This month, Stancold held its first golf day, the start of an annual tradition, at Thornbury Golf Club just outside Bristol. It was a great opportunity to bring together companies we work with regularly but rarely get to meet outside a formal business context.

Stancold’s marketing team started working with Sales Director Matt Jinks back in April to organise the event. A number of our suppliers and industry partners generously came on board as sponsors, helping build further collaboration across the industry. Sponsors included Kingspan, Gilcrest, MIDDAS, Bluseal, Euroclad and BSE.

We were able to bring together a strong mix of clients, suppliers and other relevant industry players, forming seven diverse groups on the course, each with a Stancold representative.

The day started with coffee and breakfast sandwiches, provided by the golf club, before attendees headed out to the first tee. After golf, everyone came together for drinks on the clubhouse patio before making their way to Thornbury’s event space. Following a delicious roast dinner from Thornbury, Matt presented our competition awards.

Given this was Stancold’s first event of this nature, it couldn’t have gone better. We’re very thankful to all our attendees for making the day so special.

Off the back of this success, we’re keen to host more events going forward, and not just golf days. We hope to see you at the next one!

Stancold’s strengthened Senior Management Team is shaping a new phase of organisational growth, enabling us to elevate our capabilities and deliver greater value to customers across the UK. Our upcoming content will spotlight each SMT leader and the strategic value they bring to the business.

It’s fitting to begin with one of the most client‑facing roles within the SMT, Sales Director Matt Jinks. CEO Chris Honer, who collaborated with Matt in an earlier role, knew he was the right leader to elevate our sales strategy and deepen client engagement across the sector.

Matt brings sales leadership experience from both multinational organisations and smaller firms, applying a consistent, disciplined approach throughout his career regardless of company size or sector.

‘An effective sales strategy begins with understanding the client’s viewpoint, ambitions and pressures,’ says Matt. ‘When you go out of your way to fully comprehend the problems your customer is facing, you can sell them a solution to that problem or a way to meet their goals, not just a product or service.’

Before joining Stancold, Matt held a global sales management role at GE and later served as National Sales Manager for Liebherr’s refrigeration division.

Stancold’s specialist markets were new territory for Matt, but the adjustment period was brief as he has a proven track record of quickly learning and applying sector‑specific practices.

‘The major point of learning and adjustment for me was understanding the sales cycle and timeline,’ remembers Matt. ‘In FMCG roles, transactions happen in minutes. This industry requires a slower, more calculated and technical approach to selling a solution. And rightfully so, as these are major capital expenditure projects for our customers.’

Matt’s priority at Stancold has been gaining a clear understanding of the operational challenges for customers and aligning them with the capabilities of our composite partitioning solutions.

It was Matt’s client‑focused approach that inspired him to start a business with a GE colleague, bridging the time between his sales leadership positions at GE and Liebherr.

‘When my kids were small, I’d take them to soft play centres from time to time,’ Matt explains. ‘The experience was lacking from a parent’s perspective. Whilst the kids would have fun it was uncomfortable for waiting parents. Watching other parents react similarly showed it was a common issue.’

Understanding the difficulty parents faced in finding quality weekend activities for their children, Matt saw an opportunity. As he moved into the next phase of his career, he and a former colleague opened Imagination Street, a soft play centre in Bromsgrove.

With a clear grasp of parents’ need for both engaging play and a comfortable place to relax, Matt approached the venture fully aware of the problem he intended to address.

‘Before we even opened the facility, we had over 100 bookings for birthday parties,’ Matt recalls. ‘We knew we were on to something.’

The business took off quickly, and three years in, Matt and his business partner opened a second location in Redditch.

After nine years, Matt was ready to transition back to a sales role, so he sold his share of Imagination Street to his business partner and joined the team at Liebherr.

As Matt has embedded himself within the Stancold team, he has championed a more creative mindset across the business while strengthening our relationships throughout the industry.

‘The hardest sale is the first one,’ says Matt. ‘The ideal place for Stancold to be is our client’s first call for partitioning issues at their facilities. The SMT is shaping a delivery model that encourages customers to return.’

Matt continues to encourage his team and the wider business to investigate additional problems and challenges facing UK facilities that Stancold’s composite panel packages could solve. A perfect example is the project Stancold is undertaking in Melksham, utilising the Sonocore acoustic panel system to provide a noise control solution.

Outside of work, Matt is a very active parent, with three kids. His parenting style echoes his professional approach, continually creating memorable experiences with his children.

He has also always, in one way or another, been heavily involved in football, currently serving as Commercial Manager for Meadow Park FC in his hometown of Bromsgrove. In addition to football, he’s an avid golfer. Everyone in the Stancold office has been told the story of his recent hole-in-one!

With Matt now leading the sales function, his strategic vision will undoubtedly elevate Stancold’s growth trajectory and open doors into new sectors.

Stancold has been appointed to deliver a custom Sonocore acoustic panel solution within a laboratory environment for a specialist PPE manufacturer.

Officially introduced by Gilcrest Manufacturing in June, the new Sonocore system gives us an opportunity to deploy our composite panelling experience and provide an acoustic solution.

Gilcrest designed the Sonocore system to control industrial noise. It uses a mineral‑fibre core engineered for high sound absorption. The system has been tested to BS ISO 354, so facility managers can rely on its measured performance.

