TO DRAW attention to the damage litter causes to the UK’s waterways, lakes, and oceans, leading housing provider Barratt Homes and specialist civils provider Wrekin Products has partnered on an initiative – ‘The Sea Starts Here’ – to educate the public. The campaign’s message will be featured prominently on Wrekin gully grates
“Labour’s housebuilding targets and planning reforms are welcomed, but pace, along with funding or incentives, will be needed to encourage SME developers to build on grey belt.” These insights come from Richard Nowell, Senior Relationship Director at Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance, a leading provider of finance for property development
Global engineering, design and sustainability consultancy Ramboll announces a change to its UK leadership, with Managing Director Philippa Spence to take over the leadership of its Environment & Health (E&H) Division from 1 August. Neil Sansbury, current Finance and Executive Director will take on the role of acting Managing Director
A new Chair in Energy appointment by the University of St Andrews heralds a groundbreaking era in battery technology research, crucial for addressing the climate emergency. The University of St Andrews, in partnership with the Faraday Institution, is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Venkataraman Thangadurai as its new
Balfour Beatty, in partnership with National Highways, has reopened the M25 seven hours ahead of schedule, following the completion of the latest stage of improvement works for the Junction 10 improvement scheme. The M25 between Junction 10 and 11 was closed at 9pm on Friday 12 July until around 11pm on
A new chief executive officer has been appointed to lead Aggregate Industries UK, part of the global Holcim group. Earlier this year it was announced that current CEO, Dragan Maksimovic, had been appointed as Region Head West Europe overseeing the leadership of the Holcim businesses in the UK, France, Belgium,
Expanding UK property and construction specialist Watts Group has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Rob Burke as Lead Director of its Commercial Building Surveying team in London. Following a spell with another surveying firm, he is re-joining Watts where he previously spent 15 years, rising from
Pulse Fibre is thrilled to announce the launch of its cutting-edge wholesale platform, now available to all internet service providers (ISPs). The platform provides ISPs with access to incremental properties beyond existing Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks. This new wholesale platform is designed to empower ISPs, enabling them to expand their service
TO DRAW attention to the damage litter causes to the UK’s waterways, lakes, and oceans, leading housing provider Barratt Homes and specialist civils provider Wrekin Products has partnered on an initiative – ‘The Sea Starts Here’ – to educate the public. The campaign’s message will be featured prominently on Wrekin gully grates in Barratt’s Kings Park, a David Wilson Homes development in Macclesfield. It aims to raise awareness of how small pieces of litter can snowball into lasting environmental effects. To further grab attention, Kings Park gully grates have been painted a stark bright blue. Keep Britain Tidy estimates that the UK discards a staggering 30 million tonnes of litter annually, incurring a cleanup cost of £1 billion. Shockingly, nearly half of this litter (14m) ends up contaminating our rivers and canals, as reported by the Canal & River Trust. This ongoing damage has led to a situation where none of our waterways are currently classified as being in ‘good health’. Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin Products said: “We hope this campaign will go some way to increasing awareness about the interconnectedness of our infrastructure and the problems and effects of water pollution on our marine wildlife. “As one of the most popular suppliers of gully grates in the UK, we’re using our position as an opportunity to create a positive environmental impact by reminding people that there is a correct place for litter to go, and it’s not down our drains. “We’re lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the planet, and so it’s a shame to see it needlessly harmed by pollution and rubbish. More so when we see the ripple effects of excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen seeping into and harming our freshwater habitats, and in some cases being enough to kill the fish population. “Kings Park is just the beginning of this campaign, and we’ll be looking to spread this important message even further throughout this year and beyond. The main culprit of river pollution in the UK is smoking-related litter. However, confectionary packets, drinks bottles and cans, fast food, wet wipes, and, more recently, disposable vapes all contribute to a harmful chemical cocktail.” The government’s Environmental Audit Committee (2022) found that housing developments’ drainage systems which are clogged with ‘a profusion of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste’, in addition to heavy rainfall, often leads to an overloaded sewerage system unable to cope effectively. Alaric Ross-Wagenknecht, project engineer at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia, said: “As leaders in the residential housebuilding sector, we wanted to work with Wrekin to educate children and adults in a fun and informative way about the importance of pollution control and the role of drainage infrastructure and the water cycle. “To permanently imprint the message ‘The Sea Starts Here’ on a gully grating means the message will be here for years to come, throughout the gully’s whole life cycle. That will get people thinking twice about gullies and