IT started in a small office over a hair and beauty salon on the outskirts of Barnsley.
Today award winning Sheffield multi-disciplinary practice CODA Studios is celebrating its 15th anniversary with the development of projects across the country worth well over £200 million.
Launched in the Barnsley village of Birdwell in 2003 by CODA chairman David Cross, the company is now based at Cornish Place in Sheffield’s historic Kelham Island industrial quarter and also has an office in Manchester.
Spilt into four divisions – CODA Architects, CODA Planning, CODA Structures and CODA bespoke – the company employs a workforce of 27.
And as the company marked its 15th birthday, there was extra cause for celebration as one of CODA Bespoke’s most ambitious projects – the hugely acclaimed Corn Yard in Sheffield – was featured on long-running Channel 4 hit Grand Designs.
“To see a CODA Bespoke project receiving so much attention was probably the best birthday gift we could have received,” said David.
“It justifies all the years of hard work and dedication that the whole team puts into making every area of CODA a success.
“The business has come such a long way from those early days in a small office in Birdwell and it has survived the tough challenge of a recession to emerge strong and focused.
“In that time we have bought two other practices and we recently bought out our old share holders, placing us in an even stronger position as we move into a future of further development.
“I would say we have grown up to be one of the most successful and well known firms in South Yorkshire, with some great leadership from Managing Director Matt Bowker.
“But equally importantly, we have developed the brand into four key areas of specific expertise, while our office in Manchester, is giving us a major presence throughout the north.
“Every day is an exciting new day for CODA and we have a fantastic team – young, dynamic and full of enthusiasm for every project we undertake.
“I am particularly proud that talents like Abel Hinchliffe, who was just 16 when he came to us on work experience, and Jamie Hanson, who was 18 when he first worked with us, have now both reached shareholder level as Associate Directors.
“At the same time, we also have extremely experienced team members like Associate Director Paul Hind, who has more than 30 years working in all construction design stages.
“And with Adam Murray heading the influential CODA Planning team, we have a strong lineup to take us into this exciting new era in our growth.”
David added that he was particularly pleased that CODA had maintained its policy of employing local graduates wherever possible as well as working with local apprentices.
“Even though CODA is now a company working throughout the country, we remain fiercely proud of our South Yokshire roots,” he said.
“This is where we started and this is still very much at the heart of everything we do, a Sheffield brand that is always keen to promote the best of Sheffield at a national level.
“The fact that CODA currently has projects worth up to £250 million on the order books justifies that faith.”
