A company in the construction sector has gone into administration, jeopardizing the employment of over 400 individuals. 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 industry’s tough trading environment in recent years, citing rising costs, project delays, and market uncertainties. Despite a turnover of £58.4 million last year, Caldwell reported an operating profit of less than £1 million. Smith emphasized that Caldwell faced increased pressure recently, impacting cash flow and operations significantly.
Following extensive collaboration between the management and the PKF Littlejohn Advisory team in Manchester and Leeds, efforts to find viable solutions for Caldwell were unsuccessful, leading to the decision to enter insolvency proceedings. Joint Administrator Oliver Collinge stated that the company directors made the difficult choice to place Caldwell into administration, with immediate focus on supporting employees and stakeholders during the evaluation of the business and its assets.
In a separate incident, South Wales-based energy provider Consumer Energy Solutions also collapsed into administration, affecting nearly 300 employees. The company, unaffiliated with Caldwell, operates in Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf. An announcement on the Consumer Energy Solutions website confirmed the cessation of trading and inability to fulfill further customer work.
A staff member expressed distress over the sudden job risk revelation before Christmas, explaining the emotional turmoil among colleagues. The company attributed the restructuring and job cuts to the conclusion of the UK Government-backed Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme, which supported home energy upgrades. The scheme’s expiration this year prompted the company’s restructure and subsequent closure.
Administrators James Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory Limited were appointed for Consumer Energy Solutions on January 9, 2026, marking the company’s discontinuation of operations. The notice clarified that the administration solely concerns Consumer Energy Solutions Limited and not other entities within the City Energy Group.