Creating Opportunity Since 1986
Our journey began in 1986 when William Crooks and Richard Parrott founded Cawarden with a simple but forward-thinking belief: demolition should create opportunity, not waste. Long before sustainability became an industry expectation, reclaiming and reusing materials, investing in local communities and building lasting relationships were already shaping the way we worked.
Over four decades, we’ve evolved from a demolition contractor into a specialist contractor, delivering demolition, remediation, earthworks, civils and groundworks as standalone services or as part of seamless destruction-to-construction integrated solutions. As our business has grown, we’ve continued to invest in our people, capabilities and technology while staying true to the principles that have guided us from the very beginning.
Following a new chapter in 2001, William continued to shape Cawarden’s growth and reputation, building the strong foundations that support the business today. Now led by Oliver Crooks and Samuel Crooks, we’re continuing that journey with the same commitment to innovation, sustainability, social value and creating opportunity for our clients, communities and future generations.
A young Oliver Crooks with his hard hat too big – a glimpse into Cawarden’s family beginnings.
Explore the milestones, projects and people that have shaped our journey.
Supporting the Growth of Civils & Groundworks
2026
Strengthening the Civils and Groundworks Division with two key leadership promotions, reinforcing the expertise and capability now driving this part of the business forward. These appointments support the development of our integrated service offer and mark the next step in the evolution of the business.
Building the Next Chapter
2026
Forty years after Cawarden was founded, the move to a new purpose‑built headquarters on the family farm marked another major milestone in the company’s journey of growth, innovation and opportunity. The relocation from Ockbrook represents the next chapter in Cawarden’s story.
First Integrated Project Success
2025
Delivering our first fully integrated project, combining demolition, groundworks and landscaping to support a flagship regeneration scheme. This milestone demonstrated the strength of our combined service offer and the social value that can be achieved through coordinated delivery, including over £1.13 million in measurable community benefit.
Community‑Focused Excellence at 120 Edmund Street
2024
120 Edmund Street in Birmingham became a multi‑award‑winning strip‑out project for Cawarden, where we successfully prepared the building for redevelopment while delivering a lasting positive social impact. The project highlighted our expertise in complex internal soft‑strip works and our commitment to considerate, community‑focused delivery that adds value far beyond the physical works themselves.
Derbyshire FA 140th Year Headline Sponsorship
2024
Cawarden became Derbyshire FA’s 140th Year Headline Sponsor and County Cups sponsor for two years running – a major milestone in our support for grassroots football, and just one snapshot of our long‑standing commitment to community involvement and charitable initiatives across Derbyshire and the UK, much of which is consistently shared across our social channels.
A Landmark Financial Year
2023
Cawarden achieved a record £29 million turnover in 2023 – a landmark moment that reflected the company’s continued growth, strong project delivery, and reputation as one of the UK’s leading demolition and enabling works contractors.
Cawarden Joins £8bn National Framework
2023
Cawarden was awarded a place on the transformative £8bn Procure Partnerships Framework in 2023 – a major endorsement of our capability, reputation and ability to deliver high‑quality projects across the UK.
Delivering a Flagship Sustainable School for Derby
2023
St Mary’s in Derby – A prestigious educational project designed with exceptional sustainability at its core. Cawarden delivered the earthworks, groundworks and external works packages, contributing to a forward‑thinking school development that sets a high benchmark for modern, environmentally conscious educational facilities.
Demonstrating Local Strength on a Landmark Derbyshire Site
2022
Demolition and dismantling work commenced at the former Bison site in Swadlincote, Derbyshire – a three‑quarter‑mile‑long site where Cawarden showcased circular economy principles through the major re‑use of buildings, materials and industrial equipment. As a major Derbyshire employer delivering major Derbyshire works, this project demonstrated the strength, capability and local commitment of Cawarden within its home county.
Expanding High-Reach Capability
2022
With an increasing workload, Cawarden added a second high‑reach to the fleet – the first machine of its kind to reach UK shores at the time, further strengthening our specialist demolition capability to deliver complex, high‑reach demolition works.
William Crooks Recognised for Industry Contribution
2022
William Crooks was honoured for his outstanding dedication to the demolition industry by being invited to join the inaugural Demolition Hub Demolition Hall of Fame – a prestigious recognition of his long‑standing contribution and leadership.
Board Expansion Marks New Era
2021
2021 marked a significant moment in Cawarden’s evolution, with Malcolm Lowes, Oliver Crooks and Samuel Crooks appointed to the Board of Directors – strengthening the leadership team and shaping the future direction of the business.
Civils & Groundworks Division Established
2021
Building on decades of demolition experience, our Civils Division was established to deliver full enabling‑works packages in‑house.
The beginning of a New Era of Industry Recognition
2021
Cawarden was crowned Demolition Contractor of the Year 2021 at the British Demolition Awards — a moment that marked the beginning of a new era of industry recognition for our people, our projects, and our commitment to excellence. Building on years of hard work and reputation, our full‑time investment in marketing in 2020 helped propel our brand presence and showcase the quality of our work to a wider audience.
Environmental Excellence Recognised – Green Apple Awards
2021
Cawarden received Gold and Silver Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice for our work at a former colliery site in Nottinghamshire – recognition for our commitment to giving back to nature through responsible environmental restoration.