Acting on an acoustic consultant’s recommendation, the PPE manufacturer approached Gilcrest to control noise in a laboratory where sounds from machinery on one side creates distractions and disrupts team communication.

Gilcrest worked with Stancold to utilise the Sonocore system to solve this problem for the manufacturer, planning and designing a two-phase fit-out project.

Phase one of the project will involve installing a lining of perforated Sonocore panelling along the back wall of the laboratory, securing it to the stud framework of the existing laboratory wall to stop noise escaping the space.

Phase two will involve the build of a bulkhead to enclose the existing ductwork machinery, which has required an intricate design process to ensure noise issues are further minimised.

‘The internal face of the enclosure will be perforated steel,’ says Stancold’s Business Development Director Mark Kendrick. ‘A perforated face allows the mineral fibre core to facilitate optimal sound absorption.’

The enclosure will be suspended from the underside of a concrete ceiling deck.

Like Stancold’s other composite panelling projects across the UK, Sonocore is modular and adaptable, allowing design to match a facility’s exact needs.

We’re excited to work with Gilcrest on our first Sonocore project and continue to leverage our composite panelling experience to reduce noise while also addressing other facility requirements such as temperature control, hygiene standards and fire protection.

Stancold’s ongoing development brings fresh expertise to the team, continuing with our new Project Manager, Gareth Scanlon.

Backed by considerable project management expertise, Gareth has delivered successful projects across a range of industries.

After launching his career in the printing industry straight from college, Gareth progressed to a managerial role and then moved his management expertise into another field. Project management proved a natural fit given his experience managing teams and working closely with clients, leading him to a Project Manager role with a retail refit contractor.

Gareth’s organisation would handle entire internal construction projects in large stores such as Tesco, B&Q and Marks and Spencer. As a Project Manager, Gareth was responsible for coordinating with the various stakeholders on the client’s team, such as store managers, department managers and corporate property managers, as well as the different contractors brought in to handle specific project elements.

‘Project management is ultimately about managing people and expectations,’ he remembers. ‘Those skills apply regardless of the sector.’

After a long tenure in refit, first as project manager and later as contracts manager, Gareth was ready for a change and moved to a new industry to apply his skills. The solar industry came calling, and he joined a residential fit-out contractor.

In that role, he led multi‑trade teams, managed expectations across homeowners, housing associations and supply partners, and ensured projects met tight timelines, quality standards and health‑and‑safety requirements.

‘Local councils were working to make homes within housing associations more energy efficient by installing better insulation and solar panels,’ he explains. ‘My company would carry out the work on the various councils’ behalf, helping them to reduce their overall carbon emissions.’

Following the conclusion of multiple solar installation projects in South Wales, the company offered Gareth a London-based role. Not wanting to manage a tricky London commute during the week, he kept his eye out for exciting project management roles near South Wales, and that’s how he came across Stancold.

‘My experience with internal projects on active sites tied directly to Stancold’s work,’ says Gareth. ‘Of course, the scope is slightly different, but it is still managing all the moving parts of a complex project to ensure the client is happy and their goals are met.’

Gareth joined Stancold at the beginning of a pivotal and exciting time! As he settled in, Stancold’s Senior Management Team was introduced, and departments were restructured to follow the customer journey.

‘The recent changes provide project managers with a stronger support structure,’ he explains. ‘The communication between project managers and the sales team is better than ever with the recent changes, ensuring the smoothest process for our clients.’

Outside of work, Gareth is a keen Cardiff City supporter and often watches matches with his two sons. He is also an avid golfer, a hobby he shares with multiple members of the Stancold team.

Join us in welcoming Gareth to Stancold. With his extensive project experience, he’ll continue to be a strong asset to our delivery team.

With Stancold’s continued growth, we’re proud to welcome new faces who enhance our expertise and bring valuable new viewpoints to the business. Say hello to our Trainee Project Coordinator, Libby Pugh.

Libby has unique professional experience that lends itself to her role at Stancold. She previously worked at an animal research farm in Wales, and although she joined in an admin and HR capacity, her responsibilities soon grew far beyond that.

‘My manager left the organisation a few months into me being there,’ says Libby, ‘so I stepped up in multiple ways to help fill the void and assist other departments.’

The farm took on contract work, often with pharmaceutical companies, to perform important research.

During her time on the farm, Libby supported multiple departments, taking on responsibilities including supplier management, HR administration, website management, facilities coordination, supporting the lab team and assisting with animal care.

Before this role, Libby worked in an administration role for an underfloor heating company, a trade Stancold often collaborates with on industrial freezer projects. She also gained early exposure to the construction industry by supporting her dad on plumbing and maintenance projects across Wales and the south of England.

After two fulfilling years at the animal research farm, Libby was ready for a fresh challenge. The Operations Administrator role at Stancold immediately stood out, with many of the required skills reflecting her experience across different sectors.

‘Many of the people I’d worked closely with had moved on, and I was ready for a change,’ says Libby. ‘The role at Stancold was a chance to try something new and build on my previous experience’

In her first months at Stancold, Libby moved from Operations Administrator to Trainee Project Coordinator, highlighting both her proactive approach and the strength of the Project Coordination team. Her previous experience juggling varied responsibilities has proven a natural fit.

