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The Evolution of Stone

1998
2000
2007
2013
2016
2019

1998

Since our inception almost 20 years ago, it is fair to say that we have taken the building maintenance world by storm. Stone Technical Services Group Ltd began as a very small, humble family business of only two: brothers Dave and Grahame Stone.

2000

Within 2 short years, and having realised that Steeplejack House (Dave’s spare room in Starmer Crescent, Darlington!) was no longer fit for purpose, things began to get serious so we moved into our first grown-up commercial premises with a staff count of 8, and proudly became a limited company.

2007

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we had outgrown our surroundings and were on the move again. Just seven quick-paced and exciting years later, we moved into our current head office and bespoke workshops on Kellaw Road in Darlington, knowing that the premises far exceeded our needs at the time but with a focus purely on ambitious future growth plans, our priority was that the premises met the requirements of what we knew we would need in the years to come.

2013

The birth of STS - version 2.0. Two things happened to take us forward on our continued development. Firstly, the inception of a Group Limited structure, incorporating multiple divisions, and secondly, the adoption of Einstein’s theory that the thinking that got you where you are today is not what will get you where you want to be… it was time to evolve!

A closer and more driven and targeted strategy around business development, client relationships, sales professionalism and enhanced quality service demanded a new round of recruitment of like-minded individuals with new skill-sets and abilities to take the business forward, to the next level and beyond.

2016

2016 - a record year - £3.5m turnover. We have barely scratched the surface…

2019

With another solid year of trade behind us we continue to strive for future business development. As many businesses wrangle with the equation of whether to work harder or work smarter, at STS Group we have decided to do both! Our focus is on two main areas, developing the existing enviable client list we already have and expanding the opportunities with them, as well as also increasing the in house skill set of our amazing workforce through training of existing craftsmen and recruitment of new faces. 20 years have gone in the blink of an eye, let’s see what the next 20 brings!

Meet The Team

Dave Stone CEO After almost two decades at the helm of STS Group, there is not much Dave has not seen or encountered along the way! His enthusiasm is as strong as ever and his knowledge and passion for being the very best at what he does has not wavered one little bit! “I sometimes have to remind myself that I am not the 16 years old boy that started on this path all those years ago. I do however take great pride in seeing how far we have come from those humble beginnings and am still as excited as ever.”

Richard Pavlou Managing Director Since Joining STS Group in 2013 Richard has seen a huge amount of growth and development in the business both in terms of turnover and also in company stature. “I am looking forward to the next chapter in the story and seeing just how far we can steer the ship. Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing the delight on the faces of our clients at the end of a project and also seeing the development of everyone within the group. STS 2.0 is just the beginning of our journey, we are continuously winning bigger and more prestigious contracts all the time and I don’t see that changing anytime soon!”

Grahame Stone Director Very much a “hands-on” director Grahame is still active in the field and is passionate about the development and education of our workforce. “I have spent my entire career in this industry and it is quite sad to see that there are fewer and fewer young people being attracted into our sector. This can be a really rewarding and enjoyable area to work in and I would like to think we are doing our bit to protect these skilled services from dying off!”

Luke Stone Operations Director A former apprentice steeplejack and winner of the prestigious nationwide award of National Steeplejack Apprentice of the year early in his career, Luke has worked at every level in the business all the way up to Operations Director. “I have gained an awful lot of experience over the last 14 years and I am really confident that having worked out in the field for so many years I can take that knowledge and apply it to the future development of the business, this is a very exciting time and I welcome the challenge!”

Neil Embleton Contracts Manager After more than 10 years “on the tools” when a position arose through growth there was no better candidate. Neil has extensive knowledge of the full range of the STS group product portfolio. “I consider myself to be very lucky to work on some of the historic buildings and structures that I do. We are very privileged to be entrusted with the upkeep and maintenance of them”

Steve Joyce Contracts Manager After 17 years in the industry Steve still looks forward to the next big challenge, whether it be at the design and tender stage or the overall running of a project of any size. And with hands on experience as a former senior installation engineer there is not much Steve hasn’t encountered in his working life in the Lightning Protection field. “Coming from a military background it has been brilliant to become part of and to work with another professional team with the knowledge, experience and attitude to get the job done.”

Kevin Hale Group Estimator With more than 20 years experience in the industry, 10 years working in the quarry followed by 10 years working in the Heritage Restoration sector, Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to STS Group and is applying it in the role of Group Estimator. "I have seen a whole manner of things over the years in this sector, and from various different viewpoints, I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to apply those skills as part of this company, I really feel like I have found my forever home!"

