Russell Chapman

Chairman

I’m Russ Chapman, Chairman of the Johns family business, with nearly 50 years in the trade after starting out as an apprentice and working my way through to Managing Director.

Over the years I’ve seen plenty of change in the industry, and I now enjoy being semi-retired while supporting the Board of Directors with experience, guidance, and a steady hand. My main focus is sharing knowledge, helping shape decisions, and supporting the wider team. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, playing golf, fishing whenever I get the chance, and spending time with my four adult sons - all of whom are proudly part of the business.

David Kerry

Director

I’m Dave, a coffee loving accountant who joined the Johns family back in the late eighties.

Having recently handed over the role of Finance Director after a 30 year stint, I now head up the Reinstatement Division and continue to serve the company as a director. Passionate about many things, I love spending time with my expanding family, travelling, reading books, and playing golf amongst others.

Alex Chapman

Managing Director

I’ve been part of Johns for 15 years, starting my journey as an Assistant QS and progressing through to Commercial Manager. In 2024, I had the great honour of taking over from my predecessor (my father, Russell) as Managing Director. I’m committed to continuing his legacy and leading Johns forward. As a family company, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent service to our clients nationwide.

Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym and running. I completed my first half marathon in 2024 and hope to achieve a full marathon in the coming years. I also have two children who keep me happily busy when I’m not in the office.

Matthew Chapman

Finance Director

I’m Matthew Chapman, the Financial Director at Johns Group. I’ve been with the company for over 14 years, working across various roles in the accounts department while qualifying as an accountant. As part of the fourth generation of my family to help lead the business since it was founded in 1909, I’m extremely proud to continue that legacy.

Alongside my role as FD, I sit on the board and work closely with the management team to help ensure the smooth running and long term success of the company.

Outside of work, I like to keep fit, play plenty of golf, and race rally cars across the Welsh highlands.

Charlie Wileen

Operations Director

I’m Charlie and have been a member of the Johns work family for over 30 years!

Starting as an apprentice painter & decorator I have worked through various roles to reach my current position as Operations Director, ensuring the smooth day to day running of the Commercial Decorating Division and having an overall view of the business.

When I’m not at work you will find me on a Badminton Court coaching or playing matches for my club. My other passions include watching Ice Hockey and Track Days in the Caterham.

Daren Stevenson BSC [Hons]

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Coming from Gleeds I had experienced a professionalism that travelled with me.  I was the first to request an office computer, which helped me create the companies first website.  That was followed by creating the WIP accounts database, electronic invoicing, project programming files, the BPO Quality Plan (with help from Galiford Try) and Foreman's Aide Memoir (form my Military experience).  In the early years it was mainly Commercial Construction sector projects nationwide. Now it's to look after some entire project management and the full commercial side of our Hard FM work. Everything from early cost advice and surveys to valuations, variations and final accounts. My job is to make sure every project we deliver is clear, accurate and financially sound, with no surprises along the way.

I spend my time working across busy, fully operational buildings in NHS hospitals, university campuses, schools, GP practices and commercial offices and know it's important to understand that our work fits around real people and their real schedules. Planning every stage with that in mind, helping our teams deliver upgrades, repairs and lifecycle works without disrupting day-to-day life on site is just part of what I do.

What I enjoy most is being part of a wider team, beyond our own business, that genuinely cares about how things are done. I like building good relationships, giving honest advice, and keeping clients fully informed from the very first interaction to the final sign-off and beyond. If something needs explaining, breaking down or re-thinking, I’m always happy to help and indeed offer the very same as often as I can.

At heart, I’m here to make things simple, transparent and well-managed. So our clients can not just trust the numbers, but also trust the process and trust that we deliver a service that keeps people happy and that happyness lasts.

When I'm not working, I'm actively exploring everything that I find interesting.

Nigel Millband

Commercial Manager

Responsible for identifying and creating proposals, building client relationships, managing contract finances, and improving processes and profitability.

Over 40 years working at Johns trying my best to make the numbers fit with proactive negotiation and strategic thinking. Away from work, I enjoy playing tennis for my local club, gardening, listening to live music, family time, and holidays where you will generally find me falling off a surfboard!

