History

Stephen Stewart's journey into the recovery industry started in a simple but meaningful way - by helping friends who had broken down. What began as lending a hand quickly grew into a passion.
Steve went on to support a friend at A66 Recovery in Bowes, County Durham, where he gained valuable hands-on experience and learned the ropes of professional vehicle recovery.
He credits much of his early learning to Carl at A66 Recovery, whose guidance and knowledge played a key role in shaping Steves skills and work ethic.

After taking a short break from the industry, Steve returned to recovery with even more to offer - having successfully gained his HGV Class 1 licence.
He joined TVS Recovery in Hull, where he specialised in Police recovery work, attending road traffic collisions and incidents across the region.
During this time, Steve gained extensive experience operating slidebeds and HIABs, playing a key role in safely recovering vehicles from complex and often challenging scenes.
This period further strengthened his skills in accident recovery, scene management, and working in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments - setting the foundation for the professional standards that Stewarts Recovery upholds today.

In 1999, Steve joined Willinghams Recovery, a well-known and respected name in the vehicle recovery industry at the time.
It wasn't long before Steve's dedication and skill earned him the role of Designated Operator for Police Incidents - a position of trust and responsibility that involved attending serious accidents, managing complex recovery situations, and working closely with emergency services.
Willinghams Recovery was a household name throughout Hull and East Yorkshire until its closure in the late 2000s. During his time there, Steve honed his expertise in accident recovery, scene safety, and professional vehicle handling, further solidifying his position in the industry.

With a continued passion for the recovery industry, Steve went on to join S&H Recovery, where he was based in Hull.
Here, Steve expanded his skill set beyond cars and vans, taking on more complex and demanding jobs in heavy vehicle recovery. His work involved everything from bus and coach recoveries to handling 44-ton articulated trucks - often in high-pressure, time-critical situations.
This role allowed Steve to further develop his expertise in Heavy Rescue, operating large recovery vehicles and specialist equipment to safely manage large-scale incidents across the region.
His time at S&H Recovery solidified his reputation as a trusted and experienced operator in both light and heavy recovery sectors.

The transition from S&H Recovery to Sparrow Recovery marked a significant evolution in the company's operations. With a full overhaul of vehicles and equipment, the business adopted a modern, more efficient fleet and a bold new identity - positioning itself as a leading name in heavy recovery services.
Today, Sparrow Recovery is known for its ability to handle the most demanding recovery situations with confidence, skill, and the right equipment.
Though no longer with the company, Steve Stewart holds deep respect and admiration for the Sparrow family, whose commitment to professional recovery continues to raise industry standards. To this day, Steve remains close friends with the Sparrows, a testament to the strong relationships and values that have shaped his career.

After being laid off and facing the challenges of being a single parent, Steve took a bold step forward - setting up Stewarts Recovery to go it alone with a clear vision.
Armed with a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience, Steves goal has been to build a business founded on trust, professionalism, and reliability.
His ambition is to grow the company by securing more contracts and expanding the reputation of Stewarts Recovery as a leading recovery service across Hull and East Yorkshire.
With dedication and expertise, Steve continues to build a business that reflects his passion and commitment to customer safety and satisfaction.