Peel Group has launched a £582 million cash bid to acquire Harworth Group, offering shareholders 172.5p per share in a move that could reshape the future of one of the UK’s leading brownfield regeneration and strategic land developers. The offer values the listed developer at approximately £582 million and comes
A Who’s Who of thought leaders and experts headline the new-look Main Stage at UK Construction Birmingham this autumn (NEC, September 29 to October 1), where high-level, conference sessions will explore a myriad of issues including policy, leadership, major projects, skills, productivity, technology, sustainability and the future direction of construction.
The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 has strengthened its expert judging panel with the appointment of acclaimed interior designer Mia Karlsson-Matthews, Founder and Director of Mia Karlsson Interior Design, as preparations continue for one of the UK’s leading celebrations of excellence across the fit out and interiors sector. Based in
Visit Bramley-Moore Dock on a matchday now and it’s easy to forget Everton spent decades going nowhere with a new ground. The Hill Dickinson Stadium properly opened in February 2025, four years after the first pile went into the old dock bed, and it holds 52,769 fans, comfortably more than
Peel Group has launched a £582 million cash bid to acquire Harworth Group, offering shareholders 172.5p per share in a move that could reshape the future of one of the UK’s leading brownfield regeneration and strategic land developers. The offer values the listed developer at approximately £582 million and comes as Peel, already Harworth’s largest shareholder through subsidiary Goodweather Holdings, looks to take full control of the business. Goodweather currently owns around 29.96% of Harworth’s issued share capital. Harworth has established itself as a major player in the UK’s regeneration sector, with a portfolio comprising modern industrial and logistics assets alongside extensive strategic land holdings across the North of England and the Midlands. The business has played a significant role in transforming former industrial sites into employment, residential and mixed-use developments, including securing planning approval last year for its £190 million Gascoigne Interchange scheme. However, Peel believes the company’s current financial model is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain, citing rising administrative and financing costs alongside weakening recurring rental income. For the year ending 31 December 2025, Harworth reported administrative expenses of £36.34 million and net interest costs of £10.6 million, representing increases of 9.5% and 58.2% respectively compared with the previous year. During the same period, rental income from its investment portfolio fell by 7% to £14.7 million. Peel argues these figures demonstrate growing pressure on Harworth’s cash flow, with operating and financing costs significantly exceeding the income generated from its investment portfolio. The proposed acquisition also reflects Peel’s view that Harworth’s stock market listing no longer provides meaningful strategic benefits. The investor points to the company’s concentrated shareholder base, with the three largest shareholders controlling approximately 75.7% of the business, limiting trading liquidity and reducing the advantages typically associated with being publicly listed. Peel further noted that Harworth has not raised new equity for almost a decade and believes current market conditions, combined with what it describes as a persistent discount to the company’s underlying value, make future equity fundraising unlikely to deliver attractive returns. The cash offer represents a substantial premium for shareholders, equating to 36.9% above Harworth’s one-month volume-weighted average share price and 36.0% above the three-month average. For the construction, development and property sectors, the proposed acquisition could have significant implications. Harworth has become one of the UK’s foremost brownfield regeneration specialists, delivering large-scale industrial, logistics, residential and mixed-use developments that support regional economic growth while unlocking previously underutilised land. Should the transaction proceed, Peel would gain full ownership of a substantial regeneration pipeline and strategic land portfolio, further strengthening its position within the UK’s development and regeneration market. The proposed takeover also highlights the continuing attractiveness of long-term regeneration assets, as investors seek to secure development opportunities capable of delivering future residential, commercial and industrial growth across key regional markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Who’s Who of thought leaders and experts headline the new-look Main Stage at UK Construction Birmingham this autumn (NEC, September 29 to October 1), where high-level, conference sessions will explore a myriad of issues including policy, leadership, major projects, skills, productivity, technology, sustainability and the future direction of construction. Built around the core themes of Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly, the Main Stage – one of five theatres at UKCW Birmingham – will welcome an array of leading luminaries, including: Main Stage seminar highlights include: Tuesday 29th September 10.30am – 11.15am The Construction Reset: What Needs to Change and What Happens if We Don’t? [Build Better] This session will examine where the industry can unlock growth, improve performance and build a future-ready workforce through innovation, collaboration and new career pathways. Speakers: Jackie Rigby (Homes England), Saul Humphrey (Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Tim Balcon (CITB) 12.30pm – 1.15pm Housing at Scale: The Race to 1.5 Million Homes