Construction of a £20 million speculatively developed industrial and logistics unit at one of the West Midlands’ leading business parks has started, commercial property developer and investor Barberry Industrial announced today. Barberry has appointed Bromsgrove-based main contractor Benniman to deliver the development at Junction 15 of the M40 at Tournament
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the appointment of its London division by Infrastructure Investments Ltd to complete works on a £31m student accommodation project. This follows the completion of £1.8 m worth of enabling works from RED Construction’s Special Projects team. Located close to Old Street
Two office blocks and a number of commercial buildings in Potters Bar look set for a new lease of life after their sale was agreed with developers. Chase New Homes has exchanged contracts on the unconditional purchase of a 4.5 acre brownfield site fronting the High Street. The land is
The fences have come down from around Norfolk Gardens marking the completion of a £45 million project to transform Bradford city centre. This welcoming green space, which is now open for people to enjoy, complements the recently completed pedestrianised areas on Market Street, Bridge Street, Bank Street, Broadway and Hall
GRAHAM, a leading civil engineering company, has constructed Forth Ports’ new deep-water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels. The berth was formally opened on Thursday 24 April, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s pursuit of net-zero emissions.
Newcastle United Football Club, a cherished home for generations of fans since 1892, has introduced two new escalators as part of a refurbishment of its on-site merchandising outlet. Through close collaboration with Newcastle United Football Club, the Stannah Major Projects team designed and delivered a bespoke escalator system, offering seamless
Supermarket Income REIT has launched a strategic joint venture with funds managed by Blue Owl Capital, a leading US asset manager with more than $250 billion (£188 billion) in assets under management. The partnership marks Blue Owl’s first major investment into the UK grocery real estate sector. The joint venture,
Leading installer of regulatory-compliant passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, have been honoured with a dedicated ‘Injectaclad Contractors Award’ in recognition of their successful implementation of the Injectaclad solution across the UK. The Injectaclad Contractors Award celebrates approved installers who demonstrate outstanding delivery, meticulous project management and a strong dedication
The first students to take part in the pilot Careys Construction Campus at Oxford North, the free three-week training course for people aged 17 years and over, have graduated with flying colours. Six students, five of whom have joined through SOFEA, the Didcot-based charity that provides education, employability and wellbeing
Dandara, one of the UK’s leading independent housebuilders, recently joined forces with Aviva Investors, Milton Keynes College and Packaged Living to deliver an ambitious education initiative, aimed at giving young people in Milton Keynes real insight into careers in construction and property. The initiative was created and funded by Aviva
Construction of a £20 million speculatively developed industrial and logistics unit at one of the West Midlands’ leading business parks has started, commercial property developer and investor Barberry Industrial announced today. Barberry has appointed Bromsgrove-based main contractor Benniman to deliver the development at Junction 15 of the M40 at Tournament Fields Business Park in Warwick, which is expected to generate further investment in the region and create dozens of new jobs. Barberry acquired the last remaining plot at the front of the highly sought-after business park last year and has secured reserved matters planning permission from Warwick District Council for a 92,246 sq ft Grade A ‘best in class’ distribution and logistics unit on the site. Jonathan Robinson, Barberry development director, said the development, known as Barberry Midbox 92, is expected to reach completion in Q4 2025 and is available to lease or purchase. “We are excited to announce that construction of our latest speculatively developed prime mid-box industrial and logistics building is now underway at Tournament Fields. Once again, we will be working alongside our trusted construction partner Benniman who expect to reach practical completion towards the end of this year,” said Jonathan. “The development of a best-in-class unit will help to address the ongoing shortage of new, high quality industrial accommodation in the West Midlands. New buildings such as this help to create the quality accommodation that local, regional and national businesses need to expand their operations within the Midlands. “Our speculatively developed buildings are designed to be flexible space that can be adapted to suit a wide range of occupier specific requirements while promoting sustainability, staff wellness and a high-quality environment to attract and retain staff while also appealing to occupiers to reduce their carbon footprint and deliver financial savings across their operation.” He added: “This high-quality development demonstrates Barberry’s continued commitment to the mid-box industrial logistics sector and capability in the UK market.” Christian Smith, director of Savills, said: “It’s great working on another scheme with Barberry who have the foresight to speculatively develop in this location where there are no other available opportunities for occupiers. Barberry develops market leading buildings designed to the highest standards, built with flexibility in mind to cater for occupier specific requirements. “We can also offer occupiers a unique freehold opportunity or leasehold options. We anticipate significant interest from a market starved of high quality, mid-box