What we do

Priory is a multidiscipline building services MEP contractor providing our clients with a range of services including:

Design, Revit, CAD, BIM management, design coordination, condition surveys, feasibility and cost reports, heating systems, air conditioning, above ground drainage, sanitary ware installation, water treatment, gas services, air source heat pumps, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, ground source heat pumps, validation reports, chilled water systems, mechanical ventilation, below ground drainage, hot and cold water services, building management system, mains distribution, small power, lighting supply and installation, structured cabling, lightning and surge protection, fire systems, security systems, back-up systems, sustainability, condition surveys, process pipework, close control cooling systems, preventive planned maintenance, CHP, wine room cooling, sprinkler systems and commissioning.

Trusted, experienced, committed

We’re based in Surrey and were established back in 1973. As a family company, we believe in the power of strong relationships and excellent service. It’s something we hope you’ll notice from the moment you first deal with us.

A full service approach

Our range of services means we can work with you from project inception through to ongoing maintenance once your project is complete.

DESIGN

We’ll work alongside architects and designers to create perfectly tailored systems.

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INSTALLATION

Our skilled team of engineers and specialists will carry out your installation to the highest standard.

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MAINTENANCE

A team of specialist engineers providing planned preventative and reactive maintenance contracts at project completion.

MULTI INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS

We work in public sector, private industry and private residential properties. A wide range of sectors have trusted us with their projects including schools, laboratories, restaurants, residential, hotels and office refurbishment.

Our involvement in the prime residential sector includes some of the UK’s most expensive properties. Many of the projects in this sector have been listed buildings that require careful planning, design and meticulous attention to detail to achieve a high-end finish.

HIGH QUALITY RESIDENTIAL 50%
RESTAURANTS & BARS 10%
SCIENCE & MEDICAL CENTRES 10%
COMMERCIAL 15%
HOTELS 5%
EDUCATION 10%

MULTI INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS

We work in public sector, private industry and private residential properties. A wide range of sectors have trusted us with their projects including schools, laboratories, restaurants, residential, hotels and office refurbishment.

Our involvement in the prime residential sector includes some of the UK’s most expensive properties. Many of the projects in this sector have been listed buildings that require careful planning, design and meticulous attention to detail to achieve a high-end finish.

HIGH QUALITY RESIDENTIAL 50%
RESTAURANTS & BARS 10%
SCIENCE & MEDICAL 10%
COMMERCIAL 15%
HOTELS 5%
EDUCATION 10%

QUALITY

THROUGH & THROUGH

Our people are the face of our business and the fuel behind our success. That’s why we prioritise training and development – and we’re proud to have employees who joined us as apprentices and have progressed their way through the business.

Meet our team

QUALITY

THROUGH & THROUGH

Our people are the face of our business and the fuel behind our success. That’s why we prioritise training and development – and we’re proud to have employees who joined us as apprentices and have progressed their way through the business.

Meet our team

COMPANY POLICIES

Priory H&S Policy

Equal Opportunities & Discrimination Policy

Priory GDPR Policy

Quality Policy

Anti Bribery Policy

Current Insurances

ACCREDITATIONS

COMPANY POLICIES

ACCREDITATIONS

OUR
HISTORY

We have been engineering comfort since 1969. See how our business has developed over the years. 

OUR
HISTORY

We have been engineering comfort since 1969. See how our business has developed over the years. 

1969
1969

Brian Kennedy started work for F&H F Higgs and ran the plumbing and public health services side of this 100-year-old building company initially established in 1883.

1973
1973

Priory Mechanical Services Ltd was established in June 1973 as a plumbing & heating company in its own right. With Brian Kennedy at the helm as MD.
The name Priory originated from where it was based in Merton, Colliers Wood on the grounds of the Victorian Merton Priory; some of the Priory wall is still standing today.

1976
1976

Barry Kennedy, Brian’s son joined the business in 1976 as an apprentice plumber and Priory secured the plumbing works contract at the AELTC in Wimbledon.

1979
1979

P&R Fenton, a local plumbing company was purchased by Priory and offices bought at 99 Exeter Road, Croydon.

1980
1980

Eddie Ellis joined the firm and he continues to run our facilities management side of business today. Eddie is our longest serving employee second only to Barry!

1984
1984

Priory took on two fresh faced apprentices who are still working for Priory today. Nick Lee as Special Projects Engineer and Paul Molyneaux our Projects Director.

1985
1985

Public health works contracts were secured at Lord’s Cricket Ground for their plumbing and heating.

1994
1994

The family run company BK Limited purchase Priory from F&H F Higgs and Barry Kennedy was appointed Managing Director.

1998
1998

Prestigious mechanical and public health works contracts were secured at fifteen Asda stores across the UK over a 10 year period. Priory installed AC known as ‘Hot Spot Cooling’ and were one of a couple of mechanical contractors selected to carry out the works. Works involved the lifting of extremely large air handling units with separate condensers onto purpose made support systems on the roof.  We also carried out distribution ductwork at high level within stores that were installed with swirl diffusers. What made these projects particularly challenging was that the majority of all  works had to be carried out at night when the stores were closed!

