November 13, 2024
'Cutting-edge' planetarium set to complete this month

‘Cutting-edge’ planetarium set to complete this month

ENHANCING science education, work on the UK’s newest planetarium for more than a decade is progressing rapidly at its Nottinghamshire site, with the £6.8 million project set to complete by the end of November. Funded by the UK Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation,

Read More »
84,000 more homes hit the market following the Autumn Budget

84,000 more homes hit the market following the Autumn Budget

The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, has found that the property market has picked up the pace in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget, with 84,000 more homes listed for sale today – an increase of 11.4%. Yopa analysed* current for sale stock listings across Britain, looking

Read More »
Rodgers Leask supports Cotswold canal restoration

Rodgers Leask supports Cotswold canal restoration 

LEADING engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has brought its multi-disciplinary offering to the Cotswold Canals Connected project, playing an important part in helping restore the ‘missing mile’ of the Stroudwater Navigation. This ambitious award-winning restoration is the largest, and most complex National Heritage Lottery Funded project in the South-West. Driven by Cotswold

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

November 13, 2024

'Cutting-edge' planetarium set to complete this month

‘Cutting-edge’ planetarium set to complete this month

ENHANCING science education, work on the UK’s newest planetarium for more than a decade is progressing rapidly at its Nottinghamshire site, with the £6.8 million project set to complete by the end of November. Funded by the UK Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and numerous other donors, the new planetarium forms part of the Sherwood Observatory, which is being transformed into a leading regional education and exhibition space off Coxmoor Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield. The internal fit-out is now well underway, with equipment including a ten-metre diameter hemispherical screen and projectors being installed that will show tours of the solar system and beyond. The planetarium will feature 59 seats and will be disability accessible. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the scheme, delivering project and cost management services. Nick Hanson, associate cost manager at Pick Everard, said: “This is an exciting project that is contributing positively to the local area with a world leading science and education facility. “The Sherwood Observatory is of huge historical significance and draws on our expertise of delivering high quality visitor attractions, with protected elements sensitively treated and managed through robust stakeholder management plans. “Our team is fully invested in helping deliver this unique undertaking, which will have a transformative impact on regional tourism and economy drives.” Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson delivered the construction works for the multi-million pound planetarium – completing pre-construction design and planning through SCAPE’s Beyond the Public Sector Framework. Jason Ainsworth, framework construction manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel very privileged to be part of such an exciting and unique project in the region, and once finished, the state-of-the-art centre promises to be a pivotal tourism and educational hub. “Alongside attracting thousands of visitors to the region and raising awareness of the local area and history of the site, it also provides opportunities for STEM careers for future generations to come. This was made possible due to our early involvement and collaborative working with the client team and consultants, facilitated through the SCAPE Beyond the Public sector Framework”. The new planetarium design incorporates the existing Victorian subterranean reservoir, which will see its original features, such as the intricate brick arches, kept to preserve the history of the building. The ambitious plans for the site aim to create a unique, world-class facility that will rival those elsewhere in the UK. Councillor Matthew Relf, executive lead member for regeneration, growth and local planning at Ashfield District Council, said: “It is wonderful to see construction of the new planetarium and science centre nearing completion. It has been a monumental effort by all involved. “It will be a fantastic place for schools and youth groups as well as individuals and families to come and see shows about space and science. We know this will light the fire and passion for future scientists and engineers in the area. “It has been a privilege to be part of the journey of seeing this move from an initial pitched idea while walking around the dark Victoria water tank, to securing the funding and now seeing the space transformed into a modern and exciting facility. I could not be more excited to see my first show in the finished planetarium. “This really will be an incredible asset for the district and broader region and will inspire so many people with the wonders of space and inspire many onto new and exciting careers.” Steve Wallace, planetarium project manager and chairman at Sherwood Observatory, said: “This is going to be a cutting-edge facility and it has been fascinating to work on. We are now moving to the next stage where a specialist planetarium creator is on site transforming the dome. “It is a very unique bit of software that offers theatrical shows and give visitors an immersive tour of the solar system where they can go from planet to planet and then out into the wider Milky Way and Universe.” The planetarium at Sherwood Observatory is the latest development Pick Everard has worked on in the region, following the recent opening of a new ‘Green Heart’ space as part of the £2 billion Broad Marsh regeneration project in Nottingham city centre. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Glencar completes construction of two new speculative industrial/warehouse units at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale

Glencar completes construction of two new speculative industrial/warehouse units at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale

