GRAHAM has surpassed the £1bn turnover milestone for the second consecutive year as revenue increased to £1.125bn. The headline figure from recently published accounts (year ending 31st March 2024) is a 2.8% increase on the Group’s 2023 results (£1,093.7bn). The leading national contractor and developer also recorded profit before tax
Greystar, a global leader in rental housing property management, development, and investment, celebrated the structural completion of its Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Wembley with a topping out ceremony organised by construction partners McAleer & Rushe, and attended by senior representatives from Brent Council and the Greater London Authority.
Aldi, the popular supermarket retailer, has unveiled its latest plans to expand its footprint across the UK, aiming to achieve its long-term target of 1,500 stores. Currently operating over 1,020 stores, Aldi is actively seeking new locations to ensure high-quality food is accessible to all. In a bid to identify
GMI Construction Group has completed the £24m Pershore Junction purpose-built student accommodation in Birmingham on schedule – with rooms already being reserved ready for Autumn term. The 167 bed state-of-the-art development in the suburb of Stirchley consists of 101 studios and also features a student hub, communal spaces and enhanced
The approved mixed-use residential development will be Forshaw Group’s largest residential scheme to date and will include 224 open market apartments, an aparthotel and coffee bar on a key gateway site into Manchester. Manchester City Council have approved plans submitted by Forshaw Land & Property Group to transform a vacant
Ahead of this week’s UK election, we’ve highlighted four key areas the next Government needs to act on to ‘stimulate and sustain’ the national workplace and facilities management (WFM) profession and sector. The ‘Priorities for the next Government: 2024 general election manifesto’ publication highlights the challenges faced by the next
General Election market uncertainty contributes to a slower market says Lismore’s Chris Macfarlane On the eve of the 2024 General Election, leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors has published the latest figures on the commercial property market in Scotland for quarter two of 2024. Transaction volumes totalled
Caddick Construction Group has launched its new headquarters at Wakefield 41 Business Park in Yorkshire. The launch signals a new phase of the Group’s growth strategy and provides a new base for delivery of its £700m+ forward order book. Formerly Cape House, the new office will now be named Calder
Willmott Dixon has been selected by Bridgend College for the £60 million project to build its new Town Centre Campus development. The College is relocating from its current base at Cowbridge Road Campus to a site previously occupied by the former Police Station and a multi-storey car park at Cheapside,
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest growing public EV rapid-charging network, recently conducted an eye-opening experiment which saw children aged 7-14 have their visions of the future brought to life by an AI artist. Asked to describe what they think the future holds for humanity, the children offered fascinating
GRAHAM has surpassed the £1bn turnover milestone for the second consecutive year as revenue increased to £1.125bn. The headline figure from recently published accounts (year ending 31st March 2024) is a 2.8% increase on the Group’s 2023 results (£1,093.7bn). The leading national contractor and developer also recorded profit before tax of £14.8m and maintained its robust balance sheet position with cash at bank and in hand of £151m. This “strong performance” in the face of well documented inflationary pressures and significant economic and geopolitical headwinds followed the successful delivery of major projects in each of its core market sectors (building, civil engineering, interior fit-out, facilities management and development management). Across the wider industry, higher borrowing costs and the evolving regulatory and legislative environments have led to a slow down in planned start dates for major construction projects while impacting upon contractor profitability. To offset many of these challenges, the Group has focussed on a sustainable growth model built on the platform of strategic supply chain management and selective work winning. This approach has resulted in a record pipeline of secured work in excess of £2bn. Commenting on the latest accounts, Andrew Bill, GRAHAM Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “The latest published accounts for the Group are pleasing and underline the strong performance of each our divisions within our core market sectors. We prioritise robust governance and commercial management which are the backbone of our sustainable growth model. Significantly, the continued success of the Group has been achieved despite global economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures. The market has been challenging but our consistent focus