‘As Operations Administrator, I handled admin elements at the beginning and end of a project,’ she explains. ‘As Project Coordinator, I’m still handling those elements, but I’m also working with Ciara and Becky to make sure our installers have what they need to complete our projects efficiently and effectively.’

When she’s not at Stancold, Libby enjoys painting, drawing and supporting her sister’s nail business through social media management. When she’s not working on creative projects, she’s usually spending time with friends or embracing her competitive side at pub quizzes and karaoke.

We’re very pleased to have Libby as part of Stancold. Her first few months have already highlighted her adaptability and strong work ethic, as evidenced by her quick transition to project coordination.

Join us in welcoming Libby to Stancold!

Stancold, a leading provider of temperature controlled, hygienic and fire-rated environments, has announced a significant leadership transition and strengthened senior management structure as the business positions itself for its next phase of ambitious growth.

After more than 25 years with the company, Managing Director Andy Croxton will step down, marking the end of an era defined by major expansion and capability development. He will be succeeded by Chris Honer, who has been appointed Group Managing Director and will lead Stancold through its next stage of strategic growth and investment.

Chris Honer brings extensive leadership experience in scaling businesses and driving strategic growth, with a strong focus on team development, operational performance and long term value creation. His appointment reflects Stancold’s continued investment in strengthening its leadership capability to support the next stage of expansion.

A series of recent strategic appointments and promotions across the senior team reflects the strengthened structure designed to align expertise across every stage of the customer journey – from initial enquiry and solution design through to delivery and handover.

The leadership team includes Stacy Horseman, recently promoted to Head of Marketing, leading brand and early stage engagement; Matt Jinks as Sales Director, responsible for client relationships and solution development; Gary Phillips as Head of Commercial, ensuring strong commercial governance; and Ryan Gillson as Head of Project Delivery, overseeing project execution through to completion.

Each role has been structured to support a seamless customer journey, with clear ownership at every stage – ensuring consistency, accountability and a high quality experience from first contact through to project delivery. This structure reinforces the business’s commitment to putting the customer at the heart of everything it does, ensuring decisions, processes and delivery are all aligned around customer needs.

Chris Honer said:

This next chapter is about ambition, investment and momentum. We are focused on scaling the business, strengthening our capabilities and delivering even greater value to our customers across existing and emerging sectors.

The leadership transition forms part of a broader strategic investment in the future of the business, reinforcing Stancold’s commitment to growth, innovation and high standards of delivery. This is underpinned by the continued support, expertise and commitment of the wider team, whose breadth of experience and dedication play a critical role in delivering for customers and supporting the company’s ongoing growth.

With increasing demand for high performance, compliant and specialist environments, Stancold is well positioned to capitalise on opportunities across food production, cleanrooms, cold storage, battery manufacturing, data centres and other fast growing industrial and technology-led sectors.

The new leadership structure reflects a clear intent to build on strong foundations and accelerate growth through enhanced capability, sector diversification and continued investment in people, innovation and operational strength.

Stancold is a specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of temperature controlled, hygienic and fire-rated environments. Serving clients across food, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing and industrial sectors, Stancold delivers coldrooms, cleanrooms, laboratories, battery manufacturing facilities and industrial partitions, helping businesses meet strict regulatory standards and operational requirements.

Media Contact:

Stacy Horseman – Head of Marketing

shorseman@stancold.co.uk

While new team members have joined us over the past few months, our momentum also derives from developing the exceptional talent already within Stancold.

A strong illustration of our approach is the advancement of Ben Galey, who is moving from project coordination into a Trainee Quantity Surveyor role within the commercial department.

Since joining Stancold in 2021, Ben has spent over four years as an integral member of the project coordination team, helping project managers and on-site installers by managing the tools and materials required for efficient and effective delivery.

As Stancold was prepared to invest in Ben’s development within the construction industry, he considered going down the project management route. Despite having the skills and experience for it, he felt project management was not the area where he’d thrive most.

Over his time in the business, Ben formed a strong professional relationship with Stancold’s former QS Adam Wenlock, gaining valuable insight into the QS role and its importance within a construction business.

‘The priorities of a Quantity Surveyor align closely with what mattered to me as a Project Coordinator,’ says Ben. ‘When I would be involved in a project, I’d watch over the budget like it was my own. Not short-changing our suppliers in any way but finding rational methods to save the company money without compromising quality.’

Ben’s new role places him at the heart of commercial control, ensuring Stancold is fairly compensated for completed works and maintaining clarity across all parties involved in complex projects.

As part of his evolution into the Quantity Surveyor role, Stancold has facilitated Ben to join a five-year course in Commercial Management at the University of the West of England (UWE), setting him on the path to full QS qualification.

‘It’s a big commitment for me, but it’s also a big commitment for Stancold,’ says Ben.

Once a week, Ben has been travelling to UWE’s Frenchay campus for his studies. So far, it has been a general overview of commercial management in construction, but Ben is particularly looking forward to learning more as the course content becomes more relevant to his day-to-day role at Stancold.

During the remaining four days of the week, Ben has seamlessly integrated into the commercial team, bringing valuable perspective from his project coordination background and deep knowledge of how Stancold operates.

Join us in wishing Ben well on his continued development and exciting new chapter!