their role.” More information surrounding the effect of litter on drainage systems and in the UK’s waterways can be found at the Wrekin website here: https://www.wrekinproducts.com/tssh Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“Labour’s housebuilding targets and planning reforms are welcomed, but pace, along with funding or incentives, will be needed to encourage SME developers to build on grey belt.” These insights come from Richard Nowell, Senior Relationship Director at Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance, a leading provider of finance for property development and investment. He hails the government’s ambitions as positive but believes one of the five ‘golden rules’ for developing on grey belt land may lock SME housebuilders out of being able to regenerate these sites. The grey belt refers to brownfield sites such as disused car parks and wasteland within parts of protected green belt land. Specifically, Richard says the aim to ensure 50% of the homes built on grey belt land are affordable housing will make it extremely difficult for local and regional developers to justify developing on these plots. Richard said: “If I were to sum up the events since Labour won the election in three words, those would be ambitious, pace, and delivery. The reinstatement of housebuilding targets and intent to reform planning is ambitious from Rachel Reeves, and we now need pace from the Chancellor and our new Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, to deliver on these plans. “One of the key challenges I see is enabling small-to-medium sized housebuilders to rejuvenate these sites which include old car parks and petrol stations on the borders of our countryside. The costs of development are already sky high, and to effectively demolish existing structures for redevelopment will be another significant outlay that impacts the viability of a scheme. To then have 50% of the properties as affordable housing will further impact the feasibility and profitability for small to medium sized housebuilders, which may ultimately restrict grey belt development solely to larger or national developers.” To overcome this, Richard believes funding and support are required from the government to subsidise construction costs for SME developers. He suggests that Labour’s ‘Freedom to Buy’ scheme, which sees the government act as a guarantor, needs to get off the ground as soon as possible to keep the property market moving. “Funding and support will, I suspect, be required. This is especially the case for smaller enterprises which have lost substantial time and money from not being able to get their projects off the ground because of ever-trickier planning processes. Meanwhile, more people must be able to realise that dream of being homeowners so that the market stays buoyant. For that to happen, first time buyers also need help. The Freedom to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme is a great initiative, and we trust that details will soon be coming out soon about how this will be implemented. “At Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance, we have years of experience working on grey belt schemes. One recent scheme saw us provide a £2m property development loan to Larkvale Homes, which turned an old, disused petrol station into a development that now houses nine luxury homes in the village of Cockfield in Suffolk. As property finance specialists, we stand ready to support developers with their real estate projects, and this wider movement from the government.” For more about Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance and its residential development finance products and solutions, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global engineering, design and sustainability consultancy Ramboll announces a change to its UK leadership, with Managing Director Philippa Spence to take over the leadership of its Environment & Health (E&H) Division from 1 August. Neil Sansbury, current Finance and Executive Director will take on the role of acting Managing Director for UK & Ireland. Ramboll has today announced the appointment of Neil Sansbury as Acting Managing Director for UK & Ireland as Philippa Spence steps into a global leadership role in Ramboll’s 3,000-strong global E&H Division after three years in her current role. Neil, who takes the helm for the UK and Ireland, joined Ramboll in 2016 and played a crucial role in navigating the company through the challenges relating to Brexit, Covid and more recently inflation, whilst helping to double revenue and deliver sustainable growth. He will bring his considerable experience and in-depth knowledge of Ramboll’s business in the UK & Ireland to the role. As head of the E&H Division, Philippa will oversee Ramboll’s largest and most profitable market, which holds a top-10 leading position globally among environmental consultancies. Philippa takes on the global role having led the company’s E&H Division in the UK from 2019-2021. An industry leader in sustainability and environmental consultancy, Philippa chairs the Environment Industries Commission (EIC), where she has been a passionate advocate for the environment alongside her role at Ramboll. Commenting on Neil’s new role, Philippa said, “I am delighted that Neil will be taking on the acting MD role, he has been a firm hand on the tiller in our growth journey, helping drive our strategy: ’The Partner for Sustainable Change’. He has worked alongside the UK Executive to empower our people to deliver innovative and leading solutions that support the transition to a more sustainable society, whilst creating a culture in which our people can grow and flourish”. Neil added, ”I’m looking forward to leading the UK and Ireland business. It’s an exciting