In 1996, Mears Group was acquired by Bob Holt, who promptly took over management of the firm and embarked on an ambitious plan to greatly expand the business.

[9][10] Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, social housing was a particularly strong performing area for the business,[11][12] to the extent that management sought to expand the firm's presence in the repair subsector.

[19] In October 2014, it took over Omega Group Ltd., a private sector provider of residential lettings and management services to the social housing market.

[23][24] In December 2016, executive director Alan Long announced that the company was pulling out of contracts with local authorities because it could not afford to operate on the money it was being paid.

[27] In December 2018, it was announced that, after 23 years as chief executive, Bob Holt was stepping down from active involvement in Mears Group and would be replaced by Kieran Murphy.

[28][29] In January 2019, it was announced that Mears Group would take over a Home Office contract to provide housing for asylum seekers in Glasgow from Serco.

[31] On 5 May 2020, Adnan Walid Elbi, a Syrian refugee, was found dead in his room at the Mclays Guest House in Glasgow.

[40] Mears Group was nominated as a Social Mobility Business Compact ‘Champion’ after signing the Social Mobility Business Compact, set up by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in 2011, to encourage employers to offer young people fair and open access to employment opportunities.