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Our social media followers may have noticed a theme lately: Stancold is expanding. We are taking on more exciting projects and branching out into new sectors, so we are bringing in new team members to broaden our capabilities! Following the introduction of Group Design Manager Paul Steffens, we’re excited to welcome his design colleague, Design Technician Yasser Gebril.

Yasser’s path into design began at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he completed a degree in Architectural Design and Technology in 2013. Originally from Egypt, he moved to Cardiff specifically for his studies. Adjusting to a new language was a challenge at first, but he pushed through and successfully earned his degree.

After university, Yasser spent a few years back in Egypt but returned to Cardiff in 2016, where he worked as a Housing Officer for Cardiff City Council. His role involved assisting people in applying for housing and finding suitable accommodation. It was in that role that he honed his customer service skills, which translate into the client-facing part of his role at Stancold.

‘In that role I really learned how to put the customers first, even if they were angry or frustrated when I spoke to them,’ Yasser remembers. ‘Being patient and managing expectations translates directly into construction.’

After two years with Cardiff City Council, Yasser moved into the construction sector. He took on a role as designer for brick fabrication and later worked in modular construction, producing construction drawings for large projects in the healthcare and education sectors.

‘You’d be surprised by how many hidden considerations go into designing an education facility,’ Yasser says, ‘I learned a lot over the course of that role.’

When he was ready for a new challenge in the construction industry, Yasser made the jump to Stancold. As with any role in specialist construction, it was a bit of a learning curve, but Yasser adapted quickly.

‘A major part of my learning was collaborating with the team at Stancold,’ says Yasser. ‘I also spent time studying past project designs to really understand the full process.’

Outside of work, Yasser enjoys a bit of sport, specifically supporting Manchester United!

‘Man United really reminds me of my favourite football club from Egypt, Al Ahly,’ says Yasser, ‘so they were easy to support when I moved to the UK.’

We’re excited to welcome Yasser to Stancold. His skills and dedication are a great addition, and we look forward to seeing his continued success.

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Industry trade organisations reward long-term commitment, and Stancold has always valued the partnerships we build through them. These relationships help us elevate our profile, learn from peers and stay connected to the wider community. With that in mind, we are proud to mark 20 years as members of the Cold Chain Federation.

Founded in 1911 as The National Federation of Cold Storage and Ice Trades, the organisation, later renamed the Food Storage & Distribution Federation and now known as the Cold Chain Federation, was formed to unite cold storage operators and encourage shared learning and business growth. Back in the beginnings of the Federation, cold storage technology was much less advanced, with icehouses still being a critical part of the cold chain!

As cold storage technology and infrastructure evolved over the past 115 years, the Federation grew alongside it, expanding its network to support everyone involved in the cold chain. With the sector’s growth into areas like pharmaceuticals, the organisation adopted its current name: the Cold Chain Federation.

The Federation’s emphasis on policy and networking has led to a growing suite of resources for associate members like Stancold, enabling us to reach new customers and stay ahead of the trends and challenges facing the cold chain.

To mark our 20^th anniversary with the Cold Chain Federation, CCF’s Deputy Chief Executive, Tom Southall, visited the Stancold office in Avonmouth to meet with the team and present Head of Marketing Stacy Horseman with an anniversary certificate.

Together with Tom, we explored some of the key developments influencing the industry in 2026, such as the shift to –15°C freezers and the growing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. We also discussed the opportunities ahead and the Federation’s programme of events.

We are excited for all the opportunities over the next year with the Cold Chain Federation and look forward to continuously interacting and collaborating with other members!

Stancold continues to grow, and with that growth comes fresh expertise to support our expanding project portfolio and evolving sectors. On that note, please join us in welcoming the newest member of our Group Design Manager, Paul Steffens.

Paul’s background covers multiple corners of the construction industry, built over a career that began in 1988 as a Design Draftsman. His commitment to learning from industry specialists has shaped a well‑rounded and highly adaptable skill set.

‘Even in my early career, I realised the value of learning from people who had spent years in specialist industries,’ says Paul, ‘That mindset gave me deeper insight into every sector I entered and improved my wider understanding of construction and project design.’

After a decade in the industry, Paul moved into self-employment, a decision that led to a varied and global career. His project design work has taken him throughout the UK as well as to Spain, Ireland and Qatar.

Paul joined the Stancold team after a few years of being self-employed. Even though Paul has only just joined us, he has worked with composite panels before, so our materials and project environments are not new to him.

“Being self-employed is great,’ says Paul, ‘but you lose the opportunity to collaborate with other people in an office environment. Joining Stancold gives me the chance to both learn and contribute.’

Paul’s commitment to collaborative, communicative design work fits well with Stancold’s approach, strengthening how we work together and how we engage with clients.

‘Design is not a linear process,’ explains Paul, ‘collaborating with the client is like playing a game of communication ping pong. You go back and forth with the client to help them figure out the best solution for their specific circumstances.’

Outside his professional life, Paul enjoys landscape photography and often visits natural sites around the UK with one of his multiple cameras. He also took up guitar when he was a kid and played in multiple bands throughout his teens and twenties.

Please join us in welcoming Paul to Stancold. He’s already made a strong impact within the project team, and we’re excited to see that continue.

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Stancold is expanding, and we’re looking to partner with more sub-contractor installation teams across the UK.

Our commercial team are inviting installation professionals and teams with experience in whitewall and fire-rated partitioning fit-out and cleanroom envelope builds to get in touch.

