A firm in the construction industry has gone into administration, endangering over 400 jobs. Caldwell Construction Limited, established in 2007, has brought in administrators from PKF Littlejohn Advisory. The company, specializing in groundworks and civil engineering, operates from offices in Stoke-on-Trent and Warrington, Cheshire.
Paul Smith, a Partner at PKF Littlejohn Advisory UK LLP, highlighted the tough economic conditions faced by the construction sector, citing rising costs, project delays, and market instability. Despite reporting a turnover of £58.4 million last year, Caldwell’s operational profit remained under £1 million. Smith noted that recent financial pressures at Caldwell escalated, impacting cash flow and daily operations.
Efforts to explore alternative solutions for Caldwell’s future were made by the PKF Littlejohn Advisory team in Manchester and Leeds in collaboration with the company’s management. However, the company ultimately had to opt for insolvency proceedings due to the inability to secure a viable path forward.
Joint Administrator Oliver Collinge stated that the decision to place Caldwell into administration was a challenging one for the company’s directors. The immediate focus is now on assisting employees and stakeholders while evaluating the business’s standing and assets.
In a separate incident, Consumer Energy Solutions, an energy provider in south Wales, also entered administration, affecting nearly 300 employees. The company, unaffiliated with Caldwell Construction Limited, has operations in Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf. Employees were informed of job risks via a Teams call just before Christmas, causing distress among the staff.
Consumer Energy Solutions expressed its incapacity to fulfill further customer work following its closure due to the conclusion of the UK Government-backed Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme it operated. This scheme, aiding homeowners in energy upgrades like insulation and solar panels, is set to end this year.
Administrators James Saunders and Michael Lennon from KR8 Advisory Limited were appointed on January 9, 2026, to oversee the administration of Consumer Energy Solutions Limited, which ceased operations immediately. The notice clarified that the administration solely pertains to Consumer Energy Solutions Limited and not other entities within the City Energy Group.