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As we mark Tamdown’s remarkable 50th anniversary, we’re taking a moment each month to look back at the people who’ve helped shape our story. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing memories and reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve witnessed our evolution first-hand and contributed to the culture, resilience, and success we celebrate today. Their stories not only honour our past but also inspire the road ahead.

For our third feature, we spoke to Lee Haylock who has been working with Tamdown nearly 28 years!

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown when you started?

My memories of Tamdown actually begin long before I worked here myself. My dad worked for the company too, working as a Welder/Fabricator in the workshop and I would often join him on weekends.

One of my strongest early memories is from the late 1980s, when I was in my teens. My dad took me to the area that would eventually become Great Notley Country Park – before Great Notley Village or the Notley by-pass existed. I remember standing there, watching Tamdown’s Cat D8 dozer at work. It was enormous, one of the biggest machines they had at the time and it was cutting and shaping the balancing ponds. The noise, the dust, the sheer scale of it all left a real impression on me. I knew then that I wanted to be involved in the construction industry.

I later joined Tamdown as an Engineer on a site in Sittingbourne after leaving university. The commute was long, so when an opportunity came up for a Technical role in the Braintree office, I jumped at it. From there, I eventually moved into the Commercial department, so I have been a QS for 20+ years.

How has the role of QS evolved since you started?

I’d say the biggest changes have come from technological advances, which have transformed the way we work. We now have access to far more information – and we can get it instantly. When I first started, there was no internet on site, everything was handwritten, then you went back to the office and posted a hard copy of the valuations to the customer.

Nowadays, all the information you need is right at your fingertips. It allows us to be proactive rather than reactive. We can now look towards the end of life costs rather than just what was spent yesterday. 

Collaboration with our operational colleagues has also improved, which makes a significant difference to how effectively we can plan, forecast and deliver.

What part of your role gives you the most satisfaction?

For me it’s all about the small wins – the achievements that come from the combination of moving parts. I get a real sense of satisfaction from seeing how each decision, each bit of collaboration, each piece of shared information contributes to the bigger picture. It’s more about the cumulative success we create as a team and that comes from supporting each other, and finding better ways collectively.

Do you have a memorable negotiation or breakthrough moment?

Generally, due to the nature of our contracts, there isn’t much room for negotiation. However, one experience stands out. We were securing an RC frame contract in Cambridge for a customer who was working with a high-profile end client. The contract was quite onerous – this big client feeding down through the chain. I was a bit sceptical on how things would go, but the customer was open and willing to work through the details with us. We managed to reach a mutually agreeable position. It was a challenging process but an enjoyable one to be part of.

What advice would you give to an apprentice QS joining the company?

Spend as much time as possible on site – watch, listen and really take in what we do and how we do it. Observe how teams work together and how we interact with other trades. Understanding the practical side of the job is invaluable. Be inquisitive, ask questions and don’t be afraid to get involved.

I also believe that nothing beats face-to-face communication. You can pick up far more when you’re sitting across from someone – their body language, their reactions, things that you just don’t get through a screen. So speak more, message less.

What keeps you motivated after so many years?

I’ve grown up in this industry and during my time at Tamdown I’ve seen so much movement, growth and diversity, I feel very fortunate to have been part of that journey. It genuinely feels like family here – I enjoy the work I do, and I enjoy the people I work with. That combination is what keeps me motivated year after year.

Thank you to Lee for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

🚧 New Project Started – Beaulieu Park, Essex 🚧

We’re pleased to announce that we have started the next phase of works at the Beaulieu Park development in Chelmsford by Vistry Eastern Counties.

This next stage, Phases X and Y, forms part of the wider Beaulieu masterplan and includes a total of 270 homes, with Tamdown delivering the first 179. The scope encompasses site wide infrastructure, significant cut‑and‑fill operations, and all associated plot groundworks and external works.

This is an exciting multi‑year project that will see our teams once again collaborate with Vistry to support the continued growth of this flagship community development.

A huge thank you to Vistry for their continued trust and repeat partnership. We look forward to another successful delivery together. 💙

👷🏻‍♀️Women in Construction Week 👷🏻‍♀️

As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, we are proud to spotlight some of the impressive achievements made by the women within Tamdown over the past year.

