Where it all began... Tony started his career as a quantity surveyor in a professional in-house capacity and intern as a consultant. Working on many notable projects, by 1994, he decided to help grow Classic Masonry alongside managing director, Mike Moody. During this time, the company saw a huge jump in the amount of work that it undertook, which was reflected in its turnover, since the firm began with a turnover of £350k in 1994 and by 1996 were turning over £1m worth of revenue.

Tony said: “I met Mike when I worked for Barker & Walton as a consultant quantity surveyor – he was a stonemason at the time.

We worked on some excellent projects such as the law courts in both Newcastle and Teesside and also had a big input on the development of the East Quayside through AMEC.”

Career progressionTony continued his career after leaving Classic Masonry and joined English Heritage. In this role he was a project manager covering an area from Cheshire to the Scottish border. After a while he worked self-employed as a consultant for just under a year. He was then headhunted by William Anelay Ltd, York, an eight-generation family firm which he joined as commercial director but also to lead

a management buyin. This company with its 250 year history fascinated Tony and introduced him to the world of materials and pattern books, some dating back to the late 1700s - the company even built the equestrian statue of the current Queen which stands in Windsor Park.

Tony continued his career with William Anelay for two years, and then left to become deputy director of estates at Northumbria University, which is where he stayed for three years, project managing all their estate development work, but Tony found it ‘unchallenging’ – with too many meetings. He realised that his real love is the crafts, materials and exploring their potential.

Tony said: “I love the design-orientated side of working within a business. Being able to leave your mark and have a big input into ideas and projects is a fantastic feeling.”

Soon after working at Northumbria University, Tony knew that his goal was to be a director within the design aspect of a construction business and that is when he re-joined Classic Masonry. This was in 2008 and is where he has been working for the last eleven years alongside his role at Bespoke Concrete Products, which is where he has been for eight years.

Tony said: “I love where I have ended up in my career – even though it’s been a rather non-traditional way of getting here! I’ve learnt so much which has helped to shape my progress and the way in which I think strategically in my current role.”

CONSTRUCTING THE REGION www.constructionalliancenortheast.co.uk

Tony Kay works for Classic Masonry and Bespoke Concrete Products as commercial director. He holds 25 years of experience within the construction industry, starting as quantity surveyor and rising through the ranks to become a director.

Working on some amazing schemes such as the Quayside Law Courts, Tees Barrage, his love of crafts and being able to work hands on in two businesses is how he got into his current role.

TONY KAY - CASE STUDY

CONSTRUCTING THE REGION www.constructionalliancenortheast.co.uk

What is your greatest professional achievement?

I loved working on the Tees Barrage – I used to go down on my motorbike, back when I had one! It was great to work on something that has drastically improved the community and landscape and will be there for years to come.

What is your greatest personal achievement?

The people. You get to meet some characters! I always remember working on my first job on the Princes Buildings under the Tyne bridge, with Bowey Construction, (now Surgo Construction).

There were two guys who had great ZZ Top beards and we always used to have a great laugh with them! They used to carry their plaster in a bath - people stick in your mind!

What is your favourite part of your job now?

I love problem solving. I enjoy working with the rest of the team to figure out the best way to achieve something. A lot of the time this means having to bounce ideas off each other. I also enjoy working with materials and seeing how you can use your products in new

and interesting ways – every day is creative in its own way.

How many staff do you employ? Do you offer any apprenticeship schemes?

Forty staff are currently employed at Classic Masonry, with about 80% of the work based in The North from Teesside up to North Northumberland. We are currently working on some big projects at Bishop Auckland, Neville Hall, Northumberland Square - North Shields, RVI multi-storey car park and Newcastle Cathedral. We have some top stonemasons working for us - it’s great to be involved in such a creative industry.

We appoint two apprentice stonemasons each year – who work with us alongside studying at York College. It’s great to see the next generation of built environment professionals learning and gaining skills.

Would you encourage people to take the same career path as you? If so, where would suggest they start?

Starting as a quantity surveyor was a great grounding for construction. You get to

work in all sorts of different environments, and it can lead to other routes in the field such as project management.

Have you got any advice for those starting in the industry?

Take the time to get to know people. Attending events and networking is a great way of putting yourself out there. The North East construction scene is quite small, so the more you attend events and seminars, the more you’ll build relationships and bridges with people who could turn out to be future employers.

How do you see the future?

I believe that people in the industry need to be better respected and better paid – especially tradesmen.

Q&A

TONY KAY - CASE STUDY