A planning application has been submitted to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for the redevelopment of a portion of the iconic 350-year-old Truman Brewery site on Brick Lane. The ambitious plans, managed by Grow Places, aim to transform the area with 35,000 square metres of new and refurbished buildings,
AWS’s planned investments are estimated to contribute £14 billion to the UK’s total GDP over the next five years. Amazon Web Services (AWS) plans to invest £8 billion over the next five years (2024-2028) building, operating, and maintaining data centres in the UK. This investment is part of the company’s
Works have commenced on Plot 3 of the mixed-use industrial scheme, Matrix 49, in Avonmouth, Bristol. Delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands and North, on behalf of clients BGO Wire PropCo Ltd and Equation Properties, the £21.6million 13-acre plot will be situated on the 65-acre site of Matrix 49, continuing the
New site at Port Glasgow will deliver grid scale battery energy storage driving its renewable energy ambitions in Scotland Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has secured planning permission for a major new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde with a capacity of 700 megawatts (MW). This is
Grace Academy School in Coventry celebrated the opening of its upgraded facilities in a community launch ceremony this week with Ireland International football player, Andrew Townsend, in attendance. Regional contractors joined forces to carry out ‘The BIG Build’ charitable programme of works over the summer at Grace Academy and the
A brand-new estate of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in Preston has been completed by Community Gateway Association (CGA), the city’s largest not-for-profit housing association. The 78 homes, comprising 75 houses, three bungalows, a playground and ample green space, have been built by Seddon Housing Partnerships on behalf
McLaren Construction has commenced works to deliver Phase 2 of the industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire, have commenced. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1. Once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq. ft and have
Leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, are currently delivering a remediation project for a student accommodation building in Nottingham to improve fire safety and meet new legislation. Using the patented Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier are installing cavity barriers between student’s apartment in compliance with the latest
THE GOVERNMENT Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Mark Bourgeois as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was confirmed in the permanent position after holding the interim seat for 10 months. Mark brings more than 30 years’ experience in strategic and operational leadership across the fields of investment,
Turnaround is underway in the built environment after output falling for over a year, according to the latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) from leading construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK). According to its Q3 2024 findings, there is an improving market confidence which although dependent
A planning application has been submitted to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for the redevelopment of a portion of the iconic 350-year-old Truman Brewery site on Brick Lane. The ambitious plans, managed by Grow Places, aim to transform the area with 35,000 square metres of new and refurbished buildings, offering job and training opportunities, affordable housing, and an enhanced public realm. The proposal follows extensive community engagement, with three rounds of pre-planning public consultations. The redevelopment will take place in phases, focusing on eight distinct blocks. Notably, this scheme is separate from a previously approved development for Brick Lane and Woodseer Street. The Truman Brewery, known for housing a diverse range of businesses, from creative industries and galleries to independent shops and restaurants, will see the replacement of vacant, underused buildings with vibrant new structures. The proposed buildings will host a variety of community and commercial spaces, including areas for exhibitions, events, a creative hub, microbrewery, food markets, and affordable workspaces. Mixed-tenure housing, aimed at providing affordable options for local families, will also be part of the plan. The primary development site is located east of Brick Lane, bordered by Buxton Street and Spital Street. It will feature five refurbished or new buildings and two public yards—Chimney Yard and Cooperage Yard. Currently, much of this area is used for parking and occasional events. Two additional plots, Ely’s Yard and a derelict building on Grey Eagle Street, are located within the Truman Brewery estate, adding up to a total of eight development sites. A relocation strategy is in place for tenants affected by the removal of existing structures. This includes plans for the Banglatown Cash and Carry, Backyard Market, and various workspace tenants. The development aims to reduce daily vehicle movements by 30%, while increasing the site’s biodiversity by introducing more greenery and wildlife, which will create stronger ties to nearby Allen Gardens park. Tom Larsson, founder of Grow Places, expressed his excitement: “We are proud to work with the Truman Brewery and the local community in Brick Lane, Spitalfields, and Banglatown. Together, we are evolving the site in a sustainable and authentic way, ensuring that the Truman Brewery remains a vibrant hub for locals, workers, and visitors alike.” Amr Assaad, director of Buckley Gray Yeoman, the architects behind the masterplan, added: “Brick Lane holds a special place in the hearts of many Londoners. Our proposals aim to transform this largely detached brownfield site