The Crown Estate has continued to enhance its West End portfolio with the acquisition of the headlease of 100 Regent Street from a vehicle managed by Federated Hermes Real Estate, for a purchase price of £95 million. The vehicle is jointly owned by a client of Federated Hermes Real Estate
Biomel, the UK’s number one plant-based gut health brand, is expanding its operations with an innovation hub and production facility at Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead. The move marks a major step in the company’s growth strategy as it scales production, expands its product range and accelerates its presence across the
Vistry Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable and mixed-tenure homes, has received planning approval for the final phase of its major residential development in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Under the plans approved by Rother District Council, the latest phase will deliver 354 new homes, including 87 affordable homes
Legrand UK & Ireland has launched a state-of-the-art lighting control platform, designed to meet the needs of diverse buildings, including high-end office developments, sports stadia, large hospitals and other major infrastructure developments. Wattstopper PLUS, powered by Encelium technology, offers a platform that works with Legrand’s range of CP Electronics DALI-2
New figures released today by Midlands Connect and Natalie Fleet MP show that within three miles of Junction 28 of the M1, strategic companies collectively support over 43,000 jobs and generate more than £10.5 billion in annual turnover. Midlands Connect’s Roads Programme Lead, Swati Mittal, said investment in road upgrades
WJ Group has unveiled what it believes to be the world’s first fully electric thermoplastic road marking truck – a significant leap forward for sustainability in the highways sector. The £500,000 investment has seen the road safety specialist transform an Iveco chassis into a bespoke electric vehicle, developed in partnership
Four Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes site managers across several Kent developments including Roman Walk, The Poppies, Saxon Fields and Aylesham Park have won a top national award for the quality homes they are building. Neil Johnson at Roman Walk, Mark Dyson at The Poppies, Sarwar Mohamad at Saxon
Kier has been awarded a £139 million contract by Severn Trent Water to deliver a substantial upgrade of the Wanlip sewage treatment works in Leicestershire – the third-largest facility of its kind in Severn Trent’s network. The extensive programme is designed to future-proof the site by increasing capacity and resilience
Travis Perkins, the UK’s leading distributor of building materials, is pleased to share that its parent company, Travis Perkins plc, has been ranked one of the nation’s top apprenticeship employers. The building materials supplier ranked top in sector and 32nd in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, published by
Cushman & Wakefield has named Ben Cullen as the new head of its UK and Ireland business, marking a significant leadership transition for the global real estate services firm. Cullen takes over from George Roberts, who is stepping down after a successful tenure. Having joined Cushman & Wakefield as a
The Crown Estate has continued to enhance its West End portfolio with the acquisition of the headlease of 100 Regent Street from a vehicle managed by Federated Hermes Real Estate, for a purchase price of £95 million. The vehicle is jointly owned by a client of Federated Hermes Real Estate and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). Situated in the heart of Regent Street, the Grade II-listed building comprises over 53,000 sq ft of prime retail and office space. The Crown Estate already owns the freehold as part of The Regent Street Partnership; its longstanding joint venture with Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM). The acquisition enables the partnership to take direct control of the entire building, supporting a long-term strategy to invest in and evolve Regent Street. Plans will include enhancing the office accommodation, curating the retail offer, and improving the building’s environmental performance. This long-term strategy also includes The Crown Estate’s ambitious development pipeline, which it continues to progress across the West End. Dominic Packwood, Investment Manager at The Crown Estate, said: “This important acquisition marks a key step in delivering our long-term vision for Regent Street and the wider West End. Direct ownership of 100 Regent Street will help us to realise our ambitious plans across our portfolio, including the delivery of our development pipeline and public realm investment, alongside our wider goal to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable West End.” Today’s announcement follows the recent news that The Crown Estate, alongside its partners at Westminster City Council, has launched its latest proposals for the future of the public space across Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus. It acts as another example of how the business is taking a holistic approach to how it best strengthens its London portfolio, which grew in value over the last financial year, as reported in its 2024/25 Annual Report. Savills acted for The Crown Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Biomel, the