Category: Corporate
Stepnell, the construction business of Stepnell Group, has secured places on two lots on the new National Framework for Major Works 2026 managed by Pagabo, positioning the business to strengthen its pipeline of public sector projects worth £5m to £30m across five UK regions.
Stepnell has been appointed to Lot 2, covering projects worth £5m to £15m, and Lot 3, for schemes worth £15m to £30m, which will span the North West, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, Midlands and Wales.
The contractor is one of 56 suppliers appointed to the framework, which has an estimated total value of up to £5bn and will be managed by Pagabo on behalf of centralised procurement authority YPO. The framework runs over a four-year term and can be used by local authorities, NHS and health service providers, blue light services, housing providers and education.
Craig Finn, framework director at Stepnell, said:
“Major Works 2026 will be a significant stepping stone to delivering on our steady, profitable plans for growth. We will be a proactive partner, collaborating deeply with Pagabo, clients and local supply chains to make the next four years a standout success. We will capitalise on our extensive public sector expertise, including education, healthcare and residential.
“Securing higher value projects through Lot 3 is a natural progression for the business. We’ve shown we can consistently deliver high-performing projects at this level, ensuring clients secure premium services from engaged and collaborative regional teams throughout the whole project lifecycle.
“We will engage with our established supply chain partners and support the formation of new relationships with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), ensuring we make a sizable impact on communities during and after delivery.
“We also want to mirror the commitment to digital construction that Pagabo’s suite of services provides, complementing its platforms with our own established systems to enable data-rich decision-making that aligns with our wider digital roadmap.”
Simon Gorski, managing director at Stepnell, said:
“Securing two lots shows our seriousness to scale from our eight offices, promoting access to established and target regions and larger public sector projects, backed by a growing team that has shown capability to consistently deliver certainty.
Modern public sector frameworks demand more than just traditional contracting; clients require embedded social value, carbon reduction, and supply-chain resilience. By integrating the wider capabilities of the Stepnell Group, from low-carbon solutions via Step Energy to architectural craftsmanship from Lawford Bespoke Joinery, we offer public sector clients an end-to-end built environment partner backed by multi-disciplinary strengths.”
David Llewellyn, construction and infrastructure director at Pagabo, said:
“The launch of the National Framework for Major Works 2026 marks the next chapter for one of our most established procurement routes, providing public sector organisations with access to a strong range of contractors with the expertise and capability to deliver major construction projects across the UK.
“The quality demonstrated throughout the procurement process reflects the strength of the suppliers appointed to the framework and their ability to work collaboratively to deliver high-quality outcomes for clients. Through the procurement support Pagabo provides, alongside greater opportunities for early contractor engagement and collaboration, we’re looking forward to building on the success of previous iterations and supporting the delivery of ambitious projects across the public sector.”
This is the third generation of Major Works framework, with previous iterations helping to deliver construction projects worth more than £3bn.
