Mace has been appointed to redevelop London’s former City Hall, which has stood empty since 2021, in a £150m scheme that will reconfigure the landmark building into office and retail space. The client, St Martins Property Investments (SMPL), acquired the wider More London development – which includes the distinctive riverside
The formation of a representative organisation for the real estate sector, Real Estate: UK (RE:UK) will move ahead following an overwhelming vote in favour across all three member organisations. 100% of AREF members; 99.5% of BPF members and 92% of IPF members who voted expressed their support for the merger.
Tech retailer WYE has appointed Savills to support its nationwide expansion, as it looks to open up to 400 new sites over the next five years. The company, a manufacturer and supplier of mobile phone and technology accessories, currently operates through a network of kiosks and retail units. Its growth
Leading civil engineering company GRAHAM has been appointed to deliver the infrastructure works at Central Docks – the largest brownfield site in Liverpool, and the largest of the five planned neighbourhoods within Peel’s wider, emerging Liverpool Waters district. GRAHAM will be responsible for completing underground utilities, roads and public
Savills Earth Capital Advisory (SECA) has advised Anglo Renewables on the sale of Rock Farm, a fully consented 40MW AC solar project located near Ludlow, Shropshire, to Enviromena for an undisclosed sum. Having secured a Contract for Difference (“CfD”) in Allocation Round 6, the project offers long term price certainty
Accidents remain one of the UK’s most preventable tragedies, yet thousands of lives are lost every year, with tens of thousands of people suffering from serious injuries due to a lack of coherent national action. Just last month, the government released statistics on workplace safety and fatalities in the workplace.
New Government data of fire and rescue service incidents analysed by HETAS for Chimney Fire Safety Week (CFSW), reveals that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded to 181 chimney fires over the last year, the most out of all counties in England. Dorset and Wiltshire follow in close
Using the highest-rated fire performance cables will help firefighters in the event of a fire in some of the largest new buildings being developed, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been highlighting the need for the use of Category 3 fire performance cables which are designed to
Engineering specialist, SES, has announced the appointment of Robert Doherty as Regional Managing Director for its Engineering North division. Robert brings over 20-years’ experience in delivering complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) packages at SES, and was previously Interim Managing Director for the North. Prior to this, he worked as
Jacobs has appointed Richard Sanderson as the company’s new General Manager for Europe and U.K., effective September 29, 2025. Richard brings more than 30 years of experience with Jacobs to his new role. A transport planner by background, he has built a career that spans technical delivery, operational management, sales,
Mace has been appointed to redevelop London’s former City Hall, which has stood empty since 2021, in a £150m scheme that will reconfigure the landmark building into office and retail space. The client, St Martins Property Investments (SMPL), acquired the wider More London development – which includes the distinctive riverside building – for a reported £1.7bn in 2013. Originally designed by Foster + Partners and completed in 2002, the structure was built by Mace under a construction management deal, with the late Queen officially opening it three years later. City Hall was vacated at the end of 2021 when the Greater London Authority relocated to The Crystal in Newham, a move intended to cut costs. Since then, SMPL explored options for a light refurbishment but determined that more significant work was needed due to design flaws, water ingress, outdated floorplates, and sustainability challenges. Under designs by Gensler, Mace will retain the building’s core but replace its complex glazed façade with a more energy-efficient system, while introducing planted terraces and reconfiguring the shape to create more usable internal space. The redevelopment will add around 3,800 square metres of floor space, including 452 square metres of new office accommodation and 3,300 square metres of retail. Southwark Council approved the plans in December, with planning officers acknowledging the scheme would alter the character of the iconic riverside structure but improve both its usability and sustainability. The project team includes Gensler as architect, LDA Design as landscape architect, Waterman as structural engineer, Ramboll as façade engineer, DP9 as planning consultant and Turley as heritage consultant. Mace’s appointment continues its run of high-profile wins, following the £700m British Library redevelopment and the £200m Edge Liverpool Street project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The formation of a representative organisation for the real estate sector, Real Estate: UK (RE:UK) will move ahead following an overwhelming vote in favour across all three member organisations. 