70 & Definitely Making Waves
Kebbell’s Sales and Marketing Director, Andrea Fawell, talks about the heritage of the small housebuilder which continues to make waves in the industry.
Congratulations on Kebbell’s 70th anniversary, are you spending some time reflecting back?
“I feel like at Kebbell we are always looking forwards rather than backwards but we do have a rich heritage. Kebbell was founded in 1953 by Thomas Kebbell but building was slow to start post-war. Kebbell firstly focused on construction in Carpenders Park, near Watford and then expanded within prime locations, especially in the South and Southeast, as well as Durham and Yorkshire because of strong family connections in those areas. We have also built in Houston, Texas and France.
“We have come a long way in 70 years and still remain driven to keep on producing wonderful homes using contemporary design, meticulously planned interiors, the finest materials and smart processes whilst always considering the community, the environment and our social impact. Our homes vary from traditional family properties to luxury apartments and exclusive residences. In the last 17 years alone we have built 973 new homes and our annual turnover in 2022 was £31,272,000.”
Can you tell us about the importance of family at Kebbell?
“Family is a cornerstone of Kebbell: there are many family members involved in the business, it has been passed down through generations, and families are at the heart of every home we build and every decision we make. We build communities and homes that people really want to live in, now and for the future. With the pressures of society getting harder, family values must come first.
“Nick Kebbell has worked at Kebbell since 1974 and has been the MD since 2009. Both of Nick’s sons are now part of the business too. Tom is involved in every aspect of the running of the company alongside his father using his creative, entrepreneurial and interior design skills; whilst Hamish is a key part of the construction and innovation side of the business, looking after the technical and onsite aspects. Nick’s three sisters, his mother and nephews are shareholders who you will often see doing site visits and being actively involved.”
What has been the greatest achievement for Kebbell?
“Winning the WhatHouse Gold award for Best Small Housebuilder last year meant we were recognised by the industry for the work we do. It was gratifying and humbling. We had won the silver award pre Covid so it felt amazing to come back and win gold after all the hard work on and off site over the last four years and to be recognised for our constant innovation and growth moving with the times.
“We have also raised £132,395 for charities dear to our hearts, all of which have been nominated by the employees.”
Have the challenges changed over time and what has been the biggest hurdle to overcome?
“We have been through many recessions and have always managed to navigate through them remaining profitable despite the changing landscape, but most importantly whilst holding on to our values. We keep the momentum going, learn to be agile and adapt without veering from the path and we always try to make the right decisions in the face of adversity.”
How important has having a purpose been to Kebbell?
“Having a purpose runs through our DNA and links back to our strong values. We encourage our teams to do the best they can and be the best version of themselves. We want everyone to have job satisfaction when they drive home. For us, it is not just about the thrill of the sale but also the professional growth of our employees which is why I think generally people don’t leave the company unless they are retiring! Peer recognition, job satisfaction and remuneration are all important.”
Why do you think Kebbell is at the top of its game 70 years on?
“We hold true to our core values and constantly question ourselves and check whether we are we doing the right thing in the best way we can. We don’t make knee-jerk decisions; we give ourselves time to get it right and we are not frightened of taking the tough path. We are meticulous and forward plan to make it the easiest possible route for our buyers. Longevity means we are experienced experts but we never rest on our laurels, we check everything from every angle and ensure we are up to date with the market, materials, fittings and much more.”
How is Kebbell still continuously evolving?
“We are newly introducing bottom-up and top-down approaches in terms of evaluations as well as a two-way flow of information. We are open to new ideas, and happy to listen and consider. We aim for a forum in which people can speak to their managers frankly and openly. It’s a supportive environment where everyone’s opinion is valued. We are constantly checking for unconscious bias. We are also taking a huge interest in how we can be more sustainable via our Green Team task force, looking closely at our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and then doing something about it, and actively researching ways to decrease energy bills and build cleaner”.
What is Kebbell’s vision for the next 10 years?
“At the moment we are looking at new ways for growth including considering going into other geographical areas. We want to continue to increase our social media engagement to reach younger buyers, the buyers of the future. We are looking at new income streams such as perhaps building accommodation for students, more over-55 and senior living developments and diversifying into more conceptual living for single professional people in the cities. We are always forward-thinking about the changing market landscape. We may potentially look at partners to unlock other land and revenue streams. It is an exciting time.”
What do you believe makes Kebbell stand out?
“As a small housebuilder we build such a wide range of homes and in so many different locations which means we have a rich understanding of what home buyers need and want which is a fundamental part of Kebbell’s philosophy but ultimately it is because we really care.”