UK’s number one plant-based gut health brand, is expanding its operations with an innovation hub and production facility at Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead. The move marks a major step in the company’s growth strategy as it scales production, expands its product range and accelerates its presence across the UK, Europe, and online. The 20,547 sq. ft. building, leased from Prologis UK, will allow Biomel to significantly increase output of its gut health products and continue developing science-led innovations to support digestive health, immune health, and mental performance. Founded in 2017, Biomel has grown from a startup into one of the UK’s fastest-growing health & wellness brands. Its plant-based gut health products are sold in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Ocado, Holland & Barrett, Boots and Whole Foods, alongside a growing Direct-to-Consumer channel. The business has recorded triple-digit annual growth and is now expanding its footprint in European markets, whilst planning to build a 100-person team across its London headquarters and Hemel based Innovation & Production Hub. Janett Lozano, Co-Founder of Biomel Gut Health, said: “Our new Innovation & Production Centre facility marks an important milestone. It not only allows us to increase production to meet growing demand, but also brings together the space, location, and infrastructure we need to create market-leading products and scale efficiently. Producing our own products has been critical to our success and positions Biomel at the forefront of innovation to better meet consumers’ evolving needs in this dynamic market. Hemel Hempstead gives us the ideal base – uniting our core team under one roof, tapping into strong regional talent, and placing us close to key retail and logistics networks.” DC11 is equipped with best-in-class energy-efficient systems designed to minimise waste and environmental impact. The building features a rooftop solar array estimated to generate 49,000 kWh annually. It has achieved an EPC A+ rating and BREEAM Outstanding certification, underlining Biomel’s commitment to sustainability. Prologis Essentials will deliver a full turnkey fit-out, including production facilities, frozen and chilled storage, and new racking in the ambient warehouse. Simon Perks, Capital Deployment Director at Prologis UK, added: “With the expansion at Hemel Hempstead complete, Biomel is a much-welcomed addition to this established park. The brand’s innovative products and growth trajectory perfectly complement our mission to provide flexible, sustainable facilities for pioneering businesses.” Located just off the M1 and close to the M25, Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead offers excellent access to Greater London, the Midlands, and the South East. The park sits within the Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter (IQ), an enterprise zone for future-facing businesses, just 30 minutes from London. Hertfordshire IQ brings together the brightest minds in agri-tech, smart construction, bioscience, gene technology, AI, robotics, and big data. Further units ranging from 34,000 sq ft to 66,000 sq ft are available at Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead. Prologis UK was represented by Brasier Freeth, and Biomel was represented by Hanway Commercial. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable and mixed-tenure homes, has received planning approval for the final phase of its major residential development in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Under the plans approved by Rother District Council, the latest phase will deliver 354 new homes, including 87 affordable homes – comprising 31 for affordable rent and 56 for shared ownership – which have been forward sold to CBRE Investment Management’s UK Affordable Housing Fund. The remaining 267 homes will be for open market sale and delivered under Vistry’s Bovis and Linden Homes brands. Enabling and infrastructure works for the final phase are due to begin later this year, with the first homes expected to be completed in 2026. The development will offer high-quality housing across a range of tenures, designed to meet local needs. A strong focus has also been placed on green infrastructure and placemaking, with access to existing and new open spaces, walking and cycling routes, and connections to local services. Located to the east of Bexhill, the wider strategic development will now provide a total of 1,001 homes. It forms part of a long-term plan to support housing growth across the region and contribute to the creation of a sustainable new community. Brendan Evans, Managing Director at Vistry Kent, commented: “Securing planning for the final phase of our Bexhill development is a landmark moment for our team. This scheme has already made a significant contribution to meeting housing demand in East Sussex, and this final phase will bring even more high-quality, energy-efficient homes to the area. We’re proud to be delivering a mixed-tenure community that supports local people, in partnership with CBRE Investment Management.” Andrew Davey, Fund Manager, UK Affordable Housing Fund at CBRE Investment Management, added: “This latest acquisition of 87 affordable homes builds on the 153 homes we secured in Bexhill last year, reinforcing our long-term commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable housing in the local community. Through our UK Affordable Housing Fund, we are proud to be deploying institutional capital to address the chronic undersupply of affordable homes, while generating long-term, stable returns for our investors. We’re pleased to be extending our partnership with Vistry on this important scheme, which aligns with our ambition to create sustainable, inclusive communities across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Legrand UK & Ireland has launched a state-of-the-art lighting control platform, designed to meet the needs of diverse buildings, including high-end office developments, sports stadia, large hospitals and other major infrastructure developments. Wattstopper PLUS, powered by Encelium technology, offers a platform that works with Legrand’s range of CP Electronics DALI-2 sensors and supports compliance with Approved Document L, Volume 2. DALI-2 compliant, it can be installed in wired, wireless and hybrid configurations, making it easy to add new floors or buildings to existing systems. Wattstopper PLUS is especially flexible because it is compatible with all DALI dimmable and non-dimmable luminaires. As a result, it not only offers an excellent solution for new developments, but also for renovation works. Further compounding the benefits of Wattstopper PLUS, a substantial element of the commissioning work can be carried out off-site, thanks to the use of a system database that mimics the real-world. As a result, disruption to other construction work or building operations can be kept to a minimum, with ensuing cost savings. Moreover, Wattstopper PLUS supports compliance with Approved Document L, Volume 2, as energy usage from lighting can be calculated and reported in line with the latest statutory requirements. Russell Vanstone, Product Manager – Connected Buildings, said: “Meeting the needs of occupants with quality lighting that continually adjusts according to changing conditions through the day can have a major impact on both wellbeing and energy consumption. Getting lighting right is critical to the success of any major development or renovation project. “Wattstopper PLUS draws upon Legrand’s decades of experience in lighting, digital building products, including sensor technologies, to deliver a high-end lighting system that caters for projects with the most stringent demands for quality lighting controls. “Our full-service project support guides projects from concept to completion with tailored solutions and end-to-end technical support. We’re on hand to assist consultants and specifiers with system layouts, integration advice and application planning, and we’re able to manage project delivery, supporting timelines, logistics and coordination. Our expert commissioning team configures and programs the system to meet performance expectations and, even after installation is complete, we offer remote and on-site support, diagnostics and servicing for the full lifecycle of the building.” Legrand will be showcasing its range of Connected Buildings products at LiGHT25 this year. Visit stand T14 for a demonstration and to find out more. To find out more about Wattstopper PLUS, please visit Legrand.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New figures released today by Midlands Connect and Natalie Fleet MP show that within three miles of Junction 28 of the M1, strategic companies collectively support over 43,000 jobs and generate more than £10.5 billion in annual turnover. Midlands Connect’s Roads Programme Lead, Swati Mittal, said investment in road upgrades could help ‘boost’ the area’s economic growth. Advanced Manufacturing and Retail are the dominant sectors, accounting for the largest shares of employment and economic output. This sector alone contributes over £1.6 billion in turnover and employs more than 10,000 people, highlighting the area’s role as a hub for manufacturing and supply chain activity. Retail also plays a major role, contributing nearly £6.7 billion in turnover and supporting 16,900 jobs, showing how the corridor also serves regional consumer markets. The concentration of logistics and business services shows the importance of fast, reliable links to the wider motorway network. This concentration of industry and retail sector hubs underscores the need for reliable connectivity to sustain business operations, freight logistics, and access to skilled labour. Data released today in May showed that by 2035, due to the economic success of the area, there could be 81,830 extra trips a week using Junction 28, even though the junction is at 107% capacity in the morning rush hour. Midlands Connect, Roads Programme Lead, Swati Mittal, said: “With over 43,000 jobs and £10.5 billion turnover concentrated within just 3 miles, junction 28 enables national and international connectivity for key industries. “Investment to address congestion, improve journey reliability, and unlock capacity will support manufacturing competitiveness, supply chain efficiency, and enable planned growth in housing and employment in the region.” Bolsover MP Natalie Fleet, the Parliamentary Champion for Junction 28, said: “These figures show how critical making improvements at junction 28 is for employment and the economy. “People in Bolsover and beyond need to be able to travel to and from their jobs in this area without sitting in congestion and businesses need to get goods in and out of their sites without unnecessary delays. “I will continue to push for the improvements that we need.