KFC has announced plans to open more than 50 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, marking the next phase in a major £1.5 billion investment into its UK and Ireland estate. The fried chicken giant, which already operates over 1,000 outlets nationwide, is aiming to significantly grow its footprint,
OP has been appointed to deliver the new UK headquarters for Potenza Technology, the battery research and development division of FPT Powertrain, part of Iveco Group. The leading office interior design consultancy will design and construct a combined CAT A and CAT B fit out of 26,000 sq ft across
The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, held an event to celebrate the topping out of the final phase of their Leaside Lock development in Bromley-by-Bow, London. The event was attended by The Guinness Partnership’s Kevin Williams, Group Director of Development and Commercial Services who was joined by
BAM UK & Ireland has received certification from Passivhaus Institute for Woodmill High School and St Columba’s RC High School, part of the Dunfermline Learning Campus. This project is now the largest certified educational Passivhaus building in the UK, as well as the largest Passivhaus certified building in the world
Advanced construction technology specialist, SITECH UK & Ireland, has played a major role in supporting Hunter Environmental, a division of Hunter Plant Hire, during the delivery of complex infrastructure works for a major renewable energy scheme in Worcestershire. The project, a 132kV substation at the JBM Doverdale Solar Farm, is
NATIONAL engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has played a pivotal role in the delivery of a cutting-edge sustainable wetland project for Yorkshire Water, in collaboration with PowerCem Technologies. Designed to manage storm overflows and reduce the environmental impact of wastewater treatment, the project in South Elmsall, Wakefield has already earned industry acclaim and is
One of the UK’s fastest growing principal contractors has pledged to boost spending on its Early Years’ Talent Academy as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations. Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, is increasing its investment to £150,000 per year to help fight the growing
KFC has announced plans to open more than 50 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, marking the next phase in a major £1.5 billion investment into its UK and Ireland estate. The fried chicken giant, which already operates over 1,000 outlets nationwide, is aiming to significantly grow its footprint, with a long-term goal of opening 500 new sites over the next ten years. Earlier this year, the brand confirmed it will invest £466 million over the next five years to support this expansion. As part of the strategy, KFC has also committed to refurbishing over 200 existing locations to enhance customer experience and modernise facilities. The company has now issued updated acquisition requirements as it actively seeks new opportunities for both freehold and leasehold premises. KFC is considering a range of locations including retail and leisure parks, development sites, high street units, travel hubs, shopping centres, and food courts. The brand is particularly focused on securing drive-through sites between 0.3 and 1.5 acres, as well as in-line units ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 square feet. KFC’s expansion is set to span the entirety of the UK and Ireland, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and visibility. To incentivise support from property professionals, the company is offering a finder’s fee of £20,000 for suitable site introductions. This ambitious programme reflects KFC’s continued confidence in the UK and Irish markets and its commitment to long-term growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OP has been appointed to deliver the new UK headquarters for Potenza Technology, the battery research and development division of FPT Powertrain, part of Iveco Group. The leading office interior design consultancy will design and construct a combined CAT A and CAT B fit out of 26,000 sq ft across two levels at the advanced battery technology facility. The project will transform the space into a modern headquarters that reflects Potenza and FPT’s position as a leader in automotive battery innovation. The ground floor will house state-of-the-art software and testing laboratories featuring white, clinical environments essential for battery development work. A striking feature amenities area and flexible town hall space will serve as central gathering points, complemented by meeting rooms designed to facilitate collaboration between engineering, testing and office teams. The first floor will accommodate office administration staff, creating a seamless connection between the technical and commercial operations through carefully planned circulation routes and shared amenities. Central to the design philosophy is bringing together all team members in unified spaces. Rather than segregating workshop and laboratory staff in separate facilities, the new headquarters will feature a prominent amenities area where technical, administrative, and visiting teams can collaborate and socialise together. The town hall space will incorporate mobile furniture to allow flexible reconfiguration for various events and presentations. A standout design feature will see half of a commercial vehicle integrated into the seating area, reinforcing the connection to Iveco Commercial vehicles. The design will maintain the building’s EPC A rating while introducing exposed ceilings at 3.8 metres high and carefully positioned flooring interventions on the existing screeded surface. A mezzanine level will feature exposed services and selected flooring areas to create distinct zones within the open plan environment. Employee wellbeing is central to the design, with a multifunction dedicated