Bovis (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Construction |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Founder | Charles Bovis |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Construction services |
| Parent | Atlas Holdings (since 2025) |
Bovis is a British construction firm established in 1885. It became part of P&O in 1974, was later purchased by Lendlease in 1999, and rebranded as Bovis Lend Lease. The Bovis name was discontinued in 2011 but was reinstated in 2025 following the transfer of Lendlease's UK construction operations to Atlas Holdings.
History
Originally founded as C. W. Bovis & Co by Charles Bovis in London, the company was taken over in 1908 by Samuel Joseph and Sidney Gluckstein. Going public during the 1920s, Bovis developed a significant retail client portfolio, notably including Marks & Spencer. It introduced the innovative Bovis System contract, which aligned the interests of contractors and clients by charging prime costs plus fees while passing any savings directly to clients.
During World War II, Bovis played a role in supporting Britain’s war efforts by building munitions factories and contributing to the construction of Mulberry harbour units. After the war, the company expanded into residential development, acquiring Frank Sanderson’s firm in 1967, which helped establish Bovis Homes as a leading housebuilder by the early 1970s.
Frank Sanderson took on the role of managing director in 1970 and became chairman and CEO in 1972. His attempt at a reverse takeover of P&O was unsuccessful due to internal board disputes, resulting in his exit in 1973. In 1971, Bovis purchased Twentieth Century Banking but experienced a deposit run during the secondary banking crisis between 1973 and 1975. Subsequently, P&O acquired Bovis in 1974 for £25 million, a significant reduction from its £160 million valuation two years earlier.
With Frank Lampl at the helm from 1985, Bovis evolved into a global contractor, acquiring US-based McDevitt & Street in 1990 and continuing acquisitions throughout the 1990s. It also expanded its presence into Asia, becoming one of only five international contractors licensed to operate in South Korea.
In 1997, Bovis Homes was separated and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Around this period, Bovis was frequently regarded as Britain’s largest construction company, competing closely with firms such as Mace, which was founded by an ex-Bovis employee.
Following considerations of a sale to Hochtief and an initial public offering, Lendlease acquired Bovis in October 1999 for £285 million. The company merged with Civil & Civic and was rebranded as Bovis Lend Lease, maintaining senior executives including Lampl. The brand transitioned to Lendlease Project Management & Construction in 2011.
In March 2025, Atlas Holdings reinstated the Bovis brand after purchasing Lendlease’s UK construction division. Before this acquisition, Lendlease Construction (Europe) Limited reported a £16 million loss on £471 million revenue for the fiscal year ending June 2024. CEO David Cadiot attributed these losses to provisions related to legacy contracts. The business maintained a secured and preferred bidder project pipeline worth £2.8 billion, including developments for Landsec in Manchester and Crystal Palace Football Club’s new stand at Selhurst Park.
Major projects
Notable constructions completed by Bovis include:
- Queen Elizabeth II Centre (finished in 1986)
- Lloyd's Building (finished in 1986)
- Meadowhall Shopping Centre (finished in 1990)
- Disneyland Paris (finished in 1992)
- Trafford Centre (finished in 1998)
- Bluewater Shopping Centre (finished in 1999)
- Scottish Parliament Building (finished in 2004)