With a strong pipeline of projects and an expanding portfolio across food, beverage, industrial, and controlled‑environment facilities, this is an exciting time to join our trusted installer network.

If you are interested in working with us on UK fit-out projects in 2026 and beyond, please get in touch with the commercial team!

📧 commercial@stancold.co.uk

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We are excited to announce that Stancold has joined the British Frozen Food Federation!

As a specialist contractor building bespoke cold‑storage spaces for the UK food and beverage sector, this is a natural fit for Stancold. The British Frozen Food Federation is the UK’s premier trade organisation representing the frozen foods sector.

The BFFF represents producers, distributors, brokers, wholesalers and other industry partners; our membership lets us connect across the supply chain and speak directly to frozen‑food manufacturers and suppliers who can benefit from our expertise.

‘Joining the British Frozen Food gives us an increased opportunity to communicate with the wider frozen foods industry in the UK,’ says Stancold’s Business Development Manager for Food Projects, Andy Connell.

Their technical team consistently provides answers and guidance on health and safety and food safety, and Stancold’s addition enhances the BFFF’s technical resource offering.

Simon Brentnall, BFFF Head of Health & Safety, visited our Avonmouth office to discuss the networking and information‑sharing advantages of membership and to learn more about Stancold’s expertise in the frozen‑foods sector.

We look forward to participating in BFFF events and contributing to the newsletter, as well as other member publications.

As 2025 comes to a close, our team are ready to enjoy a break and celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with their loved ones.

Our last working day will be Wednesday, 24th December, and we will return from the Christmas break on Friday, 2nd January 2026.

If you wish to get in touch with the Stancold team while the business is on break, please use our website contact form or send an email to info@stancold.co.uk, and we will make sure to get back to you upon our return to work.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Stancold is growing and we’re expanding our team with experienced professionals from across the UK construction industry. On that note, we are happy to introduce a new team member, Project Manager Rhys Morgan.

Rhys started in retail, spending more than ten years in Tesco’s management academy and managing one of the larger stores in Wales. The leadership and communication skills he developed translate well to construction.

‘Retail management, particularly at Tesco, develops a deep understanding of people,’ Rhys says. ‘In an era of online reviews, customer satisfaction and clear communication are essential, very much as they are in project management.’

In 2010, Rhys changed industries and started as a site manager in construction. This meant being responsible for every aspect of a new build, spending upwards of 18 months on the same site. In that role he often worked with project managers from contractors like Stancold, which piqued his interest in moving into a project management career.

Rhys made the switch to project management in 2017, working on pub-refurbishment projects, getting used to a week that involved multiple site visits.

‘I was used to going to work at the same location every day,’ Rhys remembers. ‘Project management meant I was all over the place each week, but I quickly acclimated to that style of working.’

After a few years in different project-management roles across multiple construction sectors, Rhys joined Stancold after being recruited by our Operations Director, Will Pugh.

Rhys knew Will from a previous role, and when Stancold needed to grow the Projects team, Will was keen to bring him in.

‘I’m excited to join Stancold, particularly as it moves into data centres,’ says Rhys. ‘As the company expands its offering, it’s my priority to ensure every client receives the highest standard of communication about their project. That means keeping them in the loop at every stage, giving realistic timelines and being up front about every development, even before the project is due on site.’

Outside work Rhys is a family man with two children, aged twelve and eight. Weekends often revolve around his son’s rugby matches and his daughter’s performing-arts and musical-theatre activities.

‘When your kids are involved in sports and hobbies, your life quickly revolves around their timetables,’ he says. ‘But that is absolutely how it should be as a parent!’

Even while juggling multiple live projects for Stancold, Rhys does all the cooking for his family, a skill he picked up when he was young and still thoroughly enjoys. His son has followed in his footsteps and now attends an after-school cooking class.

‘I learned to cook for myself at a young age, so it is special to see my son value that skill as well,’ says Rhys.

We’re delighted to welcome Rhys to Stancold. His mix of retail-honed people skills, hands-on site experience and passion for client communication makes him a natural fit for our growing Projects team.

Connect with Rhys on LinkedIn

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As a growing company, we’re consistently dedicated to providing flawless, bespoke fit-out solutions and that means continually strengthening our expertise and enhancing our perspective. On that note, we are pleased to introduce Stancold’s new Quantity Surveyor, Tom Barnes, bringing fresh insight into how we manage costs, control risk and serve clients at every stage.

Tom’s career in construction started off in a completely different place than quantity surveying. He spent six years as a recruiter for the construction industry, finding the best people to fill on-site roles.

While recruiting and quantity surveying might look like separate worlds, his approach involved a lot of the same skills and methodology: strong communication, a data-driven mindset, and meticulous organisation.

Tom recalls, “Every Sunday I’d run through my list of labourers, calling each one to confirm they were ready for Monday. That level of organisation and eye for detail is essential in quantity surveying.”

Five years into his work as a recruiter, Tom felt ready to make a change and find a new place for himself in the construction industry. His strong organisational skills and propensity for maths got him interested in becoming a Quantity Surveyor.

To become qualified Quantity Surveyor, Tom had to enroll in a college course while also taking on a full-time trainee role. “It was a very busy few years,” he says, “but I was driven to find success as a QS.”

