About Ray Spooner
About the Mentor
Business Mentor | Family Business Expert | Property Investor | Author
Ray began his career as a carpenter, joiner, and furniture maker before joining his family’s construction business at 22. By age 28 he’d taken over leadership and went on to grow the company — first on his own, and later alongside his five sons — into what it is today: a third-generation, £14m+ main contracting business that’s profitable, sustainable, and professionally run.
In 2018 after, Ray stepped back from daily operations, taking up a Chairman and mentoring role. He then founded Carmelcrest Homes, a property development and investment company with a growing portfolio in the Midlands, now managed by two of his sons.
After passing his shares to the next generation, Ray was asked to help other business owners — and soon discovered a new passion: mentoring. He now dedicates his time to helping entrepreneurs build businesses that run smoothly, profitably, and independently of the owner’s constant involvement.
Ray Spooner
MCIOB • MRICS • Business Mentor
Through decades in business, Ray learned that growth begins with education. When you understand the core mechanics of business and install systems that stay one step ahead of your current stage, growth becomes sustainable. Many companies grow — but not all have the systems to support that growth.
A lifelong learner, Ray holds professional qualifications as a Chartered Builder (MCIOB), Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), and NLP Master Practitioner. His Master’s research focused on family-run businesses — something that’s served him well inleading his own. He’s also a qualified personal trainer and holds a diploma in nutrition, maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle that supports both body and mind.
Ray lives by the mantra, “If you want more, you have to become more” — a belief that drives his approach to personal and professional growth. He’s deeply interested in psychology and human behaviour, helping business owners better understand, manage, and motivate their teams.
He is the author of three books:
- 50 Skills: The Entrepreneur’s handbook, distilling lessons from over 35 years in business.
- The School Leaver’s Guide to Money, written to give young people the financial education they rarely receive.
- The Art of Construction Estimating, a practical manual for aspiring building estimators.
Ray’s work has been recognised over the years with several awards, including:
- NatWest Bank Entrepreneur of the Year (2000)
- Docklands Business Club “Business of Tomorrow” (2001)
He has also appeared on the Learning Zone on TV, spoken at the University of East London, and served as a board member of the Learning and Skills Council. His company was selected by the Department of Trade and Industry as an exemplar of how a construction business should be run, and Carmelcrest was the first in the South East to achieve BS 5750, the forerunner to ISO 9001.
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What Clients Say
Real results from real business owners who transformed their businesses and lives.
Ray is one of those rare mentors whose 40 years of experience can be felt the moment he begins analysing your business. He approaches every session with thoughtful preparation, bringing a clear agenda designed to develop both you as an individual and your business as a whole.
What sets Ray apart is his ability to cut straight to the root cause of challenges with precision and clarity. He consistently encourages you to work on the business rather than in it—helping you adopt a strategic mindset that elevates your perspective. When working with Ray at this high level, the real issues naturally surface, allowing you to address them collaboratively and effectively.
Sam Bertram
Freedom Homes
Giovanni Patania and Ryan Windsor
Directors
Ray’s no-nonsense approach
and candid guidance have taken me from uncertainty to leading multiple thriving businesses with seven-figure turnovers
Adam Cooper
Cooper Constructionn