What Rowlinson does

Rowlinson Constructions Ltd is a privately held construction and property development company founded in 1953 and headquartered in Cheadle (Gatley), United Kingdom, operating primarily across North West England. The company operates a dual developer-contractor model: it acts as main contractor for housing associations, local authorities, and private developers on competitively tendered projects, while simultaneously self-financing and developing its own residential schemes for sale or rent. Rowlinson has delivered over 25,000 mixed tenure homes since inception, with a portfolio spanning affordable rent, shared ownership, social rent, market sale, and supported living/extra care tenures, and reports that approximately 75% of work comes from repeat clients.

The company's core technical competency lies in mixed tenure and intergenerational housing delivery, including specialist extra care and supported living facilities for people aged 55 and over, and sustainable construction methods such as ground source heat pumps, solar panels, sustainable drainage systems, and modern methods of construction (e.g., the Silk Street zero/low carbon scheme). Major documented projects include the £47 million Depot development (300+ homes), Gorton Mill House (£15 million, 106 extra care apartments), and Hattersley Central (161 homes). The company holds framework positions on the £1.5 billion Innovation Chain North (ICN) framework through 2028 and the £560 million JV North Framework, and maintains ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications.

Commercially, Rowlinson generates revenue through one-time construction contracts and proprietary property development sales, secured through direct enterprise field sales, public sector procurement, and framework appointments. Its customer base is concentrated in housing associations (Great Places, Onward Homes, Southway, MSV, Peaks & Plains, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group) and local authorities across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The leadership team comprises CEO David Chilton, CFO Matthew Holloway (appointed 2022, succeeding Adrian Simpson after 23 years), and COO Steve Weir.

Name

Rowlinson

Legal name

Rowlinson Constructions Ltd

Website

https://rowlinsonconstruction.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Rowlinson is a privately held construction and property developer founded in 1953, operating across North West England as both main contractor and self-financier of mixed tenure, affordable, and extra care housing for housing associations and local authorities, with over 25,000 homes delivered since inception.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Construction Services

NAICS

Land Subdivision (237210), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Land Development & Subdivision Homebuilding (Build-to-Sell Communities) (IMAFABAL)

Keywords

• Residential construction
• Property development
• Affordable housing
• Supported living facilities
• Sustainable construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheadle

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Construction Services: Rowlinson acts as main contractor for housing developments, delivering construction services for housing associations, local authorities, and private developers. Revenue is generated through construction contracts on a project-by-project basis.
2. Property Development: As a developer in their own right, Rowlinson finances and delivers quality homes in local communities. They assemble skilled teams covering all aspects of the development process from initial idea through to completion, taking development risk and generating revenue from property sales.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rowlinson is a construction and property development company that acts as both a main contractor and developer of mixed tenure residential housing, affordable housing, extra care and supported living facilities across North West England. The company delivers end-to-end services from site assembly through construction to completion, securing contracts through competitive tendering, framework agreements, and self-financed development projects for housing associations, local authorities, government bodies, and private investors.

