What Carey Group does

Carey Group Ltd, trading as Careys, is a privately held UK civil engineering and construction specialist headquartered in Wembley, Middlesex, founded in 1969 by three brothers. The company delivers nine integrated service lines spanning the full construction lifecycle: Digital Design and Construction Engineering (BIM-enabled), Demolition / Cut and Carve / Façade Retention, Remediation and Enabling, Utilities, Infrastructure and Civil Engineering, Basements and Substructures, Superstructures, Public Realm and Hard Landscaping, and Resource Recovery. It operates a wholly owned dry lining subsidiary, BDL, one of the largest specialist dry lining contractors in the UK. Careys differentiates through specialist concrete techniques (slipform, jumpform, top-down basement construction, post-tensioned slabs), an in-house Plant and Fleet division with specialist equipment, and an in-house Resource Recovery operation supporting circular economy objectives.

Careys operates a project-based B2B specialist contracting model, earning revenue primarily through NEC Option A and similar standard construction contract forms, with payment linked to delivered works packages. It is procured by tier-1 main contractors (Mace, Kier, Lendlease, Wates, Sir Robert McAlpine, BAM, Multiplex, Galliford Try, McLaughlin & Harvey), direct enterprise end-clients (BAE Systems, Siemens, Holcim UK, Indaver, Caudwell Properties, Sainsbury's, JDR Cable Systems, Edinburgh Airport, Natural History Museum, University of Glasgow, Imperial College London), and public sector bodies including the Ministry of Justice and Scottish Prison Service. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales via competitive tendering and direct appointment, with strong repeat-engagement dynamics across both tier-1 contractor supply chains and multi-year public sector programmes. The 501–1,000 employee workforce operates from offices in Wembley (HQ), Aston Clinton, and Glasgow.

The company's strategic positioning rests on three pillars: (1) specialist technical capability in complex, technically demanding concrete and civil engineering scopes, evidenced by ISO 9001/14001/45001 certifications, Considerate Constructors Scheme membership, and Contractor of the Year recognition at the 2025 Construction News Specialists Awards (Turnover over £25m category); (2) a self-delivery model supported by in-house plant, BIM-enabled digital engineering, and resource recovery that compresses programme risk on complex urban basements, live operational sites, and brownfield remediation; and (3) a deep social value proposition — including Skills Bootcamps with Wates and the MoJ for prison leavers, the Careys Foundation, 5% Club membership with approximately 30% of the workforce in Earn and Learn roles, and Section 106 community commitments — that increasingly drives public sector procurement outcomes.

Name

Carey Group

Legal name

Carey Group Ltd

Website

https://careys.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Carey Group is a UK specialist civil engineering and construction contractor delivering basements, superstructures, utilities, infrastructure, and remediation via direct appointment and tier-1 main contractor supply chains across government, energy, education, and commercial sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wembley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Specialist Construction Contracts: Careys generates revenue as a specialist or main contractor on construction projects across civil engineering, basements, superstructures, utilities, infrastructure, demolition, and remediation. Revenue is project-based, earned through NEC Option A and other standard construction contract forms, with payment linked to delivered works packages.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Carey Group (trading as Careys) is a UK specialist civil engineering and construction contractor delivering self-delivered services across the full construction spectrum, including demolition and façade retention, remediation and enabling works, utility infrastructure, civil engineering, complex basements and substructures, reinforced concrete superstructures, public realm and hard landscaping, and resource recovery. The group operates with an in-house plant and fleet division and a wholly-owned dry lining subsidiary (BDL), serving main contractors, developers, government bodies, and utility companies through project-based contracts.