1999
1999

Our first big brand redesign took place! With the help of a designer, Barry created the iconic swirl that appeared in our logo.

2000
2000

Initial Style appointed Priory as mechanical services contractor to carry out Steam, Bake & Grill works to ten of their most luxurious hotels across the country.

2004
2004

Priory installed the our first Biomass Boiler serving industrial units in Staples Corner. The boiler and feeder were fitted into a prefabricated packaged plant room. This then connected to underground heating pipework to serve plate heat exchangers in each unit.

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2003
2003

Priory secured their first high end residential project working for Stanhope Gate Architecture. The project in Mayfair, London was a refurbishment with Priory carrying out the mechanical and public health packages which included works to the gas and LTHW systems, air conditioning, BMS controls and high end sanitaryware fit out.

2004
2004

Sam Kennedy, Barry’s son joined the business aged 17.

2005
2005

Priory were involved with the selection of a site for a new UK based BMW training centre, to be based at Wokefield Park, Reading. The building consisted of workshops, lecture rooms, a large street and atrium area, accommodation block and offices. Priory carried out the design and installation of the mechanical and public health works.

2006
2006

Priory were awarded the mechanical services package on a high quality residential project in one of the most prestigious roads in Kensington. The principal contractor on this project was Walter Lilly prestigious in their own right as one of London’s leading contractors. We are proud to have been awarded high quality residential projects from them ever since.

2006

Priory worked with Galliford Try and the developer to secure the building for purpose made new offices for the UK Immigration Services located opposite the channel tunnel entrance in Folkstone. This design and build contract included achieving an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating. The project consisted of many sustainable services; rainwater harvesting, ammonia chiller, solar panels, sedum roof, air conditioning to server room using Care 40 refrigerant (Propane), waterless urinals and automatic water shut off service.

Priory were instrumental in the construction of the building, where a concrete frame was used, giving us a flat structural ceiling to work with, with no drop down steels! The heating and chilled water pipework was fabricated off site in 6m sections on Unistrut frames and this process allowed the programme to be reduced and the end user to take occupancy earlier than planned.

2007
2007

Priory carried out the Mechanical & Public Health works to the sliding roof on Centre Court at AELTC which was completed in time for the 2009 Championships. Priory carried out all major works for AELTC between 1976 and 2007.

2008
2008

Priory House in Whyteleafe was purchased and works were carried out to fit out as a purpose built office over three floors. The priory team moved into these premises early 2009. This gave us a large central base with considerably more space for meeting rooms, outside storage and enormous Directors’ offices!

2010
2010

Priory secured a £2.5 Million design and build contract for a 180-bedroom hotel. The epic H10 Waterloo has an unbeatable central London location on the famous Waterloo Road in South Bank. Our design and build contract comprised of a full Daikin VRV Climate Control system throughout with large commercial mechanical plant across two plant rooms.

2011
2011

Sam Kennedy was appointed to the position of Commercial Director in October 2011 and now oversees the financial and commercial functions of the business.

2012
2012

Paul Molyneaux and Peter Sponder were appointed as directors in July 2012. Paul as Projects Director overseeing the running of all Priory’s contracts and Peter as Technical Director overseeing the design part of the business.

2013
2013

Priory were awarded the design and build contract at The Serpentine Gallery, London for a renovation of the the Grade II listed building into public use for the first time in its 208-year history. The Serpentine Gallery restored the building to an excellent standard, in partnership with The Royal Parks, renovating and extending it to designs by Zaha Hadid. A light and transparent extension complements rather than competes with the neo-classical architecture of the original building.

Our Peter Sponder carried out the design for the Mechanical Services on this project. What a rewarding and fantastic one to have been a part of!

2013

Priory were awarded their first contract with top Contractor Sizebreed Construction (now Size Group London). This was the first of many times working for Size Group over the years and in this high quality residential sector of which Size Group specialise in. This project in Belgravia was a full refurbishment and Priory were awarded the mechanical and public health fit out packages.

2013

It was Priory’s 40th Anniversary in June 2013 and we had a number of exciting events to celebrate this memorable achievement. One of which being our trip to Lingfield Races in June of this year. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the longevity of Priory Mechanical and to highlight some members of staff that have been with us for almost 30 years.

We celebrated with exceptional food and drinks and even sponsored our own race “The Priory Mechanical Handicap Stakes Race” Then danced the night away…some better than others, to the excellent Abba Tribute band.

2014
2014

Works commenced on two of our most prestigious projects to date. Both Grade I Listed private residences on the famous Kensington Palace Gardens in London. Priory carried out the £1.8Million and £1.9Million Mechanical & Public Health packages for Bouygues UK  which consisted of four phases over three years. See the our case study here on one of these momentous projects.

This particular road, known as ‘Billionaires Row’ houses some exceptional residences and this particular project was reported as being the most expensive house in the world!

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2015
2015

Leading construction and interior design company, Interiors with Art awarded Priory the mechanical and public health services package for a refurbishment project in Bishops Avenue, Hampstead. The property was a 25,000 sqf (incl. basement) super prime residence.

We continue to maintain the mechanical and electrical plant today.

