28th August 2025
Advanté Team Walks 13km in Support of Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity
The Advanté team and their families walked 13km from Benfleet, with o...
Honouring Stan Chapman: The Legacy of a True Pioneer
After 58 remarkable years, we celebrate the retirement of Stan Chapman — the visionary who invented the Oasis Welfare unit and changed construction site welfare forever.
Inventor of the Oasis Instant Start Welfare Unit
After an extraordinary 58 years with the business, we bid a fond farewell to Stan Chapman, the visionary behind Oasis Welfare and a true pioneer in the construction industry, who officially retired last Friday.
Stan’s journey began on-site in the 1960s, and in 1997 he identified a gap in the market that would change site welfare forever. Prompted by a customer request for hot and cold running water on-site, in response to new H&S regulations, Stan set out to find a solution.
The result was the very first completely self-contained Oasis welfare unit, launched in 1998 – a transformative innovation that set new standards for health, safety, and worker welfare on construction sites across the UK.
From the early canteen-style units with gas mantles and portable toilets, to today’s fully integrated solar and hybrid-powered solutions, Stan’s relentless drive to improve site welfare has shaped the industry as we know it. He didn’t just create a product – he created an entirely new category.
“Not many people can say they’ve invented a whole new industry – but Stan can. The creation of Oasis was a phenomenal achievement, and it’s transformed welfare in construction forever.”
– Mandy Messenger, Managing Director
Stan’s commitment to evolving with client needs helped set the benchmark for welfare provision in construction. His ability to innovate was matched by his dedication to quality, safety and – above all – people.
Over the years, Stan has served as both Managing Director and, more recently, R&D Director, inspiring generations of colleagues through his leadership, insight, and unwavering values.
A Legacy Built on Innovation and Integrity
Many who’ve worked with Stan over the years speak not only of his talent, but of his kindness, support, and humility.
“Stan was the type of director who was kind and approachable – and I think that’s a lovely thing to be remembered for.”
– Rebecca Slaymaker, former Assistant Accountant
“You have no idea the impact you’ve had on this business, Stan. No ego – you just got on with it and made life easier for so many people, inside and outside the company.”
– Derek Copland, AV and Modular Manager
Beyond his technical brilliance, Stan will be remembered for his values. He was ahead of his time in the way he treated customers and staff – always fair, always respectful, and always with time to offer advice. His humour, warmth, and even his famous “Stan-isms” made a lasting impact on those lucky enough to work with him.
“You came in one day and said, ‘I want a standalone unit with hot and cold running water, a toilet and an office’. I said, ‘we don’t do anything like that’, and you said, ‘we do now’ — and that’s how Oasis was born.”
– Jim Packer, former Depot Manager
Whether fishing with colleagues, building prototypes from scratch, or mentoring new team members, Stan always led by example. He was generous with his time, his knowledge, and his belief in others.
“You really are ‘Stan the Man’ — the creator. You’re leaving behind an amazing legacy that is still growing today.”
– Rebecca Milne, Marketing Executive
A Future Inspired by the Past
Stan’s influence is woven into every part of Advanté – from the pioneering product that started it all to the strong culture of fairness, innovation, and respect that he helped build.
“The thing that comes across most when people talk about Stan is how much everyone loves him. He’s always had time for people, always offered sound advice, and always treated everyone with fairness and respect. That’s a legacy in itself.”
– Mandy Messenger, Managing Director
As he begins a new chapter, we send our heartfelt thanks for everything he’s done and all he’s helped us become.
It’s only fitting that Stan’s legacy remains visible at Advanté every day. To mark the occasion, he unveiled a special plaque now proudly displayed at our offices – a permanent reminder of his incredible contribution and the foundation he built.
Stan’s farewell was a heartfelt trip down memory lane, complete with stories, laughter, and a few emotional moments. One of the standout photos from the day captures Stan alongside Trevor Cameron, our former Finance Director, who was there at the very beginning of the Oasis journey — a powerful image representing decades of innovation, collaboration, and commitment.
The team pulled out all the stops to give Stan the send-off he truly deserved — and they did him proud. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special 👏
While Stan may be stepping back, he leaves Advanté in safe and capable hands, with Tony Rose (Head of R&D) and Tony Hamilton (Operations Director) continuing the journey and carrying forward the values and vision that Stan instilled.
From all of us at Advanté: thank you, Stan, for your decades of dedication, leadership, and innovation. You’ve left an indelible mark, and we are proud to carry your legacy forward.
Enjoy your well-earned retirement — we hope it’s filled with many more “light blue” moments (a fitting nod to Stan’s memorable decision that Oasis units should only ever be a very specific shade of blue — a detail as iconic as the welfare unit itself).
