Built on strong values and a commitment to quality, our story is one of growth, collaboration, and creating lasting impact for communities — explore our timeline below to discover key milestones along the way.
Our Story
From Esh Winning to Esh Group, we are proud of our heritage
1970
Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineering founded.
The oldest brand to remain part of Esh Group today, Lumsden & Carroll, was formed by Jack Lumsden and Tony Carroll Snr.
1973
First office acquired.
Lumsden & Carroll acquired an office in the former colliery village of Esh Winning – where Esh Group gets its name.
1988
Stephen Wilkie joins.
Now Esh's Deputy Chief Executive, Stephen Wilkie joined Lumsden & Carroll from school aged 17.
1992
Brian Manning joins the company.
Esh’s former CEO, Brian Manning joined Lumsden & Carroll from Monk Construction.
1999
The beginning of Esh Group.
Esh Group was formed by Michael Hogan, Jack Lumsden and Tony Carroll Snr through the merger of their respective companies - Dunelm (Castle) Homes, Deerness Fencing, Sones Landscaping and Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineering.
2003
Time for a new home.
Esh Group moved to a new headquarters and plant yard in Bowburn as expansion plans got underway.
2004
Formal opening of Esh House.
The late Sir Bobby Robson CBE opened Esh Group’s brand-new Headquarters on 17th March 2004.
2006
Esh Charitable Trust formed.
Over £1.6 million has been donated to good causes in our local communities through the charitable trust.
2015
Esh awarded first of two BITC awards.
Our bespoke social value programmes, Building My Skills and Get into STEM, both secured Business in the Community (BITC) National Education Awards.
2017
Passing of former CEO Brian Manning.
We remember Brian Manning who sadly passed away after 25 years with Esh.
2017
New CEO appointed.
Andy Radcliffe became CEO after initially joining Esh as Chief Financial Officer in 2010.
2018
Esh Group receives Queen’s Award.
Esh was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Promoting Opportunity & Social Mobility.
2020
Lumsden & Carroll marked its 50th anniversary.
We celebrated 50 years since an ex-colliery worker from Esh Winning, Jack Lumsden, and an Irishman from Tipperary, Tony Carroll, shook hands on the Lumsden & Carroll partnership.
2021
Largest ever civil engineering contract completed.
The £42.5 million Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor Phase 3 scheme marked Esh’s first capital infrastructure project.
2023
Esh Group receives Armed Forces Gold Covenant award
We were recognised by the Employer Recognition Scheme for our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
2024
Awarded The 5% Club membership.
Esh entered The 5% Club’s esteemed 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme having been awarded gold accredited membership in its first year, with apprentices representing more than 7% of the workforce.
2025
Esh recognised as one of the UK’s Best Managed Private Companies.
Esh Group is named as one of ten private businesses in the UK to receive the 2025 Best Managed Companies award. The programme is an initiative of Deloitte Private.
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