"The Accelerated Growth Programme helped us shape who we are as a business. From defining our brand to identifying target markets, the support has made a huge difference to our growth."
Groundworks contractor EvaBuild, founded in 2011, began with a simple but disruptive idea: to change the way construction projects work. After years in the industry, the team saw a recurring problem of clients investing heavily in designs before understanding the underlying conditions on proposed sites. By flipping the process and encouraging clients to assess feasibility and groundworks costs first, EvaBuild saves time, money, and environmental resources.
Over 14 years, that approach has propelled EvaBuild from a two-person dining-room operation into a major contractor, specialising in the modern methods of construction (MMC) industry. The firm works with modular building specialists in healthcare, education, and defence, as well as local councils and government departments. The company now employs over 100 people and turns over £29.5 million annually.
Finance director Lauren Evans shares how support from the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) has shaped their journey.
What challenges did EvaBuild face early on, and how did AGP help overcome those?
Our biggest challenge was getting clients to buy into our approach. Involving a groundworks contractor from the start was unusual. It took persistence and a proven track record before clients saw the value. Recruitment was also tough in the early days. As a smaller company, it was harder to guarantee consistent work, making it difficult to attract talent.
AGP support has been invaluable. They helped us define our brand identity and target markets, and early financial planning support gave us stability and confidence.
A turning point came in 2018, when AGP supported us in developing a professional, meaningful brand identity that our whole team could get behind. It’s solidified our position as a trusted partner in our sector.
What impact has this support had on your growth?
The results speak for themselves. Since joining AGP, we’ve created around 50 jobs and grown from a small local outfit to a national player. The branding support not only improved our market credibility but also made recruitment easier.
In 2025, we launched EvaBuild Surfacing, specialising in road, car park, and pathway tarmacking. This means we can offer clients a complete end-to-end service from groundworks to final surface finish. The idea had been in the pipeline for years, but AGP’s ongoing guidance and early support gave us the confidence and resources to make it happen.
Beyond branding, AGP supported us with a full audit of our website, delivering valuable insights on SEO and audience behaviour. This is now shaping our new site to maximise commercial impact. Our advisor, Idris Price, has been exceptional at identifying the right support for our needs. The more we have engaged, the more tailored and effective that guidance has become.
What milestones stand out?
Winning the Powys Business Awards Start-up Business of the Year in 2013, just two years after the business was founded, was a big moment. In 2015, we took the Fast Growth 50 award for being Wales’s fastest-growing business. In 2024, reaching 100 employees felt like a real milestone for us.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Build a great team. Surround yourself with people who share your vision, because you can’t do it all alone. See setbacks as part of the process. Every challenge we’ve faced has ultimately made us stronger.
Also, use business support wisely. We found that being honest about our challenges and engaging fully were the keys to getting the most out of AGP. We’ve used the support to fill gaps in our knowledge and skills, and it’s paid dividends.
What’s next for EvaBuild?
We’re continuing to grow, hiring both site and office staff regularly. We’re committed to creating opportunities for young people in construction, helping them progress from groundworkers to site managers.
With a strong brand, an expanding service offer, and AGP’s continued guidance, the next decade looks set to be as transformative as the last.
Find out more about the Accelerated Growth Programme here.
Find out more about EvaBuild here.