Over the past few months, I’ve written candidly about the challenges facing our industry particularly around the declining standards in preconstruction information. I’ve spoken about the frustrations of pricing from incomplete drawings, the erosion of the Bill of Quantities, and the growing culture of “just enough” being seen as acceptable.
But today, I want to shift the focus. Because while it’s important to call out what’s broken, it’s equally important to celebrate what’s working and more importantly, who’s making it work.
At Construction North Group, we’ve built what I genuinely believe is a first-in-class preconstruction team. A team that doesn’t just talk about raising standards they live it, every day. And since the appointment of Adam Tucker as our Preconstruction Director, we’ve seen a step-change in quality, culture, and strategic direction that’s transforming how we approach every project.
Let me introduce you to the people behind the progress.
Adam Tucker – Preconstruction Director
Adam joined us with a clear mandate: to lead, to challenge, and to elevate. And he’s done exactly that.
After nearly two decades at Caddick, where he held a series of senior roles that spanned preconstruction, design and delivery. His long-standing tenure at one of the UK’s most respected contractors speaks volumes about his loyalty, capability, and depth of industry knowledge.
At Caddick, Adam was instrumental in delivering high-profile projects across numerous sectors. He developed a reputation for his strategic thinking, calm leadership, and ability to bring structure to complexity. That experience has translated seamlessly into his role with us.
Since his appointment, Adam has brought a clear vision and a renewed sense of purpose to our preconstruction function. He’s implemented robust processes, introduced structured bid governance, and fostered a culture of accountability and excellence. But more than that, he’s built a team that believes in doing things properly where quality isn’t just a goal, it’s the standard.
Adam’s leadership has marked a genuine step change for our business. He’s not just leading a department he’s shaping the future of how we deliver value to our clients, from first enquiry to contract award.
Gareth Ritson- Senior Estimator
Gareth brings a wealth of experience to the team, most recently from his time at Morgan Sindall, where he played a pivotal role in delivering complex bids across public sector frameworks.
Now at Construction North Group, Gareth combines that tier one experience with a grounded, detail-oriented approach. He’s calm under pressure, methodical in his analysis, and always focused on building robust, deliverable bids. His ability to interpret incomplete information, challenge assumptions, and bring clarity to the numbers makes him a trusted voice in any room.
Beyond the numbers, Gareth excels in managing relationships both upstream and downstream. He’s highly respected by our supply chain partners for his fairness, transparency, and collaborative style. He knows how to get the best from people, and he understands the value of long-term partnerships over short-term wins. On the client side, Gareth brings a reassuring presence someone who listens, understands, and responds with solutions, not excuses.
He’s not just an estimator he’s a strategic thinker who understands the full lifecycle of a project. Gareth brings delivery insight into every bid, ensuring that what we price is not only competitive but also deliverable. His contributions are helping us win the right work, on the right terms, with the right partners.
Chris Ramsay - Senior Estimator
Chris brings a wealth of experience and a sharp commercial mind to our preconstruction team. With a background rooted in main contracting, he has developed a deep understanding of how projects are priced, planned, and delivered and how to bridge the gap between design intent and construction reality.
What sets Chris apart is his attention to detail. He doesn’t just review drawings he interrogates them. He challenges assumptions, identifies risks early, and ensures that every number in a tender submission is backed by logic, evidence, and buildability. His ability to bring clarity to complex or incomplete information has made him a go-to figure in the team for high-risk or technically demanding bids.
Chris also excels in managing relationships with clients. He’s respected by subcontractors for his fairness, transparency, and technical understanding, and he knows how to get the best from them without compromising on quality or cost. On the client side, Chris brings a calm, confident presence. He’s able to explain commercial positions clearly, respond to queries with precision, and build trust through consistency and professionalism.
He’s also a natural mentor supportive, approachable, and generous with his knowledge. Chris is helping to shape the next generation of estimators while ensuring that every tender we submit is commercially sound, strategically aligned, and built on trust.
Joelle Hook - Estimator
Joelle represents the future of our industry and it’s a bright one. Since joining Construction North Group, Joelle has made an immediate and lasting impact. She brings a methodical, analytical approach to every tender she works on, combining sharp commercial thinking with a deep commitment to accuracy and continuous improvement.
What sets Joelle apart is her technical proficiency. She’s highly skilled in industry-standard platforms such as Conquest and Bluebeam, using them not just as tools, but as enablers of smarter, more efficient estimating.
Joelle is also naturally curious. She’s not afraid to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, or explore new ways of working. That curiosity, paired with her clear and confident communication style, makes her a valued contributor in both internal reviews and client-facing discussions.
As part of our ESG and legacy commitments, Joelle is a shining example of what happens when you invest in talent and back potential. She’s not just learning the ropes she’s helping to shape them. And in doing so, she’s helping us build a stronger, smarter, and more future-ready preconstruction team
Leonie Richmond - Bid Writer
Leonie may be new to the world of preconstruction, but she’s no stranger to the construction industry. With a strong background in business management and administration, she brings a wealth of operational experience, commercial awareness, and a deep understanding of how construction businesses function behind the scenes.
Since joining preconstruction, Leonie has quickly become a natural in bid submissions. She ensures that every proposal we submit is not only compliant and complete but compelling capturing the essence of who we are and what we stand for.
With a firm understanding of the business, Leonie brings a creative edge to our bids.
She knows how to tell our story in a way that aligns with client values and speaks directly to their priorities. Her ability to craft clear, persuasive narratives while managing complex submission requirements and tight deadlines has already made a tangible impact on our win rates.
Leonie’s work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is front and centre. She’s helped us win work, build relationships, and elevate our brand in a competitive market. Her blend of creativity, structure, and industry insight makes her an invaluable part of our preconstruction team and a key contributor to our continued growth.
Stephanie Edmondson - Bid Writer
With hands-on experience across every division of Construction North Group, Stephanie has a unique, 360-degree understanding of how our business operates. That insight allows her to tailor each proposal with precision aligning our messaging with client expectations, project specifics, and our wider brand values.
She’s also a highly skilled user of Canva, which she uses to craft visually engaging, on-brand submissions that stand out for all the right reasons. In addition to her bid work, Stephanie manages our website and social media channels, ensuring that our digital presence is consistent, professional, and aligned with the voice of the business.
Her attention to detail is second to none. From compliance matrices to executive summaries, Stephanie ensures that every word, image, and data point serves a purpose. She’s also a brilliant team player always ready to support, challenge, and improve the work around her.
Stephanie is helping us shape not just how we bid, but how we present ourselves to the world. Her work is elevating our brand, refining our processes, and ensuring that every touchpoint whether it’s a tender, a post, or a homepage is a reflection of the quality we stand for.
Biscuit - Office Dog
No team is complete without a four legged friend and Biscuit is ours.
Whether she’s greeting visitors, zoomies around the office, or simply reminding us to take a break, Biscuit brings joy, calm, and a sense of balance to the office.
She’s part of the team in every sense and a daily reminder that culture isn’t just about KPIs and processes. It’s about people (and dogs) feeling valued, supported, and happy to be here.
Leigh Edmondson
Managing Director