100% of AREF members; 99.5% of BPF members and 92% of IPF members who voted expressed their support for the merger. RE:UK will serve as a unified convenor and voice for the whole of the real estate sector, comprising institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers and advisers. Its activities will be based around six key pillars: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance. Following the endorsement from members, the Chairs of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), the British Property Federation (BPF) and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) will work together to appoint a Chair who will lead the first RE:UK Board and a Chief Executive for RE:UK. RE:UK will launch on 1 January 2026. Initially members will have dual membership and 2026 will be a transitional year as the organisations are fully integrated. Anne Breen, Chair AREF , said: “The response from the memberships of AREF, BPF and IPF has been overwhelmingly positive and a strong endorsement of our vision for a single, amplified voice for the real estate sector.” Simon Carter, President BPF, said: “I am delighted that BPF members have expressed their overwhelming support for the creation of RE:UK. I look forward to working with AREF and IPF over the next few months to turn our shared vision for a new powerful body for the sector into reality.” Clare Thomas, Chair IPF, said: “On behalf of the IPF board, I would like to thank IPF members for taking the time to consider the proposal and then giving the merger their strong support. This is the culmination of significant work across all three organisations, and we look forward to the launch of RE:UK in 2026 as an important step forward for the real estate industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tech retailer WYE has appointed Savills to support its nationwide expansion, as it looks to open up to 400 new sites over the next five years. The company, a manufacturer and supplier of mobile phone and technology accessories, currently operates through a network of kiosks and retail units. Its growth strategy will combine both modular kiosks and full shop fit-outs, with a focus on shopping centre locations. In addition, WYE has developed a new solar-powered external design aimed at the out-of-town retail market, which it plans to roll out over the next 12 months. Neil Grice, director in retail at Savills, said:“WYE is redefining the mobile accessories sector across the UK. They have perfected a retail format that can be deployed quickly and adapted to a variety of locations. They are uniquely placed to combine aesthetic appeal with operational efficiency, helping landlords transform underutilised areas into valuable retail space. We are delighted to be working with them on their expansion plans, as they seek to rapidly grow their presence across the UK.” Haron Noori, group CEO at WYE, added:“Working with Savills represents a significant step forward in delivering on our strategic plans for UK growth, both in the short and long term. It will enable us to bring our high-quality products to a wider customer base, strengthen our market presence, and create new opportunities for innovation and service excellence. Together, we look forward to driving sustainable growth and delivering exceptional value to our customers.” With its focus on flexible formats and sustainable design, WYE’s expansion highlights the changing face of UK retail property and the growing demand for adaptable, future-proofed space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading civil engineering company GRAHAM has been appointed to deliver the infrastructure works at Central Docks – the largest brownfield site in Liverpool, and the largest of the five planned neighbourhoods within Peel’s wider, emerging Liverpool Waters district. GRAHAM will be responsible for completing underground utilities, roads and public realm works at Central Docks to support the development of approximately 2,350 new homes, in line with Peel Water’s plan for the area and supporting the governments plans to build 1.5 million new homes across the UK in the next five years. The works will also involve the construction of 2.1-hectare Central Park that sits at the centre of Peel Waters’ plans for Central Docks. Hundreds of new trees will be planted within the park, as well as new sports, recreational, and play facilities for residents and visitors, as well as spaces to relax. The park will become one of the city’s largest green spaces and the focal point of the 10.5-hectares Central Docks neighbourhood in Liverpool Waters. Alastair Lewis, Contracts Director at GRAHAM said: “We’re delighted to be appointed as principal contractor on this landmark scheme for Peel Waters -reflecting our shared commitment to creating infrastructure and neighbourhoods that prioritise sustainability and community. “Early works including preconstruction activities, design and site mobilisation will commence in August, with site clearance and remediation works commencing later this year. “This project will play a pivotal role in further regeneration of the docklands area, and we look forward to working with Peel Waters to transform this site into an iconic world heritage waterfront”. James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said: “The appointment of GRAHAM is a major step forward in turning our vision for Central Docks at Liverpool Waters into more of a reality as it means we are gearing up to breaking ground to provide much needed infrastructure to enable more development plots and housing to come forward. “Peel Waters have worked with the contractor on several award-winning projects across our portfolio including Millers Quay across the Mersey at Wirral Waters and it is clear from the design process, that all parties our long-term vision to transform this former industrial land into a spectacular, waterfront neighbourhood and destination.” The