About Us
Spencer Bridge Engineering is a specialist contractor focused exclusively on bridges and complex structures. As part of Spencer Group, we combine the agility of a specialist business with the strength, governance and delivery capability of a wider engineering group.
We are recognised for tackling projects that demand technical depth, meticulous planning and absolute confidence in delivery. Our teams bring together project managers, engineers, planners, designers, and on-site specialists who care deeply about getting things right for our clients, stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
Spencer Bridge Engineering is built on almost four decades of engineering expertise and specialist bridge delivery. As part of the Spencer Group, founded by Charlie Spencer in 1989, we have delivered over 250 bridge projects across the UK, Europe and internationally, earning a reputation for technical excellence, innovation and dependable delivery.
Our history is defined by landmark projects and engineering firsts:
- 1989 – Spencer Group founded by Charlie Spencer.
- 1998 – Delivered the UK’s first retracting footbridge, the Irvine Bridge of Invention.
- 2008 – Patented cable crawler gantry deployed for dehumidification project Forth Road Bridge.
- 2013 – Completed the world’s largest retrofit bridge dehumidification project on Denmark’s Great Belt Bridge.
- 2014 – World’s largest A-frame rocker bearing replacement on the Humber Bridge.
- 2015 – Charlie Spencer awarded an OBE for services to business and the economy.
- 2022 – Refurbished the world’s first and second oldest vehicular suspension bridges.
- 2023 – Spencer Bridge Engineering Ltd launched as the specialist bridge engineering division of Spencer Group.
Today, Spencer Bridge Engineering brings together decades of experience in the inspection, assessment, refurbishment, maintenance and enhancement of critical bridge infrastructure, supporting clients in protecting and extending the life of some of the world’s most important structures.
Our Clients
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Bridge infrastructure is embedded in the communities it serves, and we recognise our responsibility in protecting it. We engage early, communicate openly and work considerately, ensuring our projects are delivered safely and with lasting benefit for local people and stakeholders.
Whether extending the life of historic bridges, upgrading critical crossings or delivering specialist access solutions, our focus is on safeguarding infrastructure that supports connectivity, resilience and economic vitality, now and for generations to come.
Awards & Accreditations
Holgate Bridge – Historic Bridge Award 2008
York Millenium Bridge Project (Commended) 2000
CN Specialist Awards 2026 | Specialist Innovation of the Year
UVDB Verify Category B2 Audit (listed as 'UVDB Silver' in company summary)
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2026 | Bridge Contractor of the Year
PAS 2080:2023 – Carbon Management in Buildings & Infrastructure
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management
Constructionline Gold Membership
ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2026 | Bridge Project Team of the Year
Waste Carriers Licence (Upper Tier Carrier, Broker & Dealer)
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2025 | Historic Bridge Project
Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2025 | Heritage & Infrastructure Award
Cyber Essentials Plus
EN1090-1:2009+A1:2011 – Factory Production Control (Steel Fabrication, CE/UKCA Marking)
Bridges Award 2025 | Bridges Award for New Life
Galvanisers Association 2024 | Galvanising in Engineering Award
ISO 3834-2:2021 – Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 | Historic Bridge Project
National CIHT Awards 2024 | Infrastructure Award
CIHT Cymru Wales Awards 2023 | Infrastructure Award
NBCA 2023 | Restoration Project of the Year ‘Gold Winner’
NBCA 2023 | Community Engagement ‘Silver Winner’
Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2023 | The Diaphoros Prize
CIHT Cymru Wales Awards 2023 | Alun Griffiths Award for Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Bridges Awards 2021 | Bridge Management Award
ICE Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2020 | Smeaton Award
ICE Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2015 | Smeaton Award
Scottish Transport Awards 2008 | Excellence in Technology & Innovation
Holgate Bridge – Historic Bridge Award 2008
York Millenium Bridge Project (Commended) 2000
CN Specialist Awards 2026 | Specialist Innovation of the Year
UVDB Verify Category B2 Audit (listed as 'UVDB Silver' in company summary)
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2026 | Bridge Contractor of the Year
PAS 2080:2023 – Carbon Management in Buildings & Infrastructure
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management
Constructionline Gold Membership
ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2026 | Bridge Project Team of the Year
Waste Carriers Licence (Upper Tier Carrier, Broker & Dealer)
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2025 | Historic Bridge Project
Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2025 | Heritage & Infrastructure Award
Cyber Essentials Plus
EN1090-1:2009+A1:2011 – Factory Production Control (Steel Fabrication, CE/UKCA Marking)
Bridges Award 2025 | Bridges Award for New Life
Galvanisers Association 2024 | Galvanising in Engineering Award
ISO 3834-2:2021 – Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 | Historic Bridge Project
National CIHT Awards 2024 | Infrastructure Award
CIHT Cymru Wales Awards 2023 | Infrastructure Award
NBCA 2023 | Restoration Project of the Year ‘Gold Winner’
NBCA 2023 | Community Engagement ‘Silver Winner’
Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2023 | The Diaphoros Prize
CIHT Cymru Wales Awards 2023 | Alun Griffiths Award for Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Bridges Awards 2021 | Bridge Management Award
ICE Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2020 | Smeaton Award
ICE Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2015 | Smeaton Award
Scottish Transport Awards 2008 | Excellence in Technology & Innovation
Join our award winning team
Looking for your next challenge? Join Spencer Bridge Engineering and contribute to the delivery of complex, safety-critical bridge projects across the UK. You’ll be part of a specialist team protecting, maintaining and extending the life of some of the country’s most important infrastructure assets.