wellness room, accessible toilet and shower facility, and a games room. Technology integration will support seamless international collaboration, enabling teams to connect with colleagues across the Iveco Group’s global operations. Gary Tailby, Managing Director at OP said “We’re delighted to be working with Potenza Technology to create their new UK headquarters. This project perfectly demonstrates our ability to blend highly technical laboratory environments with inspiring collaborative workspaces. The design breaks down traditional barriers between different teams, creating a unified environment where innovation can flourish. It’s particularly exciting to be working on a project that’s at the forefront of sustainable automotive technology.” Deborah Lyall, Operations Project Manager at Potenza Technology said “We chose OP because they understood our vision of creating a headquarters that breaks down silos between different parts of our operation. The design brings together our technical teams with our office staff in shared spaces that promote collaboration and innovation. This project represents a significant step forward in establishing our presence as the UK headquarters for Potenza Technology and FPT within the Iveco Group” OP was selected following a competitive tendering process, with the appointment based on the firm’s excellent design response, technical expertise and strong client relationships in the advanced manufacturing sector. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, held an event to celebrate the topping out of the final phase of their Leaside Lock development in Bromley-by-Bow, London. The event was attended by The Guinness Partnership’s Kevin Williams, Group Director of Development and Commercial Services who was joined by Chris Wallace, Construction Director and Ian Russell, Project Director, both from the appointed contractors Lovell Partnerships, and other members and partners of Guinness’s development team. Leaside Lock is a development consisting of 965 homes in total, which have been completed over three phases, with this third and final phase consisting of 321 homes, 135 of which will be affordable rent. The homes will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments along with six, three bedroom town houses. The homes at Leaside Lock have been designed with sustainability in mind, with photovoltaic panels providing affordable and sustainable energy for communal areas, which alongside the combined heat and power system, enables increased energy efficiency and reduced monthly outgoings. The development offers amenities for residents which include an on-site gym, a convenience store, café, concierge, residential roof terraces, games room, communal workspaces and bike storage. There will also be 40,000 sq ft of commercial space and a new urban square and park. The homes are being delivered with the support of funding from the Mayor of London, under a GLA Strategic Partnership agreement. Kevin Williams, Group Director of Development & Commercial Services at The Guinness Partnership said: “The topping out of the final phase at Leaside Lock is a significant milestone in bringing more new high-quality affordable homes to East London. We would like to thank the contractors Lovell Partnerships, Greater London Authority, the council, and other partners who have helped to deliver these homes for the capital.” Lorraine Casey, Regional Managing Director – London at Lovell Partnerships said: “Lovell is absolutely delighted to share in the achievement of this significant milestone with Guinness. The fantastic progress made by the site team to reach ‘topping out’ has only been possible through genuine collaboration and partnership. We are immensely proud of our efforts in working with Guinness to deliver the high-quality affordable homes that the community deserves, and of the training and employment opportunities that we are also providing to genuinely change lives.” Phase 1 began in April 2019 and residents began moving into Phase 1 homes in February 2022. Phase 2 started March 2021 and completed in May 2024. Residents began moving into Phase 2 homes in June 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BAM UK & Ireland has received certification from Passivhaus Institute for Woodmill High School and St Columba’s RC High School, part of the Dunfermline Learning Campus. This project is now the largest certified educational Passivhaus building in the UK, as well as the largest Passivhaus certified building in the world in the school, college and university categories. Contractor BAM UK & Ireland worked closely with Fife Council to deliver one Passivhaus Classic dual secondary school building in Dunfermline under one roof. The school has recorded an airtightness of 0.45m3/(hr-m3)@50Pa air changes per hour, meaning less than half of the air inside the building is replaced by outside air due to leakage each hour, improving heat retention and energy efficiency. The Passivhaus education project has received certification from Passivhaus Institute, the independent institute for outstanding energy efficiency in buildings. Passivhaus buildings helps clients address the climate emergency and cost of living crisis by delivering sustainable building solutions that can help lower costs, meaning funds can be spent in the right places such as additional teaching staff. Jim Ward, Scottish regional director at BAM UK & Ireland, comments: “Passivhaus is not just about changing building standards, it’s about changing a mindset to get quality embedded into how we deliver buildings within the construction industry. We are delighted to have received certification from Passivhaus Institute, and recognition for the energy efficiency methods used to deliver Woodmill High School and St Columba’s RC High School. “The building will help to significantly reduce energy costs, while also improving air quality, creating a better learning environment for both pupils and staff. It’s a project we are incredibly proud to have delivered in close partnership with Fife Council and one that aligns with our commitment to building a sustainable tomorrow.” Cllr Cara Hilton, Fife Council’s Education Spokesperson, comments: “This certification is a fantastic achievement for Dunfermline Learning Campus. It highlights our commitment to sustainability and providing high-quality learning environments for our students.