Caddick is building its placemaking pipeline in Birmingham with its appointment to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse’s flagship regeneration project, Upper Trinity Street in Digbeth. The 182,986 sq. ft residential project inaugurates a wider regeneration of the Upper Trinity Street scheme in Digbeth, and will comprise 211 apartments
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading rapid-charging network, has been chosen by one of Europe’s largest asset management companies – Legal & General – as the provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for its ReAssure Funds. Working closely with advisor Knight Frank, the two companies are bringing reliable, ultra-rapid charging
Spanish fashion giant Mango is accelerating its UK expansion with plans to open 20 new stores in 2025, further strengthening its presence in key locations across the country. The latest openings are part of the retailer’s ambitious 2024-26 growth strategy, which aims to increase Mango’s footprint and bring its total
Whitbread Plc, the parent company of Premier Inn, has secured the freehold of 35 Red Lion Square, WC1, with plans to transform the site into a hub by Premier Inn hotel. Situated at the junction of Theobalds Road, Drake Street, and Red Lion Square, the prominent eight-storey, 47,500 sq ft
Legal & General has raised an impressive £510 million as part of its Affordable Housing Fund’s second close, reinforcing its commitment to tackling the UK’s housing crisis. The latest round of investment includes a £100 million contribution from London CIV, which manages London Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) assets, along
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is calling for urgent action to support homeowners in retrofitting 12 million homes across England that currently fall below adequate energy efficiency standards. With the government’s Warm Homes Plan set to be unveiled in the spring, BRE is pushing for immediate measures to improve private
Door manufacturer JELD-WEN has won the Health and Safety award at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards 2024, recognising its use of innovative technology in reducing workplace risks. JELD-WEN has introduced a new system to protect employees from moving vehicles in its manufacturing operations that uses radio frequency and TRUE-AI
A2Dominion, one of the G15 housing associations, is set to transform how it delivers its repairs service for the 38,000 homes it manages. A2Dominion has appointed new technology partners, Totalmobile and Manifest Software Solutions, to improve efficiency, reliability, and customer experience, through its integrated online housing repairs service. Due to
Great Portland Estates (GPE) has appointed William Eccleshare as a non-executive director and chair designate, effective from 1st May. He will take over from Richard Mully, who steps down after more than eight years of service. Extensive Leadership Experience Eccleshare brings a wealth of leadership experience in both executive and
Jason Davenport has been promoted to director of traffic and transportation at East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting. He takes over from one of the founding directors of BSP Consulting, Mark Rayers, who is stepping back to become a part-time consultant to the business. Jason, who was
Caddick is building its placemaking pipeline in Birmingham with its appointment to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse’s flagship regeneration project, Upper Trinity Street in Digbeth. The 182,986 sq. ft residential project inaugurates a wider regeneration of the Upper Trinity Street scheme in Digbeth, and will comprise 211 apartments in total, 115 of which will be one-bedroom and 96 two-bedroom apartments. Construction will commence imminently following demolition and enabling works by Caddick. Caddick’s contract will include the design and build of the apartments, amenities space, external works and the development of a shared courtyard area, as well as management and fit-out. Due for completion in Spring 2027, the development spans three individual blocks, the tallest of which is 10 storeys high. Ray O’Sullivan, Regional Managing Director for Caddick Construction Midlands, comments: “Cole Waterhouse has visualised an ambitious and impressive masterplan to create a thriving creative and cultural hub at Upper Trinity Street, and we’re proud to have been appointed to bring this vision to life in phase one. Caddick has built its extensive expertise delivering high-quality residential projects across the North, and as we take on new and exciting projects in the Midlands, we look forward to bringing our skillset to Upper Trinity Street for our valued client, Cole Waterhouse.” Damian Flood, CEO at Cole Waterhouse commented: “Entering into a contract with Caddick enables us to undertake this exciting project with Taurus, Housing Growth Partnership and BGO. This is our first Joint Venture with the professional team at Housing Growth Partnership and we are all excited to bring forward the first phase of UTS, which will be one of the catalysts for the further regeneration of Digbeth, demonstrating our confidence in delivering much needed housing in this key part of the City.” The project marks Caddick’s second major regeneration development in the Midlands, adding to the nearby Port Loop scheme, which has seen Caddick build 58 new-build apartments on behalf of Urban Splash and Places for People. