What’s Happening: Mace Brand to Be Dropped from Contracting
Mace’s construction arm — currently known as Mace Construct — is set to be rebranded and will no longer use the “Mace” name in UK contracting. This change is part of a major restructuring of the Mace Group’s business identity after a portion of the company was sold to investors. (building.co.uk)
- The construction business has long been one of the UK’s largest contractors, known for delivering high-profile projects such as The Shard and Battersea Power Station. (Construction Enquirer)
- Later in 2026, Mace Construct will adopt a new name and brand identity, which has not yet been announced. (theconstructionindex.co.uk)
For decades the Mace badge was a household name in UK construction, so its disappearance marks a significant shift for the industry, clients, and employees.
Why the Change Is Happening
The move stems from a major strategic deal made in 2025:
Sale of Consulting Arm
In July 2025, the Mace Group agreed a major investment by Goldman Sachs Alternatives into its consultancy business, Mace Consult. As part of that deal:
- Goldman Sachs acquired a majority stake in Mace Consult, the consultancy division.
- That business will keep the Mace brand and continue to operate globally under that name once the transaction completes. (constructionnews.co.uk)
Construction Side Rebranding
With the consultancy business retaining the “Mace” name, the contracting business — Mace Construct — will rebrand with a new name later in 2026. This helps clearly separate the two parts of the historic group and allows the construction side to define its own identity focused on delivery and growth. (constructiondigital.com)
Jason Millett, Mace Group CEO, said the change will let the construction business “evolve again” with a fresh focus on its UK contracting strengths and “what our teams are here to deliver.” (constructiondigital.com)
What This Means in Practice
Here’s how the split and rebrand will work:
Before Finalisation
- Both companies still operate under the Mace brand for now — Mace Construct for contracting and Mace Consult for consulting. (theconstructionindex.co.uk)
After Deal Completion
- Mace Consult (the consultancy) will continue using the “Mace” name — often globally — as an independent business under Goldman Sachs backing. (constructionnews.co.uk)
- The contracting business will adopt a completely new name and identity later in 2026 and will no longer carry the Mace badge. (constructiondigital.com)
Company Background & Significance
To understand the impact:
- Mace began in 1990 and grew into one of the UK’s leading construction and project management firms. (Wikipedia)
- It played major roles in iconic UK buildings and infrastructure projects, including The Shard and other high-profile developments. (Wikipedia)
- As of 2024–2025, the contracting business posted multi-billion-pound revenues and was one of the UK’s largest privately owned contractors. (constructionnews.co.uk)
Because of that history, this isn’t just a cosmetic change — it’s an identity shift for a core part of the UK construction sector.
Industry & Expert Interpretation
Strategic Clarity and Focus
Industry analysts see this move as enabling:
- Clearer strategic focus: separating consulting and contracting so each business can pursue its strengths.
- Growth alignment: the consulting arm can expand internationally under a global investment partner (Goldman Sachs), while the contracting arm sharpens its UK-centric strategy. (constructiondigital.com)
Brand Evolution
Mace’s leadership has said that while the Mace name carries weight, distinct brands can better reflect individual business ambitions — especially since the sold consultancy side will globally grow separate from contracting. (constructiondigital.com)
What Happens Next
- The new name and brand identity for the UK contracting business will be announced later in 2026, after stakeholder consultation and brand development work. (constructiondigital.com)
- Clients, employees, and supply chain partners will transition from Mace Construct branding to the new name as the change rolls out.
Summary
Key facts at a glance:
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand change | Mace name will be dropped from the UK contracting business |
| Reason | Consultancy arm sold to Goldman Sachs, retaining the Mace brand |
| Construction business | Will adopt a new name and identity in 2026 |
| Strategic aim | Sharper focus and clear differentiation between consulting vs contracting |
| Importance | Marks a major evolution for one of the UK’s longstanding construction names |
Here’s a comprehensive look at the news that the Mace name is set to disappear from UK contracting, framed around case-study-style examples and expert commentary — to help you understand not just the news, but how the industry is reacting and what it means in practice.