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Advanced construction technology specialist, SITECH UK & Ireland, has played a major role in supporting Hunter Environmental, a division of Hunter Plant Hire, during the delivery of complex infrastructure works for a major renewable energy scheme in Worcestershire. The project, a 132kV substation at the JBM Doverdale Solar Farm, is now in its final stages, with only the retaining wall and dress stone finish remaining. Once complete, the substation will support the site’s connection to the National Grid. This connection will enable the transmission of clean energy to the grid, supporting the UK’s transition to renewable power. Hunter Environmental provides contract services, labour, landscaping and agriculture services across utilities, civil engineering and land remediation sectors. To support the Doverdale project, Hunter Environmental partnered with SITECH to deploy GPS-enabled dozers for high-accuracy grading and UAV drone technology for up-to-date site surveying. Liam Omalley, Director at Hunter Plant Hire, said: “With support from SITECH, the Doverdale project highlighted our capability in delivering technically demanding energy infrastructure. SITECH ensured our dozers were fully equipped with Trimble® machine control, and that our operators received full training as they began work with topsoil stripping and preparation, installing stone fill to create a stable working platform to support operations. “Trimble machine control technology helped our operators improve labour efficiency when laying reinforced concrete (RC) foundations, and during the integration of ducting and drainage systems. The centimetre-level accuracy of the technology was also a vital asset during the installation of a CESS tank and rainwater harvesting system to manage runoff and maximise sustainability. Another key element where the technology helped with vital precision was the construction of the NGED control room, designed to house critical operational and monitoring equipment for the substation. “The Trimble positioning systems provided the team with accurate 3D visualisations which improved visibility, safety and productivity in the installation of a 400m long 132kV cable route. This required accurate excavation, trenching and cable-pulling to establish a robust grid connection. Communications ducting and associated infrastructure were also laid to ensure operational connectivity.” The Doverdale 132kV substation is crucial to stepping down high-voltage electricity from transmission lines at the Doverdale Solar Farm to lower voltages for distribution. SITECH provided not just the technology but also comprehensive support and training, introducing Hunter Environmental to the Trimble Stratus platform for advanced UAV-based site monitoring. Phillip Matchett, Technical Sales Representative at SITECH UK & Ireland said: “We worked closely with Hunter Environmental to support them in choosing the right kit to meet the needs of the project, as well as setting up the machines and supporting operators in how to use it effectively. “By adopting high-quality drone surveying technology with Trimble Stratus, Hunter Environmental has been able to make use of real-time, accurate progress tracking, detailed site surveys and access to frequent volume data around stockpiles, excavations and other site features. The use of real-time positioning systems and automated machine control has also contributed to reduced fuel consumption and minimised material waste, alongside fewer reworks and improved accuracy. “Our partnership with Hunter Environmental, and the integration of digital tools with on-the-ground expertise, has helped ensure consistent quality, precision and safety on this project, which is all the more meaningful given it is an essential piece of infrastructure in supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NATIONAL engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has played a pivotal role in the delivery of a cutting-edge sustainable wetland project for Yorkshire Water, in collaboration with PowerCem Technologies. Designed to manage storm overflows and reduce the environmental impact of wastewater treatment, the project in South Elmsall, Wakefield has already earned industry acclaim and is shortlisted for a national construction award this July. As a long-term delivery partner of PowerCem, Rodgers Leask supported across the 25,000 sq m scheme using its varied engineering expertise. The final layout of the sustainable wetland cells and the cut and fill model were carried out by Rodgers Leask’s civil engineering team, while the geotechnical team oversaw the soil sampling, laboratory testing, geotechnical design, and site monitoring and verification. The wetland system accommodates stormwater flows of up to 440 litres per second and was designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions, eliminate waste, and enable full recyclability at the end of the project’s life. Andy Leask, director at Rodgers Leask, said: “From the ability to act as a shield against flooding by soaking up heavy rainfall and improving water flows, through to naturally absorbing and storing vast amounts of carbon, wetlands play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and combating climate change. “The collaborative effort on this wetland scheme has been brilliant to see, and the recognition the project has already received is a testament to the success we can have when we come together to combine