Winchmore Brickwork Group has secured the latest construction package at The Lazari Building on New Bond Street, the project converting the former Fenwick department store into a £1bn office-and-retail landmark designed by Foster + Partners. Faithdean is main contractor on the Mayfair scheme, with Erith Group delivering complex enabling works
Glencar has been appointed principal contractor to design and build the opening phase of VGP Park East Midlands, an 835,000 sq ft logistics development planned near Castle Donington by Junction 24a of the M1. The initial tranche totals 370,000 sq ft across two speculative units with integrated offices: Unit 3
Caddick Construction has reached completion of a new campus for the University of Cumbria in Barrow, forming part of the university’s investment in engineering, advanced manufacturing and health. The dockside campus, which spans 2.6 hectares, has a unique design inspired by Barrow’s maritime heritage and includes accessible and flexible teaching
Premier Estates has announced that its founder and Chairman, Ben Jordan, is stepping away from the company after 27 years at the helm. Ben, who established Premier Estates in 1998, has played a pivotal role in the property management sector in the UK. The company will now be led by
Merry Hill, the top 10 super regional centre, has welcomed a trio of openings at its retail park, introducing 33,800 sq ft of new space as part of a comprehensive refurbishment of the now fully-let and trading site. B&Q has opened its latest store alongside Costa Coffee and Bensons for
Western – one of the leading specialist construction companies in the UK and Ireland – has welcomed two sets of international visitors. The delegations from Australia and The Netherlands met with senior executives from Western to review best global practice in offsite modular construction. The visitors also took time to
The transformation of the historic Brabazon Hangars at Filton Airfield has taken a major step forward, with demolition contractor John F Hunt completing the strip-out to unlock full construction of the 20,000-capacity YTL Arena. At the heart of the scheme, the central hangar has been pared back to its original
How digital data management transformed environmental performance on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 framework Balfour Beatty, the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure provider, has delivered exceptional environmental results on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (TEAM2100) framework, one of the nation’s most ambitious flood defence initiatives. As the UK
Integra Buildings has been formally presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise as it proudly flies the flag for modular construction. Integra welcomed His Majesty The King’s representative for the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lord-Lieutenant Jim Dick OBE, to its site in Paull, near Hull, to receive the royal accolade.
One of the UK’s leading fit-out and joinery specialists has taken on seven new members of staff after they successfully completed an apprenticeship programme with the business – which saw them all pass with a Distinction. EE Smith, based in Leicester, has appointed Fenton Williams, Oscar Allen, Adam Ball, Chris
Winchmore Brickwork Group has secured the latest construction package at The Lazari Building on New Bond Street, the project converting the former Fenwick department store into a £1bn office-and-retail landmark designed by Foster + Partners. Faithdean is main contractor on the Mayfair scheme, with Erith Group delivering complex enabling works on a tightly constrained, heritage-sensitive site. The programme includes the jacking of entire floor slabs and façades to create higher ceiling heights and improved structural alignment, a technically demanding approach that preserves key fabric while readying the building for premium-grade commercial space. Winchmore’s scope spans alterations, extensions and sensitive retention across the basement, retail areas and ten upper office floors. The brief calls for intricate, handset traditional brickwork where new meets old, ensuring façades and internal interfaces read as one across a building that blends two centuries of architectural evolution. “We thank Faithdean for placing their trust in us to deliver such a prestigious, high-value project in the heart of London’s Mayfair Conservation Area,” the company said. “Securing such a project also enables our renowned apprenticeship scheme to thrive, with the next generation of bricklayers carrying out intricate, handset traditional brickwork — craftsmanship at its finest.” Positioned at the centre of one of Europe’s most valuable retail corridors, the scheme aims to set a benchmark for adaptive reuse: retaining significant elements, upgrading structure and services, and stitching in high-performance new build to meet modern occupier standards. For Winchmore, it is both a technical commission and an opportunity to showcase skilled brickwork on a flagship London redevelopment delivered alongside Faithdean, Foster + Partners and Erith. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar has been appointed principal contractor to design and build the opening phase of VGP Park East Midlands, an 835,000 sq ft logistics development planned near Castle Donington by Junction 24a of the M1. The initial tranche totals 370,000 sq ft across two speculative units with integrated offices: Unit 3 at 240,000 sq ft and Unit 4 at 130,000 sq ft. Alongside the vertical build, Glencar’s remit covers full site-wide earthworks and the formation of development plateaus to enable later delivery of Units 1 and 2. The package also includes significant infrastructure upgrades, with Section 278 highway works to Netherfield Lane and Tamworth Road, plus external works such as HGV and car parking, access roads and landscaping. Targeting BREEAM Excellent, the scheme aims to combine robust specification with sustainability measures from day one, setting a standard for subsequent phases. Peter Goodman, managing director at Glencar, said: “This is an important milestone for Glencar as we embark on our first project with both VGP and Newlands. The VGP Park East Midlands scheme stands out not just for its scale but also for its ambitious sustainability targets and technical complexity. We look forward to bringing our expertise to the table and working collaboratively to deliver a best-in-class logistics park.” The appointment marks Glencar’s first commission with VGP, the Belgian industrial real estate developer, and with Newlands, acting as development managers. Glencar moved on site in August and is scheduled to reach practical completion at the beginning of October 2026. The project team features PHP Architects, Avison Young (Manchester) as project manager/quantity surveyor and Stantec as engineer. Jonny Allen, VGP’s UK country manager, added: “VGP appointed Glencar to deliver this scheme after a competitive tender. They’ve made a great start and have already demonstrated their expertise in this sector of real estate development.” With groundwork preparing future plots and highways improvements baked into phase one, the programme is structured to accelerate the park’s build-out while minimising disruption to the strategic road network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has reached completion of a new campus for the University of Cumbria in Barrow, forming part of the university’s investment in engineering, advanced manufacturing and health. The dockside campus, which spans 2.6 hectares, has a unique design inspired by Barrow’s maritime heritage and includes accessible and flexible teaching spaces, offices and catering facilities. Now launched, hosting higher education provisions from the Institute of Engineering, Computing and Advanced Manufacturing, and the Institute of Health, the striking new development includes exhibition and meeting spaces and specialised workshops. Designed with sustainable measures incorporated, the campus includes features to optimise natural light, solar panels to power mechanical services, a cloud BMS system and an air source heat pump to eliminate the need for gas. The new building, which has been designed to resemble a submarine surfacing from water, includes a bespoke rain screen cladding system and curved roofline with glazing, all of which have achieved a U value of 0.15W/m2k. Throughout construction, Caddick also created £1.8m of social value for the community by partnering with a range of organisations and charities. This included support for a school reading programme led by Hello Future, as well as donations made to the Furness Homeless charity, which is dedicated to providing wrap-around support for adults facing homelessness Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, commented: “We’re proud to have delivered this landmark project, which sets a new benchmark in educational design and demonstrates the power of construction when it’s rooted in community impact. Beyond the campus itself, we’re especially proud of the social value created by the team in Barrow, which has ensured the benefits of this project extend well beyond its walls.” University of Cumbria’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Brian Webster-Henderson OBE, said: “The opening of our Barrow campus marks a transformative moment for both the University of Cumbria and the town itself. It is the result of nearly a decade of collaboration, vision, and belief in Barrow’s potential. This development directly supports our T2030 strategy, focusing on place, people, and partnership, by expanding access to higher education, nurturing local talent, and strengthening ties with industry and community. Barrow is now a university town, and that unlocks new possibilities for regional growth, national resilience, and lifelong opportunity.” The University of Cumbria adds to a growing portfolio of education projects being delivered by Caddick across the North West, including the newly completed 24,000 sq. ft expansion of Loreto College in Hulme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Premier Estates has announced that its founder and Chairman, Ben Jordan, is stepping away from the company after 27 years at the helm. Ben, who established Premier Estates in 1998, has played a pivotal role in the property management sector in the UK. The company will now be led by Managing Director, Lisa Fantom, who has worked alongside Ben since 2007. Ben founded Premier Estates after leading a management buyout of the private property management department of the housing association where he was employed. Starting with just three employees managing 300 properties in Macclesfield, Ben grew Premier Estates into one of the UK’s leading residential property management companies. Today, the business manages around 35,000 properties across England and Wales, supported by a team of over 220 people. In 2021, Premier Estates became part of Odevo, the rapidly growing international property management group. The move provided the business with enhanced backing and access to leading-edge technology, compliance expertise and professional development opportunities, supporting its strategy of sustained growth. Reflecting on his decision to step down, Ben Jordan said: “Starting Premier Estates was a career defining moment for me and watching it grow into a company that now looks after tens of thousands of homes has been incredibly rewarding. The time now feels right to move on and take some space to explore new opportunities. Customer service has always been at the heart of our business, and our reputation was built on doing the right thing and putting residents first. One of my greatest achievements has been building such a talented and dedicated team. I leave, confident that Premier Estates is in very capable hands, and I know Lisa and the management team will continue to uphold the values that have always been important.” Ben has also been an influential voice in the wider property management industry. As Chairman of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) in 2012, he was instrumental in the introduction of ARMA-Q, a pioneering self-regulatory accreditation scheme that raised standards across the sector. Today, ARMA has evolved into The Property Institute, continuing to advance professionalism in property management. A qualified accountant, Lisa joined the business as Finance Director before stepping into the Managing Director role in 2018. During her tenure, she has overseen substantial growth and a widening geographical spread across the UK. The company manages a broad range of developments and property types including several large-scale, multi-phased schemes in London. Lisa Fantom commented: “Ben was a big reason I joined Premier Estates – his passion and integrity have always been inspiring. He cares deeply about people, both the residents we serve and the team who deliver for them every day and that ethos remains at the heart of our business. As part of Odevo, we also have exciting opportunities ahead such as introducing market-leading technology through our sister company Dwellant. This sophisticated portal will give us increased transparency and better reporting for clients and residents. The combination of greater resources from being part of a larger group, combined with our personal, customer-first approach puts us in a strong position to continue growing and delivering exceptional service.” Premier Estates’ client base includes a mix of resident management companies, freeholders and many of the UK’s leading housebuilders, including Barratt Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley Homes and Cala Homes. With a strong track record built on long-standing partnerships and recommendations, and the continued backing of Odevo, the company is well placed to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Merry Hill, the top 10 super regional centre, has welcomed a trio of openings at its retail park, introducing 33,800 sq ft of new space as part of a comprehensive refurbishment of the now fully-let and trading site. B&Q has opened its latest store alongside Costa Coffee and Bensons for Beds, adding to the destination’s already diverse retail mix. B&Q’s new 23,000 sq ft store, located next to Costa Coffee and B&M, offers a wide range of home improvement essentials. With more than 12,000 products, the store features a dedicated timber cutting service, B&Q’s popular Valspar paint mixing station, and a garden centre with outdoor plants and gardening equipment. Costa has also opened its latest café across 2,800 sq ft, serving its much-loved range of hot drinks, snacks, and grab-and-go options. This adds to the existing Costa locations within Merry Hill, underlining the strong partnership the centre has developed with the brand, and the headroom for café spend, which is on track to top £5m this year at the destination. Bensons for Beds has opened its 8,000 sq ft showroom, dedicated to its ‘Sleep Wellness’ concept. The new location showcases the retailer’s wide range of beds, furniture, and bedding. The trio of openings highlights Merry Hill’s continued strong performance and reinforces its position as a destination where leading brands thrive and commit for the long term. Nick Round, Senior Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, commented: “Merry Hill has now completed the leasing of its retail park, bringing a comprehensive collection of brands that our community want to see in that unique retail environment. The retail park is an important part of the destination, providing even greater choice and experiences for our community, and these latest openings ensure we are aligned with their needs.” Justin Willis, B&Q Divisional Director for Central said: “We are really happy to have opened our new store at Merry Hill, bringing our extensive range of B&Q and TradePoint home improvement