This session will examine the opportunities created by planning reform, New Towns and strategic growth areas, while exploring whether more scalable delivery models can help increase capacity. With political focus, investment and innovation aligning, the next five years could represent the biggest opportunity for housebuilding in a generation. Speakers: Ed Griffiths (Barbour-ABI); Emma Osmundsen (Chair, Passivhaus Trust Board) 2.15pm – 2.45pmWho are the people changing construction for the better? Announcing the UKCW Role Models Winners for 2026 With three categories: Rising Star, Pioneer and Icon, UKCW Role Models recognises outstanding achievement at every stage of a career. This special session will reveal the 2026 winners and celebrate the exceptional leadership, innovation and impact that have earned them recognition as some of the industry’s most inspiring role models. Presenters: Christina Riley, Senior Planning Manager, Coniston Ltd & Co-Founder, Building Equality; Rebecca Rickwood, CEO, Gement Group Wednesday 30th September 11.30am – 12.15pm Constructing the Gold Standard: Choosing the Right Framework for Better Supply Chain Partnerships This panel will explore how the principles of the Construction Excellence Gold Standard are reshaping procurement, moving beyond lowest-price tendering towards fairer risk allocation, earlier supply chain engagement and longer-term collaborative relationships. Moderator: Alison Nicholl (Head of Constructing Excellence, BRE & DfE) Speakers: Prof. David Hancock (Construction Director and Infrastructure Practice Lead, His Majesty’s Treasury, Expert Advisory Team & NISTA); Rob Byrnes (Frameworks Director, Vinci Building UK) 2.30pm – 3.15pmNet Zero That Pays: Making Commercial Sustainability Work in Construction An opportunity to examine how whole-life carbon, material choices, energy performance and retrofit strategies are increasingly shaping procurement decisions, project outcomes and competitive advantage. Speakers: Ste Garlik (Strategic Lead for Decarbonisation & Retrofit, Building Design Partnership & Chief Executive, Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB)); Will Arnold (Head of Sustainable Materials, Useful Simple Trust) Thursday 1st October 12.30pm – 1.15pm AI in Construction: Reimagining How Real Applications Deliver Real Results [Build Smarter] This session will showcase real examples of AI being used to automate repetitive tasks, improve document and data management, accelerate design coordination, enhance project controls and increase productivity across construction workflows. Speakers: Paul Beeston (Partner – Head of Industry and Service Insight, Rider Levett Bucknall); Meghan Davies (Co-Founder, Cammina) 1.30pm – 2.15pm The New Industrial Revolution: How Digital-First Construction Can Finally Scale Productivity How digital-first approaches, combined with standardisation, better data and new ways of working, can help the industry move away from fragmented project-by-project delivery towards more repeatable, efficient and scalable systems. Moderator: Trudi Sully (Industrialised Construction Director, Mott MacDonald and Co-Chair Building Better: Community of Practice (BB:CoP))Speakers: Lilian Ho (Associate Director – Digital & BIM, UK+I Architecture + Design , AECOM); George Mokhtar (Director, Turner & Townsend) Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham Editorial Director, commented: “Our theme of The Construction Reset will position UKCW Birmingham as a marketplace and industry meeting point, built around the real challenges, opportunities and partnerships shaping construction today. “The Main Stage is at the very heart of that, with some of the biggest names in the industry coming together to discuss, debate and help shape the conversations that will define the future of the built environment. From innovation and digital transformation to sustainability, skills and policy, the programme has been designed to provide practical insight, fresh thinking and meaningful discussion for everyone working across the sector.” Sponsored by Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over 250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections. Architect, TV presenter and UKCW ambassador, George Clarke will officially open the show and also host the Main Stage discussions on Day One (September 29th). To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0hcnqiudc1lrv?actioncode=1000 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 has strengthened its expert judging panel with the appointment of acclaimed interior designer Mia Karlsson-Matthews, Founder and Director of Mia Karlsson Interior Design, as preparations continue for one of the UK’s leading celebrations of excellence across the fit out and interiors sector. Based in London, Karlsson-Matthews brings more than 20 years of award-winning design experience to the judging process, having built an internationally recognised practice renowned for creating bespoke residential interiors that combine Scandinavian functionality with contemporary luxury. Originally from Sweden, she established Mia Karlsson Interior Design in 2004, developing a distinctive design philosophy centred on intelligent space planning, craftsmanship and timeless interiors. Since then, the studio has successfully completed more than 300 residential projects, earning a reputation for delivering highly personalised environments that balance aesthetics with practical living. Her work has featured extensively in leading interior design publications, reflecting the studio’s consistent commitment to quality and innovation across a diverse portfolio of high-end residential commissions. Karlsson-Matthews also brings strong academic and professional credentials to the judging panel. She holds a first-class degree in Interior Design and Technology and is a prominent member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID). As