Buckingham Group
{{Short description|Defunct UK construction company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd
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| industry = Construction
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| fate = administration
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| foundation = {{Start date|1987|10|01|df=y}} (incorporated)
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| defunct = {{End date|2023|09|04|df=y}}
| location_city = Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
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| area_served = United Kingdom
| key_people = Ian McSeveney (managing director)
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| homepage = {{URL|www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk}}
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Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd was a construction company, originally founded in 1955. It was located near Stowe, between Buckingham and Silverstone in north Buckinghamshire and operated throughout England and Wales. It went into administration in 2023 with the loss of over 400 jobs and owing over £302 million to creditors and employees.
A group subsidiary, Buckingham Plant Hire, survived the collapse and continues to trade.
History
It was established in 1955 as Buckingham Plant Hire by founders Paul Wheeler and Patricia Wheeler. The company incorporated in November 1987 as Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd.{{cite web |title=Company Background |url=http://www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk/about-us/company-background |work=Buckingham Group |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130092035/http://www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk/about-us/company-background |archive-date=30 November 2012 |url-status=dead}} The company became established as a main contractor undertaking major construction and civil engineering projects, which was headed by Ian McSeveney for many years. McSeveney eventually became the managing director of Buckingham Group.{{cite web |url = https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/buckingham-group-employees-to-receive-1000-after-ownership-switch/ |title = Buckingham Group employees to receive £1,000 after ownership switch |first = Neil |last = Gerrard |website = constructionmanagement.co.uk |date = 6 September 2021}}
The company undertook numerous types of civil engineering projects during its existence; it would typically operate as a principal contractor, undertaking major multi-disciplinary construction projects.{{cite web |url = https://www.stadia-magazine.com/supplier-spotlight/buckingham-group-contracting-ltd |title = Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd |website = stadia-magazine.com |access-date = 29 June 2024}} Such undertakings included business parks, bypasses, and airport faculties.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/10/13/buckingham-group-starts-120m-filton-business-park/ |title = Buckingham Group starts £120m Filton business park |website = constructionenquirer.com |first = Aaron |last = Morby |date = 13 October 2016}}{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contracts/buckingham-lands-20m-luton-airport-job-17-07-2018/ |title = Buckingham lands £20m Luton Airport job |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 17 July 2018 |first = ZAK |last = GARNER-PURKIS}}{{cite web |url = https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/buckingham-group-signed-for-chipping-warden-bypass |title = Buckingham Group signed for Chipping Warden bypass |website = theconstructionindex.co.uk |date = 18 June 2019}}
The company built several sports-related buildings including the £30m London 2012 Olympic handball arena (now known as the Copper Box), a £30m pit lane development for the Silverstone Circuit, and the £93m Falmer Stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion F.C..{{cite web |url = https://www.building.co.uk/news/buckingham-group-completes-hat-trick-of-sporting-venues/5019188.article |title = Buckingham Group completes hat-trick of sporting venues |first = Iain |last = Withers |website = building.co.uk |date = 2 June 2011 }}{{cite web |title=Midlands firm bucks gloom by doubling its turnover |url=http://www.building.co.uk/news/midlands-firm-bucks-gloom-by-doubling-its-turnover/5010958.article |website = building.co.uk |access-date=7 January 2013 |date=7 January 2011}}{{cite web |url = https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/buckingham-starts-new-oval-cricket-stand-build/ |title = Buckingham starts new Oval cricket stand build |first = Neil |last = Gerrard |website = constructionmanagement.co.uk |date = 7 October 2019}} During 2015, Buckingham Group launched legal action against Northampton Town F.C. over an outstanding sum of £4.8m that it was allegedly owed in relation to the East Stand project.{{cite web |url = https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/buckingham-sues-client-on-stalled-stadium-project |title = Buckingham sues on stalled stadium project |website = theconstructionindex.co.uk |date = 20 October 2015}} In the early 2020s, the company's work on sports stadiums was cited as one of the primary sources of its fiscal stress, three such projects, one being Fulham's Craven Cottage, were allegedly responsible for steep losses for Buckingham Group and incurring financial commitments that led to financial hardship for the whole company.{{cite web |url = https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/stadiums-blamed-for-buckingham-failure |title = Stadiums blamed for Buckingham failure |website = theconstructionindex.co.uk |date = 17 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Bascombe |first1=Chris |title=Construction company building new Liverpool and Fulham stands files for administration |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/08/17/liverpool-new-anfield-road-stand-buckingham-group/ |access-date=5 September 2023 |work=Telegraph |date=17 August 2023}}
In 2019, it was reported that Buckingham Group had recorded a record-breaking turnover of £507 million during the previous financial year.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/buckingham-group-turnover-hits-record-level-13-09-2019/ |title = Buckingham Group turnover hits record level |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 13 September 2019 |first = Ian |last = Weinfass}}
