1Energy to bolster energy security and cut air pollution from buildings by 86%, project receives local support. The country’s leading low-carbon city heat network developer, 1Energy, has pledged £100m of private capital for a city-wide heat network for Derby at a high-profile event for the city’s leaders. This move follows the
Civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist Barhale has announced the appointment of James Haddon in a newly created role of Director of Low Carbon Solutions and Joe Solomon as Regional Director (Eastern). Director of Low Carbon Solutions is a new board-level position which reflects both Barhale’s corporate commitment to decarbonisation
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in Europe, has launched a major new initiative to develop data centres across Europe, the UK, India and the Middle East with the appointment of four senior specialists. Panattoni’s new dedicated data centres team will be led by Richard Wellbrock, who joins as
Using fire performance cables which meet and exceed current standards and guidance can only help to improve safety in critical fire safety situations, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category
Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14 July 2025 Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14
Selling a home is no small feat. However, doing it wisely can make the difference between having more money in your pocket and losing gains. If you own property in Fort Worth, then there’s good news: You don’t have to start from zero! Many local sellers have already set the
1Energy to bolster energy security and cut air pollution from buildings by 86%, project receives local support. The country’s leading low-carbon city heat network developer, 1Energy, has pledged £100m of private capital for a city-wide heat network for Derby at a high-profile event for the city’s leaders. This move follows the company securing £23m of investment into the project from the UK Government. Developed at no cost to the local community or council, the Derby Energy Network will cut city wide gas demand by around 7 per cent. It will supply the city with low-carbon heating via underground hot water pipes, using water source heat pumps to repurpose surplus heat from local businesses.1 1Energy could invest over £140m into the network as it grows.2 1Energy pledged its initial investment to the project at a high-profile event attended by Derby’s leaders, including Baggy Shanker MP, on the site of the world’s first factory late last week. The event saw the public and private sectors come together to further plans to deliver a more secure future for the city – to bolster energy security and innovation, create skilled jobs and apprenticeships, and future-proof essential infrastructure. Major organisations in the city, including Derby City Council, the Royal Derby and Florence Nightingale Hospitals, the University of Derby and Derby College, are working with 1Energy to advance the network, with plans to begin construction in 2026. The Derby Energy Network will enable the city to bolster energy security, cut costs for businesses3 and protect against sudden gas-related energy price hikes,4 with buildings being warmed by low-carbon heat rather than gas boilers. Additionally, some of Britain’s most innovative businesses, such as Rolls-Royce and SmartParc5 could soon be linked up via the project, extending the pioneering city’s leadership in the circular economy.6 Andrew Wettern, CEO of 1Energy, said: “Derby has long led the world in terms of innovation, from water networks to defence. We are delighted to bring long-term investment to the city and build on its rich industrial heritage, enabling leading businesses to play a key role in delivering a new utility model. “Home to world-renowned innovators, Derby is uniquely placed to lead the transition to a more secure energy future. Alongside transforming the city’s energy infrastructure, the Derby Energy Network will give businesses greater choice and long-term price certainty. All while unlocking economic, health and environmental benefits for the city, the region and the country. We are exciting to continue working with Derby’s trailblazers to develop the network.” As well as helping the UK achieve its energy security goals, the network will play a vital role in reducing air pollution, improving public health.7 It is projected to save around 20 tonnes of air pollutants that can cause respiratory problems8 – equivalent to taking 16,000 cars off the road for a year – by cutting pollutants from connected buildings by around 86 per cent. The network also expects to reduce carbon emissions by 19,200 tonnes through slashing emissions from buildings by up to 77 per cent. Baggy Shanker, Member of Parliament for Derby South, said: “The Derby Energy Network represents a huge opportunity for our city to deliver another cutting-edge project, continuing our long-standing leadership on innovation. By combining private capital and public investment, it will bring hundreds of millions of pounds into Derby. I see it playing a key role in boosting economic growth. “It is great to hear the project will also create hundreds of skilled local jobs, including apprenticeships. As a former apprentice myself, I know first-hand how transformative they can be.” Project fit for a ‘city of firsts’ Home to Britain’s first publicly owned water network, water-powered silk mill and planned public park, Derby has led the way in terms of devising innovative solutions to societal issues. However, heat remains one of our biggest challenges. Accounting for half the UK’s natural gas use, it is one of the main reasons our country remains reliant on imported fossil fuels and, as a result, vulnerable to sudden changes in international prices. It is also responsible for over a fifth (21 per cent) of air pollution, and 37 per cent of Britain’s total