Brookeswood and Our Routes – Q&A with Neil, Founder of Brookeswood

Here we talk to our Founder, Neil Brookes. Neil started his joinery journey while he was still at school, aged 14. He’s come from making coffins for the local undertaker to creating luxury bespoke staircases, windows and doors.

Neil tells us about the history of Brookeswood, his career so far and his hopes for the future.

What first made you want to become a joiner?

I knew from an early age that this was what I wanted to do. My grandad was a farmer, and he was incredibly handy; he was always building things, and I loved helping him after school. Later, I found out my other grandad, whom I didn’t meet until much later in life, was also a joiner. So, it turns out it was in my blood.

Can you remember the first piece you ever built?

At 14, I got an after-school job with Sigleys, the local funeral directors, making coffins. I worked there every day after school, as well as weekends and holidays. At 16, they offered me a full-time role, but I left because I couldn’t go to college. I knew then I wanted to build a career, and for that, I needed to officially learn the tricks of the trade.

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor in the industry?

I went to college on my own initiative to formally study joinery and begin an indentured apprenticeship. I was out in all weathers, learning everything I could. By 19, I was self-employed, and that was largely thanks to the support I had from my college tutor and boss.

My college head of department, Don Smith, really inspired me, and my boss at the time always recommended me to others when they needed help with projects. That early encouragement made a huge difference and set me on the path to self-employment.

Why did you launch Brookeswood?

I learned a lot from my mentors and work experience, but ultimately, I wanted to build something that was my own. Setting up Brookeswood gave me the opportunity to take everything I’d learned and build it into something special.

What was the biggest challenge when starting Brookeswood?

I’ve always been passionate about the craft and the service we provide, but starting a business requires much more than that. You need to understand every aspect of running a company, especially once you begin employing people. That’s been the steepest learning curve by far, and it’s something I continue to learn from every day.

What’s been your favourite project to work on so far?

We designed, crafted, and installed a completely bespoke his-and-hers staircase that I’ll never forget. It was beautifully made and a joy to work on. But honestly, I also really enjoy the day-to-day work we do on windows and doors. Every job is satisfying in its own way, especially once the customers see the end result.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?

It’s important to know how to work with people, how to lead them and bring out the best in them. As a business owner, you also need to understand every element of running a company: From sales, marketing and, HR to relevant laws, financials, and regulations. Also, how to work with the most discerning customers who have a very keen eye for detail. It’s all part of the job.

What’s your proudest career moment?

Building Brookeswood into a family-run business is something I’m incredibly proud of, and to have my wife and son work alongside me as fellow directors means a lot.

If you could be remembered for one thing in your career, what would it be?

That we never compromised on quality. That everything we produced was built with care, precision, and pride.

If you hadn’t founded Brookeswood, what do you think you’d be doing?

I was born on a farm, so maybe I’d have become a farmer. Then again, I do like leading from the front, so perhaps a police officer!

What’s your favourite part of the manufacturing process?

I enjoy overseeing the full process, being able to step back and see it all come together. That shift from hands-on work to overviewing has been a rewarding one.

What makes Brookeswood stand out from the competition?

We’re not the cheapest, but we absolutely deliver value for money. From design and craftsmanship to installation, we offer the highest standards in the industry.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in a joinery career, aspiring to be a craftsman?

Have the dream and take small steps to work towards it. Take every opportunity for work experience and learn from the people around you who are already working in the industry.

What’s next for Brookeswood?

As technology evolves, I want us to stay ahead of the curve, with the latest machinery and innovations to keep pushing the business forward, without compromising on our attention to detail, craftsmanship and that personal touch, which makes us unique.