a former BIID Board Director, she has also played an influential role in supporting the continued development of professional standards across the UK’s interior design and interior architecture sectors. Her appointment further strengthens an already distinguished judging panel for the Fit Out Awards UK 2026, which brings together leading experts from across architecture, workplace design, sustainability, academia and the wider built environment. The awards programme features 32 categories recognising excellence across every aspect of the fit out industry, including commercial office fit out projects, hospitality, healthcare, retail, residential and conservation, alongside awards celebrating sustainability, collaboration, product innovation and overall project delivery. Karlsson-Matthews joins Judging Coordinator Ann-Marie Aguilar of IWBI alongside Vanessa Brady of SBID, Vyvyan Byrne of VB Design, Dr Eshrar Latif of Cardiff University, Giuseppe Parito of Studio Seilern Architects, Professor Robert Schmidt III of Loughborough University and Lydia Szewczyk of IWBI. For the construction, architecture and interior fit out sectors, the awards continue to showcase the outstanding talent, innovation and technical expertise shaping the UK’s built environment. The appointment of experienced industry professionals such as Mia Karlsson-Matthews reinforces the awards’ commitment to recognising projects that demonstrate exceptional quality, creativity and excellence in design and delivery. The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 will culminate in a gala ceremony on 24 September 2026 at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, where the industry’s leading designers, contractors, architects and suppliers will come together to celebrate the year’s most outstanding achievements in fit out and interior design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Visit Bramley-Moore Dock on a matchday now and it’s easy to forget Everton spent decades going nowhere with a new ground. The Hill Dickinson Stadium properly opened in February 2025, four years after the first pile went into the old dock bed, and it holds 52,769 fans, comfortably more than Goodison Park ever managed. The build cost north of £750m, and the ground is already booked in as a Euro 2028 venue. This is the same club that couldn’t get a stadium plan past King’s Dock back in 2003… While adding seats is always the priority for developers behind these mammoth stadiums, the fact is that ticket sales cover a shrinking share of matchday revenue these days, with a good chunk of it stemming from hospitality suites, vendors sitting inside the concourse rather than in a portable cabin outside it, broadcasters paying for camera positions that didn’t exist a decade ago. Oh, and the sponsorships placed all around the pitch. Liverpool The Reds never left home at all, which is its own kind of achievement. The Anfield Road Stand went up in phases while the first team kept playing every other week a few hundred metres away, and by the time the last seat went in, capacity had climbed from 54,074 to 61,276. There’s something almost bureaucratic about the way Liverpool have handled it: no grand unveiling, no leaving the postcode, no ribbon to cut. It was a case of making steady additions until the numbers caught up with the season ticket waiting list. Amenities have moved just as fast as capacity, and stadium wifi is maybe the clearest example. With tens of thousands of users at a time, it used to be patchy at best, and hopeless the moment everyone tried to check the half-time scores at once. But Anfield brought in Extreme Networks in 2024 to overhaul its network because fans expect more from a connection now: live team news, real-time build updates on their phones, changing odds on an online casino mid-match, and a paperless ticket scan that doesn’t create a queue. Manchester United The Red Devils want people to notice, however. The 100,000-seat stadium unveiled in March 2025 would be the biggest in Britain, built roughly 350 metres northwest of the current Old Trafford, and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe called it “the world’s greatest football stadium” at the launch. The figures attached to the wider regeneration are eye-watering, something like 92,000 jobs and 17,000 homes, worth billions a year to the local economy on paper. None of that changes the fact that, eighteen months on, United are still negotiating land deals with a freight company rather than laying foundations, so in the meantime fans get The Paddock, a new fan zone behind the Stretford End, while the real project inches forward (presumably) somewhere behind the scenes. Nottingham Forest Their version of all this is more modest, at least by comparison. The City Ground redevelopment on the table with Rushcliffe Borough Council would push capacity from 30,445 up toward roughly 52,500, with the first phase landing nearer 45,000, and a decision from the council is expected as soon as September. It’s a capital-P Project for sure…just one that barely registers as ambitious next to United’s numbers, which says something about how quickly the bar’s moved. The Ones (Currently) Left Behind Not every club is riding this wave, though. Newcastle have spent the past couple of years weighing up whether to expand St James’ Park or build fresh near Leazes Park, and as of this spring that decision had been pushed back again, despite the club sinking around £158m into stadium-related property in the space of a year, including the purchase of the Grade I listed Leazes Terrace. Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge situation is even further behind: there have been no concrete updates on redeveloping the ground or moving elsewhere heading into 2026, after the club missed out on being folded into the Earls Court redevelopment nearby.