time for our industry with early promising signals from the new Government on a variety of matters. Bringing stability and confidence to the market with the green energy transition, establishing Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund, planning reforms. These initiatives and other clear policy signals are essential for the UK’s growth and decarbonisation ambitions. Our significant investments into sustainability means we are well placed to support clients in the green transition, I have no doubt that the next five years will be transformational for our industry”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new Chair in Energy appointment by the University of St Andrews heralds a groundbreaking era in battery technology research, crucial for addressing the climate emergency. The University of St Andrews, in partnership with the Faraday Institution, is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Venkataraman Thangadurai as its new Chair in Energy. Professor Thangadurai, who joins St Andrews from the University of Calgary in Canada, has been awarded a Faraday Institution Adjunct Professorial Fellowship. The Faraday Institution Adjunct Professorial Fellowship programme is designed to enable universities in its community to attract leading battery scientists to the UK or promote new people to contribute to fields related to energy storage research. Professor Thangadurai’s research interests involve the design and preparation of novel solid electrolytes exhibiting fast oxide ion, lithium ion, and sodium ion conduction and mixed ionic-electronic conduction based on inorganic crystal structures. His work primarily explores novel solid electrolytes, electrode materials, and interfaces to enhance battery performance, safety, and longevity. By addressing key challenges in energy storage, his research aims to facilitate the adoption of more efficient and sustainable energy technologies, contributing significantly to the advancement of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. The newly created position of Chair in Energy at St Andrews will see Professor Thangadurai bring his extensive expertise to the University’s School of Chemistry. His leadership will significantly enhance the St Andrews research capabilities and contributions to sustainable energy solutions, the development of technological spin-out opportunities and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). This strategic appointment aligns with St Andrews dedication to advancing global energy sustainability through cutting-edge research and innovation. Professor Thangadurai’s research will look to the future of battery technology, playing a critical role in combating the climate emergency by enhancing energy storage solutions, essential for integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the power grid. Speaking about his appointment, Professor Thangadurai said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to continue my research at St Andrews, working with the world’s leading researchers in battery and renewable technologies. The support of the Faraday Institution in making this role a reality shows the commitment to the development of next generation of battery technologies so we can make a real change in the world, playing our part in tackling the climate emergency that impacts us all. The work we will continue and develop at St Andrews will ensure safe, sustainable, renewable energy solutions for generations to come.” Professor Thangadurai, will also work with colleagues from the School of Chemistry, including Professor John Irvine CBE, as part of the Faraday the NEXGENNA research project into sodium-ion batteries. The Faraday Institution’s NEXGENNA project is accelerating the development of sodium-ion battery technology by taking a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating fundamental chemistry right through to scale-up and cell manufacturing. Its aim is to put on the path to commercialisation a sodium-ion battery with high performance, low cost, that has a long cycle life and is safe. Professor Thangadurai will deliver the keynote address at the 24th International Conference on Solid State Ionics in London on Friday 19 July. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty, in partnership with National Highways, has reopened the M25 seven hours ahead of schedule, following the completion of the latest stage of improvement works for the Junction 10 improvement scheme. The M25 between Junction 10 and 11 was closed at 9pm on Friday 12 July until around 11pm on Sunday 14 July, marking the third closure of the M25 since the beginning of this year. During the closure, Balfour Beatty successfully installed 72 concrete beams which will form the second of the new Junction 10 gyratory bridges and lifted two new gantries into place – one being a 45 metre superspan gantry, spanning the entire width of the M25 carriageway. Howard Williams, Balfour Beatty Project Director, said: “Another great achievement for Balfour Beatty and National Highways, as we reopen the M25 to the travelling public ahead of schedule following another complex weekend of works. “I would like to extend my thanks to my colleagues and our supply chain partners who have worked tirelessly to make this latest closure a roaring success, and to the public who listened to the advice and followed the diversion routes.” Balfour Beatty will now turn its attention to the construction of the next modular bridge, which will take place offsite. The bridge will then be wheeled into place on a self-propelled modular transporter later this year. The Junction 10 improvement scheme is due to complete in Summer 2025. For more information about the project and the latest updates including the closures, please