Project Overview
This legacy project for Willen Hospice will help the charity meet the needs of patients and their families, both now and in the future. The expansion will enable the Hospice to provide care for patients earlier in their journey, ensuring they spend their time in a way that allows them to live their best possible life.
SDC undertook the project in two phases to minimise disruption for patients and staff.
Phase 1 works comprised reconfiguring and refurbishing four existing bedrooms, a store, a treatment room and a DDA WC to provide six new bedrooms and a family room space with a private bathroom. Four further bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and two walk-in wet rooms. Every new room has a lakeside view boasting natural light and creating a peaceful environment that brings the outside in.
The Phase 2 works comprised demolishing the existing wellbeing centre and constructing a new two-storey steel-framed extension to the South of the site, along with a minor extension to the West.
Core Team
Gary Wykes
Board Director
Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.
In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.
Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.
Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.
Graham Staughton
Special Projects Manager
Graham is one of SDC’s longest-serving employees, having joined the company in 1981. With over 40 years of experience, his career has evolved significantly, and he now leads the day-to-day operations of the Special Projects division. Since his appointment as Department Manager, his leadership and experience have been key drivers in the continued success and growth of the Special Projects Division
David Fairley
Contracts Manager
Grant Thompson
Commercial Manager
Andy Roberts
Design Manager
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
