Carillion is focused on expanding its own business in an improving construction market after several attempts to form Britain's biggest builder by acquiring Balfour Beatty were rejected.

“We’re fairly active, have been for a number of years, looking and progressing some opportunities,” chief executive Richard Howson said. “Beyond that, we’re just focusing on organic growth.” Carillion has taken government outsourcing contracts, which Mr Howson says have led the industry’s United Kingdom recovery.

Carillion has announced a 27-year joint venture to extend and maintain eight schools in England’s Midlands worth £190 million.

Earlier this year, it won contracts of about £1 billion to manage the entire UK estate of the ministry of defence. – (Bloomberg)