Leading multi utility connections provider, Aptus, is celebrating five years of its Burntwood depot which opened in the Midlands in 2018. Since its inception half a decade ago, Aptus’ Midlands team has secured over 250 contracts worth more than £50 million in value, including the award of 87 lighting projects.
Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a new Management Agreement with WTW to create a high spec flexible workspace at 51 Lime Street in the City of London. The new space will open at the end of 2023. 36,000 sq ft of flexible workspace will be designed and created to provide
Despite hot-desking becoming more common in the hybrid world of work, staff prefer to have their own personal space, according to new data from global workplace creation expert Unispace. The organisation’s ‘Returning for Good’ study – which surveyed 9,500 office workers and 6,650 employers – revealed that the majority (83%)
Professional services group Gateley, has acquired chartered quantity surveying practice RJA Consultants in a deal which will expand the services of its Property Platform. Gateley’s Property Platform combines the expertise of its legal professionals with the tax specialists, surveyors, architects and engineers within its consultancy businesses to produce full-service solutions
Richard Linacre has joined multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company, BakerHicks, as Director for Life Sciences & Industry in the UK, further strengthening their capabilities and expertise. This new role will deliver focused local support to the company’s existing and prospective clients across the UK life sciences and industrial
Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2023 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2023, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has announced that work has commenced on the former site of the Boddingtons Brewery, a renowned 52,700 sq ft site on the northern edge of central Manchester whose regeneration has been long-awaited. DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, has mobilised on site
Urban Group (York) Ltd has won a £15 million contract from the City of York Council to provide home repair & upgrades, including energy retrofitting improvements, across its social housing portfolio. Following a competitive tender process, Urban’s Maintenance & Energy team was appointed to cover around 3,500 of the Council’s
Global engineering, design, and advisory practice Buro Happold will continue its role as lead consultant for the Mayor of London’s Local Energy Accelerator (LEA) – a funding programme which supports the development and delivery of local energy projects across London – as it is extended to Spring 2024. A further £3 million
Full-fibre infrastructure specialist Complete Fibre and leading UK housing group Orbit are collaborating to rollout safe, hyper-reliable, hyper-fast broadband in blocks of flats across the South East. Complete Fibre will manage access to the buildings as well as installing a single, open-access ‘plug-and-play’ digital infrastructure within Orbit’s blocks of flats (also
Leading multi utility connections provider, Aptus, is celebrating five years of its Burntwood depot which opened in the Midlands in 2018. Since its inception half a decade ago, Aptus’ Midlands team has secured over 250 contracts worth more than £50 million in value, including the award of 87 lighting projects. During that time the site has also gone from having one team to a 40-strong workforce, and counts Taylor Wimpey, David Wilson Homes and Bellway among its roster of over 80 clients. Another reflection of the site’s success can be seen in the number of plots they’ve secured too – more than 15,000. The Midlands arm of Aptus was also trusted to novate all of Western Power Distribution’s existing schemes when they exited the market. This was based on the recommendation of the adopting network providers to Western Power Distribution, highlighting Aptus’ standing and reputation in the Midlands. The team at Burntwood is led by Midlands General Manager Jon Patrick, who has reflected on the depot’s first five years and spoken about plans for the future: “I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made at Burntwood. A lot has changed since I took on the role in 2018 with one team and project manager working under my direction. “To have secured over 250 contracts and worked with more than 80 clients is a real testament to the team. We never rest on our laurels at Aptus though and are determined to keep growing the Midlands arm of the business. Here’s to the next five years!” Aptus designs, builds and installs gas, water, electricity and street lighting infrastructure for housing developers and construction clients. Operating from its Bolton headquarters, Aptus has regional depots across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a new Management Agreement with WTW to create a high spec flexible workspace at 51 Lime Street in the City of London. The new space will open at the end of 2023. 