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Our History
1876
Our history starts in 1876, with Fred Sewell and his gang working on Sutton Chapel in East Hull.
1905
F Sewell & Son was formed with son Herbert.
Early 1900's
Over in West Hull, Robert Sewell was selling fruit from a handcart to feed his family of 20. Forward to 1960, and Robert’s son, Ron, grew the fruit handcart business to half a dozen grocers in Hull and York.
1978
Having met at Leeds University, Paul, son of Ron the grocer, and Dennis, son of Doug, joined the building firm and Sewell Construction was born.
1980
Sutton village station in East Hull was acquired by Sewell Construction. Five years later, Sewell built the new Sutton service station next to the Sutton bypass.
1980's
Sewell donated nearly half the year’s profit to Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire for vital operating theatre equipment. Over 30 years on, the legacy of giving back continues.
1990
Sewell Group became a Private Limited Company. The firm moved to Geneva Way in East Hull. Sewell Construction built Dove House Hospice, which was opened by the late Diana, Princess of Wales
1994
Sewell formed a Facilities Management joint venture, The FMP Group.
1996
Sewell gained Investors in People status and the quality standard BS 5750 accreditation. Both were regional firsts.
1998
Paul’s son, Patrick, formed Sewell Retail and added the South Cave and Beverley sites, building its portfolio to five sites.
1999
Sewell Construction began a 15-year estates partnership with BAE systems in Brough, East Yorkshire.
1999
Sewell, Hull City Council and the Deputy Prime Minister opened Victoria Dock Primary School, the first UK PFI school.
2002
Sewell built Age Concern, the UK’s first older person’s healthy living centre.
2002
Sewell Retail acquired Ferriby service station on the M62 east bound corridor.
2004
Sewell brought the Yorkshire International Business Convention (YIBC) to Hull.
2004
Sewell partnered with City of York Council to develop and maintain Hob Moor Children’s Centre, St Barnabas CE Primary School and St Oswald’s CE Primary School.
2004
Sewell developed Preston Road Village Centre.
2005
Sewell was intrinsic in the creation of Humber Business Week.
2005-2013
Following a procurement process, Sewell, NHS Hull and UME formed Hull Citycare Ltd. Since then, the partnership has transformed the primary care estate in Hull.
2007-2008
Sewell Retail acquired the Cottingham, Chanterlands, Wyton Bar, Pocklington, Holderness and Willerby filling stations.
2009
Sewell Retail won UK Forecourt Trader of the Year.
2009
Sewell Group became a top 100 ‘Sunday Times Best Company to Work For’ for the first time - a huge achievement gaining national recognition for an award judged by employee engagement.
2009
Sewell formed a partnership with young people’s charity CatZero.
2009
Sewell formed Hull Esteem Consortium, a public private partnership to regenerate schools. 21 schools £516m local economic impact 500+ apprenticeships
2010
The Sewell Studio & Skills Academy was created. 1500 students engaged employability skills 6 sample trades
2010 & 2011
Sewell again became a top 100 ‘Sunday Times Best Company to Work For’.
2011
Patrick Sewell joined the Association of Convenience Stores Board and was later appointed Vice Chair.
2011
Paul Sewell was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Hull and an OBE from her Majesty the Queen.
2012
Sewell invested in and created a new public private partnership, Shared Agenda Solutions.
2013
Sewell Retail transformed its A63 westbound branch into Hull West Service Station as part of a multi-million pound programme of store improvements. The company re-branded to Sewell on the go.
2013
Citycare and Sewell Facilities Management won the national Building Better Healthcare ‘FM Provider of the Year’ award.
2014
Sewell picked up its 10th award in 8 years from Considerate Constructors. An academic journal of Sewell’s Construction Excellence was published.
2015
The Esteem framework was utilised to get Hull ready for the UK City of Culture 2017.
2015
Sewell Construction transformed the Grade II listed Print Hall into a world class library and learning space for Leeds City College.
2016
“Hull’s ambition for its year as UK City of Culture is huge and we aim to deliver a cultural programme that will leave a lasting legacy on the City.” Martin Green CEO & Director Hull 2017
2016
A year for retail! Sewell on the go won Forecourt Trader of the Year 2016, winning six awards overall; MD of Sewell on the go, Patrick Sewell becomes Chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and Sewell on the go open three Subway stores in the South Cave, Chanterlands Avenue and Cottingham fuel and convenience stores.
2017
Sewell Construction completes the refurbishment of Hull New Theatre and new development, Ron Dearing UTC, as part of the Kingston Square transformation.
2017
Sewell Group invests in family owned, Huddersfield construction company, Illingworth and Gregory Ltd.
2018
Sewell Group is named in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For and recognised as number 1 in the Yorkshire region.
2018
Sewell Facilities Management won the BIFM 2018 Impact on Society Award for their ‘Abilities in Facilities’ partnership with Humber Mencap.
2018
Sewell Construction complete the development of The Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre in Hull. A first for the UK, transforming elderly care in a pioneering new approach.
2019
Sewell Group becomes a Social Mobility Pledge Accredited Employer, supporting the Rt Hon Justine Greening MP’s pioneering fight to ensure Britain is a country in which people can progress in life, regardless of their personal circumstances or background.
2020
Sewell Facilities Management wins Team of the Year at the 2020 IWFM Impact Awards for their work to support Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) in maintaining its vast and varied estate.
2020
Specialist data company, Parallel becomes part of the Sewell Group. Parallel is a web application development company specialising in interactive mapping and data visualisation. It captures vital data to help public sector organisations make informed decisions about their services and estates.
2021
Sewell Group is recognised as one of only 18 businesses across the country in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity – the most prestigious accolade for UK businesses.
2021
We signed an Armed Forces Covenant to show we’re proud to support the Armed Forces Community.
2022
Following a successful 12 months as a 40% stakeholder, we increased our minority stake in Community Ventures Partnerships Ltd – an estates consultancy and development company that builds, manages and advises on health and social care facilities across the north of England and Midlands to 100% ownership.