procurement of GRAHAM for this Design and Construct project has been facilitated through Pagabo’s Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Framework, managed on behalf of contracting authority QE Facilities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills Earth Capital Advisory (SECA) has advised Anglo Renewables on the sale of Rock Farm, a fully consented 40MW AC solar project located near Ludlow, Shropshire, to Enviromena for an undisclosed sum. Having secured a Contract for Difference (“CfD”) in Allocation Round 6, the project offers long term price certainty and supports the UK’s Clean Power 2030 ambitions. With a strong focus on environmental stewardship, Rock Farm will enhance the local landscape through the planting of trees and hedgerows, the creation of wildflower meadows and continued grazing of sheep. The project is expected to connect to the national grid in 2026 and will generate enough renewable electricity to power over 16,000 homes annually, while avoiding more than 7,500 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. Nick Edgar, Co-Head of SECA, commented: “We’re pleased to have supported Anglo Renewables in this transaction, with Henry Grant and Huw S. K. Morrey in the SECA deal team working closely with Anglo Renewables as they continue to play a key role in advancing the UK’s transition to a low carbon future.” James Stone, Managing Director at Anglo Renewables, adds, “We are excited to see Rock Farm transaction over the line; delivering significant benefits to the local area in what we expect will be the first of many successful partnerships with Savills.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Accidents remain one of the UK’s most preventable tragedies, yet thousands of lives are lost every year, with tens of thousands of people suffering from serious injuries due to a lack of coherent national action. Just last month, the government released statistics on workplace safety and fatalities in the workplace. The report revealed that there were 124 deaths in the workplace between March 2024-2025. Steve Terry, Managing Director of Astutis, one of the UK’s leading workplace health and safety training providers, urges the government to appoint a dedicated minister for accidental prevention and adopt a cross-departmental strategy. This call comes after the recent House of Lords debate on RoSPA’s (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) National Accident Prevention Strategy proposal for an accident prevention minister, which failed to go through. While ministers acknowledged the scale of the problem, the idea of a dedicated leader was rejected, and instead, they chose to maintain a piecemeal system thinly spread across multiple departments. Steve Terry comments: “This is a hugely missed opportunity, and a dangerous one. Accident prevention cuts across health, construction, transport, housing, education and more. Without clear leadership at the Cabinet level, lives will continue to be lost and families will continue to lose loved ones. Prevention shouldn’t just be an option; it’s a national imperative.” RoSPA’s recent report Safer Lives, Stronger Nation exposed the lack of strategic focus within government, highlighting how responsibility for accident prevention is diluted across agencies, leading to gaps, duplication, and wasted opportunities. Over 20.00 lives are lost annually due to accidents in the UK, and this figure has risen over 40% in a decade. Not only that, accidents cost the NHS millions of bed days and almost £6 billion. Steve Terry also comments: “The report identifies a critical issue. Accident prevention efforts are fragmented, spread unevenly across numerous government departments and agencies, none of which have clear ownership or the authority to set a unified direction. This fragmentation inevitably results in patchy policies, gaps in action, duplication of effort, and ultimately, missed opportunities to save lives.” The Health and Safety Executive’s 10-year strategy shows progress is possible when coordination exists, but without overarching leadership, these successes remain limited. Terry added: “The human, social and economic costs of accidents run into billions every year. Beyond the numbers are devastated families and lost potential. By failing to appoint a minister and publish a national strategy, the government is effectively choosing to let preventable accidents continue. That is not acceptable.” Astutis has also released a 2025 Learner Report to showcase findings in workplace health and safety. One of the key stats that the report revealed is that 50% of employees were skipping essential HSE training due to time constraints. For the full report, you can download it here: https://www.astutis.com/astutis-hub/news/learner-report-2025 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Government data of fire and rescue service incidents analysed by HETAS for Chimney Fire Safety Week (CFSW), reveals that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded to 181 chimney fires over the last year, the most out of all counties in England. Dorset and Wiltshire follow in close second with a combined 113 chimney fires; Hereford and Worcester are third with a combined 95; North Yorkshire follows in fourth with 90; and Norfolk fifth with 86 chimney fires reported between April 2024 and March 2025. During this period, there were 2,019 chimney fires in England, 5% less than the year before and accounting for 0.33% of the total fires in the country. While chimney fires are steadily decreasing, recent data shows that more than 1.5 million stoves are currently