into a space that future generations will cherish, adding a new chapter to the Brick Lane story.” The redevelopment promises to revitalise the historic site, preserving its legacy while adapting it for modern needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AWS’s planned investments are estimated to contribute £14 billion to the UK’s total GDP over the next five years. Amazon Web Services (AWS) plans to invest £8 billion over the next five years (2024-2028) building, operating, and maintaining data centres in the UK. This investment is part of the company’s long-term commitment to supporting growth and productivity across the country, and is estimated to contribute £14 billion to the UK’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through to 2028, and support an average of more than 14,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs on an annual basis at local UK businesses. These positions all form part of the AWS data centre supply chain, ranging from construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and other jobs within the broader local economy. Increasing investment in the UK AWS first launched an AWS Region in the UK in December 2016, and over the last few years, the company has continued to expand the Region to include three Availability Zones (AZ), two WaveLength Zones, two Edge Locations, and a Regional Edge Cache. In fact, since the start of the decade (2020-2023), AWS has invested over £3 billion in the UK to help meet the growing needs of its customers. This investment is estimated to have supported an average of more than 6,000 FTE jobs at local businesses. Combined with today’s announcement, this will bring AWS’s total planned investment in the UK from 2020-2028 to more than £11 billion. Today, organisations of all sizes and across all industries are using AWS – from the fastest growing startups, to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the largest enterprises, public sector organisations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Customers like AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK, Deliveroo, easyJet, EDF, Genomics England, Just Eat, Monzo, Natural History Museum, NatWest Group, Sainsbury’s, Swindon Borough Council, The Very Group, UK Biobank, and Zilch are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “This £8 billion Amazon Web Services investment marks the start of the economic revival and shows Britain is a place to do business. I welcome the announcement as part of the Government’s mission to boost growth, unlock investment and make every part of Britain better off.” Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Today’s announcement reflects the growing strength of the UK’s digital economy with a key player like Amazon Web Services committing to growing and expanding on our shores. As Technology Secretary, I am committed to supporting digital advancement so that it can improve lives and livelihoods for the better. From increasing compute power to providing access to AI – it is vital that innovators have the infrastructure they need to grow our digital economy and drive breakthroughs.” Tanuja Randery, Vice President and Managing Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) at AWS, said: “The next few years could be among the most pivotal for the UK’s digital and economic future, as organisations of all sizes across the country increasingly embrace technologies like cloud computing and AI to help them accelerate innovation, increase productivity, and compete on the global stage. We’re proud to announce our plans to invest £8 billion in digital and AI infrastructure over the next five years to help meet the growing needs of our customers and partners, and support the transformation of the UK’s digital economy.” Helping the UK take full advantage of the growing benefits of cloud computing and artificial intelligence The total economic impact of cloud computing in the UK accounted for over £42 billion in 2023, according to independent analysis by Telecom Advisory Services. That’s equivalent to 1.6% of GDP, or larger than the UK’s automotive manufacturing sector. To better understand the current and potential impact of cloud computing and AI in the UK, AWS commissioned independent consultancy, Public First, to undertake new quantitative research on how UK businesses are using – and plan to use – cloud computing. As part of this, Public First polled over 2,000 senior business decision-makers and constructed new economic modelling on the connections between digital technology and business productivity. Cloud computing is an important enabling technology for UK growth Cloud computing has enabled startups, small businesses and public sector bodies to have access to the same technologies as the largest enterprises, which has helped them to drive innovation faster, reduce costs, and compete on a global stage. According to Public First’s polling, 84% of respondents who are AWS customers think that their business has saved money as a result of investing in cloud infrastructure, with an average cost saving of 28% compared to using on-premises infrastructure. On average, respondents said that using AWS reduces the time it takes to deploy new software by over a quarter (27%). In addition, 82% of AWS customers think that cloud computing has made it possible for them to take their business global, while 85% agree that the use of cloud computing has made it easier to compete with larger companies. Cloud computing has not only reduced costs and increased innovation, it also helps businesses and the public sector to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability too. The polling revealed that more than three quarters (78%) of AWS users say they have reduced their energy consumption and improved their sustainability as a result of using the cloud. How technology can bring more value to the UK economy As part of the research, Public First gave each company who responded a digital intensity score based on the extent to which they were using and benefiting from cloud computing and other digital technologies. There was a clear correlation between companies’ overall level of digital intensity and their average revenue growth last year. Digital Leaders – companies in the top 20% of digital intensity – were four times more likely to have seen strong revenue growth above 5% in the last year. To help the UK take full advantage of the growing economic benefits of technologies including cloud computing and AI, more companies will need to adopt these tools – not just
