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.