In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry over nearly 40 years, a special tribute was made to Neil Ramsey at the Constructing Excellence North East (CENE) Awards 2025.
Neil, steps down in the summer as secretary of Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF), which he has been actively involved with for 35 years. He will remain a member of the board. He stood as President of the organisation from 2005 until 2007.
The NCBF is a membership organisation championing regional SMEs in the North East construction sector and is closely linked to Constructing Excellence North East.
During his career, Neil completed his training with Wimpey Construction before moving to Mowlem Management. He returned to the North East in 1989 joining Kendall Cross, becoming chairman in 2000. He was managing director at Galliford Try Partnerships North (2007-11) and, more recently, director at Turney Wylde Construction (2013-15).
Neil, was one of Constructing Excellence North East’s first board members when it was established in 2003. He acted as company secretary from 2007-2019 and Neil has also held positions with the National Federation of Builders, as its regional president and as national chair in 2007.
Stepping down from his current role of secretary of the NCBF, in post since 2015, Neil will hand over to former NCBF president, Tony Kay.
The Constructing Excellence North East Awards 2025, saw a number of NCBF members win top awards. True North Construction won Residential Project of the Year, BRIMS was part of the delivery team for Remaking Beamish which won the Regeneration and Conservation Category and Sendrig Construction was part of the team involved in the be:ONE Partnership which won the Delivering Value Cateogry.
Neil Ramsey, said: “It was a huge surprise to be recognised by Constructing Excellence North East at its annual awards. It was very humbling. There have been many memorable achievements whilst involved with my various industry positions but the formation of the lobbying body for regional contractors, Construction Alliance North East, established by Ken Parkin, was of huge importance.
“CAN plays a strategic role in supporting and promoting the North East’s competent and capable SME contractors. It lobbies Government, MPs, local authorities and other procurement organisations, to remind them of the wider benefits to our region’s economy of working with North East firms.
“Another standout moment was cementing the NCBF’s relationship with Constructing Excellence North East. In 2010 CENE was due to receive funding from the regional development agency but because there was a change of government this fell by the wayside. The NCBF was able to step in and offer funding support.
“The NCBF has become the voice for championing regional SMEs in the North East engaged in construction. Its focus is very much on bridging the skills gap and its collaboration with Constructing Excellence North East to relaunch the North East Schools Wonder Challenge has brought construction to the forefront of student’s minds.
“In 2023, the NCBF also successfully launched its Building Your Future campaign aimed at connecting regional construction companies with final year trade apprentices at North East colleges and it is continuing to challenge the image that construction is hard hats and muddy fields.”
Catriona Lingwood, chief executive of Constructing Excellence North East, said: “I have known Neil for many years and he is, first and foremost, a wonderful person who has dedicated a huge amount of time to the industry.
“He deserves special recognition for his contribution to Constructing Excellence North East and the various membership organisations he has been involved in. Neil has played a key role in developing the partnership between Constructing Excellence North East and Northern Counties Builders Federation and we would like to thank him for his unwavering commitment to raising the profile of our sector.”