products and services to our new customers and giving them more choice and convenience.” The series of new openings at the retail park builds on news from earlier this year, when Merry Hill announced nearly 79,000 sq ft of new signings and reinvestments at its lower retail park. This included Costa and bedroom retailer Bensons for Beds, along with lease renewals from B&M Bargains and Matalan. Together, these deals highlight how the newly refurbished site has become fully let and trading within just a year. JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Western – one of the leading specialist construction companies in the UK and Ireland – has welcomed two sets of international visitors. The delegations from Australia and The Netherlands met with senior executives from Western to review best global practice in offsite modular construction. The visitors also took time to tour Western’s extensive manufacturing facilities in Tyrone, which include a new fully automated timber panel production line. This is the latest acquisition in an ongoing multi-million-pound programme to enhance innovation, operational efficiency and sustainability in construction. The new timber panel production line brings together the latest automation technology with powerful digital design tools. It has been designed to deliver higher output, greater precision and improved safety alongside the provision of high-performance, energy-efficient building systems. At the heart of Western’s latest initiative is a suite of next-generation machinery designed for one-person operation, enabling the manufacture of open and closed timber wall panels with minimal manual handling. The new automated timber panel production line will support Western’s ambitious carbon reduction goals. The investment also enhances Western’s ability to meet increasing demand for faster, greener construction in keeping with the UK and Irish government’s drive towards Net Zero buildings. About Western Western offers a comprehensive ‘right-fit’ solution for modern construction projects, combining design excellence, digital innovation, and a streamlined / manufacturing delivery model. Their next-generation, fully customisable buildings are designed to exceed compliance standards, creating adaptable and sustainable spaces that empower clients and communities. Western’s Single Source Supply Chain model means Western can offer end-to-end project in-house supply chain management that ensures cost certainty, adherence to agreed-upon timelines, transparency, and consistent quality. With a reputation for quality craftsmanship and technical excellence, Western has long been at the forefront of modern methods of construction, using a right-fit approach to a range of projects across the UK and Ireland’s health, education and commercial sectors. The company has been in business for more than 40 years and blends traditional values with future-ready solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The transformation of the historic Brabazon Hangars at Filton Airfield has taken a major step forward, with demolition contractor John F Hunt completing the strip-out to unlock full construction of the 20,000-capacity YTL Arena. At the heart of the scheme, the central hangar has been pared back to its original 1940s steel frame, revealing the building’s vast proportions. The iconic Esavian sliding hangar doors have been removed, opening sightlines straight through the structure that once witnessed the birth of Concorde. Enabling works are now under way to remove seven major structural trusses along with the existing roof. This will clear the volume for the new seating bowl, the core of the venue’s live events offer. Surrounding outer buildings have already been demolished, making room for the next phase of development, including a new bridge that will connect the arena complex to the wider Brabazon new town. Main contractor YTL Construction UK, incorporated in 2023 as a subsidiary of YTL Land & Property, is leading delivery. Chief executive John Thompson, who joined in November 2024 after 17 years with Wessex Water, said: “Demolishing parts of the hangar has been a delicate operation, as we know how important it is to preserve its structure both for its legacy as the birthplace of Concorde and its bright new future. The project team and I are delighted to be delivering this exciting new venue, which promises to put Bristol on the world stage.” The works at Filton, in north Bristol, mark the shift from heritage-sensitive demolition to major build. With the shell now exposed and approaches cleared, the programme will pivot to heavy construction, façade interventions and fit-out to create a contemporary arena within an historic envelope. The YTL Arena is expected to open in 2028, anchoring the wider Brabazon regeneration and adding a flagship cultural destination to the city’s skyline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