✨Sarah Darville-Downs- Featured in a Causeway podcast episode, using her voice to share how finance can play a pivotal role in enabling change, as well as sharing how Tamdown approached the digital transformation.

✨Izzy Baliga-Received her certificate to officiate the completion of her Business Administration Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute’s Inaugural Apprenticeship Recognition and Achievement Awards.

✨Erika Chinnery & Charlotte Chambers- Recently earned well-deserved promotions to Financial Controller, and Purchase Ledger Supervisor. A testament to their hard work and commitment.

✨Karen Rodrigues Dos Santos- Took part in the housebuilder challenge with her team, trekking over 20 miles through the Yorkshire Dales in just over 9 hours, raising over £4k.

These achievements reflect just a fraction of the passion and leadership the women within Tamdown demonstrate every day.

We are grateful for all of the women within Tamdown for everything they contribute, onsite and off. Your efforts help to inspire the next generation and move our industry forward. 💙

As we mark Tamdown’s remarkable 50th anniversary, we’re taking a moment each month to look back at the people who’ve helped shape our story. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing memories and reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve witnessed our evolution first-hand and contributed to the culture, resilience, and success we celebrate today. Their stories not only honour our past but also inspire the road ahead.

For our second feature, we spoke to Tommy Gant who has been working with Tamdown over for 34 years!

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown when you started?

Turning up with my bag of tools – you had everything you needed in that bag. We didn’t have the fancy electronic tools that you have today, just your hand-held tools.

What project stands out as especially meaningful?

St Mary’s Island – I lived quite close, so that was always a good thing that I didn’t have to travel so far to get to work. It was about 30 years ago now – there’s thousands of granite steps there – roundabouts, cobbles – and I worked on everyone of them!

How have the tools, techniques or site culture changed over the years?

Health and safety has definitely changed over the years. I’ve attended many courses since joining as health and safety has progressed. Toolbox Talks weren’t a thing when I started, you were just given your job. It was pretty simple in that respect. It was family-orientated back in the day – Tom Mohan would turn up and take us out for breakfast. I remember the times they organised a coach for us Kent workers to attend family fun days at Braintree Rugby Club in Essex.

What roles have you had at Tamdown?

I’ve been a health and safety representative, ganger man, black hat, dumper hat recently. I was also a mentor for the apprentices at St Mary’s Island.

Any stories that stick in your mind over the years? 

I remember finding cannonballs whilst I was working at St. Mary’s Island – probably Napoleonic as the area was used as a burial ground for French prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).

Today, I work with an engineer, Adam Ward, and his grandad really came to my rescue one day. We were standing near some 3-way traffic lights when a drunk driver came speeding by and somehow drove into the cables that got wrapped around his wheels. They ended up catching my legs and if it weren’t for Sean Ward’s quick thinking, which allowed him to get the cables away from my legs, I might have been dragged down the street. Luckily, I came away completely unscathed!

Do you have a moment when teamwork make all the difference?

You can’t do this sort of work on your own. It’s always been teamwork for me. We look after each other and just get on with it.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

When I started out the money for a groundworker was very good. I’d say get a mortgage and just work hard.

What keeps you motivated through the toughest days on the ground?

My two children, my two grandchildren and paying the mortgage! My daughter got married last year – that was a very proud day for me. 

When there’s bad weather you just have to stay and do it. You just get on with it and try to be happy.

Thank you to Tommy for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

👷🏻Project Progress Update- Sudbury🚧

We are pleased to share some great progress over on our Sudbury Site, across all 3 phases of the project. We have fully completed the first phase and are working to programme on phases 2 and 3.

Our team has made outstanding progress, remaining on programme while consistently upholding high-quality standards.

We’re pleased to share the key milestones achieved so far:

Phase 1:
✅ Whole Phase Complete

Phase 2:
✅ 100% Infrastructure installed
✅ 100% plot works to oversite completed
✅ 60% external works completed with residents moved in.

Phase 3:
✅ 85% Infrastructure installed
✅ 40% plot works to oversite completed

Thank you to everyone for your hard work and dedication. We look forward to seeing this development continue to progress in the months ahead. 💙

We are delighted to share great progress on our Heybridge site, across all 3 phases of the project. With the first phase completed we are steadily working on phases 2 and 3.

With a naturally high-water table and an exceptionally wet winter, this site has posed some real earthworks challenges. Despite this, our team has delivered impressive progress, staying on programme and maintaining consistent quality.

