Founded in 1990 by Clive Graham Neighbour, Clive Graham Associates (CGA) began as a specialist ceilings and partitions contractor.
By 1999, CGA had become incorporated at Companies House, marking the start of the company as we know it. This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our incorporation, a milestone that underscores our evolution from a ceilings and partitions subcontractor, into a principal contractor that delivers complex and prestigious fit-out and refurbishment projects.
Over the years there has been several key changes to the business as we have developed into sectors such as education, life science, historical restoration, commercial fit out and high-end residential. Here is a timeline of how the business has evolved over those 25 years:
1990
Clive Graham Neighbour forms the business, named Clive Graham Associates (CGA) as a specialist ceilings and partitions contractor.
1991
Andy Preston starts working for the company as a Dry Lining and Ceiling Fixer.
1999
Clive Graham Associates (CGA) becomes incorporated at Companies House.
2001
Andy Preston becomes the Operations Director at Clive Graham Associates. Clive retires and Andy continues to run the business.
2010
John Wistow and Bill Osborne, both from Tier 1 contractor Wates, join the business as Directors. They work with Andy Preston to structure the business into a Principal Contractor, whilst maintaining an in-house Ceilings and Partitions division which Andy leads.
2012
CGA is awarded its first of many prestigious projects with Christie’s – a working relationship that sees us establish a new client in the arts, leisure and hospitality sector, that will continue to develop over the next five years.
2013
The company turnover increases to £15.7m. CGA is awarded its first project of many at the GlaxoSmithKline Brentford Office, the beginning of our experience within the pharmaceutical sector. We are also awarded projects in the high-end residential sector, including a refurbishment and basement extension for a member of pop band Take That.
2014
CGA is awarded the Shared Services Facility project at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus in Cambridge, the first of our life sciences clients. Works included removal and reinstatement of glazed curtain walling, complete internal demolition of two internal free standing floor structures. The internal new structure was constructed with rolled steel beams and columns to create the new ground floor offices. The new facility provides break out areas, a coffee bar and classrooms for staff and students. The atrium acoustic panelling design features 552 individual perforated panels, in the form of a 3D DNA molecular structure that had to be installed piece by piece in correct formation.
2015
Our passion for problem solving continues to push the boundaries when we commence strip out, extensive refurbishment works and CAT A fit out, of a former Victorian Warehouse building in Vyner Street, Hackney. Access via a traditional cantilever scaffold system at the rear of the building would have taken up window and floor space on the ground and first floor. We proposed a solution where a barge was sunk at the rear of the building to the canal bed (with permits from Canal Rivers and Waterways Authority), which the scaffold could be built upon. This allowed us to work safely and continue works at all areas. Click here to see a time-lapse video of the project!
2016
We completed three phases of works in time for Christie’s to mark their 250th Anniversary including; re-modelling the existing reception and gallery space into a new high finished cashiers and “meet and greet” lobby. We also formed a temporary gallery space for the 250th Anniversary Exhibition “Defining British Art which included heavy demolition to form new structural openings, including design of temporary works, installation of new raised access flooring, decoration throughout, new M&E services and installation of new shop fronts and security rated entry doors.
2017
Director Andy Preston retires and the Ceilings & Partitions division ceases. CGA continues to develop their framework relationship with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) across further sites in Ware and Stevenage.
2018
CGA opens a new office and warehouse in Stevenage due to the increasing workload in the home counties. CGA also broadens their workstream into restoration of historic and listed buildings. This follows the successful completion of St. Augustine's Church, Colworth House and Wilton Terrace.
2019
CGA expands the leadership team through the promotions of Dan Mason, Daniel Peters and Dennis Whyatt to the senior management team to work alongside Bill and John. This gives the business further flexibility, support and structure from preconstruction through to site operations.
2020
Rebranding of the business, with logo, colours and fonts and a new website which we have continued to build upon to the present day.
As the Covid-19 pandemic hits the UK, the commercial private sector slows down and CGA begins to further develop its experience with public sector clients. We apply our skills to education projects delivering a host of fit-out projects for schools, colleges, universities, and laboratories.
2021
We are awarded the John Morden Centre project, for Morden College and commence works at a historical church in the City of London, St Andrews by the Wardrobe. Due to the impact of the covid pandemic and restrictions, works on site are highly controlled and office staff continue to work largely remotely during this time.
2022
Director Bill Osborne retires from the business. Our London and Stevenage offices reopen after pandemic restrictions are lifted.
We transform a two-storey training area through Strip out and CAT B fit out, at the Queen Mary University London Innovation Centre in Whitechapel future proofing to laboratory standard.
2023
Our project, The John Morden Centre is awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize 2023. CGA proudly contributed to this achievement through the design and construction.
We are awarded a project with the Royal Opera House, creating new acoustically designed space for choir rehearsal. Our team work with the acoustic engineer to produce bespoke timber wall panels and engage specialist staging contractors to coordinate and design the MEP services.
2024
This year marks our 25th anniversary and sees further additions to the leadership team, staff promotions and wider growth across the business, as we seek to adapt to a fast-changing industry. We are currently delivering projects across high end residential, hospitality, commercial fit out, education and historic building refurbishment sectors.
A big thanks to you all
As CGA continues to adapt and grow in the ever-changing construction landscape, we remain committed to delivering well-managed, high-quality construction projects. Follow our journey as we build spaces where people live, learn, work and play. We look forward to the future of new challenges and opportunities ahead.
