Stepnell has appointed Mike Smedley as strategic director as it commits to expanding the group’s specialist construction services.
Operating across all of Stepnell’s geography, Mike brings more than three decades of experience with major national contractors. He has a proven track record in building high-performing teams and business units, 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 (MRICS) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB), Mike will apply his expertise in business planning, risk management, tendering, and operational leadership to support the development of Stepnell’s specialist divisions into independent business lines. These include Step Energy, Lawford Bespoke Joinery, plant and fleet services, concrete repairs, and a new CCTV offering currently in development.
Mike 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.”
Tom Wakeford, managing director at Stepnell, added: “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.”
