Stepnell zeroes in on North West with Pittaway appointment

Dirk Pittaway will lead the Midlands-headquartered team’s North West division as the contractor seeks to expand its regional pipeline.

Pittaway was formerly the North West managing director for Robertson Group, where he worked for eight years. His more than 30 years of experience also includes roles at Laing O’Rourke and Manchester Central Convention Complex.

As regional director for the North West at Stepnell, Pittaway will be building upon the work that has been ongoing since the contractor set up a Liverpool office in 2024.

His appointment builds upon Stepnell’s successful placement on both the £1bn Procure Partnerships North West Framework as well as the Rise Construction Framework.

“I’m joining Stepnell at a pivotal moment where we can truly influence the built environment in the North West,” Pittaway said.

“What drew me to the business was its sustainable approach and a ‘team-first’ culture that is genuinely agile enough to respond to regional needs,” he continued.

“Our goal isn’t just to build; it’s to deliver social value that stays within the local community. With the backing of our national expertise and these new framework positions, we have the credibility to provide a progressive, collaborative alternative for public sector clients.”

Stepnell director Tom Sewell spoke about what made Pittaway a logical fit for the regional director position.

“Dirk brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the North West landscape,” Sewell explained. “His track record in public sector delivery makes him instrumental in our long-term regional growth strategy.”

He added later: “We are building a powerful pipeline in the North West supported by our 159-year heritage as a complete construction partner. We are committed to providing clients with the high quality of pre-construction, delivery, and post-occupancy services that Stepnell is synonymous with, supported by a can-do approach.”

Last year, the family-owned Stepnell reported a £112m turnover with projections to hit £140m this year. The company has offices in Rugby, Nottingham, Wantage, Southampton, and Bristol in addition to Liverpool. Recent projects for Stepnell include the Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre and Museum, Aylesford School in Warwick, and Bristol City Council’s Cameron Housing development.