Tom joined the Stancold team after 12 years as a Quantity Surveyor, having spent his career working in New Build, Refurbishment and Conservation sectors. When he was ready for a new challenge, he was happy to become a part of Stancold. Tom is eager to sharpen our commercial processes and drive even clearer cost control on every project.

As a Quantity Surveyor, one of Tom’s main goals is to make sure a finger is kept on the pulse of a project as it is going on. “Especially with some of the larger projects that Stancold and CREST take on,” he says, “it is for the benefit of both our team and the client to make sure communication is consistently clear throughout the project. That mitigates the risk of any misunderstandings once the project is complete.”

His recruiting background means Tom excels at stakeholder liaison, whether negotiating with client QS teams or coordinating subcontractors. As he puts it, “The more we communicate and collaborate, the smoother each project runs.”

Outside of work, Tom is very much a family man. He and his partner have six young children, and he says, “there’s little scope for anything else, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Still, he’s able to fit in daily gym sessions, which means getting up incredibly early every day to make it to the gym, a testament to his drive and time-management skills.

“I used to play a lot of rugby too,” he says, “but the physical demands of rugby, intense gym sessions and most importantly, being an involved and dedicated father to my kids were a bit too much, so I’m playing less rugby these days.”

Join us in welcoming Tom to the Stancold and CREST teams. He’s already made a positive impact on the business, and we have no doubt he will continue to do so.

As part of Stancold’s ongoing partnership with BFBi, we try to attend as many of their events as we can.

You can catch Stancold’s Business Development Manager for Food Projects, Andy Connell, at these upcoming BFBi events:

• Midland Section Lunch – 5 Nov – Birmingham

This is a great opportunity for Andy and Dan Bartfield, Stancold’s Assistant Marketing Manager, to get to know some of the members and beverage producers of BFBi’s Midlands Section. Much like the other sectional luncheon, we’re expecting there to be some amazing craft beers to try!

• Hepworth Brewery Tour – 11 Nov – West Sussex

We appreciate any opportunity to see food or beverage producers’ operations firsthand. BFBi brewery tours take us to brewery facilities across the country and give us the chance to do some valuable networking!

• Joint BFBi x SDT Symposium Driving Efficiency in Dairy – 4 Dec – Nantwich

At this event, Andy will get a chance to hear multiple presentations regarding ways to increase efficiency in UK dairy operations, plus take part in a tour of Reaseheath College’s dairy and food production facilities. Reaseheath is one of the UK’s top food and agricultural colleges, so it will be interesting to see how hygienic facilities are approached from an educational perspective.

BFBi is the leading trade association representing the supply chain for UK food and beverage production. Our membership provides lets us connect with producers, network with other members of the overall supply chain and gain a clearer view of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

If you’re attending any of these BFBi events, say a quick hello to Andy! One of the strongest benefits of BFBi membership is the chance to engage with other members of the UK food and beverage industry supply chain.

Click to learn more about BFBi!

At Stancold, we’re proud to announce our strategic expansion into the data centre fit-out market, a major step forward in our commitment to excellence and long-term growth.

For over 70 years, we’ve specialised in controlled environment construction for some of the UK’s most critical industries. Over the past two decades, our team has expanded this expertise to deliver increasingly complex projects, including battery manufacturing facilities and builds for the nuclear industry. Our experience and capabilities here make this a natural and exciting progression for the business.

Throughout 2025, we’ve been working hard to build a dedicated team with the expertise, capacity and set-up to deliver large-scale, multimillion-pound data centre projects, bringing together the technical know-how and proven project management strength that are essential for such critical infrastructure builds.

Alongside our growth into this sector, our core operations remain at the heart of what we do. We’ll continue to design and construct controlled environments within food and beverage facilities, pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing sites, and industrial warehouse developments across the UK, with the same attention to detail, reliability and service that have defined Stancold for generations.

Stancold’s Managing Director, Andy Croxton, shared what this means for the business:

“This move into the data centre sector represents a natural evolution for Stancold. We’ve spent decades perfecting the design and delivery of technically demanding environments where precision and reliability are everything. Now, we’re bringing that same expertise to a market that shares those exact values. It’s an exciting new chapter for our team.”

Sales & Marketing Director, Chris Napier, highlighted the strong market opportunity:

“The data centre sector is growing rapidly across the UK and Europe, driven by the need for secure, scalable digital infrastructure. Clients are looking for delivery partners who can work at pace, to the highest standards and with complete reliability. That’s what we do best. We’re thrilled to be a part of this expanding industry and to support our clients’ ambitions.”

From an operational perspective, Operations Director, Will Pugh, reflected on the strength of the business’ delivery model:

“Our success has always come from ability to deliver complex projects safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. Data centre fit-out projects demand that same level of care and discipline, and we’re ready to meet that challenge head-on. This is a fantastic opportunity for our teams to build on what we already do so well.” 

Leading this initiative, Mark Kendrick, Business Development Director, added:

“Data centres are, in many ways, an extension of the controlled environments we’ve been delivering for years. The need for robust performance and technical integration makes it a perfect fit for us. We’re bringing trusted experience and a collaborative approach to help clients deliver these critical facilities.”

As we embark on this next phase, we remain committed to delivering technical excellence, integrity and teamwork across all aspects of our work. We’re excited to bring our skills and values into the data centre sector, while continuing to serve our long-standing clients with the same dedication and quality they’ve come to expect.