What’s Changing — Big Picture
Mace Construct, the contracting arm of Mace Group, will no longer operate under the “Mace” brand once its consulting business (Mace Consult) completes a majority-stake sale to Goldman Sachs. After that separation, Mace Consult will keep the brand globally, while the construction and contracting business will adopt a new name and identity later in 2026. (constructionnews.co.uk)
This move doesn’t mean the company disappears, but rather that the brand identity and legal structure split to support focused growth on both sides: consultancy vs contracting. (constructiondigital.com)
Case Study 1 — Internal Strategic Reorganization
What Happened
Before the rebrand announcement, Mace Construct had already reorganized internally into three focused business units — Commercial, Infrastructure, and Public, Science & Technology — to sharpen how it delivers major projects across the UK. (Mace Group)
Why It Matters
This internal restructure shows that the contracting arm isn’t being wound down — it’s being prepared for growth. Breaking the business into distinct units helps teams specialise, operate more efficiently, and respond to specific market demands more competitively.
Outcome
This approach reinforces that the brand shift is tied to preparing Mace Construct for a more autonomous and modern identity, oriented around sector-specific expertise rather than a single umbrella brand. (Mace Group)
Case Study 2 — Brand Identity Split
What Happened
After Goldman Sachs’ majority investment in Mace Consult, that business will operate independently — keeping the Mace name and brand integrity. Construction, however, will adopt a new name once the transaction completes. (constructionnews.co.uk)
Industry Impact
Clients and partners who know Mace for consultancy and programme management will continue to see the brand there — but for contracting and site delivery, a new identity will emerge, reflecting the sector’s operational focus and ambitions.
Example in Practice
A project manager working with clients on sustainability or public-sector buildings might now see the consulting business (still “Mace”) lead early feasibility and design work, but the contracting teams will be rebranded for actual delivery. (constructiondigital.com)
Expert and Industry Comments
Corporate Strategy Commentary
Industry observers interpret this move not as a retreat from construction but as part of brand and strategic clarity:
Many believe the separation allows both sides to focus on what they do best: consultancy expands internationally with private capital, while contracting doubles down on delivery excellence in the UK market. (constructiondigital.com)
Leadership Insight
Mace Group’s CEO has publicly said the rebrand reflects a confidence in both businesses and a desire to give them distinct, appropriate identities. The construction arm will have the freedom to articulate its own mission and values under a fresh brand — one built around execution, site performance, and client delivery. (constructiondigital.com)
Industry Reaction
Some construction commentators see the change as part of wider sector trends, where firms increasingly separate consultancy, design, and contracting functions to align with client demand for specialist expertise and clearer brand promise. (constructiondigital.com)
What This Means in Practice — Summarised
| Aspect | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Usage | “Mace” used for both consulting and contracting | “Mace” retained for consulting; new brand for contracting |
| Business Units | Unified operating name | Separate identities, aligned with specialist roles |
| Market Focus | Combined delivery and advisory | Advisory expands globally; contracting focuses on UK delivery |
| Industry Perception | Single brand across services | Two distinct brands with clearer strategic focus |
Why It Matters to Industry Stakeholders
- Clients will need to adjust expectations — proposals and contracts may soon bear different brand names depending on consultancy vs construction services. (constructiondigital.com)
- Employees may experience cultural and operational shifts as their business units align under new branding. (constructiondigital.com)
- Competitors could benefit as the rebrand moment offers opportunities to differentiate or pitch continuity when clients seek familiar brand names. (constructiondigital.com)
Bottom Line
The Mace name disappearing from UK contracting isn’t about closure — it’s about strategic brand evolution. With Mace Consult forging a global consultancy path under its established brand, the contracting arm is preparing to forge a distinct identity aligned with its strengths in delivery, sector expertise, and specialist construction services. The shift reflects broader industry strategies where clarity of brand purpose supports growth and market differentiation. (constructionnews.co.uk)