Over 100 Years of Building with Purpose
Since 1923, Heb Group has evolved from a local Sheffield based electrical contractor into a national provider of integrated building services. Our journey is one of ambition, adaptability, and continuous improvement, shaped by the people who’ve built our reputation and the clients who’ve trusted us for generations.
Across every decade, we’ve expanded our capabilities, opened new regions, and invested in future-focused technologies. Today, Heb Group is proud to deliver industry leading Mechanical & Electrical services, Facilities Management, and Cleaning & Hygiene solutions to organisations across the UK.
A Century of Progress
1923
Horace Edward Barnes establishes H.E. Barnes as a specialist electrical contractor. From a modest start, the business earns a reputation for quality workmanship and dependable service across South Yorkshire’s industrial and commercial sectors.
1960s
The company is awarded electrical installation works for one of Europe’s largest rolling mills at Ponderosa, cementing its reputation as a trusted partner for complex, high-capacity engineering projects.
1970s–2000s
Building on its success in electrical contracting, H.E. Barnes gradually expands into mechanical installations, offering HVAC, plumbing, and full M&E services to a growing client base. Long-term relationships are built with local authorities, healthcare estates, and the education sector.
2012
The Barnes family transfers majority ownership to international investor Neil Bennett. Nigel Pollard joins the company with a clear mission: drive commercial growth and establish a fully integrated M&E service offering. The leadership team begins reshaping the company for national delivery.
2013
Paul Dobson is appointed to support the expansion of the M&E division, bringing a focus on operational excellence and large-scale project coordination.
2016
Nigel Pollard becomes Group Managing Director, overseeing strategic growth across Yorkshire and the Northwest. The business begins investing in new regional hubs and broadens its client portfolio to include national contractors and multi-site operators.
2019
The company acquires leading commercial cleaning specialists Solutions 4 Cleaning, forming the foundation of Heb Group’s Cleaning & Hygiene division. This move allows the Group to offer clients a truly end-to-end building services model.
2022
Nick Barker joins as Group FM Director, tasked with developing a full-scale hard and soft Facilities Management offer, including planned maintenance, compliance testing, building fabric support, and CAFM-driven service delivery.
2023
Heb Group marks its centenary year, recognising 100 years of family values, engineering expertise, and trusted service. As part of the milestone, the business reflects on its legacy while preparing for its next chapter of innovation and sustainable growth.
2024
The Group rebrands as Heb, uniting its divisions under one identity. New offices are opened in Leeds and St Helens to support growth in the Northwest and Yorkshire regions. A renewed focus is placed on decarbonisation, digital compliance, and high-performance building environments.
Shaped by Innovation, Powered by People
Our ability to adapt and evolve has been central to Heb Group’s success.
While many legacy businesses remain tied to tradition, we’ve consistently embraced change to stay ahead of client needs and industry demands. From the early adoption of mechanical services in the 1970s to today’s investment in integrated technology platforms, we’ve expanded not just what we offer, but how we deliver it.
We understand that our clients’ needs are always shifting. That’s why we’ve introduced smart compliance systems, invested in Building Management System (BMS) optimisation, and rolled out digital job tracking through our CAFM software. These innovations don’t just make our services more efficient, they give clients real-time visibility, greater peace of mind, and full confidence in how their buildings are being managed.
But innovation isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. We bring in sector-leading expertise across Mechanical & Electrical engineering, FM delivery, and commercial cleaning to make sure we’re continually improving. By combining decades of experience with a mindset of continual learning, we remain one of the most progressive and responsive building services providers in the UK.
A Legacy Built on Service and Standards
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Over the years, our approach to service delivery has evolved, but our standards have stayed high.
We’ve always believed that trust, reliability, and doing things properly are what set long-term businesses apart. From the earliest electrical installations in Sheffield to today’s multi-site FM contracts, our focus has always been on quality, safety, and accountability.
