Applebridge shortlisted in three categories at the Generation 4 Change 2026 Awards
We are proud to share that Applebridge has been shortlisted at the Generation 4 Change 2026 Awards in the Employee Training and Development category.
This recognition is a fantastic reflection of the investment we continue to make in our people and the culture we have worked hard to build across the business. Developing talent at every stage of a career is something we place real importance on, and to be recognised in this category is something we are incredibly proud of.
Alongside the company shortlist, we are also delighted to see two of our team members recognised individually for their hard work, progress and commitment.
Rocco Dack has been shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year; Trade category, while Annie Coulter has been shortlisted in the Trainee of the Year category.
To have Applebridge represented across three categories is a brilliant achievement and speaks volumes about the calibre of people within our business. It is especially pleasing to see both Rocco and Annie acknowledged in this way, as their nominations highlight the strength of emerging talent within our teams and the opportunities available for people to grow and succeed at Applebridge.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel on Friday 1st May, and we are looking forward to celebrating alongside others from across the industry.
Congratulations to Rocco and Annie on their well-deserved shortlistings, and well done to everyone involved in helping Applebridge earn recognition in the Employee Training and Development category.
We are honoured to be shortlisted and wish the very best of luck to all finalists.
Celebrating the Completion of Our Latest Applebridge Group Leadership Development Programme Cohort
In March 2026, we were proud to celebrate the completion of our latest Applebridge Group Leadership Development Programme cohort.
Delivered by Programme Director Les Wicks, the 12-month programme brought together a carefully structured blend of workshops, one-to-one coaching and real-world project delivery. Designed to challenge, support and develop colleagues from across the Applebridge Family, the programme gave each participant the opportunity to build their confidence, strengthen their leadership skills and apply their learning in meaningful ways.
The programme concluded with final presentations to our senior leadership team, giving participants the chance to reflect on their journey, share their experiences and demonstrate the progress they have made over the last year. It was a fantastic way to mark the end of a programme that has once again shown the value of investing in our people and creating opportunities for long-term growth.
We would like to say a huge well done to this year’s cohort:
Adam Lee, Elliot Hadfield, Ryan Mann, Abi Leonard, Tomas McGleenan, Paul Troubridge, Colin Snailham, Antony Sheil, Matt Bentley and Adam Crook.
Each member of the cohort has shown commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zone throughout the programme. Their hard work and dedication have been evident at every stage, and we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
At Applebridge, we know that strong leadership is built over time through experience, reflection and continuous development. That is why programmes like this remain such an important part of how we support our teams, strengthen our business and prepare for the future.
The Applebridge Group Leadership Development Programme continues to play a vital role in building confidence, developing capability and supporting future leaders across the Applebridge Family. As this latest cohort completes the programme, we look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and make a positive impact in their roles.
Congratulations again to everyone involved, and thank you to Les Wicks and our senior leadership team for continuing to support the development of our people.
Applebridge Appointed to £1.2bn North West Contractor Framework
We are pleased to announce our appointment to the Procure Partnerships North West Contractor Framework, a four-year framework valued at up to £1.2 billion that will support the delivery of public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the region from April 2026.
This appointment marks another important step in our continued growth in the North West and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions that support regional development, regeneration and long-term investment.
Appointed to Two Infrastructure Lots
As part of the framework, we have secured places on two infrastructure lots. These include Lot 8, covering projects valued between £500,000 and £1 million, and Lot 9, covering projects valued between £1 million and £5 million.
These lots provide public sector clients with a clear and compliant route to procure civil engineering and infrastructure works across a range of project sizes. Schemes typically delivered through these categories include highways, drainage, utilities and associated infrastructure works that play a vital role in supporting communities, growth and regeneration across the North West.
Strengthening Our Presence in the North West
Our appointment follows continued investment in the region, including the opening of our Chorley office in 2025. Establishing a stronger regional base has enhanced our ability to deliver projects locally, respond quickly to client needs and build lasting relationships with both public sector partners and local supply chain businesses.
With a growing presence in the North West, we are well positioned to support infrastructure schemes in live environments, bringing the practical experience, technical knowledge and collaborative approach needed to deliver successful outcomes.
A Framework Designed to Support Regional Delivery
The Procure Partnerships North West Contractor Framework is divided into 13 lots, comprising six construction lots, six infrastructure lots and one demolition lot. It provides an efficient and compliant procurement route for projects ranging from £50,000 to more than £30 million.
Our inclusion on both Lot 8 and Lot 9 reflects the strength of our infrastructure offering and our ability to deliver works safely, efficiently and to a high standard. It also creates new opportunities for us to support a broad range of public sector projects across the North West over the next four years.
