A prominent Newcastle property and regeneration company has embarked on a remarkable international expansion, establishing a new construction business over 7,000 miles from its North East heartland in the Falkland Islands. Adderstone Group, headquartered in Jesmond, has officially launched Adderstone Construction (Falkland Islands) Ltd, based in Port Stanley, with the ambition of becoming a long-term contributor to the islands' economic development and future infrastructure.
On-the-Ground Leadership and Local Expertise
The new venture is being led by directors Martyn Wallbank and Stephen Lumsdon, both of whom bring valuable prior experience from living and working in the Falkland Islands. They have relocated to provide hands-on leadership as the company establishes its presence. They are supported by office manager Natasha Greenland, a fifth-generation islander, ensuring strong local connections and community integration from the outset.
First Major Project: Vital Air Service Hangar Refurbishment
The company's inaugural contract is a significant £1.5 million project to overhaul and reclad the existing aircraft hangar for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS). This work is crucial for maintaining the efficient operation of the islands' essential air taxi service. FIGAS operates a fleet of small aircraft that performs a multitude of critical roles, including transporting children to school, moving sheepdogs to veterinary appointments, supporting local farmers, and providing everyday passenger, freight, and emergency flights across more than 750 islands.
Adderstone has emphasised that the hangar refurbishment will play a vital role in ensuring the continued reliability and safety of this long-standing service. Notably, structural steel sourced from Sunderland in the North East has already arrived on the islands and is being utilised in the construction project, symbolising the tangible links between the two regions.
Broader Investment and Infrastructure Programme
This initial project marks the beginning of a wider programme of investment and infrastructure improvement planned for the Falkland Islands. Adderstone Construction (Falkland Islands) Ltd is actively tendering for further contracts across various sectors. These potential projects include constructing accommodation for offshore workers, undertaking road construction work, and developing public facilities such as a local school and the Falkland Islands hospital.
Commitment to Community and Future Growth
Martyn Wallbank, director of Adderstone's Falkland Islands division, underscored the company's community-focused approach. "We're on the ground here, part of the community and getting stuck in alongside local people," he said. "It's not just about delivering projects - it's about building relationships and contributing to the islands' future in a meaningful way."
Ian Baggett, founder and CEO of Adderstone Group, highlighted the economic context of the expansion. He noted that the Falklands' economy, while small, is diverse, with foundations in commercial fishing, tourism, and agriculture, and future growth anticipated in oil and infrastructure sectors. As development continues, demand for skilled and reliable construction partners is increasing, a need the new Adderstone business aims to fulfil.
"The ties between the North East and the Falkland Islands run deep," Mr Baggett added. "We love the cohesion and resilience that seems to be present in communities that have faced hardship. The shared purpose motivates us to deliver impactful work." This expansion represents a strategic move for the North East firm, leveraging regional expertise to support development in a unique overseas territory.
