Interview: James Willow – ‘Offices are now places people want to be’

Commercial fit-out and refurbishment specialist Butler & Willow is celebrating its 25th anniversary in business. TheBusinessDesk.com editor Sam Metcalf spoke to managing director James Willow.

What are your plans to expand the business over the coming years?
A huge majority of our workload is generated through referrals, relationships and repeat requirements. It’s through these referrals from impressed customers, and the long-lasting relationships we create, that we’re able to keep expanding our business and we look forward to keeping this momentum up.

Will you be creating any jobs?
Yes, we definitely plan to create new jobs and we will hopefully have some exciting announcements in the near future.

How is your industry changing? Others in the sector tell me it’s fragmented – would you agree?
There has been a shift in the appeal of the workplace environment, especially as more and more employers are now realising the major role that their workplaces play in retaining and attracting talent. Workplaces have changed from being just ‘places to work’ to places ‘people want to be’.

Although I would agree that the industry is fragmented, there is still a lot of enthusiasm from great local businesses who are engaging with us and want to continue expanding and progressing with plans as usual.

Will you try and keep the business in the family – or do you have an exit plan?
I haven’t given it much thought, but the ongoing leadership of our business will be driven by the hardworking ever-developing people that make it up.