Builders &
Placemakers
Past, Present, Future
Davidsons Homes
is a family owned
& managed company.
We have been building quality homes for three generations.
Our Head Office is based in Ibstock, Leicestershire where over sixty years ago my grandfather, Albert Henry Wilson started a small joinery business.
In 1961, my father joined my grandfather and together they built the foundations of what was to become David Wilson Homes.
Today, David Wilson CBE is still very much part of the family business as our Chairman.
Whilst we’ve grown to be much bigger than the joinery business, we’re proud that we still have our very own joinery shop at Ibstock.
Our skilled craftspeople still make the traditional timber porch brackets and decorative door surrounds you’ll see on every Davidsons Homes development. It’s this commitment to quality and detail that makes the Davidsons Difference.
In 2019, we opened Davidsons Homes South Midlands and we now build fantastic new homes throughout both the East & South Midlands. The Davidsons timelines tells the story of our family business.
James Wilson
Group Managing Director
1960
Albert Henry Wilson
Our story begins at Albert Wilson’s joinery shop in Ibstock, Leicestershire. Albert has established a strong reputation for the quality of his work which includes small extensions and new homes. David joins his father’s business.
1970
A.H. Wilson and Son (Contractors) Limited
By the 1970s, A.H. Wilson and Son are growing rapidly, constructing libraries, council offices, new homes and even petrol stations. ‘Wilson Garage’ opens and looks after the growing fleet of vehicles that keep the business moving. A.H. Wilson and Son are soon building 150 homes every year across the Leicestershire area.
1987
A leading house builder
During the early 1980’s the company begins to focus more on house building. A.H. Wilson and Son changed its name to David Wilson Homes and quickly becomes one of the most well-known and respected house building companies in the country. Over the 1980s, the number of new homes we build every year soars. At the start of the 80’s we are building 300 new homes a year. By 1989, we’re building 1,600 new homes a year.
Expansion and growth
By the late 1980’s David Wilson Homes becomes a public limited company and our expansion continues. As well as house building, the company undertakes commercial property development. Major developments included Meridian Business Park (200 acres), retail parks on previously developed land (also known as brownfield land) and city centre regeneration projects.
1990
Building homes nationwide
During the 1990s and early 2000s David Wilson Homes continues to grow. As we entered the 21st century, the company was building 4,000 new homes a year.
1995
David Wilson Foundation
David Wilson establishes his Charitable Foundation. The Foundation is set up to help young people achieve their potential in life and to advance the health of the community.
2000
Leading in design
We complete the David Wilson Millennium House at the University of Nottingham. Constructed using conventional brick and block methods, this prototype home was created to support cutting edge research in renewable energies. Today, the Millennium House is used as offices for research staff at the university.
2007
Davidsons Homes is founded
The Wilson family launch Davidsons Homes. Work begins building the very first Davidsons home! We lay our first brick at Kirby Grange in early 2008. Later that year, we break ground at Melbourne, Wymeswold and Rauceby.
2008
HM The Queen opens the David Wilson Library
In December 2008, HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh officially open the David Wilson Library at the University of Leicester. Just six months later, the University’s Vice Chancellor invites David Wilson back to the library to celebrate the library’s one millionth visitor!
2013
500th Home
We’re growing quickly and celebrating another milestone! Our 500th new home is built at Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.
“Davidsons were head and shoulders above everyone else”
Tony and Louise Marriott Owners of ‘Davidsons’ 500’
2014
Awards for design quality
We’re delighted that our Melbourne development is presented with the Melbourne Civic Society Award for 2014. The judges say, “time and thought has gone into producing designs and details that reflect Melbourne. This gives a sense of continuity with the rest of the village”.
Back where it all began
We break ground at Ibstock and we’re as pleased as punch to be building homes in the Leicestershire village where our story began!
2015
Celebrating our 1000th home
We commission a specially made brick featuring the Davidsons rose insignia and the number ‘1000’ on this very special home.
2017
Ten years young and we’re helping to build a new town
Work begins at New Lubbesthorpe, Leicestershire’s newest town. Davidsons breaks ground and gets to work on building the first of 4,250 new homes that will benefit from new parks, schools, health facilities and shops.
2018
Eight new apprentices join Davidsons Homes
“We believe in investing in the future of housebuilding. It is vital in ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the industry. We are thrilled to welcome our new apprentices onboard and look forward to seeing them develop their skills.”
Jason Glover, Operations Director
We also secure ProCon’s ‘Large Residential Developer of the Year Award’ for our Anstey development.
We start preparations for our expansion into the South Midlands. Our land buyers carefully research towns and villages identifying the best locations for our homes and quickly spot ideal locations at Hanslope and Irthlingborough!
2019
Recognised for our quality and experience
David Wilson CBE is presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award* for his contribution to housing and construction.
Our new homes at Houlton, Rugby begin to take shape and feature in the government’s ‘National Design Guide’. We secure a further ProCon Award for our Husbands Bosworth development.
Our South Midlands office opens with James Burnham as Managing Director and we’re soon getting to work on building our first homes at Hanslope.
*Leicestershire Business Awards
2020
Proud to support our NHS
We start the year with a fundraising event and in partnership with the David Wilson Foundation raise £60,000 for the Cardiology Unit at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital. We also respond to the NHS ‘Plea for PPE’ and donate personal protective equipment to Royal Derby Hospital to support front line staff in the battle against Covid-19.
Builders & Placemakers Past, Present, Future
