Company Background & History

2009
Claremont's Managing Director, Mike Gardner, takes part in the £1m buy-in management buy-out (BIMBO) of Logic Office Group.

2008           
Claremont becomes the first company in the North West to achieve the ‘WorkWise UK’ accreditation standard for the adoption and deployment of smarter and more flexible working practices. www.workwiseuk.org.

2007           
Claremont allows the divisional buy-out of its ‘Showcase Interiors’ division, specialising in showroom environments for the automotive industry. The division continues to operate as a largely separate company from its offices in Essex. Claremont is announced as winner of the ‘Company of the Year’ award at the Mix Interiors North Awards in November 2007.
 
2006           
Claremont purchases ‘The Breeze’, 14,500 sq ft of office accommodation in Warrington, providing a new Head Office for the company. The building is completely stripped and refurbished and the project completed prior to the company’s move in December 2006. Claremont retains its existing 18,000 sq ft warehouse facility at its previous address.
 
2004           
Claremont Business Environments changes its name to ‘Claremont Group Interiors’ to reflect the growth in interior design and fit-out projects.
 
2002           
Claremont decides to sever its relationship with Steelcase, allowing it to become an independent dealer with access to a wider range of products.
 
2000           
NVM, the Venture Capitalists, are bought out by the Directors and an employee shared-ownership scheme is established. Key members of the management team are invited to participate.
 
1998           
Claremont acquires ‘The Businessworld’, a Steelcase dealership based in Fareham, providing a base to service corporate accounts in the South. Graham Smith is now based in Fareham, heading up Claremont’s ‘Training Interiors’ division specialising in training environments principally within the Defence sector.
 
1997           
Following the retirement of the two founders, Claremont undergoes a management buy-out and the existing Finance Director (Mike Gardner) becomes Managing Director with other existing senior management becoming shareholders with a 30%
external investment from Northern Venture Management. Directors Ann Clarke, Tim Frankland, Simon Campion and Sarah-Jane Osborne purchase shares. Stewart Handler joins as Finance Director.
 
1995
Claremont establishes its ‘Viewpoint’ division focusing on audiovisual and multimedia solutions for business environments. Nottingham office closes as Steelcase withdraws dealership for the East Midlands area.
 
1994           
Claremont’s Bristol office is established with the recruitment of Graham Smith as Regional Director.
 
1990
Claremont acquires ‘Midas’, a Stockport-based space planning company and provider of office furniture.
 
1986           
Claremont becomes a dealer for the world’s leading manufacturer of office furniture, Steelcase. An office is established in Nottingham to provide effective customer services to our client base in the East Midlands.
 
1977           
Claremont Business Environments is established by Steve Chamberlain and Bill Lally to provide computer equipment and computer environments. As the computer came out into the office, the business expanded to include the design and fit-out of office environments including the provision of office furniture.