Press Release

Balfour Beatty is committing to increase its UK workforce from approximately 14,000 to 16,000 over the next two years as it scales up to deliver the country’s next generation of critical infrastructure.

The recruitment drive marks a major acceleration in Balfour Beatty’s UK growth, with employee numbers rising from 12,200 at the end of 2023 to c.14,000 at the end of 2025. 

By the end of 2027, Balfour Beatty expects its UK workforce to have grown by more than 30% in four years, reflecting both the strength of the UK infrastructure pipeline and the skilled jobs needed to deliver it.

The company also currently supports the employment of over 4 million people through its extensive network of around 7,200 UK supply chain partners, of which 64% are SMEs.

The expansion is underpinned by a strong UK order book and further wins in Balfour Beatty’s chosen growth markets, with energy a key driver. In the first half of 2026, the Group delivered 24% revenue growth in UK Power Transmission and now holds a £2.1 billion UK Power Transmission order book, with a further identified pipeline of £6 billion to £8 billion.

Philip Hoare, Group Chief Executive at Balfour Beatty, said: “Britain’s infrastructure ambitions will only be realised if the country has the capacity, capability and skills to deliver them.

“Expanding our workforce by 2,000 is a clear vote of confidence in the market. It shows the scale of opportunity ahead and our commitment to investing in the people, projects and technical expertise that will power Britain’s future.”

Early-career talent will be a major part of the recruitment drive. Apprentices, graduates, interns and trainees already account for approximately 9% of Balfour Beatty’s UK workforce, giving the company a strong platform to build the skills pipeline the infrastructure sector urgently needs.

Around half of the new intake - approximately 1,000 positions - are expected to come through early-career routes, including apprenticeships, graduate programmes, internships and trainee positions. On current projections, early-career employees would increase to approximately 12.7% of Balfour Beatty’s UK workforce by the end of 2027.

The investment supports the Government’s ambition to put technical and academic pathways on a more equal footing, creating clearer routes into skilled, long-term infrastructure careers at a time when the UK needs them most. 

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This is exactly what we want to see – a big British company backing Britain and creating 2,000 more jobs.

“We’ve got a huge amount of work to do to get growth in every postcode over the next few years. So having British firms investing in people here, and training up the next generation to do those jobs, is really good news.”

For further details about all career opportunities at Balfour Beatty, please visit: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/careers/careers-at-balfour-beatty/ 
 
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All non-media related enquiries should be directed to +44 (0)20 7216 6800 or info@balfourbeatty.com 

Notes to editors:

• Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group delivering the complex, critical infrastructure that keeps economies moving and communities connected.
• With around 26,000 employees, we finance, develop, build, maintain and operate essential infrastructure across the UK, US and Asia, combining deep engineering and construction expertise with long-term investment capability.
• For over one hundred years, we have delivered landmark projects around the world. Today, our teams are helping to deliver major programmes including Hinkley Point C, the UK’s first new nuclear power station in a generation; the Lyric Theatre in Hong Kong, a world-class cultural venue at the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District; and the Knox Street Development in Dallas, Texas, a major mixed-use scheme helping to reshape one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
• As a member of The 5% Club, a dynamic movement of employers committed to providing ‘earn and learn’ positions’, Balfour Beatty employs 9% of its workforce in apprenticeship, graduate and sponsored student roles.