Have you ever wondered what drives individuals to venture into the world of house building? We sat down with James Hagan, the Founder and Chairman of Hagan Homes, to learn more about his journey from the inception of the high-profile name to the thriving business it is today.
Curiosity and a hint of opportunity often serve as catalysts for great ventures and this is the case in the story of Hagan Homes.
James recalls, "I had a site for a house and thought I would try and get 12 apartments on it, and I did."
That initial spark of interest that land could be converted into an abundance of homes, meeting housing needs, eventually paved the way for the birth of Hagan Homes.
Starting a business requires courage and determination and James initial funding for Hagan Homes was derived from his former caravan business.
He continues: "I sold my share of Hagan Caravans to my brother and was getting by selling cars from home.”
It was during this time that James teamed up with Nigel Simpson, a Quantity Surveyor, to initiate the journey of entrepreneurship together. Their partnership marked the turning point toward creating Hagan Homes.
In 2023 Hagan Homes marked not just 35 years in business but the handover of its 5,000th home — a pretty impressive feat given the political, economic and all-encompassing planning hurdles the firm had to fight against over its lifetime.
James reflects on how he managed to keep the business not only afloat, but thriving, adding, "As they say, keeping ahead of the pack! Then we had the crash in 2008 when I genuinely believed I was heading back in time and buying a caravan to live in.”
Navigating the ever-changing landscape of the industry and surviving the economic downturn of 2008 showcased the resilience of the business and set it up for heartier years ahead.
When asked about his proudest accomplishment over the past three and a half decades, James states, "Keeping a lot of people in work and supplying first-time buyers with affordable homes,” as his ultimate triumph.
This sentiment underscores the company's commitment not only to business success but also to the well-being of its employees and the community, the latter for which it has raised over £2million through its charitable efforts.
So what does the future hold for Hagan Homes? James is confident in his team's capabilities, saying, "Onwards and upwards. I believe I have the best team of 10 people anywhere for it to last at least another 25 years."
It is this optimism that reflects a steadfast dedication to sustained growth and innovation of Hagan Homes.