36,000 sq ft of flexible workspace will be designed and created to provide a large number of workstations on the 6th and 7th floors of the 27-storey tower. In addition, substantial collaboration, restaurant, terrace, meeting and event spaces. Designed by Norman Foster and located in the centre of the City opposite the Lloyd’s Building, 51 Lime Street is one of the City’s most iconic developments with 44,000 sq m (473,612 sq ft) of space and is one of the taller buildings in the City. The location is in the heart of EC3 with many local amenities – including restaurants, coffee bars, gyms and hotels – only a short walk away. The new workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base for the City’s professional and financial businesses, and offers brand new: 51 Lime Street is the seventh flexible workspace that Orega has launched in London and the third in the City. The company now offers flex space from 26 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements. Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “By offering our joint venture Management Agreement, Orega provides a forward-thinking disposal solution to corporates who may be looking to re-purpose their excess space, following changes in working patterns. Our Management Agreement not only enables corporate businesses to quickly mitigate excess real estate costs, but also provides them with modern hospitality-led amenities, as well as enabling them to keep control of their space. This is essential when brand retention and potential re-occupation are important considerations. As a result, more and more large occupiers are considering this route.” Lynsey O’Keefe COO of Orega added, “51 Lime Street is an iconic building, and we are excited about the opportunity to bring to market premium flex space with everything to meet today’s working needs. We continue to see increasing demand for flex space in the City of London, and we now have seven flexible workspace centres in London as a whole.” WTW were advised by BNP and Colliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Despite hot-desking becoming more common in the hybrid world of work, staff prefer to have their own personal space, according to new data from global workplace creation expert Unispace. The organisation’s ‘Returning for Good’ study – which surveyed 9,500 office workers and 6,650 employers – revealed that the majority (83%) of workers who currently hot-desk would be inclined to be in the office more often if they had an assigned desk. Despite this, 48% of firms across the globe have a hot-desking policy. According to the data, males are particularly driven by the need to have their own space, with 86% of men indicating they’d spend more time in the office – compared to 80% of females – if they had their own assigned desk. Of the age groups, the younger demographic showed a higher-than-average desire for their own space, with 88% of those aged 18-34 stating they would head into the workplace more if they had their own desk. This drops to 84% for those aged 35-44 and 71% for those over 45. Robin Dey, Head of Client Solutions at Unispace, commented. “It would appear that old habits are beginning to return to the office and people are looking to once again have their own personal space at work. However, it does appear that some businesses are overlooking what their people really need and the fact that almost half of firms have a hot-desking set up, despite staff showing a desire for assigned spaces, suggests there is a disconnect between employers and employees. “This preference for designated individual spaces is also likely another reflection of people seeking greater elements of their home office set up in the workplace. For many, working from home means they have a dedicated area to store their work equipment and personalise to suit their needs. “The difference across the age demographics is particularly interesting and further supports the idea that businesses are making assumptions about the desires of their employees. Those who make up the younger segment of the workforce are often considered to be amenable to flexibility at work, yet our study shows they have a greater desire for their own assigned desk. Business leaders need to ensure they’re creating office spaces that people want to use, and to do that, they first need to understand what kind of workplace that really is, without making assumptions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Professional services group Gateley, has acquired chartered quantity surveying practice RJA Consultants in a deal which will expand the services of its Property Platform. Gateley’s Property Platform combines the expertise of its legal professionals with the tax specialists, surveyors, architects and engineers within its consultancy businesses to produce full-service solutions for a range of construction, development and property matters. Based out of offices in Leicester and Nottingham, RJA Consultants (RJA) is a chartered quantity surveying practice providing surveying and project management services nationally across a variety of property and construction projects. The business advises on a wide range of residential development and commercial property matters, as well as supporting building projects within the health and insurance sectors. RJA also has a dedicated clerk of works team strategically positioned to deliver quality inspection services on construction sites across the country. RJA Consultants will trade as Gateley RJA and Richard Julian and directors Steven Collin, Liza Julian, Hardeep Kooner and Chris Clubb will continue to work as part of the RJA management team post acquisition. Richard Julian, founder and managing director at Gateley RJA, explained: “Joining a larger professional services company is a really positive move for our consultancy. Our culture is very in line with how Gateley operates so it will not only enhance our strategic growth plans but also allow us to build upon the great service and client focus that we are well known for. As far as our clients are concerned its very much business as usual but we are looking forward to being able to develop the depth of our offering and collaborate on projects with our new wider Group colleagues.” Commenting on the acquisition, Callum Nuttall, partner and Property Platform head at Gateley, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome the RJA team to our Property Platform. RJA’s services share key commonalities with our legal teams and other consultancy businesses, especially Gateley Smithers Purslow and Gateley Vinden, and will complement our full-service offering. The acquisition will also bring opportunities to increase our market share and extend our services within resilient sectors such as affordable housing and insurance services.