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading rapid-charging network, has been chosen by one of Europe’s largest asset management companies – Legal & General – as the provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for its ReAssure Funds. Working closely with advisor Knight Frank, the two companies are bringing reliable, ultra-rapid charging facilities to premium retail and leisure parks across the UK. A first site is already live at Festival Heights Retail Park in Stoke-on-Trent, with four rapid charge points. Two 16-bay ultra-rapid hubs are in construction at Highbridge Retail Park, Waltham Abbey, Essex, and at Woodside Leisure Park, Watford. Conveniently situated just off the M25 and M1 respectively, these locations offer drivers an ideal opportunity to recharge their vehicles and enjoy a break from their journey. In total, six sites from L&G’s ReAssure portfolio will benefit from ultra-rapid charging. The planned rollout spans England, from the South East to the North West, and collectively delivers 72 state-of-the-art charge points. L&G’s EV charging strategy shows its commitment to future-proofing its assets while enhancing long-term value for tenants and retail customers alike. David Goatman, Partner, Department Head, Global Head of Energy and Sustainability at Knight Frank, commented: “We are delighted to have advised Legal & General on this successful rapid EV charging partner selection. This kind of innovative procurement process will help to deliver crucial low carbon infrastructure across the portfolio and add to the on-site amenity offer for occupiers.” Andrew Nosworthy, Commercial Director at Osprey Charging, said: “We’re proud to work with L&G’s ReAssure portfolio, providing the ultra-rapid charging infrastructure that is crucial for the UK’s expanding EV market. By installing reliable, high-powered charging hubs, we’re making EV ownership more convenient and accessible for drivers across the country, whilst making these excellent retail parks even more attractive to tenants and customers. With over 1,300 charging bays, we are the UK’s third largest open rapid charging network and committed to further expansion with high quality landowners like L&G.” Easy to use and powered by 100% renewable energy, Osprey chargers accept contactless bank cards, Apple/Google Pay, the Osprey App and payments through all major third-party methods including fleet fuel cards. Osprey’s in-house software, Osprey Iris, enables market-leading levels of reliability and fleet integrations. As a result, Osprey is a multi-award-winning network and a Zap-Map ‘Driver Recommended Network’ for satisfaction for the fifth consecutive year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spanish fashion giant Mango is accelerating its UK expansion with plans to open 20 new stores in 2025, further strengthening its presence in key locations across the country. The latest openings are part of the retailer’s ambitious 2024-26 growth strategy, which aims to increase Mango’s footprint and bring its total number of UK stores to over 90. Following a successful year of expansion in 2024, the brand is set to make an even bigger impact in the coming months. Major Openings in London and Beyond Six of the new stores will be in London, including a second flagship store on Oxford Street. Other prime locations include Kensington High Street and Long Acre in Covent Garden, reinforcing Mango’s commitment to high-visibility retail spaces in the capital. Beyond London, the expansion will extend across the UK and Ireland, with new stores opening in Birmingham, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Belfast, Craigavon, and Cardiff. These locations reflect Mango’s strategy of reaching a wider customer base and strengthening its presence in major shopping destinations. A Strong Commitment to Growth Mango, which currently operates in around 70 locations across the UK, is continuing its push to become a leading fashion retailer in the market. The brand has seen strong demand for its stylish, contemporary collections, and its store expansion is designed to enhance the in-person shopping experience for customers. Daniel López, Director of Expansion and Franchising at Mango, commented: “The UK remains one of our priority markets for international growth. Our 2025 expansion plan builds on the success of our store openings in 2024, allowing us to increase our reach and bring the Mango experience even closer to our customers.” With a growing presence in key retail hubs and a focus on delivering high-quality fashion in prime locations, Mango’s expansion signals confidence in the UK market. As the brand continues to invest in physical retail, shoppers can expect even greater access to its latest collections in stylish, well-designed stores nationwide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whitbread Plc, the parent company of Premier Inn, has secured the freehold of 35 Red Lion Square, WC1, with plans to transform the site into a hub by Premier Inn hotel. Situated at the junction of Theobalds Road, Drake Street, and Red Lion Square, the prominent eight-storey, 47,500 sq ft building was purchased from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) for an undisclosed sum. The property has served as the organisation’s headquarters since 2006. As part of its ongoing London expansion strategy, Whitbread sees strong potential for a 150-bedroom hub by Premier Inn at this prime location. Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisitions Manager at Whitbread, commented:“hub by Premier Inn has been a tremendous success since its launch in 2014. We now offer guests 18 fantastic locations—15 of which are in London—and see huge growth potential for the brand.” “The first site we ever opened was an office-to-hotel conversion in Covent Garden, and we’ve successfully delivered many similar projects since. We plan to bring this experience to 35 Red Lion Square, transforming it into a high-quality hotel in a sought-after location.” “Converting underused office buildings into hotels has enabled us to establish hub by Premier Inn in some of London’s most vibrant areas while aligning with Whitbread’s Force for Good sustainability strategy. With this latest acquisition, we look forward to working closely with Camden Council to develop plans that benefit both visitors and the local community.” Expanding in the Capital Whitbread’s purchase of 35 Red Lion Square is part of its wider commitment to growing Premier Inn’s