Stepnell Expands Southern Operations with New Exeter Office and Key Promotions

Regional contractor Stepnell has unveiled significant developments in its southern operations, including the opening of a new office in Exeter, several senior promotions, and a strategic appointment aimed at bolstering its growth in the region.

Matthew James has been elevated to the role of regional director, where he will oversee Stepnell’s Southampton office. With a decade of experience at the company, Matthew has a strong background in quantity surveying and has served as preconstruction manager for the past seven years, contributing significantly to the firm’s expansion and operational reach.

Matthew expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “Heading up the Southampton office is a real opportunity to accelerate the growth we’ve been building towards. We have clear ambitions to expand our presence further into the South West and South East beyond our existing bases. We’ll also continue to develop our existing key sectors including residential, education, healthcare, industrial and commercial sectors while exploring wider opportunities to become even more competitive in the region’s construction landscape.”

To enhance its preconstruction capabilities, Stepnell has appointed Andrew Charlton as regional preconstruction director. Andrew brings a wealth of experience, having spent ten years at Wates leading teams on complex, large-scale projects, and later serving as national preconstruction director at Morgan Sindall’s property services division.

Andrew remarked, “Joining Stepnell is a great opportunity to have a direct regional influence and help shape the business’s trajectory. The company already has a strong pipeline of activity, bolstered by its solid framework positions and local authority relationships. It was this combination of stability and clear ambition for future growth that attracted me to the role.”

Ian Woodward has been appointed as regional manager for the Bristol office, where he will take on broader responsibilities after playing a pivotal role in delivering projects across the region. Additionally, Wayne Stokes has been promoted to deputy commercial manager, having progressed from senior quantity surveyor to managing quantity surveyor since joining the company in 2019. Wayne was also recognised as a finalist for the Construction Manager of the Year by the Chartered Institute of Building.

Rob Speirs, director at Stepnell, commented on the changes, stating, “We have an incredible breadth of talent across our southern business operations. Matthew has been instrumental in supporting our selective approach and will have a significant role to play in achieving our growth ambitions across the South. The additional promotions for Ian and Wayne are thoroughly deserved after several years of outstanding contribution.”

Rob further highlighted the importance of Andrew’s appointment, noting, “Andrew brings a formidable track record in preconstruction performance that will showcase the tremendous value and quality we can deliver through the tendering and preconstruction process.”

The opening of the Exeter office marks a key milestone in Stepnell’s southern expansion strategy, reinforcing its presence in the South West. Rob added, “We’ve driven successful growth in this area and it’s given us the momentum to expand our reach. From our recent work with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to our ongoing projects at various hospitals across Taunton, Yeovil, Weston and Bristol, we’re on the ground delivering high-impact projects for the South West.”

He concluded, “Our work has taken us as far as the Isles of Scilly and this new base at Broadwalk House will help us stay even closer to our projects and continue building strong links with our local supply chain across Devon and Cornwall. Through the Exeter office and these strategic regional leadership changes, we have a clear long-term vision for how we can expand across the South over the next five years.”