Phil Lester - Director

A qualified design engineer he designed the very first CCTV for aircraft in the late 1980's. He later worked as an engineering consultant for the MOD and others. Wishing to continue learning he was given the opportunity to renovate two houses which lead to his love of wood and joinery. Largely self taught, with a family history of woodwork and cabinet making, he turned his hand to building houses and passed exams to be NHBC registered. After 5 years as a Metropolitan Police Officer (a job he dreamed of doing when he was a child) he returned to building but from his Joinery workshop in Surrey (where he undertook work for clients including Yves St Laurent) he gradually undertook more bespoke joinery and less building work. Moving to bigger premises in Wiltshire, he formed WJ in 2004.

Debby Lester - Company Secretary

A qualified PA worked in central London before joining the Metropolitan Police for 16years. Having met Phil, she undertook the running of their business at that time in Surrey and helped create WJ when moving to Wiltshire in 2004. Using her design skills she also runs Space Design (a side business attached to WJ) a successful local interior space design company which gives advice and fantastic ideas about utilising the space people have in their homes. Getting most of her work through verbal recommendations and with her experience of working in homes in London, Surrey, Kent and Wiltshire as well as utilising Phil's building acumen, she offers an invaluable service to clients helping them make important decisions about what they want, before starting any lengthy and expensive process. With two small children she still finds time to complete most of the admin, book keeping and day to day running of WJ which is where you will find her Monday to Friday.

Andy Fletcher - Manager

A wood machinist by trade with 24 years experience, Andy is our work shop manager. With vast experience of working with wood, he was a leading hand in the manufacture of the Hogwarts (Harry Potter) refectory tables and was also involved in projects such the manufacturing of Terence Conran's range of furniture, and the interior fit out of the Swiss Rea Building in London, lovingly known as The Gherkin.