We look forward to sharing more about our data centre journey as our specialist team continues to grow and deliver new projects across the UK.

To discuss our data centre expertise in more detail, get in touch within Mark Kendrick on 07585 301 425 or send us an enquiry here.

With the first half of the year behind us, we’re taking a moment to look back at CREST’s achievements in Q2.

To begin, we welcomed back Kate Virtue, our Installation Manager, from Maternity leave!

Alongside our day-to-day endeavors, the team won a variety of contracts within the pharmaceutical industry, which will see them travel to Durham, Trowbridge and Macclesfield over the next few months.

Two of our dedicated site installers, Liam Johnson and Tom Edmonds, completed their NVQs in Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction).

Lastly, we celebrated numerous work anniversaries this quarter. From Steve Gunning and Liam Johnson’s fourth year to Kieran Croker’s sixth year.

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for CREST, keep up the good work team!

We’re thrilled to announce the successful food-safe partitioning installation for Easton Chilli at their new site, just around the corner from us here in Bristol, delivered by the Stancold Food Projects team.

When Easton Chilli needed space to grow, founder Rikki Tooley turned to Stancold, connecting through his Taste of the West membership, for help fitting out a brand-new site.

The project called for using the Kingspan Quadcore system to build a freestanding food-safe room within the existing building envelope.

Rikki started Easton Chilli during the COVID-19 pandemic and initially used rental kitchen spaces to produce his excellent chilli jams and hot sauces. As the business has expanded, Rikki found it was time to find a site of his own.

Stancold’s Business Development Manager for Food Projects, Andy Connell, worked with Rikki to understand the required layout and the necessary panel specifications for the walls and ceilings. The scope also included the installation of two food-safe hinged personnel doors.

A consideration Stancold’s Project Service Manager, Sam Glover, had to take into account when planning this project was the narrow entry point into the industrial estate that Easton Chilli is on.

‘The Easton neighbourhood and the narrow entry into the industrial estate means we had to arrange the panel delivery with smaller vehicles,’ says Sam. ‘But in so many decades of working on food and drink production fit-out projects, that’s hardly a challenge for our team.’

Working with local clients who contribute to the thriving and ever-growing South West food production scene is why we got involved with Taste of the West over a decade ago. Therefore, helping a producer like Easton Chilli reach the next level of their production journey is especially rewarding for us.

Now that the production area has been fitted out, Rikki will soon start production at the new site!

Click below to learn more about Easton Chilli and their incredible products. Rikki is hosting an open day in August at the new facility, so check out their website and give them a Facebook follow to learn more about attending.

Easton Chilli

Easton Chilli – Facebook

If your food or drink production site is looking to reconfigure or expand, give us a call or an email. We’d love to work with you!

info@stancold.co.uk

0117 316 7000

Stancold Food Projects is built on a foundation of extensive industry expertise. Continuing that tradition, we’re excited to welcome Nathan Mustoe to the team as our new Project Manager.

Nathan may be new to Stancold, but he’s no stranger to the whitewall partitioning and cold storage sectors, having entered the industry at just 16 years old!

After leaving school, Nathan took his first step into the industry by working in the storeroom of a company that manufactured and installed cold store areas for food and drink facilities. He soon advanced to the manufacturing team, assembling the critical doors and panels for these installations. From there, he jumped into an on-site role working in facilities across the UK food and beverage industry.

Of his extensive industry experience, Nathan explains, ‘Starting on the tools helps you deal with all aspects of a project once you find yourself working in a project management role. I am well-suited to manage our relationships with installers and the various subcontractors we work with because I’ve been where they are.’

Following travels through Thailand and Australia, Nathan wasted no time rejoining the industry, taking up several project management and surveying roles. He has become deeply experienced in managing client relationships and delivering successful facility fit-outs.

‘While clients typically have a clear vision at the start, that vision can shift as the project unfolds,” Nathan notes. “I really enjoy the journey of working alongside them to ensure they have a facility that suits their needs perfectly.’

With all this valuable industry experience, it’s no wonder that Nathan was a perfect fit for the Stancold team!

As he’s integrated into the Stancold Food Projects team, Nathan has appreciated the forward-thinking nature of our project management approach. ‘Stancold’s embracing of top-tier project management software and well-structured procedures is so refreshing,’ he says. ‘With these tools at our disposal, we are perfectly positioned to deliver high-quality facilities for the UK’s food and drink industry.’

Outside of work, Nathan enjoys sports — especially football and golf. This shared enthusiasm is one of the reasons he blends so well with our team! He’s spent time coaching for an FA Level 2 team and has been a Manchester United supporter since his youth. In the past year, he and his 6-year-old son have gotten involved in Taekwondo, gradually progressing towards a yellow belt.

“I only got involved because it was the next activity my son wanted to try, but we both enjoy it a lot!” Nathan shares. “At that age, it’s vital for kids to explore different hobbies to figure out what they really enjoy. I’m hoping golf will eventually catch his eye!”

As Stancold’s specialist division continues to grow, CREST welcomes Ciara Chapman as its Project Administrator. 

As CREST’s Project Administrator, Ciara’s current priority lies within one of CREST’s specialist projects where she is the main point of contact with suppliers, contractors and the wider team. Being an active problem solver with a history of strong customer satisfaction, she is able to help clients with all queries and concerns.

