Robertson swings back to profit as quality‑first strategy pays off

The construction, development and support services group reported a pre‑tax profit of £20.2 million for the year to 30 June 2025, reversing a £9.7m loss in 2024.

The rebound came despite a planned dip in revenue to £793m, down from £824m, as the business continued to prioritise “quality over quantity” in its workload.

Cash at year end stood at £74m, with the group carrying no external debt.

Robertson Construction Group delivered a strong trading performance, posting turnover of £575m (2024: £627m) and a pre‑tax profit of £30.7m, compared with a £12.6m loss the previous year. The fall in turnover reflected the completion of two major projects and a deliberate shift towards higher‑quality, better‑controlled work.

Margins improved significantly, supported by tighter project selection, stronger front‑end governance, improved delivery on live jobs and closer management of supply chain costs. Several regional businesses exceeded their business plans, helping stabilise workloads across the portfolio.

The group’s regional model and ability to deliver larger projects also contributed to improved overhead recovery as weaker legacy contracts washed through the system.

Commercial discipline tightened across the business, with debtor days improving to 17, down from 23. Average headcount eased slightly to 984 from 1,026.

Across the wider group, all six of Robertson’s defined operating businesses delivered in line with their business plans.

The company also reported major progress against its long‑term sustainability commitments, delivering £1bn of social value, five years ahead of its 2030 target, and reducing carbon intensity by 73.72% over the past decade.

Chairman Sir Bill Robertson said the group had “returned to more regular trading conditions” following the disappointing results of 2024.

“The actions arising and lessons learned from the issues we encountered in 2024 have been fully embedded into our processes,” he said. “The profit was achieved despite a number of secured construction projects being paused, delayed or deferred by clients, in relatively challenging and uncertain construction markets.”

Chief executive Elliot Robertson said the group’s renewed focus on governance, quality and disciplined growth had underpinned the turnaround.

“2025 saw the group focus on quality over quantity and recover a strong financial position,” he said. “Our portfolio of businesses is a resilient model… we are in a strong position to assure a sustainable future for our employees, business partners and the communities we serve.”

He added that the group enters the new financial year with a strengthened balance sheet, improved order book visibility and confidence ahead of its 60th year of trading.

Elliot Robertson said: “Our portfolio of businesses is a resilient model and having significantly evolved our management framework over six clearly defined and separate operating businesses, each with its own highly competent and experienced executive team, we are in a strong position to assure a sustainable future for our employees, business partners and the communities we serve.

“Despite a challenging and competitive marketplace, the strength of our relationships with our customers and supplier base creates a collaborative working environment where our products and services are delivered with certainty and to the highest standard.

“Our opportunities and success are underpinned by the quality of the people who make up Team Robertson, and our on-going commitment to employees is recognised through our ambition to achieve Investors in People Platinum, having secured the same accreditation as Investors in Young People. 

“Our number one priority remains the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees and all who come into contact with our operations. Our ‘Home Safe’ ethos and training have been in place for over six years and since being extended to our supply chain over three years ago, over 10,000 individuals connected with our business have attended the course.

“We enter the new financial year with a strong return to profitability, strength in our balance sheet and improved order book visibility. As a business entering its 60th year of trading we continue to evolve in our journey of continuous improvement through the adoption of new technologies and innovations to benefit our employees, customers, supply chain and the communities where we work.”