{"id":533676,"date":"2025-12-01T12:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=533676"},"modified":"2025-12-01T09:20:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:20:06","slug":"cn-specialists-index-2025-top-10-me-contractors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/financial\/cn-specialists-index-2025-top-10-me-contractors-01-12-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"CN Specialists Index 2025: top 10 M&E contractors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mechanical and electrical (M&E) firms have enjoyed a strong run of late. The 10 biggest specialists in the sector recorded a collective pre-tax profit of \u00a3116m based on their most recent audited annual accounts \u2013 more than double the figure last year. Aggregate revenue, meanwhile, rose by almost a fifth to \u00a34.31bn, meaning M&E remained the biggest specialism by turnover.<\/p>\n

All bar three firms recorded an increase in pre-tax profit and only two saw their turnover fall.<\/p>\n

Between them, the top 10 companies broadened their median pre-tax margin from 1.6 per cent to 2.3 per cent \u2013 but this was still the lowest among the eight specialisms indexed by Construction News<\/em>.<\/p>\n

TClarke topped the table, although its figures are skewed by the fact that it extended its most recent reporting period to 15 months. The London-based firm reported revenue of \u00a3846.7m for the 15 months to the end of March 2025. On a 12-month pro-rata basis, the figure would be \u00a3677.3m. The 136-year-old contractor, which was acquired by gas supplier Regent last year, recorded a profit of \u00a316.3m. However, despite the extended accounting period, this was less than \u00a31m higher than the previous 12 months.<\/p>\n

Another notable performer was NG Bailey, which recorded its highest-ever turnover – \u00a3661.7m – in the year to 28 February 2025. Pre-tax profit at the Leeds-based business also jumped 65 per cent to \u00a317.7m. Chief executive Jonathan Stockton tells CN<\/em> that the company has focused on \u201cmanaging project risk and prioritising bottom-line returns over top-line revenue growth\u201d. He says this is \u201ccritical in the current market\u201d, and that he foresees \u201csignificant opportunities\u201d in the sector for NG Bailey.<\/p>\n

Briggs & Forrester was the joint-highest climber alongside Dodd Group, rising three places with a 28 per cent revenue hike to \u00a3271.6m. However, the rewards were relatively slim, as the Northampton-based contractor recorded a profit of \u00a34.6m, delivering a margin of just 1.7 per cent. Group finance director Jeremy Askew says the firm saw a \u201cclear recovery\u201d in 2024 after navigating a \u201cdifficult market\u201d over the past three years. \u201cIt remains a challenging market, particularly with the delays in the residential market due to the Building Safety Act,\u201d he says. \u201cBut there are still some good opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Telford-based Dodd Group\u2019s turnover increased by a fifth to \u00a3249.4m, producing a margin of 2.5 per cent on a profit of \u00a36.3m.<\/p>\n

The only new entrant in this year\u2019s index was Explore 2050, which is owned by Laing O\u2019Rourke and comprises all of the group\u2019s M&E activities.<\/p>\n

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The top 10 companies in:<\/h3>\n