warehouse and production facilities on the M40 and M42 corridors.” It is described as a unique opportunity to join a number of international businesses who have made Tournament Fields their home, including Scholastic Publications, Gallagher Security, Semcon, Sodick and most recently, Hansgrohe, who took occupation of their 36,000 sq ft facility in the spring of 2023. Wareing & Company and Savills have been retained as agents. This highly visible and accessible site has the perfect combination of immediate motorway access off Junction 15 of the M40, providing a logistically superb location coupled with the prominence suitable for a HQ-style operator or customer facing business. The building will focus on sustainability and will be built to exceptional ESG standards, targeting EPC A + and BREEAM Excellent accreditation including electric vehicle charging points, solar panels, green initiatives, outdoor gym equipment and staff welfare. One of the UK’s leading developers of mid-box industrial units, Barberry simultaneously exchanged and completed the purchase of the Warwick site within 10 working days of instructing solicitors. It was bought for an undisclosed sum from Sackville Developments (Warwick) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd. Barberry last year revealed exciting plans to develop two other high quality warehouse units in the West Midlands, demonstrating its commitment to investment in the region. In Birmingham, it plans to build a £17 million 77,000 sq ft Grade A warehouse after acquiring a high-quality site in an off-market deal at Quinton Business Park, Birmingham. The company also plans to develop an advanced manufacturing unit with a value of £11 million in Ansty, Coventry, at one of the most successful business technology parks in the UK. It will deliver a 50,750 sq ft advanced manufacturing unit at Ansty Park after completing the acquisition of the Viggen Way site from Homes England. Barberry has a 2.6 million sq ft industrial/logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of more than £430 million and a growing income-producing commercial portfolio, delivering sustainable returns. The company also has 520 acres of strategically located residential and employment development land, capable of delivering 3,500 new homes including a 288 build-to-rent (BTR) apartment scheme in the heart of Coventry city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the appointment of its London division by Infrastructure Investments Ltd to complete works on a £31m student accommodation project. This follows the completion of £1.8 m worth of enabling works from RED Construction’s Special Projects team. Located close to Old Street Station in Shoreditch, and set to be completed in the Autumn, RED’s London team will carry out an extensive refurbishment and structural alterations increasing area from 47,000 sq ft to over 70,000 sq ft building in partnership with architects, ECE Westworks. Known as Willen House, the project has been designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of Excellent, taking the building’s height from six to eight storeys, whilst introducing a new façade with high-performance windows and glass-reinforced concrete. The refurbished student accommodation will house 208 bedrooms across seven floors, complemented by modern communal areas, together with two commercial units to the ground floor. RED Construction’s appointment is a direct result of the group’s extensive skillset, evidenced by the successful completion of the first phase enabling works by the Special Projects division. RED’s expertise in student accommodation has been instrumental in driving forward several schemes, with the London, South West, and Special Projects teams in the process of delivering over £75m of student accommodation in excess of 500 beds this year. Mark Iori, Managing Director of RED Construction London, commented: “Driven by growing demand, the student accommodation sector is a thriving, resilient market, and we are certainly seeing this influence our workstreams. The appointment of RED Construction London highlights the high standards delivered by the Special Projects team for the initial works, and how we create successful partnerships with clients like Infrastructure Investments.” Steven Gardner, at Infrastructure Investments Ltd, added: “Due to the project’s prominent location in Shoreditch, it was important for us to partner with a main contractor that had extensive experience delivering complex inner-city schemes. RED Construction London’s track record, paired with RED Special Project’s quality of enabling works, instil certainty that the London team will deliver the vision for our Willen House project.” RED Construction Group’s expertise in purpose-built student rooms is matched by its work in hotels, with the contractor’s South West division recently announcing the completed works on the UK’s first branded net zero hotel, voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park. Having been heavily involved from the design stage, RED Construction South West drew on their extensive knowledge of sustainable development to ensure the hotel would operate with industry-leading Energy Use Intensity (EUI) levels, a critical measure that will define building in the decades to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two office blocks and a number of commercial buildings in Potters Bar look set for a new lease of life after their sale was agreed with developers. Chase New Homes has exchanged contracts on the unconditional purchase of a 4.5 acre brownfield site fronting the High Street. The land is allocated for mixed-use development in Hertsmere Borough Council’s draft Local Plan – potentially including up to 265 homes and approximately 26,910 sq ft of office and retail space. The site currently includes two substantial office blocks – six-storey Canada Life Place and 13-storey Maple House – alongside 11,400 sq ft of mixed-use buildings, including two parades of