How digital data management transformed environmental performance on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 framework Balfour Beatty, the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure provider, has delivered exceptional environmental results on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (TEAM2100) framework, one of the nation’s most ambitious flood defence initiatives. As the UK faces escalating flood threats driven by climate change, the programme is critical to safeguarding London and surrounding communities from tidal flooding. The project demanded strict compliance with some of the most rigorous environmental accountability standards issued by the Environment Agency. Far from a simple box-ticking exercise, every tonne of waste, material delivery, and sourcing decision had to be logged, audited, and proven to meet stringent environmental commitments. Data as a key infrastructure To manage this complex data challenge, Balfour Beatty partnered with Qflow, a leading digital construction data specialist. Harnessing Qflow’s advanced data capture and analysis platform, the team automated environmental reporting processes which historically required extensive manual effort. This digital innovation enabled real-time tracking of waste, sourcing compliance, and transport emissions, freeing sustainability and site teams to prioritise responsible building practices over paperwork. Exceeding expectations The results exceeded expectations. Balfour Beatty achieved 99.6% waste diversion from landfill, surpassing the initially ambitious 96% target. Responsible sourcing compliance reached an exceptional 99.1% far beyond the original 20-30% benchmark generally seen across the industry. This data-driven approach translated into sharper, more strategic, client conversations grounded in live insights rather than lagging reports. Leo Connolly, Sustainability Manager at Balfour Beatty, reflected on the transformation: “The biggest support that Qflow offered was time-saving. Automation of the system provided workable, confident data for us to discuss with the client without needing to spend days going through documents.” The TEAM2100 project’s success coincides with urgent warnings from the Met Office and Environment Agency about the increasing frequency and severity of tidal flooding linked to climate change. The UK government’s long-term infrastructure strategy continues to emphasise resilience and sustainability, underscoring the relevance of this achievement. A blueprint for success Following the success of TEAM2100, Balfour Beatty is extending the use of Qflow’s digital data platform to other landmark projects, including the Wallend Substation. This collaborative model highlights how construction expertise combined with technological innovation offers a blueprint for meeting escalating environmental and regulatory demands. As climate change accelerates the need for resilient infrastructure, Balfour Beatty’s accomplishment on the Thames Estuary flood defence framework highlights the vital role of digital transformation in creating a more sustainable built environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Integra Buildings has been formally presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise as it proudly flies the flag for modular construction. Integra welcomed His Majesty The King’s representative for the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lord-Lieutenant Jim Dick OBE, to its site in Paull, near Hull, to receive the royal accolade. The Lord-Lieutenant’s role dates back to Tudor times and the holder of the post represents The King within the region, supporting and visiting voluntary, charity, and business organisations who are doing great things in the local community. After a special ceremony, attended by many of Integra’s 180-strong team, the Lord-Lieutenant and two Deputy Lieutenants were shown around the business’ production facilities, meeting team members and hearing about the company’s work as a leader in the modular construction sector. The Lord-Lieutenant said: “I’m very proud for Integra and what they have achieved. The King’s Award is a hugely prestigious accolade, and is not easily won. “I’m pleased that the region is represented by such a strong business. It is recognition of all of the employees at Integra, under Gary’s leadership, and I congratulate each and every one of them.” In May, Integra was announced as one of just 27 recipients nationally of The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2025. Regarded as the country’s most prestigious business honour, The King’s Award recognises Integra as a trailblazer and a pioneer in sustainable construction, demonstrating that modular can lead the way in addressing climate challenges while delivering commercial success. Integra SHEQ Director and Co-owner, Paul Tansey, said: “It was a huge honour to host the Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants to our site, and to show them around our production facilities so they could see first-hand the work we do. “In receiving The King’s Award, we have demonstrated that modular has a key role to play in the future of sustainable construction, producing buildings which are exceptional in quality and in environmental standards. “We’re extremely proud to be recognised as one of the country’s most forward-thinking, sustainable businesses. This is a day that will live long in the memory for all of our colleagues.” As the only modular construction company named as a 2025 King’s Award recipient, Integra was commended for “challenging the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable construction through bespoke design and offsite