Works have commenced on Plot 3 of the mixed-use industrial scheme, Matrix 49, in Avonmouth, Bristol. Delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands and North, on behalf of clients BGO Wire PropCo Ltd and Equation Properties, the £21.6million 13-acre plot will be situated on the 65-acre site of Matrix 49, continuing the transformation of the current site into prime industrial, logistics and office space. Bounded to the south by Holloway Road, and to the east by Lanson Roberts Road, the development is situated in a prime location next to the M49 motorway and mainline railway line to the north. Once complete, the units and office space will provide speculative future clients with sustainable premises, for businesses working towards net zero targets. Planned works include procuring the infrastructure and warehouse unit together with a 219,660 sq. ft warehouse, alongside the construction of 11,365 sq. ft of office space, a control tower and a gatehouse. McLaren Construction is also providing associated external works, hard standings, car, HGV and motorcycle parking with over 200 spaces, road landscaping, loading docks, level access and drainage. Key complex aspects of the build include a rhine diversion and a suspended ground floor slab. Archaeological investigation works have now completed on Plot 3, as have clearance works to remove existing topsoil and vegetation, infill and divert existing rhines, and import clean, inert and tested material to the site, which were laid in layers to raise the existing levels. Works are expected to take 42 weeks in total and once complete, Plot 3 is on target to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. McLaren Construction Midlands and North have been working closely with the ecological site team to ensure the protection of the water vole population which have been located in the Redwick Common and Cranmoor Rhines. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We’re pleased to be working alongside our client and associated contractors to deliver the next phase of this vital sustainable industrial scheme in Avonmouth. “The development includes unique elements which the team are well equipped for, and we have also identified challenges with the ground conditions and water management which we are fully prepared for as part of our strategy. Once complete, the units and office space will provide speculative future clients with sustainable premises, for eco-conscious businesses working towards their net zero targets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New site at Port Glasgow will deliver grid scale battery energy storage driving its renewable energy ambitions in Scotland Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has secured planning permission for a major new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde with a capacity of 700 megawatts (MW). This is the largest planning consent for a stand-alone BESS in Scotland to date and the biggest ever secured by Apatura Energy, marking a significant milestone in the company’s relentless mission to deliver sustainable energy solutions that fast-track the path to net zero. It is also the fourth consent in less than 12 months, and Apatura Energy expects more to follow soon. Andrew Philpott, Chief Development Officer, Apatura stated: “We are delighted that Ministers have supported this critically important scheme and the local Council – Inverclyde – lodged no objections. Our focus on Scotland is central to our vision to harness its renewable energy potential. This latest planning consent is not only the largest consent for a stand-alone Battery Scheme in Scotland, but it also positions us at the forefront of delivering resilient energy infrastructure. This is also a central goal of the NGESO Beyond 2023 report which highlighted the vital role of BESS in Scotland.” The Auchentiber BESS, which will comprise of a battery electricity storage facility and associated infrastructure and the planting of new native species trees to improve biodiversity, was approved by the Energy Consents Unit on 11 September 2024. When it comes online it will make a substantial contribution to the Scottish Government’s goal of generating 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources, and by 2050 to have decarbonised its energy system almost completely. It is therefore critical to meeting the UK Government’s commitment to achieving Net Zero as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019. Apatura worked closely with the Energy Consents Unit and Inverclyde Council to achieve this success which will not only bring grid resilience but will also create local job opportunities and a Community Benefit Fund. Direct employment opportunities are expected during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases, as well as indirect job creation throughout the supply chain and related services. BESS is advanced technology systems designed to store electrical energy during periods of high generation and low demand which can then be exported back into the grid network during periods of high demand. According to the Decision Letter not only did Scottish Ministers acknowledge that Apatura Energy conducted good practice community engagement, but the ‘Grid scale battery energy storage provides a means to store the electricity generated from the wind, solar etc at times when electricity generation outstrips demand or when the capacity of a constrained electricity grid is insufficient to supply the generated electricity to consumers. On this basis battery energy storage makes an indirect but significant contribution to renewable energy generation targets and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, by effectively increasing the productivity of renewable generators elsewhere on the grid. This is a significant factor weighing in favour of the development.’ It went on to state the proposal ‘will contribute to sustainable development, providing for greater and more efficient use of renewable energy generation in the electricity system, and in this regard, it will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reduction ambitions.’ “Our BESS plays a crucial role in modern energy management, especially in the context of renewable energy integration and grid stability. It is central to our goal of enhancing the renewable energy infrastructure in Scotland and follows on from a number of recent successful planning consents. This scheme will help deliver stable energy prices, leading to reduced bills, taking the pressure off households while at the same time increasing energy security. We are determined to deliver reliable, clean energy to communities across the country and this latest planning consent does just that,” concluded Philpott. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Grace Academy School in Coventry celebrated the opening of its upgraded facilities in a community launch ceremony this week with Ireland International football player, Andrew Townsend, in attendance. Regional contractors joined forces to carry out ‘The BIG Build’ charitable programme of works over the summer at Grace Academy and the event brought together members of the school and all suppliers to unveil brand-new classroom facilities and sensory spaces which will enrich the lives of students. Attendees enjoyed a tour of the enhancement works, live music, canapes and a speech from Andrew Townsend. McLaren Construction Midlands and North division and Opus Land led the community project which has been supported by Architect – Webb Gray, Structural Engineer – SBK, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers – CPW and Landscaper – Whiting’s, who provided the landscape and raised beds works. The works have included a complete refurbishment and remodelling of existing classrooms to form larger teaching and sensory spaces, alongside access to the outside. New walls, ceilings and floorings have also been installed, complemented by new LED lighting, heating, security and fire alarm systems. The newly reconfigured environments will offer room for small group intervention and 1-2-1 support, with internal staff and external agencies ensuring students with special educational and emotional needs can be as fully equipped as possible for success. Head of Grace Academy, Natasha Whiles, said: “We are so incredibly grateful and blessed with the new facilities. It’s such an improvement on our old facilities – and I can’t wait to see the student’s faces when they come in and see their new space, and just how amazing it looks.” Operations Director at McLaren Construction Midlands and North, Shaun Colley, said: “We are proud to have led this community project with Opus Land with the support of regional contractors – giving back to this incredible academy. “The ceremony was a fantastic event, showcasing state-of-the-art classrooms and new spaces within the existing school that will improve the lives of the current and future intake of students. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the designers and contractors who committed to supporting this project alongside everyone who attended in celebrating the programme.” Joint Managing Director of Opus Land, Richard Smith, said: “We are most grateful to McLaren Construction and all the other companies involved in the BIG Build for their tremendous generosity here. “Opus originally got involved in The Grace Academy through their development of the nearby Prospero estate on the Ansty Business Park and soon came to realise the tremendous results that the school fulfils for the local community. It was wonderful to celebrate the new improvements to the Grace Academy which will enhance the lives of so many.” McLaren Construction Midlands and North serves both the public and private sectors in core areas including commercial offices, residential, education, retail, distribution and logistics, hotels, and leisure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A brand-new estate of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in Preston has been completed by Community Gateway Association (CGA), the city’s largest not-for-profit housing association. The 78 homes, comprising 75 houses, three bungalows, a playground and ample green space, have been built by Seddon Housing Partnerships on behalf of CGA. 43 of the homes are available for affordable rent, while 35 are to be sold on a shared-ownership basis. The site, completed in May, is on Miller Road in Ribbleton, Preston, and has been designed to promote ‘people-led construction’. CGA’s Executive Director of Customers and Communities, Louise Mattinson, said: “We’re thrilled to see final completion at our Miller Road development. These new affordable and shared ownership homes are sorely needed in Preston and to be able to deliver them to such a high standard has been so encouraging. “It will be incredible to watch the community evolve over the years as individuals and families make homes out of these houses.” While construction was underway, Seddon and CGA were recognised with an LABC Brick Award for their standards of quality on the project, taking home the ‘Social Housing Development of the Year’ accolade, following an inspection of the site by risk management surveyors. LABC praised the quality of the