carbon emissions. Heat networks offer the lowest-cost, simplest, fastest route to addressing all these challenges at once, requiring the fewest retrofit measures.9 The Derby Energy Network provides the extra benefit of adding another element to the city’s leadership on engineering innovation. The project will also create and support hundreds of jobs, apprenticeships and supply chain opportunities locally – a key topic of discussion at last week’s event. Councilor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability at Derby City Council, said: “This is brilliant news for our city. 1Energy’s £100m investment in low-carbon heating will mark a transformative step forward for Derby – not only in our mission to tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions, but also in fostering healthier, more resilient communities. This initiative will help to keep homes and buildings across Derby warm in a more sustainable way whilst delivering wider benefits, from improving air quality and reducing fuel poverty, to enhancing public health and wellbeing. This initiative will be a game changer for communities across Derby, and I look forward to working closely with 1Energy to deliver lasting benefits for Derby.” Aligned with the City’s pioneering spirit, 1Energy is the first company in the UK to use funding from institutional investors to build city-scale low-carbon heat networks. The company has ambitions to deploy £1bn in the next eight years into new projects across the country, leveraging best practices gleaned from delivering the Derby Energy Network alongside Britain’s most innovative businesses. Through reducing the use of gas, these networks will help bolster energy security, protect against energy price hikes and cut costs, and reduce public health costs.10 Phil Lovell, COO at SmartParc, said: “At SmartParc, we are pleased to be working with 1Energy Group, to jointly explore opportunities to provide low carbon heat to the Derby Energy Network. Collaboration opportunities offer greater scope to harness the work we’re already doing at SmartParc for the benefit of the wider city. “By harnessing innovative technologies and shared values, we’re contributing to a cleaner, greener Derby while supporting
Civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist Barhale has announced the appointment of James Haddon in a newly created role of Director of Low Carbon Solutions and Joe Solomon as Regional Director (Eastern). Director of Low Carbon Solutions is a new board-level position which reflects both Barhale’s corporate commitment to decarbonisation and reducing fossil fuel dependency and also its focus on developing innovative low carbon solutions for clients. James Haddon originally joined Barhale in 1988 as a site engineer and rapidly progressed through commercial, project management and regional manager roles. He joined AECOM in 2006 and worked across their European operations for nine years before returning to Barhale in 2015 to take up the position of Regional Director (Eastern). Joe Solomon, who steps into the role of Regional Director (Eastern), started his career with Barhale in 2012 as a Quantity Surveyor after six years at M.A.R.S. Construction. By 2014, he had progressed to Senior QS, working on S101a schemes in Peterborough before moving into commercial management roles within the @one Alliance, Anglian Water’s highly regarded partnership delivering complex capital projects – of which Barhale is a founding partner. In January 2021, Joe was appointed to Head of Commercial for the Eastern region. For Chief Executive Martin Brown, the appointments exemplify how Barhale is promoting succession planning and developing the future leaders of its business from within. “James and Joe are natural choices for these roles,” he said. “Accelerating our carbon solutions offering is a key element of our growth strategy and James’s expertise and wealth of experience provide an ideal combination to lead the drive. “Joe has worked closely with James for many years and he will continue to develop and grow our business within Eastern. He has an excellent relationship with key clients and partners and also brings huge enthusiasm and experience to the role. I look forward to him continuing to building Barhale’s business across the region. “Both appointments are in line with our business strategy and are a great reflection of the business’s agenda to recognise and promote talent from among its existing teams.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in Europe, has launched a major new initiative to develop data centres across Europe, the UK, India and the Middle East with the appointment of four senior specialists. Panattoni’s new dedicated data centres team will be led by Richard Wellbrock, who joins as Managing Director, Data Centres. He brings more than 25 years of real estate experience, including almost 20 years focused on the development of data centres. Most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer at Colt Data Centre Services (DCS), a leading global data centre operator. Richard played a key role in delivering large-scale, AI-ready data centre campuses across Europe and Asia , driving growth from 100MW to 1GW, including supporting a $1.5 billion joint venture with Mitsui. Joining Richard Wellbrock at Panattoni are; Nick Parker, Head of Capital Deployment, Data Centres, John Belton, Head of Development, Data Centres, and Paul Terry, Infrastructure Director, Data Centres. Nick Parker, who was previously Global Senior Director of Asset Management at Colt DCS, where he led over €5 billion in capital deployment strategies, supported transactions of around 250MW with hyperscale customers and played a central role in structuring international joint ventures and investment strategy across India, Japan and Europe. John Belton, who served as Global Senior Director of Development at Colt DCS, has around 40 