Luke Freeman Named Business Person of the Year
MF Freeman Group walked away with a trio of accolades in the recent Forester Business Awards 2010.
This remarkable Forest family firm’s Joint Managing Director Luke Freeman was voted Business Person of the Year by the panel of judges, while the company carried off the runner up prize in the Business of the Year category.
The Mill Race at Walford, which is owned by the family, was also highly commended in the Pub of the Year section.
Based in Drybrook, the MF Freeman Group was founded 40 years ago by Mervyn and Jennifer Freeman, both actively involved in the business to the present day, who decided to expand their farm contracting business into plant hire and ground works contracting.
Today the diversified Group comprises seven divisions embracing such sectors as property development, contracting, plant hire, hospitality and leisure and care. There are also interests in forestry and sustainable energy.
A major project in the Group’s portfolio at present is the development of the Alton Business Park in Ross-on-Wye. Previously a single user manufacturing site, it now provides for mixed use with office space and industrial units. Retail use is planned for the next phase of development.
Units for sale or lease range from 300 square feet to 6,000 square feet and land is also available for design and build packages. Companies that have already moved to Alton Business Park include Hertel, Salvanini and Craigmore Healthcare.
“This business park has been redeveloped to provide relocation opportunities for multiple businesses” said Luke. “This new development now offers a mixed use scheme of bulky goods, retail, offices and industrial space.
“We hope that this development will attract government and other public sector organisations, as well as software, technology and service sector companies.
“The development provides first class facilities, attracting quality growth companies and will have a positive spin off for the local economy.”
Earlier this year MF Freeman signed a £2 million contract with Two Rivers Housing to build sustainable houses and flats at Littledean. Scheduled for completion in November of this year, the homes incorporate photovoltaic cells generating electricity from solar power and are designed to reduce water usage.
A project almost completed is the residential development called Oakview, off Buckshaft Road in Cinderford, where four of the seven executive homes have already been sold.
With such a broad base of interests and impressive track record of success, the MF Freeman Group looks poised to become an increasingly important contributor to the economic wellbeing of the Forest and beyond. If you are interested in any of the business services which they offer please contact Luke Freeman on 01594 542485 or email lukefreeman@mffreeman.co.uk