LDC Top 50 2026
Fiona O’Connell
Founder and Managing Director
Stockton Group
After training as a welder, Fiona O’Connell found her calling in groundworks for major infrastructure. From working on the Medway Tunnel to managing dredging works for the Øresund Bridge and drilling in the Suez Canal, she spent a decade as the only woman planning projects for the likes of Sweden’s Skanska and Australian outfit McConnell Dowell.
When she was made redundant after announcing she was pregnant, she started her own business, launching Stockton Group from her Yorkshire base in 2004, making the conscious decision to work on sustainable projects. “I spent my redundancy cheque on a drilling rig,” Fiona says. “This year we’ll turn over £25 million.”
When you have children, you realise it’s up to you to do all you can to slow climate change.”
Q&A
What’s unique about this business?
My background is in trenchless installation – putting pipes in the ground. My husband was a project manager on cross country welded steel pipes for National Grid. None of our competitors do both, which makes us different. I recently spent more than £3 million on state-on-the art pipe thrusters and we’re the first UK company to own some. I made the conscious decision to only work on sustainable projects. We are working on carbon capture for BP right now; the first project of its kind. Previously we did a project with the Environment Agency to alleviate flooding on the Somerset Plains. When you have children, you realise it’s up to you to do all you can to slow climate change.
How did you come to work in this industry?
I was literally born into it! My father worked in oil and gas. When I was seven, I lived in Tehran because my father was working on a project on a small island nearby. We followed him around the world so, by the time I was 16, I’d been to eight different schools. I spent that birthday in a café in Alexandria with 10 guys who dug holes and drove machines for my dad. They tried to make me a cake, but it was a disaster.
How ambitious are you?
I’ve always been competitive. When I was younger, I was in a ski team, ran for Yorkshire and rode horses at county level. I love what I do and the people I work with. The next goal is to get to £35 million in turnover and start doing more international projects. I recently hired a Finance Director and I’m looking for a Managing Director so that I can become CEO and spend more time on growing the business.
