A leading Hull business has pushed on again following its healthy return post-pandemic.
Sewell Ventures, which covers construction, development, fuel and convenience stores, as well as facilities and estates management, recorded a 6.8 per cent increase in revenues in 2022, up from 拢115.8 million to 拢123.8 million. Operating profit was up from 拢2.1 million to 拢3.4 million.
All elements of the business saw an increase, albeit construction was virtually flat at 拢50.5 million, and suffered an expected loss, due to issues with a contract stretching back to 2021.
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Sewell On-the-Go, which invested in a property in Beverley 鈥渙f strategic importance鈥 in the calendar-aligned year, enjoyed an 8.2 per cent lift from 拢57.1 million to 拢62.1 million, while the two fastest growing elements were estates management services and facilities management, up 62.5 per cent and 24 per cent respectively, to 拢7.2 million and 拢3.9 million.
In his strategic report accompanying the results, Dr Paul Sewell OBE, said: 鈥淭he directors are pleased with the underlying trading performance during 2022, particularly given the challenging market conditions across both sides of the group as a consequence of Covid, Brexit, the conflict in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. Despite the external challenges, the business has continued to take opportunities during 2022.
鈥淭he group plans to build on its growing reputation across Yorkshire and the North and the directors are excited by the opportunities on the horizon.鈥
A new Hull primary school, secondary school extension in the city and a commercial refurbishment in Wakefield were highlights in construction, with both Sewell and its West Yorkshire counterpart Illingworth and Gregory entering 2023 with 鈥渧ery strong order books鈥 and an anticipation of a similar level of turnover.
Yorkshire Energy Park鈥檚 detailed planning consent for phase one and Humber Freeport status was also heralded.
Fuel trading was described as having 鈥渁gain been successful, despite the ongoing volatility in the fuel market鈥. Dr Sewell added: 鈥淭he property acquisition in the year demonstrates
the directors desire to invest in for the long term, ensuring the business has a portfolio of sites which are fit for the future.鈥
As reported, as the year closed, the Sewell Estates element took first steps towards employee ownership, with Dr Sewell selling a 25 per cent stake to a trust. The business had also started the year by putting its name to Hull KR鈥檚 Craven Park, with Dr Sewell emerging as chair. He added that it 鈥渕arked the start of an exciting partnership between both East Hull-based organisations鈥.
Headcount remained constant, at 484.
Company on target to have 15 per cent of workforce on career-start programme
The results were filed as the company announced it has invested in 25 graduates, apprentices and trainees as part of its Gateway Project, launched two years ago.
It aims to triple the number of career-starting roles in the business.
Sewell Estates managing director, Jo Barnes, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e always found it rewarding to bring in new talent and develop them into the leaders of the future. But making a definite pledge to triple our recruitment of entry level positions has really made us focus on how we can provide as many opportunities as possible.
鈥淪ince the pandemic, so many young people have had their education disrupted, and they鈥檝e found it very difficult to find jobs without being able to gain experience. We firmly believe that skills can be learned on the job, and we prefer to recruit for culture fit and attitude.鈥
Harriet Deverell was one of the first recruits, joining as a graduate consultant with Sewell Group鈥檚 estate consultancy Shared Agenda. She is described as being an integral part of the team and has recently been promoted to a more senior role.
She said:鈥淲hen Sewell Group offered me a graduate position, it was a fantastic opportunity to get started in the consultancy industry. After our time at university was interrupted by the pandemic, I鈥檝e seen lots of my friends struggle to find jobs without experience, so I鈥檓 really grateful that I鈥檝e been given this chance to learn and gain skills in a job I love. I鈥檓 really looking forward to continuing to progress in the industry, and in turn help mentor young people who are entering the workforce for the first time.鈥
Several of Sewell Group鈥檚 senior leadership team progressed from such entry points.
Mark Boothby, joint managing director of Sewell Construction, joined in 1996 as a trainee. 鈥淏eing given the chance to join a company that supports and develops its people enabled me to grow and learn the culture of the business, along with skills for carrying out new roles,鈥 he said. 鈥淭here have been a number of opportunities for growth since I joined, which have resulted in me co-leading Sewell Construction. I recognise and feel responsibility to reinvest in apprentices and trainees to give young people the support and opportunities I鈥檝e had in my own career, as at a young age you never know where your career may take you.鈥