on quality delivery and commitment to securing repeat business through the development of collaborative client relationships have allowed us to grow sustainably over the past year. Looking forward, we have developed a significant pipeline of opportunity to allow us to positively approach the next 12 months, and beyond, with energy and optimism.” Breadth of delivery The scale, scope and variety of GRAHAM’s national portfolio have been central to its continued strong financial performance. Projects such as Candleriggs, a 346 unit Build to Rent development in Glasgow (£81.5m), improvement works to the M25 Junction 28 in Essex (£154m), the interior fit-out of BT’s new 76,000 sq. ft. offices in Dundee and the restoration of the historic Cathays Grade II Listed Library for Cardiff Council underline the breadth of its expertise. At Lord’s Cricket Ground, the iconic home of cricket, the company has also been named as the preferred bidder for an iconic redevelopment project encompassing the Tavern and Allen Stands, while it recently secured planning consent for a transformative regeneration project at Meadowbank in Edinburgh that will see the development of over 700 much-needed homes – over 35% of which will be affordable – across a five-hectare site that will create one of the city’s “greenest neighbourhoods”. Environmental, Social and Governance Beyond the balance sheet figures, GRAHAM’s track record for “delivering lasting impact” is evidenced in the £538.4m Social Return on Investment (SROI) it has delivered for communities across the UK and Ireland. As a responsible, sustainable business, the Group’s drive to Net Zero has also resulted in a 19% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and the achievement of a 98% rate for the diversion of construction waste from landfill. GRAHAM continues to make substantial investments in the skills and development of its people and supply chain with a robust training program that provides five days of training per person each year. Notably, GRAHAM was the first UK organisation to achieve Investors in People (IIP) “We invest in Wellbeing Platinum” status this year. Additionally, IIP reaccredited GRAHAM with “We invest in People Platinum” for the third time—an achievement attained by only 5% of organisations across all industries. Most recently, GRAHAM earned the “Investor in Diversity Gold” award and secured the 29th position among the Top 100 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion companies in the UK. Attributing the continued success of the business to the concerted efforts of the 2,500-strong workforce, Andrew, added: “The ongoing growth of GRAHAM is due to the hard work and dedication of our people, both on site and those in central support services. Individually and collectively they embody ‘The GRAHAM Way’ which is the unique culture that sets us apart. On a daily basis they continue to build lasting relationships with clients, innovate in our approach to delivery, and strive for excellence, which, as a package, is the bedrock behind the strong financial figures published within these latest accounts.” For more information on GRAHAM, please visit: www.graham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greystar, a global leader in rental housing property management, development, and investment, celebrated the structural completion of its Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Wembley with a topping out ceremony organised by construction partners McAleer & Rushe, and attended by senior representatives from Brent Council and the Greater London Authority. The Canvas Wembley site, Greystar’s first ground-up PBSA asset under the Canvas brand, will consist of 770 beds and is strategically located close to transport links (four-minute walk to Wembley Park tube station), providing access direct to central London, and near the iconic Wembley Stadium. Set within the North East Lands development, the site is part of a 12-acre district that will ultimately deliver 2,347 residential units of varying tenures next to the biodiverse seven-acre Union Park. Wembley Park is now an established neighbourhood, and an increasingly popular environment for students to live. The well-amenitised scheme will feature two lounges, co-working spaces, as well as a café, activity space, library, gym, yoga studio and private dining areas. The Canvas brand is all about creating a lifestyle that matches the needs of its residents, and students will be invited to partake in a full annual calendar of events, as well as gain access to the innovative Canvas app which offers a convenient home for maintenance and parcel services, exclusive offers and promotions. A comprehensive wellbeing programme including events, talks, and a Student Assistance Programme will also be available to those enrolled in partnership with university stakeholders. In a significant step towards sustainable finance, Greystar entered into its first Green Loan in the UK, to acquire the site from Quintain in April 2023. The financing underscores Greystar’s commitment to delivering an environmentally responsible