Debmat Surfacing Enters a New Chapter
Building on Strong Foundations
For almost 50 years, Debmat Surfacing has been helping shape the roads, car parks, commercial developments and infrastructure that keep the North East moving.
From residential driveways and school playgrounds to major highway improvements, industrial developments and projects at Newcastle Airport, our success has never been defined by a single contract or a single individual. Instead, it has been shaped over decades by the people who have worked here and the customers who have continued to place their trust in us.
As we look to the future, following a Buy in Management Buy Out (BIMBO), we’re pleased to share the next chapter for Debmat.
With a strengthened leadership team and exciting plans for the future, we’re entering a new phase of growth while remaining true to the principles that have guided the business since 1979.
Nearly 50 Years of Building Together
Since 1979, we’ve established a reputation for delivering surfacing and civil engineering projects across the North East. Over that time we’ve worked with homeowners, developers, contractors, local authorities, schools and commercial organisations, building long-standing relationships that continue today.
Our business was founded by three former Tarmac colleagues – Ernie Turner, Mike Buggy and Alan Duggan – whose first contract was the construction of a staff car park at Wylam Hospital. From those early beginnings, the business steadily grew, taking on increasingly ambitious projects across the region.
One of our earliest high-profile projects came with Newcastle Airport’s expansion, where Debmat helped construct the new parallel taxiway. Since then, we’ve delivered thousands of projects, from residential driveways and housing developments to schools, retail parks, commercial premises, highways and major civil engineering works. Every project, regardless of size, has played its part in shaping the business we are today.
In 1995, following the retirement of the founders, John Turner and David Buggy took the reins of the business. Together, they guided Debmat through the next three decades of growth and development, building on the values established from the very beginning while strengthening our reputation for quality, reliability and long-term customer relationships.
As the business grew, so did the team. Many of the people our customers work with today have spent years with Debmat, building the knowledge and experience that only comes with time. From our surfacing and civil engineering teams on site to our contracts managers, estimators, commercial staff and office team, that continuity has helped us develop long-standing relationships with customers across the region.
Leading the Next Chapter
As we look ahead, we’re pleased to welcome the next generation of leadership.
Alongside Chairman John Turner , Martin Barker has been appointed Managing Director, and Ben Harris joins as Commercial Director, together they will form a strengthened leadership team.
Nick Shilling whose extensive experience across the construction sector will bring additional expertise and a shared vision for the future of the business.
Together, the leadership team will build on the strong foundations already in place, working alongside the experienced workforce that has helped establish Debmat as one of the region’s most respected surfacing and civil engineering contractors.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue investing in our people, strengthening our capabilities and expanding the services we provide to meet the changing needs of our customers. As the business evolves, our focus remains on delivering the quality, reliability and service our customers have trusted us to provide for almost 50 years.
Commercial Director
Chairman
Managing Director
Built Together
As we approach our 50th year, we’re proud of everything that’s brought us to this point and excited about what comes next. Here’s to building the next chapter together.
Further Reading
The recent management transition has also been covered by a number of regional and industry publications. If you’d like to read more about the transaction itself, you can find further coverage from Business Live, Insider Media, Bdaily and the NEL Fund Managers website.
If you’d like to discuss your next project, please contact our team or request a quotation.