installed across just over 60% of UK households – a number which is steadily increasing. The Government fire statistics, reviewed by HETAS as part of the not-for-profit organisation’s annual CFSW – a national campaign in partnership with the Government’s Fire Kills campaign, Industry, and fire and rescue services to promote positive safety messages to consumers – align with HETAS’ own national research into consumer burning habits. Also released today, HETAS’ data delves into the potential causes of chimney fires throughout the UK. It found that across all 88 counties surveyed in the UK, nearly 1 in 10 wood-burning stove owners leave it two or more years to sweep their chimney or never get it swept at all, whilst a fifth have either never serviced their appliance or are unsure if they have. Calvin May, Head of Technical & Certification at HETAS, said: “Our latest data reveals some interesting insights into the potential causes of these chimney fires, reiterating the need for our annual awareness campaign; we even discovered that some stove owners weren’t aware their appliance needs regular, ongoing maintenance. Regularly servicing your solid fuel appliance and sweeping your chimney is essential to help reduce these annual chimney fire figures even further. “No matter what type of chimney you have or whether it is lined or not, wood-burning stove owners are advised by industry to have their chimneys swept twice a year if they burn wood, and at least once every 12 months if using smokeless fuels. Appliances should be installed by a competent professional and serviced annually, using a HETAS registered servicing engineer for continued safety and compliance. “If a chimney isn’t regularly swept then a sticky, tar-like substance called creosote builds up on the inner walls of the chimney flue – building much more rapidly if the appliance is poorly maintained or the wood isn’t properly seasoned – which can ignite and cause a chimney fire to rapidly spread.” Jon Quinn, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Home Safety Committee said: “Chimney Fire Safety Week is an important reminder that regular sweeping and maintenance are essential in reducing the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. “The National Fire Chiefs Council also urge households to fit and test smoke alarms as they provide early warning of a fire and save lives. We also recommend installing a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you to poisonous leaks. Smoke and Carbon monoxide alarms should be tested at least once a month to make sure they are working. By taking these simple steps, families can stay warm and safe as we move into the colder months.” Dr Nicki Harvey founder of Dr Sweep, a chimney and stove service company based in the West Midlands, who also suffered from CO poisoning from a faulty gas fire in her first home, also adds: “It’s so important to get your chimney and your appliance checked and swept regularly, and to test your smoke and CO alarm. By doing so, the stove will work better and more efficiently, it will be cleaner, and most importantly, it will be safer for you and your family. “An experienced sweep can offer advice on how best to burn fuel or to use your stove controls. They can also spot and fix any issues early on, giving you peace of mind when using and enjoying your stove.” HETAS’ findings revealed that a small percentage of consumers, over 1 in 10, either do not check if their fuel is certified ‘Ready to Burn’ or only check sometimes. Furthermore, 1 in 5 stove users nationally reported growing their own wood rather than buying it in person or online, with a small number (4%) of respondents voicing concerns around the cost of living. Calvin continues: “With the recent energy price cap increase announced by Ofgem, homeowners are continuing to look for cost-effective ways to heat their homes, but when buying fuel for your stove you must remember to prioritise the safety of your home. “In England, there are strict government regulations that any wood sold in volumes under 2m³ must be certified as ‘Ready to Burn’, meaning it has a moisture content of 20% or less and that Manufactured Solid Fuels contain less than 2% sulphur content. “Both are critical to ensure that these fuels burn efficiently, safely and cleanly – both for the environment and stove users. This not only benefits the lifespan of your appliance but also reduces the risk of chimney fires when burned in a sufficiently maintained stove and alongside a regularly swept chimney.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Using the highest-rated fire performance cables will help firefighters in the event of a fire in some of the largest new buildings being developed, says leading cable supplier AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been highlighting the need for the use of Category 3 fire performance cables which are designed to withstand heat and flames for up to 120 minutes, helping to protect equipment, property and even lives, supporting critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia. Category 1 cables guarantee 30 minutes of defence against flames, making them ideal for emergency lighting, while Category 2 cables give 60 minutes of fire protection and are commonly used for alarm systems. For firefighting, additional time is required and Category 3 cables are able to withstand up to 120 minutes of exposure to fire, providing enhanced emergency power to assist firefighters. 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. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “In the interest of safety of property and lives in these critical spaces we are recommending these cables because they meet all compliance requirements. This provides specifiers, installers and asset owners peace of mind when considering cabling for new and existing buildings.” 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