Two units of 87,000 and 116,500 sq. ft were completed for long standing customer Wilson Bowden Developments in partnership with Cabot Properties. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies, responding to meet the growing demand for space in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and the broader Northwest region. Glencar, a leading UK based construction company recognised for its past ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing businesses and known for delivering high quality projects across various sectors, most notably in Logistics & Industrial, Life Sciences, Data Centres, Commercial Studios and Civils has today announced it has completed two units of 87,000 and 116,500 sq. ft for long standing customer Wilson Bowden Developments in partnership with Cabot Properties, a prominent investor, developer, and operator of logistics properties throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Developed speculatively and constructed in just 47 weeks, the units are situated at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, Greater Manchester in a prime North West location. The Grade A specified assets will bring much needed supply to the market meeting the growing occupier demand in the region. The development served as the first collaboration between Wilson Bowden Developments and Cabot Properties. The units are fitted to a high specification with generous clear heights, yard depths up to 63m and a power availability up to 1.1MVA. The units have strong sustainability credentials achieving a BREEAM Very Good certification, EPC A and benefit from a host of sustainability features including electric vehicle charging spaces, LED lighting and PV panels. Speaking about the development Glencar Managing Director Midlands and North, Pete Goodman said: “Kingsway Business Park is a premier destination for logistics in the Northwest and we are pleased to once again be delivering for long standing customer Wilson Bowden Developments and to be working for Cabot Properties. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the full project and professional team assembled on this project who have done an excellent job and delivered an outstanding outcome. It has been a pleasure to work on this development and we are looking forward to working on further developments in due course” “We’re very proud to add the Kingsway Business Park logistics units to our expanding U.K. portfolio,” said Mike Williams, Director of Investments at Cabot Properties. “This delivery on an accelerated timeline reflects our teams’ collaborative partnership and a shared commitment to quality. With highly functional, highly sustainable building features, the Kingsway properties offer an exceptional end-user experience in a critical industrial market.” Henry Henson, Commercial Development Manager at Wilson Bowden, shared, “We are thrilled to partner with Cabot Properties in delivering further high-quality, Grade A speculative units at our flagship Kingsway Business Park development. The ongoing development rollout emphasizes the site’s unmatched location on the M62 and the robust occupier market. Glencar have done an exceptional job and delivered two new units of outstanding quality. We look forward to working with them again in the near future” The Kingsway Partnership, is a joint venture involving Wilson Bowden Developments, Rochdale Development Agency, Rochdale Borough Council, and Homes England, reflecting Rochdale’s commitment to providing cutting-edge facilities, fostering sustainable growth, and contributing to the economic vitality of the region. The park is already home to big names including Asda, JD Sports, Amazon, Danish Crown, E-on UK and Dachser. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Cassidy Group ltd achieves industry-first gateway ‘2’ approval at Nottingham student development

Cassidy Group achieves industry-first gateway ‘2’ approval at Nottingham student development

DEVELOPER Cassidy Group Ltd has announced it has successfully achieved an industry –first safety standard under the Building Safety Act (BSA) for its latest new-build student PBSA project. In October 2024, the company gained the vital Gateway 2 approval for its development The Square, a 419-studio building in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. It will be delivered for the 2026/27 academic year, serving University of Nottingham students, after planning permission was granted in May 2023. Gateway 2 is part of a series of critical gateways introduced under the 2022 Building Safety Act to enhance safety standards for higher-risk buildings, introduced in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It involves rigorous inspections during construction to verify the work adheres to approved plans. Peter Cavendish at Cassidy Group Ltd, said: “This achievement is a unique milestone for Cassidy and reaffirms our commitment to delivering safe, sustainable, and high-quality developments. As we move forward, we remain focused on setting the highest industry standards. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure we meet every requirement, and this approval from the Building Safety Regulator is a testament to their dedication and expertise.” The Beeston development adds to Cassidy’s purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) portfolio in Arkwright Street and London Road in Nottingham, creating a total of 1,084 student beds and 319 private rented sector (PRS) apartments. With a gross development value of circa £200 million, the projects are to be delivered over the next two years. Peter Cavendish added: “The Square, along with our other PBSA schemes, provides a welcome relief to some of the 19,000-student bed shortage in Nottingham, and the 2,000-student bed shortage in the micro-location of Beeston, according to StuRents data.” Cassidy Group Ltd is actively looking for investment partners for current and future developments, including 3,000 student beds and 1,000 PRS apartments across England over the next two to three years. With nearly four decades of experience, Cassidy Group Ltd specialises in the UK student accommodation and multi-family build to rent (BTR) and PRS sectors, delivering thousands of beds for clients such as Edmond de Rothschild, Franklin Templeton, and Student Roost/Brookfield, providing secure income-generating investments. Those interested in working with the team can get in touch by calling +44 (0)1926 431313, emailing info@cassidygroupltd.com or visiting www.cassidygroupltd.com to find out more. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Vistry Group celebrates completion of first homes at Fairham, Nottingham

