Not many businesses can claim nearly four decades of unbroken growth in a demanding trade. Wensley Roofing can. Founded in 1987 and part of the Northern Bear group since 2006, they have built a reputation across the North East that speaks for itself. Here is a closer look at the people and the work behind that reputation.
From a Single Premise in Washington to a North East Institution
Wensley Roofing was founded in 1987 by Keith Soulsby, starting out as a slating and tiling business from their first premises in Washington. From those early days, the business grew steadily through consistent quality and an ever-expanding range of services.
By 1989, continued growth led to a move into new premises in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. A decade later, in 1999, the business expanded its offering to include heritage roofing and leadwork, recognising a growing demand for specialist skills that many contractors simply could not provide.
Wensley Roofing officially became part of the Northern Bear group in 2006, making them one of our longest-standing members. In the years since, they have continued to evolve. 2019 saw the launch of a formal apprenticeship programme. In 2020, Steven Luke took over as Managing Director, bringing fresh leadership while maintaining the values Keith built the business on. Most recently, in 2024, Wensley Roofing achieved MCS certification and launched a dedicated PV division, reflecting the growing role of solar within modern roofing.
Today, the team stands at 60 people, including five apprentices, with over 270 years of combined industry experience.
What Wensley Roofing Does
Wensley Roofing works across the public, domestic, and commercial sectors throughout the North East of England. Their services cover a broad range of roofing disciplines:
- Slating: including Green Westmorland, Welsh, and Spanish slating, as well as strip and recover work and heritage conservation
- Tiling: domestic and commercial, using tiles from leading manufacturers including Decca, Forticrete, and Marley Eternit
- Leadwork: specialist metal roofing and cladding, with notable projects including Durham and Newcastle Cathedrals
- Flat roofing: from emergency repairs and storm damage through to complete roof renewals
- PV installation: solar panels installed as part of a complete roofing package, removing the need for a separate contractor
That last point is worth highlighting. The ability to manage PV installation alongside traditional roofing work is a genuine differentiator, offering clients a simpler, more connected experience.
Investing in the Next Generation
One aspect of Wensley Roofing that stands out the most is their commitment to training. Around nine percent of their workforce is made up of apprentices, and the business has invested heavily in developing new talent for the roofing industry.
In a sector where skilled tradespeople are increasingly hard to find, that kind of long-term thinking matters. It reflects a business that is not just focused on today’s workload, but on building a team capable of maintaining high standards well into the future.
Accreditations That Reflect the Standard
Wensley Roofing holds accreditations from CHAS, NFRC, Brauer Approved Contractor, and MCS. These reflect a business that takes compliance, safety, and quality seriously across every type of project they undertake.
A Natural Fit Within the Northern Bear Family
Wensley Roofing has been part of the Northern Bear group since 2006, and in many ways they embody what Northern Bear is about. A business with deep roots in the North East, a skilled and directly employed workforce, and a track record built on doing the job properly.
To find out more about Wensley Roofing and their full range of services, visit wensleyroofing.co.uk.
You can also learn more about the wider group on the Northern Bear about page or contact the Northern Bear team directly.