and sustainable building, ensuring that the project adheres to the highest standards of ESG criteria. The scheme will be all-electric to reduce its carbon footprint, connected to the District Heat Network to provide efficient heating solutions, and equipped with roof PV panels. Construction Partners, McAleer & Rushe are delivering the scheme as a Whole Life Carbon Assessed project, achieving a LETI A rating for the building structure and is on track to achieve its 500kgc02e/m2 (A1-A5) embodied carbon target upon completion. Ben Mowbray, Managing Director- UK Student Investment, Greystar, said: “London is a highly attractive market for student accommodation investment, facing a scarcity of high-quality options despite its status as one of the top global capital cities for students. This is a significant milestone in the growth of our Canvas brand in the UK, and we were delighted to mark the occasion with Brent Council, who have been an important partner in the delivery of the scheme. Canvas Wembley is set to transform the student accommodation landscape in Wembley Park, offering a modern, sustainable living environment for students that supports both their academic journey and personal growth.“ Mark Allnutt, Executive Director, Europe, Greystar, said: “We look forward to completing the fit out of Canvas Wembley and welcoming our first students for the 2025 academic year. The project forms part of our wider strategy to increase our UK student accommodation footprint and develop new supply in a market characterised by acute shortages. We are constantly on the lookout for well-located, brownfield sites to develop high-quality, purpose-built accommodation from the ground-up.” Darragh Greenan, Contracts Director, McAleer & Rushe, adds: “We are delighted to be delivering this landmark PBSA project for Greystar and to contribute further to the ongoing transformation of Wembley Park. Over the last 8 years, we’ve built a strong and meaningful relationship with the community and look forward to continuing to collaborate with Brent Council to promote local employment opportunities. NE01 showcases the significant efforts our business is driving to reduce embodied carbon, with focuses on innovative efficiencies within the concrete frame and maximising offsite fabrication. We’re on track to exceed our Sustainability targets on NE01, underscoring our commitment to delivering our projects safely and sustainably.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aldi, the popular supermarket retailer, has unveiled its latest plans to expand its footprint across the UK, aiming to achieve its long-term target of 1,500 stores. Currently operating over 1,020 stores, Aldi is actively seeking new locations to ensure high-quality food is accessible to all. In a bid to identify optimal sites for upcoming store launches, Aldi launched a nationwide campaign in May 2024, inviting the public to suggest priority locations. The response was overwhelming, with thousands of requests pouring in from across the country. After carefully reviewing these suggestions, Aldi has updated its list of priority locations for new stores. The retailer is now targeting a variety of areas, including multiple sites in London such as Woodford, Surbiton, South Croydon, Notting Hill, Walthamstow, Beckenham, Bromley, and Barnet. Other targeted locations include Redhill in Surrey, Aldershot in Hampshire, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill in West Sussex, Chatham in Kent, Cheadle and Chorlton in Greater Manchester, Formby in Liverpool, Newark in Nottinghamshire, Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, Rayleigh and Brentwood in Essex, Dorchester in Dorset, Clarkston and Cathcart in Glasgow, Penzance in Cornwall, Warwick in Warwickshire, and Bath in Somerset. Additionally, Aldi has identified over 100 potential sites within the M25 motorway and another 100 locations in the wider South East region where there is significant demand for new stores. Aldi’s expansion strategy includes both its standard stores and the smaller Aldi Local format, which caters to urban areas within the M25 with a size of around 5,000 square feet. Jonathan Neale, Aldi UK’s Managing Director of National Real Estate, emphasised the retailer’s commitment to accessibility: “We want to make high-quality food accessible to all, but we can’t do that while there are still some towns and areas that either don’t have an Aldi or have capacity for additional stores. We recognise there is huge demand in certain regions for more stores, which is why we decided to get the public’s input on our latest list of priority locations. They have helped us identify where demand is greatest, and we will continue to work to bring Aldi to as many people as possible.” To accommodate its expansion, Aldi is seeking sites that can host a 20,000 square foot store with around 100 parking spaces, ideally located near main roads with good visibility and access. This aggressive growth plan is supported by Aldi’s substantial investment strategy, which includes over £550 million allocated to its store