CELEBRATING 40 YEARS: FROM FLEET STREET ENGINEERS TO HIGH-END CONTRACTORS

As Thames & Newcastle marks 40 years of business, we look back at where it all began and the people, projects and values that have shaped our growth and success.

It was 1984 and mechanical engineers Keith Leask and Peter Wilton were working for the Times in Fleet Street, responsible for the smooth running of the printing presses. Following an industrial dispute, they left to try something new. Initially taking on odd jobs, they began advertising their services and drawing on contacts from their squash club to secure a broader range of projects. As their reputation grew, they formalised the business as a partnership in 1986 with the help of a government loan scheme.

From TNL to T&N

The company name stems back to the pair’s time at Fleet Street. Still wearing overalls branded TNL, which stood for Times Newspaper Limited, the initials caught a client’s attention, who asked what it stood for. Thinking on their feet, they told them it stood for ‘Today Not Later’, a nod to their commitment to completing jobs on time. “We ran with that name for the first few years of trading before deciding to change it in 1997,” recalls Keith. “Peter was from East London which gave us the idea for Thames, and I’m originally from Newcastle, so Thames & Newcastle was born.”

Building a reputation

In the early years, the business mainly focused on mechanical, electrical and domestic work before it secured a wiring project for a production studio and offices used by David Dimbleby and a well-known producer. From there, Thames & Newcastle grew steadily through word-of-mouth recommendations, and it wasn’t long before they moved into rented premises in East London where Peter ran the office and Keith was out on site.

By the late 80s, the business had secured its first £100,000 pound contract, refurbishing the external façade of an apartment block in Maida Vale, London. By the late 90s the business secured its first £1m contract to refurbish a luxury house in Notting Hill, London. “A big part of our success was the strength of our people,” explains Keith. “We’d built a core team who shared our work ethic and approach, and who could represent us on site when we weren’t there. That way of working has stayed with us ever since.”

Adapting to adversity

A major turning point came in 2001 when Thames & Newcastle purchased its first owned office and workshop, moving to west London. Almost simultaneously, Peter was diagnosed with cancer, forcing a major shift in how the business operated. Keith moved into a dual role, managing both the office and sites while Peter underwent treatment. Despite the strain, the business continued to grow, and Peter later returned before sadly passing away after a prolonged battle with the illness.

The next generation

In 2009, Keith’s son Stanley took on a more senior role in the business. After working as a managing surveyor, Stanley became commercial director and a 50-50 partner. In 2013, Dan Ford joined as construction director and two years later, Natalie Allen was appointed to head up the company’s property management and aftercare services division.

“As we’ve grown, we’ve forged a strong reputation for attention to detail and being easy to work with,” says Keith. “Our clients can speak directly to a director at any time and get a clear, honest answer. The proof of that is reflected in some of the high-profile projects we’ve secured, including work for European royal families and various VIPs.”

“We don’t pursue leads or tenders based on revenue alone,” adds Stanley. “Projects must be the right fit for us as a team. We take great pride in what we do, so will only take on a job if we have a genuine interest in it as this will translate into better results for our clients.”

Maintaining standards

Underlining its commitment to quality and professionalism, Thames & Newcastle secured CIOB chartered status in 2011 and has maintained it ever since.  Looking ahead, the business remains focused on those principles and developing a culture centred on continuous learning, accountability and achieving the highest standards.

“The construction industry has changed a lot over the years and there have been many challenges along the way, but as a business, we’ve stayed true to ourselves,” says Stanley. “Our commitment to quality, integrity and doing things the right way has never wavered and continues to be at the heart of everything we do. It’s been quite a journey and with strong foundations in place, we’re looking forward to the next chapter.”