Howard Group was originally founded as a Bedford-based coal and coke delivery business in 1935 by CAEC ‘Jimmy’ Howard. After the war, the company’s activities expanded to include the manufacture of building blocks and further diversified into engineering, warehousing, retailing and transport. By the 1980s Howard Group was starting to emerge as a significant investor in commercial property, developing many of its own properties. These included a sizeable portfolio of office, industrial and retail premises. Over recent years, Howard Group has focused exclusively on its property investment, development and venture capital activities.
CAEC Howard Ltd founded in Bedford by ‘Jimmy Howard’
Howard gravel pits supplying new airfields used in WWII
Incorporation of the Company
‘Jimmy’ Howard elected Mayor of Bedford first of 2 elected terms of office
Acquired first block plant in Northampton. Later to become ‘Hemelite’
Brian Howard (son) joins Company
Airlite Building Blocks acquired for £6,000. Became Hemelite that year
Sellite Blocks acquired (50%) sold in May 2013 – 49 years later
Sale of Hemelite to Tarmac - £11m
Property Group established (CAEC Howard Property Ltd)
Development of St John’s Retail Park Bedford - on former HQ site
Nicholas Bewes – Brian’s son in law joins as MD from BOC Group
Howard Capital Partners established – significant investment in Drive Assist
Company moves to Cambridge – Regent Street
Sale of St John’s Retail Park to Schroder REIT for £34m
Purchase of Spillers Mill for £11.8m heralding the start of residential investments
Completion of stage 1 of Lewisham redevelopment a £40m regeneration project
Development of Unity Campus begins – 260k sq ft high spec business park
Sale of Raynham Road Industrial Estate to Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd for c. £14m
Completion of Mount Pleasant Halls
Through the generations, at the heart of our family and business sits a strong Christian faith. We seek to ensure that our values of honesty, integrity, loyalty, stewardship, sacrificial service, dignity and respect are promoted in all our dealings, both personally and professionally. To this end these values form the foundations of our six guiding principles, which inform how we do business.