Digital Transformation Begins
2021
Investing in paperless technology enabled Cawarden to transition from traditional paper‑based processes to fully electronic systems – improving efficiency, accuracy and the way we operate across the business.
Honouring Decades of Dedication to the Industry
2021
The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) officially announced the appointment of William Crooks as President – a role earned through many years of dedication to the demolition industry, service in key NFDC positions, and long‑standing commitment to raising standards across the sector. His presidency also marked a significant moment in the Federation’s history, as he held the helm during its landmark 80th year.
Iconic Project
2020
Work began on several major projects as part of Derby city centre’s £200 million Becketwell regeneration. Building on Cawarden’s early involvement in the scheme in our home city, this became a powerful showcase of what we can deliver — demonstrating the depth of our expertise, our ability to operate confidently in complex urban environments, and the strength of our modern delivery capabilities. It marked a defining moment in our contribution to one of Derby’s most transformative regeneration programmes.
Major Civils & Groundworks Milestone
2020
2020 saw the start of Cawarden’s biggest project to date at the former Royal Doulton Potteries site in Staffordshire – a major civils and groundworks undertaking that demonstrated the strength and scale of our delivery capability.
Iconic Project
2019
Ahead‑of‑programme demolition of the former Wyvern footbridge over the A52 in Derby, highlighting our expertise in complex roadway and infrastructure works and enabling the roadway to reopen a day early.
Entering the Global Top 100
2017
In 2017, Cawarden entered the Top 100 Global Demolition Contractors listing by Demolition & Recycling International, achieving position 80 – a milestone that recognised our expanding capability, reputation, and influence within the global demolition sector.
A Defining Moment: Major Demolition Works at Derby Royal Infirmary
2015
Cawarden was awarded major projects at both Derby and Leicester Royal Infirmaries – a defining moment in our history. These high‑profile schemes marked our transition into delivering large‑scale, complex demolition works, including the high‑reach demolition of the iconic Nurses’ Tower at Derby Royal Infirmary. Together, these projects cemented our reputation as a trusted contractor for critical healthcare infrastructure.
Building the Future From the Ground Up
2013
Having grown up on site and often accompanying their father William on visits, Samuel formally joined Cawarden full‑time in 2012, followed by Oliver in 2013. Starting at site level, they worked their way up through the ranks, learning the ropes hands‑on and committing to continuous learning and formal training, including obtaining the necessary tickets and cards. Their progression laid the foundations for the next generation of Cawarden’s leadership.
Duckworth Square Demolition, Derby – Start of the Becketwell Regeneration
2004
Cawarden delivered the demolition of Duckworth Square in Derby – an early phase of what would later become the Becketwell Regeneration Project in the heart of the city. This initial work helped pave the way for a major transformation of the area, which we would return to years later as part of the wider regeneration programme!
Demolition of the Baseball Ground, Derby
2003
William Crooks is pictured on site during the demolition of the historic Baseball Ground – the former home of Derby County FC. This landmark project marked the end of an era for the city and showcased Cawarden’s expertise in delivering complex, high‑profile demolition works, highlighting our role in dismantling one of Derby’s most recognisable sporting venues!
First High‑Reach Demolition in Sawley
2002
Our plant investment accelerated with the introduction of our first Komatsu 340 high‑reach, deployed on a landmark project in Sawley for Erewash Borough Council. Not only did this showcase the strength of our growing fleet, it also brought high‑reach demolition to the region for the first time — setting the foundation for decades of continued investment and innovation.
A Young Samuel Visiting an Iconic Nottingham Demolition Project
2000
A young Samuel Crooks is pictured visiting the demolition of the former Raleigh Bikes Plant in Nottingham – a major project at the time delivered for Nottingham University, and another early moment showing the next generation growing up within the family business.
The Next Generation Continues
2000
A young Samuel Crooks is pictured at a dairy site in Nottingham – another early moment that reflects our strong family heritage and the next generation growing up within the business.
Early Inspiration
1997
William Crooks is pictured on‑site at Bruntingthorpe with a young Oliver Crooks as a disused 747 is dismantled – a moment that reflects Cawarden’s family roots and the next generation already stepping into the industry.
A Project That Sparked a Long‑Term Client Relationship
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 Foundations on the Family Farm
1996
Although operations were already underway, setting up the office on the family farm in Ockbrook marked a key milestone in the company’s development. This dedicated base enabled the demolition business to expand steadily over the next three decades, eventually outgrowing the site by 2026.
Demolition of the Former Corset Factory, Ashbourne
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.
Former Toyota Facility Demolition, Derbyshire
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.
Former Yorkshire Colliery Demolition Works
1992
Cawarden carried out demolition and clearance works across various Yorkshire Collieries, with Askern Colliery being one of the sites involved.
M42 Tamworth Site Clearance Project
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
Our journey toward building an in‑house fleet began with our first excavator, a JCB 807B – the machine that sparked decades of investment in specialist equipment. Today, if you visit our Castle Donington HQ, you’ll see the fully refurbished 80B proudly on display, greeting you as you arrive.
Early Farm Building Demolition Projects
1986
Cawarden’s journey into demolition and reclamation truly began with our 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.