Creating Opportunity Since 1986
Every great transformation starts with a vision, and ours began in 1986.
Founded by William Crooks and Richard Parrott, Cawarden was built on the belief that demolition should create opportunity, not waste. At a time when recovering and reusing building materials was far from industry standard, William recognised the value in giving reclaimed bricks and materials a second life while supporting the communities in which the business operated. Sustainability, responsibility and giving back were not industry expectations – they were simply the right way to do business.
What began as a hands-on demolition contractor in Derbyshire has grown into an integrated specialist delivering demolition, enabling works, remediation, earthworks and civils across the Midlands and beyond. As the construction industry evolved, so did Cawarden, continually investing in its people, capabilities and approach while remaining true to the values on which it was founded.
Following a new chapter in the business in 2001, William continued to shape Cawarden’s growth, expanding its expertise and reputation while building lasting relationships with clients, partners and communities. Today, that journey continues under the leadership of Oliver Crooks and Samuel Crooks, who are building on more than four decades of experience while investing in innovation, technology and sustainable site transformation for the future.
Below, explore the milestones, projects and people that have shaped Cawarden’s journey – and discover how the next chapter is already being written.
Values That Endure
Cawarden’s story is one of continuous evolution, but the principles that have guided the business have remained remarkably consistent.
From the earliest days, William believed that demolition was about far more than dismantling buildings. It was about recovering valuable materials, reducing waste, preparing sites for their next purpose and creating opportunities for the communities around them. Long before circular economy principles and social value became embedded within the construction industry, these ideas were already shaping the way Cawarden worked.
Those same values continue to influence every part of the business today. Whether investing in people, embracing new technology, supporting local initiatives or delivering complex regeneration and site preparation projects, Cawarden remains committed to doing the right thing, building long-term relationships and creating lasting value.
Now led by Oliver Crooks and Samuel Crooks, the business continues to evolve while staying true to the vision that has defined it for more than 40 years: transforming places responsibly, supporting communities and preparing the ground for what comes next.
Scroll through our timeline to explore the milestones that have defined Cawarden’s journey and see how our story continues through Building The Next Chapter.
Office Move Pending
2025
The early stages of planning a new Headquarters for Cawarden is being brought to life.
Award-winning Project
2024
120 Edmund Street in Birmingham was a multi-award-winning project for Cawarden, successfully preparing the site for redevelopment while also creating a lasting positive social impact. The project highlighted our expertise and commitment to considerate, community-focused work.
Major sponsorship deal with Derbyshire FA
2024
Cawarden becomes Derbyshire FA’s 140th Year Headline Sponsor and County Cups sponsor for the second year running.
Iconic Project
2023
St Mary’s in Derby – A prestigious project, dubbed the greenest primary school in the country, where we completed the earthworks, groundworks, and external packages.
Integrated Project Delivery
2023
Cawarden delivers an integrated service to fulfil all project requirements for a new car park scheme as part of Swadlincote town’s £1m regeneration project.
Award Winning Performance
2023
Cawarden is crowned Demolition Contractor of the Year for the second time in three years at the British Demolition Awards.
Record Turnover
2023
Cawarden achieves a record £29 million turnover.
Framework Deal
2023
Cawarden awarded a place on Transformative £8bn Procure Partnerships Framework Deal
Honoured
2022
William Crooks honoured for his dedication to the demolition industry by being invited to join the inaugural Demolition Hub Demolition Hall of Fame.
Iconic Project
2022
Demolition and dismantling work commences at the former Bison site in Swadlincote, Derbyshire – a 3/4 of a mile-long site with Cawarden able to showcase circular economy principles through major re-use of buildings and industrial equipment.
Cawarden Fleet
2022
With an increasing workload, Cawarden adds a second high-reach to the fleet – the first of its kind to reach UK shores at the time!
Cawarden Strengthens Board of Directors
2021
Malcolm Lowes, Oliver Crooks and Samuel Crooks appointed to the Cawarden Board of Directors.
Award Winning Performance
2021
Cawarden is crowned Demolition Contractor of the Year at the British Demolition Awards.
Award Winning Performance
2021
Cawarden receives gold and silver awards from the Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice at a former colliery site in Nottinghamshire.
Going Paperless
2021
Investing in paperless technology enabling us to make the transition from traditional paper-based methods to electronic-based methods.
Business Expansion
2021
Cawarden makes a major investment in people and plant to further expand into the Civils & Groundworks market.
William Crooks becomes President of the NFDC
2021
The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) officially announces the appointment of William Crooks as President.
Iconic Project
2020
Work on several major projects begins as part of Derby city centre’s £200 million Becketwell regeneration project.
Biggest Project
2020
Commencement of Cawarden’s biggest project to date at the former home of Royal Doulton Potteries in Staffordshire.
Cawarden commits to net-zero
2020
Pledge to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.
Iconic Project
2019
Demolition of the former Wyvern footbridge over the A52 in Derby. The works were completed ahead of programme allowing the roadway to open a day early.
Cawarden makes the top 100 global demolition contractor listing
2017
In the top 100 global demolition contractor listing, Demolition & Recycling International – Cawarden reached position 80 in 2017.
Plant investment
2015
Order placed for Komatsu’s new PC490 LC-10 high reach.
Iconic Projects
2015
Cawarden is awarded major projects at Derby and Leicester Royal Infirmaries.
Iconic Project
2004
Duckworth Square, Derby – An early phase of the Becketwell Regeneration Project in Derby city centre.
Iconic Project
2003
Demolition of the Baseball Ground, now the home of Derby County FC.
Family Business
2000
A young Samuel Crooks pictured at a dairy site in Nottingham.
Iconic Project
2000
Demolition of the Raleigh Bikes Plant for Nottingham University.
Family Business
1997
William Crooks pictured with young Oliver Crooks on-site at Bruntingthorpe as a disused 747 is dismantled.
First project award for our longest standing client
1996
An early industrial strip‑out and demolition project for Bowmer & Kirkland marked the start of a long‑standing partnership – one that has grown into a key client relationship for Cawarden.
Early Projects
1994
Cawarden completed the demolition of the former Cooper’s Mill corset factory in Ashbourne, enabling the site’s transformation into a new Sainsbury’s supermarket.
Early Projects
1994
Cawarden carried out the demolition of all farm buildings on the site of the new Toyota factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire, working directly for Toyota UK.
Early Projects
1992
Cawarden carried out demolition and clearance works across various Yorkshire Collieries, with Askern Colliery being one of the sites involved.
Early Projects
1990
Working on behalf of Fina Petroleum, Cawarden carried out demolition and site‑clearance works – including the demolition of an old brick building – to help make way for the construction of the M42 at Tamworth.
Cawarden Fleet
1988
Cawarden’s commitment to building an in‑house fleet began with the purchase of its first excavator, a JCB 80B – a machine that marked the start of decades of investment in specialist equipment.
Early Farm Building Demolition Projects
1986
Cawarden’s journey into demolition and reclamation truly began with its early projects, demolishing and clearing old farm buildings and reclaiming the bricks for future use.
Cawarden Founded
1986
The roots of Cawarden trace back to Brooksby Agricultural College, where William Crooks met Richard Parrott and the two bonded over a shared commitment to traditional values and environmental responsibility. Their partnership led to the founding of Cawarden and the beginning of a remarkable journey.