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WJ Group has unveiled what it believes to be the world’s first fully electric thermoplastic road marking truck – a significant leap forward for sustainability in the highways sector. The £500,000 investment has seen the road safety specialist transform an Iveco chassis into a bespoke electric vehicle, developed in partnership with Electra Commercial Vehicles. The innovative truck is the result of extensive in-house modification, which included removing the internal combustion engine and replacing it with an electric motor, supported by a lightweight aluminium framework to maximise range. A standout feature of the vehicle is its fully electric heating system, which replaces traditional gas burners to warm thermoplastic road marking materials to the required temperature. WJ has also created custom electric applicator prams to ensure consistent product temperatures during on-site application. The truck is now entering the final stages of testing before full deployment onto UK roads. Wayne Johnston, chief executive of WJ Group, said: “By launching the world’s first fully electric thermoplastic road marking truck, we’re providing a genuinely innovative solution that puts sustainability at the forefront of our industry. When paired with our bio-based thermoplastic materials, local authorities can dramatically cut emissions and align more closely with their net zero commitments.” “This vehicle is a major milestone towards a fully electric fleet,” he added. “It marks the beginning of a new era for highways maintenance, where environmental responsibility and technological innovation go hand in hand.” The electric truck forms part of WJ Group’s wider commitment to decarbonising road infrastructure, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting the UK’s broader push toward greener transport solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Four Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes site managers across several Kent developments including Roman Walk, The Poppies, Saxon Fields and Aylesham Park have won a top national award for the quality homes they are building. Neil Johnson at Roman Walk, Mark Dyson at The Poppies, Sarwar Mohamad at Saxon Fields and Mark Fairman at Aylesham Park have won a Pride in the Job Award from the National House Building Council (NHBC). Now in its 45th year the awards are widely considered the ‘Oscars’ of the homebuilding industry, showcasing the highest standard of building homes. In total there have been 115 Pride in the Job Quality Achievements awarded to Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes site managers, which marks the 21st year in a row that the housebuilder has won more than anyone else. This achievement underlines just how important Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes sees building high quality homes for its customers. The award acknowledges the very best site managers across the country based on their technical expertise, health and safety, consistency, leadership and attention to detail. Each site manager is celebrated for their role in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to the highest standards. Natalie Perry, Sales & Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Kent, commented: “It is fantastic that as a region we have received a high rate of Pride in the Job awards. It goes to show the high quality standards of our homes and the site team that works to provide them. Our division can feel proud that we have contributed to yet another win for the housebuilder, taking first place once again for the 21st year in a row.” The awards closely follow Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes being awarded 5-stars by its customers for satisfaction in the annual Home Builders Federation (HBF) new homes survey. This is the 16th year in a row that Barratt Homes and David Wilson customers have rated it as a 5-star housebuilder, with more than 90% of its customers saying they would recommend it to a friend. Barratt David Wilson Kent is selling a selection of three- and four-bedroom homes at Roman Walk, Saxon Fields, The Poppies and Aylesham Park, with prices starting from £307,995. To find out more about Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk or call 0333 355 8502 / 0333 3558 503. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kier has been awarded a £139 million contract by Severn Trent Water to deliver a substantial upgrade of the Wanlip sewage treatment works in Leicestershire – the third-largest facility of its kind in Severn Trent’s network. The extensive programme is designed to future-proof the site by increasing capacity and resilience while meeting more stringent environmental standards. Once complete, the upgraded facility will be capable of handling a 24% increase in dry weather flow and around 20% more full flow to treatment, addressing the demands of a growing population and improving water quality across the region. This milestone follows an early contractor involvement (ECI) phase, during which Kier completed enabling works and developed the detailed design in close collaboration with Severn Trent. Full-scale construction is now under way and is