workmanship, with the project standing out for its commitment to health and safety, site organisation and tidiness, innovation and care for the environment. Peter Jackson, Managing Director of Seddon Housing Partnerships, said: “The project at Miller Road is another great example of how Seddon works in partnership with organisations of all kinds to develop new and vibrant spaces. Working with CGA has been immensely rewarding and we look forward to developing projects with them in the future. “We were thrilled to receive the recognition from LABC, but we’re more excited to see people moving into their new homes and creating a community.” Seddon Housing Partnerships is part of the Seddon family of businesses. Committed to its ‘Better Homes, Better Lives’ ethos, they form partnerships with housing associations and local authorities to develop new homes, and refurbish, retrofit and regenerate existing homes and communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction has commenced works to deliver Phase 2 of the industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire, have commenced. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1. Once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq. ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by our McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) division, on behalf of clients BGO Wire PropCo Ltd and Equation Properties. Phase 2 is the construction of two single-storey base build distribution warehouses. Units 7 and 8 will be 249,995 sq. ft and 249,866 sq. ft respectively, and each will include a two-storey office, with associated mechanical and electrical installations, 23 loading docks and a transport office. The team will deliver earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing and cladding, lift shaft and stair installations. All external works are also being undertaken by McLaren (Midlands and North) and include general hard standings, car-parking, landscaping, mains services and drainage. There will be cycle racks for 60 cycles per warehouse and a gate house. Sustainable features will include solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging points, and bird and bat boxes. The units will be constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating. Phase 2 has a 49-week build programme. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “Horizon 29 is going to be a premier distribution centre for Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands. It provides an ideal opportunity for tenants looking for direct and easy access to the M1 north and south. “Progressing on to Phase 2, we are building two more units at the site – and as with earlier phases – they will be highly energy efficient buildings, with the potential for the whole of the roofs to be used to gather energy from PV to not only power the units, but to put energy back into the National Grid. “We were pleased to be working alongside BentallGreenOak and Equation Properties for the next phase of this landmark scheme.” Phase 1A and 1B of Horizon 29 completed in February of this year, which comprised four warehouse units (units 1, 2, 4 and 5). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, are currently delivering a remediation project for a student accommodation building in Nottingham to improve fire safety and meet new legislation. Using the patented Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier are installing cavity barriers between student’s apartment in compliance with the latest building regulations detailed in the Fire Safety Act (2021) and Building Safety Act (2022). By avoiding replacement of the external façade, Injecta Fire Barrier are significantly reducing both the project costs and the installation time, ensuring the new class of 2024 will be safe. “With project completion expected this November, our team are delivering the Injectaclad system in the high-rise structure with minimal disruption or external amendments. With passive fire barriers installed, the property owner can ensure the future academics of Nottingham are protected with enhanced fire safety in their students digs” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director at Injecta Fire Barrier. Injectaclad is a fire-retardant sealant that can be seamlessly inserted into a building’s vertical or horizontal cavities to slow the spread of flames and smoke. With its simple installation process, cavity fire barriers like Injectaclad are offering property owners a more cost-effective solution to fire safety in high-rise structures. To install Injectaclad, the Injecta Fire Barrier team pump the solution into mesh socks that are then inserted in horizontal cavities that divide each apartment floor. After installation, Injectaclad will provide passive fire protection for the building for over 25 years. “Injectaclad is an intumescent material, meaning it reacts to heat by expanding approximately 20 times its original volume. This expansion fills any gaps and contains the fire and smoke, meaning the occupants of the Nottingham building will have more time to exit safely in the event of fire” adds Shaun. Following the Grenfell fire disaster, the Fire Safety Act was brought in to place in 2021 and made it compulsory for buildings over 18 metres high to comply with correct fire safety measures. These legislations have led to more building owners, like the student accommodation in Nottingham, to seek regulatory-compliant safety measures to protect their tenants from fire while minimising costs and disruption. Following the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report in September 2024, pressure has mounted with more UK high-rises being investigated for lacklustre or non-existent fire preventions. “With responsibilities for fire safety increasing, we recommend that that property-owners and contractors act before it’s too late. And, when major renovations to the building’s façade aren’t viable, to