Across the past four decades, the family-owned Bugler Group has provided high quality homes throughout London and the South East of England.
This year we are celebrating 40 years in business. We’ve enjoyed looking back on our history, and some standout moments that have made us the Bugler Group. You’ll find a selection of these moments in our timeline below.
Looking forward, we see continued growth and success, and we thank everyone that has contributed to our past, and our future.
In the summer of 1982, Bugler Developments was founded by Tom Bugler. Having worked as a Managing Director at the large Irish building contractor, McInerney, Tom pursued an ambition to begin his own business and from here, the company has expanded and grown over 40 years.
In 1984, our first home was completed on Little Hill, Heronsgate, and sold for £120,000. This attractive detached home would mark the start of the business.
Also in 1984, the first direct employee of Bugler Developments, Martin Wallis, joined the company. Over the last 38 years, Martin has played an integral role in the company, working across many projects, and remains our longest serving member of the team.
Kieran Bugler would be the first of the three of Tom’s sons to join the business, in 1986. Initially Kieran fulfilled a dual Construction Management and Commercial role. As the private development side of the Group grew his wide skill set made him the natural choice to lead that part of the business, his position now CEO of Bugler Homes. Under his leadership, the range of Bugler Homes has diversified to include everything from luxury detached homes to complex, urban, brownfield apartment blocks.
In 1987, as a result of early growth for the business, Bugler Developments moved into an office at 7 Church Street, where we would stay until 2001.
After a decade in the Corporate Insurance sector in the City of London, Denis joined the Group in 1989 working on a variety of projects in a Construction Management and procurement capacity. He became responsible for group Health and Safety performance. His City experience in dealing with financial institutions and funders made him the natural choice to take the dual role of Finance Director, and is now Group Financial Director.
On the site of an old timber yard, Alpha Road was where Bugler Developments completed the first, of what would be many future Housing Association jobs. These homes were built for Northcote Housing Association, and Kieran Bugler was site manager for the project.
In 2000, following a career as a property lawyer, Andy chose to combine his legal and construction skills, joining as a Construction Director. he was soon promoted to Managing Director of Bugler Developments and also became a Bugler Group director. Andy would later take on the role of Group Chief Executive where he brings his skills and knowledge to oversee the further success and development of all group companies, alongside continuing in his role of Chief Executive of Bugler Developments.
In 2001, the Group moved a short distance up Church Street, to new offices at Norfolk Road. This would allow greater facilities for our rapidly expanding business, whilst remaining in the heart of Rickmansworth, which was becoming the home of our business, celebrating 19 years of delivering quality developments.
12 homes at Shepherds Walk Neasden built for Acton Housing Association, consisting of 9 social houses and 3 social flats.
In 2003, we completed the refurbishment of Berkhamsted Mansion, in Hertfordshire. This involved the conversion of the existing manor house into 15 apartments and a communal area, for retirement living. Built for Retirement Villages plc., it was officially named Castle Village.
Throughout our 40-year history, supporting charitable causes has been close to our team. We have funded many local causes, from mental health, to grassroots sports and local education; and in 2016, the Bugler Foundation formalised our giving back to the communities in which we work.
In 2016, the growth of the business saw us relocate to our impressive head office on Rickmansworth High Street. Here, we have enjoyed the space for collaborative working, and holding cross-company events. We also rebranded the organisation to reflect this progression and change – introducing a new visual identity and two new areas of the business, Bugler Land, and the Bugler Foundation.
In October 2016, Bugler Developments completed our first 100+ unit scheme, on London Road, Isleworth. The project was 155 apartments for rent, shared ownership and private rent, and was built for our client A2 Dominion. Located in the London Borough of Hounslow, London Road would mark the first of many 100+ unit schemes from 2016 onwards.
Tom Bugler passed away on 4th January 2017.
In 2019, our current Bugler Board of Directors was established, consisting of Andy, Kieran and Denis Bugler, Jeremy Graham, Steve Tough, Mark Finch, David Culliton, James Chell and Andrew Hawkins. The Board has overseen another period of considerable growth for the organisation, with landmark developments across London and the South East.
In this our 40th year, we’ve enjoyed looking back on our history, and some of the standout moments that have made us the Bugler Group. Looking forward, we see continued success, and we thank everyone that has contributed to our past, present, and our future.