1 June 2006 - 30 November 2012

From the 'old' to the 'new'

In 2006 the business was formed and the oak leaf logo became the recognisable brand.  

In December 2018, some twelve years later, the decision was taken to change the branding due to other businesses using similar logos and names.

 1 December 2018 - to today

The Oakland Group
110% Teamwork

Gardening, Tree Surgery and Landscaping Services with a driving customer ethos, Solihull and the West Midlands.

In 2006, two brothers from Solihull West Midlands, Gavin and Craig Bassford, set about offering 'green' gardening services with a driving customer ethos. 'To deliver what the customer wanted, when they wanted it'.  

The notion of outdoor and garden maintenance with '5 star' or 'platinum, concierge' service was born. 

Their first customer (when they were using their mothers' car for 'trips to the tip'), was a famous, but then retired top UK football manager.  He gave them them his motto! '110% teamwork'  (Thanks Ron!)

Looking at what others did.  It seemed simple.  ​Customers ask for a service. Oakland deliver it!  

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With the new motto at the heart of everything, careful consideration and some good processes the business grew.  Empathy and listening to the customer combined with sheer hard work now results in the biggest client base around.  
(All the green markers on the Google map below are where Oakland have worked over the years. 
​Most are retained as great clients whilst others have moved away etc.)

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Birmingham Audi on the Stratford Road, Solihull (at the time the largest UK Audi dealership and still in the top two) awarded Oakland their first commercial contract.  ​Listers Land Rover (also on the Stratford Road) soon followed and both have have been brilliant customers since the start.

Others came on board and our commercial clients include some large national well known household brands (e.g. Toolstation, Screwfix), multi-nationals (e.g. Gardner Denver and Kalamazoo) as well as long standing large commercial businesses that have been serviced for years.

Add estate agents, multi occupancy sites (flats and private estates) and other agents and soon the portfolio of customers spans the 'whole of market'.

​References can be provided but in simple terms they just want their sites keeping in 'tip top' condition.

Family Values

Although started by Gavin and Craig, they listened to what was being asked for.  They know what they would like so they feel they have a good feel for what clients would like!  They strive to deliver it all the time.

In time Jodi, Gavin and Craig's sister, left her regular customer service job and joined the team.  ​Jodi worked for a number of organisations in a customer service environment.  Before she left her telephone and customer handling skills were genuinely used as 'the perfect example' for many in-house training exercises.  Liaising daily with clients she carries the same ethos right to the heart of the business.

Jodi's partner and now husband Floris (a Dutch national also known as 'Grolsch'; who has been living in the UK for many years and also trained at Moreton Morrel College) then joined and has helped drive the business forward too.  Floris is the lead Tree Surgeon and orchestrates all the major tree work.

So, whilst the business has grown it still remains a true family business!

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Continued growth and diversification into outdoor and garden lighting was a natural expansion; but not one that deviates form the core ethos or shifts the focus.  

​The website 12vgardenlights.com  is a nationally based outdoor and garden lighting business.  With services offered from design, consultancy, products and installation if required the business is one of the strongest in the UK offering the complete range of services.

With world class suppliers from Europe,  Oakland provide the widest range, largest selection and best safe low voltage products in the marketplace.

​Offering a fully fledged lighting design and national installation capability is now part of the service offering.
 
Outperforming the well known  'DIY superstores' the products are truly the best around with guarantees ranging from 3 to 5 years.  

Ran by their good friend, and a Westminster University trained architect, James Parnham the notion of providing a true client service became an easy fit.

Visit Our National Lighting Store

Consequently the Oakland customer base now has a tremendous list of domestic and blue-chip commercial clients in the region as well as clientele from around the UK.  ​Every one has personal contact or access to Gavin, Craig, Jodi, Floris or James.  ​​

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Trust

Trust from domestic clients, including 'key holding responsibility' or 'gated entrance codes' is normal.  Working 'behind the scenes' for clients looking after their elderly parents or for their commercial clients is typical.  

Making sure properties look consistently sharp in case of a random commercial 'brand audit' or to regularly create the impression that the commercial organisation cares about it's own appearance is just part of the normal day to day work.  

The elderly can get fractious, routine-bound, forgetful and suffer problems with dementia or physical restrictions.  Whether an aged and/or widowed pensioner we can help.

​Oakland make the choice simple   Take the noise out of maintenance.  Everyone of the elderly clients speak well of Oakland.  

For the commercial sector, the 'bosses' don't have to worry. Neither do the aged and/or widowed pensioner.

We realise that not everyone can be satisfied.  Sometimes we fail.  But we try really hard and the overriding mantra is 'respond to what the customer wants!'
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Our businesses are built on the principles of fair and competitive pricing and providing a reliable and caring service with a quality outcome.  

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EVERYTHING YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GROUP!

We

• carry Public Liability Insurance of £2m.
• were a vetted member of the Solihull Council Trading Standards ‘Shipshape’ scheme’ before it was released by the Council to a commercial organisation (and after being vetted carry out work for one of the former Trading Standards officers and the former Mayor of Solihull)
• never 'cold-call' and rely upon good reputation. 

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