Welling Partnership Celebrates 40 Years !

As Welling Partnership marks its 40th anniversary, founding Partner Rocco Russo reflects on the remarkable journey that began back in 1985. From humble beginnings in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire a small team of Chartered Building Surveyors set out to provide project management and cost consultancy services to local residential letting agents, emerging Housing Associations, and Local Authorities delivering planned maintenance and refurbishment schemes.

As with any start-up business, the journey has not been without its challenges and opportunities, especially for a group of young professionals seeking to make a difference in their emerging careers and passionate about making a meaningful impact for their clients and their building projects. The lessons and experiences during that time have provided strong commercial and professional foundations, underpinning the growth and development of the Practice today.

Over the past 40 years, I have recognised the growing importance of team building and genuine collaborative working to create a credible and sustainable business. The stepping stone to the Practice’s success and reputation started with the opening of the Southampton office and the invaluable contributions made by my former Partners David Wagg and John Tubby. Very quickly, the demand for our services resulted in the opening of our London and Bristol offices to support the needs of our growing portfolio of clients requiring our Project Management & Employer’s Agent, Cost Consultancy, Development Monitoring, and CDM Services.

I have seen many changes over the years, not least the Covid pandemic, which significantly impacted how we operate as a business. The increased flexibility required by Hybrid Working and a more balanced approach to work and personal life have led to higher job satisfaction and improved productivity, with very positive outcomes in talent attraction and retention. Once again, people and their physical and mental wellbeing are key business drivers as we continue to create and cultivate a supportive working environment.

Sustainability and social value have also been key pillars supporting our offering to staff and clients. As a business we continue to work diligently to improve our environmental credentials and give back to the communities affected by our projects through the Welling Foundation, which identifies and implements community-level social value opportunities.

In 2015, we celebrated 30 years, and succession planning became a watchword for future sustained growth. Enter Robert (Bob) Birch from the contracting side to add his professional expertise and insight into the contractor/developer world to enhance our service offering and expand our Project Management services. Shortly thereafter, Sam Russo moved from the retail sector and joined us to lead on Business Development and Framework Submissions, whilst also deciding to become a professionally qualified Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

These key Partner promotions were the initial stages of the next evolution for the business, which included converting from a traditional partnership structure to LLP status. The new legal structure was designed to allow for the planned strategic growth and development. In 2023, Alex Falconer and Danny Roach, both long-term members of the Welling family, were promoted to Partner to form the current Executive Leadership Team.

As I reflect on the last 40 years, I have a great sense of pride and satisfaction in the Practice’s well-earned reputation that continues to thrive in the dynamic and challenging sectors in which we operate. Looking ahead, I have the next milestone in my sights as the Executive Leadership Team and the entire Welling Team, across our regional offices, continue to deliver our corporate acronym and STRIDE forward to evolve our ways of working and by upholding our core business values. We intend to build on our strong legacy of the past whilst looking to the future to ensure we make a difference both commercially and socially so that clients have the certainty and confidence that we are a reliable and enduring partner.