Showhome spoke with David Lambert, National Sales Manager for Public Sector (UK) and New Build (North), to discuss how Wren Contract Kitchens is meeting the demands of fast-moving sectors
Wren’s growing Contracts division is playing an increasingly important role in supporting housing delivery across the UK. From occupied refurbishments to multi-phase new build schemes, the need for reliable, compliant and consistent kitchen solutions has never been greater.
Can you tell us about your role at Wren Contract Kitchens and a brief insight into your background?
Absolutely. I look after two main areas for Wren Contracts: our Public Sector work nationally, and the New Build market across the North of England. My role is about building strong partnerships and making sure we are set up to deliver what Housing Associations, Local Authorities and developers need from us.
A lot of that comes down to good governance, clear communication and ensuring our kitchen solution genuinely supports programme delivery. At the end of the day, my aim is simple. I want to provide a reliable, compliant and high-quality offer that improves outcomes for residents and homebuyers.
I’ve spent more than two decades in sales leadership, commercial management and project delivery across the UK and Irish kitchen market, KBB and construction sectors. I’ve built my career from the ground up, progressing through trade, design-led contract work and senior national leadership roles that span public-sector frameworks, private development and high-volume delivery programmes.
Before joining Wren, I served as Sales Director at Nobilia Projects UK overseeing private development schemes across the North of England and before that at Moores Furniture Group.
When overseeing the new-build sales channel in the North, what key priorities and expectations do developers have today?
Developers want certainty. They want products that arrive on time, an installation process that keeps pace with the build programme, and consistent specification across every phase.
Speed matters, but it’s equally important to offer strong design support, value-engineering guidance and dependable aftercare. Developers want fewer supply chain issues and the reassurance of working with a stable, UK based manufacturer.
Wren’s scale and control of its supply chain give us a real advantage. Whether it’s a 20-plot scheme or a multi-phase development, we deliver the same level of consistency because our manufacturing, delivery and installation processes are integrated from the start. That is what sets us apart.
Wren delivers high-volume kitchen programmes in new-build settings. What allows you to scale consistently across multi-year contracts without compromising quality or speed?
We know planned maintenance and void works aren’t the same everywhere, so we balance local flexibility with a steady, reliable approach that works across all areas.
We’ve got high-capacity UK manufacturing, capable of producing over 3,000 kitchens each week so we can handle volume without stretching ourselves thin. A dedicated contracts division, separate from retail, with specialist installers, surveyors and project teams who focus solely on new-build schemes. And because we run a fully controlled logistics network, with timed deliveries, regional hubs and thorough quality checks, we keep everything moving smoothly.
Put together, these three strengths give us reliable output, consistent quality and real confidence in delivering programmes on time, even across long-term frameworks.
Resident satisfaction is increasingly prioritised by Housing Associations and Councils. What measures do you put in place to improve the resident experience during kitchen installs in occupied homes?
Our approach is built around respect, clear communication and minimal disruption for residents.
We ensure everyone knows what to expect through pre-start communication delivered via the appointed contractor, and we support confident decision-making with sample boards and choice sheets. Surveys are arranged with fixed appointment times, and larger programmes benefit from dedicated project management support to keep everything running smoothly. Because our units are factory-built and rigid, contractors benefit from shorter installation times, helping reduce the time we spend in residents’ homes. We work sensitively around vulnerable households, lone residents and any access challenges to make sure every interaction is handled with care.
The goal is always a smooth, well-managed resident experience from start to finish…
