Last updated 8th June 2022
The Robertson Group
The Robertson Group is one of the largest privately-owned infrastructure, support services and construction groups in the country. It operates across the UK and has a strong presence across Scotland and the north of England and a turnover approaching £600 million.
Landmark projects where it has worked in recent years include the £110 million NHS Grampian Emergency Care Centre and the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre for Henry Boot Developments and an £87 million project for Boeing to provide new hangar facilities at RAF Lossiemouth.
In all the group involves seven business units with 19 trading entities. The main businesses are: Regional Construction (with units in Scotland covering Northern, Eastern, Tayside, Central East, Central West and Civil Engineering as well as North East, North West, Yorkshire & East Midlands); Major Projects (working on projects between £50-300 million) ; Facilities Management, Urban Union (which delivers large scale housing-led regeneration projects); Capital Projects; Timber Engineering and a Specialist Division. Meanwhile, a Residential Group delivers new build homes across the UK for private sale and in partnerships. Bill Robertson is chairman and group employs around 2,600 people.
In recent years, the group has been targeting major health and schools projects and it is also expanding in social housing and regeneration – through a jv company Urban Union – and is on several public sector frameworks.
In late March 2022, the group reported a healthy order book for the current and next financial year and said it was on track to achieve budget for turnover and pre-tax profits.
Financials
To view the financials for Robertson Group, visit Companies House and use Company ID SC356297.
Robertson Group reported improved results for its latest financial year after a challenging time during Covid. Pre-tax profits rose to £16.9 million in the year to end-June 2021, up from £1.2 million in the 15 months to June 2020. Turnover slipped to £588.3 million from £650.1 million on the same basis. Meanwhile, the gross operating margin rose to 9.7% from 7.1%. The group strengthened its balance sheet and its year-end net cash balances of £74.5 million, up from £34 million. Meanwhile, the group”s turnover in 2020/21 was split between contract revenue £479 million, facilities management £93.3 million and other £15.99 million.
Construction
Robertson Construction Group operates through a number of construction businesses in the northern, eastern and central regions of Scotland and the north of England. The business has been expanding its public sector workload particularly in HUB and NPD projects and it has places on frameworks such as East Central HUB, SCAPE and NHS Scotland 2. It has been appointed a contractor for SCAPE 4 covering projects in Scotland.
The firm has a partnership with Aecom focused on regeneration and decarbonisation which has strengthened its links with public sector bodies and Robertson’s civils division has been strengthening recently.
Major projects in recent years have included a £140 million scheme to build a new distillery and visitor centre for The Macellan which has now been handed over and the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. Robertson is currently the main contractor on Tees Valley Net Zero Innovation Hub, a £13.1m clean energy project, where work started in spring 2022.
In March 2022, Robertson Construction Central East won a 15m contract for a new community hub at Macmillan Square, Edinburgh as part of the city council’s regeneration programme.
Meanwhile, in early summer 2021, the group started work in Dundee on the new £20 million Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc. Robertson Construction will deliver Phase 1, involving the Fulhame Building, a new industrial space to be split into six light industrial units.
Facilities Management
Robertson Facilities Management works for a wide portfolio of long-term public sector customers across healthcare, education, and commercial facilities. Turnover stands at £94 million and the business employs over 1,400. In spring 2022, Robertson Facilities Management won a £70m contract by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service worth £14.35 million pa and with an option to extend for a further three years.
Property
Robertson Property works with the group”s construction businesses and has a prime commercial property portfolio throughout Scotland and north east England.
On the development front, Robertson Group is a developer on a major new arena in Cardiff; Phase One of Atlantic Wharf, Butetown where plans for phase one involving a new 17,000-capacity arena, hotel and landscaping and which were approved in March 2022.
Capital Projects
Robertson Capital Projects (RCP), is a project management and investment company which provides long term accommodation and is part of a framework delivering capital projects.
Timber Engineering & Specialist
Robertson provides precision-engineered timber frame solutions for clients including national house builders, large construction firms, housing associations and local developers, as well as self-builders. The specialist division works with external customers as well as group projects delivering external wall insulation, plasterwork and render contracts.
Glenigan Data
Figures from Glenigan point to a busy workload at Robertson Group. It shows that Robertson North East England is the main contractor on a £2.65 million university extension at the Sir Terry Farrell Building in Newcastle where work is set to run until late 2022 (Project ID: 19378824). Glenigan data also shows that Robertson Homes is the client and the main contractor on a £15.1 million scheme of 144 homes at Torvean Inverness where work is due to start in late summer 2022 and run for 17 months (Project ID: 21226473).
Conclusion: Healthy order book and strong brand in Scotland
Robertson seems to be sucessfully pursuing some sustainable and growing markets, particularly in the technology sector. Today, the group appears to be well-placed to use its strong brand in Scotland and the north to take advantage of continuing strength in its markets – particularly on public sector frameworks. With a wide spread of interests, the group’s should benefit as its key sectors – particularly housing, infrastructure and the industrial sector – gather momentum.
How to win work with Robertson
Robertson puts a premium on health and safety working conditions for its staff, contractors and third-parties. The group’s companies operate to an effective safety health and environmental management system (SHEMS) and its construction companies encompass the CITB”s GE 700 standard. Details on how to join the group”s supply chain can be seen on its website.
The Lead Buyer for Robertson Consruction is Kevin Borzoni
Email: k.borzoni@robertson.co.uk