We’re pleased to share the key milestones achieved so far:

Phase 1:
✅ Whole Phase Complete

Phase 2:
✅ 100% Adoptable Roads and Sewers Installed
✅ 65% Oversites Completed
✅ 40% external works completed with residents moved in.

Phase 3:
✅70% Adoptable Roads and Sewers Installed
✅45% Oversites Completed

A huge thank you to everyone involved for your hard work and commitment. We’re excited to see this development continue to grow and evolve in the months ahead! 💙

This week is National Apprenticeship Week, and we have been speaking with our newest Apprentices and hearing about how they are getting on with their apprenticeship journeys so far.

At Tamdown, we remain committed to growing future talent, with a successful history of apprentices. We are proud to continue developing skilled, motivated individuals who help strengthen our business and the wider society.

We are grateful for the enthusiasm, hard work and fresh perspectives our apprentices bring- and for the positive impact these programmes continue to make on our people, our business and our sector.

Read below to hear more…

As we mark Tamdown’s remarkable 50th anniversary, we’re taking a moment each month to look back at the people who’ve helped shape our story. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing memories and reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve witnessed our evolution first-hand and contributed to the culture, resilience, and success we celebrate today. Their stories not only honour our past but also inspire the road ahead.

For our first feature, we spoke to Mark Cain who has been with Tamdown for 32 years!

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown when you started?

Other than turning up on that first day full of anticipation and a few nerves, the thing that really sticks in my mind is the feeling of camaraderie and team spirit that I encountered here.

What roles have you held within the Company?

I have carried out various activities in my career so far here, from Buying to Plant and from Waste Management to Transport (and a bit of technical thrown in), all of which have their challenges, excitement and steep learning curves.

How has the company changed?

Tamdown has changed hugely since I started – from a small groundworks contractor punching way above our weight, we’ve grown massively. We started a remediation firm and have been involved in some really challenging remediation projects including what is now the DP World project, we’ve carried out Concrete Frames and Shell & Core contracts. We’ve had a utilities arm and are now part of Nexus Infrastructure plc. We hold forums that are attended and listened to by our customers and the wider industry. It’s almost unrecognisable from its origins, but it’s still kept the team spirit and can-do approach.

What major changes or innovations have you witnessed?

Without wanting to sound too old, when I arrived the only computer we had was in Accounts! We didn’t have digital cameras and the mobile phones were large, expensive and only worked for about half hour (nicknamed bricks). Everything was written by hand, filed and then manually checked, we used fax machines and post back then!

Any stories that stick in your mind over the years? 

We used to work hard and play harder and doing that with some of the colourful characters that I’ve had the privilege to work with through the years has certainly produced some stories. Unexpectedly finding a box of hand grenades and having to call the bomb disposal team will always stick in my mind though.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Firstly, learn a skill or trade that can not be replaced by AI. Secondly, try and do something you actually enjoy as you’ll spend a long time doing it. Thirdly, give it your all, learn all you can, it’s a waste of your time otherwise.

What keeps you motivated after so many years?

Some people resonate with the quote “it’s not the winning but the taking part that counts”, however I’ve never wanted to just ‘take part’ and if you like to win, that’s what keeps me motivated.

Thank you to Mark for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

🎉Congratulations🎉

We are pleased to congratulate Charlotte, Erika and Kieron on their recent promotions. These reflect their continued dedication, professionalism and the high standards they consistently demonstrate in their roles.

This recognition highlights both their individual achievements, and the positive impact they have made within their teams and across the wider business.
Each has shown a strong commitment to their role, bringing their valuable expertise and forward-thinking approach to our ongoing success.

We wish Charlotte, Erika and Kieron every success as they progress into their new roles and look forward to their continued development and future achievements 💙

Because getting home safe matters — every single day 👷‍♂️🌍

For FY26, we will be continuing to run our HSQE Awareness Campaigns alongside our wider Health and Safety Initiatives.

Our campaigns will focus on a quarterly HSQE topic, helping to build knowledge, reinforce best practice, and continue the right conversations throughout the business.

Our mission remains unchanged: Zero Harm- ensuring that everyone goes home safe every day. Same mission. Sharper focus.

Together, we’ll continue to raise the standard throughout FY26 💙