shops with flats above, a 5,000 sq ft car wash and a large car park. Chase New Homes has now selected a design team for the site and – based on initial concepts – it is hoped it should deliver a minimum of around 90 affordable homes and 170 market sale homes; with an element of new commercial space. Advised by the development team at Savills in Cambridge and purchased for an undisclosed sum, site owner financial services provider Canada Life and Chase New Homes have agreed a deferred completion date in 2026. Joe Last, Associate Director in the development team at Savills Cambridge, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts on this landmark site. Its redevelopment represents an exciting opportunity to deliver sustainable growth in the shape of high quality residential, retail and commercial uses in a prime location, and will significantly contribute to the supply of much-needed new homes in the local area. “Chase New Homes are a leading regional housebuilder with a reputation for delivering high quality homes. From the outset they demonstrated a willingness to meet the requirements of the site owner – offering a flexible solution that was to the benefit of all parties. We look forward to seeing how the new scheme comes to fruition.” Nick Harding, Chief People Officer at Canada Life UK, said: “Canada Life has a long history in Potters Bar, and we were committed to finding a partner that shared our ambition to transform the site into a sustainable and attractive development that brings long-term benefits to the area. “Chase New Homes has a strong track record for delivering exceptional developments in and around Hertfordshire, and a plan that will meet the housing and commercial needs of the local community. We would like to thank both Chase New Homes for partnering with us on this exciting opportunity, and the Savills team for their support with the sale.” Gary Barton, Managing Director of Chase New Homes, said: “We are all extremely excited to be working on such an iconic site in Potters Bar and to add to our growing list of successful developments that we at Chase are very proud of delivering. We pride ourselves in creating schemes that not only enhance the area but also deliver an exceptional lifestyle living experience.’’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The fences have come down from around Norfolk Gardens marking the completion of a £45 million project to transform Bradford city centre. This welcoming green space, which is now open for people to enjoy, complements the recently completed pedestrianised areas on Market Street, Bridge Street, Bank Street, Broadway and Hall Ings. The newly created 10,000 square metre park area contains a wide variety of trees, shrubs and plants, along with pedestrian space, benches and seating for people to rest as well as natural places for children to play. The cycle lanes and paths which run through the gardens and connect Jacobs Well with Hall Ings have had their finishing touches applied. The landscaping has been designed to reflect the heritage and culture of the district, using plants and features that bring together both functionality and biodiversity making it an inviting place for visitors and residents to spend time. The newly pedestrianised space in the city centre is already being used and recently hosted its first public events with the Big Brass Blowout with brass bands playing in the area outside St George’s Hall. A spring family fun day organised by Bradford BID took place last weekend on many of the newly pedestrianised streets. The next major event in the city centre is the Super Soapbox Challenge which takes place on Sunday 4 May and will make use of some of the newly pedestrianised areas. The Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvement Scheme has been delivered by Bradford Council in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and funded through the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF). Funding for this scheme was awarded to Bradford Council through a capital grant provided by the Department for Transport and cannot be used for other purposes, such as delivering day to day Council services or other projects. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “The entire project has seen major changes throughout Bradford city centre completely transforming it from traffic choked streets to safe and inviting spaces for people to spend time. I’m delighted to see Norfolk Gardens reopening as a major green park, reflecting public desire to see more green spaces in the heart of the city centre. It’s the culmination of years of hard work by the project team and around 18months of construction work.” Scott Donson, Project Director at Balfour Beatty said: “We are pleased to have completed works at Norfolk Gardens, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of Bradford city centre. “This newly created green space, featuring an array of trees, shrubs, and sustainable landscaping, will provide a lasting benefit to the community, encourage biodiversity and create a more welcoming environment for both residents and visitors to Bradford.” Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “The transformation of Bradford city centre is truly remarkable, creating a vibrant and welcoming place for both residents and visitors. “By reducing traffic and making it easier to get around, this project will have a lasting impact on people’s health, wellbeing, and daily lives. “I’m delighted to see the completion of the project as we aim to create a better-connected region that works for all.” For more information about the scheme visit https://www.future-bradford.