Robert Carter

The current Chairman, Robert Carter was, at an early age, thrust into a very senior role as vice-chairman and joint managing director after the sudden death of his father in 1974.

While the business was sound, its rapid expansion, combined with a worsening economic climate had resulted in a need to consolidate. However, the Group had tremendous assets in the experience and expertise of its management and also in the loyalty of long-standing clients.

Robert Carter married Charlotte Miller, the daughter of a notable Norfolk architect, on 2 May 1981, and exactly a year later their first child was born, named Robert Edward, after his grandfather. He was followed by Sophie, James and Camilla.

Robert took over as Group chairman that same year, as well as running R G Carter Ltd at Drayton as general manager between 1980-2. In his view, the Group’s greatest strengths were its building expertise, skilled workforce and expanding reputation. In the increasingly competitive business environment of the recession, Robert Carter was determined to give the Group a commercial edge and make it show a profit in every sphere of activity.

The Group’s traditional approach was unsuited to the more aggressive and volatile construction environment further North. Therefore, considering the depth of the recession, the Wakefield and Hull offices were closed. However, the Group’s traditional strengths meant it was able to come out of the recession in a stronger position.

Having taken the firm back to its roots, further expansion was now possible. The first new office was opened in Peterborough in January 1983, and Peterborough’s development was a typical example of how the Group expanded from the 1980s onwards; the key was steady, progressive, organic growth, rather than growth by acquisition.

Since 1982, under the chairmanship of Robert Carter, the Group has enjoyed the most successful period in its history. A crucial element in this success is the culture of the Group as a family business which embraces everyone from the most junior apprentice to the most senior director and provides a strong element of security and stability for employees.

Also, Robert Carter’s firm belief in the continuous recruitment and training of apprentices – something which has always been maintained no matter how difficult things have been – has enabled the Group to sustain its traditional policy of internal promotion. This not only plays a key role in keeping the skilled and experienced workforce together but also helps the personal and family ethos of the Carter Group to be maintained.