Over the last 20 years, SAF has been shaped by a series of defining moments, some born from new opportunities, others from challenges that demanded fresh thinking. Each one has pushed the business forward in its own way.
A landmark milestone in our journey was our work with Kings College Hospital on the Premier Modular facility for a 4-Storey Modernising Medicine Modular Building. At the time, it became the UK’s largest modular off-site construction project within NHS healthcare and playing a key role in a project of that scale reinforced our reputation as a trusted partner for complex, high-value NHS developments.
More recently, our ongoing project with MTX at the John Radcliffe Hospital, developing the Surgical Elective Centre (SEC) for Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), has been another defining project for us, highlighting the level of capability and trust SAF has built with our supplier partners and the NHS.
It stands as one of the most complex and ambitious projects we’ve ever funded, reflecting not just SAF’s growth but also the increasing level of trust and confidence our supplier partners place in us. Together, these moments, along with countless other projects and learning experiences along the way, have defined our journey and strengthened the belief that SAF is ready for whatever comes next.
"When I think about the moments that have shaped us, projects like King’s and Oxford really stand out. They were large-scale, complex, and at times incredibly demanding, but we approached them as a team. Those experiences, where everyone pulls together with a shared purpose, really show what we’re capable of, and they’re a powerful reminder of just how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved."
Another moment that helped shape SAF’s evolution was our long-running collaboration with Bird College, one of the UK’s leading performing arts institutions. Unlike most of our modular projects, which are typically delivered through supplier partnerships, this was a direct relationship with the client. That allowed us to work closely with the college’s leadership, understand their long-term ambitions, and create a bespoke finance structure that truly supported their growth.
Delivered in two phases over three years, we funded and facilitated the development of two two-storey modular classroom and dance studio buildings, enabling the college to welcome more than 100 additional students.
The additional students enabled the monthly repayments to remain cost-neutral, as the extra income from the increased number of fee-paying places directly covered the cost of the new facility.
It remains a strong example of how strategic asset investment, combined with close alignment to a client’s vision, can make expansion both achievable and financially sustainable.
“Working with the teams at SAF was a fantastic experience the first time around, so it was obvious to us that we should work with them again when we needed a second facility. We were very impressed with both the quality of the building and the flexible finance agreement put in place to pay for it. The entire process was simple and seamless, and we hope to work with them again on future projects.”
The People Behind SAF
Behind every milestone, new partnership, and solution, there’s a team of people who genuinely care about doing things the right way. Over the last 20 years, it’s the personalities, dedication, and shared values within SAF that have helped to shape the business just as much as any process or solution.
A Collaborative Business, In the Best Sense of the Word
The environment that has been created is open, supportive, and genuinely people-focused.
People look out for one another, share knowledge openly, and work together to solve challenges, and that same mindset extends to our Supplier Partners and their customers.
It’s a culture built on relationships, honesty, and doing things properly, and it’s helped SAF grow whilst staying true to the values the business was founded on.
“What I really like about SAF is how much people actually care. If you’re having a good day, everyone’s right there with you, and if you’re having a tough one, someone will always check in or lend a hand. It just makes you want to show up and do your best, because it feels like we’re all in it together.”
The moments that have shaped SAF over the last 20 years haven’t just been standout projects or major milestones. They’ve been the everyday decisions, the tough conversations, the shared wins, the unexpected challenges, and the people who showed up, again and again, with commitment and care.
Together, they have significantly shaped where we are today and continue to guide the direction we move in next.
If you’d like to explore more of our 20-year story, go back to part one of this series, Looking Back, Moving Forward or the final part, The Relationships That Go Beyond Transactions.
