OCKENDON-based building company H W Wilson Limited celebrated 95 years as a Limited Company today, Thursday 20 February 2025, with a breakfast for current and past employees at the Thurrock Garden Centre. The breakfast was hosted by H W Wilson’s Managing Director Peter Wiffen who asked John Callison, who has been with the company an incredible 47 years, to cut the Anniversary cake.
H W Wilson has existed longer – perhaps even for a Century – but its actual origins remain hazy, so it has tended to acknowledge its incorporation as a Limited Company and has been building on its reputation since 1930.
Peter Wiffen said: “H W Wilson has reached this milestone by remaining true to the vision established by its founder, Henry Wilson, who wanted to create a quality building service using a local workforce.
“The last five years have been challenging to say the least, with Covid-19, but that was one of many storms the company has weathered over the decades. I remain very proud of how everyone here rallied during those difficult months as we continued to work throughout and continued to deliver quality projects on time and on budget.
“It is a privilege to lead H W Wilson. It is a proud company that has never forgotten its roots nor its traditional values of providing the highest quality service by using local and experienced tradesmen and efficient management. The loyalty displayed by the team – the majority started as apprentices – is a testament to how valued H W Wilson is, and you could ask for no better tribute!”
At its 90th Anniversary in 2020 H W Wilson wanted to underline its commitment to preserving the environment and create an important legacy, so embarked on an initiative to plant 100 trees every year in the decade leading to its Centenary in 2030.
Now, five years later, and with 500 trees planted, H W Wilson will mark its 95th by securing an agreement with Thames Chase Trust to have 100 trees planted in March 2025 and expects to continue working with the Trust in the final five-year countdown to its Centenary.
Thames Chase Trust is an environmental charity managing and promoting the Thames Chase Community Forest which covers 98 square miles of countryside around the London / Essex borders. Thames Chase Community Forest encompasses countryside in Barking and Dagenham, Brentwood, Havering and Thurrock. Within its boundaries there has been a concerted effort, over the last 20+ years to regenerate despoiled landscape and enhance the natural environment for the benefit of local people and wildlife.
Peter Wiffen:
“We are delighted to work with Thames Chase Trust having been inspired by their example of landscape regeneration through cost effective environmental improvements.”
James Doyle, Programmes Officer, Thames Chase Trust:
“It is a pleasure to be collaborating with H W Wilson by supporting their pledge to plant 100 trees per year until 2030. Their pledge shows real commitment to supporting the local environment and the communities that enjoy it.”
