About us

Exeter has not been the same since Matt arrived from New Zealand with his young family in 2016 to make the South West his home. Matt also brought a refreshing and inspirational approach to construction techniques and team building, which resonates through Silver Fern culture, putting family, excellence and thought at the heart of every Silver Fern day.

Matt still likes to get his hands on the tools whenever he gets the chance, but more recently has had to transfer his skills to a keyboard when he is not on site visits or helping new clients get started with their building project.

• Matt’s first DIY job was demolishing a wall in one of his dad’s houses as a teenager, and he snapped 2 sledgehammers.
• Look out for Matt driving his classic Suzuki around Exeter.
• Almost nocturnal, Matt starts his day at 4am.

Al is the technical genius behind Silver Fern. With 20 years of experience and crazy attention to detail, Al is the go to technical consultant for the whole Silver Fern team. If you see Al on your residential site, you can congratulate yourself on having a complex building puzzle which he will solve. If a Rubik’s Cube was made of bricks, he would be World Champion.

A Master in Carpentry, Al also has a wide range of general building skills picked up throughout his 20 years in the industry. Devon born, Al heads our commercial division and has learnt everything he knows working in and around this South West city, starting with medieval oak timber framing as an apprentice and notably contributing to the creation of the Waterfront Restaurant at Exeter Quay.

• He’s 6ft 6 inches tall, so when we say Al is overseeing a project, he is literally overseeing it.
• Al hopes heaven is a shed full of timber, a set of plans and 6 square meals a day.
• Al has a proactive approach to recruitment with 2 young sons and another on the way.

As a skilled general builder, Sammy plays a key role in bringing our projects to life. With a particular passion for carpentry, he brings expert craftsmanship and a keen eye for detail to every job.

Sammy is known for his exceptional attention to detail, especially when it comes to the finishing touches that make all the difference at the end of a project. He is always ready with a joke, making him a favourite among the team for his positive attitude and good humour. Whether it is framing, finishing or carpentry, Sammy’s commitment to quality ensures every aspect of the job is completed to the highest standard.

When he is not working on our projects, you will find Sammy out on the water enjoying his favourite pastime, spearfishing.

Pete is the driving force behind our operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. As our Operations Manager, he coordinates schedules, ensures the team knows where they need to be and when, and keeps projects on track.

With a deep level of knowledge and experience, Pete is not only a master at organising and managing, but he is also hands on, often getting on the tools himself to help wherever needed. His expertise and leadership ensure all projects are completed efficiently and on time, making Pete an essential part of our team.

Mark is the calming force of our team, always bringing a laid back vibe to every project. While he is hardworking and dedicated, you will usually catch him cruising around in our original Silver Fern van, staying steady and relaxed even on the busiest days.

If he were any more laid back, he might just be lying down. His ability to balance hard work with a calm and easy going attitude makes him an essential part of the team.

“Some people use a crane, we use a Marv.”

There is a hidden depth to that man. Some say he was born in a tribe of heavy machinery and was once married to Miley Cyrus. All we know is he’s called MARV.

Marv is the brute force of our team, always ready to take on the tasks that keep our projects running smoothly. A man of few words and many actions, with a strong work ethic and a hands on approach, he is the person we all rely on to get things done.

Marv is always up for tackling the jobs that require extra effort. His consistent dedication and ability to handle whatever comes his way make him an invaluable member of our team. We are really lucky to have him.

Donna is the backbone of our business, expertly managing the behind the scenes operations that keep everything running smoothly. As our Project Coordinator, she handles job pricing and ensures all aspects of each project are organised and executed efficiently.

Her ability to stay on top of the details and maintain accuracy in every task she tackles is second to none. With her extensive knowledge and sharp organisational skills, Donna ensures our projects stay on track, on budget and on time. Her dedication to excellence makes her an invaluable part of our team.

Laila is our admin legend, ensuring everything runs as it should in the office. As our Administration Manager, she oversees payroll, making sure everyone gets paid on time, and keeps a close eye on our spending.

Laila is also responsible for managing payments to our suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring all financial transactions are handled efficiently and on schedule. Her attention to detail and organisational skills are key in maintaining financial accuracy and keeping our business running smoothly.

Laila’s dedication to managing the financial side of things allows the rest of the team to focus on what they do best, knowing everything is in capable hands.

Toby has been with us for two years, bringing a passion for precision and perfection to every project. Specialising in finishing work, he is particularly skilled in tiling, where his attention to detail truly shines.

Toby has a keen eye for getting every detail just right, often going above and beyond to ensure everything is flawless. His dedication to excellence and passion for perfecting every task make him an invaluable member of our team.