Rok plc

The company, which began trading under the name Exeter Building Contractors Ltd, was formed in 1939 to undertake government contracts being issued at the start of the Second World War.

[6][7] The early 2000s were a time of considerable growth for the business, which involved a series of office openings and acquisitions, such as the Glasgow-based Retail Maintenance Services, Scottish firm John Dickie Construction, and the southern-focused Llewellyn Group.

[2] During late 2003, Rok issued a £116 million bid to acquire rival construction company Galliford Try; however, it was rejected by the board of the latter firm.

[13] The company was negatively impacted by the Great Recession, compelling it to reduce its new-build activities during mid 2009 as its recorded turnover fell by roughly third across the first half of the year.

[14] During the following year, Rok issued a profit warning and suspended its head of finance after having identified allegedly serious failings in the firm's financial controls.