Innovator- SAM founder and CEO Steve Southern
TEESSIDE
TRAILBLAZERS
WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON PICTURES: STUART BOULTON
How multi award-winning Southern Asset Management is raising the bar in digital infrastructure testing
In just three years, Southern Asset Management( SAM) has gone from a Teesside start-up to a nationally recognised force in infrastructure testing, inspection and digital asset management.
Headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees, the company has rapidly scaled its operations, combining extensive industry knowledge with next-generation technology to support infrastructure networks across the UK.
Established in 2022, SAM’ s journey has been defined by smart investment, strategic growth and a clear vision to deliver accurate, accessible and future-ready asset management solutions.
Its impact has already been felt far beyond the region, with clients ranging from Leicestershire and Gwynedd County Councils, Transport for London and the North and Mid-Wales Trunk Road Agent. At the same time, SAM has remained rooted in its North-East home and is now calling on more organisations across Teesside to modernise how they manage and maintain infrastructure using its awardwinning technology and fully managed inspection services.
Under the guidance of founder and CEO Steve Southern( pictured above), who brings 25 years of experience in asset and infrastructure management, the company has grown into a 12-strong team supported by a fleet of vehicles, mobile testing laboratories and purpose-built premises with an on-site workshop.
Southern Asset Management’ s unique blend of practical, hands-on testing expertise and intelligent digital systems, underscored by rigorous standards-led procedures, positions it at the forefront of an industry where safety, accuracy and compliance are more critical than ever.
SAM’ s technical offerings span a broad spectrum of testing and inspection disciplines, including structural load testing, ultrasonic scanning and below-ground assessment, all delivered by HERS accredited technicians.
These services are deployed across a diverse range of environments from highways and airports to industrial sites and ports, as well as car parks, commercial estates, schools and leisure facilities.
The company also supports large public networks, ensuring broad and adaptable coverage.
Whether it’ s structural testing of assets to BS EN 40 standards, drone surveys or asset management, SAM delivers data-driven solutions tailored to each client’ s asset type, environment and risk profile.
INDUSTRY RECOGNITION In 2025, SAM’ s digital-first approach earned major recognition, winning the Digital and Technology Business of the Year award at
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