A Significant Milestone for Applebridge
Paul Troubridge, North West Construction Director at Applebridge, said:
“This appointment is a significant step forward for our North West operations. It reflects the strength of our team and the investment we have made in the region, including the opening of our Chorley office last year.
We are proud to be selected for both infrastructure lots and look forward to working with public sector partners to deliver high-quality, efficient projects that support long-term regional growth.”
Through this framework, we will work closely with clients and local supply chains to deliver efficient and sustainable infrastructure solutions, helping to maximise both economic and social value throughout the region.
This appointment is a significant milestone in our regional journey and underlines our long-term commitment to supporting infrastructure investment across the North West.
“We are pleased to welcome Applebridge to the third iteration of our North West Contractor Framework. Applebridge appointment reflects a strong and a clear commitment to delivering high-quality projects, collaborative working and positive outcomes for public sector clients and the communities they serve. We look forward to working with the team and seeing the impact they will make across the North West throughout this framework term.”
We are pleased to announce that we have officially named The Teesside Family Foundation as our long-term charity partner. This follows a highly successful nine-month partnership through our Charity of the Year initiative for 2025.
Throughout our Charity of the Year partnership, it became clear that The Teesside Family Foundation aligned closely with our family values that fuel our charity initiatives. Their 100% volunteer-led structure, strong local presence, and clear, measurable community impact stood out from the outset.
The clarity around where funds were going, combined with the tangible difference their work made across Teesside, demonstrated a perfect fit for the Applebridge Family and set the foundation for a formalised, long-term commitment.
Why We Chose to Formalise the Partnership
When reviewing our Charity of the Year outcomes, we focused on the values that matter most to the Applebridge Family when selecting our charity partners:
A strong local presence
Clear and measurable community impact
A transparent approach to support delivery
Alignment with our commitment to investing in the regions where we operate
The Teesside Family Foundation, a 100% volunteer-led organisation, consistently demonstrated these qualities. Their team provided us with complete visibility of the difference our fundraising and volunteering were making on the ground.
“After working with them for nine months, I found we were helping such a range of people… It made me realise that by partnering with this charity we would be able to help so many more people each year.”— Gemma Peacock, Finance Director, Applebridge Family
Our Shared Impact Moving Forward
As part of the new official partnership, The Teesside Family Foundation will receive £20,000 annually from the Applebridge Family. This core funding will be supplemented by additional fundraising from our teams, including our annual charity golf day, internal workplace initiatives, and future community participation events.
This sustained support will allow the charity to:
Plan long-term projects with confidence
Respond quickly to urgent requests for help
Expand its reach to more families across Teesside
For us, the partnership is far more than financial backing. Our employees will continue to volunteer, fundraise, and champion The Teesside Family Foundation’s work across the wider region — something that has always been central to Applebridge’s culture.
Looking Ahead
We are extremely proud of what has already been achieved through our collaboration with The Teesside Family Foundation. Formalising this partnership strengthens our long-standing commitment to supporting the communities in the regions where we are based and operate.
We look forward to working together to deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the people of Teesside.
Applebridge is delighted to announce that our new regional office in Chorley, Lancashire, is now officially open. This milestone marks a significant step forward in our strategic growth plan, allowing us to better serve our clients across the North West and actively contribute to the region’s dynamic construction sector.
Following the successful launch of our Midlands office in Alfreton last year, and the establishment of two satellite offices under the Applebridge Geoenvironmental division in 2023, the Chorley office further reinforces our presence in key UK regions.
Why Chorley? A Strategic Move
Our decision to establish a dedicated office in Chorley stems from recognising the robust demand for construction expertise in the North West. This new base will enable us to support a growing portfolio of projects and deepen our client relationships locally.
We are targeting an initial £10 million in business during our first financial year at Chorley, reflecting both our confidence in the area’s potential and our commitment to delivering excellent results for our clients.
The Team Behind Our Expansion
At the heart of this exciting new chapter are the appointments of Paul Trubridge as Projects Director and John Kiernan as Construction Director. Both bring a wealth of experience from leading companies such as Kiernan Construction and ISG.
“What drew me to Applebridge was their consistent delivery of high-quality projects and a pragmatic, client-focused approach,” says Paul Trubridge. “I’m truly excited to be leading the North West division as we establish a strong and lasting presence in the region.”
Our focus on attracting experienced professionals underscores Applebridge’s strategy to lay a solid foundation for long-term growth.
Moving Forward in the North West
With the Chorley office now open, we are building even closer relationships with clients throughout the region, offering tailored services that address the unique needs of the North West. We are actively pursuing key frameworks to strengthen our regional position and expand our capabilities.
This expansion paves the way for us to work on a diverse range of projects and ensure our services deliver tangible value to both new and existing clients.
We look forward to a bright future in the North West, as we strengthen partnerships, support our clients, and continue to grow as a trusted name in construction.