In just five years, Nick Burrows, founder of Excel Carpentry Contractors Ltd, has seen annual turnover grow from £120,000 to £2.5m – with projections set to exceed £3m this year. He tells East Anglia in Business how he carved out his own success story – while staying close to his roots.
Nick’s introduction to life in the trades didn’t have a promising start.
He explains: “I did my apprenticeship with a large building company that outsourced most of their carpentry work, so my opportunities to develop proper hands-on skills were limited. A lot of my time was spent pushing a broom around rather than actually learning the trade.
“That said, I’m still grateful for the experience, it taught me valuable lessons about how a large site operates, how to deal with management and other trades and most importantly, the importance of hard work.”
But Nick knew he wanted more from his career and, having gained experience with other companies, says, “I was confident I could offer a better service myself!”
Starting out
Starting out on your own is tough, but Nick already had some great networking opportunities, thanks to partner Erin, who worked in construction recruitment.
“My partner Erin’s contacts were invaluable as she had strong relationships with key contractors and a network of skilled carpenters.
“With her support, I landed my first job, delivered it to the highest standard and from there, Excel Carpentry was born.”
The early days were a time of considerable personal sacrifice as Nick worked 14-hour days, spending the days on the on the tools and evenings managing quotes, invoicing, admin and marketing.
“But I loved what I was doing. That passion kept me going.”
The defining moment, however, was when Nick realised he couldn’t do it all on his own.
“I brought in a former colleague to help with operations, and it was a real turning point. Now we have eight staff in the office and around 40 carpenters on site.”
A different approach
So, what sets Excel aside from similar firms? Nick reflects: “When I first started Excel, I wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel in terms of services—the market already had plenty of carpentry firms.
“What I saw was an opportunity to redefine how the work was delivered. I believed the industry needed a company that prioritised reliability, quality, and professionalism above all else.
“Too many firms were cutting corners, whether in their treatment of staff or their approach to the work. I set out to build something different: a business where teams show up on time, take genuine pride in their work and develop lasting relationships with clients through consistent excellence.
“This commitment to doing the fundamentals exceptionally well became our foundation. It’s what later allowed us to successfully expand into specialised areas like passive fire protection by first mastering the basics better than anyone else.”
Attracting the best
Chronic skills shortages in UK trades are well-publicised, as is encouraging women to sign up. How has Excel managed to buck the trend?
Nick says: “We attract and keep a great team by creating a working environment where everyone feels valued, is treated with respect, and gets paid on time – every time. These things really matter and in return, we expect an honest day’s work.
“I’m also extremely proud of our apprenticeship program, now in its fourth year. We take on two apprentices each year to make sure there’s always fresh talent coming through. The support doesn’t stop when they finish, either two of our original apprentices are now in management training.
“It’s also great to see more women joining the industry. Last year, we gave a young woman the chance to get site experience while studying carpentry at college. For this September’s intake, we’ve already got several female candidates shortlisted, which really shows how far the trade has come.”
And Nick has short shrift for critics who constantly give youngsters a hard time. “I’ve genuinely been blown away by the commitment, maturity and resilience of the young people we’ve taken on.
“They often get unfair criticism, but my experience has been the opposite. We’re lucky to have some fantastic role models here at Excel – people they can look up to and learn from. The environment we’ve created teaches dignity, respect, and what it means to do a proper day’s work. I think it’s the perfect place for young people to grow and mature.”
Expansion plans
Like all companies, Excel is feeling the pinch as costs rise. But having a business model focused on the commercial sector has made the difference, with clients like schools and hospitals managing annual spends for essential projects.
Nick adds: “Being based in Cambridge is also a big advantage, as a lot of our work comes through the colleges, which tend to invest in quality and long-term value.”
Excel have worked on some of the city’s biggest projects, including the Clare College Old Court refurbishment with Barnes Construction.
And now sights are set on expansion into Oxford to take advantage of government plans for regional development.
Nick says: “With the government’s plans to create a ‘Silicon Valley’ innovation corridor between Cambridge and Oxford, the timing couldn’t be better.
“Oxford shares many of the same characteristics as Cambridge, with university-led growth, heritage buildings and high standards.”
Giving back to the community
Nick is passionate about giving back to his local community, and the firm is involved in a range of initiatives.
“From the start, I wanted to build a business that wasn’t just about profit, but one that created opportunities for others, supported the community and took sustainability seriously.”
“Each year we sponsor golf and cricket events, help buy kit for local youth football teams and support the East Anglia Children’s Hospice through their business club.
“We’re also proud to be building a pergola for the hospice soon.
“Most recently, we sponsored a men’s mental health event, which is something we feel strongly about as it’s such an important issue in our industry.
Nick concludes with some sage advice for youngsters thinking about going into a trade.
“Construction can be an extremely rewarding career if you’re prepared to work hard and take pride in what you do.
“My advice to anyone starting out is simple: turn up every day, ask questions, listen, and give 100% effort. If you do that, you’ll go far, there’s so much opportunity in this industry for people with the right attitude.”