After completing her A Levels, Ciara dove straight into the world of work and began her journey in the construction industry. With a background in modular construction recruitment and government-funded housing projects, Ciara has now found her niche within the industry at Stancold.

“My previous role [within a recruitment company] also emphasised the importance of modular cleanrooms, like Stancold, which is why the role stood out to me.”

Ciara is currently enjoying working on the high-security, stringent GDPR nature of her current project and the client-facing aspect of her role.

Outside of the office, Ciara is an avid football fan. She has been playing for over a decade, most recently in a women’s team based in North Bristol, and has even played against Manchester United’s Gary Neville!

As a way to unwind from her busy day-to-day, she will often be seen in her local pub enjoying time with her friends, or in the comfort of her home baking delicious gluten-free goodies, which she generously provides to the office.

At Stancold, our 75+ years of success stem from surrounding ourselves with the best minds in the industry. With that in mind, we are very proud to introduce our new Project Designer for Food Projects and Industrial Partitions, Ajay Mathew!

Having completed his undergraduate studies in civil engineering in India, Ajay made the move to the UK to undertake a master’s degree in construction engineering at the University of East London.

‘The climate in the UK was the hardest thing to get used to when I moved here!’ he says.

Before he moved to the UK, Ajay gained industry experience through roles in estimating and site management for construction sites in India.

‘My academic experience has been really beneficial for me in both my professional roles in the UK,’ says Ajay. ‘It’s helped me approach design with a fuller understanding of what each project needs, especially from an estimating standpoint.’

Ajay stepped into his first UK role as a Designer with a fit-out contractor shortly after completing his master’s degree. With limited prior exposure to the industry, he nonetheless adjusted quickly and made valuable contributions by drawing on his construction engineering background.

Following a few years in the industry, Ajay decided to further his career by joining the Stancold team as a Project Designer for our food and firewall divisions. He’s been able to apply his experience from various types of fit-outs while learning more about supporting the growth of up-and-coming food manufacturers.

‘The scope of work we do for regional food and drink producers, including some of our local clients, was a bit new to me,’ Ajay reflects. ’But working closely with my colleagues helped me adjust quickly. The proactive approach from our Business Development Managers also gives valuable insight into client expectations.’

When he’s not at work, Ajay is focused on family life with his wife and their two young sons, ages three and one. “Kids this age take up most of your free time,” he says, “but I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

We’re excited to welcome Ajay to the Stancold team and are eager to see how his skills and perspective will help us grow and evolve.

As the CREST team continues to grow, Stancold is delighted to welcome Sarah Elliott-Moore as the specialist division’s Estimator. 

Having settled into her new role, which began at the start of 2025 as part of CREST’s wider team-expansion goal, Sarah provided us with an insight into herself and what her daily tasks look like as an Estimator here at Stancold.

The most prominent aspect of Sarah’s job is collecting all the information provided from an initial enquiry and, with this, deep diving into all the possible requirements a client may need, from panel sizes, refrigerant options, and so forth. She also deals with suppliers daily, whilst assisting in creating the most accurate/competitive quote for a contract.

In her role at Stancold’s specialist division, Sarah is excited to develop her niche in estimating for the construction industry and continue diving into client projects:

“I enjoy getting my teeth stuck into potential projects, especially the larger ones. It’s great when it all comes together, it’s building a vision from scratch.”

Having grown up in Cardiff, Sarah now makes her daily commute from Newport, where she and her wife live.

Outside of work, Sarah is constantly on the go with DIY Projects and Taekwondo training and is about to start her instructor’s certificate to teach other members in the club. Having a passion for knowledge, Sarah strives to learn as much as she possibly can, which has resulted in her pursuing her STEM-based degree alongside working full-time.

To unwind, Sarah escapes through her love for open-world gaming and LEGO, she even built the famous Millennium Falcon in just 4 weeks!

As Stancold has been a South West-based company since our founding in 1946, we’re always especially pleased to take on a project for a producer in our neck of the woods. This time, the project’s not just nearby—it’s right in Easton, one of Bristol’s most iconic areas.

Bristol-based Easton Chilli approached the Stancold team through their membership with Taste of the West to quote for the build of a commercial kitchen unit in an empty shell unit they have just moved into.

Like many up-and-coming food & drink producers in the South West, Easton Chilli grew very quickly, going from producing their chilli products out of a home kitchen to a rental commercial kitchen. When it was time to create their very own site, they turned to the Stancold Food Projects team.

Stancold’s Business Development Manager for Food Projects, Andy Connell, worked with Easton Chilli’s founder to better understand what they are looking to accomplish with the new commercial kitchen.

Once they accepted our quotation, our project team met with their founder on-site to discuss how we could make the project work within their specified timeframe and budget.

We are always thrilled to work with South West-based producers to help them continue to produce the UK’s best food and drink products, but it is particularly rewarding to work with another Bristol-based company.

Easton Chilli, as you can probably tell by the name, are located in Easton, one of Bristol’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Easton is celebrated for its robust community spirit, strong sense of social consciousness, colourful and bold street art, and thriving local businesses.

Since Easton is such an important part of the city that so many members of our team call home, we are incredibly proud to help one of its thriving businesses expand to the next level!