Product overview

Rowlinson is a construction and property development company established in 1953, operating as both a developer and construction partner across the North West of England. The company offers integrated services spanning construction, development, and supported housing delivery. Core products include major housing developments (The Depot, Lowerhouse Green, The Residence) and care/support facilities (Gorton Mill House, Elmswood Park, Dahlia House, Hattersley Central). Services are organized into three main sectors: Development (self-financed property projects), Housing (working with housing associations), and Care & Support (supported living for vulnerable populations). The company has delivered over 25,000 mixed tenure homes and currently manages multiple active developments including intergenerational schemes, affordable housing, and specialist care facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Construction Services Design, construction, and refurbishment services for residential, commercial, and industrial projects delivered for public and private sector clients across North West England.
• Property Development Self-funded property development where Rowlinson finances and delivers quality homes in local communities, taking development risk and generating revenue from property sales across multiple tenures.
• Housing Construction Services Construction and delivery services for housing associations and registered providers, focused on mixed tenure affordable housing. Over 25,000 mixed tenure homes delivered to date.
• Care and Support Construction Services Specialist construction of extra care and supported living facilities for elderly and vulnerable people, with wrap-around care facilities and flexible support services. Over 200 supported living homes delivered across Greater Manchester.
• The Depot Development £47 million award-winning intergenerational development in Manchester featuring apartments, family homes, extra care housing, and over 55s accommodation delivering nearly 300 new homes across 5 acres.
• Gorton Mill House £15 million extra care development with 106 one and two bedroom apartments for people aged 55 and over, featuring ground source heating, electric car charging, and community facilities including café and hair salon.
• Silk Street Zero and Low Carbon Homes 69 zero and low carbon social homes in Newton Heath featuring ground source heat pumps, solar panels, sustainable drainage, and modern construction methods. All homes for social rent.
• Hattersley Central Development 161 new homes across three sites in Hattersley including 91 extra care homes for over 55s, 55 affordable rent homes, and 15 shared ownership homes for Onward Homes with Homes England Strategic Partnership funding.
• Downley Drive New Islington 75 affordable and sustainable homes including 23 shared ownership houses and 52 social rent apartments with low carbon specification featuring air source heat pumps, delivered for Great Places Housing Group.
• LGBTQ+ Majority Extra-Care Scheme UK's first LGBTQ+ majority extra-care development in partnership with Great Places Housing Group on a former hospital site, providing specialist residential care housing.
• Trafford Waters Development 83 one and two-bedroom homes in Trafford Waters development with L&Q, available on rent-to-buy tenure, completing towards end of 2025.
• Academy of Living Well Stockport State-of-the-art 82-bed intermediate care facility and multi-generational residential community in Stockport town centre, part of St Thomas' Gardens development for Stockport Council.
• Crossings Macclesfield 67 new homes regenerating the former derelict Georgian Mill site in Macclesfield town centre, providing a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments with various tenures.
• Tatton Cinema Development £10 million mixed-use development in Gatley preserving the art deco cinema façade, providing 33 apartments for over 55s with retail units.
• Lowerhouse Green £7 million bespoke collection of 33 premium 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes in Cheshire on a 1.2 hectare former industrial site near the River Dean.
• The Residence High-end development of ten apartments on Deansgate/St John Street in Manchester, sensitively designed in keeping with 18th century Georgian architecture.
• Newall Green Farm Supported living development providing 27 'whole life' homes for vulnerable people, including five self-contained apartments, built to robust standards with restored original features.
• Dahlia House £8 million 'with care' development in Burnage with 56 age-friendly apartments for people aged 55 and over, featuring community café and care packages.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25,000 mixed tenure homes delivered
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Stockport CouncilmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2024Rowlinson appointed as contractor for St Thomas' Gardens, a multi-generational residential community in Stockport town centre. The development includes an 82-bed Academy of Living Well intermediate care facility and affordable homes through Stockport Homes.
• Innovation Chain North (ICN) Framework (2024)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Rowlinson reappointed to the ICN framework for another four years until June 2028. The expanded £1.5 billion framework supports delivery of new homes across the north of England. Rowlinson was selected as one of 103 successful contractors from 206 applicants based on technical competence, price, and commitment to social value.
• L&QmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2024Design and build contract signed with L&Q for 83 one and two-bedroom homes at Trafford Waters. The rent-to-buy apartments across two blocks are part of Peel Waters' Trafford Waters neighbourhood development. Completion expected end of 2025.
• Great Places Housing GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2022Rowlinson appointed as construction partner for Great Places Housing Group's 75-home affordable mixed tenure development at Downley Drive, New Islington. The flagship low carbon development includes 23 houses and 52 apartments. Rowlinson also partnered on the New Islington scheme valued at £12.8 million.
• Onward HomescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2022Rowlinson appointed for Hattersley Central development delivering 161 new homes across three sites for Onward Homes. The development includes 91 extra care homes, 55 affordable rent homes, and 15 shared ownership homes. Funding through Onward's Strategic Partnership with Homes England.
• JV North FrameworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Rowlinson appointed to the £560 million JV North Framework in the £10 million plus contractor category. The consortium aims to deliver around 4,000 high quality new homes between 2021-2025. JV North is a consortium of housing associations and local authorities and is one of the biggest developers of new social homes in the UK.
• Manchester City CouncilcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2021Partnership with Manchester City Council for Silk Street development - 69 zero and low carbon social homes in Newton Heath. The development received funding through the Government's Brownfield Land Fund and is part of Manchester's affordable housing strategy.
• Innovation Chain North (ICN) FrameworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2020Rowlinson secured a place on the £750 million Innovation Chain North (ICN) framework led by Great Places Housing Group, providing route to supply chain support for delivering mixed use housing across the north of England. The framework runs until 2024 with 30 contractors and 83 consultants. Rowlinson was selected based on technical competence, commitment to social value, and price.
• Peaks & Plains Housing TrustcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2019Long-standing partnership with Peaks & Plains Housing Trust for housing developments including Crossings in Macclesfield (67 homes) and Lowerhouse Green (33 homes with 8 affordable apartments). The partnership has delivered quality housing regenerating brownfield sites.
• Southway Housing TrustcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2019Partnership with Southway Housing Trust for extra care developments including Gorton Mill House (106 homes, £15 million) and Dahlia House in Burnage (£8 million). Both are 'with care' developments for people aged 55 and over with flexible support services.
• Stockport HomescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Stockport Homes for Tatton Cinema development in Gatley - mixed use development with 33 homes for over 55s and retail units. Stockport Homes will manage the affordable housing elements of the Academy of Living Well scheme.
• Mosscare St Vincent's HousingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with MSV for The Depot development - over 300 homes across various tenures. MSV manages the affordable rent and extra care elements including 72 Elmswood Park extra care apartments.
• Rise HomescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Rise Homes for The Depot market rented apartments - 92 one and two bedroom apartments across four blocks. Rise Homes focuses on developing high-quality rental accommodation across the North West and Midlands.
• Buttress ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign partner for multiple Rowlinson projects including The Depot development and New Islington affordable homes. Buttress has designed elements across the Rowlinson portfolio of intergenerational housing schemes.
• Triangle ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign partner for Hattersley Central development. Triangle Architects designed the scheme to encourage multi-generational living across the development.
• MCAU (Modern City Architecture & Urbanism)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitects for Silk Street zero and low carbon social housing development. MCAU designed the development with a welcoming outward-facing approach that re-connects the local district centre with the canal.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wates Group: Wates is one of the UK's largest privately-owned construction and property services groups, with a residential development arm serving housing associations and local authorities. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping affordable housing capability but operates across many additional sectors at larger scale.
• Morgan Sindall Group: Morgan Sindall is a UK construction and regeneration group with a substantial affordable housing partnership division working with housing associations and local authorities. It is a broader incumbent whose Partnership Housing segment directly competes for the same public sector frameworks as Rowlinson.
• Countryside Partnerships (Vistry Group): Countryside Partnerships is a major UK housebuilder specializing in partnership housing for housing associations and local authorities, now part of Vistry Group. It is a broader incumbent with significantly larger scale but the same affordable/public sector customer base.
• Galliford Try: Galliford Try is a UK construction and housebuilding group with an established affordable housing and regeneration business. It is a broader incumbent with substantially larger scale but overlapping public sector residential delivery capability.