and distribution network throughout 2024. This investment will fund the opening of new stores and the enhancement of existing locations and distribution centres. As Aldi continues its rapid expansion, it aims to meet the growing demand for its high-quality, affordable products across the UK. By engaging with the public and strategically selecting new locations, Aldi is well on its way to achieving its ambitious target, ensuring more communities benefit from the Aldi shopping experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has completed the £24m Pershore Junction purpose-built student accommodation in Birmingham on schedule – with rooms already being reserved ready for Autumn term. The 167 bed state-of-the-art development in the suburb of Stirchley consists of 101 studios and also features a student hub, communal spaces and enhanced retail space. Led by specialist student developer Alumno, the vibrant living space is ideally located for the city’s universities, together with Birmingham’s School of Dentistry. A launch event marking its completion was hosted by Alumno and was attended by the delivery team and key stakeholders. It also coincided with an Alumno-sponsored Birmingham student photography competition and exhibition organised by Photo North which featured a series of talks by notable photographers. Designed by Birmingham-based Howells, the Woh Hup-funded scheme incorporates brickwork and terracotta detailing that reflects the area’s architectural heritage while also providing the building with a distinct identity. A highlight of the development is an interior poetry garden, a unique and peaceful social space created in collaboration with Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey and Writing West Midlands. The garden includes landscaping, seating, and cycle stands. Situated at the intersection of Dogpool Lane and Pershore Road, Pershore Junction has successfully transformed the former BT brownfield site and its completion strengthens Alumno’s successful partnership with GMI Construction Group, which recently delivered the nine-storey Church Inn student scheme in Manchester and the Terry Frost Building, a 411-bed student accommodation, in Leeds. David Campbell, Alumno Managing Director said: “It is wonderful to see this dynamic building come to life and provide accommodation for Birmingham’s expanding student population. Working with the local authority and community was integral to the buildings’ success and it has re-energised the overlooked site to offer a unique student experience and enhance this vibrant university town.” Gareth Jones, GMI Construction’s Divisional Managing Director in the Midlands, said: “We are delighted to see Pershore Junction completed, which will help tackle the shortfall in high-quality student accommodation in the city. This development underscores GMI’s expertise in constructing multi-occupancy buildings, particularly in the student sector, and highlights our ongoing successful partnership with Alumno.” Philip Johnson, Head of Investment at Woh Hup, added: “We are delighted to launch this new property at Pershore Junction to add to our existing portfolio of more than a thousand student beds in the UK. “We are extremely grateful to the Alumno and GMI teams for their support in delivering a best-in-class building and look forward to welcoming students in September. We continue to look for further development and funding opportunities around the Selly Oak and adjacent areas.” Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells, said: “Pershore Junction contributes appropriately to the ongoing transformation of Stirchley, with the design delivering a contemporarily crafted brick and terracotta building, which remains clearly of its place. “Stirchley is a fantastic part of Birmingham and the quality the whole team have been able to deliver will serve to set the benchmark for new buildings coming forward in the area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The approved mixed-use residential development will be Forshaw Group’s largest residential scheme to date and will include 224 open market apartments, an aparthotel and coffee bar on a key gateway site into Manchester. Manchester City Council have approved plans submitted by Forshaw Land & Property Group to transform a vacant brownfield site at Cornbrook into a high-quality, mixed-use residential and commercial scheme. The collaboration between the Bolton based developer and waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters will see the 1-acre plot which sits adjacent to VOX Manchester and the Cornbrook Metrolink station, turn into a key landmark site for both the city centre and the emerging Manchester Waters district. The approved 24-storey development will consist of 224 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and five, two- three- and four-bedroom penthouse apartments with private terraces. Spaces to play, socialise and connect with fellow neighbours have been thoughtfully designed into the scheme, with the inclusion of a games room, communal coworking spaces, private dining