Ripon company that played key role in covid marks 50 years in the city
by
Sep 3, 2021
Photo at Wolseley ribbon cutting
The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin is pictured with Simon Oakland (right) and Mark Stibbards, at the Wolseley celebration event

It was many happy returns for Wolseley today, as the company marked 50 years in Ripon with the reopening of its headquarters.

The building on Boroughbridge Road underwent a £500,000 refurbishment during lockdown.

While that was underway, Wolseley continued to supply vital plumbing and building materials to the NHS in its fight to save lives and beat the pandemic.

At today’s family open day, Wolseley chief executive Simon Oakland told the Stray Ferret:

“The NHS required critical building materials and parts for the repair and maintenance of hospitals and we provided them throughout the lockdown.”

Photo of Wolseley UK offices in Ripon

The Wolseley UK headquarters on Boroughbridge Road.

The Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate was one of the major infrastructure projects the company supplied.

Mr Oakland said:

“We are proud to have been involved in supplying every Nightingale Hospital in the UK and have also supported the UK mass vaccination programme through the provision of refrigeration equipment.”

New training centre

The company, which opened its headquarters building in 1971, has 280 employees based in Ripon, and a further 120 at its Melmerby distribution centre.

The Boroughbridge Road site provides administrative services, including finance and IT support and UK-wide the company has 500 branches with 5,000 employees.

Photo of Ripon City Band

Ripon City Band provided musical entertainment.

At today’s community party to celebrate 50 years in Ripon and the centre’s reopening, head of office and finance director Mark Stibbards, told invited guests:

“We have some people who have worked for us for 40 years and they are part of a great team.

“We employ locally in this area and have throughout our history, supported Ripon charities and other organisations, including Ripon Walled Garden, Ripon Cathedral Primary School and Ripon City Football Club.”

A new training centre on the site will not only develop the talent of the Wolseley team but also provide opportunities for community organisations that help individuals improve their skills and employability.

Photo of Children's ride

Farhan, who works in the IT department at Wolseley is pictured with his wife Samera and their six-year-old daughter Maiza on one of the children’s rides.

Today’s celebration event was attended by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, representatives from charities, Wolseley employees and their children, former company directors and members of the community.


Read more:


The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, who cut a ribbon to signal the reopening of the offices, said:

“I was born and bred in this city and have known Wolseley for most of my life.

“The 50 years of investment and employment they brought by selecting Ripon for their headquarters is greatly appreciated.”