consider passive fire barriers for a safe and cost-effective alternative” concludes Shaun. Injecta Fire Barrier are the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system. With years of experience in passive fire protection, the company are helping property managers and building owners install the Injectaclad solution. More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE GOVERNMENT Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Mark Bourgeois as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was confirmed in the permanent position after holding the interim seat for 10 months. Mark brings more than 30 years’ experience in strategic and operational leadership across the fields of investment, development and asset management within commercial real estate. He is a former Managing Director for the UK and Ireland division at FTSE listed developer and investor Hammerson plc, and prior to that Executive Director at Capital & Regional plc. He also has extensive expertise in regeneration in partnership with local and city authorities, including acting as Interim Corporate Director for City Development at Liverpool City Council. Georgia Gould MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “Mark has demonstrated exceptional leadership of the Government Property Agency during his tenure as interim Chief Executive over the past year. “With decades of experience, Mark will be instrumental in enhancing the financial and environmental performance of the government estate while delivering world-class workplaces for civil servants nationwide.” Pat Ritchie CBE, the GPA’s chair, said: “I am delighted to confirm Mark in the permanent role, he has already had a huge impact on the leadership of the GPA. “Working closely with the board and executive team, Mark will continue to play a fundamental role in the way property is managed across government and creating great places to work for civil servants, supporting economic growth and local communities. “He and the executive team will further build the agency’s commercial organisational culture, with our client and customer needs being at the heart of this. With Mark’s experience in real estate and building, inspiring and developing teams, he is the ideal leader to take the GPA to the next stage of our development.” Since launching in 2018, the GPA has grown to manage around 1 million sq m of the government’s office portfolio – acting as an expert partner to departments for strategic planning and workplace services including design, property technology and workplace experience. The agency is also responsible for the Government Hubs Programme – bringing civil service teams closer to the communities they serve across the UK. Recent milestones within the programme have included the opening of the Peterborough hub last year which last month was awarded Leesman+, and acquiring 5.5 acres of the former Central Retail Park at Ancoats in Manchester earlier this year which is currently the subject of a public consultation on the future development of Manchester Digital Campus. Mark Bourgeois said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as the permanent CEO at such a pivotal time for the GPA. During my time as interim, the collaborative support from departmental clients has been excellent and I’m hugely grateful to impressively talented colleagues for all their continued dedication and commitment. We’re well placed to further strengthen the GPA culture, deliver financial efficiencies and productivity gains across the civil service, all in support of the Government’s missions. I’m looking forward to the continued challenge.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Turnaround is underway in the built environment after output falling for over a year, according to the latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) from leading construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK). According to its Q3 2024 findings, there is an improving market confidence which although dependent on the new government’s management of the economy, is seeing significant growth of nearly 18% and over 16% respectively in new work orders in the first two quarters of 2024. Backing ONS data, RLB’s CMI Q3 found that new orders for private commercial work (new build and repairs and maintenance) are on the increase. Even more striking is the fact that in Q2 2024, almost 12% of total new work orders arose from the commercial sector, whether that be in actual new work or repairs and maintenance. This has been reflected with RLB appointed on projects including the Tower Bridge Court, a landmark net zero workspace on the River Thames. Across RLB’s 14 offices around the UK, the outlook is also positive, with the reduction in the base rate of interest to 5% hopefully helping confidence levels across the board, and possible future investment. Labour shortages ongoing However, RLB’s Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) highlights the ongoing concern from many contractors and subcontractors around labour shortages, lending weight to the need for political solutions and planned programmes of skills development. The new government’s aim to abbreviate the planning pathway, while useful in bringing projects to market more speedily, has the potential to encourage price inflation should excess workload appear in a restricted timeframe, particularly in the case of labour-intensive projects such as housing. Roger Hogg, RLB’s Head of Research and Development Manager comments, “Overall, the watchword of this quarter’s report findings in respect of tender pricing is ‘stability’. While some regional forecasts have been trimmed slightly, there is prospect of more work entering the marketplace next year, which is set to constrain any current breakout of price inflation on a project basis.” Click here to read RLB’s full Construction Market Intelligence Q3 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