room, yoga studio and a residents’ gym. Community building and socialising will be further enhanced by the ground floor retail spaces which will be used for further amenity space and an independent coffee bar, providing a convenient space and service for Manchester Waters residents, workers, commuters, and visitors on their way to-and-from the city. Also included within the approved plans is a four-storey, 87 room apart-hotel, which will be part of Forshaw Group’s new ‘Vivere’ brand collection. Located between Manchester City Centre and Old Trafford, the site offers a desirable location and further rooms to meet demand for Greater Manchester’s growing visitor economy. Leach Rhodes Walker have been instructed as the architects on the project and have taken design influence for the development from the historical industrial context of the site. The proposed creation of this high-quality gateway building will mark the arrival point into the City and Manchester Waters, whilst complementing the other new buildings close to the site. Lyndon Forshaw, CEO, Forshaw Group said: “We are very pleased our plans have been approved by Manchester City Council. “Our approved scheme sits on a hugely important gateway site and we are looking forward to continue working closely with Peel Waters to create a development that delivers on the ambitions of the Cornbrook Regeneration Framework. “This will be our largest residential led scheme to date and we are excited to deliver much needed new housing as well as launching our first hotel under our new Vivere Aparthotel brand.” Forshaw’s development will form part of the wider Manchester Waters masterplan which has been designed by Peel Waters to regenerate the brownfield site and bring much needed quality homes and amenities to the area. James Whittaker, Managing Director, Peel Waters added: “After years of acquiring the land and securing outline planning permission for the Cornbrook Hub, it is fantastic to see detailed planning permission being granted for another development at Manchester Waters. “Our long-term vision for the wider Manchester Waters neighbourhood is to create a vibrant and sustainable waterside community, offering a mix of tenures in one of the most desirable waterfront locations in Greater Manchester. “Forshaw Group’s approved plans will further enhance our vision and we now look forward to seeing the delivery of this development.” Manchester Waters is part of Peel Waters, a UK wide portfolio of vibrant and innovative, waterfront developments, delivering large-scale, sustainable regeneration projects, creating jobs, economic growth, new homes and new public realm across the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ahead of this week’s UK election, we’ve highlighted four key areas the next Government needs to act on to ‘stimulate and sustain’ the national workplace and facilities management (WFM) profession and sector. The ‘Priorities for the next Government: 2024 general election manifesto’ publication highlights the challenges faced by the next Government, including economic malaise, decarbonising the country’s infrastructure and habits, investing in education and health, all in a challenging and persistent negative fiscal environment. The publication also details how WFM is a major contributor to the UK economy; for instance, outsourced sector/service providers represent about 5% of all UK enterprises, of which 250 key WFM enterprises had a turnover of £50 million or more each. Drawing on recent research, IWFM’s Market Outlook Survey 2024 report, five major priorities emerged for our members: 1. Focus on growing the economy 2. Develop a coherent plan to achieve net zero 3. Reduce uncertainly around government policy 4. Provide support to people to help with the cost of living 5. Develop an overarching skills strategy / make it easier to recruit talent from outside the UK / encourage staff back to offices in town centres / reduce business taxes. We identified four key areas to realise these priorities, all of which are cross cutting to a degree: skills; sustainability; building safety; information management, data and technology. Our Head of Policy & Research, Sofie Hooper, said, ‘Along with the UK at large, WFM as a profession and sector are facing seismic challenges which threaten their prospects. However, their contribution represents a huge source of value across broad areas: increasing organisational productivity and providing workplace wellbeing, delivering net zero and mitigating climate change across our buildings, delivering safe homes and providing the right information to the right people at the right time. ‘Fortunately, actionable steps can be taken to address immediate issues and get match fit for future conditions. IWFM calls on the next UK Government to act on this publication and the many resources we’ve created to enhance our sector and profession.’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
