Based in Stockport, Redstart Northwest is an employee-owned company providing ground remediation services to clients nationwide. Its professional team is headed by experienced Managing Director Steve England, who has steered the company through diversification and expansion with great success. We spoke with Steve to learn more about his journey below, following his recent recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026.
Since its inception in 2010, Redstart Northwest has delivered land remediation projects and site preparatory services to clients spanning the construction, commercial, and energy sectors across the UK. In less than two decades, the company has evolved to stand as the go-to remediation contractor of choice for the UK’s housebuilders and main contractors.
The company is driven by a team of experienced plant operators, SMSTS qualified site managers, construction personnel, and chartered professionals, all possessing a substantial shared knowledge base. These individuals boast expertise in a wide range of specialisms, spanning remediation, earthworks, demolition, and civil engineering, positioning Redstart Northwest as one of the most recognised and trusted remediation companies in the sector.
Within the field, Redstart Northwest provides geotechnical consultancy to clients and their businesses, as well as undertaking contracting works such as demolition, earthworks, and remediation. The company works hard to mitigate the risks often associated with building on previously developed sites, such as soil and groundwater contamination, ensuring that construction projects can proceed unencumbered.
This is a stellar service steered by Steve England, the Managing Director of Redstart Northwest. An experienced Director of Construction with a demonstrated history of working in the construction and remediation industry, Steve is highly skilled in value engineering, cost management, project management, highways, earthworks, remediation, and bid preparation.
Steve entered the workforce immediately after completing his A-Levels and leaving sixth form college. He worked his way up the managerial ladder, first beginning as a Junior Engineer and working his way up to the roles of Engineer, Senior Engineer, Site Agent, Contracts Manager, Operations Manager, Operations Director, Deputy Managing Director, and, finally, Managing Director at Redstart Northwest in 2023.
Throughout this journey, Steve has worked hard to realise his dreams. In 1992, having been in the workforce for only six years, the young leader was already undertaking three roles: Site Engineer, Site Agent, and Quality Surveyor. In 1996, Steve recognised that he needed a higher qualification than his A-Levels to effectively fulfil his duties. He undertook a distance-learning four-year degree, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Management in 2000.
The course of Steve’s professional career has been defined by its upward trajectory, which has been made possible by his unrivalled work ethic. “I worked hard and made myself standout from the rest, so I was noticed,” Steve told us. “I volunteered to do additional duties, which would make me a better all-rounder. I always had ambition, so it wasn’t a chore for me to do more. I enjoyed challenges to better myself and look forward to whatever the next challenge may bring.”
Today, Steve is the Managing Director of the dedicated team behind Redstart Northwest. At the head of this company, Steve engages in all aspects of the business, including finance, business development, marketing, estimating, commercial, and operations, with regular site visits to ensure the team are performing well. He prioritises total transparency and communication, offering the staff feedback surrounding Redstart Northwest’s progress, achievements, and areas for improvements.
Redstart Northwest is a 100% Employee-Owned Trust Company, positioning its talented staff as key stakeholders in the business and its success. With this status, Redstart Northwest understands the importance of recognising every employee as a vital part of the company and works tirelessly to provide each of them with a voice. The Senior Management team meets monthly with encouragement to share any ideas, innovations, or problems with the rest of the team.
Furthermore, Senior Managers are briefed after the management accounts are produced each month, maintaining complete awareness of the business’s financial status. Project review meetings are held onsite fortnightly to ensure the site teams are also aligned with project targets and performance. Steve also provides quarterly business updates, disclosing to the team where they are against their targets and whether any new strategies have been investigated or instigated.
Over the past 12 months, the Redstart Northwest team has introduced a salary sacrifice pension scheme, introduced a Group Critical Illness cover, replaced all of its old car fleet with new vehicles, upgraded its private medical insurance, introduced and paid the first “Profit Share” scheme in February 2026, and, in April 2026, introduced a “Matched Pension” scheme, where the company matches the employee contribution for their grade.
These recent achievements have been made possible by Redstart Northwest’s exceptional structure. “Culture is so important to us as a business,” said Steve. “Being a true EOT now is key to driving everyone in the same direction, for the benefit of the business and to the employees. This year has been quite significant for the team. Nobody hesitates to help and support each other, and people go above and beyond for the business. It doesn’t matter what rank you are; our people don’t hesitate to offer help.”
Recruitment is a two-person responsibility at Redstart Northwest. Its management seeks compatibility to integrate with the business first and competency second, learning from experience that if there is a willingness to work with others and a can-do attitude, all training provided will cover any shortfalls in competency. Once onboard, staff are consistently praised and recognised for doing a good job, with key milestones and birthdays celebrated across the team.
Driven by its standout team, Redstart Northwest has become a recognised name for clients across the North West, a position amplified by its team being comprised primarily of local residents. With the aim of pursuing expansion and making Redstart Northwest more resilient to the industry, area, and sectors, however, the company is exploring alternate avenues in which to diversify its offerings.
Whilst Redstart Northwest has primarily served housebuilders since its inception, the team has made significant efforts to reach out to companies occupying different sectors, areas, and client bases. It has made great progress in receiving tenders and contractors in different regions and, what’s more, 86% of tenders priced to date have not been from housebuilders, proving to the team that there is strong power behind diversification.
Looking further to the future, Redstart Northwest is targeting a continued growth plan over the next five years, with the vision of growing at least 20% year on year. The team will continue to diversify, with its sights set on the Midlands and the South. Redstart Northwest will look to set up regional offices on the back of growth in these areas, with the eventual goal of owning and operating its own head office within the next 12 months.
Steve has a number of key strategic targets for the short-term future of Redstart Northwest, each geared towards expansion and enhancement. These targets include increasing operating profit via value engineering and a greater level of efficiency; increasing the win ratio of tenders submitted to won; purchasing new, larger excavators to support its diversification of work; and continuing to recruit staff who can support Redstart Northwest’s growth.
At the same time, the Managing Director will continue to regularly review Redstart Northwest’s benefits packages for his staff, with the aim of establishing the business as a “Best In Class” provider for its employees. Ultimately, he aspires to position Redstart Northwest as a leading contender on The Times and The Sunday Times 100 Best Places to Work. With an unwavering passion for his field, his team, and the sustained success of Redstart Northwest, Steve England has been recognised as the Environmental Services MD of the Year 2026.
In reflection of his ambitions, and the success Redstart Northwest has achieved so far, Steve shared some advice for budding Managing Directors: “You must be prepared to put the hard yards in and set the level that you are prepared to accept from others. Be strong and decisive in your decision-making and remember that you can only make decisions on the information you are given. It was right at the time, even if it proves to be wrong later; learn from your mistakes.”
This advice has proven incredibly impactful for Steve’s own professional career, empowering the Managing Director to successfully lead his team at Redstart Northwest from strength to strength. Redstart Northwest has achieved substantial growth, fruitfully pursued diversification from housebuilders, and empowered its employees through its transition into an Employee-Owned Trust. For its remarkable combination of commercial growth, staff investment, and strategic expansion, we at SME News Magazine are delighted to recognise Redstart Northwest with the Business Performance and Development Excellence Award 2026.
Contact Details
Contact: Steve England
Company: Redstart Northwest Ltd
Web Address: www.redstartnw.com
