Stark Building Materials UK Ltd has launched a new careers website designed to show young people, career changers and returners the breadth of careers available across the building materials sector.
Working at Stark puts Stark UK's own colleagues front and centre. Through testimonials and video case studies, it shows the many routes people have taken through the business rather than a single career path, including colleagues who have benefitted from flexible working arrangements that have helped them to develop in their careers.
One example is Shelley Mahon-Bierton, now branch manager at Cranleigh who previously worked as a driver and in sales and operational roles before making the switch and progressing into branch leadership (see below for the full case study).
The new website uses AI-powered technology to personalise the users' experience. As they navigate the platform, it learns from their activity and builds a profile that shapes the roles, articles and content they see.
The launch supports Stark UK's annual apprenticeship intake. Since 2023, Stark UK has supported more than 600 apprenticeships across 19 programmes. These span merchanting, driving, tool hire, project management, digital and AI, all of which are funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.
Alongside apprenticeships, Stark UK runs accelerated development and management trainee programmes to equip team members with the skills and expertise to enable them to progress into more senior roles. Many of the business' senior leaders started their own careers working in the yard or in branches, or as management trainees.
Carol Kavanagh, HR Director at Stark UK, said: "The trades build Britain, and the merchants that supply them offer some of the most varied careers in the sector. Too often young people don't see that. They don't realise you can start as an apprentice in a branch or behind the wheel of a lorry, and end up running a branch, managing projects, or working in digital and AI.
"Our new careers website lets our people tell that story themselves. Many people don't know where they'd fit until they see the options. The site helps point them to the right role from day one. We want anyone thinking about their next step, whether they're leaving school, changing career or coming back to work, to see that there's a place for them at Stark UK and a clear route to grow."
The launch comes as the industry faces a widening skills gap. One third of the UK's current construction workforce is set to retire by 2035 and there are not enough new entrants into the sector to replace them. At the same time, ONS data shows 981,000 young people were not in work, education or training between April and June this year, representing one out of eight 16–24 year olds.
The new website is part of Stark UK's ongoing commitment to supporting and championing the trades. Earlier this year, it launched the Let's Get Britain Building NOW! campaign, calling on government to do more to support the industry, including investing in incentives that encourage people into building and construction careers, and speeding up workforce training and recruitment.
The new recruitment website puts this advocacy into practice, promoting routes into the sector for the people needed to deliver much-needed homes and infrastructure.
Case Study: Shelley Mahon-Bierton
Shelley Mahon-Bierton, Branch Manager at Surrey & Sussex, has a great story that highlights how being open to opportunities can bring great things.
She didn't just learn one part of the business, she learned all of it. From working in the yard to understanding transport, sales and operations, she built a well-rounded skillset early on. "I understood how the yard worked… the challenges of transport… the buzz of getting sales… the all-important admin."
That breadth of experience is what gave her the confidence to step into leadership later on. She wasn't guessing how things worked, she'd done it. And she didn't stop there.
At one point, Mahon-Bierton decided she wanted to push herself even further and gain a completely new skill, so she funded her own HGV licence.
"I basically wanted another feather in my cap… so decided to invest in my own education."
That decision says a lot about her mindset. No one told her to do it. She just went for it.
She then went on to drive 18 and 26 tonne vehicles, adding even more hands-on experience to her skillset, before moving into branch leadership with a much deeper understanding of the operation.
Getting on isn't just about moving up. It's about building capability in lots of different directions.
Mahon-Bierton built her career through hands-on experience, learning every part of the business, asking questions, getting involved.
"When you're younger, it's easy to ask questions - what does that do? How does that work? And builders love to chat about what they do and share it with anyone who wants to listen!"
That curiosity turned into capability. Capability turned into confidence. And confidence turned into progression.
Mahon-Bierton moved through roles, built deep operational knowledge and is now running a high-performing branch. And not just running it. Owning it.
If there's one thing Mahon-Bierton makes crystal clear, it's this: "Me and the team, we own this business. That ownership runs deep. It's not about waiting to be told what to do. It's about stepping up, taking responsibility, and driving results. I adapt and overcome… I move mountains for customers."
And it works. Her branch has grown, her team feel backed and there's a real pride in the place. Because ownership isn't just about numbers. It's about caring.
