George Nicolson’s is a second-generation family business. Joint Managing Directors, Barrie and Ewan Nicolson, along with Director, Jeremy Tempest-Mitchell, as well as several other key members of staff joined the business over 20 years ago. We also have a small group of shareholders who are employees of the business.
The business was started in 1972 by George Nicolson with nothing more than a garage lock-up, a friend who was a painter & decorator and the will to succeed. Having moved premises a few times, the company settled in their current offices at Salamander Street, Leith in 1991.
Throughout this time the business has grown steadily. For many years we have focused on the commercial market through redecoration of banks, public houses, hotels, large private houses and offices, building a reputation for high standards throughout the industry. Over the past 15 years, George Nicolson’s have branched out into principal contracting within the hotel, restaurant, public house and small to medium-sized office markets. Working directly with clients, designers, surveyors and architects we deliver the whole package to meet clients’ standards, budgets and programs. With the experience we have, along with an established and reliable chain of suppliers and sub-contractors, this area of the business has continued to expand and develop.
Over the past few years, acquiring another painting & decorating business allowed us to also move into the residential and private markets. Henderson & Paterson, originally formed in 1932, were an established business in their own right. Now a division of George Nicolson, they still hold the same values and standards to this day.
We strongly believe in training for growth throughout our workforce which includes, Health & Safety, First Aid, CDM, IT, trade and people skills as well as on-site and off-site management. The company also has an apprenticeship policy that enables us to develop our own tradespeople for the future.
As an active member of the Scottish Decorators’ Federation, this allows us to keep up with the latest legislation as well as work closely with Construction Skills, colleges, suppliers and many other organisations.
Following a thorough independent online assessment on our company Health & Safety documentation and work activities, George Nicolson have achieved Acclaim SSIP Accreditation and thus giving our customers assurance of the systems we have in place.
As an SSIP members scheme, Acclaim Accreditation supports the objectives of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) to improve health and safety standards across the UK and reduce duplication of paperwork in procurement.
A number of our operatives are also members of the Repair Care Recommended Contractors Scheme as seen on Repair Care’s dedicated contractor’s page. Repair Care stands for total solutions for sustainable timber restoration and maintenance. Not only do they have a wide range of quality products for joinery repair for the professional market, but they also offer training on how to use them to refurbish decayed and damaged timber.
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