presence across London, where a significant portion of its future development pipeline is focused. The company is actively searching for 40 new locations for Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the M25. Designed for high-demand city locations, hub by Premier Inn offers a compact yet stylish format that allows for affordable stays in prime areas while delivering strong long-term returns. Hotel sizes vary, from the 60-bedroom hub by Premier Inn at Bank to the upcoming 690-room flagship hub at 5 Strand, set to open in 2028. Whitbread was advised on the acquisition of 35 Red Lion Square by Frame Real Estate Partners, while the Royal College of Anaesthetists was represented by Newmark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Legal & General has raised an impressive £510 million as part of its Affordable Housing Fund’s second close, reinforcing its commitment to tackling the UK’s housing crisis. The latest round of investment includes a £100 million contribution from London CIV, which manages London Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) assets, along with additional backing from social impact investor Better Society Capital. The ACCESS Pool, a collaboration of LGPS funds from Central, Eastern, and Southern Shires, has also increased its commitment with a further £20 million, following a previous allocation in 2024. This fresh injection of capital highlights the power of public and private sector collaboration in addressing the shortfall in affordable homes across the UK. Since launching its Affordable Housing Fund in July 2024, Legal & General has seen strong investor interest, with institutions drawn to the potential for inflation-linked returns alongside a meaningful social impact. The new funds will help deliver between 3,500 and 4,000 homes, building on earlier commitments from the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and ACCESS Pool. As part of this latest phase, Legal & General has seeded the fund with an initial portfolio of 514 homes and secured agreements on three additional projects to bring forward more affordable housing. With the current development pipeline, the fund expects to have over 1,000 homes either completed or under construction by the second quarter of 2025. Legal & General Affordable Homes (LGAH) will oversee the development and management of these properties. Since its inception in 2018, LGAH has invested £1 billion into the sector, delivering over 8,000 homes to date. The UK continues to face a significant shortage of affordable housing, with only around 55,000 new affordable homes built annually over the past decade—far below the National Housing Federation’s recommendation of 145,000 per year. As 1.3 million households remain on local authority waiting lists in England, the Fund will prioritise high-quality, purpose-built affordable rent and shared ownership properties in areas of greatest need. Ali Farrell, Fund Manager at Legal & General, commented:“The level of investor interest in this fund reflects the strong appeal of affordable housing as both a stable investment and a means of creating lasting social impact. We are delighted to welcome new partners as we continue delivering high-quality homes in communities where they are needed most.” Christopher Osbourne, Head of Real Estate at London CIV, added:“Our strategy focuses on increasing the supply of high-quality affordable housing, addressing an underserved part of the market while delivering strong returns for our Partner Funds. We are pleased to support Legal & General’s Affordable Housing Fund and to work alongside a respected leader in the sector.” Drew Ritchie, Investment Director at Better Society Capital, said:“Legal & General is playing a key role in mobilising private capital to fund affordable housing, delivering thousands of much-needed homes for families across the UK. We believe in the fund’s potential to drive long-term, sustainable impact and are excited to be part of this initiative.” With strong investor confidence and a growing pipeline of developments, Legal & General’s Affordable Housing Fund is set to play a major role in tackling the UK’s housing crisis while delivering long-term value for investors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is calling for urgent action to support homeowners in retrofitting 12 million homes across England that currently fall below adequate energy efficiency standards. With the government’s Warm Homes Plan set to be unveiled in the spring, BRE is pushing for immediate measures to improve private sector housing and reduce energy costs for millions. Newly released figures from the English Housing Survey (EHS) show that, for the first time, over 50% of homes in England now meet at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C rating—a significant milestone in improving home energy efficiency. While social housing has made notable progress, privately owned and rented properties remain a major challenge, requiring large-scale interventions to create healthier, low-carbon, and cost-efficient homes. Tackling Energy Inefficiency in Private Homes The Warm Homes Plan has already introduced Local Grant funding to combat fuel poverty, and the £1bn-a-year ECO programme—which supports low-income households—is set to continue until 2026. However, BRE’s analysis of the latest government data highlights that wider-reaching support is needed to meet the UK’s net zero targets. A key concern is that the burden of improving inefficient homes (those rated below EPC band C) is overwhelmingly a private sector issue, with 90% of these properties either owner-occupied or privately rented. Some of the least efficient homes include: Cold Homes Costing the NHS £500 Million a Year Poor energy efficiency in homes isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a major public health concern. According to separate research by BRE, cold homes are the single largest housing-related cost burden to the NHS. In 2023, it was estimated