Jack Lumsden, co-founder of Lumsden & Carroll, received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement award from CECA North East, in recognition of his contribution to the Civil Engineering sector.
Jim Beecham, Chairman of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) North East, presented Jack with the award for his commitment, dedication and exceptional performance within the Civil Engineering sector throughout his career.
Jack began his career in the industry in the early 1960’s, working for numerous companies including Tarmac Construction. In 1968, Jack met his future business partner Tony Carroll whilst working at Tarmac before going on to create the partnership Lumsden & Carroll in 1970.
In 1974 the first statement of accounts showed a turnover of £16,227.04 and 4 employees. Fast forward 16 years, and the partnership had been transformed into a private limited company with a turnover of £5.5m, and 83 employees – all from neighboring villages.
In 1999 Esh Group was formed – a collective of Lumsden & Carroll, Deerness Fencing and Dunelm Homes, and by 2000, the group had an annual turnover of £35m.
Throughout his career, Jack always pushed boundaries while staying true to his core values, embedding a community-focussed ethos into Esh and helped to build strong relationships with other regional businesses. He was a firm believer in ‘growing his own’ and the organisation attracted a lot of local young people who were mentored by Jack and have gone on to be leaders of the industry.
Steve Wilkie, Executive Director at Esh Construction commented; “I was recruited by Jack Lumsden at the age of 17. Jack believed in ‘growing his own’ and even though I wasn’t managed by him directly, Jack played an instrumental part in my career development which has led to the position that I’m honoured to be in today.”
Jack was also a founding member of the Esh Charitable Trust which has donated over £1.3million to worthwhile causes and community schemes.
James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “Jack Lumsden has had a much greater impact on Civil Engineering in the North East than he himself appreciates. Ever since he and Tony Carroll Senior set up Lumsden and Carroll almost 50 years ago, with little more than their own determination and hand tools, Jack has been transforming the sector.”
This Lifetime Achievement Award serves to recognise not only Jack’s personal achievements, but also the impact he has had on the wider Civil Engineering industry.
Ramsbotham, added: “Jack always understood that he had a wider responsibility to the industry, and his time as Chairman of CECA fully demonstrates this commitment to the Civil Engineering profession. There are countless people who have benefited from his advice and encouragement through the years, and the high standards for which he has always striven and demanded from others. In the world of Civil Engineering, Jack Lumsden is a giant of a man and so deserving of this recognition.”