Joanne Stone Business Development Manager I started STS as an apprentice in May 2009, since then I have completed my CIPD HR qualification and progressed to Business Development Manager. My job role includes all aspects of sales support to the Directors and Contracts Managers including all new enquiry management and development of our contracted services. As a throwback to my previous role in the business I also assist and oversee the handling of all job completion reports, tender submissions and quotations including the company's numerous accreditation's. "Even after all these years, the fact that we work on such prestigious buildings never ceases to amaze me.”

Marie Stone Marketing Manager Assisting Joanne with the business development and marketing arm of the business Marie is the STS Family cheerleader! Whether it’s through social media or working alongside our PR consultants Marie is all about spreading the good word of all the amazing things we do. “When you have the range and variety of the projects which we carry out to shout about and promote it is really quite easy. Who wouldn’t want to sing the praises of what we do?”

Russ James Assistant Contracts Manager Russ joined the team in 2021 as Assistant Contract’s Manager. Russ’ role is to ensure the projects he is responsible for are delivered safely and efficiently, on-time and to budget. With more than 35 years in the construction industry, the knowledge gained in his previous roles have proven invaluable to Stone Technical Services.

Garry Donald Assistant Contracts Manager After more than 15 years “on the tools” when the position arose through expansion and growth Garry was the perfect candidate to assist Steve in the management of the Lightning Protection department. “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”

Paul Tinkler Assistant Contracts Manager With almost 20 years’ experience at STS and over 30 years in the construction industry, there isn’t much to our external activities that Paul doesn’t know or hasn’t at one point carried out! “Every day is an experience and no two days are the same working at Stone Tech”

Anne Smurthwaite Financial Controller Anne joined the company in 2010 in as an Accounts Administrator, in a new role created to facilitate a dedicated accounts department for the rapidly expanding company. Anne’s previous experience had been in vehicle sales and hire, and although challenging at first, having never really considered who would fit a Lightning Protection System to a Church, or who would be responsible for maintaining our wealth of heritage buildings, she was quickly able to transfer her skills to encompass the diverse range of activities undertaken by Stone Technical Services. “It’s been an exciting 11 years, interesting and challenging in equal measure. I wouldn't have missed it for the world., and hope to continue the journey as we go from strength to strength in years to come. It is both a privilege and pleasure to be involved in the support and conservation of the country’s most important and treasured structures."

Fiona Moorhouse Financial Controller Fiona joined the STS Family in 2020 as part of our long term succession plan to ensure the slick and polished operation of the accounts department would be guaranteed throughout the long term and that we are prepared for every eventuality. "When I saw that STS Group were recruiting to grow, right in the middle of the Pandemic when most companies were either hunkering down or worse still letting people go, I knew that this was a company that matched my own personal ambition! Here I am just a year in and I feel like I am part of the furniture and working alongside the existing team in accounts as a Joint Financial Controller with Anne is just about all I could have wished for in such a short time."

Dave "Walt" Walshaw Logistics Coordinator A fantastic addition to the STS Family Dave, or "Walt" on account of there being just too many Dave's, brings with him a wealth of experience in the automotive and mechanical fields. With our ever growing fleet of vehicles racking up the miles all across the country we have in Walt someone we can depend on to keep things moving. "After years in the automotive sector it was a big challenge for me to take the leap of faith into something completely different. I have learned so much in my first couple of years and really do feel like I am an integral part of the operation now, and we have so much fun along the way!"

Lily Marriott-Todd Admin Coodinator Lily joined the company in 2018 as an administration apprentice and has completed both Level 2 and Level 3 in Business Administration. Lily quickly progressed to the Administration Coordinator for the Project’s and Maintenance department, assisting with tenders, completion reports and liaising with customers. “I am amazed by the wide range of buildings that we work on”

Hazel Stone Administration Assistant Hazel joined the STS Family in early 2020 as Administration Assistant working alongside the Contracts Managers and Administration team. Hazel also manages the training and development of all staff to ensure training competencies are maintained and renewed when required. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of a hard-working team and I’m proud of all the projects we work on all over the country.”

Judy McGregor PA to the CEO Judy started with the company in 2009 as Dave’s PA and general helping hand in all things personnel. Having previously temped in secretarial/PA roles all over Co Durham for the last 12 years to fit in around family life and husband working away! “Why do I love my job - Great fun to be part of a company that is going places, the lovely buildings that we have worked on (having been dragged around churches by my father as a child has come in very handy) the boss who is a complete one off and keeps me on my toes, and I never know what's happening from one day the next - so life is never mundane!”

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