General Election market uncertainty contributes to a slower market says Lismore’s Chris Macfarlane On the eve of the 2024 General Election, leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors has published the latest figures on the commercial property market in Scotland for quarter two of 2024. Transaction volumes totalled £272 million, down 15% on Q2 2023 and 31% below the 5-year average. A smaller number of larger ticket sales, combined with continued uncertainty in the market over the timing of future interest rate cuts and the impending General Election have affected transaction volumes. The largest deal of the quarter was the £45.8 million acquisition of 1 West Regent Street in Glasgow, by Corum Asset Management, followed by Remake Asset Management’s £36.6 million acquisition of HQ buildings, 2 Greenmarket in Dundee and 4 Pacific Quay in Glasgow, let to BT and STV respectively from LondonMetric. Other noteworthy transactions include Ropemaker Properties £14.725 million sale of four prime industrial units at Fullarton Drive in Cambuslang to clients of Ediston and the £23.5 million off-market sale of Malmaison at St Andrew Square in Edinburgh by Associated British Foods to clients of Patrizia. Logistics and multi-let industrials continue to see strong demand, with prime yields around 6%. Office yields are improving, while retail parks offer compelling value with 6.50-7.00% yields. High street properties in prime locations and living sector investments remain attractive and prime BTR and PBSA yields are stable at 5.00-5.50%. Lismore Director Chris Macfarlane said: “Despite a slower than anticipated quarter, buyer-seller standoffs are easing, with increased buyer activity and momentum improving. “Fund activity remains selective and quite opportunistic, focusing on living and logistics sectors, with retail warehousing gaining interest. Core-plus buyers may benefit from potential interest rate reductions, whilst private equity shows interest in pressured sales and good-value, long-leased stock, indicating less distress than expected and expanding their investment scope. “We anticipate that the expected interest rate cuts by autumn may improve debt terms, although development continues to be hindered by stubbornly high build costs and uncertain exit pricing. “Amid the General Election, we hope the victor fosters optimism, creating a business-friendly environment for sustained economic growth. Effective governance is crucial for job creation, economic prosperity, and social well-being. Change brings opportunity; let’s hope for competent leadership to drive our future forward.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction Group has launched its new headquarters at Wakefield 41 Business Park in Yorkshire. The launch signals a new phase of the Group’s growth strategy and provides a new base for delivery of its £700m+ forward order book. Formerly Cape House, the new office will now be named Calder House as a nod to the former headquarters at Calder Grange in Knottingley where the business has been based for 45 years. The launch follows an extensive £3.8 million renovation to modernise the building, increasing its size from 11,000 sq. ft to 15,000 sq. ft and adding a range of features to improve sustainability. These include EV charging points and solar panels, which will supply power to the new office. Designed to future-proof the business for growth, the opening of Calder House closely follows the release of Caddick Construction Group’s most recent annual results, which saw turnover rise 38% to £318m with a profit of £7.4m for the year ending August 2023. Features of the new office include a glazed atrium, open-plan office space, feature walls, a cafe and breakout spaces, and a wellbeing zone to help attract and retain talent within the region as the business expands. Chosen for its connectivity, the new office will be home to 130 employees that lead business development and project delivery across Yorkshire as well as supporting the Group’s regional premises in the North West, Midlands and North East. Calder House will also provide headquarters for the Group’s multi-disciplinary businesses, including Caddick Civil Engineering, which achieved a record £13.5m turnover and £2.1m profit in its last trading year. Also based at the office will be the Group’s facade specialists, CCL Facades, which was established in 2022 when Caddick acquired assets and IP rights from the former Yorkshire-based Speedclad business. The Leeds-based design team supporting the renovation included DLA Architecture, commercial fit out specialist, Design Tonic, civil and structural engineering firm, Roscoe, and engineering consultancy, CSD, with a range of locally-based supply chain partners also contributing. Paul Dodsworth, Construction Group Managing Director at Caddick, commented: “Caddick Construction was established in 1979 at our former premises at Calder Grange in Knottingley, and these offices have served us well as we have grown and evolved over the years. We are undergoing an exciting period of change; we are growing in size and stature, but we are also determined to enhance our reputation for delivering high quality projects whilst ensuring the family ethos and feel is retained.