Managing Director & Owner of The Paving Experts
About Cleo
Cleo Canning is the Managing Director and Owner of The Paving Experts, a UK-based paving and landscaping company established in 2013. With over 25 years of experience across marketing, construction and business leadership, Cleo leads the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the business.
Her responsibilities include business development, customer experience, marketing strategy, digital performance and operational management, ensuring The Paving Experts delivers trusted, high-quality paving and driveway services across England.
Cleo plays a hands-on role in shaping the company’s online presence, overseeing website development, content creation, customer communications and performance analysis to continually improve how customers find and engage with the business.
Career Pathway & Construction Industry Experience
Cleo began her career at Great Central Merchants (GCM), a buying consortium for builders’ merchants, where she worked within the marketing and commercial team. Her role involved negotiating supplier agreements with major construction brands including Tarmac, Marshalls, and Aggregate Industries, supporting the buying power of over 100 independent builders’ merchants.
She later joined Tarmac TopPave, where she was responsible for the TopPaver Paving Contractor Scheme, supporting more than 150 landscaping and paving contractors nationwide. During this period, Cleo led contractor marketing initiatives, developed the TopPave website, managed member communications and organised exhibitions including BBC Good Homes and The Daily Telegraph Homes & Gardens. She also helped deliver the annual TopPave contractor conference, attended by over 300 paving and landscaping professionals, including the coordination of technical product seminars.
Cleo went on to work at Instarmac Group plc, where she spent four years working closely with the Sales & Marketing Director. She led group-wide marketing activity, developed a dedicated marketing team, delivered the company’s first website and oversaw a brand redesign that remains in use today. During her time at Instarmac, Cleo developed extensive technical knowledge of specialist construction materials, including UltraCrete, UltraScape, UltraTile, BBA HAPAS-approved products, and Flowpoint Rapid Set paving slurry grouts.
Expertise in Paving, Landscaping & Contractor Support
With early exposure to the building trade through her family, Cleo has spent over three decades working in and alongside the UK construction industry. She is widely recognised for her practical and technical understanding of paving, landscaping, construction materials and contractor best practice, with particular expertise in paving grouts and slurry jointing systems.
Cleo regularly advises paving and landscaping contractors across the UK and is an active contributor within industry communities, including UK Paving Talk and Patios & Drives forums. She has also delivered contractor training days in collaboration with leading suppliers such as Instarmac Group plc, sharing knowledge on materials, installation standards and long-term performance.
Wider Marketing Leadership Experience
Alongside her construction-focused career, Cleo has held senior marketing roles across retail and service industries. She previously led creative and marketing teams at Bravissimo and Store Twenty One, before moving into the care sector.
Most recently, Cleo served as Head of Marketing at Helping Hands Homecare, the UK’s largest and most established provider of live-in and home care. In this role, she was responsible for marketing strategy, digital performance and leading a large multi-disciplinary team supporting over 100 branches nationwide.
Education, Qualifications & Professional Development
Cleo holds a BA (Hons) in Fashion from Nottingham Trent University and Masters Degree in Design Management & Marketing from Staffordshire University.
She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and has completed extensive professional development throughout her career.
In 2018, Cleo was awarded the Focus on People Award at Helping Hands Homecare, recognised by colleagues for her commitment to coaching, mentoring and team development across the organisation.
Beyond Work
Outside of business, Cleo is a devoted dog owner to her rescue dog Winnie “Pig”, an enthusiastic Staffy–Ridgeback cross who is rarely far from her side. A keen road cyclist, Cleo can often be found out on long rides throughout spring, summer and autumn, alongside regular spin, pump and yoga sessions.
A foodie at heart, she has a particular fondness for Ben & Jerry’s, olives, Marmite, peanut butter and a good glass of red wine. A lifelong music lover, Cleo’s taste spans Paul Weller, Green Day, Oasis and The Stone Roses, and she rarely misses an opportunity to dance. She also loves films – especially thrillers and horror – and is an avid reader, usually found with a book close at hand.
Above all, Cleo values long-standing friendships, many of which date back to nursery, and brings the same loyalty and commitment to her professional relationships.
The Paving Experts Today
Today, Cleo is proud to own and lead The Paving Experts, now in its second decade. She remains focused on building a trusted, customer-first business, supporting her team, and delivering high-quality paving and landscaping services across England.
The Paving Experts > About Us > Our Team of Experts > Cleo Canning