visit: M25 junction 10 – National Highways Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new chief executive officer has been appointed to lead Aggregate Industries UK, part of the global Holcim group. Earlier this year it was announced that current CEO, Dragan Maksimovic, had been appointed as Region Head West Europe overseeing the leadership of the Holcim businesses in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and Spain. Holcim group has now announced Lee Sleight as the new CEO of Aggregate Industries UK. He will take up his position on 1 August 2024. Lee joined the business in 2021 as Managing Director of the readymix concrete division and in his time there transformed the business. Last year he moved to take up the role as Managing Director of the aggregates division. Lee has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry holding various senior leadership positions. Outgoing CEO and Holcim Region Head West Europe Dragan Maksimovic, said: “Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Lee on his appointment. He will make an excellent CEO. “I have worked closely with him for the last few years and he has a proven track record in leading and transforming businesses. I am confident he will continue to drive the business forward while delivering on our ambitious plans of decarbonisation and green growth.” Lee Sleight, Aggregate Industries UK new CEO, said: “It is a very proud moment for me to be chosen to lead this fantastic business. Having been with the company for a number of years I know first-hand how amazing the people who work here are. “I am now really looking forward to working with our teams around the country in order to deliver on our ambition to be the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials and to keep progressing on our journey to a net zero future.” Kaziwe Kaulule will succeed Lee as Managing Director of the company’s aggregates division. Kaziwe joined AIUK in October 2023 as Director of Strategic and Commercial Growth, having previously been CEO of Holcim’s South Africa and Zimbabwe businesses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Expanding UK property and construction specialist Watts Group has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Rob Burke as Lead Director of its Commercial Building Surveying team in London. Following a spell with another surveying firm, he is re-joining Watts where he previously spent 15 years, rising from associate to director. Watts Group’s Chairman, Trevor Rushton, said: “This is an exciting appointment. As a well-known figure in the industry, Rob will play a key role in developing the team, growing the business and providing sustainable property and construction advice. This reflects our commitment to providing the right workplace as well as a trusted and valued service.” Rob commented: “Increasingly, we are seeing clients seeking out specialists, and Watts is well placed to meet that need as an established, forward-thinking business. It is great to be part of a profitable, innovative firm with highly skilled and motivated experts. I look forward to helping the business to grow, to expand our service portfolio and to continue to deliver quality advice around the built environment and ESG.” In a career spanning more than two decades, Rob Burke has been involved in multiple aspects of the property sector. His track record includes adding value and saving costs on projects, carrying out technical due diligence on landmark buildings, advising and settling large dilapidations claims, monitoring large complex developments and delivering a variety of projects. He also brings a wealth of experience on teambuilding and ESG. Rob is a Fellow of RICS, a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers and a member of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors. During his previous tenure at Watts, he played a pivotal role in the firm’s growth and building its reputation. Married with two children, he is a keen road and cross-country runner, and has completed two ultra-marathons. He also enjoys cycling, climbing, sailing, skiing and gardening. Rob’s appointment comes at a time of growth and expansion for Watts Group, as the firm continues to strengthen its position in the competitive property and construction market. With his leadership, the Commercial Building Surveying team is well-positioned to capitalise on new opportunities and drive sustained growth in the years ahead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pulse Fibre is thrilled to announce the launch of its cutting-edge wholesale platform, now available to all internet service providers (ISPs). The platform provides ISPs with access to incremental properties beyond existing Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks. This new wholesale platform is designed to empower ISPs, enabling them to expand their service offerings and reach a broader customer base with greater efficiency and flexibility. By leveraging Pulse Fibre’s infrastructure, ISPs can now tap into new markets and provide high-speed internet services to previously underserved areas. “We are excited to introduce this platform after years of development and consultation, to bridge the gap between service providers and network operators. We look forward to bringing the Pulse Fibre benefits to a wider audience.” Said Sean Pearman, Technical Director at Pulse Fibre. “All of our ISPs will be able to provide day one connectivity to new homeowners and symmetrical speeds up to 10Gb.” ISPs interested in utilising this platform can access it through the Pulse Fibre website. With a user-friendly interface and comprehensive support, Pulse Fibre ensures a smooth onboarding process for all ISPs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