Product overview

Carey Group operates as a civil engineering and construction specialist company under the Careys brand, offering a comprehensive suite of construction services organized around nine core service lines: Digital Design and Construction Engineering, Demolition/Cut and Carve/Façade Retention, Remediation and Enabling, Utilities, Infrastructure/Civil Engineering, Basements and Substructures, Superstructures, Public Realm and Hard Landscaping, and Resource Recovery. The group also maintains a dry lining subsidiary, BDL. Projects span across commercial, residential, infrastructure, energy, and public sector domains, with notable expertise in complex urban basements, energy from waste facilities, offshore wind infrastructure, and prison construction. Services are delivered through direct labour and specialist supply chain partnerships, with capabilities in temporary works design, BIM, and NEC contract management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital and Construction Engineering BIM-enabled digital design and construction engineering services integrated with project delivery, including 3D/4D modelling and clash detection for complex civil engineering projects. Targeted at main contractors, developers, and public sector clients.
• Demolition, Cut and Carve, and Façade Retention Specialist demolition services including precision cut and carve techniques and structural façade retention solutions for complex urban environments. Provided to developers and main contractors undertaking refurbishment and redevelopment.
• Remediation and Enabling Site remediation, contamination management, and enabling works to prepare brownfield and challenging sites for development. Delivered for developers, public sector clients, and main contractors.
• Utilities Design and Build Design and installation of utility infrastructure including water networks, gas mains, HV/LV electrical systems, and district heating, often delivered under Self-Lay Agreements with water utilities. Targeted at developers, main contractors, and utility clients.
• Infrastructure and Civil Engineering Full civil engineering services including drainage, roads, highways, bridges, and broader infrastructure project delivery for public sector and developer clients.
• Basements and Substructures Complex basement construction including top-down and open-cut methods, waterproof concrete systems, secant piled walls, and deep excavation works for multi-storey basement developments. Targeted at property developers and main contractors on premium urban schemes.
• Superstructures Reinforced concrete frame construction, post-tensioned slabs, precast elements, and high-rise structural delivery for commercial, residential, and public sector buildings.
• Public Realm and Hard Landscaping External works including paving, kerbing, soft and hard landscaping, streetscape enhancements, and public space development delivered to developers, councils, and cultural institutions.
• Resource Recovery Waste management and material recovery services supporting circular economy objectives across construction projects, including in-house operations that divert waste from landfill.
• BDL Dry Lining Services Specialist dry lining contracting services delivered through BDL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carey Group and one of the largest specialist dry lining contractors in the UK.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 prison leavers to secure at least 6 months' employment and 50 to gain construction skills per HMP Welland Oaks project
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• WatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Careys collaborates with Wates on the HMP Welland Oaks project (Ministry of Justice prison) and jointly delivers the Skills Bootcamp programme, providing groundworker training to prison leavers with CSCS Green Card certification. This partnership combines Wates' main contractor role with Careys' specialist delivery and training capabilities.
• Ministry of JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Ministry of Justice is the end-client for multiple prison projects delivered by Careys (HMP Welland Oaks, HMP Fosse Way, HMP Glasgow, HMP Rye Hill). Careys also partners with the MoJ on Skills Bootcamps providing employment pathways for prison leavers.
• MacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Mace is the principal contractor for the Audley Square Redevelopment in Mayfair, London, with Careys appointed as specialist contractor undertaking piling, excavation, ground source heat pump installation, waterproof reinforced concrete basement, and superstructure works.
• IndavercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Indaver is the client for the Rivenhall Energy from Waste facility in Essex. Careys delivered a 52-week package of earthworks, drainage, underground services, utilities, and reinforced concrete structures.
• Galliford TrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Galliford Try is the main contractor for Project V — a 46,000m² subsea cable factory in Northumberland. Careys delivers enabling and concrete structures works including RC pits, ground floor slabs, and a 7m deep circular cofferdam.
• SiemenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Careys has been appointed by Siemens at Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm to construct the 2.6-hectare onshore substation in East Lothian, including civil works, building construction, and infrastructure readiness for electrical equipment.
• McLaughlin & HarveycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024McLaughlin & Harvey is the main contractor for BAE Govan (shipyard assembly hall). Careys undertook the construction of RC slabs on PCC driven piles, 10m high RC walls, and integration works for the conversion of a wet dock to a dry dock facility.
• BauersupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Bauer is Careys' piling subcontractor for the Audley Square project, using ultra-modern equipment with low noise emission including piling rigs with dampened Kelly bars to reduce high-frequency sound. Worked under the Considerate Constructors Scheme standards.
• KiercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Kier is a tier-1 main contractor engaged on multiple Careys projects including HMP Glasgow (with Scottish Prison Service) and Watford Riverwell (with Watford Borough Council JV). Careys acts as specialist contractor on enabling and groundworks packages.
• CadentsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Cadent is the gas network operator for gas main installation works on projects including Watford Riverwell. Careys works with Cadent under IGEM standards for design, installation, and commissioning of gas infrastructure.
• Thames WatersupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Careys collaborates with Thames Water as an accredited Self-Lay Organisation, designing and installing potable water networks and sprinkler mains under self-lay agreements. Projects include Imperial College London White City and Perry Barr Residential Scheme.
• UKPN (UK Power Networks)supportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024UKPN is the Distribution Network Operator for electricity infrastructure on projects including Watford Riverwell and Imperial College London. Careys facilitates infrastructure reinforcement and duct installation working with UKPN's engineering teams.
• Westminster City CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Westminster City Council is a key stakeholder on the Audley Square project, providing planning permission, highways approvals, and monitoring of environmental compliance under the Code of Construction Practice.
• Construction Youth TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Careys works with the Construction Youth Trust on school engagement events, providing industry volunteers to support young people's understanding of construction careers, including sessions at Pimlico Academy.
• West London College / University of West LondonsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Careys engages with West London College and University of West London as part of its social value commitments under Section 106 agreements, providing work placements and apprenticeship pathways.
• Beam (Homelessness Charity)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Careys partners with Beam to support homeless people with work placements and apprenticeships as part of its social value commitments on Westminster projects.
• Caudwell ChildrensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Audley Square project team has committed to raise £1m for the Caudwell Children charity for disabled children, with Careys Foundation donating £350K across the project lifetime.
• Construction Academy West LondonsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Careys sits on the Construction Academy West London Employee Advisory Board, working with all training providers based in west London to ensure training provision is aligned with project needs.
• Holcim UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Holcim UK is the client for the Port of Tilbury Cement Grinding Facility — a new cementitious products importation and distribution facility with annual capacity of 730,000 tonnes. Careys is the principal contractor under a NEC Option A contract.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Skanska UK: UK arm of a major international contractor with significant infrastructure and building exposure. Comparable in civil engineering and concrete delivery, though across a much wider portfolio.
• Kier Group: UK tier-1 main contractor with significant MoJ and infrastructure exposure. Functions as both a Careys client and a peer in adjacent civil/construction delivery segments.
• McLaughlin & Harvey: Northern Ireland-headquartered UK contractor engaged as main contractor on BAE Govan with Careys as specialist subcontractor. Comparable in concrete/civil delivery for institutional and industrial clients.
• Sir Robert McAlpine: UK tier-1 main contractor with strong infrastructure and complex building portfolio. Overlap with Careys on basements and concrete structures, though at a much broader scale and remit.
• Mace Group: Global tier-1 main contractor and one of Careys' named clients (Audley Square). Comparable UK construction delivery but operates a much broader portfolio across consultancy, construction, and operations.

Direct peers

• Erith Group: UK specialist in demolition, groundworks, and enabling works with self-delivered plant. Directly comparable to Careys' demolition, remediation, and enabling service lines and tier-1 main contractor engagement model.
• McGee Group: UK specialist demolition and enabling contractor handling complex urban projects for tier-1 main contractors. Comparable specialist civil engineering scope and project complexity profile.
• John F Hunt Group: UK specialist contractor offering demolition, asbestos removal, groundworks, and concrete frame packages with in-house plant. Direct overlap with Careys' basements, demolition, and structural concrete services.
• Walters Group: UK civil engineering and structural contractor specialising in reinforced concrete frames, basements, and infrastructure. Comparable scope of specialist concrete and self-delivery similar to Careys.
• Keltbray Group: UK specialist contractor offering demolition, civil engineering, structural concrete, and rail infrastructure services. Directly comparable to Careys in basement/concrete delivery, plant ownership, and tier-1 main contractor client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carey Group