History

Purdy was founded in 1984 with just a small team and a turned over £75,000 in its first year, since then the company has grown steadily and was acquired by Kinovo plc in 2015.

The Kinovo group employs over 260 people with a turnover of over £60 million. Kinovo is listed on the AIM stock exchange and Purdy benefits from being part of Kinovo Plc whilst retaining its core values.

Purdy is a leading Building and Property Services Contractor and a major player in the social housing sector in London and the South East of England.

Purdy’s success is attributed to the experienced workforce and our long-serving staff who are directly employed. These are key contributing factors to the high levels of service on offer to our customers. One of the main advantages of this approach is that so many of our members of staff have been trained by us throughout their careers and they share the Purdy values, that are still prevalent today.

1984

Founded by John Horlock and Richard Wigg, with a handful of staff and a turnover in the first year of £75,000.

1984

Gas Safe and NICEIC Accreditations obtained.

1984

First Local Authority Contract secured with Broxbourne Council.

1984

Dennis Pickett, Kevin Hunt and Paul Sharp join Purdy as Gas engineers, still with the business today.

1985

Won the first contract with Enfield Council, who we still work for today.

1989

Won a contract with London Borough of Waltham Forest, who we still work for today.

1990

Lee Venables joined as an Electrical Apprentice.

1993

Tim Venables joins Purdy as an Electrical Apprentice.

1994

John Lord joins Purdy as an Electrician.

1995

Purdy install fire alarm system at St Pauls Cathedral.

1996

Won first Haringey Council contract that we still have today.

2002

Dennis Pickett becomes Director of Purdy.

2008

Co-Founder Richard Wigg retired.

2009

Lee Venables appointed Director of Purdy.

2010

Won an Employer of the Year award for our apprenticeship scheme ‘Purdy Futures’ from Hertford Regional College.

2011

Nikki Hobbs joins as first Female Electrical Apprentice.

2012

Won the Lord Mayors Dragon Award for our apprenticeship scheme ‘Purdy Futures’.

2014

Nikki Hobbs wins overall award for Apprentice of the year for construction from Hertford Regional College.

2015

Won the first contract with Peabody, who is still a client today.

2015

Purdy Acquired by Bilby Plc.

2016

Co-Founder John Horlock Retired.

2016

Lee Venables appointed Managing Director of Purdy.

2016

Gained FORS accreditation.

2019

Lee Venables appointed COO of Bilby Plc

2020

Electrical Team gained EV Charger installation accreditation

2021

Director Dennis Pickett retires.

2021

Purdy’s parent company ‘Bilby plc’ changes it name to ‘Kinovo plc’