From humble beginnings
Our founder Robert Collard has worked in and around waste and haulage since he was a boy, growing up on his fathers’ farm and working with him full time in his waste business.
In his early 20s Robert broke out on his own as a mobile truck mechanic, servicing lorries and farm equipment. In time, Robert was in a position to purchase his own small truck and a JCB 3C digger and spent time as an owner/driver, including providing haulage and plant services for the likes of Costain, building the M3 motorway. In 1994 he established R Collard Ltd as a sole trader business focusing primarily on demolition.
Since then the company has grown and diversified into one of the largest privately owned national demolition contractors and waste management businesses in the south. With over 400 employees we turn over more than £60m.
Our services include demolition, asbestos removal, remediation, earthworks, waste management, recycling, virgin and recycled aggregates as well as an award-winning ready mix concrete made using recycled aggregates.
The company has the capacity to process over a million tonnes of waste at nine recycling centres across five counties (Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire), and offers demolition services nationwide.
Four Generations: a timeline of success
Post Second World War
Frederick Collard, Robert’s granddad, starts food waste collection business
1970s
Robert’s dad, Michael, operates landfill site on the farm in Eversley. Robert, just a boy, works daily with his dad
Early 1980s
Michael Collard starts waste collection business – M Collard Ltd
1992
Robert becomes sole trader (RJC Services) providing mobile plant repairs
1994
Robert establishes R Collard Ltd and buys first lorry and digger, both second hand. Completes first major demolition job – client: Bloor Homes
2000
Wins first £1M demolition project: The Sun Printing Works at Watford
2002/03
Buys first waste plant and enters skip hire market
2010
R Collard joins the National Federation of Demolition Contractors
2014/15
Multi-million pound investment in waste shed, MRF and aggregate wash plant
2016
Major acquisition: purchase of M Collard Ltd
2017
Robert Collard appointed Chair of NFDC (London and Southern Counties)
2018
Wins Demolition Contract of the Year at British Demolition Awards
2019
Major acquisition: purchase of Raymond Brown Waste Solutions
BSI Kitemark for ready mix concrete / state-of-the-art concrete plant
2020
Collard Group established with four new operating divisions: Contracting, Environmental, Aggregates, Ready Mix Concrete
2021
Double win at National Recycling Awards
FORS Gold Standard
2022
Collard Group acquires asbestos management company - Amiante STR Ltd