Vistry Group celebrates completion of first homes at Fairham, Nottingham

Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has completed the first homes at Alvaredus, its development of 333 new homes in Fairham, on the southern edge of Nottingham. Lee Parry, Vistry’s Managing Director for the North East Midlands, welcomed James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe and Cllr. Neil Clarke, Rushcliffe Borough Council Leader, and representative from Homes England, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Clowes, Gatehouse Investment Management and emh to celebrate the completion of the first batch of the new homes. Alvaredus is a new development of 333 two, three and four-bedroom homes. 68 of the properties will be being sold on the open market under the Countryside Homes brand, 165 are destined for the affordable market with 100 homes owned and managed by emh group and a further 65 properties will be available through MTVH. The final 100 will become private rental homes through Start Living, the single-family build-to-rent joint venture between Gatehouse Investment Management and TPG Real Estate Partners. Alvaredus is part of Fairham, the 606-acre mixed use neighbourhood scheme championed by Homes England and Clowes Development, helping to deliver new employment opportunities and assisting Rushcliffe Borough Council in meeting its aim to create 13,500 new homes by 2030. Fairham’s first 500 residents will be given two free adult annual tram passes worth £675 each per household, as part of a partnership between Homes England, Clowes Development and Nottingham Express Transit (NET). Lee Parry, Managing Director of Vistry North East Midlands, which is developing Alvaredus under the Countryside Homes brand, said: “After years of planning and construction work, it’s always great to see houses built and people moving in, turning this site from a development into a real community. We’re hugely proud to be contributing to the wider Fairham scheme, creating an exciting new place to live that combines a green setting with exceptional transport links and all the vibrancy that the nearby city of Nottingham has to offer.” James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe said: “It is great to see this site coming to life with a genuine mix of high-quality private sale, affordable and private rental homes being built here in Rushcliffe, with excellent housing options for people from all walks of life. Both major parties at the general election committed to building at least 1.5 million homes over five years, and I’m pleased to see how quickly this site is now progressing after years of planning. I’ve no doubt that developments like Fairham will help to tackle the UK’s housing crisis.” Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning & Housing Cllr Roger Upton said: “This is a milestone for the Fairham development, and we’re pleased to see the completion of over 300 new homes at Alvaredus by Vistry Group. “These homes are part of the 606-acre site, which will welcome a thriving new neighbourhood, bringing new homes, employment opportunities, and a new sense of community here in the Borough. “The development forms a key part of our Local Plan and will help meet the Borough’s housing need and central government’s aim for 13,500 new homes by 2030.” Kate Henderson, representing Clowes Developments and Homes England, the Partnership responsible for bringing forward Fairham commented, “Residents moving into their brand-new homes at Alvaredus, Fairham is a very exciting occasion for the Partnership. Fairham is going to continue to evolve over the next few years as we deliver 3,000 new homes, one million square feet of employment, green open spaces and so much more. We have worked hard to deliver the essential infrastructure. Elements of the 606-acre brand new neighbourhood are starting to come to life but there’s more to do. We are delighted to welcome the first residents, and we hope they enjoy being part of the Fairham story for years to come. Chris Jones, Executive Director of Development at emh said: “We are delighted to be a partner in this development, not only to deliver high-quality, mixed tenure affordable homes that respond to the needs within the local area but also ensuring that we create places where people are proud to live. We look forward to welcoming residents to their new homes and seeing this fantastic community grow.” Paul Stockwell, Group Managing Director at Gatehouse Investment Management added:“It is hugely exciting to see the first homes completed at Alvaredus, and we look forward to families moving into the Start Living homes in the coming weeks. Our focus is on providing residents high-quality homes with excellent local amenities and strong transport links, and as such we are pleased to see Start Living as part of the offer at this landmark scheme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Ceremony marks opening of new Construction Skills Centre at Nottingham College

