Nigel Worth, Operations Manager

Nigel started his journey at Keyline as a casual worker when he was 16. Today, as Operations Manager for the Northern Region, Nigel supports the regional leadership team, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly and compliantly.

He discussed the changes he’s observed working for Keyline and within the industry as a whole, “The biggest shift has been in safety. When I started, PPE was minimal and jeans and a T-shirt were standard. Now, it’s a completely different environment… Technology has come a long way, too. It used to be all paper and cash receipts, handwritten. We didn’t have computers at first. Those came in around the 1990s. Stock takes, for example, used to take over two days; now, some colleagues can do them in six or seven hours.”

An integral part of Nigel’s role involves coaching and developing people, sharing the expertise he’s gained during his years at Keyline – something he’s always enjoyed. “We’ve been running face-to-face development sessions covering key areas: safety, fleet and transport, employee relations, interview techniques, stock management, general operations, and environmental legislation. There are two more sessions left on audits and balance. The idea is to give people the knowledge and tools for the job, and the skills and confidence to step up when the time comes.”

His proudest accomplishment to date? “Becoming a Branch Manager was a big milestone. I held back from taking that on until my kids were a little older. Once I stepped into the role, I could give it my all. That was a significant turning point.”

Asked if he had any words of wisdom for someone considering a career at Keyline, Nigel shared his thoughts on the various progression opportunities, “You absolutely can build a career here. Because of the size and variety within the group, you’re not limited to one brand or one role. There are always opportunities to try something different, and you’ll be supported.”

Mark Turnbull, Hayes Branch Manager

Mark entered the industry as an apprentice welder at Wimpey’s before starting with Keyline and working his way up the ladder to Branch Manager.

He reflected on key projects he’s worked on over the years; “Terminal 5 was one of our biggest projects, and it was supplied from here. We’ve also been heavily involved in HS2. We’re currently doing work for Great Ormond Street Hospital, lots of things like that.”

A personal milestone was passing his HGV drivers licence and later, being promoted to Assistant Manager early in his career. “Passing my HGV licence on my 21st birthday was a big one – especially because I had so little preparation and passed the first time… And at the time I became Assistant Manager, I think I was about 24 or 25. It was a big step up. There were 38 staff in the depot back then, and a lot of big personalities. It was challenging, especially as a young manager.”

Mark moved around at Keyline, working for a year running the Reading branch before ultimately coming full circle, returning to Hayes.

He’s had valuable mentors during his time with the business, including Arthur Davidson, former Keyline Managing Director. “One bit of advice he gave that stuck with me: we were doing development courses, and you had to give presentations. I went first. Afterward, he told me, “Always go first.” Because if you sit and listen to others, you start doubting your content and trying to change it. If you go first, your thoughts flow more naturally."

What advice would Mark give to someone considering a career at Keyline? Research is key. “Do your homework on what we sell. It’s simple; pipes, fittings, materials, but knowledge breeds confidence. When customers sense they’re dealing with someone confident, you’ve won half the battle.”

David Richards, Milton Keynes HGV Driver

David has devoted 40 years of service to the same branch. He always wanted to be a driver, and when asked what kept him in the role at Keyline for so long, he said he valued the variety, “No two days are the same. Even going to the same site every day, they're all different: different hazards, different people, different setup. So, I like meeting people.”

He spoke about what’s stayed the same over his years at Keyline, “The values of the company, wanting to move it forward all the time – it's the end goals that have stayed the same.”

On the other hand, digitalisation has hugely impacted the company. David discussed the changes he’d witnessed, “How we work has changed dramatically. It was all pen and paper back in the day, but now, there’s the IT side of it, with the ePODs and other technical aspects, which I've had to pick up along the way. The loading is different now, too… I mainly work on building sites now, which I probably prefer. There’s more room on a building site and things are better organised; there are more people to engage with and tell me where they want the gear.”

A professional milestone was winning Regional and National Driver of the Year at the Keyline conference this year. He was also nominated for the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2025 Microlise awards ceremony, which recognises drivers who are ambassadors for their business and role models for their colleagues.

He summed up his experience at Keyline in a few words: “I'm going to say, enjoyable. I think 40 years and I don’t know where the time goes… If someone said to me, “you've been there for 40 years,” it doesn't feel like 40 years; it really doesn't.”

For new starters, David recommended taking your time and prioritising health and safety. “Try not to be rushed too much. Just try and think about things. Safety comes first, and as long as you can do the job safely and legally, they’re the two main goals, aren’t they?”

Honouring long-service careers at Keyline

Congratulations to Nigel, Mark and David, three invaluable members of the Keyline team. Over the years, they have seen digital processes change their way of working at Keyline, while the core values of innovation and forward thinking remained the same.

All three have been recognised for their dedication and expertise, sharing sound advice to those wanting to work for Keyline: embrace opportunity, conduct thorough research, and prioritise safe working.

If you want to start your own journey in construction, discover job opportunities with Keyline here.