SEH French and SEH Developments – building together

The close and successful working relationship between SEH French and SEH Developments is something we are very proud of at One Group Construction.

Bringing expertise together to create incredible projects, quickly and efficiently constructed, has made the pairing a force to be reckoned with.

Here, Bob Page, Contracts Manager at SEH French, and Will Neall, Property & Developments Manager at SEH Developments, discuss how the two firms work together, playing to each other’s strengths.

Close contact

SEH French and SEH Developments have been working together for the past 25 years, with SEH Developments discovering exciting opportunities for projects, and SEH French taking on the building work.

That has seen both firms work together on major projects, from a £2.5million housing development in The Drift in Ipswich to building £5million luxury homes in Lynton Place. 

“It’s a really nice dynamic because we don’t just work well together as individuals, there’s lots of trust between us too,” said Will.

“I’m aware of what their expertise is and they are aware of mine, so we work very well together.

“It’s a unique relationship that really works.”

Bob said the two businesses played to each others’ strengths.

“It’s a really good relationship,” he said. 

“Will has a great understanding of opportunities of land, the potential of projects and what the land can present in the bigger picture.

“He finds these unique opportunities, then SEH French helps with the pricing and puts forward the construction details and we effectively run the construction side from there.”

Quick solutions

The partnership means the two companies can come up with solutions to construction challenges quickly, reducing costs without sacrificing the quality of the product.

“We can discuss an issue, come up with ideas and solutions and can then put it into practice very quickly,” said Bob.

“Will and SEH Developments are fundamentally a client of SEH French, so if we have a question or query we put forward ideas, talk about solutions and come up with a way forward – it’s very open and collaborative.”

Will added: “Construction in general can often be quite bureaucratic, which can slow the process down.

“Because we are part of the same group and trust each other there’s a certain amount of autonomy and not every decision has to be run by me – nothing stops the process in its tracks.

“They don’t have to book a meeting with me every time there is an issue and I’m a phone call away if it’s something bigger.

“With our trusting relationship, if the site manager needs an issue sorted quickly he can give me a buzz and it can just happen.”

From strength to strength

With so many developments standing as testament to the firms’ collaboration, it is no surprise that more joint projects are planned for the future. 

Will said: “We are still learning, and have learnt new ways to work together on each project we take on.

“I feel very lucky to have the team at SEH French to work with, having the relationship of openness, trust and transparency, and creating some really impressive projects.

Bob said: “It’s been great, we are talking to them about another scheme right now so are looking forward to working more with them in the future.

“I’d like to continue the relationship. It’s a lot more solid because we are not caught up in the normal construction process and can get things done efficiently.”