In 1925, two men laid the foundation for what would become a dynamic, values-driven business. Over the past century, the Morris & Spottiswood Group has grown through challenges and change, but one thing has remained consistent: people are at the heart of everything we do.
Now, as we mark our centenary, we reflect on how putting people, values and service first has helped us not just survive but succeed.
A legacy in motion
From its early days as a small, family-run venture, Morris & Spottiswood has always been defined by resilience and adaptability. As George Morris, Chairman of the Group, shares:
“There were times when things weren’t easy, but what brought us through was a shared commitment to doing things the right way, and our focus on our people.”
The business grew steadily, shaped by both opportunity and challenge. Over time, it expanded into new areas, always guided by the principle that growth should serve a purpose.
That purpose? Creating environments for people to thrive.
A history of going further
At every stage, our Group’s expansion has never been about growth for growth’s sake. It has always been driven by the needs of our clients and the requirements of their projects. Whether a small, local upgrade or large-scale, complex development, we have always found ways to deliver the right solutions. Our service offering has grown to reflect this responsiveness, supporting projects of varying size and value across the UK.
“Things have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, both in terms of our service scope and geographical spread,” George reflects. “But the principle has remained the same. Our offering was born from necessity. We’d be completing one job for a client and be asked if we could possibly do something else. Whether the ask was big or small, if a client had a need, we figured out how to meet it. That’s been our approach from the beginning.”
Throughout the project lifecycle, clients are now very, very keen to have one point of contact to make things as efficient and easy as possible. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our business.”
This client-first mindset meant building capabilities that could genuinely support project delivery, often anticipating future needs before they became obvious. It also meant staying agile and willing to evolve, in order to offer true value.
Shaped by our values. Built by our people.
While clients have driven our direction, it’s our people who have brought that direction to life. From long-standing team members to apprentices, everyone plays a part in shaping who we are.
“What makes this business special is the people,” says George. “We’ve always valued the diversity of our teams. It brings fresh ideas and keeps us moving forward.”
Diversity of thought and experience is something we celebrate because new perspectives bring innovation and strength. Across the Group, we foster a culture where people can grow, contribute and be themselves.
Aim High, Act Responsibly, and Value People aren’t just words on a wall, they’re the foundation of how we operate. These values drive us to deliver excellence, make decisions with integrity and work collaboratively at every level. They’ve guided us through change and helped us build strong, lasting relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
A hundred years of history. A future full of possibility.
As we look ahead, we do so with excitement for the people who’ve been part of our journey to date and for what’s next. With a century behind us, we’re focused on our next 100 years. By continuing to live by our values, we can create environments where people thrive, while making a positive impact on the planet.
Because being built to last isn’t about the past, it’s about the future we’re building together.