Alex Porter
In the latest of our team insights series, we caught up with Alex Porter, Operations Manager at Caxton Group.
Since joining the business in 2014, Alex has built a career spanning estimating, procurement, operations and international business development. His journey has taken him from Caxton Group to Stofix UK, across Europe and back again – giving him a unique perspective on the growth of the Group, its culture and the opportunities available to people who want to develop their careers.
Tell us about your career at Caxton Group
I joined Caxton in 2014 as a Materials Buyer and Estimator. As the business grew, so did my role, and in 2018 I became Operations Director with responsibility for a wider range of teams and functions.
Following Caxton Group’s acquisition of Stofix UK, my role evolved again as I moved across to focus on the day-to-day operations of the business. As our involvement with the wider Stofix Group developed, I began working closely with the factory in Poland, as well as suppliers and prospective clients across Europe. For around two and a half years, that meant travelling to Poland almost every month.
At the beginning of 2026, I returned to Caxton Group as Operations Manager, with responsibilities spanning operational functions, HR and marketing. It’s certainly not the career I imagined when I first joined – and that’s one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working here.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
Being part of an evolving business. I’ve seen Caxton grow enormously during my time here, and my own role has continually evolved alongside it. That’s kept things interesting and given me opportunities and experiences I wouldn’t necessarily have had elsewhere.
For me, the most rewarding part is being able to implement changes that have an impact across the wider Group and help build the business into what we know it can become. Ultimately, it’s about creating a strong business for the people who have been part of the journey so far and those who will become part of its future.
How would you describe the culture at Caxton?
It’s very hands-on. We don’t pretend that we get everything right the first time, but when there is a challenge, people work together to resolve it. It doesn’t matter what department the problem sits in or what someone’s job title is – people roll their sleeves up and get involved.
No job is beneath anyone and nobody is bigger than the business. We do what needs to be done, together. I think that mindset has played a huge part in creating the culture we have today.
How has Caxton supported your development?
Training and development have always been taken seriously here. You can see that through Caxton Academy and the investment we’re making in the next generation of construction professionals, but that commitment extends throughout the Group. We were recently awarded the Training Excellence Award at the Construction News Specialists Awards, an accolade we are very proud of.
Our site teams are supported to achieve the qualifications they need in site management, health and safety and technical areas. We invest in management development at different levels, including people identified as the rising stars of the business, and we’ve supported colleagues through professional qualifications and degrees.
If someone demonstrates commitment and enthusiasm, and there is a genuine opportunity to develop them, Caxton will support that progression. My own career is probably a good example. When I joined the business, I certainly didn’t imagine that one day I’d spend two and a half years regularly working across Europe.
What are the biggest advantages of working for Caxton Group?
Every day is different and I’m continually learning. People’s opinions matter here. There is an open-door culture and you’re encouraged to contribute rather than simply stay within the boundaries of your job description.
Our values of Trust, Respect, Integrity and Passion sum it up well. Demonstrate those qualities, take pride in what you do and be prepared to challenge yourself, and there are opportunities to take on new responsibilities and experiences.
What do you see in the future for Caxton Group?
Caxton Group continues to develop and grow even in a challenging market, I believe the future is yet to be written. As a business we will continue to develop our structure, our processes and make the entire group as robust as possible. Our leadership team will always look to diversify and move into new opportunities, our job is make sure the business can accommodate any future changes, role our sleeves up and get stuck in!
What would you say to someone considering joining Caxton?
If the opportunity comes along, take it with both hands. Turn up wanting to get involved. Be someone people can trust. Treat everyone with respect, act with integrity and take pride in what you do.
You’ll be surrounded by people who care deeply about the business, their work and the people around them. Get involved, be willing to learn and never think a job is beneath you. That’s how you become part of Caxton Group.