That legacy of care has been formalised in our people-first values and our zero-harm culture. Whether we’re carrying out statutory testing, overseeing a reactive maintenance call-out, or deep cleaning a healthcare site, we do it with the same care and attention to detail. Clients trust us because we operate with transparency, communicate clearly, and take full ownership of the work we do.
What makes this legacy stronger is that it’s lived, not just written down. Many of our team members have been with Heb for years, even decades, helping carry forward that culture of consistency and integrity. They are the reason our standards don’t just exist in policy, they show up on site, in meetings, and in every contract we deliver.
Looking Ahead: Building for the Next 100 Years
As we look to the future, Heb Group remains committed to helping organisations meet new challenges in the built environment, from sustainability and decarbonisation to digital compliance and occupant wellbeing.
Our M&E division is actively working on low-carbon design, heat pump installations, and renewable energy systems that help clients move towards net-zero goals.
In Facilities Management, we’re improving how buildings are maintained through proactive asset tracking, predictive maintenance schedules, and faster service response across multiple sectors. In Cleaning & Hygiene, we continue to raise the bar on health, safety, and presentation, with smarter supply chains, enhanced infection control, and flexible support for public and private sector environments.
Our future isn’t about doing more for the sake of it. It’s about doing what matters, with care, with purpose, and with people at the heart of it. Whether we’re supporting a new school, a regional hospital trust, or a major commercial site, we’ll keep building on what we’ve learned to deliver safer, cleaner, and more efficient environments every day.
Get in Touch with Heb
Whether you’ve got a question about a service, a project, or an urgent job, we’ll make sure your enquiry reaches the right team fast. We're here to help, no matter the size or scope.
View our latest news
Hull Community Diagnostic Centre Now Complete: Heb M&E Delivers on Critical NHS Project
Heb Mechanical & Electrical has completed the full M&E delivery for Hull’s new Community Diagnostic Centre, a key part of the NHS’s strategy to improve access to early-stage diagnosis. Working alongside Vinci Construction and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the team provided a full turnkey solution covering HTM-compliant design, installation, and commissioning. Read how the project came together and what it means for healthcare delivery in Hull.
Emergency Lighting Compliance in the UK: Why It Matters More Than You Think
This in depth article explores the importance of emergency lighting compliance across UK buildings. It outlines legal obligations under BS 5266-1 and the Fire Safety Order, highlights common compliance failures, and explains how Heb FM delivers nationwide testing, maintenance, and system upgrades. With sector-specific insights for schools, gyms and offices, it offers actionable guidance for facilities managers preparing for summer audits and beyond.
Heb Cleaning & Hygiene + Security Begins Work at NEPSEC, Wakefield
Heb Cleaning & Hygiene + Security has begun a new contract at NEPSEC, Wakefield, the NHS’s North of England Pathology and Screening Education Centre. Our role is to ensure the site’s specialist training environments remain clean, safe, and fully compliant, supporting healthcare professionals in a setting where attention to detail is critical. This article explores how we’ve tailored our delivery to suit a healthcare education hybrid environment, and why it matters.
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Vision and values
At Heb Group, our values define how we work, every site, every team, every day. We are a values-led business committed to creating safe, inclusive, and productive environments where people thrive. From zero harm safety standards to a one team mindset, we deliver honest, customer-focused service across construction, Facilities Management, and specialist cleaning. These aren’t just words, they’re principles we live by. Discover how our people-first culture sets us apart and drives long-term partnerships, high performance, and real impact.
Meet the Team
At Heb Group, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Across Mechanical & Electrical, Facilities Management, Cleaning & Hygiene + Security, and central support, our teams work together to deliver safe, efficient, and compliant buildings across the UK. With regionally based experts in Sheffield, Leeds, and the Northwest, we bring deep sector knowledge and practical problem-solving to every project. Explore our leadership, delivery, and support teams and see the people behind the performance.
Health and safety
Learn more about health and safety at Heb Group.