Evolving expertise: developing a holistic approach with Specialist Group

Founded in 1988 by John Bosco O’Hagan – who remains the company’s Group Chairman today – Specialist Group has grown from a small team of 10 people to become one of the industry’s most notable specialist fit-out and bespoke joinery companies. The brand has over three decades of experience in bespoke joinery and wood – where it began its journey with a loyal client base and close supplier relationships.

Expanding on expertise

As Specialist Group continues to evolve and looks towards its future as a full-service fit-out specialist, the team discovered an increasing demand for a more holistic approach to material sourcing and office fit-out solutions. Recognising that an integrated approach across joinery, metal and glass would elevate both its product and service offering, the manufacturer first created a dedicated glass division by welcoming several glass experts into its fold.

More recently, metal was also added to brand’s portfolio after staff were trained to the same level of expertise as its knowledgeable team of joiners. “We were mindful that customers have come to expect a certain level oaf excellence from us,” explains Specialist’s Business Development Manager Jo Azevedo. “So, we were unwilling to roll out this portfolio of services until we had achieved a premium benchmark across the board.”

Now, the majority of the company’s projects are full portfolio projects that embrace joinery, metal and glass throughout, which the company credits with hugely elevating the calibre of their work.

Such projects include Convene at Sancroft, Paternoster Square, with Specialist Group contributing to their new venue in collaboration with Woods Bagot and BW. The office spans 45,000 sq ft across two floors, accommodating up to 1,200 guests with a range of facilities for business tenants. “Our scope of work here included a range of joinery and metal elements,” outlines Azevedo. “This included a concierge and welcome desk with halved spindles, banquette booths, a mesh hanging gantry, nourish areas, AV surround, a ground floor fireplace, wall panelling and a feature suspended timber ceiling.”

Another full portfolio project is Myo St. Paul’s –working in collaboration with Basha-Franklin and Mace, Specialist Group contributed its skilled craftsmanship to create a vibrant, adaptable coworking space overlooking the historic cathedral that prioritises sustainability and flexibility. Highlights included a reception desk, main entrance portal, work benches and booth seating, as well as an events portal, breakout lounge, planter seating, and a tea point complete with a refreshment island.

Collaborating with designers and studios

Specialist Group’s approach to client design studios is less that of a traditional customer-supplier relationship and more of a partnership, Azevedo details. Rather than merely responding to and delivering briefs, the brand chooses to collaborate with designers to truly interrogate briefs and stretch its own capabilities to produce the most innovative solutions. Its large in-house stock of veneers and product sampling across glass and metal gives Specialist Group scope to help visualise and extend a designer’s vision of a given project, stretching expectations and achieving unique results.

“Another key element in a successful relationship with clients is to be available to them across the project for advice and input,” Azevedo continues. “We know the importance of communication, especially throughout complex projects, and we always aim to make ourselves available quickly and wholeheartedly, whether through joint site visits, conference calls or rapid response to email queries.”

Supporting a skilled workforce

“We are fortunate to have a very staff low turnover rate and have continued to invest heavily in the industry’s finest talent to ensure that we have an extensive knowledge base and skillset at the foundation of the business. Many of our senior staff have been with us since the early days of Specialist and their experience is crucial in training and developing new staff.”

The company is proud of its apprenticeship programme, which remains one of founder John B O’Hagan’s greatest successes – launching apprenticeship academy long before others in the industry saw the benefits of encouraging a new generation of employees. Despite starting the training scheme exclusively in joinery, Specialist Group now welcomes apprentices across all its manufacturing and shop floor departments, as well the design team, HR, marketing and accounts.

“Some of our senior management team began life as apprentice joiners and have been with us ever since, working their way up the ranks to become leaders in their own right,” Azevedo notes. “This has proved invaluable in inspiring each new crop of apprentices by showing them the potential to achieve great success within the Group.”

Investing in innovative technology

Celebrating the growing industry focus on sustainability and design for disassembly, Specialist Group continually work with designers to expand the horizon of sustainability and encourage designers to think beyond the initial use of a product or space – all without compromising on aesthetics.

“We recently welcomed the first in a new wave of machinery to our HQ, a step forward in our digital journey to ensure we stay ahead of the curve in technological advancements,” Azevedo concludes. “We’re embracing automation in its ability to help our staff in their roles, and whilst we are excited to see the progression of AI, we remain a people focused organisation and look forward to seeing where this integration can take us in the future.”

specialist-group.co.uk