Back in 1985, the UK was deep in recession. Jobs were hard to come by, unemployment was high and like many others at the time, Nick was simply grateful for the opportunity to work. His first role at Marshalls was as a labourer in Cannock, Staffordshire, making and stacking kerbs by hand.

“It was back-breaking. I went home at the end of the first day and genuinely wondered if I’d go back for day two.”

More than 40 years later, he’s still here, now as Managing Director of Marshalls’ Mortars and Screeds business, alongside the Aggregates and Block division.

But Nick’s story isn’t just about longevity. It reflects the evolution of British manufacturing, the changing face of construction and the importance of leadership built from experience.

Built from the ground up

Nick’s career wasn’t mapped out, it happened through hard work willingness to learn and embrace change. From labourer to press operator. From team leader to shift manager. From running factories to overseeing national operations.

Every step gave him a deeper understanding of the people, products and pressures that shape the construction industry every day.

By the late 1990s, Nick was already helping modernise operations at Marshalls, introducing the company’s first robotic systems at its Sawley site in Nottingham.

At the time, automation in manufacturing was still relatively new territory. But Nick recognised early that investing in efficiency and innovation would be essential for long-term growth.

It’s a mindset that has followed him throughout his leadership career: embrace change early, but never lose sight of the people behind the process.

Growing a business through service, not shortcuts

When Nick took over Marshalls’ mortar business in 2006. Nick built the business around three core principles: safety, service and consistency.

 
But customer service has arguably been the defining factor in Nick’s career. Twenty years ago, waiting half an hour for customer support was considered normal in the industry. Nick knew that had to change.

Today, Marshalls customers have access to dedicated support teams, online account management and greater flexibility in how they order and manage deliveries.

“We knew we had to be different. For me, service is everything.”

That philosophy continues to shape the business today.

Managing the switch to ready-to-use mortar

For decades, dry silos have dominated many UK building sites. But Nick believes the industry is beginning to reassess traditional methods.

“There’s absolutely a place for ready-to-use mortar,” he explains. “Factory-produced to British Standards, delivered straight to the bricklayer, no messing about.”

His point is simple: skilled time is too valuable to waste. With ongoing shortages of bricklayers across the UK, every hour spent mixing mortar on site is time that could be spent building.

Ready-to-use mortar removes setup requirements, eliminates the need for water and power supplies on site and allows teams to get straight to work when materials arrive.

“You don’t necessarily need mortar every day,” Nick says. “You can order it when you need it and keep costs under control.”

Looking ahead with Marshalls

As the construction sector continues to evolve, Nick and the rest of the Marshalls team remain focused on helping customers work more efficiently, safely and sustainably.

From ready-to-use mortar and aggregates to technical support and customer service, the business continues to invest in solutions that meet the realities of modern construction.

To learn more about Nick’s inspirational story, view the full video below.