Nick Bond, Managing Director and founder of Space Interior Systems (Space), spoke to David Crowson, Editor, about his journey from an uncertain teenager to leading a thriving SME. As Space celebrates its 21st anniversary, Nick reflects on the challenges, lessons, and people who have shaped the company.
Nick explained that his career started in a rather uninspiring way at 16. He spent a day with his uncle, a Quantity Surveyor (QS), and just sat in a car next to a building site. Nick said: “It wasn’t the most exciting start, but it put me on the path.” After completing his A-levels, Nick joined Wiltshiers in Winchester and undertook a five-year RICS day release programme. Entering the industry during the late 1980s recession was tough, but it taught Nick resilience. “It wasn’t easy, but those early challenges shaped my work ethic,” he says. In the mid-90s, Nick moved to ITS in Reading as a Projects and Commercial Manager. A supplier’s raffle win took him to New York, where he met Miles Radburn. “Miles and I hit it off immediately. We both knew we wanted to start something of our own,” Nick reflects. Their collaboration led to the creation of Office 1 Interiors, with their first project fitting out a school in Maidenhead.
The birth of Space
After amicably parting ways with Miles, Nick founded Space in 2003 with the support of industry luminaries Mark Richards, Craig Foster, and Barry Smith from BW: Workplace Experts. “They played a huge role in getting Space off the ground,” Nick acknowledges. “Their belief in what we were doing gave us the foundation we needed.” Ian Birnie joined Space as Contracts Manager early on. “Ian and I would start our days at dawn, coordinating on the phone, and often didn’t stop until late into the night. It was all about proving ourselves in a tough industry,” Nick recalls. This hard work laid the foundation for a company built on quality and reliability.
Building a reputation
“Our first years were about surviving and proving we belonged,” Nick reflects. “It took a toll on our personal lives, but we were a small fish in a big pond. I remember attending the AIS awards and thinking how incredible it would be to be recognised on that stage one day.” That drive to be the best fuelled Nick’s commitment to quality and consistency. In 2005, Jon Cornwell, a long-time friend, joined Space and brought his engineering experience to the team, and we soon after diversified into Ministry of Defense (MOD) projects. “His work and relationships within the MOD recently helped us secure our first £10 million project and has set us on a new trajectory,” Nick says. Spencer Hammond joined in 2009 as one of our top ceiling and partition fixers, quickly demonstrating his leadership potential. “Over the years, he became my ‘right hand man’ in London, and his development has been a rewarding journey for me” Nick reflects. “Seeing him grow into the role of Director of London projects has reinforced the value of mentorship. Teaching him what I knew, only to see him excel beyond my own abilities, has been a deeply fulfilling experience”.
Lessons learned along the way
“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that success doesn’t come from a single moment it’s about consistently showing up, working hard, and sticking to your principles,” Nick reflects. “Quality has always been non-negotiable for us. From the start, we’ve been fair, honest, and transparent in all we do.” Nick emphasises the importance of trust. “You can’t build a business without trust. From day one, we have always paid our subcontractors weekly and suppliers before their due dates. It’s how we built a strong, lasting relationship with our supply chain. People know they can count on us and vice versa, and that’s invaluable.” Another lesson has been understanding the balance between growth and maintaining standards. “Our growth was never about ambition for expansion; it was about necessity.
Every new hire was because we needed the support, not because we wanted to scale up. We’ve always focused on doing what we do better rather than just getting bigger.” Nick also learned the importance of adaptability in the construction industry. “We’ve faced all kinds of challenges, from economic downturns to changes in regulations. The key is to adapt without compromising on what matters most. Nick emphasises the importance of staying true to your values, no matter the external pressures. “In an industry where cutting corners can sometimes be tempting, we’ve always stuck to our principles. That’s what’s built our reputation, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Read the full article at https://heyzine.com/flip-book/SpecFinish_Oct24#page/12