=Rail activities=
Buckingham Group also undertook numerous railway-related civil engineering works. During 2014, a joint venture between Carillion and Buckingham Group was awarded an £87 million contract from Network Rail for works related to the East West Rail project and Chiltern Railways' Oxford and London route.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2014/03/10/carillion-buckingham-jv-wins-87m-chiltern-rail-link/ |title = Carillion Buckingham JV wins £87m Chiltern rail link |website = constructionenquirer.com |first = Aaron |last = Morby |date = 10 March 2014}} Shortly thereafter, the company was contracted to perform some of the enabling works for electrification schemes underway in North West England.{{cite web |url = https://www.railengineer.co.uk/farnworth-tunnel-once-in-a-lifetime/ |title = Farnworth Tunnel – Once in a lifetime |website = railengineer.co.uk |first = Graeme |last = Bickerdike |date = 3 March 2016}}{{cite web |url = https://axialprojects.com/client-buckingham-group-project-wigan-to-bolton/ |title = Axial works with Buckingham Group on Wigan to Bolton electrification project |website = axialprojects.com |access-date = 29 June 2024}} In mid-2021, it was announced that Buckingham Group had secured a £55 million contract for the delivery of numerous works on the Tyne and Wear Metro, including the upgrading and electrification of an existing freight line in South Tyneside.{{cite web |url = https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/metro-flow-project/93453/ |title = Buckingham wins £55m Tyne and Wear Metro contract |website = pbctoday.co.uk |date = 17 May 2021}} The firm was also involved in the refurbishment of major structures such as the Runcorn Railway Bridge,{{cite web |url = https://www.ice.org.uk/events/past-events-and-recordings/recorded-lectures/the-widnes-runcorn-railway-bridge-refurbishment-liverpool |title = The Widnes Runcorn Railway Bridge refurbishment, Liverpool |publisher = Institute of Civil Engineers |date = 2 August 2018}} and the construction of elements of Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal along with various maintenance depots, car parks, and other facilities.{{cite web |url = https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/08/21/collapse-of-buckingham-group-casts-shadow-over-uk-rail-sector/?gdpr=deny |title = Collapse of Buckingham Group casts shadow over UK rail sector |website = railfreight.com |date = 21 August 2023}}{{cite web |url = https://www.railengineer.co.uk/constructing-blackburns-new-train-depot/ |title = Constructing Blackburn’s new train depot |first = Andy |last = Milne |date = 7 November 2017 |website = railengineer.co.uk }}{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/buildings/buckingham-wins-major-contracts-82m-coventry-station-06-06-2019/ |title = Buckingham wins major contracts on £82m Coventry station |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 6 June 2019 |first = Megan |last = Kelly}}
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced that it planned to redirect its focus towards its railway-related activities, including work on the High Speed 2 project.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/buildings/buckingham-group-hs2-pivot-can-fuel-covid-proof-growth-24-06-2020/ |title = Buckingham Group: HS2 pivot can fuel COVID-proof growth |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 24 June 2020 |first = DAVID |last = PRICE}} During September 2023, rival construction company Kier Group purchased Buckingham Group's rail business in exchange for £9.6 million, leading to the transfer of 180 employees.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/ma/kier-buys-buckingham-rail-division-for-9-6m-04-09-2023/ |title = Kier buys Buckingham rail division for £9.6m |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 4 September 2023 |first1 = CHARLOTTE |last1 = BANKS |first2 = WILL |last2 = ING}}{{cite web |url = https://www.building.co.uk/news/buckingham-break-up-begins-as-kier-snaps-up-150m-rail-business/5124966.article |title = Buckingham break-up begins as Kier snaps up £150m rail business |first = Dave |last = Rogers |website = building.co.uk |date = 4 September 2023}}
=Restructuring, collapse, and administration=
During September 2021, both the leadership and ownership of Buckingham Group changed drastically; several directors, including the Wheelers, that formerly held a stake in the company agreed to transfer 100% of their equity into the Buckingham Group employee ownership trust, after which they stepped down from their roles in its management. The move turned Buckingham Group into the largest construction contractor in Britain to be taken over by its employees.{{cite web |url = https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/buckingham-group-employee-ownership/98760/ |title = Buckingham Group taken over by employees |website = pbctoday.co.uk |date = 6 September 2021}}{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/buckingham-group-becomes-largest-employee-owned-contractor-06-09-2021/ |title = Buckingham Group becomes largest employee-owned contractor |first = David |last = Price |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 6 September 2021}}
On 17 August 2023, the company filed for administration, impacting several ongoing projects, including a £80m 7,000-seat stand at Liverpool's Anfield stadium, a stand at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium, redevelopment of Birmingham City's St Andrew's stadium, restoration of Whitley Bay Metro station, new sidings at Beckton for the Docklands Light Railway, and the mixed-use £135m Copr Bay development in Swansea.