innovation and environmental responsibility.” The initial project design would have required the removal of topsoil to landfill, import of clay, a 650m haul road and more than 2,000 HGV movements. The solution developed by Rodgers Leask and PowerCem instead stabilised existing site material in situ, which removed the need for landfill disposal or clay importation while also eliminating the need for a temporary haul road. Based on other projects, this is estimated to have reduced the carbon footprint of the project by 80%. Andy continued: “My first project after I graduated in 1976 was a storage reservoir for Yorkshire Water and now, almost 50 years later, we have delivered a new scheme that sets an industry example for carbon reduction, reusability and sustainable design. I’m looking forward to seeing how we can apply our learnings from this project to more, larger-scale projects.” For more information on Rodgers Leask, visit www.rodgersleask.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s fastest growing principal contractors has pledged to boost spending on its Early Years’ Talent Academy as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations. Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, is increasing its investment to £150,000 per year to help fight the growing skills gap facing the construction sector. This will encompass an even more comprehensive programme, offering apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, formal qualifications and one-to-one mentoring from its senior leadership team. It has been specially designed to attract individuals into the sector and, importantly, retain existing talent who are being tempted into different opportunities. By offering acceleration of their personal development and career path they can clearly see their future at Inco Contracts. The Early Years’ Talent Academy has been a resounding success so far for the business, with six young people trained from the basics into highly skilled professionals with some already progressing into managerial positions. “Skills are a growing issue for our sector and our ability to grow. Rather than stand still, we decided to take positive action and create our own training programme,” explained Operations Director Sam Norton, who led the MBO with Managing Director David Cotterill in 2020. “This has been a fantastic initiative for attracting young talent to join us as a fledgling contractor and we wanted to further renew our commitment to this. Our 15th anniversary felt like the perfect opportunity to extend it by increasing the funding to £150,000.” He continued: “We provide real project-based experience from day one, setting us apart from our competitors, with a progression pathway aligned with their personal goals. There is also company-funded education at College or University in place to deliver the best all-rounded team member. “Annual growth is running at around 20% and we can’t completely rely on the existing labour pool if we want to maintain this level of expansion. Growing our own talent is the preferred option to address the skills shortage and I’m delighted that we have given our proven scheme an ‘anniversary boost’.” Inco Contracts is a specialist in industrial, commercial and education refurbishment schemes across the UK, completing hundreds of projects every year. These often tend to be turnkey in nature and involve the company working alongside architects, designers, and landlords to bring warehouse, educational establishments and office space back to life or to the required modern-day standards. Services provided range from industrial roof and cladding, dilapidation schemes and external groundwork packages to building services, M&E installations, strip-outs and demolition, not to mention heritage and conservation work. Beyond the Early Years’ Talent Academy, the business also offers CPD for all of its 55-strong workforce as part of a regular 6-month appraisal scheme. This clearly defines a personalised action plan to further support their role and provide upskilling opportunities. Managing Director David Cotterill, added his support: “It’s well documented that the construction industry has been experiencing skills shortage issues for some time, so it’s crucial that we deliver talent from the ground up. “By doing this we’re helping address the ‘gap’ and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be overlooked by the sector. Our goal is to make construction more accessible, modern and rewarding. In a tight labour market, the companies that invest in people will be the ones that continue to thrive.” Harry Merrick was one of the first people to be enrolled into the Inco Contracts’ Early Years Talent Scheme, joining as Trainee Contracts Manager in 2020. He progressed to Assistant Contracts Manager just twelve months later and quickly secured his Level 3 BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment, before embarking on a five-year HNC in Construction Management at Birmingham City University. The 21-year-old from Walsall has made equally impressive strides in the workplace, recently leading a tender that secured a near £1m industrial refurbishment project in Nottinghamshire. Harry, who is also hoping to achieve Chartered status with the Chartered Institute of Building, commented: “I’d recommend this scheme to anyone entering construction. I’ve had a clear pathway from day one and lots of mentoring from experienced professionals that has accelerated my practical knowledge. “My sights are now set on the next step in my career, which will be the Contracts Manager role and then who knows…maybe one of the senior management team. Working with an independent contractor has fast-tracked my development in this sector.” Inco Contracts is planning several special events and announcements through the year to tie in with its 15th anniversary, which officially takes place in July. For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
