Publish date: 18 June 2026
“Northumberland is brilliant. The people, community spirit, countryside and beaches.”
He has also shared his approach to being a good neighbour when managing large construction projects and his love of Northumberland.
Tim Shepherd is from the Midlands, just outside of Birmingham, and now lives in Alnwick. He is a civil engineer and has worked on projects across the country and overseas.
He has led schemes to build schools, hotels, healthcare facilities and cinemas – so has vast and varied experience.
Tim said: “The reason I love working in construction is because you add value to local communities when you are there and when you leave, and no two days are ever the same.
“I was attracted to Robertson because they are a stable, trusted organisation that has been in the business for decades. The fact that Sir Bill Robertson who started the company 60 years ago has only just stepped down as chairman, speaks volumes.”
Tim, who has worked for Robertson for five months, spent five years in Oman from 2017 and worked on power and desalination projects and led the construction of the first-class lounge for Oman Air. Closer to home, he led the team that built a new houseblock at HMP Acklington.
Tim continued: “Regardless of where you are working, ensuring you are a good neighbour is always a top priority. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure residents of Berwick that we will do all we can to work with them and minimise any disruption. Communication is a big part of this too, so if anyone has any concerns, they should please let me know.”
Robertson will ensure that the Berwick hospital site is part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. It is a voluntary, independent initiative established by the UK construction industry to help improve overall standards.
Training, apprenticeship schemes, health and safety and relationships with the community they are working in are audited.
Reflecting on the significance of Berwick’s new hospital, Tim continued: “I am excited and proud to be working on a project that is so important to Berwick and the surrounding communities. I don’t underestimate the importance of the hospital, and I also acknowledge the history of the project and the uncertainty that people may feel. Everyone should please be reassured that we are doing all we can to progress things as quickly as we can, working closely with Northumbria Healthcare.”
There are a dozen Robertson colleagues on site and in the coming weeks and months this number will increase to around 80 as an array of different sub-contractors and specialists come to work on the site.
The contractor continues to assess work that has been done so the next phase of programme of work can be finalised.
When not at work, Tim enjoys the Northumberland countryside. He is a keen cyclist and walker: “Northumberland is brilliant. The people, community spirit, countryside and beaches. I just love living in Alnwick and it is great working close to home.”