About
We are surveyors, designers and constructors.
Together, we make places that shape the future.
People
We’re 100% employee-owned and united by a collective responsibility to build a better future.
Values
Our values guide everything we do; they shape our thinking and the way we work, driving the impact we strive to make.
People & Partnerships
Powered by Collaboration
Our employee-ownership model means we have a collective mindset to achieve shared success. Expertise, open communication and collaborative partnerships mean we can solve problems and innovate together.
Grounded in Sustainability
We are committed to prioritising impactful projects that deliver long-term value and exploring innovative solutions to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for a greener, more sustainable future.
Invested in Community
As proud members of our community, we are committed to creating a lasting positive legacy. We actively support community initiatives, promote educational programmes, and provide meaningful opportunities to empower and uplift local individuals and communities for a better future.
Consistent Quality
Employee Benefit Trust
The first of its kind in the UK construction sector, our Employee Benefit Trust prioritises our employees and maintains long-term stability, shaping a culture of ownership and shared responsibility.
The role of the Employee Benefit Trust
How it works
The trust owns the entire share capital of SDC. Its goal is to create a work environment where employees feel responsible for the company’s success and proud of its achievements. The Trust protects the company’s future by retaining some profits to strengthen the business before distributing the rest to employees.
What the EBT means for our colleagues
For colleagues, the EBT means more than just financial benefits—it’s a tangible stake in the company, that shapes a culture of togetherness, collaboration and shared responsibility. The team isn’t part of a workforce; they are integral to the ownership and future of the business.
Every team member benefits from a share of annual profits, improved pensions, and extra holiday entitlement, providing everyone with a foundation to grow, succeed, and be rewarded for their work. This platform enables us to make a lasting impact—not just for ourselves, but for our clients and communities. It also enables us to support one another and give back to the causes that matter to us.
What the EBT means for our clients
For clients, partnering with an employee-owned business like SDC means working with a team fully invested in the success of your project. With no external shareholders, profits are reinvested to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business. This inspires confidence in our ability to successfully and consistently deliver projects for years to come.
Our people-first approach makes our team motivated, agile, and committed to delivering lasting quality over short-term profits. Trust is central to everything we do, and clients can rely on us to deliver on our promises with integrity and transparency. This model strengthens our collaborative approach, creating long-term partnerships built on relationships and shared goals.
What the EBT means for our supply chain
Our supply chain is an extension of our team, built on collaboration, support, and mutual benefit. We are invested in their success and seek partnerships with like-minded businesses that share our values. The EBT model enables us to maintain stable operations, fostering long-term relationships, financial stability, and reliable payment practices. This approach provides our supply chain with the confidence of timely reimbursement and assured project continuity.
This financial stability strengthens our relationships, enabling our supply chain partners to focus on delivering quality and innovation to benefit our projects. Together, we build a resilient network where shared success drives sustainable growth, creating a lasting, positive impact for all.
History
50 years of building progress
Bob Reynolds and Dave Ledsom form Survey, Design and Construction (SDC) Ltd with an office on Lime Street in Bedford.
SDC expands throughout this period, moving premises to Grove Place. A piece of land at Sergeants Way is purchased
SDC wins a contract to refurbish 8 hospitality suites at Silverstone and takes one of the suites for its own use. This leads to the Company’s involvement in motorsport sponsorship.
Four more properties in Grove Place are purchased and refurbished to accommodate the company’s continued growth. The small works department, now well established in the local house extension market, occupies part of the company’s first industrial development in Sergeants Way.
SDC begins sponsoring Bedford Rugby Club, a partnership that has run continuously ever since.
The company changes its name to SDC Builders Ltd to clarify its core business in construction and adopts a new strapline: ‘Refinement and Pride in Building’.
Due to the demands of continued growth, SDC builds its own office, Limegrove House, and the company relocates. The name “Limegrove” is taken from the previous two addresses that the company occupied.
Brian Fox is appointed as Managing Director, allowing Bob and Dave to concentrate on the City & County Developments side of the business.
The Milton Keynes Leisure Plaza is constructed, and at £8 million, it is by far the largest value contract in the company’s history.
SDC completes a large leisure complex, the Aspects Leisure Park in Bedford. This is a joint development with two local developers and City & County Developments Ltd, a subsidiary formed to handle the growing development business.
A number of new divisions are created to deal with business growth, including Special Projects and Limegrove Supplies. SDC embarks on a programme of continual improvement; the formation of the Health and Safety department is just one of many initiatives.
SDC enters into a partnership with Rover.
The company celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
SDC secures a landmark project; a one million sq.ft. engine manufacturing facility for Rover/BMW at Hams Hall, valued at £70 million on a 50-acre site. Company turnover reaches £80 million.
Ford purchases Land Rover, creating a new major client for the business.
SDC celebrates 30 years of business. Co-Founder Bob Reynolds retires.
Francis Shiner is appointed Managing Director and the Employee Benefit Trust starts to take shape.
Dave Ledsom, Founder, and Chairman, Brian Fox, retire. The Employee Benefit Trust is formed, acquiring the share capital of SDC Holdings Ltd. This business model, the first of its kind in the British construction industry, removes any doubts about the future ownership of the Group and enables future profits to be distributed amongst employees.
SDC becomes a Chartered Building Company.
A £64m development project for Northampton College is completed, coinciding with SDC’s 40th Anniversary. SDC also undertakes an ambitious project at Center Parcs Elveden, installing a large water slide and refurbishing the children’s and toddlers’ play areas. The completion of this scheme marks the beginning of a successful partnership, leading to similar developments at the Longleat, Whinfell, and Sherwood holiday villages.
SDC upgrades construction vehicles to meet the CLOCS specification, becoming the first main contractor in Cambridge to do so.
SDC commences work on a Grade I listed refurbishment of Trinity New Court in Cambridge utilising the CLOCS vehicles and SDC’s owned consolidation centre, located in Caxton. This initiative transforms the way the company delivers projects in the city.
SDC is shortlisted for Building Magazine’s Contractor of the Year Award. The Directors establish a CITB training facility to improve health and safety standards. Turnover breaks the £150 million mark.
The Community Fund is established to provide a mechanism for supporting the wider community, from charities to local interest groups.
A new regional office in Oxford opens.
Turnover reaches a record high of £185m. Caxton Brickwork is established.
SDC completes it’s largest project in Oxford, West Way Square a £68m development in Botley.
SDC continued to operate safely during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
SDC begins its 50th Anniversary celebrations with a 10k Race and Fun Run, a Poppy Assault, and a SUPER SUNDAY Football Tournament.
SDC 50 Events conclude with the gala dinner, after raising over £200,000 for good causes.
Project Birchwood, one of SDC’s most commended projects, is handed over. Works are completed on head office to make it more environmentally friendly, including envelope improvements and roof mounted photovoltaic, allowing for the office to be fossil fuel free.
After the success of the Mental Health Seminar, SDC expands its in-house training to include seminars and resources relating to Diversity, Equality & Inclusivity.