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GRAHAM, a leading civil engineering company, has constructed Forth Ports’ new deep-water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels. The berth was formally opened on Thursday 24 April, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s pursuit of net-zero emissions. It has been named the Charles Hammond Berth in honour of Forth Ports’ former Chief Executive, with the naming ceremony attended by Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland. The newly engineered heavy-lift berth boasts a robust 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m²) capacity, backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling, and manufacturing. A pivotal asset within a 175-acre site, the design will accommodate Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high-quality green jobs, and making a significant contribution to the country achieving its net-zero carbon emissions targets. The Leith Renewables Hub is part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, generating thousands of high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth. Paul Scott, GRAHAM Contracts Director, said: “The completion and grand opening of the Charles Hammond Berth is a proud moment for GRAHAM and a significant step forward for Scotland’s renewable energy sector. This complex project highlights our commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that not only meets immediate needs but also unlocks substantial long-term economic benefits for the region. We are delighted to have played a key role in creating a facility that will be instrumental in achieving Scotland’s net-zero targets and attracting significant investment and job creation.” The Charles Hammond Berth provides essential infrastructure for the Inch Cape wind farm and positions Leith as a key hub for the offshore renewables industry, attracting further investment and job creation within the Forth Green Freeport. Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group, said: “Today marks another important milestone in the history of Forth Ports and the transformation of the Port of Leith. Ahead of market demand, we have created a world class piece of infrastructure for Scotland as the nation starts to deliver the first wave of larger offshore wind projects taking shape in the North Sea. This, alongside our investment in the Port of Dundee, has created two purpose-built assembly terminals to meet the immediate needs of Scotland’s offshore wind sector. “These assets are part of Forth Ports’ vision aimed at addressing the UK’s port capacity required for the deployment of these projects, keeping the activity here in Scotland and the UK. This port infrastructure will be here for the long term and will become part of our sustainable future. “Naming the berth after Charles couldn’t be a more fitting tribute to his leadership and we are proud to have his name on the berth as part of his legacy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Newcastle United Football Club, a cherished home for generations of fans since 1892, has introduced two new escalators as part of a refurbishment of its on-site merchandising outlet. Through close collaboration with Newcastle United Football Club, the Stannah Major Projects team designed and delivered a bespoke escalator system, offering seamless transportation and significantly enhancing user experience. Open seven days a week, the club’s refurbishment plans aim to celebrate and preserve its rich history and heritage while showcasing its widest range of football kits and merchandise, introduced as part of its £30 million partnership with Adidas. The works The project entailed a full refurbishment of the club’s shop following a £30m deal with Adidas as NUFC’s official kit supplier. This included removing the existing escalator, and designing and installing two new escalators to integrate with the updated layout. Stannah Lift Services worked alongside 442 Design, a leading interior design company, to ensure the new escalators would seamlessly integrate into the architectural framework. Together, they identified necessary structural changes, including adjustments to the pit area to address conflicts between the stadiums’ structural supports and the original layout. Stannah also carried out a detailed evaluation of the existing escalator and its surrounding infrastructure to find the best and safest removal solution. While the client liaised and initiated the removal with the demolition company, Stannah removed key components, such as the steps and drive unit, to facilitate easier manoeuvring of the escalator sections. The challenge The client set a tight budget and a strict timescale in order for the work to be completed in a timely manner and offer value to NUFC fans. To address this, Stannah provided detailed guidance on an escalator solution that met the building and shop layout requirements while balancing cost and efficiency. Stannah faced other challenges as logistics were disrupted due to conflicts impacting the Suez Canal, which made it unsafe and inaccessible for ships to pass through. As a result, logistic companies were forced to reroute deliveries around the Cape of Good Hope, causing significant delays in the delivery of materials. To mitigate further delays and to meet the store opening deadline, Stannah increased on-site labour resources to ensure the installation, commissioning and testing proceeded as planned. The integration of the new escalators also demanded technical precision to address structural modifications to ensure the installation aligned seamlessly with the architectural framework and complied with rigorous safety standards. Extensive testing was conducted by Stannah’s engineers to confirm the escalators’ safety and performance, ensuring they met the BS115 standard. Stannah provided comprehensive training on escalator operation, maintenance and safety to the building management team and store staff, providing all the skills and knowledge needed to manage and operate the systems efficiently. The escalator solution Stannah proposed the installation of two new A2C escalators to improve traffic flow between the ground and shop’s mezzanine levels, ensuring seamless access and greater convenience for users. With a high-quality design, the