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has been selected by Bridgend College for the £60 million project to build its new Town Centre Campus development. The College is relocating from its current base at Cowbridge Road Campus to a site previously occupied by the former Police Station and a multi-storey car park at Cheapside, in the heart of Bridgend. The new 13,000 m² development, which Willmott Dixon was procured to build under the SEWSCAP 3 framework, will target net zero in operation when completed in the summer of 2026. Encompassing two new buildings, it includes a 200-seat theatre, hair and beauty salons, recording and dance studios, design workshops, flexible meeting spaces and more. Willmott Dixon is teaming up with Rio Architects on the new campus, providing exceptional teaching and learning facilities for a wide range of courses for post-16-year-old education in Bridgend. It represents one of the biggest-ever investments in Bridgend for the training of young people and members of the community who need to retrain and gain valuable employability skills. Neal Stephens, managing director for Willmott Dixon in Wales: “We are delighted to be chosen for this transformational project in Bridgend. With a strong presence across south Wales, it follows our work to deliver the Police Learning Centre for South Wales Police in Bridgend, which was completed three years ago. “Just like then, our focus will be on supporting the ‘local pound’ by using regional supply chain partners where possible and working with students at Bridgend College to support their own learning journeys.” The redevelopment is partly funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme and will play a key role in the regeneration of Bridgend Town Centre, supporting local businesses and utilising public transport links into the town. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest growing public EV rapid-charging network, recently conducted an eye-opening experiment which saw children aged 7-14 have their visions of the future brought to life by an AI artist. Asked to describe what they think the future holds for humanity, the children offered fascinating yet startling ideas on how they envisage the future, and were astounded as these were projected back to them via AI. The children’s initial hopes centred around the advanced use of technology and a sense of community, but their expectations presented a different image of the future. This comprised images of a heavily polluted sky, artificial greenery and visions of the sick struggling to walk, all as a result of the unchallenged use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. As these visceral images were projected on to a screen behind them, the children were shocked at the visualisation of the harsh landscapes that they had described. Conversely, as they explained their dream futures, the AI image generator simultaneously projected these wonderfully vivid and hopeful visions of future societies, demonstrating a more optimistic outlook of what could be possible, with images of vibrant nature, clean air and innovative transportation. In response to these images, the children involved outlined how they believe positive action to reduce carbon emissions, utilising green energy and driving electric vehicles can help us protect and improve the world around us. Many of the participants highlighted the need for action to be taken now, to avoid a cycle of missed opportunities to preserve our environment. Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, commented: “It has been incredibly eye-opening and insightful to hear the thoughts, hopes and fears of our next generation on what they believe lies in store for our society and environment, and the stark visualisation using AI generated images cements the need for action to be taken to support the move to net zero. Here at Osprey Charging, we’re continuing to be at the forefront of this transition, installing increasing numbers of public EV chargers across the UK, with over 1,000 rapid chargers now available on the Osprey network, in a range of accessible rural and urban locations. “This experiment and the engaging input from each child that participated highlighted the necessity for both businesses and individuals to continuously strive for greater green and sustainable practices, something which we pride ourselves on. Through installing charging infrastructure, powered by renewable energy, from Land’s End to John O’Groats and across Great Britain, we are providing the critical infrastructure that is supporting the UK’s transition to electric vehicles” Osprey’s network of chargers has an outstanding reliability rate of 99%, and in the last twelve months Osprey was awarded Charging Network of the Year at the Electric Vehicle Innovation and Excellent awards and Best EV Charging Network at the Transport and Energy Awards. Furthermore Osprey’s easy charging experience saw the network recognised as a ‘Driver Recommended Network’ by Zap-Map for the fourth year running. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
