A story less ordinary

Our Story

We are proud to be part of the Henry Boot Group of Companies. We have a great back story, and there’s no mystery to how we won our reputation for integrity. We simply do what we say we will, and always have. Take a tour of our story, starting all the way back in 1886.

An ambitious 30-something named Henry Boot had a bright idea for a business – to create new buildings and opportunities. His business – The Henry Boot Group – went from strength to strength and soon enough his company was taking on big public sites and housing projects, which still stand today.

1918

With the First World War came new challenges. The Group stepped in to work on important government contracts like Chepstow Military Hospital and Tees Naval Base. Right after the war, it set up an office in France, and working side by side with the French Government, began rebuilding the towns and villages affected.

New challenges

1932

In 1932, the Group found an HQ to call home in Banner Cross Hall, Sheffield. Since then, they’ve branched out across the country, but Sheffield will always be the company’s mothership.

New home

1934

Pinewood Studios, the Group’s most notable property development, was designed by none other than Charles Boot (Henry’s grandson). The famous site was based on US film stages but went on to give Hollywood a run for its money, playing backdrop for the likes of James Bond, The Beatles & Star Wars.

Ambitious projects

1944

The Group was proud to have played a part in the D-Day landings. The military that went on to invade Europe on June 6, 1944 set off from the innovative floating Mulberry and Gooseberry Harbours, which they helped to construct.

WWII Construction

1950

The Group kept busy with commercial, residential and industrial building throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s, but also found time to broaden their horizons too. They began working in civil and railway engineering, extending their skills internationally.

Broadening horizons

1978

With more than a few successful projects under its belt, the Group decided it was time they created a dedicated development team. In 1978, Henry Boot Developments was set up, becoming the expert design and development arm of the business.

Henry Boot Developments is born

1986

In 1986, the Group turned 100. There were celebrations for a century of trading and to top it off, James Boot, great grandson of our founder, was welcomed into the fold as Group Managing Director.

Henry Boot Centennial

TODAY

To the next 100. In 2019, we gave ourselves a new, slightly shorter name – HBD – and with that kickstarted ourselves into a new decade. We are continuing to redefine the positive impact property has on lives – designing the buildings of the future and breathing new life into those of the past.

Building for the future

HBD is different because we do what we say, and what we do, we do with a great deal of integrity. Vivienne Clements, Executive Director