Our Story
We’re dedicated to continual improvement, ensuring a high class service to all our customers and meeting their ever-changing needs.
Our family business has evolved over three generations since it’s inception in 1971 by our founder, Roy Fox. We’re now a national business with locations throughout the UK and operations worldwide.
Whilst our history is very important to us, our future plans are vital to our continued success and growth. We aim to deliver the premium service that our customers deserve.
Our history
-
1920s
Roy Fox’s uncle, Cecil, opens a furniture removals business in Newport, which he later sells to Pickfords. Cecil encourages his son, Tony, and nephew, Roy, to pursue careers as trainee managers with Pickfords.
-
1969
Roy eventually leaves Pickfords, firstly joining Boardmans of London and then arriving in Bristol to be the international manager for Lalonde.
-
1971
Roy buys J.G. Stephens of Griffithstown, run from a terraced house and an ageing fleet of pantechnicons).
-
1971
Roy changes the name from Stephens to Fox the Mover and adopts the striking black and amber colours of Newport. His first rebranded lorry is a 1967 Bedford TK.
-
1974
Roy secures a distribution contract with the new Pilkington Insulation factory to complement his business and encourage rapid growth.
-
1977
The business relocates to a small container store built next to the family home in Cwmbran, Paul Fox joins his dad as a porter at the age of 16. He progresses to driving vans and HGVs before eventually being brought into the management side of the business.
-
1979
Cwmbran is a new town being developed by the Cwmbran Development Corporation. They are keen to support business and agree to purchase the small warehouse and family home. A nearby site is found and building commences on Somerset Road.
-
1979
Roy develops a 10,000 sq.ft warehouse together with offices, a commercial garage and yard for the twelve-strong fleet of Bedford pantechnicons. It’s one of the best facilities in the country.
-
1981
Fox acquires William Flay Removals of Cardiff. Paul manages the two-van business, operating from a terraced house in Whitchurch, Cardiff.
-
1982
Together with a handful of other business owners, Roy conceives the idea of a cooperative of family-owned removals businesses forming a nationwide network. Britannia Movers is established with Roy becoming its first chairman. The yellow vans are changed to red, white and blue.
-
1984
Roy is invited to become president of the British Association of Removers (B.A.R.). This, together with other business interests, takes him away from Fox. Paul returns from Cardiff to take on the Cwmbran operation.
-
1986
Fox merge the business with Britannia colleagues from the West Midlands and Lincolnshire, acquiring The Pantechnicon of London. Together they form a national multi-branch business, eventually growing to 11 depots.
-
1987
Fox parts on amicable terms with Britannia Movers.. The vans are changed to green with all original local trading names (such as Fox) placed under The Pantechnicon Group umbrella.
-
1989
The William Flay name is dropped in Cardiff and Fox build a new warehouse complex on a prestigious new site in Llanishen.
-
1995
Roy Fox retires, maintaining his shareholding and his interest in the wellbeing of the company. Paul Fox is appointed Group Managing Director working with co-owner Michael Banks as Chairman
-
2000
The company returns to Fox family ownership after co-director, Mike Banks, retires and sells his 50% of the shares back to them. Fox has 11 depots at this stage including Dennings Of Newport, acquired in 1992. Stephen Denning stayed on to become a director at Fox.
-
2004
Paul Fox takes a leading role in the activities of the B.A.R. He’s invited to become its president 20 years after Roy.
-
2008
Paul’s son, Dan, joins Fox after finishing university. This makes him the third generation to work in the company and he’s tasked with developing the self- storage business in Cardiff.
-
2011
The company opens in Roy Fox’s home town of Newport and they hold a special celebration to mark 40 years in business.
-
2012
Continued growth sees Fox purchase a depot in Southampton from the US giant Atlas Van Lines, becoming their UK agent.
-
2013
Fox relocates their depot to a nearby freehold building, fitted out to their specific requirements. This includes a multi-floor self storage facility in Totton, Southampton.
-
2013
Fox has operated in Bristol since 2000, but the company’s ambition to own all of their properties leads to the acquisition of a freehold property in St Phillips. Fox Self Storage is further developed at the site.
-
2016
After finally purchasing a vacant site next to their premises, Fox builds a new 7,000 square foot warehouse plus offices annexed to their existing building. This becomes the new group head office.