2015

Works began at NPL (National Physical Laboratory) in Teddington for Komfort Services– the most extensive government laboratory in the UK. Priory were awarded the contract to carry out the replacement to all mechanical and public health services in Module 12 Engineering Workshop. This also included the supply and install of the new plant. Once completed Priory were then awarded other prestigious laboratory contracts at NPL and we are still working on this site today carrying out many varied works.

2015

Priory were introduced to Welland Medical, a British Company, part of the CliniMed group of Healthcare companies. Welland specialises in the design, development and manufacture of stoma care pouches and accessories.

We were awarded the contract to provide a new mechanical ventilation system as well as modify the existing system to proportion the air into the offices in a logical and cost effective way.

Peter Sponder carried out the extensive and complicated design to this 8,000 square metre factory. This was a very successful project and Priory still carry out the ongoing PPM for these clients today.

2016
2016

Priory were appointed to carry out the Design and Build of Mechanical and Public Health services to an existing Grade II listed high end residential property located in the heart of Regents Park for EE Smith Contracts – one of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors.

2017
2017

Priory Cooling Solutions was formed, a sister company to Priory Mechanical offering a full AC design and installation package boasting Business Solution Partner Status with Mitsubishi and D1 Partner status with Daikin, the UKs leading AC Manufacturers.

2018
2018

Priory Design Solutions was the newest addition to the Priory family; offering full BIM and Revit coordination design services. We are utilising the latest technology, allowing Priory to manage a fluid in-house transition between design and installation.

2018

Priory celebrated 45 years established in June 2018. We celebrated at our annual Golf Day held at Croham Hurst Golf Club, Croydon.

2019
2019

Priory were awarded the M&E Services Packages from Cheevers Howard on a huge high quality private residence in Belgravia, London. This was Priory’s largest contract to date at £3.3Million. Priory worked alongside Environ Audio Ltd who carried out the electrical works.

Priory’s package included all new utility services and commercial plant housed in large underground plantroom. Full LTHW underfloor heating and cooling system throughout. We also installed an extensive automatic controls system which allows the plant throughout the property to be monitored and maintained remotely. Project should be completed by the end of 2020.

2020
2020

Our facilities management company Priory Environmental has grown considerably over the years. Headed up by our own Eddie Ellis who has been with Priory for 40 years this year they now handle the PPM for over one hundred different properties.

2020

Priory underwent a full brand redesign including a brand new logo and website. LXA’s expert designers were integral to starting us on our way and we are so pleased with how it has turned out!

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2021
2021

Barry Kennedy steps down as MD and will assume the position of CEO for Priory. This will be his 45th year with Priory.
Sam Kennedy will become the new Managing Director for Priory assuming full responsibility for the day to day running of the company.

2021

Priory will be launching our in-house electrical department enabling us to offer a more robust Mechanical and Electrical combined solution.

Simon Thompson, formerly Eccentricity will be bringing over his team and heading up the Electrical department. Simon will resume position as Operations Director of Priory Electrical Services and we wish him and the team all the very best in their new positions at Priory.

In recent times we have seen a higher demand for projects to be awarded on a combined M&E basis. Having worked with Simon and his team at Eccentricity for the last 5 years we couldn’t have asked for a better company to partner with in this capacity. We share similar values and look forward to working with the team in a closer environment.

“I have worked with the Priory team on many varied and successful projects both at Galliford Try and with my current Employer. Barry and Sam are hands-on and always adopt a pragmatic approach to problem solving. I would not hesitate to recommend Priory for Mechanical packages in the financial range £500k-£3m.”

Tony Wood, Commercial Director - Ellmer Construction

“Priory are and have been a valued member of our supply chain for over 5 years. When we have a super prime residential project we will always turn to Priory as a partner to deliver design and installation of building services.  Their ability to deliver M&E installations to the quality that we demand sets them apart from many others in the industry. We have enjoyed working with their teams from pre-construction through to completion and we find them both professional and dedicated at all stages of the construction process.  We feel we can always pick up the phone and have a sensible conversation. We would have no hesitation in recommending them for projects in the highest echelons of the super prime residential market.”

Chris Butler, Managing Director - Walter Lilly

“SWP ltd have worked with Priory now for over 10 years initially on two high quality private residences in Kensington and then on Fitzroy Farm a particularly demanding project in Highgate.

For both Listed and new build contemporary they have maintained the most professional and “let’s get it done” approach throughout the process.
From start to finish they engage with the correct attitude of collaborative working as part of the design and construction team making them the go to partner for co-ordinated complicated services installations and ongoing maintenance of these systems.”

Peter Dunk, Director - SWP Ltd

“I first came across Priory in 2002 whilst working on a super prime residential refurbishment project in Mayfair. I was impressed by their approach as they seemed intent on listening to the requirements of the client and the wider professional teams. We have continued to work with Priory and have completed numerous projects with them directly as well as through Main Contractors. .  Priory are always very responsive and proactive both pre and post tender and the quality of their work to be of an exceptionally high standard.  I am pleased to say that they have always maintained the same level of customer focus that initially impressed me.”

Zuber Debar, Director - Stanhope Gate Architecture