A construction firm has entered administration, jeopardizing over 400 jobs. Caldwell Construction Limited, established in 2007, has enlisted 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 construction industry’s tough trading environment in recent years, citing rising costs, project delays, and market instability. Despite a turnover of £58.4 million last year, Caldwell’s operating profit was under £1 million. Smith noted that mounting pressures, particularly in recent weeks, strained the company’s cashflow and operations.
The administrators, working closely with Caldwell’s management, explored various options to sustain the business without success. Joint Administrator Oliver Collinge confirmed the company’s decision to go into administration and emphasized the immediate focus on supporting employees and stakeholders while evaluating the business’s status and assets.
Separately, another firm, Consumer Energy Solutions, based in south Wales, also collapsed into administration recently, impacting nearly 300 employees. The two companies are unrelated. Consumer Energy Solutions, with locations in Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf, ceased trading abruptly, affecting its workforce. The closure was attributed to the termination of the UK Government-backed Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme that the company operated, which aimed to assist homeowners in energy-saving upgrades.
Administrators James Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory Limited took charge of Consumer Energy Solutions on January 9, 2026, as the company ceased operations immediately. It was clarified that the administration solely involves Consumer Energy Solutions Limited and does not impact other entities within the City Energy Group.