Having stayed true to its values across a 20-year tenure, Cotswold Oak is growing beyond borders
Celebrating 20 years in business this year, Cotswold Oak is one of the most successful construction companies in the Cotswolds, England, and surrounding areas. The company’s growth and success have resulted in several awards for high-quality construction and finishing from prestigious and recognised bodies like the LABC Excellence Awards.
Cotswold Oak integrates European and American oak where possible, offering a unique touch to any project. Since the foundation of the business in 2004, its team have gained considerable experience and expertise in utilising oak for structural framing, which blends traditional techniques with modern materials.
With a family ethos, Cotswold Oak genuinely cares about the quality and service its teams provide. An experienced, hardworking development team oversee all aspects of development, with all contractors carefully managed by a Site Manager, who is then overseen by an experienced and dedicated Contracts Manager.
“We still carry the values of a family-run business; attention to detail, the quality of the build, the customer experience, and functionality are all central to our core values,” says Russell Houghton, Commercial Director. “Cotswold Oak is a wonderful place to work and so everyone takes pride in their association with the company.
“We strive for our working environment to be like a family, where everyone feels integral to the success of the business. While each day is fast paced and can be intense at times, our employees collaborate and are willing to help wherever needed to ensure we achieve our end goal.”
Robust relationships
Turning to the company’s portfolio, Cotswold Oak offers a range of services including the construction of new home developments across the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. Headed up by a family-run development team, this division completes several niche and bespoke housing requirements, all of which are finished to the extremely high standards the business has become known for. Some current projects include Paygrove Court in Longlevens, Noent Edge in Newent, Athelai Edge in Down Hatherley, and Bowmans Reach in Stoke Orchard.
Aside from housing developments, Cotswold Oak also offers bespoke construction, designed to deliver a client’s dream home. The team works closely with customers to truly understand the requirements, then designs and builds the home with unparalleled quality throughout. Some examples include Salford Manor and Dean Mill, as well as an impressive array of custom homes.
With a focus on delivering high-quality products, Cotswold Oak ensures its suppliers are equally committed to quality. “Our relationships across the supply network are extremely important,” Russell states. “With any supplier, the relationship is not just about cost, but level of service too; it doesn’t matter how low the cost is if we can’t get something on time or indeed, at all. We therefore work closely with all our suppliers to build resilience and ensure our supply chain functions as smoothly as possible.”
Bespoke solutions 
Cotswold Oak’s portfolio also includes a bespoke timber joinery and design service, specialising in design, manufacture, and installation. From fitted furniture to oak framing, each item is handcrafted in a dedicated, 20,000-square-foot workshop using specific hardwoods to enhance durability and aesthetic appearance.
Promising products that stand the test of time, the joinery side of the business works with private clients and homeowners, design professionals, commercial teams, and property developers. With extensive industry knowledge, the team’s expertise spans a vast range of products and services that can be tailored to each customers’ requirements. The standard portfolio includes fitted furniture, kitchen cabinetry, windows and doors, external joinery, oak framing, garages and garden buildings, staircases, and a wide array of mouldings and profiles.
“All our projects are exciting in their own way; they are all vastly different and have their own challenges, so they add a unique experience to our company brand,” Russell suggests. “To give you an idea of the breadth of our projects, we have recently completed a canal-side development in Warwick, which was a complex build with unique logistical problems. Equally, compare that to a commissioned, multi-million-pound home fitted out with a bespoke kitchen and furniture from our own joinery shop, and you can see that each project is unique and interesting. Even if it’s a particularly challenging project, it will still present an opportunity for us to strengthen our skills or add a new capability to our offering.”
Steady growth strategy
Reflecting on the evolution of the business, Russell says: “From a start-up building a bespoke home and purpose-built joinery items, the business has evolved and grown to its current position, undertaking multiple development sites ranging from five to 50 units. We’ve grown in line with demand in a steady, planned growth strategy, and thrived through some major challenges such as the financial crash in 2008 and the Covid-19 pandemic.”
It is clear to see that Cotswold Oak’s emphasis on quality has paid off. As Russell outlines, during the company’s 20-year tenure, it has grown from a relatively small, family-led operation to a successful regional name that is continuously growing beyond borders.
“We currently have several new projects underway, and we will continue to operate with quality, integrity, and collaboration at our core,” Russell concludes. “Further afield, I’d like to see us expand slightly on our current position to consolidate our trading level within the market.”