Ceremony marks opening of new Construction Skills Centre at Nottingham College

The new £5.4m Construction Skills Centre (CSC) at Nottingham College is now complete and open for students, as marked with an official handover last week. The CSC is a new build specialist centre offering flexible teaching and learning facilities that will support the curriculum and estate objectives of the college, meeting the growing need to provide training for construction skilled trades in the local area. Delivered by midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, the CSC will act as a critical educational facility meeting the rising demand for post-16 sector education. The scheme was procured through Pagabo’s Medium Works framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority The Education Alliance.    The building is designed to align with the Department for Education’s (DfE) output specification and support the sustainability ambitions of Nottingham College, working towards becoming carbon zero by 2030. The 1,500m² building comprises a large double height construction trades workshop, as well as additional classrooms, a smaller modern construction workshop and associated staff and support facilities. The handover was a great opportunity to highlight the modern facilities the CSC has to offer, helping to support Nottingham College’s commitment to improving vocational education and training for its students. The scheme is the first of two major new additions to the college portfolio that G F Tomlinson has worked on this year, the contractor is also close to completing a new centre for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (The Gateway) – a new two-storey building comprising 13 classrooms, a teaching kitchen, dining area and ancillary spaces, as well as associated external works which is due for completion in December this year. As part of G F Tomlinson’s commitment to delivering social value, a total of £1.8 million social value-added was provided on the scheme, calculated using specialist social value tool, Loop. Activities included including organised site visits, regular newsletters and career talks with students from nearby schools. 1,669 apprentice hours, 44.5 apprentice weeks and 779 student engagements were also provided by G F Tomlinson’s construction ambassadors. The company also partnered with Nottingham College earlier in the year and hosted a two-day workshop for their construction students. Using materials kindly donated by Vision Joinery, the students learned valuable carpentry skills by designing and building bird boxes. The workshop not only enhanced the students’ practical abilities but also aligned with joint sustainability goals by supporting local wildlife. 79% of local labour was sourced within a 20-mile radius and 81% local spend within 20 miles of the site. Other sustainability initiatives on the project involved the installation of 60 PV panels, three air source heat pumps and the achievement of 100% waste recycled and diverted from landfill, contributing positively to the local environment and national carbon net-zero agenda. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the development of this major scheme for Nottingham College, building on our extensive education experience through the Pagabo framework. This project is crucial in addressing the growing demand for skilled trades training in the local area and the centre will not only support the college’s curriculum but also play a pivotal role in upskilling the local workforce to meet the needs of the construction sector within the region.” Carl Ara, Assistant Principal at Nottingham College Basford Campus, said: “A project of this scale was ambitious, making it incredibly satisfying to see it come to life. Watching our students learn and grow in this new space is truly rewarding, and these facilities will elevate our training programmes, empowering young people and adults across the city to excel in full-time study programmes and apprenticeships. “G F Tomlinson has done an exceptional job – completing a project of this magnitude on a busy campus was no small feat. The builders also provided invaluable experiences for our construction students, from site tours and industry talks to hands-on work placements. “As demand for skilled construction workers rises, especially in housing, transport, and renewable energy, our new CSC enables us to equip the next generation with the skills they need for the future.” Adam Brumfitt, Midlands regional delivery manager at Pagabo, commented on the collaboration: “The Construction Skills Centre is poised to significantly enhance the educational experience for students and staff alike, and we are proud to have contributed to its development by ensuring the compliant appointment of GF Tomlinson as main contractor. With the use of social value tool Loop, it’s fantastic to see the bigger impact that this project has had on its local community too.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
84,000 more homes hit the market following the Autumn Budget

84,000 more homes hit the market following the Autumn Budget

The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, has found that the property market has picked up the pace in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget, with 84,000 more homes listed for sale today – an increase of 11.4%. Yopa analysed* current for sale stock listings across Britain, looking at how many have hit the market in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget and how this level of market activity differs by each area of the nation. The research shows that there are currently some 823,898 homes listed for sale across Britain and 84,065 of those have entered the market since the Autumn Budget alone –  a boost of 11.4% in the number of sellers choosing to make their move. Every region of Britain and every major city analysed by Yopa has seen an increase in for sales stock levels since the Autumn Budget. Regionally, the largest increase has been seen across Scotland at 12.7%, with the North East (+12.3%) and London (+12.2%) also seeing some of the largest increase in for sale stock levels. Wales has seen the smallest influx of new homes listed for sale, although there has still been a 9.5% increase in the last two weeks alone. Of the 15 major cities analysed by Yopa, Glasgow has seen the biggest increase at 13.4%, followed by Nottingham (+13.3%), Edinburgh (+13.2%) and Brighton (+12.5%). CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “There’s always a sense of uncertainty in the run up to a major budget and so it’s hardly surprising that many home sellers may have been sitting on the fence to see just what Chancellor Rachel Reeves had up her sleeve for them. The answer was unfortunately not a great deal and now that the Autumn Budget is done and dusted, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of sellers entering the market. This is a smart move given the fact that there was no extension to current stamp duty relief thresholds granted and we’re now likely to see an uptick in demand over the coming weeks as homebuyers look to purchase ahead of next year’s 31st March deadline.” Data tables and sources Full data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Schneider Electric: University of Nottingham adopts AI-powered approach to manage buildings estate

