25 years is a long time in any industry, but in the world of office fit-out, industrial and commercial refurbishment, it’s an absolute lifetime. That’s why we are incredibly proud to celebrate a major milestone: the 25-year partnership of our Directors, Alan Brown and Chris Sharp.
Alan and Chris have steered Excel through a total transformation of the British business landscape. They haven’t just watched the industry evolve from the sidelines; they’ve been “on the tools” and on-site, making that change happen.
When Alan and Chris first joined forces, the “Magnolia Standard” was the undisputed king. The late nineties were a sea of beige paint, clinical finishes, and endless miles of grey fabric partitions. Success back then was measured by how many “cellular” cubicles you could fit into a floor plan.
Today, the landscape looks remarkably different. Under their leadership, Excel has transitioned from those rigid “beige boxes” to the high-tech warehouse refurbishments, lifestyle-driven Padel courts, and flexible hybrid hubs that define 2026.
Navigating the Office Trends (The Good, The Bad, and The Wacky)
To celebrate a quarter-century of partnership, we’re looking back at some of the specific eras Alan and Chris have successfully navigated:
🏛️ The “Magnolia” Standard: Back in 1999, Magnolia was the undisputed king of the British office. Alan and Chris spent their early years navigating endless miles of beige paint and clinical finishes. Today, they’ve left the “safe” neutrals behind, embracing a world where no colour is off-limits, from bold feature walls to earthy greens 🍃 and natural textures that make modern workspaces feel vibrant and alive.
📦 The Rise of the Cubicle: In the early days, success was measured in privacy. They delivered countless “cellular” layouts defined by rigid cubicle farms and those classic grey fabric partitions.
🗣️ The Great “Open Plan” Pivot: They helped lead the transition as the walls literally came down! They helped businesses trade “beige boxes” for collaborative rows of open desks and the very first wave of vibrant breakout zones.
💿 The “CD-ROM Storage” Crisis: Remember when every office desk needed massive racks for those chunky CD jewel cases? It’s a hilarious contrast to today’s high-tech, paperless offices.
🏗️ The 2010s “Industrial” Overload: There was a period when every office had to have Edison bulbs and “distressed” pallet furniture. Some people found it stylish; others found it uncomfortable!
🗑️ The “Desk-Side Bin” Disappearance: When central recycling hubs were introduced, everyone’s personal under-desk bin was suddenly whisked away.
🛝 The “Wacky” Phase: We can’t forget the era of the “Silicon Valley” office, complete with beanbags and office slides that, let’s be honest, almost nobody actually used!
Hands-On Leadership
While Alan and Chris have built a powerhouse team at Excel, they remain incredibly involved in the day-to-day business. Their shared dedication to our clients remains the heartbeat of the company. And while everyone knows Alan values his well-earned days off in the sun as much as anyone, his commitment to excellence (shared by Chris) is what has kept Excel at the forefront of the industry for two and a half decades.
As we look toward the next 25 years, we do so with a foundation built on experience, a culture of community, and a pair of leaders who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty to get the job done right.
