Within 100 days of the collapse of construction giant, ISG, Alliance Leisure had every affected project back on track. Alliance Leisure’s Managing Director, Paul Cluett, reflects on how it navigated the challenges, the lessons learned and the power of relationships and collaboration.
When ISG Construction went into administration on September 20, 2024, it had an immediate and profound impact on Alliance Leisure. ISG was the principal contractor for several major leisure projects, worth £250 million, managed through the UK Leisure Framework. The collapse threatened to delay or cancel these projects, jeopardising our clients’ investments. We acted quickly to stabilise the situation and get the projects back on track.
I’m immensely proud of how our team and network of professional advisers responded. Their resilience and commitment allowed us to find solutions swiftly – demonstrating our reliability in the construction and leisure sectors.
Our first priority was securing the sites and protecting the legal and financial positions of our clients. With projects at various stages, we assessed the impact and engaged with clients to define a clear way forward. Thanks to the UK Leisure Framework and our established relationships, we quickly mobilised alternative contractors, minimising delays and cost increases.
Being a smaller, more agile business, we were able to act fast. We held daily meetings to stay on top of the situation, and our team worked harmoniously to tackle the challenges. Their dedication was essential to moving forward successfully.
Live projects were the most urgent. With ISG’s sudden exit, we reviewed each site’s status and kept clients informed. By leveraging the UK Leisure Framework, we worked with new contractors to develop Contractor Proposals, allowing work to resume with minimal delay. This process was complex, but our team’s dedication kept every project aligned with client goals.
“Alliance Leisure’s handling of the situation has been exemplary. Their commitment to getting the site back up and running, coupled with their transparent communication and rapid response, truly stood out. It was everything you could wish for from a true partnership” Matt Broughton, Director – Growth & Assets, North East Derbyshire District Council
For pre-construction projects, we focused on ensuring their viability. Alternative contractors conducted cost reviews to reassure clients their investments were secure. We also arranged enabling works to avoid delays.
The success of this recovery was driven by collaboration. Internally, our team pooled resources to deliver under pressure. Externally, our strong partnerships with contractors, consultants, and clients enabled quick action. Transparent communication kept everyone aligned on the steps being taken. The UK Leisure Framework was instrumental, allowing us to navigate the situation with flexibility and confidence.
This experience reinforced core principles for Alliance Leisure. Adaptability is key to thriving in an unpredictable industry, and our relationships with clients and partners proved invaluable. We also appreciated the support from Sport England, which provided additional funding to keep projects viable.
The UK Leisure Framework also demonstrated its value, helping us respond quickly. Finally, the professionalism of our team not only minimised the impacts of the crisis but strengthened our future processes and partnerships.
The results were overwhelmingly positive. Within 100 days, all affected projects were back on track with minimal cost increases and disruption. This outcome reflects our approach and the resilience of our team. Moving forward, we remain focused on delivering these projects to the highest standards, ensuring long-term value for our clients and communities.
Many ISG employees and subcontractors have also found new roles on Alliance projects. We thank our clients and partners for their trust and collaboration – together, we’ve turned a potential crisis into a success.