expected to conclude by 2028. Key elements of the scheme include: James Jesic, Severn Trent’s capital delivery and commercial director, commented: “It’s exceedingly rare for us to award contracts of this size and it really speaks to the scale of these upgrades at Wanlip and our commitment to improving our infrastructure, delivering a reliable high-performing service for our customers, and protecting the environment.” Andy Lingham, managing director of water at Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks, added: “This is a significant project for Severn Trent, and we’re pleased to be bringing our expertise to help deliver it. Our relationship spans more than 20 years, and this is one of many projects we’ll be delivering in this AMP8 cycle. Collaboration will be key to making it a success, with all parties co-located in our new welfare village, working together to ensure safe, efficient, and successful delivery.” The project forms part of Severn Trent’s wider capital investment plan for AMP8 and highlights Kier’s continued role in helping the water company enhance its critical infrastructure across the Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Travis Perkins, the UK’s leading distributor of building materials, is pleased to share that its parent company, Travis Perkins plc, has been ranked one of the nation’s top apprenticeship employers. The building materials supplier ranked top in sector and 32nd in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, published by the Department for Education in partnership with apprenticeship review platform RateMyApprenticeship. Travis Perkins was also named the UK’s third best apprenticeship employer in the Construction, Property & Surveying category. Andy Rayner, the Director of Skills and Apprenticeships at Travis Perkins plc, said: “Being named a top UK apprenticeship employer is a testament to Travis Perkins’ deep commitment to nurturing talent. Our proud track record reflects not only the hard work of our colleagues and apprentices, but also the high-quality, impactful experiences we deliver, ultimately building a skilled and loyal workforce for a thriving industry.” The 2025 Top 100 list recognises organisations for: Travis Perkins currently offers over 40 award-winning apprenticeship programmes, from Level 2 to Level 7, delivered through our inhouse LEAP Apprenticeships & Early Careers programmes and through partnerships with Multiverse, Exeter University, BPP and the Open University. Travis Perkins’ apprenticeship scheme has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted across all assessment areas, with the builder’s merchant currently working on ambitions to bring 10,000 new people into the construction industry through these programmes by 2030. “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to upskill and help build the workforce for the future,” said Andy Rayner. “They offer people from all backgrounds an opportunity into sustainable and meaningful work, while helping businesses to address the growing skills gap.” A recent CV Genius survey found that three in four UK hiring managers questioned said that this skills gap is causing them to struggle to fill roles. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson praised all companies which made up the 2025 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, commenting: “Congratulations to all the employers recognised for their outstanding apprenticeship programmes. “They are delivering the skilled workforce we need to deliver our number one mission to grow the economy, and breaking down barriers for young people across the country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cushman & Wakefield has named Ben Cullen as the new head of its UK and Ireland business, marking a significant leadership transition for the global real estate services firm. Cullen takes over from George Roberts, who is stepping down after a successful tenure. Having joined Cushman & Wakefield as a graduate in 2001, Cullen has spent over two decades at the firm, steadily rising through the ranks. He became an international partner in 2016 and most recently served as UK head of offices, where he led high-profile occupier representation deals in London and supported the company’s growth strategy across the region. Cullen is a long-standing member of the UK executive committee and has played a key role in shaping the firm’s trajectory in both the UK and Irish markets. In his new position, he will focus on driving growth, deepening client relationships, and strengthening Cushman & Wakefield’s presence in a highly competitive landscape. Commenting on the appointment, Matthew Bouw, chief executive of APAC & EMEA, said: “Ben’s promotion reflects the confidence we have in his ability to lead with energy, insight and a relentless client focus. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our markets, which will be critical as we continue to deliver value for clients across the region.” Cullen added: “I’m proud to take on this role at such an important time for our business. With a talented team and a strong platform, we’re well placed to seize the opportunities ahead and continue delivering world-class advice to our clients.” Andy Tyler will succeed Cullen as UK head of offices, ensuring continuity in the leadership of the division. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
