Conneely Group move into modern methods of construction (MMC) using lightweight steel frame structures
What does it take to be one of the London Stock Exchange’s most inspiring companies? With three years of official recognition to date, it’s a feat that building facades, cladding and load-bearing experts, Conneely Group, know well.
Specialising in interior and exterior cladding, drylining and the design, manufacture and installation of façades, Conneely Group’s innovative solutions can be seen in buildings across the UK, from prestigious high-rise residential towers to student accommodation. The company, which has been family owned and operated since its founding, is well-recognised throughout the industry for epitomising excellence, both within its commitment to quality control and its dedication to its strong family values.
In July 2025, as Conneely Group approaches its 40th anniversary milestone, Construction & Civil Engineering is joined by Eamon Conneely, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to discuss the company’s journey thus far, as well as some of the fantastic projects and cultural values that continue to contribute to its longevity and success.
“The business started out in 1986, providing drylining, plastering and floor screeding services. As the drylining business grew, we also developed the façade side in the late 90’s and early 2000’s as people looked towards more modern solutions,” Eamon begins, reflecting on Conneely Group’s history. “We’ve been in that space now for the last 20 years, providing modern façades and several different cladding systems, including terracotta, aluminium and rain screen cladding, as well as GRC cladding and brick slips.
“Today, we have an average of 500-to-700 people working on our construction sites at any given time and 50 employees across our offices. Throughout our tenure, we’ve grown and trained a lot of our own people, many of whom started out as apprentices and are now managers within the business. We’ve done a lot of partnerships and apprenticeship programmes with local colleges over the last 25 years. Apprenticeships are a big part of our business and we’re very proud of that.”
Impressive portfolio
Having established a market-leading position with a remarkable reputation, Conneely Group is trusted by some of the industry’s biggest names, including Canary Wharf Contractors, Mace, Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley Homes and Durkan. Their project portfolio exhibits an impressive array of stunning developments, each demonstrating the very best of Conneely’s capabilities.
One particularly notable project in Conneely Group’s portfolio is its work on the distinguished One Blackfriars tower block, situated in Bankside, London. Blending exquisite architecture with masterful construction and craftsmanship, the completed project is a 50-storey residential tower comprising 273 luxury apartments, as well as a range of deluxe resident facilities, and offers a visually striking addition to London’s skyline. A challenging and ambitious project, Conneely Group was awarded the internal fit-out contract for the development – a commission that’s representative of its extensive experience and expertise – which involved the supply and installation of metal stud partitions and ceilings. Conneely Group’s close communication and exceptional attention to detail throughout resulted in a beautiful project delivery, one that was recognised at the FIS Contractors Awards 2021. 
Another renowned project that Conneely Group are proud of is One Park Drive for their valued client Canary Wharf Contractors. “One Park Drive was a huge job for us and at 55 storeys high it was one of the tallest residential towers. It was a very prestigious job, and we were very honoured to be part of a project that received many awards for Canary Wharf Contractors,” Eamon shares.
To further build upon the comprehensive scope of solutions it offers, Conneely Group is currently increasing its capabilities with load-bearing steel structures. The company already boasts a wealth of experience with lightweight steel framing systems, and Eamon is keen to share its benefits with the wider construction industry as it continues to evolve.
“A lot of our clients want to move into, what they call, the ‘modern method of construction’; they want to build with more products that are produced in a factory offsite, and we’re very keen to go ahead with this. I think it’s been a little slow to take off because many architects and engineers are not used to this modern method of construction and tend to go with the tried-and-tested traditional framed building, but we’re really trying to show them the benefits of load-bearing structures,” Eamon explains. “Being in the business for 40 years gives us a huge advantage because we’ve got experience both inside and outside of the building. The design of this lightweight steel structure is much faster to assemble, cheaper and produces less of a carbon footprint.”
Prioritising people
With a plethora of ongoing projects and developments, 2025 continues to be another successful year for Conneely Group.
“Our priorities for the rest of 2025 would be to finish our ongoing jobs to the very high standards that our clients expect from us. As the CEO of the business, you must always have one eye on winning new work; we currently turn over more than £60 million a year, which means that we need to win, at minimum, £5 million of new contracts each month. With the other eye, you must be watching for quality all the time and make sure that the company remains on programme for our clients,” Eamon affirms.
As Conneely Group quickly approaches its 40th anniversary, we conclude our conversation by asking Eamon what factors he feels have been integral to the longevity and success of the business.
“Looking back over the last 40 years, treating our workers, tradesmen and employees well has been the most important factor,” Eamon reveals. “When you treat your people with respect, your clients will be able to see that people like working for you and will give you more repeat work in the future. Clients like value for money, excellent quality and high levels of health and safety – all of those qualities are equally as important – but they want to see a businessman who treats people well, because if they can see that I treat my employees well, they’ll know that I will treat our clients well. People development is critical to the longevity of our business, and we make sure to show respect and loyalty to every member of our team and also to our clients.”
As the company embarks further upon its journey, it’s clear to see that great things are on the horizon for Conneely Group. By keeping its vital business relationships close to heart, the Group is braced for continued success, prevailing as a key player within the industry whilst inspiring the next generation of construction.