The history of Parker & Son

Parker and Son have a history spanning back to the 1930s as a specialist building contractor.

Since being established in 1929 by Fred Oaten, the firm has stayed within the family and is now in its fourth generation, having being passed to Roy ‘Curly’ Parker, to Chris Parker and finally to Chris’ son, James.

Our focus has always been on quality, in regards to materials, products and workmanship, with regular recommendations from satisfied clients thanks to our knowledge of all aspects of the building industry.

This commitment to delivering the very best service has earned us many high-profile jobs, such as set building for Turner Prize winning artist Steve McQueen.

One of our projects was to carry out the complete refurbishment of Tickerage Mill in Blackboys, East Sussex, the last home of the famous actress Vivien Leigh.

We have also appeared on a home improvement TV show with Sarah Green and Ivan Massow.

Long term clients include structural engineers and architects, public services such as the NHS, local authorities and property managers like the National Trust; you can see details on most of these projects in our previous work section.

Today we still operate a small, loyal and tight-knit team and run apprenticeship schemes for young employees who train on the job with our experienced staff. We invest regularly in training and specialist courses and are members of the Confederation of Roofing Contractors and Quality Assurance associations, adhering fully to their codes of conduct on working practices and customer service. The company is also an authorised installer for products such as Sealoflex and Marley Redland Roof Tiles.

Our plumbing arm P&S Plumbing and Heating offers all aspects of plumbing and heating services, from changing a tap washer to installation and servicing of a new boiler, or a complete bathroom and kitchen refit.

Meet the team

Our expertise lies in the team of highly skilled builders, roofers, carpenters and utilities engineers we employ. Every single tradesmen brings with them decades of practical experience, necessary to uphold our own high standards on each and every build.

Below you’ll find the core, contracted team who work for Parker & Son, delivering the best workmanship and customer service possible throughout London, East Sussex and the South East. However, there are many more carefully selected subcontractors who together make Parker & Son the firm that it is today.

James Parker
James Parker

Managing Director & Day to Day Administration

07803 258527

james@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

What does your role involve?

Day to Day running of the company, Going out to see clients, and organising the work load for the staff and planning in projects.

What is the favourite part of your job? 

The saying goes you will never work a day in your life if you love your job and that is the case for me. Building is a hobby as well as a job I have a passion for what I do. I trained as a carpenter and working with wood is a real joy. I like meeting and working with new people and bringing their projects to life.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of? There are many projects to be proud of. At the age of 16 I was able to be part of the set building for Steve Mc Queen who was a Turner prize winner. We also got to refurbish the late Vivian Leigh’s home in Blackboys Sussex. More recently re built the mill pond at Batemans – the last home of Rudyard Kipling – for The National Trust. We also built Skywood Barn which went on to win many awards and is now used as a set for adverts and filming.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker and Son?

Having the opportunity to work on a variety of projects from churches to National Trust and English Heritage ones, along with schools and private homes.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?

I enjoy spending quality time with my wife Liz and our three young children Sophie, Isaac and Jessica. We are fortunate to have a small holding where we have an array of animals which take up a lot of our spare time. My personal hobbies are whittling with wood and shooting. I am a keen Mason in the Province of Sussex.

 

Chris Parker
Chris Parker

QS Technical Surveyor / Estimator

01424 892933

chris@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

What does your role involve? 

Consultancy mainly, but do oversee many of the larger contracts.  I’m also on hand to sort any day-to-day problems that may occur.

What is the favourite part of your job? 

I like looking in from the outside at the staff and seeing how well they interact with each other – that’s the basis of a good team working. We are a family business and every member of staff is treated like they are part of the family.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of? 

There are many, but starting something from new on a blank canvas and bringing the project through to fruition is very rewarding. We  have been very fortunate to have been awarded some very prestigious projects.  Personally I love heritage work but also building a client their future home gives me great satisfaction.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son? 

Carrying on the business that was started by my forefathers and James, my son, taking up the reigns. I’m hoping that one or two of the grandchildren may follow in our footsteps.

What do you like doing when you are not at work? 

I’m trying to retire, although I except the fact that will never happen totally.  I love working on my French property which was always going to be a project after retirement.  I love interacting with my six grandchildren, visiting Go-Ape with them (too old really I know!). I also like playing crazy golf with them and trying really hard not to let them win. Horse riding is something I enjoy – it has always been a family passion.

Rachael Newble
Rachael Newble

Office Manager

01424 892933

rachael@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

My job involves overseeing the daily operations within the busy office, including implementing health and safety schedules for various jobs and Construction, Design and Management regulations, relaying information to various members of staff and everything else that needs dealing with on a daily basis, including processing payments to suppliers and dealing with PAYE.

Nickcropped
Nick Jakeman

Painter and Decorator

What does your role involve?

Internal and external decorating and wall papering. I also paint woodwork, exterior rendering and windows. I’ve been decorating for 25 years – six of those with Parker & Son.

What’s the favourite part of your work? 

I love it when I’ve finished a job. Getting a crisp finish and making something look nice again is very rewarding.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?

I would have to say High Wigsall, Skywood Barn and Treetops in Robertsbridge as well as some of the churches. For instance at Mayfield Church I had to paint the ceiling in a red earth colour which was a bit unusual.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son?

The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone gets on. There’s a real team environment and everyone helps everyone else.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?

I like spending time with my family and going on holiday especially to places like India.

Fredcropped
Fred Freeman

General Builder (Brickwork)

What does your role involve?

I do everything but gas and electrical work. My work is mainly brickwork, concreting and carpentry but I’ll do whatever James needs me to do.

What is the favourite part of your job?

