaks, an exciting challenge to climb the three highest peaks in the United Kingdom; Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, and Snowdon in Wales within just 24 hours. We’re undertaking this challenge to raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
For Open Contracts this milestone is about far more than reaching a fundraising target. It’s about uniting as one team, supporting the causes that resonate with us, and honouring 25 years in a way that reflects our values and heart. Together, we’re shaping 2026 into a celebration with purpose – creating meaningful change and lasting memories every step of the way.
If you’re enjoying this blog, be sure to explore our other pages for even more insights and inspiration. There’s plenty more to discover!
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