October 2010

 

Home Secretary celebrates Millgate Homes’ success

 

Twyford-based prestige housebuilding company Millgate Homes welcomed a VIP guest on Friday when Home Secretary and local MP the Rt Hon Theresa May, visited its offices.

 

The event marked a celebration of the firm’s success as three-times winner of the coveted Best New Home of the Year title in the Evening Standard New Homes Awards, and also provided chairman Graeme Simpson with the opportunity to congratulate Mrs May on her appointment to one of the top posts in Government.

 

During the hour-long visit, Mrs May paid tribute to Millgate Homes’ achievements, drawing parallels between the tough decisions that the company had had to make during the economic downturn with the cuts now been driven through as part of the Government’s spending review.

“I am really pleased to be able to come and celebrate your fantastic success,” she told the board of directors and employees.  “It is particularly fantastic because I know life has been tough over the last two to three years.

 

“The Government is now catching up and as part of the process of the spending review, we are having to do the sort of things you have been doing as a private sector company; taking out costs and focusing on customer service delivery.  We are now bringing in the rigour that you have had to exercise over the last few years and my congratulations on having come through in such style.”

 

Graeme Simpson commented:  “The huge task that the Government has ahead of it is very similar to what we have been going through ourselves and now we are really starting to see the results.  We are hiring people again and we have returned to profitability, which is a big relief and there are rays of sunshine on the horizon, which is great to see.”

 

After a tough period which saw Millgate Homes cut overheads by some 40% and take a stringent attitude towards cost control, the company has now emerged leaner and fitter and has just reported record profit levels.  Among its current projects is an exclusive development of six luxury detached homes in Dark Lane, Wargrave, which will be launched in December.

 

As well as spending time talking to staff, the Home Secretary was also very pleased to accept a cheque for £1,000 for local charity Feed The Children (UK) (www.feedthechildren.org.uk).  She is a long-time supporter of the charity, which has its head office in Ruscombe, and said she knew the money would be put to extremely good use.

 

Afterwards, the charity’s chief executive, Brian Main, thanked Millgate Homes and said:  “This money will make a significant difference to children’s lives, we are always very grateful when local companies support our projects and are absolutely delighted with this donation.”

 

The charity focuses on helping youngsters both at home and overseas, with a particular emphasis on developing sustainable communities, and part of this latest donation is likely to go towards improving healthcare for children in Uganda.