Direct peers

• Lovell Partnerships: Lovell Partnerships is a UK developer and contractor delivering mixed tenure homes for housing associations and local authorities, with strong presence in the North West. The dual developer-contractor model and customer base mirror Rowlinson's structure almost exactly.
• Seddon Construction: Seddon is a family-owned construction and development company headquartered in the North West of England, delivering mixed tenure housing, refurbishment, and regeneration projects. Its regional footprint, family ownership structure, and contractor-developer model are highly comparable to Rowlinson.
• Keepmoat: Keepmoat is one of the UK's largest partnership homebuilders specializing in regeneration and mixed tenure affordable housing for housing associations and local authorities. It is a directly comparable peer given its parallel focus on the affordable/social housing segment and similar public sector GTM motion in northern England.

Regional players

• Anwyl Group: Anwyl is a family-owned construction and development company based in North Wales and North West England, delivering residential and mixed tenure schemes. Comparable for its regional focus, family ownership, and mix of contractor and developer activity.
• Bowmer + Kirkland: Bowmer + Kirkland is a privately-owned construction and development group headquartered in the North West of England, delivering commercial, residential, and mixed-use schemes. It is a regional player with comparable geography and contractor-developor profile.
• Willmott Dixon: Willmott Dixon is a privately-owned UK contractor with significant residential and affordable housing delivery for public sector clients, particularly active in the North West. Comparable for its contractor-led affordable housing delivery model and private ownership profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rowlinson
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rowlinson-constructions-limited

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Rowlinson