escalators’ design focused on minimising friction, vibration and noise, delivering a smooth and quiet ride capable of efficiently managing increased foot traffic during peak periods. To maximise energy efficiency and to provide flexibility on how the client would like to use the escalators, Stannah provided features such as stop-and-start technology and reduced speed operation so they can choose the correct operational philosophy to suit their current or future requirements. Star/delta bypass was also provided which provides redundancy in case of VVVF inverter failure. Stannah’s A2C escalator package is a reliable solution for commercial, retail, hotel and office environments. With a rise of 3.0 to 15.8 metres and speeds ranging from 0.5 to 0.75 metres per second, these escalators are finished with a glass balustrade and natural anodised aluminium handrail guide frames for a modern and durable design. Ryan Robson, Head of Projects, at Newcastle United Football Club, said: “The new escalators are a step forward to improving the efficiency of foot traffic around the NUFC. Stannah’s expertise and attention to detail throughout the process, from design to installation, were incredible. Their ability to deliver a solution tailored to our needs and manage challenges swiftly has been beneficial to the completion of this project.” John Metcalfe, Project Delivery Manager at Stannah Lifts, said: “This project was an exciting opportunity to showcase our expertise in delivering tailored escalator solutions that seamlessly integrate into unique architectural environments. By collaborating closely with the client, we were able to address their specific requirements for increased foot traffic, while incorporating energy-saving features like the VVVF drive system.” All of Stannah’s escalators are fully compliant with the latest British Standards, including BS5656 and BS115, and are equipped with the latest passenger safety features. Find out more information on escalators and moving walkways or contact Stannah for a range of lift products and services at www.stannahlifts.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Supermarket Income REIT has launched a strategic joint venture with funds managed by Blue Owl Capital, a leading US asset manager with more than $250 billion (£188 billion) in assets under management. The partnership marks Blue Owl’s first major investment into the UK grocery real estate sector. The joint venture, which aims to scale to £1 billion over time, begins with a seed portfolio of eight supermarket assets from Supermarket Income REIT’s existing holdings. These properties were transferred into the venture at a 3% premium to their December 2024 book value, representing a combined worth of £403 million. The portfolio delivers an average net initial yield of 6.6% and a weighted average unexpired lease term of 11 years. Supermarket Income REIT retains a 50% stake in the venture and has received approximately £200 million in cash from the asset sale. The company will continue to manage the assets, earning a management fee of 0.6% per annum on the gross asset value, along with a performance-based fee if financial targets are achieved. The REIT, which specialises in grocery-anchored property investment, views the partnership as a platform for future growth, offering access to third-party capital and building on its recent strategic progress. Robert Abraham, CEO of Supermarket Income REIT, commented: “The joint venture with Blue Owl’s managed funds brings a high-quality strategic partner that shares our belief in the strength and resilience of UK grocery assets. With ambitions to scale to £1 billion, this venture is a major endorsement of our expertise and track record in the sector.” He added that the move forms part of a broader strategy announced in late 2024, which includes renewing key leases, reducing operational costs through internalised management, and undertaking further capital recycling to enhance shareholder returns. Marc Zahr, co-president and global head of real assets at Blue Owl, said: “SUPR stands out as the UK’s leading investor in grocery real estate. We are pleased to partner with a company that brings deep knowledge and proven performance in this space. Our collaboration will allow us to tap into an attractive pipeline of assets in what we see as a resilient and growing sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading installer of regulatory-compliant passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, have been honoured with a dedicated ‘Injectaclad Contractors Award’ in recognition of their successful implementation of the Injectaclad solution across the UK. The Injectaclad Contractors Award celebrates approved installers who demonstrate outstanding delivery, meticulous project management and a strong dedication to upholding the highest standards in fire protection.As the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier has been commended for its commitment to compliance through minimally disruptive installations in UK high-rise buildings. “From complex residential retrofits to large-scale remediation works, we’ve consistently delivered safe, compliant and minimally disruptive fire protection solutions using the Injectaclad system – and it’s an honour to be recognised with this prestigious Injectaclad Contractors Award!” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director at Injecta Fire Barrier. Injectaclad is an acrylic based graphite sealant that expands when exposed to heat to slow the spread of flames and smoke between wall and floor cavities, giving a building’s occupants critical time to safely evacuate.By eliminating the need for major alterations to a building’s façade, the solution offers building owners a more cost-effective alternative than the removal of potentially dangerous cladding. With the growing demand for passive fire safety solutions following the Grenfell tragedy and subsequent regulatory reforms, including the Fire Safety Act (2021), installers such as injectaclad have sought to leverage the innovative solution to help buildings across the UK become better safeguarded from fire. “With stricter regulations creating challenges for property developers, passive fire barriers like Injectaclad are becoming essential. Now as an award-winning installer, we remain committed to providing cost-effective fire safety solutions for high-rise buildings, while supporting property developers in achieving compliance” adds Shaun. Operating as a subsidiary in the Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC Group, Injecta Fire Barrier is a trusted partner in the fire protection industry, focusing solely on supplying and installing the innovative passive fire barriers. With 2025 shaping up to be a busy year, filled with major projects and industry events, Injecta Fire Barrier is looking forward to expanding its reach and impact to further strengthen their role in safeguarding UK buildings from fire. “This esteemed award is a testament to the hard work, precision and commitment our team poured into every project. A massive thank you to Injectaclad for this recognition and to our clients and partners for your continued trust in our expertise. Here’s to raising the bar in passive fire protection and to many more milestones ahead!” concludes Shaun. More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first students to take part in the pilot Careys Construction Campus at Oxford North, the free three-week training course for people aged 17 years and over, have graduated with flying colours. Six students, five of whom have joined through SOFEA, the Didcot-based charity that provides education, employability and wellbeing programmes for vulnerable young people, have completed their course in curbing, block paving, drainage and finishing. The course ran for five days a week from 8am to 4pm. Their graduation ceremony was held at Oxford North on Friday 11 April 2025 with attendees from Oxford North, Thomas White Oxford, Careys, Mace, SOFEA, Activate Learning and Abingdon and Witney College. They were joined by Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, to see the campus and meet the teachers and students. The campus is place-based rather than project-based so that upon graduation the students are able to consider jobs at Oxford North and on other construction sites across Oxford and Oxfordshire. All students have completed their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card training and have had an interview. Three have been offered jobs at Oxford North and the remainder have interviews in progress and work is underway to look at placing them at other developments within the county. Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope which, with Careys, has funded the initial pilot. E.ON Energy partnered with SOFEA to fund materials and transportation to and from Oxford North. Simon Ruck, managing director, Oxford North said: “We offer many congratulations to the first cohort of students at Careys’ campus. What an achievement – they should be very proud of themselves. Our sincere thanks to Careys, and Mace as principal contractor, for their hard work in putting together the campus and course. Their dedication to supporting these young people and training our future construction workers has been admirable. This is what Oxford North is all about – providing opportunities for local people and having a positive social impact.” Tom Wraight, regional director at Careys, stated: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our first graduates on this significant achievement! We take great pride in their accomplishments. Many young individuals are overlooked due to past trauma or anxiety. We are dedicated to providing support through our campuses. We are in Wembley, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, and now Oxford, and our initiative is proving effective. These locations offer invaluable opportunities for individuals. “As we face a skills gap in the construction sector, while not everyone may choose this path, we strive to engage with these young people through three weeks of structured learning and at the age of 17 and above they can obtain their CSCS card, qualifying them for work on construction sites. Our aim is to equip individuals with both trade skills and essential social skills within a practical setting. A sincere thank you goes out to Mick, Martin, Maddy and Madison and the entire Careys and Mace teams for their unwavering commitment and hard work in making this possible.” Kaiden, graduate, Construction Construction Campus said: “I heard about this course through a family friend and saw it online and wanted to apply as I have thought about construction in the past and wanted to get into it. I’ve learnt stuff that I never thought I would learn and picked up a few new skills like drainage, which pushed me out of my comfort zone. But now I’ve learned new ways and different techniques and the safety regulations which make it easier for me. I would say anyone thinking about doing this course to really, really do it. It’s amazing. I’m proud to have gained an offer of a job and start work as soon as my CSCS card comes through.” Cait Hayton, pre-apprenticeship lead, SOFEA added: “We have seen a transformation in the young people who have taken part in this course in both their confidence and learning new skills – they should be so proud of themselves. We have had positive feedback from their parents and guardians that the course has made a noticeable difference in their children, empowering them and providing positive motivation. We are grateful to EON for supporting us with materials and transportation. We’re so excited for the students to see them grow and what future they have ahead of them.” Fiona, graduate, Construction Construction Campus added: “When I was 15 years old I started work in a scaffolding business and I absolutely loved it – my grandad and my uncle were in construction and a few