Meet the Team
Stuart O'Brien
H & OB Building Director
Stuart is the founder and director of H & OB Building. Stuart’s role is to provide quotes manage building projects, and oversee staff development.
From a young age, Stuart has been business-minded, running a plastering, painting and decorating business before expanding into building.
He grew up in Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, and graduated from College with Levels 1, 2, and 3. He further developed his skill set by learning from other tradespeople.
He has over 28 years of experience in the building profession. Stuart enjoys watching football, playing golf, and making memories with his family.
Michele O’Brien
H & OB Building General Manager
Michele has worked for H & OB Building since it started and has 24 years experience in admin and finance.
Michele does all aspects of finance, marketing, and the day-to-day running of the business. What she enjoys most about her position is that no day is the same, and she is always learning new skills and helping to improve business processes.
In her spare time, she likes to spend time with Stuart, their two children, her family and friends, making memories and going on holidays.
Stephanie Osborne
Office Manager
Stephanie has worked with H & OB Building since January 2021.
Before joining H&OB Building, Steph worked in London as an Office Manager for an architect. Once she had children, she moved to Witney and stayed at home to raise her four children, returning to work once all her children were older.
Steph is a vital member of the team. She manages Stuart’s diary and all office admin and is the first point of contact.
In her spare time, she enjoys keeping fit and spending time with her family.
Rob Hipkin
Project Manager
Rob has worked for Stuart since the very beginning of his career in the trade; gaining skills in plastering and general building.
Rob manages projects within the business, which allows him to show off his exceptional organisational skills.
Rob enjoys spending his spare time with his wife and son, and is currently using his building skills to renovate their home.
Josh Davis
Approved General Builder
When Josh left school, he started working at Frilford Health Golf Club, helping to run the club under the golf club professional. In 2019, he decided he needed a career change and joined the H & OB Building team.
Josh started as a tipper driver and soon moved on to learning all aspects of the building trade; he wants to grow his knowledge in all building trade areas and has started by taking courses in roofing.
With his long-term girlfriend, Josh has bought his first home and is spending his free time using his skills to improve it.
Jordan Thewlis
Groundworker and Bricklayer
Jordan started with H & OB Building as an apprentice bricklayer when he was 16. Over the years, he has shown great interest in the groundwork aspect of the job and has taken an active role in this part of the projects.
He likes spending his spare time with his girlfriend.
Zach Osborne
Ground Worker
Zach started working with H & OB Building in March of 2022 and has worked in the building trade since he left school. He is enthusiastic about learning new trades and expanding his general building knowledge – Zach has picked up excellent bricklaying skills since joining us.
He loves going to the gym when he has time off.
Harry Dudley
Ground Worker
Harry started working with H & OB in January 2024. His favourite part of the job is that it’s different every day, and he constantly learns new things.
In his spare time, Harry likes boxing and spending time with his kids.
Ryan Davis
General Builder
Ryan has worked in the building industry for 27 years and joined H & OB Building in January 2022.
He can do projects from beginning to end and is especially good at kitchen fitting and tiling. He enjoys not having to do the same thing daily and seeing the job from start to finish.
Steve Galbraith
Carpenter
Steve is a fully trained carpenter who has worked in the carpentry trade all his working life. He enjoys every aspect of his job.
When he can, he likes horse racing and spending time with friends and family.
Jack Ray
Plumber
Jack has worked with Stuart at H & OB Plumbing and Heating for the last 18 months and runs all aspects of the plumbing business. Jack has been in the trade since leaving school.
Jack loves creating new bathrooms for clients. He also has general building knowledge and a great eye for detail.
Jack likes to watch football and spend time with his son in his spare time.
Finley Halcrow
Apprentice Plumber
Finley has worked for H & OB Plumbing & Heating since 2022, the same year he started his apprenticeship.
He is quick and eager to learn and is more than willing to help the building side out when needed.
Finley likes to spend his weekends playing football and going out with friends.
Luke Hessey
Painter and Decorator
Luke has over ten years of experience working in the trade, with seven of those years spent at H & OB Building.
The most rewarding part of the job for Luke is observing the transformation of a room before and after he has finished decorating.
He spends his weekends with his wife and daughters, and enjoys watching football.
Training and Investment in Our Staff at H & OB Building
At H & OB Building, we invest a lot into our staff; Stuart worked hard for other companies before he became self-employed and created H & OB Building. His experience has given him empathy – he treats the workforce how he would like to be treated.
All staff working for the firm are encouraged to reach their full potential in their chosen trade. We have successfully had an apprenticeship program running for the last six years. We realise the importance of encouraging more individuals to join the construction profession and are therefore keen to take on regular apprentices.
Many team members from H & OB Building are offered further training to advance their skills in several areas, such as:
- CSCS health and safety tests.
- Fork lift driving courses.
- Site supervising courses.
- Bricklaying, plastering and carpentry NVQs.