that over £500 million was spent treating cold-related illnesses caused by homes in the lowest EPC bands F and G. To address this, BRE is urging the government to ensure the Warm Homes Plan includes targeted retrofit advice, particularly for the over-65s, who own more than 40% of the owner-occupied homes that fall below EPC band C. The plan should also include support for accessing finance to help households fund essential improvements. By tackling energy inefficiency across the full spectrum of housing stock, the government can make significant progress towards net zero while protecting households from high energy bills and the health risks associated with cold homes. Jane Goddard, Managing Director of Building Performance Services and Deputy CEO of BRE, said: “We have made encouraging progress to date on retrofitting our existing housing stock, with over half of English homes now meeting the reasonable EPC C standard. “However, our approach to the remaining energy inefficient homes will require consideration to ensure the Warm Homes Plan can target a much wider group of households with effective support. “Local authorities will be crucial in this journey and require the necessary data, capacity, funding and powers to deliver energy efficiency improvements to homes most in need. The upcoming English Devolution Bill will hopefully mark a welcome step in this process.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Door manufacturer JELD-WEN has won the Health and Safety award at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards 2024, recognising its use of innovative technology in reducing workplace risks. JELD-WEN has introduced a new system to protect employees from moving vehicles in its manufacturing operations that uses radio frequency and TRUE-AI cameras to create a detection zone around each vehicle. To ensure the safety of employees, a flashing light and audible warning is triggered if the systems detects a pedestrian. The vehicle will then automatically slow down and stop if a pedestrian comes into its proximity. In presenting the award to JELD-WEN, judges recognised that the initiative had seen a significant investment in emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) and AI technologies to help manage operational safety and protect employees, supply chain drivers, and visitors to the site. Helen Hewitt, BWF CEO, said: “JELD-WEN is to be commended for focusing on risk reduction and demonstrating a clear commitment to safety improvement in what is currently one of the highest severity risk areas at work. “By investing in this cutting-edge technology JELD-WEN has clearly demonstrated its willingness to go above and beyond in ensuring the safety of employees and visitors to the site.” Hamish White, Operation Director at JELD-WEN UK, added: “Health and safety is paramount within the sector, and we remain unrelenting in our aim to eliminate risk. “I congratulate all of the team at our Penrith factory for taking a comprehensive view of the need to maintain the highest health and safety standards. This is a tremendous achievement and a fantastic example of living our JELD-WEN value that we build our business ethically and safely.” Now in its sixteenth year, the BWF Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding skills, talent and achievements of the UK woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A2Dominion, one of the G15 housing associations, is set to transform how it delivers its repairs service for the 38,000 homes it manages. A2Dominion has appointed new technology partners, Totalmobile and Manifest Software Solutions, to improve efficiency, reliability, and customer experience, through its integrated online housing repairs service. Due to launch in Summer 2025, the system will mean all customer repair requests are managed within one central system, rather than across multiple platforms. Developed with Totalmobile’s expertise in field service management technology and Manifest Software Solutions’ housing integration services, A2Dominion, which received 150,000 repair requests last year alone, will be able to provide a more reliable and streamlined service. The new system will: Once live, customers who request repairs through A2Dominion’s online portal My Account will be able to do the following for non-urgent repairs: A2Dominion currently has more than 17,600 customers registered to use My Account, which represents approximately more than a third of its customer base. Ahead of the system launch, A2Dominion will be inviting customers to get involved at each stage of the design process and test the new system to make sure it is easy to use. Jo Evans, A2Dominion’s Director of Repairs & Maintenance, said: “We’re excited to partner with Totalmobile and Manifest Software Solutions to work with our customers to develop and launch this new repairs system. Our top priority is providing a better repairs service for customers. One of our key challenges is that we currently hold data across multiple platforms – this creates inefficiencies in the way we work and impacts the service we give to customers. “The introduction of the new technology is a critical step in our journey as it means everything will be held in one place. The new system will speed up our repairs process and give our customers reassurance that we’re dealing with their repairs requests effectively.” David Webb, Managing Director of Property and FM at Totalmobile, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the team at A2Dominion on such a transformative project. This new partnership allows us to bring our software to life in a way that directly benefits residents by making the repairs process simpler and more efficient. With the introduction of this new technology, we’re ensuring that the new system works for everyone – customers, operatives and the organisation as a whole.” Alan Swift, Manifest Software Solutions’ Managing Director, said: “Repairs is a hugely important service provided by a