years’ experience in engineering and data centre development. He managed Colt DCS’s global development portfolio, creating a pipeline capable of delivering more than 1GW of IT load across multiple countries. Paul Terry, who was Colt DCS’s Global Director of Development Infrastructure, led infrastructure design and delivery from land acquisition through to handover, managing major utility and technology programmes. All four will be based in London and report to Robert Dobrzycki, CEO and co-owner of Panattoni Europe, UK, Middle East and India. Robert Dobrzycki, CEO, said: “This is a significant new chapter for Panattoni. Data centres are essential infrastructure for the modern economy, and we are now building a world-class platform to deliver them. Richard and his team bring exceptional experience and insight”. Richard Wellbrock, Managing Director, Data Centres, said: “Panattoni has an outstanding track record of development at scale and pace. With our team now in place, we’re looking forward to growing the business across Europe, the UK, India and the Middle East, supporting hyperscalers, cloud providers and enterprise customers with high-quality data centre solutions”. Panattoni’s expansion into data centres builds on its longstanding expertise in large-scale industrial and logistics development, which has seen it deliver more than 23 million sq m across Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Using fire performance cables which meet and exceed current standards and guidance can only help to improve safety in critical fire safety situations, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice. The guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We are seeing quite an increase in demand for Category 3 Control cables and we can only stress that if they meet and exceed all standards requirements this can only help in the interest of safety of property and lives in these critical spaces. “Meeting standards is a minimum requirement but going above and beyond these standards will help firefighters in a real-life fire situation.” The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world. For more information see the AEI Cables website, tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14 July 2025 Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14 July 2025. David joins Acivico with a strong track record in public sector leadership and local authority trading companies (LATCOs). Most recently, he served as Managing Director of HTS Group Ltd, where he led operations across maintenance, facilities management, environmental services, compliance, property services, and major projects. His leadership was marked by a focus on operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and delivering value for money. Chair of the Acivico Board, David Powell, commented: “David impressed us with his strategic skills, delivery focus, and consultative approach. His experience and leadership style are a great fit for Acivico as we continue to grow and evolve.” In his new role, David will lead the organisation through its next phase of development, with a focus on innovation, digital transformation, and strengthening client and community partnerships. Speaking about his appointment, David said: “I’m delighted to be joining Acivico at such an exciting time. The business has a strong foundation and a clear ambition to grow and diversify. I look forward to working with the team, our partners, and stakeholders to build on that momentum—focusing on innovation, collaboration, and delivering high-quality outcomes that will make a lasting impact.” David’s appointment follows a rigorous recruitment process and comes at a pivotal time for Acivico, as the organisation continues to deliver on its strategic priorities across consultancy, construction, and facilities management services. Acivico Group is a Birmingham-based, purpose-driven, multi-disciplinary firm offering an extensive range of built environment advisory services, including design, construction, building control, and facilities management. Guided by our vision to promote public wellbeing and sustainable development, we pride ourselves on our strategic partnerships and strong civic values. Established in 2012, Acivico provides comprehensive construction-related services, supporting landmark projects across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. We collaborate closely with our clients, delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative solutions that are cost-effective and foster civic pride. Our strategic partnerships, combined with our unique civic values, set us apart from our competitors. Maintaining strong relationships with local and central government, we remain at the forefront of industry changes, allowing us to guide clients through future impacts within their respective sectors and ensure successful project completion. Since 2018, our business transformation has seen significant investments in our people, systems, and processes, resulting in substantial benefits for our clients, including cost savings, enhanced customer experience, and improved quality. Our growing portfolio now includes partnership frameworks for both Constructing West Midlands and Legionella, and we anticipate continued growth as we implement our future strategy. At Acivico Group, we prioritize integrity, care, expertise, and ethical entrepreneurialism, fostering a culture of active listening, continuous learning, and calculated risk-taking. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to promoting public wellbeing, sustainable development, and Building For Good. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Selling a home is no small feat. However, doing it wisely can make the difference between having more money in your pocket and losing gains. If you own property in Fort Worth, then there’s good news: You don’t have to start from zero! Many local sellers have already set the standard with practical techniques and hard-earned experiences. This checklist collects actual success stories so you may understand what worked for them. And what will work for you! Why Selling Smart Matters In a competitive market like Fort Worth, simply sticking a “For Sale” sign in the yard won’t cut it. The best sellers know that pricing right, prepping thoroughly, and negotiating well can put thousands more in their pockets. On the flip side, cutting corners can drag out your timeline and invite lowball offers. This guide shows you how to skip rookie mistakes and sell with the confidence of someone who’s done it before. Because real Fort Worth homeowners have. Real Success Stories: Fort Worth Sellers Who Did It Right One Fort Worth family inherited a dated ranch home in the Wedgwood area. Instead of listing it immediately, they invested $8,000 in minor repairs . Fresh paint, updated fixtures, and new mulch out front. The result was multiple offers over asking, closing in under two weeks. Another seller listed a rental property in Arlington Heights “as-is” but priced it too high. After relisting with a realistic price, it sold within a week. Of course, not without a painful lesson in lost time. Therefore, you can easily understand that selling smart is not luck rather it’s strategy. Know Your Market: Fort Worth Lessons Local Trends That Made These Sellers Successful According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center (2023), Fort Worth’s housing market remains steady despite interest rate shifts. Suburban neighborhoods with strong schools and walking distances continue to attract families and young professionals. Successful sellers keep tabs on recent comps. If your neighbor’s similar house sold for $375,000, that will be your starting point. Local MLS data shows well-priced homes in popular Fort Worth zip codes often get multiple offers in under 10 days. For example, 76109 and 76107. What Buyers Want : Proven by Real Deals Today’s buyers want houses that are move-in ready. You can have small updates like new cabinet pulls, fresh interior paint, or a tidy yard. These things can sway a buyer’s first impression. Flex spaces, home offices, and outdoor entertaining areas are huge draws. Especially for families working hybrid jobs. One Fort Worth seller turned a cluttered garage into a neat flex space for storage or a home gym. It cost about $1,000 for a deep clean and some staging. The ROI had a $10,000 boost on the final sale price according to their agent’s breakdown (source: North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, 2023). Prep Your Property Like a Pro How Top Sellers Prepped and Staged Their Homes You don’t need a full remodel to stand out. Just a bit of polish. The best local sellers declutter first. Donate, store, or toss anything that makes rooms feel smaller. After decluttering, deep clean everything. Buyers remember spotless kitchens and bathrooms. They also notice dusty ceiling fans and cobwebs. Sellers who spend $300–$500 on professional cleaning see it pay back tenfold when buyers feel confident about the home’s care (source: NAR 2023 Profile of Home Staging). Staging doesn’t mean renting fancy furniture. Sometimes, it’s as simple as rearranging what you have, adding fresh throw pillows, or setting the dining table. Small Upgrades That Paid Off Big Minor upgrades with major impact include: One Fort Worth seller spent $4,500 updating flooring in two rooms. They recouped that cost and more. It is because they noticed a young family chose their house over a similar listing with tired carpet. Get the Pricing Right Pricing Strategies from Recent Fort Worth Wins If you’re a smart seller, you don’t chase the highest list price. You know you must aim for the right one. Local data from Fort Worth (source: NTREIS, 2023) shows that competitively priced homes often attract bidding wars, pushing final sales above asking. Partner with your agent to pull recent comps. Don’t just ask prices, but final sale figures, days on market, and any seller concessions. This gives you a realistic picture of what buyers are actually paying; not just what sellers hope to get. Avoiding Pricing Pitfalls A common mistake? Adding “wiggle room.” Today’s buyers know the market. They skip overpriced listings and make serious offers on homes that feel fair from the start. The right price will drive showings, spark offers. And this will help you avoid painful reductions later. How to Sell My Property in Fort Worth Step-by-Step Local Guide Before listing, prep your documents: HOA guidelines, repair receipts, and disclosures. For older homes, a pre-inspection can prevent surprises. This shows buyers that you’re serious. Then, team up with a local agent who knows your area. They’ll coordinate professional photos, market your listing, and manage showings. In the meantime, you focus on packing and next steps. That is how you’ll proceed to sell your Fort Worth property. Real Seller Insight One Fort Worth homeowner almost accepted a low early offer, fearing their home wouldn’t sell. Their agent urged patience. Just two days later, three stronger offers rolled in. This is a solid reminder that pricing and timing matter. Marketing That Works What Successful Sellers Did Differently Great photos sell homes. Listings with professional photography get as much as 60% more views (source: Redfin, 2023). For larger yards or scenic views, drone shots can make your property stand out. Local Marketing Tips That Get Results Don’t just rely on Zillow. Sellers who market through MLS, social platforms, and neighborhood apps often draw better traffic. One local seller posted an open house on Nextdoor. Five families showed up before the official showing began. Closing with Confidence Stay in close contact with your agent and title company. Handle final repairs fast and keep communication open with the