manufacturing”. Whether it’s through the buildings it delivers, the development of its team or making responsible decisions across its supply chain, sustainability is rooted in Integra’s values. The company has cut gas consumption by 22 per cent since 2022, with plans to remove it altogether by 2028, and has installed more than 1,000 rooftop solar panels on office and production facilities to generate 380,000KW of clean electricity capacity. An impressive waste reduction programme has seen materials sent to landfill cut from 70 per cent to 1.2 per cent in just three years, and Integra’s evolution into a multi-disciplinary, full turkey construction company has significantly increased project efficiency and sustainability. After being announced as a 2025 King’s Award winner, Integra’s CEO Gary Parker was invited to a royal reception at Windsor Castle, where he had the honour of meeting His Majesty The King, speaking to King Charles about the importance of modular as a construction method. Integra’s innovative approach was also recently highlighted at the 2025 Offsite Awards – considered the “Oscars” of the modular industry – when Integra was crowned Offsite Pioneer of the Year. Integra Managing Director Chris Turner said: “To receive not one, but two, major awards this year reflects a total commitment across our operations to set new standards and push boundaries in what modular construction can achieve. “We’ve invested significantly, not only in sustainability, but in our own operations and our people, which positions us for future growth and success. “On this special day, the Directors would like to express our thanks to our brilliant team. They have all played their part in securing these prestigious awards.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading fit-out and joinery specialists has taken on seven new members of staff after they successfully completed an apprenticeship programme with the business – which saw them all pass with a Distinction. EE Smith, based in Leicester, has appointed Fenton Williams, Oscar Allen, Adam Ball, Chris Burnett, Mark Cluer, Jack Mullings and Padraig Taylor as Bench Hand Joiners. It comes after they all successfully completed a two-year Furniture Manufacturing apprenticeship with EE Smith through delivery partner Leicester College. They were the first cohort to use EE Smith’s dedicated learning centre which was opened two years ago and provides a specialist area for apprentices to hone their skills. It marked a significant milestone for the company’s investment in training and skills development after all seven apprentices passed with a Distinction. The apprenticeship programme sees students spend 80 per cent of their time on-site, which is split between the learning centre where they are taught by dedicated trainers and the main production workshop where they are paired with a qualified Bench Hand Joiner, and 20 per cent at Leicester College. They also hold an awards ceremony to highlight the achievements of the apprentices, with the 2025 Apprentice of the Year Award presented to Fenton Williams and the Rising Star Award presented to first year apprentice Alice Musgrove. EE Smith’s 2025 intake sees a further 8 new Apprentices and 3 trainees joining the Leicester programme, along with 2 new London Apprentices and four already within the business who have just moved into their second year. Claire Noble, HR Manager at EE Smith, said: “It is fantastic to welcome seven extremely talented Bench Hand Joiners to the business as permanent members of the team as a result of their exceptional achievements. “We are very proud of our apprenticeship programme, and it is clear that the investment in our dedicated learning centre is already paying dividends. “The new dedicated learning centre provides a more structured approach and we have some very committed in-house trainers supporting them. “We work on some extremely prestigious projects, and it really gives us the opportunity to develop talent from the ground up. “We have been based in Leicester from more than 125 years, and we always try to give back to our community by striving to recruit and train local people, with a third all of employees starting their careers at EE Smith Contacts as apprentices “We are also aware that many of our apprentices join us between the ages of 16 and 18, so we do everything we can to help them settle into working while they study. “This includes holding a special welcome event for the new starters and their parents just before they join, providing free lunches before their first pay day and regular wellbeing checks throughout their apprenticeship. “It is also wonderful to be able to give recognition to our apprentices at our annual awards ceremony, and it was excellent to see Alice, who is our only female apprentice, receive the Rising Star Award. “We look forward to continuing to support our current apprentices to progress.” Fenton added: “I am very pleased to join EE Smith as a Bench Hand Joiner. The business has provided me with a wealth of experience and the opportunity to develop high-quality skills which will stand me in good stead to have a successful career in the industry. “It was also excellent to be named Apprentice of the Year 2025 in recognition of my achievements.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals