A Warwickshire property and development company has been praised for delivering an impressive example of rural employment and regeneration.
The Wigley Group is based at Stockton House, near Rugby, and in the last four years has saved and renovated a former country house by transforming it into a business centre for the company and other firms while also creating a new £1.5 million conference and meeting facility.
More than 30 per cent of staff live village of Stockton or a two-mile mile radius of the office and it strives to use local service providers, while it has also has established a community fund to share £10,000 every year among individuals and groups based within a five-mile radius of its headquarters in Stockton.
Sir Jeremy Wright, MP for Kenilworth and Southam, heralded the company’s contribution to the local area on a guided tour of Stockton House.
He said: “Stockton House is really impressive and The Wigley Group has clearly brought the original house back to its former glory, retaining features but also making it a state-of-the-art office building.
“The new conference and meeting space highlights what the company does but will also bring new business to the area which will have spin-offs locally.
“It is an example of how to do rural regeneration and create local employment.”
Stockton House was completed earlier this year with the addition of a two-storey extension, which features a conference and events facility for up to 120 people, meeting rooms, office space for up to 15 people, and The Stampings – a cosy new café for staff.
As part of the move to Stockton House, The Wigley Group has worked towards and achieved the ISO:14001 environment management standard and made commitments around recycling and reuse of waste materials, reducing emissions and continual staff training in environmental matters.
James Davies, CEO of The Wigley Group, said: “Stockton House is quite discreet which is part of its appeal for people booking meetings, interviews, and events, so we wanted to show Jeremy what we have created but also how we are working well with the local community.
“The move here and the creation of Stockton House has been a major investment by The Wigley Group but it has been great for all our divisions, our sister company Newton – a land, development and property agency - and hopefully the local community.”
Established in 1964 just 10 miles away from Stockton House in Barby, The Wigley Group is an ISO 45001, 14001 and 9001 certificated company active in real estate acquisition, development and construction, as well asset management of portfolios for both itself and commercial partners.
For more information on Stockton House, visit www.stockton-house.co.uk.
Caption: The Wigley Group Chief Executive Officer James Davies and Jeremy Wright MP