Schneider Electric: University of Nottingham adopts AI-powered approach to manage buildings estate

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has expanded its relationship with the University of Nottingham as it looks to improve its operational and energy efficiency.  Working with Schneider Electric, the top 20 UK university is adopting a digital-first, AI-powered approach to manage its buildings estate, the fifth largest in the UK’s higher education sector.  Schneider Electric has deployed its state-of-the-art Connected Services Hub (CSH) to provide 24/7 remote monitoring of the electrical equipment installed onsite. The CSH uses AI-powered digital analytics to deliver real-time, comprehensive insights into estate operations, ensuring preventative or remedial action is acted upon quickly. It does this by directly integrating urgent actions into the onsite engineers’ work schedules. It also identifies energy conservation measures, producing regular reports that offer guidance to the university’s in-house estates team on how to optimise their time and resources more effectively.  In addition, Schneider Electric also provides a team of experienced engineers onsite, delivering preventative and condition-based fault remediation, and support and training for the university’s estates team to boost their skills.   “Our challenge is how to optimise our building systems to minimise energy consumption and improve operations given we have a very small team responsible for a large physical estate. Embracing digital technology is helping us work towards our goals. Leveraging AI for analysis is like having thousands of eyes scrutinising the estate, significantly boosting what my team and I can deliver,” said Gavin Scott, Head of Sustainability at University of Nottingham.   “Over the years, our relationship with Schneider Electric has evolved into a true partnership. The team at Schneider Electric know our campus inside out and access to its expertise and experience has been invaluable on our journey towards improved,” he added.   “The University of Nottingham is a prime example of an institution striving to improve and create a more sustainable campus for students and staff,” said Kas Mohammad Schneider Electric’s VP, Digital Energy for the UK & Ireland. “It is using state-of-the-art technology and expert services to boost productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in its bid to hit its decarbonisation targets.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Rodgers Leask supports Cotswold canal restoration

Rodgers Leask supports Cotswold canal restoration 

LEADING engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has brought its multi-disciplinary offering to the Cotswold Canals Connected project, playing an important part in helping restore the ‘missing mile’ of the Stroudwater Navigation. This ambitious award-winning restoration is the largest, and most complex National Heritage Lottery Funded project in the South-West. Driven by Cotswold Canals Connected, a partnership led by Stroud District Council and Cotswold Canals Trust, it aims to re-establish a section of canal that was filled in during the creation of the M5 motorway in the 1960s Led from their Bristol office, Rodgers Leask’s civil, structural and geo-environmental engineering teams bring a multi-disciplinary approach to the project, in which they are working closely with the charity’s project delivery team to meet the challenging technical, budgetary and delivery demands of the scheme. The team is designing a replacement aqueduct that will allow the canal to cross over Oldbury Brook once again. The work involves developing an initial concept for the aqueduct and adjoining John Robinson Lock and detailing key components such as a triple pipe culvert arrangement and protective cover slab. Retaining walls have been designed using modular bag units to fulfil the design brief for a sturdy but simple solution that will allow the charity volunteers to actively participate in construction. By simplifying material choices, the engineering consultancy has been able to keep construction costs low while ensuring the project meets the high standards that it sets itself and end users of the canal would expect. Dave Bathurst, regional director for Rodgers Leask in Bristol, said: “The solutions being developed are a blend of technicality and practicality, which wouldn’t be possible without determined coordination and collaboration with Cotswold Canal Connected and enthusiasm for design excellence within our team. At the heart of this project is a sense of social value that will be returned to an impressive but long forgotten connection to our industrial past. Once restored the canal will take on a new, but no less important purpose, as an amenity for local people. Trading its initial use for transporting coal and other important goods, for one that will facilitate leisure and tourism. “For Rodgers Leask, this project represents another successful example of our growing portfolio of canals and waterways projects that also includes recent involvement in the restoration of Chesterfield Canal.” The `Missing Mile’ is a key part of the second phase of the Cotswold Canals Connected project. It promises numerous benefits for the region including the creation of a new community-led wildlife corridor with conservation and biodiversity projects. In addition to these environmental advantages, the restored canal is expected to become a vibrant tourist destination, celebrating the area’s rich industrial heritage and boosting the local economy. Chris Mitford-Slade, project manager at Cotswold Canals Connected, said: “The restoration of this section of the canal is an exciting step forward for both the local community and the environment. It will create a space that blends heritage and habitat for the benefit of all.” The Cotswold Canals Connected project is enabled by the work of the charity Cotswold Canals Trust. For further information, membership enquiries and volunteering opportunities, visit https://cotswoldcanals.org/   For more information on Rodgers Leask, visit https://rodgersleask.com/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Pioneering contractor Reds10 appoints two new directors to oversee continued growth of UK operations

