Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence
100 Years Strong: Innovating, Building, and Growing Together
This year marks a century of innovation, expertise, and dedication at Playfords. Since 1925, we’ve proudly delivered top-tier building services solutions, earning the trust of clients across industries. As we celebrate 100 years, we remain committed to quality, innovation, and building strong partnerships for the future.
Over the
Years
1925
Playford & Son Ltd founded in Newmarket
1945
Playford family sell the business to Bert Green
1958
Playfords acquired by Kerridge (Cambridge) Ltd
1971
Hedley Heating & Electrical Service founded by Richard Hibbins
1972
Ron Fuller leads management buyout of the business with fellow employees Ted Ashley, Peter Hambling and Michael Parr
1972
Playfords begins working for British Sugar
1975
Playfords 50th anniversary dinner, White Hart Hotel, and company is congratulated by longstanding customers, the Jockey Club and Newmarket Racecourses Trust
1976
Mike Tee joins Hedley as apprentice
1982
Andy Downing joins Hedley as an apprentice electrician
1987
Julian Winspear joins Hedley as a labourer
1994
Ron Fuller succeeded as managing director by Dave Splitt with Peter Hambling and Michael Parr as directors
1997
Alan Tuohy joins Hedley as CEO
2000
Alan Tuohy leads Hedley MBO with Mike Tee, Julian Winspear and John Farquharson. Company is renamed Hedley 2000 with Alan Tuohy as chairman and Mike Tee, Julian Winspear and John Farquharson as directors
2006
Hedley acquires Playfords
2007
Playfords relocates to new offices in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire
2010
James Tuohy joins Hedley
2012
John Farquharson retires
2012
Playfords relocate to new offices in Huntingdon shared with Hedley
2014
Hedley merges with Playfords and operates as Playfords Ltd
2015
Playfords securse the Royal Opera House Open Up contract
2016
Playfords secures the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, contract
2017
Doug O'Hara retires
2018
James Tuohy and Andy Downing join board of directors
2021
Alan Tuohy, Mike Tee and Julian Winspear retire
2021
James Tuohy and Andy Downing complete Management Buy out of Playfords Ltd with James taking up the role of Managing Director and Andy as Group Operations Director
2023
Playfords relocates Dartford office to Fleet Street in London
2024
Phil Taylor and Gary Dickinson join board of directors
2025
Playfords is rebranded and celebrates its centenary
1925
Playford & Son Ltd founded in Newmarket
1945
Playford family sell the business to Bert Green
1958
Playfords acquired by Kerridge (Cambridge) Ltd
1971
Hedley Heating & Electrical Service founded by Richard Hibbins
1972
Ron Fuller leads management buyout of the business with fellow employees Ted Ashley, Peter Hambling and Michael Parr
1972
Playfords begins working for British Sugar
1975
Playfords 50th anniversary dinner, White Hart Hotel, and company is congratulated by longstanding customers, the Jockey Club and Newmarket Racecourses Trust
1976
Mike Tee joins Hedley as apprentice
1982
Andy Downing joins Hedley as an apprentice electrician
1987
Julian Winspear joins Hedley as a labourer
1994
Ron Fuller succeeded as managing director by Dave Splitt with Peter Hambling and Michael Parr as directors
1997
Alan Tuohy joins Hedley as CEO
2000
Alan Tuohy leads Hedley MBO with Mike Tee, Julian Winspear and John Farquharson. Company is renamed Hedley 2000 with Alan Tuohy as chairman and Mike Tee, Julian Winspear and John Farquharson as directors
2006
Hedley acquires Playfords
2007
Playfords relocates to new offices in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire
2010
James Tuohy joins Hedley
2012
John Farquharson retires
2012
Playfords relocate to new offices in Huntingdon shared with Hedley
2014
Hedley merges with Playfords and operates as Playfords Ltd
2015
Playfords securse the Royal Opera House Open Up contract
2016
Playfords secures the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, contract
2017
Doug O'Hara retires
2018
James Tuohy and Andy Downing join board of directors
2021
Alan Tuohy, Mike Tee and Julian Winspear retire
2021
James Tuohy and Andy Downing complete Management Buy out of Playfords Ltd with James taking up the role of Managing Director and Andy as Group Operations Director
2023
Playfords relocates Dartford office to Fleet Street in London
2024
Phil Taylor and Gary Dickinson join board of directors
2025
Playfords is rebranded and celebrates its centenary
Playfords has thrived on a culture of collaboration, integrity, and innovation.
Our people are at the heart of our success, fostering an environment where teamwork, expertise, and continuous growth drive us forward. As we celebrate 100 years, we honor the dedication and passion that have shaped our legacy—and will continue to define our future.
join our team
At Playfords, we’re always seeking talented individuals to join our dedicated team
With industry-leading certifications and a strong commitment to quality and innovation, we provide opportunities for growth, training, and career progression in a supportive environment. If you’re passionate, adaptable, and ready to excel, we’d love to hear from you. We’re hiring for roles such as Project Managers, Engineers, Electricians, and Apprentices, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.
