Gilbert-Ash

Gilbert-Ash is an award-winning UK construction and fit out contractor with over 200 employees at offices in London and Belfast.

We have undertaken numerous projects in a total of 45 countries from Poland and Bahrain to China, Japan and Australia on behalf of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The company’s projects have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize five times including the Lyric Theatre in 2012, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre in 2013, Cambridge Central Mosque in 2021, the National Portrait Gallery in 2024, with the Everyman Theatre winning the coveted award in 2014.

Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment. Our purpose is to make a difference to our projects, our people and our planet through determination, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration.

We bring a fresh perspective on building, implementing a collaborative, design-led approach combining insight and intelligence, vision and talent, to deliver far-reaching, visionary construction projects. The company has completed a broad portfolio of successful construction projects across sectors including arts and culture, workplace, hotels and leisure, science and technology, retail, residential and student accommodation.

We have a reputation for taking on niche projects which require vision and innovation to succeed. We embrace technology, continually pushing the boundaries of digital construction and off-site construction methods. We are also focused on the role of construction in building smart cities where technology, place and people converge.

Togetherness and teamwork are at the core of Gilbert-Ash. The company has a can-do attitude, an open mind and enjoys working together as one.

Our people take great pride in working for Gilbert-Ash and our clients love working with us, that’s why they return to us year on year, with new challenges and new opportunities to do something bigger than just building.

In 2025 and 2026 Gilbert-Ash was included in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, being highly commended in the 55+ category in 2026, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting our people throughout their entire career. The results showed that 92% of Gilbert-Ash staff are proud to work for the company while 90% of our people would recommend Gilbert-Ash as an employer to family and friends.

With Investors in People Gold accreditation, our company champions equality and diversity. At present, women now make up 22% of the company’s senior management and 13% of our site management, but we know there is still more to be done. We care about the safety and wellbeing of our people who work smarter and harder because they know how much they mean to us and understand our clients’ trust is in their hands.

Delivering ‘Landmark Landscapes’, many Gilbert-Ash projects are iconic in nature with significant historical relevance. Committed to excellence in construction, Gilbert-Ash accreditations include ISO14001, ISO45001 and ISO9001 and memberships include The Chartered Institute of Building, Investors in People, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and Constructionline. The company is also focused on the role of construction in building smart cities where technology, place and people converge.

In 2021, Gilbert-Ash MD Ray Hutchinson signed the Business in the Community Climate Action Pledge on behalf of the company.

CONTACT DETAILS

London Office

9 Empire Square, Tabard Street

London

SE1 4NA

+44 (0) 20 7403 3031

london@gilbert-ash.co.uk

Projects Sorted by recent

Havelock, Manchester

Built

Havelock is a highly sustainable deep retrofit of an existing office building. Featured by UKGBC, the project achieved BREEAM Outstanding, WiredScore Platinum, and Nabers 5* in design rating.

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68-86 Farringdon Road

Built

The 9,690sqm mixed-use development, situated along Farringdon Road, is formed of a new 180-key hotel for Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn brand that neighbours a speculative office building.

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Central Foundation Boys' School

Built

A campus redevelopment providing state-of-the-art learning facilities, including new science labs and a subterranean sports hall at one of the country’s top performing, state schools.

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Premier Inn London Southwark

Built

This 274-key hotel is located on a disused brownfield site in the heart of Waterloo. The scheme includes a ground floor restaurant fronting onto a public courtyard and pocket park.

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100 Brewery Road

Built

A commercial office, flexible workspace and storage / distribution space of a total of 4,700 sq m (GIA), ideally positioned a short distance from King’s Cross, Camden and Highbury.

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Three Mills

Built

Gort Scott – in collaboration with Freehaus – has completed a £6 million renovation and modernisation project at the iconic 3 Mills Studios in east London.

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Southwark Inclusive Learning Service (SILS 3)

Built

A new ‘pupil referral unit’ school building, for students who have been excluded from, or have not been attending school. The aim of SILS 3 is to reintegrate students back into mainstream school.

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Battersea Arts Centre

Built

Envisioned as an improvisatory collaboration with artists, theatre producers and locals, the client brief for Battersea Arts Centre was for creative and community activity; in response to this HT have

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