Pioneering contractor Reds10 appoints two new directors to oversee continued growth of UK operations

Reds10, a pioneer of industrialised construction, has appointed David Newey and James Bateman as directors to oversee its fast-growing UK-wide operations. These are significant appointments for the company which recently announced its fourth consecutive year of growth for the year ended 31 March 2024, with revenue rising by 70% YoY to £142.5m. Between them, David and James will be responsible for the operations of Reds10’s projects in the defence, education, health and justice sectors, with David taking responsibility for projects in the south of England and James overseeing Reds10’s projects in the midlands and north of England.  David will be based at Reds10’s Head Office in London and James will be based in Yorkshire, where the company houses its MMC manufacturing facilities. David Newey brings 17 years of construction and development expertise to his role at Reds10. He began his career at Berkeley Group and quickly progressed to become Project Director at Anthology, where he managed residential projects with construction values between £50 million and £80 million. Most recently, as Regional Development Director at Lifestory Group, he oversaw a portfolio of projects across the development cycle and successfully mentored team members. James Bateman joins Reds10 with nearly six years of experience as Head of Construction at A2Dominion Group, where he led a large team responsible for the delivery of homes in London and the Southeast. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) since 2020, James previously spent 8 years with major contractors and managed a diverse range of projects with budgets ranging from £1 million to over £150 million. In his new role, James will be based in Driffield where Reds10 has five Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) manufacturing facilities with a floor space totalling 300,000 sq ft. Paul Ruddick, Chairman, Reds10 said: “We are very pleased to announce the appointment of David and James, who are joining us at a very exciting period for the business, with a strong pipeline in place and a forecast of continued growth. Both bring considerable experience of large-scale delivery, and we are thrilled to have them on board as we move forward on our mission to industrialise construction, driving up productivity, quality, and sustainability and delivering exceptional value to clients.” David Newey commented: “I’m thrilled to join Reds10 at such an exciting phase in its growth journey. Reds10 is redefining what’s possible in industrialised construction, and I’m eager to help deliver on its vision across critical sectors like defence, education, health, and justice in the south. By focusing on innovation and efficiency, we’ll create spaces that not only meet our clients’ needs but also add lasting value to the communities they serve.” James Bateman added: “I am delighted to have started at Reds10 and I look forward to building on its strong foundations and working alongside the organisation’s already excellent team. Reds10 is at the forefront of the change taking place in the construction sector and I am excited to start delivering the pipeline of future projects across the midlands and north of England.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Matalan Welcomes James Dorling as New Property Director to Drive Store Strategy

Matalan Welcomes James Dorling as New Property Director to Drive Store Strategy

Matalan has appointed James Dorling as its new Property Director, entrusting him with the strategic oversight of the fashion and homeware retailer’s extensive network of over 220 stores across the UK. Dorling joins Matalan with a wealth of experience in property management, having held key roles at well-known brands such as Gymshark, Wilko, Walgreens, and Walmart, in addition to a decade-long tenure at Tesco. His expertise will be instrumental as Matalan refines its property strategy to enhance store performance and explore growth opportunities within the UK. As part of its ongoing commitment to its retail footprint, Matalan is actively investing in its store network and assessing potential for expansion. A new store is set to open in Hereford later this month, marking the latest development in this growth strategy. Karl-Heinz Holland, Executive Chair of Matalan, said: “We are thrilled to welcome James to Matalan as our new property lead. His extensive experience and industry connections will prove invaluable as we advance our strategic vision.” James Dorling also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am delighted to join a retailer that serves communities nationwide, supported by a skilled property team. Together, we’ll ensure Matalan maintains a robust property strategy, with vibrant stores in all the right locations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »