A Luton family business that has been in town for nearly 150 years reflects on its history.

A Luton family business that has been in town for nearly 150 years reflects on its history.

For this year’s Family Business Week, a Luton family-run business is honoring generations of hard workers.

Family Business Week (November 20-24) honors family businesses and the positive impact they have on their communities.

The Neville Trust group of companies has been in operation for nearly 150 years and is now led by the Neville family’s fifth generation.

T&E Neville was founded in 1875 by brothers Thomas and Edward. In Luton, the brothers worked as builders, joiners, and coffin makers. By 1881, the company had acquired a yard behind its Castle Street location and hired its first apprentice, Arthur Cawdell.

Third-generation Bernard joined the company in 1932 and was in charge of spearheading the push into industrial construction. His sons Michael and Peter were in charge of the company’s relocation to Leagrave.

“Part of our legacy is our commitment to recruiting, training, and upskilling apprentices within the business,” the family said. T&E Neville hired its first apprentice in 1881, and our commitment to vocational training for young people continues to this day.

“Growing up in a family business, it’s clear that the influence of Thomas and Edward Neville is still ever-present within the company six generations on.”

“My apprenticeship offers the best of both worlds,” said apprentice James Trumper, who is the sixth generation of the Neville family. A lecture hall environment for academic learning at Westminster University, in addition to the practical classroom of my everyday workplace.”

Apprenticeships, according to James, can be a productive and cost-effective way to expand or upskill a workforce.

He went on to say: “It provides a solution to short-term and long-term skills shortages – with a cohort of home-grown talent and a new generation of young and aspiring employees who are informed about the training and development options open to them and willing to access them.”

“Our advice to Future Leaders who aspire to start their own family business would be to put this same care and attention into your workforce,” the Neville family said. After all, they are without a doubt your most valuable and dependable asset.”