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Getting to know Simon Walker of Strata Insulated Renders Ltd A cup of tea with…
Cambridge Edition: First question, what’s your brew of choice for the working day? Simon Walker: For me, it’s all about a strong, white coffee – no frills, no fuss, just a reliable kick of caffeine with a splash of milk to take the edge off. It’s a brew that sets the tone: making me focused, energised and ready to tackle whatever the day throws at me. CE: What different kinds of projects could we find you working on during a typical week? SW: No two weeks are the same at Strata, but there’s a rhythm to it. Most days, we’re juggling live installs, site visits and planning sessions, all centred around external wall insulation and render. Typically, we’re working on retrofit projects, upgrading homes and making sure everything’s compliant and up to spec; fitting high- performance systems with guarantees and accreditations to everything from single homes to big blocks of flats; and assessing older installs, fixing issues and bringing things back up to standard. CE: When did the business begin, and how has it grown since then? SW: Strata kicked off in 2019 with a clear focus: to deliver external wall insulation properly, with no shortcuts and no compromise on quality. We started small – just a handful of trusted installers and a tight-knit team – but we knew that the sector needed more transparency, better standards and a bit of pride back in the work. Five years on, and we’ve grown into a well-respected name in the retrofit space. We’re delivering government-funded projects throughout the region, working with housing providers, private clients
Insulation is part of a wider strategy for a building’s thermal performance
CE: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give about home insulation? SW: Treat insulation not as a stand-alone upgrade but as part of a wider strategy for a building’s thermal performance, thinking about the property’s needs, the occupants’ lifestyle and the home’s long-term value. At Strata, we advise clients to start with a whole-home assessment, to understand how heat moves through the property and where it escapes. Then it’s about choosing the right system for the building type, balancing insulation and ventilation needs and thinking beyond compliance. It’s about not just meeting but exceeding building regulations to future-proof against rising energy costs and climate demands. CE: What aspect of your work gives you the most satisfaction? SW: Seeing things done properly, from the first site visit to the final sign-off. There’s real satisfaction in knowing we’ve delivered something that’s not just compliant, but genuinely high-quality and built to last. But the biggest reward? Restoring trust. When residents feel reassured, when clients come back to us because they know we’ll get it right, when our name stands for something solid – that’s what makes it all feel worthwhile.
and local authorities. We’ve built strong partnerships, earned key accreditations such as SWIGA and TrustMark, and have developed a reputation for doing things right, even when that means stepping in to fix legacy installs or guide clients through compliance. It’s been steady, deliberate growth – and we’re still only just getting started. CE: What’s the most common issue you encounter? SW: Without a doubt, it’s condensation and moisture build-up, especially in properties where insulation has been previously installed without adequate ventilation planning.
KEEPING WARM Strata tailors insulation to the unique needs of a property and its occupants
strata-insulatedrenders.com
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK DECEMBER 2025 89
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