Construction
A Keystone of UK Construction
The region's success is deeply rooted in its geological resources, strategic location, and the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, giving rise to numerous influential companies and individuals. As a result, the East Midlands has consistently punched above its weight in the construction industry, fostering a legacy of innovation, significant material supply, and the growth of nationally recognised companies.
This success can be attributed to several key factors:
Abundant Natural Resources
The region is rich in vital construction materials. Leicestershire, for example, is home to the Charnwood Forest, a historic source of "granite" (igneous rock) that has been quarried for centuries.
Bardon Hill Quarry (Leicestershire)
Operated by Aggregate Industries, has been active for over 400 years and is one of the UK's largest and most productive quarries, producing millions of tonnes of aggregate annually. Its products have been crucial for railway ballast and road construction across the country since the late 19th century.
Ibstock Brick (Leicestershire)
A leading UK brickmaker, traces its roots back to the 1820s in the village of Ibstock. Their significant production capacity and wide range of products have made them a cornerstone of residential and commercial building.
Tarmac
A name synonymous with road surfacing, originated in the East Midlands. Edgar Purnell Hooley, the County Surveyor of Nottinghamshire, developed and patented "tarmac" in 1902 after observing a tar-covered slag spill near Denby Ironworks in Derbyshire. The first tarmac factory was built in Denby, revolutionising road construction in the UK and beyond.
Aggregate Industries UK Limited
Headquartered in Bardon Hill, Leicestershire, AI has its origins with the Ellis family of Leicester, who were instrumental in using the Leicester and Swannington Railway to transport granite from local quarries as early as 1858. Today, they are a major supplier of aggregates, asphalt, and concrete.
Strategic Connectivity
The East Midlands is exceptionally well-connected, with 91% of the UK within a four-hour drive via the M1 corridor. This central location has made it an ideal hub for logistics and distribution, further stimulating demand for industrial and commercial construction, and enabling efficient transport of construction materials and expertise across the nation.
Entrepreneurial Legacy and Homegrown Talent
The region has nurtured a remarkable number of visionary individuals and companies that have shaped the UK construction landscape.
David Wilson (David Wilson Homes / Wilson Bowden Developments)
Hailing from Leicestershire, David Wilson joined his father's joinery workshop in 1960 and progressively moved into housebuilding. By the early 1970s, his company (then AH Wilson) was building 150 houses a year in Leicestershire. Expanding significantly in the 1980s and beyond, Wilson Bowden became one of the most consistently successful housebuilders in the UK, eventually acquired by Barratt Developments in 2007 for £2.2 billion, making Barratt the largest homebuilder in Britain. David Wilson's impact on housebuilding practices and large-scale residential development is undeniable.
John Bloor (Bloor Homes)
Often described as construction's richest person, Derbyshire-based billionaire John Bloor owns Bloor Homes, which is the UK's largest privately-owned housebuilder. With a significant output of thousands of homes annually, Bloor Homes has played a crucial role in addressing the UK's housing needs and consistently ranks among the top national housebuilders.
William Davis Ltd
Incorporated in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in 1949, William Davis Homes has been building new homes for over 89 years (tracing roots back earlier than formal incorporation), with a strong focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their enduring presence and commitment to quality have made them a highly respected name in residential construction across the East Midlands and beyond.
Bowmer + Kirkland
Founded in 1923 as a partnership between a joiner (Alfred Bowmer) and a bricklayer (Robert William Kirkland) in Heage, Derbyshire, Bowmer + Kirkland has grown into one of the most successful privately-owned construction and development groups in the UK. Their portfolio includes major national projects such as the St George's Park National Football Centre, Trinity Square in Gateshead, and Center Parcs Woburn Forest, demonstrating their capability to deliver large-scale, complex schemes across diverse sectors.
Other Significant Contributors to Construction
G.F. Tomlinson
A prominent regional contractor based in Derby, G.F. Tomlinson has a long history of delivering a wide range of projects across various sectors, contributing significantly to the built environment of the East Midlands and beyond. Their consistent presence in regional project awards highlights their ongoing impact.
Winvic Construction
Although perhaps more widely known for their national presence in logistics and industrial construction, Winvic has strong ties to the East Midlands and frequently secures high-value contracts for large-scale warehousing and manufacturing facilities within the region, further solidifying the East Midlands' reputation as a logistics hub.
A Foundation of Construction Excellence
The East Midlands' success in construction is a multifaceted story, woven from its rich geological resources, strategic geographic advantage, and a consistent flow of entrepreneurial talent. From providing the very raw materials that build the nation to pioneering road surfacing techniques and developing some of the UK's largest housebuilders and contractors, the region has undeniably cemented its position as a vital cornerstone of the UK construction sector. The continued investment in infrastructure, industrial development, and housing within the East Midlands signals a bright future for this historically significant and continuously evolving construction powerhouse.
Leading the way in Construction Industry Training
At the heart of UK construction training standards lies the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). This vital body is responsible for setting benchmarks and accrediting training providers, thereby ensuring a skilled and safe workforce across the nation's construction industry. Its Site Safety Plus (SSP) suite of courses, which caters to professionals ranging from operatives to senior managers, is fundamental for professional development and maintaining up-to-date practices, forming the backbone of recognised safety qualifications.
The strategic innovations led by RSMS (RISK & Safety Management Services Ltd), particularly through Mike Adams' foresight in integrating CITB courses within the MOD and the company's pioneering of remote learning during COVID-19, have profoundly and positively impacted construction training. These efforts have not only broadened accessibility and enhanced efficiency but have also catalysed a lasting shift towards a more digitally integrated and pedagogically advanced training ecosystem, positioning the UK construction industry for greater safety and productivity in the years to come.
The success of basic remote delivery paved the way for greater acceptance and investment in more advanced digital learning tools. Before COVID-19, there was often resistance or unfamiliarity with "serious" training being conducted online. The forced, widespread adoption of virtual classrooms for essential safety training (like SMSTS Courses Online and SSSTS Courses Online) during the pandemic acted as a massive, unplanned digital literacy program for the construction workforce and training providers. Of course their SMSTS London and SSSTS London courses remain as popular as ever.