How it started
Our History
In 1978, a month after Ipswich Town FC lifted the FA Cup, David Barnes founded a new construction business in Ipswich called Landlink Barnes Limited. Based at New Cut West, the business soon won several contracts and a reputation for fair, non-adversarial business focussed on long-term sustainable relationships, many that have endured to the present day.
Whilst the industry continues to change, we have ensured that relationships past and present are maintained though our low staff churn and core principals of collaboration, innovation and sustainability.
Our business is proud to continue to serve our local communities with distinction, focussing on collaborative, fair and a solutions-driven approach whilst also ensuring that we continue to leave a positive legacy through social value and sustainable construction practices.
Cool Timeline
1978
1978
Barnes founded as Landlink Barnes Limited
1979
1979
First Barnes Construction Management Trainee appointed and our first Contract award from Taylor Barnard
1980
1980
First £1 million project award for Mercedes Benz, Harwich
1982
1982
First project award from Suffolk County Council for Northgate High School Library
1983
1983
First project awarded at Ipswich Hospital for the construction of the New Link corridor
1983
1983
Business renamed Barnes Construction Ltd and the Owl logo was adopted
1985
1985
First Petrol station contract awarded by Mobil, growing our early reputation for collaborative and repeat business
1990
1990
The Barnes Group Limited formed with Barnes Construction trading as its largest division
1995
1995
David Barnes, founder of Barnes Construction, dies. Mary Barnes succeeds David as Chairwoman
1995
1995
25th Barnes Construction Management Trainee appointed
1997
1997
First RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award received for Aldeburgh Barn project
1998
1998
First Travelodge project secured for Luton Gateway Hotel
1998
1998
Barnes Construction annual turnover exceeds £10 million
1999
1999
Bob Steward and Chris Bruce appointed as Divisional Directors
2000
2000
Nick Fayers appointed as Managing Director, succeeding Peter Phillips who became Barnes Group Managing Director.
2001
2001
William Barnes appointed as Chairman following Mary Barnes retirement
2003
2003
First Partnering project with SCC delivered at Brandon Primary School
2005
2005
Successfully appointed to the first generation of the Suffolk County Council Construction Framework
2006
2006
First project in excess of £5 million secured for the Norvic Clinic Mental Health Facility
2007
2007
50th Barnes Construction Management Trainee appointed
2007
2007
Mark Hart joined the business and appointed with Mark Bailey as Associate Directors
2008
2008
Winners of East Anglian Business of The Year Award
2009
2009
RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award received for the Glasswells Furniture Store project in Ipswich
2009
2009
First project completed for University of Cambridge. Kavli Institute for Cosmology
2010
2010
Paul Lambert retires as Construction Director. Mark Hart and Mark Bailey appointed as Construction and Divisional Directors
2010
2010
3,000 completed bedrooms landmark for Travelodge Hotels
2011
2011
First project completed for Marston’s, a framework and partnership that would deliver over 40 pubs covering the east side of the UK
2011
2011
First Premier Inn project completed at Newmarket
2011
2011
The EACH Children’s Hospice project in Ipswich completed
2011
2011
Appointed to the Essex County Council SMARTE East Construction Framework
2012
2012
Turnover exceeds £50 million
2012
2012
Appointed to the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Construction Framework
2012
2012
ISO 14001 Environmental Accreditation achieved
2013
2013
Cambridge City Council Considerate Contractor ‘Special Award’ achieved for Clare College project
2013
2013
RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award received for Pakefield High School
2015
2015
RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award received for the Regent Theatre project
2015
2015
Mary Barnes, former Chairwoman and wife of founder David Barnes, dies
2016
2016
Turnover exceeds £75 million
2017
2017
First £20 million+ project completed for SCC for New Sybil Andrews Academy at Bury St Edmunds
2017
2017
IBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award received for Two Rivers Medical Centre project
2017
2017
RICS East Award received for Arthur Rank Hospice at Cambridge
2017
2017
Long term Managing Director and central figure to the growth of the business, Nick Fayers dies
2018
2018
Bob Steward and Mark Hart appointed Joint Managing Directors, Simon Severwright appointed Divisional Director
2018
2018
RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award received for the CSSD project at West Suffolk Hospital
2018
2018
75th Barnes Construction Management Trainee appointed
2020
2020
Appointed to the NHS Shared Business Services Framework
2020
2020
£10m Fair Havens Hospice completed
2021
2021
Project secured for St John’s College – the 11th Cambridge College we have worked alongside
2021
2021
First Passivhaus scheme secured to deliver Almshouses for Girton Town Charity
2021
2021
Appointed to the Cambridgeshire County Council Design and Build Construction Framework
2022
2022
Turnover exceeds £100 million
2023
2023
Celebrating our 45th Year of trading
“I have always experienced a friendly but professional environment created by Barnes Construction, whom continually strive to go the ‘extra mile’ to support the delivery of a project. I believe this is fundamental to a good working relationship and a successful project.”
“It is a real credit to all those involved and to the collaborative ‘will-do’ approach taken by the designers and contractors alike. The students at Sybil Andrews Academy are in awe of their surroundings which act as a real inspiration in and out of the classroom. Sybil Andrews Academy is an incredible achievement in designing and building a new 21st century educational and sports facility from a standing start – and all within two years.”
“We have always found Barnes Construction’s approach to working within the student environment (and sensitive residents) to be understanding and compliant with College needs. This is the third major project that Barnes have worked on since 2016 – two of them won through competitive tender.”
“Barnes’ team took on our project and engaged in our charity work right from the beginning, willing to work with everyone in our team and share their enthusiasm for our new building. Communication was excellent, and we felt confident that they would deliver right from the beginning. A pleasure to work with.”
“In our 15+ years of dealing with Barnes they have delivered every project to an extremely high standard, within budget and on programme. The repeat business gained form this performance is a testament of their ability and attitude. Barnes are a forward-thinking contractor with traditional values.”
“Throughout the works, Barnes Construction performed extremely well. From programme planning through day-to-day liaison and dealing with unforeseen issues to ensure the works went smoothly. They helped resolve issues and ensure that where possible, the disruption to services were kept to a minimum.”
“Barnes has performed with strong communication and efficiency. With this we have a library and auditorium, which has a high quality finish. Barnes approached this project with a pragmatic ‘can do’ attitude and found ways to smooth over nearly all issues, often before the College needed to be involved.”
“What made this project different from most construction projects, and really proved the quality of the individuals concerned, was the extent to which they not only tolerated, but actively helped us to involve the local community in the project. The Barnes team handled this graciously and patiently. I did say at the hand-over ceremony that I was very impressed by the Barnes team, and this view has only been strengthened since, as the after-construction care is as commendable as the service received during construction.”
“From the first tender meetings, through the build, the Barnes team have demonstrated a real understanding of the logistics of working on a school site surrounded by students. We are very pleased with the outcome, and especially how they have realised the vision of integrating a modern build.”
“Barnes have been highly collaborative and flexible including integrating shift work to accelerate the works at stages resulting from business continuity pressures. The onsite presence in terms of engagement has been professional and responsive and H & S and project management have also been excellent.”
