ABSTRACT Carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales is a public health threat. Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (encoded by alleles of the bla KPC family) is one of the commonest transmissible carbapenem resistance mechanisms worldwide. The dissemination of bla KPC has historically been associated with distinct K. pneumoniae lineages (clonal group 258 [CG258]), a particular plasmid family (pKpQIL), and a composite transposon (Tn 4401) . In the UK, bla KPC has caused a large-scale, persistent outbreak focused on hospitals in North-West England. This outbreak has evolved to be polyclonal and poly-species, but the genetic mechanisms underpinning this evolution have not been elucidated in detail; this study used short-read whole genome sequencing of 604 bla KPC -positive isolates (Illumina) and long-read assembly (PacBio)/polishing (Illumina) of 21 isolates for characterisation. We observed the dissemination of bla KPC (predominantly bla KPC-2 ; 573/604 [95%] isolates) across eight species and more than 100 known sequence types. Although there was some variation at the transposon level (mostly Tn 4401 a, 584/604 (97%) isolates; predominantly with ATTGA-ATTGA target site duplications, 465/604 [77%] isolates), bla KPC spread appears to have been supported by highly fluid, modular exchange of larger genetic segments amongst plasmid populations dominated by IncFIB (580/604 isolates), IncFII (545/604 isolates) and IncR replicons (252/604 isolates). The subset of reconstructed plasmid sequences also highlighted modular exchange amongst non- bla KPC and bla KPC plasmids, and the common presence of multiple replicons within bla KPC plasmid structures (>60%). The substantial genomic plasticity observed has important implications for our understanding of the epidemiology of transmissible carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales, for the implementation of adequate surveillance approaches, and for control. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to the management of infections, and resistance to carbapenems, one of the “last line” antibiotics available for managing drug-resistant infections, is a significant problem. This study used large-scale whole genome sequencing over a five-year period in the UK to highlight the complexity of genetic structures facilitating the spread of an important carbapenem resistance gene ( bla KPC ) amongst a number of bacterial species that cause disease in humans. In contrast to a recent pan-European study from 2012-2013(1), which demonstrated the major role of spread of clonal bla KPC - Klebsiella pneumoniae lineages in continental Europe, our study highlights the substantial plasticity in genetic mechanisms underpinning the dissemination of bla KPC . This genetic flux has important implications for: the surveillance of drug resistance (i.e. making surveillance more difficult); detection of outbreaks and tracking hospital transmission; generalizability of surveillance findings over time and for different regions; and for the implementation and evaluation of control interventions.