'Nation's local builder' facing administration

British building services company Rok said today that it would place the firm into administration just months after it revealed sizeable losses and financial shortcomings at its plumbing division.

The self-styled “nation’s local builder” reported half-year losses of £3.8m (€4.3m), shortly after an independent review by accountants BDO uncovered serious failings at its plumbing, heating and electrical business.

Despite a recent contract win with insurance giant Axa, Exeter-based Rok, which employs more than 2,000 tradespeople, said it would place the company into administration and had applied to the Financial Services Authority to suspend the listing of its shares.

The announcement comes just 10 weeks after social housing firm Connaught entered administration – leading to some 1,400 redundancies.