landlord. We’re incredibly proud to be supporting A2Dominion to improve the repairs service they provide to their customers. We have integrated systems with Totalmobile before and, while this is a challenging project, we know it will make a huge difference to customers and will ensure they get a better experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Great Portland Estates (GPE) has appointed William Eccleshare as a non-executive director and chair designate, effective from 1st May. He will take over from Richard Mully, who steps down after more than eight years of service. Extensive Leadership Experience Eccleshare brings a wealth of leadership experience in both executive and non-executive roles. He currently serves as a non-executive director and senior independent director at Centaur Media, as well as Chairman of Team ITG, a digital media company. Additionally, he chairs the Design Council, a Royal Charter charity and the UK government’s strategic advisor on design. His previous non-executive roles include serving as senior independent director at Britvic, deputy chair of Clear Media Limited, and a board member at Hays. In the executive sphere, he spent 13 years at Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, where he was chief executive from 2012 to 2021, leading the company’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019. His career also includes senior leadership roles at BBDO Europe, Young & Rubicam EMEA, McKinsey & Co, WPP, and Interpublic Group. Looking Ahead Outgoing chair Richard Mully expressed confidence in his successor, stating: “I am delighted that William has been selected to succeed me as chair. His extensive experience in marketing, business transformation, and growth will be invaluable to GPE’s board. I know he will provide strong leadership and support to Toby Courtauld and our management team. It has been an honour to serve on the board for over eight years, and I look forward to working closely with William to ensure a smooth transition.” Eccleshare added: “I am excited to be joining the GPE Board as its future chair. With GPE’s strong market position and high-quality portfolio, I look forward to leading the board and working with the management team to drive the company’s strategy and capitalise on new opportunities. I am also grateful for Richard’s guidance during the transition period.” With Eccleshare’s appointment, GPE is set to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation, leveraging his expertise to strengthen its strategic direction in the years ahead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jason Davenport has been promoted to director of traffic and transportation at East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting. He takes over from one of the founding directors of BSP Consulting, Mark Rayers, who is stepping back to become a part-time consultant to the business. Jason, who was previously associate director of transportation at BSP Consulting, joined the company as a transport engineer just a month after it was founded in 1999 and has been a key member of the team ever since. His expertise includes transport planning, travel plans, transport assessment, access strategy, noise assessments and safety audits. Jason’s experience ranges across all sectors, having worked on schemes at airports and universities through to supermarkets and housing developments. BSP MD Carl Hilton said: “We are very pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Davenport to director of traffic and transportation at BSP Consulting. “Our ethos is to promote from within wherever possible, which provides our team with opportunities to progress their careers and also enables smooth succession planning for the business. “Jason has been a loyal, experienced, and valued part of the team at BSP right from the start and his promotion is very well deserved. “As one of the founding directors of BSP Consulting, Mark has played a pivotal role in the success of BSP – helping the company to grow to become one of the largest independent civil and structural engineering businesses in the East Midlands. “We are very pleased that he is staying with us as a part-time consultant and continuing to support the extensive network of clients that we have built up since the business began more than 25 years ago.” Throughout his time at BSP, Jason has held positions as transport engineer, senior transport engineer, associate and associate director. His appointment as director of traffic and transportation began on 1st February 2025. He said: “Under Mark Rayers, the traffic and transportation department at BSP Consulting has earned an excellent reputation as a professional and skilled team that provides outstanding service to clients. “I have worked with Mark for 28 years in total, having met him before he became a founding director at BSP, and I am proud to have been appointed to head up the team going forward and to continue the good work that BSP has become renowned for.” Jason, who lives in Gedling, Nottingham, is based in BSP’s head office in Nottingham but heads up the traffic and transportation team across the group. Mark Rayers is one of the original four founders of BSP Consulting, which was launched in Oxford Street, Nottingham in 1999. The company has since expanded with offices in Pride Park, Derby and De Montfort Street, Leicester, as well as an office in South Yorkshire, on Smithy Wood Crescent, Sheffield. He has stepped down in his role as a director but will remain a part-time consultant to BSP Consulting, working one day a week. BSP is an award-winning firm that operates across the UK, offering civil engineering, structural engineering, transport engineering, geotechnical, and environmental engineering. BSP works across all sectors including housing, student accommodation, commercial, industrial, health, education, senior living, retail and heritage. For more information about BSP Consulting visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
