A prominent construction company employing more than 400 people across the Midlands and North West has collapsed into administration following severe financial difficulties.
Administrators Appointed for Major Contractor
Caldwell Construction Ltd, a groundworks specialist based in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, with additional offices in Warrington, formally appointed administrators from PKF Littlejohn Advisory UK LLP on 15 January 2026. The decision was made after the directors concluded that mounting cashflow pressures left no sustainable path forward for the business.
The firm, which reported revenues exceeding £58 million in the year to March 2025, is a well-known sponsor in its local community. It holds the naming rights for the South Stand at Stoke City FC's bet365 Stadium, known as The Caldwell Construction Stand.
Challenging Sector Conditions Take Their Toll
The administration underscores the acute pressures facing the UK construction industry, particularly for groundworks and civil engineering contractors. The sector has been grappling with a combination of delayed payments from clients, sharply rising material and labour costs, and widespread project slowdowns.
These factors have persistently eroded profit margins across the housebuilding supply chain. Paul Smith, a partner at PKF Littlejohn Advisory, stated that these challenging trading conditions had been exacerbated at Caldwell in recent weeks, placing significant strain on cash flow and operations.
Joint administrator Oliver Collinge confirmed that the immediate focus is on supporting the company's employees and other stakeholders while a full assessment of the business and its assets is conducted.
Efforts to Secure Future Prove Unsuccessful
In the months leading up to the administration, teams from PKF Littlejohn Advisory in Manchester and Leeds worked closely with Caldwell's management to explore every potential solution. Despite these extensive efforts, it proved impossible to secure a rescue deal that would allow the company to continue trading outside of a formal insolvency process.
Those affected by the administration, including employees, suppliers, and subcontractors, are advised to contact the administrators via email at: Caldwellconstructionlimited@pkf-l.com.
The collapse of a firm of Caldwell's scale and regional prominence is a significant blow to the local economy and highlights the ongoing fragility within the UK's construction sector.
