United Living HISTORY

Leaving a lasting legacy of positive change

OUR HERITAGE

Our history

The business we know today was created in 2019 following the merger of Fastflow Group, an established gas, water and energy engineering business, and property specialist United Living to form United Living Group, a major player in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Since 2019, United Living Group has expanded into new markets and strengthened its project delivery capabilities. In 2021, it completed the acquisition of Great British Communications (now United Living Connected), a specialist telecommunications provider which plays a vital role in connecting people through fixed-line and mobile telecom infrastructure.

In 2024, United Living Group acquired AFECO, a leading water solutions provider. This acquisition complements United Living Infrastructure Service’s existing activities in the water sector and helps extend its service offering to meet its clients’ evolving needs. The Group also acquired leading training specialist GTEC to help expand workforce capability and capacity while securing the best value for customers.

Here, we highlight some of the key milestones in our journey so far.

2000s

This period proved an exciting time for Fastflow, with exponential growth across the energy sector. It secured major contracts with some of the UK’s largest network owners and operators, including Cadent, National Grid, Northumbrian Water, and Yorkshire Water, delivering resilient infrastructure to meet the needs of its customers and the communities it operates in.

2005

The business we know today began life as Fastflow, a water utility maintenance specialist which was acquired from Northumbrian Water by current CEO and Chairman Neil Armstrong.

2014

Fastflow entered the property services sector when it acquired DW Support Services, a property maintenance and refurbishment business based in London and Reading.

2018

Fastflow acquired housing specialist Partner Construction that specialised in creating affordable homes for registered partners, local authorities, and private developers across the UK.

2019

Fastflow joined forces with housebuilding and property maintenance business United Living to form United Living Group. Bringing the two businesses together enhanced the geographical coverage and offering for customers by providing a fully integrated service from development through to build and maintenance of projects.

2020

Under the United Living Group brand, three service pillars were created: Infrastructure Services (ULIS), New Homes (ULNH) and Property Services (ULPS). Fastflow Energy and Fastflow water formed the ULIS pillar. United Living’s construction activities and Partner Construction made up the ULNH pillar and all Group property maintenance activities, including DW Support Services operated under the ULPS pillar.

2021

United Living Group completed the strategic acquisition of Great British Communications (now known as United Living Connected), which plays a vital role in the UK’s connectivity. Connected provides a full suite of design, construction and maintenance services to the mobile telecommunications, civil engineering, and electrical engineering industries.

2023

United Living Group secured investment from one of the world’s biggest private equity investors, Apollo Global Management. The multi-million-pound deal is the first in the UK for Apollo’s £1 billion impact fund.

2024

United Living Group strengthened its position as a trusted delivery partner when it acquired AFECO, a specialist engineering services and solutions company focused on the water and marine sectors. United Living Group also acquired leading training specialist GTEC to help bridge the skills gap and expand its highly skilled workforce.

Today

Today, United Living Group employs over 1400 engineers, professional managers and skilled operatives across the UK, all dedicated to realising our vision of creating a connected, sustainable future.

Where we operate

Our people

Neil Armstrong Chairman and CEO of United Living