months ago, I started to miss scaffolding. I kept being told that you needed a CSCS card and I kept thinking to myself that I had to do it. I had to search it up and then found out about this course through SOFEA. I have loved it – just everything about construction is great because it is satisfying to see your work and what you do expand. I would recommend anyone thinking of doing this course to do it because it’s such an amazing opportunity. Getting my certificates is one of my biggest achievements. Honestly, that is amazing.” Councillor Susan Brown, leader, Oxford City Council added: “It was a real privilege to meet all the young people who have been learning at the construction campus. I have heard from everyone involved here today about how beneficial this opportunity has been to giving confidence and skills to these amazing young people. It’s so important for us, for our city and for our country that we encourage people to develop construction skills. We know that there are lots of people out there currently looking for work, and I’m really pleased and grateful that Careys and Oxford North have given local young people this opportunity. It was an important part of the planning approval that local jobs were created and supported but it’s good to see the imaginative ways in which Oxford North has taken
Dandara, one of the UK’s leading independent housebuilders, recently joined forces with Aviva Investors, Milton Keynes College and Packaged Living to deliver an ambitious education initiative, aimed at giving young people in Milton Keynes real insight into careers in construction and property. The initiative was created and funded by Aviva Investors with contributions from Dandara and Packaged Living to offer a bespoke careers programme to inspire young people in overcoming barriers and achieving their full career potential. It follows the announcement last year that Aviva Investors had funded the creation of 212 new family homes across two brand new communities in Shenley Wood and Whitehouse Park as part of a partnership with Packaged Living, which will be delivered by Dandara. Over seven weeks, 17 students studying a T-Level course in construction participated in a series of hands-on workshops, practical challenges and career-focused sessions designed to build skills, boost confidence and open doors to future opportunities in the industry. The standout session, The Big Build, saw students step into the role of property developers, constructing sustainable models using only the materials provided – with a budget of £30 million in mock capital to manage. From wooden pegs to lollipop sticks, creativity and sustainability were the name of the game. The more sustainable and resource-efficient the design, the higher the team scored – with the winning team selected by a judging panel from all three companies. Students not only tackled real-world issues like climate change and sustainable building practices, but also explored asset management and investment strategy, helping them to understand the wider ecosystem of the built environment. In what was a programme highlight; interview preparation sessions gave students invaluable insight into professional life – many having never sat an interview before. As a result, Dandara is now looking to offer work placements to T-Level students to create long-term pathways into the industry. Lesley Treacy, Head of ESG at Dandara, who supported several sessions and was a judge on the panel, said: “Working directly with the students has been a genuinely inspiring experience. Their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to sustainability gave me great confidence in the next generation of construction professionals. At Dandara, we’re passionate about investing in future talent and ensuring the built environment evolves with fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. “The level of engagement we saw, especially during interview preparation and practical sessions, highlighted just how important real-world exposure is at this stage in a student’s development. The students showed an impressive understanding of sustainability and collaboration – two values at the core of what we do.” Ben Sanderson, Managing Director, Real Estate, at Aviva Investors, added: “We think it’s really important for investors to recognise the projects they fund do not sit in isolation. They are also a great opportunity for companies to interact with – and give back to – the local community and to add social value. Creating this initiative was a wonderful chance to meet young people in Milton Keynes who might have an interest in property or construction, to help nurture their enthusiasm and hopefully inspire the next generation to explore jobs in the industry. It was terrific to see how engaged they were and to show them the role these professions can play in helping the UK get ready for the future by investing into communities and having a positive impact on the surrounding areas.” The final feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with 96% of students reporting, they are confident to extremely confident they have the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. The programme brought learning to life in a fun, interactive way that connected classroom theory with industry practice. At the end of the programme, each student received a certificate and credits towards their course, recognising their participation and achievements. As Dandara continues to expand its presence across the UK, its involvement in programmes like this reflects a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for young people and strengthening ties with the communities it serves. By working directly with students and educational partners, the company is helping to equip future talent with the skills, confidence and experience needed to thrive in the world of construction and beyond. To find out more about Dandara visit www.dandara.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
