How FCA-regulated escrow is reshaping UK construction projects

The rise of escrow in construction - and why now?

For decades, the UK construction industry has struggled with one persistent flaw: trust in the payment chain. Despite complex contracts, detailed milestone schedules, and increasingly sophisticated compliance systems, many subcontractors and suppliers still get paid late, and developers still carry financial exposure across multiple tiers of delivery.

Now, as the sector faces heightened regulation, insolvency risks, and pressure to deliver faster and more fairly, a quiet revolution is gathering pace: the rise of escrow and project-based accounts.

Escrow, long associated with mergers, acquisitions, and high-value asset transfers, is rapidly being adopted as a practical, transparent solution to protect construction payments.

A post-Carillion culture shift

The collapse of major contractors exposed the fragility of traditional payment models. Subcontractors were left unpaid for months, even years, as client funds vanished into insolvency proceedings. The result? A structural loss of trust and a shift towards FCA-regulated escrow accounts that guarantee project funds are ring-fenced and independently held.

Escalating regulation and compliance

Developers and main contractors are under increasing pressure to demonstrate fair payment practices - whether that’s driven by tighter scrutiny from funders, retention reform debates or stricter legislation. Using a regulated project account for managing construction payments is no longer a nice to have; it’s become a commercial necessity for both compliance and, crucially, reputation management.

Global investment, local risk

UK real estate and infrastructure continue to attract overseas investment, but cross-border deals can be complex and opaque.

Firms need investor confidence, and investors need certainty that funds are safe and released only when conditions are met. An FCA-regulated escrow account in the UK provides exactly that—secure, transparent, and trusted so that projects can move forward with confidence.

Digitalisation and transparency expectations

Construction is a high-risk industry where vast sums of capital depend on trust. Today, stakeholders expect instant visibility into every financial and operational step of a project. Escrow solutions and multi-currency holding accounts are meeting that demand, providing a secure, transparent layer that protects funds and gives peace of mind with every payment.

But transparency is about more than convenience - it’s a response to a system long built on goodwill and credit rather than control. Without clear visibility, friction, disputes, and uncertainty have been inevitable.

What’s driving adoption now?

The industry is shifting because trust alone no longer suffices. Escrow accounts create a neutral, legally binding buffer: funds are held securely by an independent provider and released only when verified milestones are met. This approach doesn’t just reduce risk - it rebuilds confidence in an industry where adversarial relationships have long been the norm.

The outcome?

The results speak for themselves. Disputes drop sharply, cash flow becomes predictable, and the risk of insolvency or misappropriation is dramatically reduced. Most importantly, all parties gain certainty: payment follows performance, and transparency becomes a competitive advantage rather than just a regulatory requirement.

Redefining trust in how construction moves money

The rise of escrow in construction isn’t a trend; it’s a transformation. As more developers, funders, and contractors turn to FCA-regulated escrow account providers like Interpolitan Money, the sector is entering a new era of secure, transparent, and fair project financing.

Escrow doesn’t just protect money; it protects relationships, reputations, and delivers results.

Secure your next project the smart way

We provide accessible, compliant escrow, TPMA and multi-currency IBAN accounts tailored for the construction and engineering industry. We partner every client with a hand-picked sector payment specialist who provides personalised service for your business. 

With your escrow account, you also receive:

• 50+ currency wallets with live rates & forward contracts

• Access to payment rails in 160+ countries

• Legal document drafting

• Holding accounts safeguarded by Tier-1 banking partners

Book a call with our dedicated London-based escrow team to discover how we can help protect, guarantee and elevate your cross-border payments.