{{cite news |last1=Hunter |first1=Andy |title=Firm building Liverpool’s Anfield Road stand files for administration |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/17/liverpool-anfield-road-stand-administration-buckingham |access-date=5 September 2023 |work=Guardian |date=17 August 2023}}{{cite news |title=Buckingham Group construction company on brink of collapse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-66532733 |access-date=5 September 2023 |work=BBC News |date=17 August 2023}}{{cite news |title=Mace replaces Buckingham on Blues stadium |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/mace-replaces-buckingham-on-blues-stadium |access-date=12 September 2023 |work=The Construction Index |date=12 September 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Daniel |title=Whitley Bay Metro station renovation plans in jeopardy as contractor The Buckingham Group ceases trading |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/transport/whitley-bay-metro-station-renovation-plans-in-jeopardy-as-contractor-the-buckingham-group-ceases-trading-4264801 |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=Northumberland Gazette |date=22 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Dave |title=Buckingham collapse delays DLR job by months, TfL confirms |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/buckingham-collapse-delays-dlr-job-by-months-tfl-confirms/5128735.article |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=Building |date=4 April 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Third contractor to finally finish £135m Swansea job |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2024/06/03/third-contractor-to-finally-finish-135m-swansea-job/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=3 June 2024}} In September 2023, the group formally went into administration, with Grant Thornton appointed as administrators.{{cite news |last1=Aaron |first1=Morby |title=Kier swoops as Buckingham Group enters administration |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/09/04/kier-buys-buckingham-group-rail-business-for-9-6m/ |access-date=5 September 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=4 September 2023}} Shortly thereafter, 446 staff – across building, civil engineering, demolition, major projects, and sport and leisure operations – were axed, while several ongoing projects were taken over by other firms.{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Liverpool bring on sub for Buckingham on Anfield stand |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/09/07/liverpool-bring-on-sub-for-buckingham-on-anfield-stand/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=8 September 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Willmott Dixon replaces Buckingham on Swansea job |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/10/03/willmott-dixon-replaces-buckingham-on-swansea-job/ |access-date=3 October 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=3 October 2023}} It was the biggest collapse in Britain's construction sector since the liquidation of Carillion in January 2018.
Subcontractors were reportedly owed in excess of £100m. Debts on Liverpool's new Anfield Road Stand alone were around £20m.{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Subcontractors fear Buckingham debts could top £100m |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/09/13/subcontractors-fear-buckingham-debts-could-top-100m/ |access-date=13 September 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=13 September 2023}} A 29 September 2023 report from the administrator Grant Thornton confirmed trade contractors and suppliers were owed over £108m, with 1,200 unsecured creditors unlikely to see any kind of return. Buckingham Group had around £5m in the bank when it entered administration.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Buckingham Group supply chain hit for over £108m |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/09/29/buckingham-group-supply-chain-hit-for-over-108m/ |access-date=29 September 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=29 September 2023}} In January 2024, the total trade debt was revised upwards to £113m, while Buckingham's employees were owed a further £8.2m.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Dave |title=Amount owed to Buckingham’s supply chain jumps to £113m |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/amount-owed-to-buckinghams-supply-chain-jumps-to-113m/5127449.article |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=Building |date=25 January 2024}} In April 2024, administrators revealed that 1,375 claims had been received, revising the total trade debt to £256m; this total could rise further as claims from former employees progress through tribunals.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Buckingham Group supply chain hit doubles to £256m |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2024/04/11/buckingham-group-supply-chain-hit-doubles-to-256m/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=11 April 2024}} In October 2024, Grant Thornton said it had received 1,391 claims worth £302.2m, with suppliers and subcontractors unlikely to receive any payments.{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Buckingham supply chain hit soars above £300m |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2024/10/07/buckingham-supply-chain-hit-soars-above-300m/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=7 October 2024}}
Buckingham Plant Hire
The group's plant hire business, Buckingham Plant Hire, was initially said to be unaffected by the collapse of the contracting arm and continued to trade profitably.{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Buckingham Plant Hire still trading as normal |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/09/19/buckingham-plant-hire-still-trading-as-normal/ |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=19 September 2023}} However, it was owed around £1.8m, according to the administrator's creditors' report. In January 2025, it announced it was selling its heavy machinery and focusing on light plant services due to the collapse of Buckingham Group Contracting, its biggest customer.{{cite news |title=Buckingham Plant Hire quits heavy plant sector |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/buckingham-plant-hire-quits-heavy-plant-sector |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=The Construction Index |date=8 January 2025}}
References
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External links
- {{official|http://www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk}}
{{Construction industry in the United Kingdom}}
Category:Companies based in Buckinghamshire
Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1987
Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of England
Category:1987 establishments in England