Engineering specialist, SES, has announced the appointment of Robert Doherty as Regional Managing Director for its Engineering North division. Robert brings over 20-years’ experience in delivering complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) packages at SES, and was previously Interim Managing Director for the North. Prior to this, he worked as Director of Major Projects and Operations Director where he played a pivotal role in delivering SES’ complex engineering solutions across some of the UK’s most high-profile developments. He will be responsible for delivering the region’s growth strategy as part of SES’ operational board. He will lead SES Engineering’s entire Northern operations, driving operational excellence and continued innovation in project delivery, as well as strengthening customer relationships with Tier 1 contractors and end users alike. Robert’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for SES Engineering North. With offices in Leeds, Manchester, Sunderland and Glasgow, it is delivering major projects including an expansion at a major football stadium in Manchester and the SeAH Wind monopile factory in Teesside. The division is experiencing significant momentum as part of SES’s wider transformation. In 2024, SES reported record financial results, with a 55 per cent rise in turnover year-on-year to £463.7 million, with profit before tax up 60 per cent to £9.3m. The company’s forward order book has also more than doubled, reaching £1.2 billion, reflecting strong demand and confidence in SES’s capabilities. Rob Clifford, Executive Managing Director of SES, said: “Robert’s appointment reflects the strength of talent within SES and our commitment to developing leaders who understand the technical and strategic demands of our industry, and how our proud heritage supports our future ambitions. His leadership on major projects has been instrumental to our success, and I’m confident he will bring the same energy and insight to our North region as we continue to grow and deliver exceptional results for our customers.” Robert Doherty, Regional Managing Director of SES North, said: “I have worked for SES in the North for almost two decades and I am proud of the legacy we have cemented for ourselves, through our work on some truly transformative projects and the strength of the team responsible for them. “I want to build on this further and deliver an ambitious growth strategy, underpinned by our commitment to engineering excellence and long-term customer partnerships. I look forward to working with the SES Board and our regional teams to realise this vision.” Robert’s appointment supports SES’s recent restructure of its core engineering business into three regional divisions – North, Central, and South – enhancing national coverage and operational agility alongside the company’s continued investment in digital engineering, smart technologies, and offsite manufacturing capabilities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jacobs has appointed Richard Sanderson as the company’s new General Manager for Europe and U.K., effective September 29, 2025. Richard brings more than 30 years of experience with Jacobs to his new role. A transport planner by background, he has built a career that spans technical delivery, operational management, sales, and market solutions. Beyond transportation, Richard has worked extensively with clients across infrastructure, energy, water, environment, and urban development, consistently driving innovation, resilience, and positive outcomes for communities. Throughout his career, he has contributed to some of Jacobs’ most complex and high-profile programs, demonstrating a unique ability to integrate engineering, consulting, and program management expertise. Most recently, he served as Head of Sector for Transportation in Europe, where he strengthened client partnerships and advanced strategic priorities, while also championing cross-sector collaboration and sustainability. Jacobs Executive Vice President Keith Lawson commented: “Richard is a highly respected leader with deep industry knowledge and a proven track record of collaboration, building strong teams and lasting client relationships. His leadership style, strategic mindset, and ability to inspire will be invaluable as we continue to grow and deliver impact across Europe and the U.K.” Jacobs incoming General Manager for Europe and U.K. Richard Sanderson added: “This is a hugely exciting time for Jacobs and it’s a privilege to lead such a talented team. We will continue to work with our clients, partners, and the wider industry to bring together Jacobs’ hallmarks of engineering excellence, consulting insight, and program management experience to deliver sustainable, technology-enabled solutions across multiple sectors and markets.” At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow – delivering outcomes and solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of almost 45,000, we provide end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities & places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water. From advisory and consulting, feasibility, planning, design, program and lifecycle management, we’re creating a more connected and sustainable world. See how at jacobs.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
