Stepnell has strengthened its specialist construction services business with the appointment of a new strategic director.
Mike Smedley brings more than three decades of experience with major national contractors, having most recently served as managing director at Brymor Group Southern.
His career also includes senior roles at Geoffrey Osborne, Kier, and VolkerFitzpatrick.
A chartered quantity surveyor and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, Smedley will support the development of Stepnell’s specialist divisions into independent business lines, through strategic planning, risk management, tendering, and operational leadership.
These include Step Energy, Lawford Bespoke Joinery, plant and fleet services, concrete repairs, and a new security offering currently in development.
Smedley said: “This is an exciting opportunity to drive the growth of Stepnell’s wider business portfolio. Working closely with the senior leaders of each division, my aim is to help shape these services into self-sufficient, stand-alone units with strong management structures – capable of delivering outstanding service and commercial performance nationwide, in line with Stepnell’s complete construction approach.”
Demerger
Earlier this year Stepnell launched Lawford Bespoke Joinery, a specialist joinery business headquartered in Rugby, following an agreement by shareholders to demerge the Stepnell Group, splitting the construction, property management, and property investment elements of the business.
Services provided by the new venture range from intricate heritage restorations and modern interior joinery to bespoke furniture, IPS units, and acoustic panel manufacturing, across commercial, residential, heritage, and hospitality sectors.
Stepnell managing director Tom Wakeford continues to lead Stepnell Limited, the construction business with its existing leadership team and Step Energy, its decarbonisation and renewables business.
Stepnell secured 90 per cent of its 2024/25 planned revenue budget by November last year – a 10 per cent increase from 2023 – citing frameworks and repeat business as the principal sources of its workload.
Wakeford said: “Mike’s leadership and depth of experience in building regional and national teams will be a huge enabler as we expand our project capabilities and become even more responsive to our customers’ needs for specialist services.
“His proven ability to develop and grow business units aligns perfectly with our ambition to create resilient, service-led operations across the business – rooted in strong leadership and mentoring, innovation, and collaboration.”
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