Tectonix Natural Stone, founded by Chris Frankland and Dave Stanger in mid‑2022, has been crowned the overall regional winner at the Northeast, Yorkshire & The Humber StartUp Awards, also taking top honours in the Construction & Building Services category.
It’s a standout moment for a business that’s only been operating for three years but one that was decades in the making.
With a combined 35 years of experience in the landscaping and construction industries, Chris and Dave knew the sector inside out. Tectonix Natural Stone was born from that depth of knowledge, not only in working with stone, but in working with people.
Across hundreds of projects with architects, contractors, and homeowners, they kept encountering the same issues: patchy service, lack of guidance, and suppliers who treated relationships and service as an afterthought.
So they set out to build a supply business that did more than just deliver materials; one that offered hands-on advice, long-term support, and a genuine partnership from start to finish.
From day one, the business was set up not just to supply high-quality natural stone, but to offer real partnership and helping clients navigate the complexities of landscaping projects with confidence and care. That might mean advising on the right material for a pool surround, working through complex logistics for a large-scale commercial site, or simply being on the other end of the phone when questions come up.
That combination of consistency, professionalism, and a personal touch is what sets Tectonix apart in an industry that’s often focused on transactions over relationships. It’s also been key to their fast growth. In just two years, they’ve built a nationwide client base, added porcelain to their core range of natural stone, and delivered larger, more complex commercial projects, all while staying true to their close-knit, collaborative way of working.
Their commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Tectonix has recently been recognised for its rapid growth and strong foundations, earning a place on a national list of high-performing founder-led businesses and picking up a regional award for business growth along the way. They also became carbon neutral across their UK operations in 2024, a major step forward in a sector where sustainability is often overlooked, achieved through verified offsetting and support from a specialist environmental partner.
The UK StartUp Awards win is the latest milestone and perhaps the most meaningful yet. Being named both regional winner for Construction & Building Services and overall StartUp of the Year for Northeast, Yorkshire & The Humber is a clear signal that the judges saw something special: not just a good business, but one that’s being built the right way.
The national finals will bring together top start-ups from every region of the UK, competing for national titles and the chance to showcase their story to investors, media, and a massive entrepreneurial community. For Chris, Dave and Tectonix Natural Stone, it’s a moment to reflect on how far they’ve come, and where they’re heading next.
Because what they’re building proves that in an industry built on materials, people still matter too. That growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality, service, or sustainability. And that with the right foundations, it’s possible to build a start-up that not only grows fast, but lasts.
We can’t wait to see what they do next and we’ll be cheering them on this September at the UK StartUp Awards national finals, happening at Ideas Fest. Grab your tickets now. https://ideasfest.uk/ideas-fest-2025-tickets/