-
2016
Paul’s other son, Mike, joins the team and later is appointed branch manager in Cwmbran, replacing Dan Fox who becomes director and manager of the specialist departments.
-
2018
The Stourbridge depot is purchased from the landlord. It is fully refurbished and a new self storage facility is incorporated.
-
2020
Chudley’s in Somerset is acquired by the Fox Group. Mark Chudley continues to manage the business and is appointed BAR President in 2021.
-
2021
Fox celebrate 50 years—a premium DAF XF road train is commissioned complete with gold signage to mark the anniversary.
-
2022
Groundwork gets underway on a new build in Taunton. The building will accommodate Chudley’s international business, Fox Self Storage and Fox Moving & Storage.
Our people
The Fox team plays a vital role in providing a service that we’re incredibly proud of. We’ve worked hard to build a business that maintains family values at its core. This, along with our strong focus on team building, means our customers are assured of the best possible care and experience.
Paul Fox
Dan Fox
Mike Fox
Lee Elward
Alan Bellringer
Accreditations
BS EN 12522 (Bristol and Cwmbran)
BS EN 12522 relates only to domestic removals of personal possessions (as opposed to commercial moves) covering quality measures across all aspects of the service provided.
FHIO
FAIM Plus (Head Office)
The primary objective of FAIM is to provide a worldwide high-quality standard for international moving and relocation services. To date, the FAIM Quality Certification is the world’s only recognized quality certification for professional international moving and relocation companies.
The Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman
We adhere to the British Association of Removers Alternate Dispute Resolution Scheme which is independently operated by the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman. The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman, is an independent, not-for-profit, government-approved organisation set up to help resolve disputes and raise standards. Our highly-trained…
BS 8522
BS 8522 is intended to establish a minimum level of service and performance in organisations dealing with the moving of office or business equipment, furniture and goods as a service to commercial entities.
Self Storage Association
There is a European Standard for self storage that specifies minimum conditions for security and customer protection. All Self Storage Association UK (SSA UK) members must meet this standard to maintain their membership. So the best way to check your self storage provider meets the European…
ISO 9001 (Head Office)
ISO 9001 – Quality Management System. This standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. Using ISO 9001 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good-quality products…
ISO 14001 (Head Office)
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management. An internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders.
ISO 27001 (Head Office)
ISO 27001 – Information Security Management. IT security, cybersecurity and privacy protection are vital for companies and organisations today. The ISO 27000 family of standards keeps them safe. ISO 27001 is is the world’s best-known standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and their requirements. It…
FIDI
FIDI is the The Federation of International Movers. FIDI is the largest global alliance of professional international moving and relocation companies and consists of over 600 affiliates in more than 100 countries spanning the globe. FIDI companies deliver comprehensive global mobility services to families, individuals and…
Atlas
Atlas International are part of the Giant US, Atlas Van Lines, spanning every State. Fox are proud to have a long association with Atlas and serve as their UK Agent.
Safe Contractor
As an accredited SafeContractor all of Fox Group (Moving and Storage) Ltd’s procedures, policies, training and insurances have been rigorously audited. Therefore providing piece of mind to all of our clients that they are employing a company who not only deems safety of paramount importance to…
Advanced Payment Guarantee – Worldwide
BAR Members undertaking large numbers of overseas removals offer an Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme so that any prepayments of cash, debit card or BACS are protected.
Advanced Payment Guarantee – UK
All BAR Members offer and Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme so that any prepayments of cash, debit card or BACS are protected
BAR Member Logo
Fox is a member of The British Association of Removers which is the only accredited Trade Association for the removals industry in the UK. It aims to be the guardian of professional standards for the benefit of its members and their customers. All member are inspected…
BAR Overseas Member Logo
Fox are also a member of the Overseas Group of the BAR which is a specialist division catering for companies who carry out a large number of International Removals. We have the benefit of information and assistance from Overseas Group Members around the world, to make…
BAR Commercial Member Logo
Fox are also a member of the BAR CMG This means that Fox are qualified specialists in commercial removals – whether small business relocations or large scale, logistically complex projects – whatever the size of the customer or move, our focus is on setting the standard…
Euromovers
We are a member and shareholder of this Network of European moving company. Headquarters are in Cologne and Members meet regularly to encourage co-operation and operational assistance.