Matthew Lee

Contracts Manager

I’ve been with the company for over 30 years now. I started out as an apprentice and eventually worked my way up to Contracts Manager, a role I’ve held for more than a decade. I look after a share of our day-to-day contracts in the commercial & reinstatement division, manage our decorators, and ensure our clients receive the level of service that we always strive to deliver.

Outside of work, I’m usually socialising with friends, playing pool or darts for my local team, or giving my best Elvis impression on karaoke.

Craig Wilson

Contracts Manager

I began my career with Johns of Nottingham in 2000 as a time served apprentice. Over the years, I have progressed through a wide range of roles, gaining extensive experience in fine spray finishing, supervising construction sites, shop fits, and delivering bespoke projects.

In 2016, I moved into the role of Contracts Manager, a position I have thoroughly enjoyed. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with a diverse range of clients and take great pride in providing a high level of service, building strong relationships, and ensuring successful project delivery.

Outside of work, I have a keen interest in motorsport and regularly attend events at circuits across the UK. I also manage my son’s football team at weekends and am proud to serve as Vice Chairman of the football club.

David Forbes

Contracts Manager

I am David and I first worked for Johns 30 years ago as a decorator, before going out on my own to work on many Commercial and Residential projects .

I returned to Johns 6 years ago as a Site supervisor before taking up my current role as Contracts Manager, where I organise the relevant Labour for projects and ensure clients get the quality service that Johns provide .

Away from work I am a football manager at Non League level and enjoy spending time with my family.

Tim Chapman

Building Services Manager

I’m Tim Chapman and currently the Building Manager at Johns.

I served my apprenticeship here at Johns in Carpentry and Joinery 40 years ago.

I left the company after 5 years to work in London, later to return to Johns in 2010 to help manage the expanding reinstatement division.

I like to play golf at the weekend and have also recently reformed an old band I was in from the 90’s as the lead singer… gulp!

Steve Hutchings

Building Insurance Surveyor

My job entails visiting affected properties, speaking directly to policy holders/home owners. Carrying ou visual inspections of rooms/areas to determine the extent of damage to properties from water damage, fire damage and subsidence. Taking the information gathered on site to build a detailed scope of works to then present to Loss Adjusters and Insurers.

I worked within the joinery, construction industry for over 40 years.

Interests include cycling, F1 motorsport, wildlife & and Victorian architecture photography and a small but growing collection of 10 year + malt whisky’s.

Steve Thackeray

Building Contracts Manager

I am a Building Contracts Manager with over 30 years of experience in sales, customer service, and business management. I specialise in the management of high-net-worth insurance claims and take pride in delivering excellent customer service and positive outcomes for clients.

I am a hardworking, results-driven professional who thrives under pressure and enjoys working as part of a team. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to providing exceptional service and building strong relationships with customers and colleagues alike.

Outside of work, I enjoy socialising with family and friends and am a passionate Nottingham Forest season ticket holder.

Jason Binch

Building Contracts Manager

Day to day managing of varied insurance reinstatement projects anything from fires to floods and ensuring policy holders and insurers are kept up to speed with progress of their claims, and ensuring the projects are kept to budgets and delivered to tight deadlines for completion.

Managing health and safety and the operatives on my sites of their day to day duties.

I started my working life in 1988 in a engineering background up until the year 2000 where I set up my own business in the engineering and building sector. Having ended my self employment after 15 years, in 2015 to 2017 I went on to be a project manager at Paragon leisure refurbs in working with designers in organising and delivering refurbishment of pubs and restaurants in the midlands.

2017 I went to work for Concorde BGW as a contracts manager based in Doncaster, who brought Paragon Leisure business and stayed there a further 3 years.

2020 I joined Johns as a Building Contracts Manager and have been here 5 years and like the varied and interesting work and furthering my knowledge of the vast industry and every day I like that I am still learning new things to then also broaden my knowledge.

When I am not in the office or on site I like and take a very keen interest in gardening, walking my dog and spending time with my family, failing that you will find on a golf course.

