Callow & Co.

About the Client

Callow & Co. is a bespoke interiors and joinery company working on high value residential contracts. In George Callow and Luke Griffiths, Callow & Co brings together two of the brightest young talents in the world of bespoke furniture making and joinery. Both past students of Chichester College, the pair have a shared passion for their profession which has seem them enjoy international acclaim, win major competitions and even receive an honour from the Queen in her 2014 Birthday Honours list, for George’s contribution to vocational skills. 

Having trained at Chichester College himself, earning three distinctions in the process, Luke was asked back to teach the same class just one year after he left it. On top of his academic success Luke was crowned winner of the 2007 National SkillBuild prize and was awarded the Medal of Excellence at the 2009 Wordskills competition, having competed against 22 other countries. 

Whilst teaching at the college, Luke spotted another young talent in George Callow, a 16-year-old apprentice working at Rolls Royce motorcars making dashboards and interiors. Luke followed George’s work very closely, eventually ending up mentoring him and helping him secure further work placement. George went on to complete the college course with distinction and followed Luke’s footsteps to regional and national competitions, culminating in him being selected to compete and represent Team UK at Worldskills 2013, at which he was crowned the best under 23 cabinet maker in the world. His competition piece has been displayed at Downing Street for two years as a result.

In 2015, the friends decided to go into business together and have not looked back, doubling the size of the business year-on-year for three consecutive years. As subcontractors to leading residential joinery contractors, Luke, George and their growing team of employees and subcontractors now work on contracts around the major wealth centres of Europe, creating beautiful bespoke furniture in the homes of high net worth individuals. 

Why Evans Weir?

Having agreed to start the business, Luke started making appointments with accountants and businesses advisors that could help with incorporation and on-going business support. Having Googled ‘Chichester Accountants’, Luke booked to meet Tony at Evans Weir. “Neither of us (George or Luke) knew anything about running a business, but Tony talked us through the entire process, in terms and in a tone that we liked” says Luke. “We were due to be seeing another Chichester based firm of accountants the next day, but having spoken to Tony, we cancelled that appointment and asked Tony to proceed, such was the confidence he gave us” Luke continues. 

The Service Provided By Evans Weir

“When we met with Tony we had an idea and that was all. We didn’t even have a company name” says Luke. Having discussed the various types of structure available to Luke and George, Callow & Co was incorporated as a Limited Company in September 2015. Understanding that their skills lay elsewhere Luke and George asked Evans Weir to handle all their compliance-based work. As the business has grown, so has the remit of Evans Weir’s role. Today, the firm handles all the statutory accounts work, general payroll for the expanding employee base, the CIS for subcontractors and both personal and business tax affairs for the company and the Directors. 

Tony also provides ad-hoc business advice as needs demand, most recently advising on work carried out overseas and the purchase of company vehicles.

Callow & Co. on Evans Weir

Luke Griffiths, Director of Callow & Co. says “We knew we had skills that people would value and we were keen to start a business, but neither of us knew anything about running a business. Tony and the entire team at Evans Weir have helped and supported the business and us as individuals from day one, even helping George and I to secure personal mortgages with just one year of trading accounts”

He continues “We would have no hesitation in recommending Evans Weir to anyone, but particularly to those thinking of starting a business and needing genuine, straight forward advice and help”. “We have absolute confidence in Evans Weir and we feel assured that everything is being handled for us in a legal and compliant fashion which is the biggest bonus”