 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Civil engineering |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Founder | Francis Michael Conway |
| Headquarters | Sevenoaks, England |
Key people | Andrew Hansen (MD) |
| Products | Asphalt Bitumen Concrete Street lighting |
| Services | Highway maintenance Road surfacing |
| Revenue | £608 million (March 2025) |
| £46 million (March 2025) | |
Number of employees | 2,000 (2024) |
| Parent | Vinci |
| Website | www.fmconway.co.uk |
FM Conway is a UK-basedcivil engineering contractor specialising inhighways and other infrastructure work. The company became part of theVinci group in early 2025.
The company was founded in 1961 by Francis Michael Conway. During 1981, Francis' son Michael Conway became the CEO of FM Conway; Michael would retain this role for more than 40 years.[1][2]
In May 1994, it was claimed bytrade union officials that FM Conway had illegally reduced its workers' wages to cover theft and damage toplant.[3] During 2000, the company relocated to new headquarters inDartford, Kent.[4]
During early 2012, FM Conway formed ajoint venture with the American infrastructure companyAecom following the two firm's successful shortlisting on aTransport for London highway-centric framework valued at £1.8 billion.[5] Four years later, the firm relocated to a larger headquarters inSevenoaks; the prior Dartford headquarters was retained and expanded in its role as a logistics hub.[4][6]
During 2016, FM Conway acquired the materials supplier United Asphalt.[7] By this point, the firm operated a network ofasphalt and aggregate recycling manufacturing plants that servedLondon andSouthern England, as well as twoThames-sidewharves (atErith andGravesend).[8] A large portion of the company's business was coming from variouslocal authorities and government agencies;[9][10][11] by the mid-2010s, it was reportedly maintaining various roads across half of London's boroughs.[4]
During 2019, the firm reported that, despite rising revenues, its pre-tax profit had fallen from £11.7 million to £3.6 million in its last financial year; this was attributed to a rising cost of sales.[12] In February 2020, FM Conway was suspended from thePrompt Payment Code for failure to pay suppliers on time.[13] Eight months later, following the enactment of process improvements, the firm was reinstated.[14] During late 2021, the company reported that its pre-tax profit over the previous financial year had risen from £12.7 million to £19.4 million, a more than 50 percent rise; the majority of this was due to a £4.7 millionsettlement regarding aland lease right.[15]
During March 2022, Michael Conway, the firm's chairman, died;[1] two months later, his daughter, Joanne Conway, was appointed as chairperson, becoming the third generation of the family to lead FM Conway.[16][17] That same year, the firm was found liable for defective ductwork atTwickenham Stadium.[18]
During May 2023, FM Conway boughtEssex-based drainage contractor Flowline out ofadministration, saving 164 jobs in the process.[19][20] In January 2024, FM Conway replaced an existing road surface inWestminster using 92% recycled materials; this was believed to be the highest level then achieved on a British road.[21][22]
During October 2024, it was announced that the France-based construction companyVinci had agreed terms to purchase FM Conway.[23] This acquisition was completed in early 2025;[24] furthermore, Joanne Conway stepped down as the firm's chair and CEO while Andrew Hansen was appointed managing director.[25]
In its final year as an independent business (year to 31 March 2025), FM Conway grew turnover 5% to £608m (2024: £580m) and pre-tax profit 12% to £33.0m (2024: £29.4m); operating profit was £46.1 (2024: £42.9m).[26]
In an August 2025 incident, FM Conway released more than 15 tonnes ofbitumen into the River Thames at its Gravesend facility, prompting a recovery operation by thePort of London Authority.[27]
Media related toFM Conway at Wikimedia Commons
