"Fantastic!" - South Tyneside construction firm celebrates access to £5bn cash pot

A fast-growing South Tyneside construction firm is on the up after gaining access to a £5bn contracts cash pot.

Hebburn-based Castle, which is building South Tyneside College’s new £95m campus, has done so by being appointed to a UK-wide procurement initiative.

It will benefit from the chance to bid for new projects of between £5m and £15m being delivered through the National Network for Major Works framework.

The giant financial framework aims to transform and make public procurement easier by creating a fairer process post-Brexit.

A main feature is its role in connecting public sector organisations with appointed contractors who collaboratively deliver quality service and value for money outcomes.

It can be accessed by sectors such as local government, NHS and health service providers, blue light, housing and education.

Castle director Craig Muldoon said: “A key objective of our strategic growth plan is to be positioned on high level frameworks and The National Network for Major Works falls clearly into that bracket, providing us with fabulous opportunities within the public sector.

“We have a clear investment plan based on people and technology and an increasing and innovative outcome-driven approach to social value.

“Our selection to this framework is a clear indicator that we are meeting the highest regulatory standards and exceeding client expectations.

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“This is a great recognition for all our workforce who are helping us to deliver fantastic projects across the UK.”

The National Network for Major Works framework runs for four years and follows the formation of a 10-year strategic delivery partnership between YPO and Pagabo.

YPO is the centralised procurement authority for the framework, while Pagabo is the manager responsible for design, delivery and ongoing management.

The framework to which Castle has been appointed is the third generation of the scheme.

It has so far delivered construction projects with a total value of more than £3bn.

Appointed suppliers gain access to Pagabo’s digital software offerings, which enhances the full lifecycle of procurement and project delivery.

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.

“It provides 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.”

Castle’s success coincides with it being named the third fastest growing firm in the Large Business category of the Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 Awards 2026.

The awards celebrate the growth, innovation and commercial achievements of firms in the region.