About us

Where award-winning artisan meets world-class design

Walter Lilly is a premier provider of high-end, luxurious construction services for some of the most exclusive residential and landmark properties across London and the Home Counties.

Established in 1924, and boasting nearly 100 years of heritage and expertise, we work with the world’s leading architects, designers and artisans, on a project portfolio ranging from the opulence of the finest listed buildings to cutting edge contemporary structures.

With discerning clients who demand perfection, we deliver the best, leaving behind world-class beautiful homes, state-of-the-art science and education facilities, and historic landmark buildings that set the international standard in excellence.

Our values

Integrity, honesty and fairness

Walter Lilly places great importance on the value of long-term relationships with clients, employees, subcontractors and suppliers. These relationships are successful due to our core values of integrity, honesty and fairness, within an environment of mutual trust and cooperation.

Our People

With more than 150 highly qualified employees, Walter Lilly is recognised as one of London’s most trusted, long-established and technically capable construction specialists, able to meet the needs of any project assignment, however complex. Our reputation stems from a wealth of experience built over many years in the industry and, above all, the talent of our people including site management, M&E and design managers, engineers, surveying, planners and facilities managers.

Health & safety

Maintaining excellence

Health and safety performance is fundamental to the success of our business. As such, our employees receive comprehensive training that is updated regularly in accordance with guidelines and evolving legislation. Our occupational health and safety system is ISO 45001 certified.

Supply chain

Strong relationships

Walter Lilly engages with a fully integrated supply chain of over 450 members. To deliver the best we need to work with the best. Therefore, all suppliers are thoroughly vetted during a rigorous prequalification process including the submission of health and safety records, proof of financial stability, the completion of a prequalification questionnaire, and a visit to their place of work from Walter Lilly.

Subcontractors or suppliers wishing to be included on our supply chain can contact supplychain@walterlilly.co.uk

Social Value & Sustainability

Our responsibilities

We believe that sustainable business is creating a lasting positive, social, economic and environmental impact through the way that we choose to act and operate. We strive for continual improvement through our association to the Social Value Quality Mark, We Are Prime, and as signatories to the UK Contractors Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency.

Please refer to our Carbon Reduction Plan and Social Value Strategy for more details.

Aftercare

Ongoing support

Walter Lilly is committed to delivering projects that are managed efficiently, free of defects, and delivered with a service that includes the highest levels of craftsmanship. As projects approach the handover stage, our dedicated Aftercare Team provide a smooth settling in period and remain in place after the contract has been completed should any future issues arise.

The Walter Lilly name is recognised by discerning clients the world over as a byword for quality, sophistication and refinement. Our clients demand perfection, and we deliver perfection, with meticulous attention to detail, impeccable service, and aftercare that is second to none.

To demonstrate the level of quality we provide for every project – alongside our team of excellent suppliers and artisans – here is a number of industry awards and accreditations we’ve received in recognition of our achievements.

Awards

Certifications & Memberships

Walter Lilly – the story so far

When Walter Gent Lilly won the freehold to a London builder’s yard in a card game in 1924, he didn’t know he was making history. Capitalising on his good fortune, he embraced the building trade, became an immediate success and quickly grew his business to become one of London’s foremost construction companies.

Although it has always continued to trade as Walter Lilly, the business remained in the Lilly family until 1955 when it was acquired by the Y.J. Lovell Group. That same year the company was appointed to carry out the remodelling of London’s iconic Café Royal.

Fast forward to present day, and with an annual turnover in excess of £80 million, the company continues to grow. And not just with a reputation as London’s premier residential construction specialist, but also as construction experts in the science and educations sectors working on projects including the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. And finally, as Facilities Managers, maintaining and caring for a portfolio of exclusive and luxurious homes and buildings.

With all its success, the spirit of the family business lives on. Throughout its 90 plus year history the company has had just nine Managing Directors – including the original Mr. Lilly and his son who succeeded him – together with a staff retention record that is the envy of competitors.