LOVE LOCAL
A cup of tea with… Edward Burgess, owner of The Burgess Group, talks close-knit working relationships, design-led projects and expecting the unexpected
CE: What role do your showrooms play in achieving this? EB: Most of our customers really appreciate our physical showrooms, where they can see our ranges up close. With such a bespoke product offering, it’s invaluable to be able to explore the many options, finishes and styles in person. I also believe that having a local, visible presence gives potential customers more confidence in us. CE: Are a lot more people now favouring these kinds of design-led windows and doors? EB: Yes, without a doubt. We were early adopters – more than 20 years ago – of high-performance timber and aluminium ranges, and that decision has really paid off. More and more homeowners are now choosing higher-end, design-led products, and often prefer to phase their projects in over several years to get a better result, rather than opting for cheaper, lower- performing alternatives.
Cambridge Edition: It’s almost 30 years since you founded The Burgess Group – how do you feel now looking back on it? Edward Burgess: I’m very proud of how far we’ve come – and I try to remember the fun times more than the stressful ones! The experience of running a business for so long has been invaluable in helping me make decisions about our future growth. Never resting on my laurels, I’m constantly reading and learning about how I can be a better leader and ensure a bright future for my amazing team. CE: I understand relationships are at the core of what you do – how so? EB: Absolutely. In any small business, teamwork is everything. Over time, I’ve learned to let go of some of the control and empower my team to make more decisions and use their initiative. We’re fortunate to have a very tight-knit group with a singular, shared goal: creating more and more happy customers through our work.
CE: Which recent project stands out above all the others in your mind? EB: That’s a tricky one, because I genuinely love so many of them! In fact, in a bit of a Bruce Forsyth fashion, on our Throwback Thursday social media posts I often call the featured project ‘one of my favourites’… and I’ve been saying that for years. So far, no one has picked me up on the fact that I seem to favour every single project! CE: In true Through the Keyhole style, can you often tell ‘who lives in a house like this’ by looking at their door? EB: Actually, no – I learned very young never to prejudge. It’s often surprising how adventurous customers can be when you least expect it. We recently installed a bright-pink door for one of our older customers – she said she’d always wanted one, but that it had taken her eight decades to work up the confidence to choose it!
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CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK AUGUST 2025 75
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