Shepherd and Sons Contracting ltd
Our History
A Legacy Built on Trust, Craftsmanship, and Family For over 3 generations, our family has dedicated itself to delivering quality workmanship with integrity.
What started as a small family trade has grown into a trusted name in airfield and highway maintenance, all while keeping our values rooted in tradition.
Alan ShepherdFounder of Shaw-Seal
Richard ShepherdFormer director of Shaw-Seal
Director of Shepherd & Sons
Jordan Shepherd
Director of Shepherd & Sons
Sasha Shepherd
Director of Shepherd & Sons
A Timeline of our Legacy
How it all started...
What began as a small specialist team sealing joints in London high-rises has grown into one of the UK’s most experienced airfield and highway surface maintenance contractors. Here’s how Shepherd & Sons came to be
1960 - 1970
In 1966, Alan Shepherd founded Shaw-Seal LTD. At first, Shawseal focused of polysulphide sealing in high rise buildings in London. With their small team of 4 men, they grew the company through out the 60's and 70's.
1970 - 1980
Alan worked hard to build up Shaw-seal, slowly but surely, his meticulous and hard-working crew built a solid reputation for the Shaw-seal company, expanding to six men full-time.
1980 - 1990
In the early 80's, John Shepherd, Alan's brother, jumped on board the team. The team was growing, and business was thriving as the company started to expand into other sectors and grew into Highway Maintenance.
In 1989, Shaw-seal LTD joined and represented as chairman of the Extruded Sealant Association, as they were recognised as a hardworking and valuable team.
The Extruded Sealant Association (ESA) in the UK is an industry collective of contractors that supports and promotes best practices in the design, selection, and application of extruded sealants in airfields, highways and other industrial surfaces. Alongside the ESA, Shawseal paved the way for high Industry Standards by promoting:
Consistent quality standards
Proven application techniques
Performance-based testing and evaluation
1990 - 2000
Richard Shepherd joined the team at the age of 21.
In 1992, Shaw-seal landed contracts for Gatwick airport maintenance works, and in 1997 expanded into Heathrow Airport as well. From this point on Shaw-seal was known across the UK’s Seven Biggest airports: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow and Southampton, acting as a framework contractor for the British Airport Authority known collectively as "The Pavement Team".
2000 - 2010
During this time, Shaw-seal achieved some massive goals, such as...
2005 - Assisting in the the construction of the new Heathrow Terminal 5 runway and associated taxiways
2007 - Under the Under the Pavement Team banner, Heathrow went through a major change converting taxiways into Code F pavements to accommodate the then new Airbus A380 jet.
2009 - Shaw-seal secured ongoing maintenance packages with Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted Airport
2012 - 66,000 meters of saw cutting on Heathrow Terminal 2
2010 - 2020
As a small family-run business, Shaw-seal and its skilled team were absorbed by Dyer & Butler and worked in the exchange over of the specialist services team until 2014 when Richard decided to semi-retire.
2023 onwards - The Birth of Shepherd & Sons
However, Richards days of sawing and sealing were not over.
ln 2023, Lagan Aviation requested help from Richard on the resurfacing of Stansted airport runway.
That's when Shepherd & Sons Contracting was born.
Jordan & Sasha Shepherd, Richards sons, recognised the need for Skilled labourers and encouraged Richard to dust off the steel toe caps, and start a new generation of Skilled concrete specialists
2023 - Current Day
Shepherd and Sons has transformed from labour only to a seven-man team with all associated plant, machinery and equipment to absorb and carry out major aviation works and project requirements. Shawseal/Shepherd and Sons pride themselves and focus on high standards of quality and safety, as family is our foundation.