TONY RETIRES AFTER 56 YEARS OF WORKING WITH BRICKS

5 Jan 2026

With over half a century of supplying bricks to the construction industry, Crest's Area Sales Manager, Tony Askew, has retired from the industry.

Crest Managing Director Stuart King said: “Tony decided to retire at the end of last year when he reached his 78th birthday in December, I would like to thank Tony for his commitment, professionalism and dedication to Crest on what has been a fantastic journey, I look forward to organising a retirement lunch to celebrate Tony’s wonderful working career in the new year. The Crest team and the Brickability Group would like to wish you a long and happy retirement.

In 1969, after a short stint in the civil service, Tony began working as a salesclerk at his local brickworks, The Lincoln Brick Company, where he met his wife, Sheila. Before starting work at Crest, Tony had already become hooked on bricks and whilst working at Lincoln Brick, Tony met and became friends with Crest’s Managing Director, Arnold Van Huet. The pair bonded over their interest in clay and brick, and they began working together in 1989.  Tony initially sold imported bricks from Holland and, in later years, from Belgium & Germany; these bricks are now sold all over the UK and Europe.

There isn’t much that Tony Askew doesn’t know about bricks – not only has he sold bricks for 36 years at Crest, but his wealth of knowledge, dedication and passion for bricks have played a big part in Crest’s success over many years.

Over two Years ago, Tony started a new role at Crest as Specification and Design Manager, working part-time, consulting with architects and developers on initial project design and specification of products. Tony said: “I still get excited about bricks and wonder when visiting buildings like the Lincoln Cathedral, I think, how did they do it with no machinery?’ And when you drive past a completed project and see the build which we’ve supplied bricks to, whether it’s a family home, a university or a listed building, it’s great to think ‘We’ve been a part of that!’