I love the variety from one day to the next. The work is always interesting and I get to travel to different areas. For instance, I worked in Sandhurst, Kent, on top of a church tower.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?

I like achieving something and I’m proud of all my work. When you finish and the customer is happy it’s a great feeling.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son?

The company is very fair and the customers are nice. In fact I wish I’d joined the firm sooner! There is always work to do and we have a really good team with great camaraderie,. The whole family is lovely and makes you feel appreciated. I’m pleased and proud to work for James.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?

I love fishing whether it’s on lakes, rivers or off the beach. I got back into fishing during Covid. It’s great for mental health and being at one with nature.

Kian new2
Kian Lambert

Apprentice Carpenter

What does your role involve?

I mainly work with wood and do first and second fixes including fitting kitchens.

What is the favourite part of your job?

The people I work with. They are all very kind and welcoming.

Which is the project or projects you are most proud of?

Fitting my first kitchen. It was a large U-shaped kitchen and I had to remove the old one first.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son?

James is very patient and is helping me to learn new skills. The training is excellent and there’s not too much pressure on me as the team understands that I’m still new in the job.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?

I like going to the gym. It’s good to be fit for my work. I also like learning other trades like bricklaying.

Steve Lambertcrop
Steve Lambert

Groundworks

What does your work involve?

All sorts of groundwork such as patios, foundations and drainage in domestic and commercial buildings. I’ve been doing it for about 40 years!

What is the favourite part of your job?

I love doing patios and brickwork. It’s very satisfying when it’s finished.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?

A property called High Wixhall was very interesting and rewarding. I had to pave a large area with York paving stone which look beautiful when it was finished.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son?

It’s a good company to work for. We all get on which is very important. I’ve worked for James for the last 20 years and we’re always busy, especially over the last few years. I still really enjoy my work.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?

I play golf on various courses in the area. I also enjoy horse racing and you will sometimes see me at Plumpton.

 

Andy Baker
Andy Baker

Stone Mason

What does your role involve?

As my title suggests I mainly work in stone. I work on a lot of church windows, especially mullions. I often work with English Heritage when I’m helping to preserve buildings and restore them. As well as stone work, I have to work with steel which which is used in building structures and lintels.

What is the favourite part of your job? 

I like it all! I especially like being able to start at 4am if I can and working on churches in the summer. I love the variety of work and every building is different so you are learning all the time.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?

It has to be Bateman’s Mill Pond and All Souls Church in Hastings. We built a brand new floor in the church which had to be built out of giant steels. We also had to access the ceiling which was caving in. It’s a beautiful church.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son?

I don’t have to worry about getting work in. James finds the work and tells me what he wants me to do. I really enjoy being part of a team and especially working with Fred and Kian.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?

I enjoy fishing and walking in my spare time.

Kieth Frizzell
Keith Frizzell

Roofing Contracts Manager

07881 109582

keith@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

What does your role involve?
Stripping and re-tiling roofs and re-laying. I deal with all types of roofs including flat ones. Sometimes it’s not possible to do my roofing work in bad weather so I join the team wherever I am needed. My experience means I can turn my hand to almost anything.

What is the favourite part of your job?
Completing a job where I’ve helped to restore a building or knowing that a roof on a new build will be there for many decades to come is very satisfying.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?
I’m proud of all the roofs I’ve worked on and I always do my job to the best of my ability using the most up to date methods and materials.  Every roof is a challenge in a different way and no two roofs are the same. In the end, it’s about doing a really good job and making sure every customer is happy.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker and Son?
James the boss is a very fair and nice person. We are like one big family. We all have a laugh and all get on. I started with the company in 2016 and it was a great decision to join.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?
I spend most of my time working at height so during my spare time I like to stay at ground level! I relax by playing golf and fishing.

Andrew Leese
Andrew Leese

General Builder

07715 205596

andrew@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

What does your role involve?
I do lead work, basic carpentry, kitchen fitting, labouring and most other building related work. I have a good understanding of all types of building.

What is the favourite part of your job?
I enjoy the lead work such as chimney flashings, lead valleys and lead gutters. It’s really satisfying when you finish a job and you’ve made a real improvement to the building.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?
High Wigsall at Bodiam Crossroads is my favourite. It’s an historic house where we carried out a complete refurbishment of the main house and cottage in the grounds. We also built garages and a stable block.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker & Son?
I really like the variety of work we get to do and working with a great team.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?
I live travelling around Europe including to Belgium, Germany and Holland. Sometimes I travel by car and other times I use one of my three motorbikes.

Iain Crisford
Iain Crisford

Groundworks Manager

07841 299568

iain@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

What is your job title?
Groundworks Lead

What does your role involve?
I mainly work on the footings for buildings as well as retaining walls and the foundations. All of these things are very important and have got to be right.

What is the favourite part of your job?
Playing in the mud! You have to like mud to do my job. I also like being outside all day and using all the machinery like diggers.

What is the project or projects you are most proud of?
Every job is satisfying when it is finished. I’m proud of them all really.

What do you enjoy most about working for Parker and Son?
They are easy going and let you get on with the job. I grew up with James and have worked with him on and off since I was 16. I like the fact that the company treats you well and looks after you.

What do you like doing when you are not at work?
Ha ha! I really don’t get much spare time as when I’m not working for Parker & Son I’m looking after my 70-acre farm. When I’m not doing that, I catch up on my sleep.

Sheila Photocrop
Sheila Dann

Plumbing and Administration Assistant

01424 892933

sheila@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk

I perform clerical duties, handling phone calls and emails, build spreadsheets for the various jobs and book appointments for both the construction side of the business as well as the plumbing.