Craig Orme

Building Contracts Manager

Hi, I’m Craig. I’ve been part of the Johns team for about two and a half years and work as one of five Contracts Managers, looking after reinstatement works on insurance claims. I see each job through following on from the initial survey right through to completion, making sure everything runs smoothly, and customers are looked after along the way.

When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me at Coxmoor Golf Club, confidently aiming for the fairway and somehow finding the rough. If I’m not there, I’m either at the Forest home games or probably packing up the VW camper and heading off for a weekend away, making the most of any half-decent weather and a good excuse to escape.

Matthew Arter

Building Contracts Manager

I’m Matt

I started my Career at Johns as one of their Joiners and progressed to a contract’s manger in the building division.

Part of my role is to ensure the work can be carried out as smoothly and professionally as possible from our skilled team of operatives.

When I get some down time I like to take my caravan around the country to watch some good old British touring cars racing. Or do a spot of competition shooting on the weekends.

Michael Cope

Health and Safety Manager

My name is Michael and I’m the Health & Safety Manager at Johns. Much of my time is spent ensuring that the company is compliant, but my most important job is looking after the wellbeing of everyone who works for us.

My background is as an estimator, and I joined Johns as a trainee over 10 years ago before completing my NEBOSH Construction Certificate. Outside of work I volunteer as a Scout leader and I spend many weekends camping each year around the UK.

Rosie Wilde

Finance Coordinator

I’m Rosie and I started at Johns as an apprentice Admin assistant 15 years ago, I’m now the Finance Coordinator for the Reinstatement division, seeing through our claims to invoice stage and I also assist with the day to day running of the department.

When I’m not in the office, you can find me at Parkrun with my Husband or hiking with my Dog, Ted.

Matthew Kerry

Client Coordinator

I’m Matt and I joined the team at Johns in 2014 starting as a Claims Handler within the Insurance Reinstatement Division.

After gaining many years of experience and knowledge of the Insurance Reinstatement Division as a Claims Handler. I am now the Client Coordinator within the division, and my role is more focused on working collaboratively with our clients supply chain managers, whilst still being able to assist insurers, adjusters and customers with any claims.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf at the weekends and spending time with my family especially with my two sons keeping me busy!

George Dobson

Senior Administrator

I’m George and have been a member of the Johns family for 8 years!

Starting in the Insurance department as a claims handler the ever-expanding Insurance team now see’s me taking the role as Senior Administrator aswell as roles within the accounts department.

During my spare time I painfully follow the mighty Leeds United if I’m not at Elland Road you’ll probably find me listening to some of my favourite DJs and artists across the UK and Europe.

Emily Wileen

Administrator

Hi, I’m Emily.

I joined Johns Group Ltd in 2023 as a Business Administration Apprentice and have now successfully completed my apprenticeship. My current roles are within the Insurance Reinstatement division as an Administrator and managing the company’s social media accounts.

Outside of work, I am a member of an Irish Dancing club, and I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am also a keen baker and enjoy attending concerts and ice hockey games.

Clive Chapman

Trade Centre Manager

Clive Chapman a Johns family member! My current role Trade Shop Manager & Fleet manager, I work with a colleague in the Trade centre, dealing with stock control and purchasing. I have been with Johns for 40 + years, in which time I have carried several roles mainly 25 years as the H&S Manager & 35 Years as Fleet manager, and 5 years as the Purchasing manager.

My Hobbies outside the Company is mainly Coarse Fishing and some Golf.

Tim Allen

Trade Centre Manager

Hi,

I’m Tim and have been a member of Johns decorating centre for over 20 years!

Starting as a van driver I have worked through some tough roles to reach my current position as Decorating Centre manager, ensuring the smooth day to day running of the store and having to interact with customers for their needs and requirement as required.

When I’m not at work i enjoy socialising and most of all watching Netflix☺️ I like to thing I’m an easy going person willing to go the extra mile to ensure everyone is treated with the same high class and respect as what you expect from a family run business.

Plus we sell the best quality trade paints around Nottingham.