Balfour Beatty in brief
- Rank: #97 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #4 of 4 in Aerospace & Engineering.
- WCRC Power Score: 60.04 out of 100.
- Founded: 1909, by George Balfour and Andrew Beatty.
- Owner: Balfour Beatty plc, London, England.
- Leadership: Philip Hoare, Group Chief Executive.
- Latest revenue: £10.8bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +7.5%), group revenue of Balfour Beatty plc, as per company filings.
What makes Balfour Beatty powerful
Balfour Beatty has been building Britain's infrastructure since George Balfour and Andrew Beatty founded it in 1909. Today it works on power transmission upgrades, nuclear, rail, highways and defence sites across the UK, as well as buildings and infrastructure in the US, and holds an investment portfolio in projects such as student housing and military homes.
Its power is visibility of work. The order book hit a record 22.7 billion pounds at the end of 2025, up 23%, as the UK's grid expansion and energy transition drove new contracts. Revenue rose 8% to 10.8 billion pounds in 2025, underlying profit from its earnings-based businesses rose 16% to 293 million pounds, and the company expects further momentum in 2026 and 2027, supported by a 200 million pound buyback.
Balfour Beatty's order book reached a record 22.7 billion pounds at the end of 2025, up 23% in a year.
Why Balfour Beatty ranks #97
Balfour Beatty ranks 97th with a WCRC Power Score of 60.04, just behind Currys and ahead of Asda. Product (62) and digital and financial strength (62) are its strongest pillars, reflecting a record order book and rising earnings. Trust (60) and sustainability and governance (60) are moderate, while positioning and recall (58) is its weakest pillar, as an infrastructure contractor is less visible to the public than consumer brands.
The Achilles' heel
Construction is a low-margin business in which a single troubled contract can wipe out a year's profit, as Balfour Beatty learned before its turnaround. Skills shortages, inflation and political changes to infrastructure spending all threaten delivery, and new chief executive Philip Hoare must prove he can sustain the recovery built by his predecessor Leo Quinn.
The 2026 story
Balfour Beatty's 2025 results on 11 March 2026 showed revenue up 8% to 10.8 billion pounds and a record order book of 22.7 billion pounds, up 23%, driven by UK power transmission and US buildings demand. They were the first full-year results under Philip Hoare, who joined as group chief executive in September 2025, succeeding Leo Quinn. The company announced a 200 million pound share buyback for 2026 and expects further momentum in 2026 and 2027.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Balfour Beatty in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Balfour Beatty ranks #97 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 60.04 out of 100.
What makes Balfour Beatty powerful?
Balfour Beatty has a record 22.7 billion pound order book, heavily weighted to UK energy, transport and defence projects that governments must deliver.
What is Balfour Beatty's revenue?
£10.8bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +7.5%), group revenue of Balfour Beatty plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Balfour Beatty?
Balfour Beatty was founded in 1909 by George Balfour and Andrew Beatty. It is owned by Balfour Beatty plc and based in London, England.
Who leads Balfour Beatty?
Philip Hoare, Group Chief Executive.
What is Balfour Beatty's biggest challenge?
Large construction contracts carry thin margins and the risk of costly overruns, and it is adjusting to a new chief executive.
Also featured in
Key facts
| Brand | Balfour Beatty |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Balfour Beatty plc |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Founder(s) | George Balfour and Andrew Beatty |
| Leadership | Philip Hoare, Group Chief Executive |
| Latest revenue | £10.8bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +7.5%), group revenue of Balfour Beatty plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Aerospace & Engineering |
| Website | balfourbeatty.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by Balfour Beatty plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
