September 30, 2014 9.28 am This story is over 114 months old

Lincoln property group celebrates 70 years in business

Birthday celebrations: Lincolnshire-based property solutions company Simons Group are celebrating 70 years of business, and looking forward to future challenges.
The Simons group celebrated the business' 70th anniversary on September 25.

Lincolnshire-based property solutions company Simons Group are celebrating 70 years of business, and looking forward to future challenges.

In September 1944, two 16-year-olds, Peter Hodgkinson and Harry Dunn, were sent by W&J Simons from Nottingham to Lincoln.

Their job was to deliver services under the ‘essential works orders’ that formed the basics of the WWII Home Front Construction activity.

What started out as work under military instruction became a successful venture. Some 20 years later, they bought the Lincoln company they had created from the owners, removed W&J from the title and Simons was created.

From the 1970’s until the 1980’s (at which point Lincoln Cathedral developed their in-house Works Department), Simons’ Small Works team carried out maintenance to Lincoln Cathedral and Close Properties.

The scaffolding works for Lincoln Cathedral still exist to this day, with the same employee having been involved in the works for over 40 years.

Lincoln Cathedral Centre hosted the 70th Birthday celebrations for the local contractor on September 25, attended by the Subdean of Lincoln Cathedral and employees sharing stories.

Paul Hodgkinson, Executive Chairman of Simons said: “After 70 years, the key parts of our DNA as a business can still be seen.

“With roots in the previous generation, we continue to be customer focused with team strength, undertaking technically challenging property solutions, with collaborative working styles and always striving to improve.

“We don’t just believe business is a financial, technical or logical transaction; we believe we are making a connection between people, team members, customers or suppliers. We look forward to the future of Simons, with the next generation continuing with the legacy of the company’s reputation and relationships.”

The Subdean Lincoln Cathedral, Canon John Patrick, added: “The relationship with the cathedral has been going on for many, many years and our experience has always been a very positive one.

“Thank you to Simons for all it does for the cathedral, but also thank you for what it does elsewhere in this county and across the country.”