Being named as a finalist at this year’s London Construction Awards is a remarkable achievement for any business. For Hunter Stein Construction, however, the nomination carries even greater significance, as it underlines just how far the company has come since its launch in 2022.
In less than five years, the specialist contractor has grown from a fledgling operation into one of the UK’s fastest-rising construction businesses, building an impressive portfolio of defence-sector projects and earning a reputation for delivering exceptional results for military communities across London and the South-East.
Founded by Lee Grimwood, Managing Director, with the help of his growing leadership team the business established with a clear mission: to challenge conventional approaches within the construction sector and deliver projects built around trust, integrity, service and genuine care for end users.
Today, that vision is translating into remarkable growth, with Hunter Stein having doubled in size year-on-year since it entered the marketplace. It is now recognised as a leading turnkey contractor specialising in military accommodation, estate improvement programmes and planned maintenance services.
In addition to its impressive commercial progress, being named as a finalist in the London Construction Awards within the Contractor of the Year category is recognition of the people behind the business, as Lee explains: “We’ve come out of nowhere in a relatively short period of time and this has only been made possible by the team we have put together. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, but more importantly, we’re proud of the manner in which we’ve achieved it. Everything comes back to our people, our values and the service we provide.”
Rather than focusing solely on commercial growth, Hunter Stein has built its reputation on relationships, accountability and a commitment to delivering quality without compromise. “We’re not a family-run business but we treat each other like family,” highlights Lee. “That’s a huge part of who we are.”
At the heart of Hunter Stein’s success is its growing role within the defence sector. The company provides a turn-key solution across three workstreams within military accommodation, as well as high value projects with volume, voids, responsive repair and ground works, across Kent and now into central London.
One of the firm’s standout achievements was the completion of a major refurbishment programme in Woolwich, where former military housing stock was brought back into service for the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment returning from Cyprus.
What began as a 30-property refurbishment project evolved into a £12m programme encompassing 120 homes across multiple locations. Completed in just a matter of months, the contract delivered a 100% move-in pass rate for military families and has been widely praised by Defence stakeholders and residents alike.
Hunter Stein had previously overseen another significant unit relocation programme involving more than 220 military families in Folkestone for the Royal Gurka Rifles regiment returning from overseas, achieving a 97% move-in pass rate under demanding timescales due to the nature of the unit rotation, once again underlining the quality and consistency of its model.
For Theo Minas, Operations Director, these projects demonstrate what is possible when customer service remains the priority: “We genuinely care about what we do. In larger organisations things can sometimes become mechanised. What makes us different is that we care about the service we provide and the people receiving it.”
Another reason why Hunter Stein’s approach has been so successful is its unique connection to the military, which extends well beyond its project portfolio. For instance, many members of the team have military backgrounds, including both veterans and reservists. These personal experiences have helped shape the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and military families.
What’s more, the company actively supports a range of military charities, including Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Little Troopers, and is investing heavily in community initiatives. Among its latest commitments is a £20,000 pledge supporting Little Troopers’ Christmas campaign, helping provide festive care packages for thousands of children with parents serving away from home. The company also sponsors military family awards and regularly participates in events celebrating service personnel and veterans. It has contributed over £80,000 towards charitable causes and events not including man hours in excess of 500 hours.
“We don’t just want to work within the military community, we want to be part of it,” outlines Lee. “Thankfully, we are on the right track having received really positive feedback over the years. We want to keep building that reputation and maintain the high standards we’ve had in place since Day One.”
These sentiments are echoed by Theo, who is equally committed to ensuring the business remains laser-focused on consistency: “We’ve expanded quickly, but we’ve worked hard to ensure that growth never comes at the expense of quality. We’re also committed to bringing apprentices through to help pave the way for our future development. The key has been bringing in the right people, building strong relationships, and staying true to the values that helped establish the business in the first place. As we continue to expand, maintaining those standards remains our priority.”
While Hunter Stein is clearly in no mood to get complacent, rapid expansion presents challenges for any company, as well as opportunities. Lee therefore acknowledges that preserving the company’s culture during periods of growth has been one of the biggest tests: “As you grow quickly, there’s always a risk that your identity becomes diluted. The challenge is making sure your values, culture, and commitment to people remain at the centre of everything you do.”
To address this, Hunter Stein has focused on recruiting experienced professionals who share the company’s ethos, while also investing in systems, infrastructure and operational resilience. The result is a business that continues to scale without losing sight of the principles that drove its early success.
With new partnerships being established across the defence and construction sectors, including relationships with major organisations such as VIVO Defence, Amey Defence and Vinci, the future looks increasingly bright. However, for Lee and his team, success is not measured purely in financial terms. “Our objective isn’t just about turnover,” says Lee. “It’s about having a positive impact on as many families and communities as possible and ensuring more investment reaches the people it’s intended to support. It is about leaving a lasting impact on the industry and communities we serve. Increasing our military capabilities start in the home.”
That philosophy appears to be resonating throughout the industry. From award nominations and major contract wins through to community engagement and charitable support, Hunter Stein has quickly earned a reputation for delivering far more than bricks and mortar.
As it approaches its fifth anniversary, Hunter Stein’s ambitions remain clear: continue growing, continue innovating and continue making a difference to the communities it serves. If the company also picks up the industry awards along the way, then even better.
Article kindly supported by Topps Tiles