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Richard Linacre has joined multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company, BakerHicks, as Director for Life Sciences & Industry in the UK, further strengthening their capabilities and expertise. This new role will deliver focused local support to the company’s existing and prospective clients across the UK life sciences and industrial sectors. Richard will be tasked with nurturing current client relationships and overseeing the delivery of their programmes of work, as well as developing new business opportunities in the region. This appointment follows on from the expansion of BakerHicks’ Life Sciences & Industry division across Europe. He will work closely with the business’ Swiss, German, Austrian and Belgian operations to continue building the company’s impressive portfolio. Richard has over 30 years’ experience of working in multi-disciplinary engineering and project management environments for high profile life sciences and industry clients. His career began as a civil & structural engineer, working on a range of projects in the pharma, chemical and heavy industrial process engineering industries. Amongst his previous roles, he was Head of Engineering for WSP CEL and, most recently, was the director responsible for the EMEA region at Integrated Project Services (IPS). Richard says he has been immediately impressed with the BakerHicks team: “They have developed a strong reputation as a trusted and reliable partner in a number of very high-profile projects, and I am very much looking forward to the opportunity of building on this success. The scale of opportunity for an organisation with this level of multi-disciplinary skills and a proven track record is significant, and what is more, everyone in the organisation is truly engaged and committed towards its success. This, above all else, makes me excited about getting started.” Mark Dickson, Managing Director for Life Sciences & Industry at BakerHicks, says Richard’s experience of working with blue chip clients in the sector will be invaluable: “We work with global brands to bring new thinking to the design and delivery of complex process, manufacturing, and science facilities. This requires in-depth industry knowledge and Richard knows the sector inside out, having worked with clients with a significant portfolio in this industry for many years. His understanding of the need to get to know our clients to deliver solutions that work for them is what makes him the ideal candidate to lead our UK sector. I look forward to working with him to continue growing the sector over the coming years.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2023 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2023, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The central finding of the August Review is that construction-starts remained weak throughout the three months to the end of July, with main contracts awards also slumping as the sector continues to be weighed-down by a stalled economy. Sustained external pressures continue to be the root cause of this disappointing performance. Rising interest rates and inflated material, fuel, and labour costs have shown no signs of easing in the short-term, further weakening investor and consumer confidence. Yet again, project-starts dropped, this time by 10% against the preceding period, to stand 33% lower than the same time a year ago. These disappointing figures were echoed throughout the construction pipeline, with main contracts awards also falling back against the preceding three months (-24%) to finish 33% behind the year before. However, a couple of bright spots appear amidst the gloom. While detailed planning approvals fell 26% against the preceding three months, the value increased by 37% against the previous year. Further, major project planning approvals were up a massive 167% on 2022 levels. This is indicative of recovery on the horizon, buoyed by upcoming planned major works which will provide a much-needed boost to the industry. Commenting on the findings in the August Review, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen, says “Starts on site are softening and, as global and national disruption continues, we’ll likely see clients continue to adopt a cautious approach, pushing back start dates until the economic landscape looks less hostile. Short term, changing Government priorities in the run-up to the General Election are also likely to slow investment in major infrastructure projects, halting activity further. “Despite this, residential construction offers a glimmer of hope, with increases in private housing starts helping to offset sluggish activity in this sector vertical.” With one or two exceptions, the sector-specific and regional index, which measures underlying project performance, painted a picture of general decline. Taking a closer look… Sector Analysis – Residential Residential construction experienced an uptick, rising by a fifth (+21%) during the Review period, but remained 26% lower than a year ago. Private housing starts increased 40% during the three months to the end of July, but fell back 26% on 2022 levels. Social housing starts were down 25% on the preceding three months and 21% on the year before. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential Non-residential performance was weak. However, the health sector showed some signs of life, growing 23% against the preceding three months but remaining 25% lower than 2022. Posting one of the worst performances, office project-starts suffered a 35% fall during the three months to July, with levels declining 50% against last year. Similarly, industrial starts also fared poorly with their value slashed 24% against the preceding three months and 51% compared to the same period in 2022. Hotel & Leisure starts declined 22% against the preceding three months and 41% compared to last year. Retail followed a similar trajectory, remaining flat against the preceding three months and standing 40% down on the year before. Education and Community & Amenity also crashed, dropping 34% and 36% against the preceding three months, to stand 7% and 40% down on the previous year, respectively. Civils work starting on-site crumbled, falling back 25% against the preceding three months to stand 46% down on a year ago. Infrastructure starts dropped 8% during the Review period, finishing 45% on the previous year’s figures. Utilities starts also declined 43% against the three months to the end of July, finishing 49% down on a year ago. Regional Performance Regional performance was generally poor, however, the South West and East Midlands fared relatively well with project-starts increasing 9% and 3% on the preceding three months, respectively, but slipping back 32% and 37% on 2022 levels. The East of England followed a similar trend, with the value of project-starts advancing 4% against the preceding three months but remaining 31% behind the previous year. The North East (-26%) performed particularly poorly against the preceding three months, falling back 44% against a year ago. Wales fared worse still, finishing 30% down on the previous three months and 43% against the previous year’s levels. Project-starts in the South East also experienced falls against both the preceding three months (-7%) and previous year (-32%). Yorkshire & the Humber and London weakened against the preceding three months, falling back 4% and 15%, respectively. Both regions were down on the previous year, remaining 35% and 30% lower than a year ago. This was also the case in the West Midlands, the North West and Scotland, which all crashed compared to both the preceding three months and previous year. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. 2023 sees Glenigan celebrate its 50th anniversary, commemorating half a century of delivering the highest-quality construction market intelligence. To find out more about its services and expertise click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has announced that work has commenced on the former site of the Boddingtons Brewery, a renowned 52,700 sq ft site on the northern edge of central Manchester whose regeneration has been long-awaited. DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, has mobilised on site with groundworks under way. Construction is scheduled for completion in Q2 2026. The original 2018 planning application was made by Assael Architecture; the scheme was later revised and modernised by Architect Studio Power. After the Boddingtons Brewery ceased operations in 2005, proposed schemes for the site became known as Old Brewery Gardens. Salboy has renamed the scheme Waterhouse Gardens, paying homage to Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905), one of the most successful Victorian architects whose work included Manchester Town Hall and Manchester’s Strangeways Gaol, many ‘red-brick’ universities, as well as the Natural History Museum in London. The Waterhouse Gardens scheme will incorporate red brick in its designs, reflecting Waterhouse’s generous use of terracotta and enthusiasm for the Victorian Gothic revival style. The scheme celebrates its local environment too. Each of Waterhouse Garden’s five principal buildings will be named after local waterways, and their interior design and landscaping will be inspired by the location’s past as a brewery. Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “Right on target, work has commenced on our hugely exciting new scheme on one of Manchester’s largest and last-remaining regeneration sites. As is always the way with Salboy schemes, we only start the sales process once we are live on site. With boots now on the ground, from September buyers will be able to purchase with confidence in this scheme, which is fully funded and their deposits are protected. ” Salboy acquired the site in December 2022 with the intention to develop a mixed-used scheme (£195m GDV) across five buildings, including a 20-storey tower, and a landscaped public realm. Located adjacent to Manchester College’s new city campus and only a short walk from the city’s Northern Quarter, Waterhouse Gardens will provide 556 new city centre homes likely to appeal to students and young people. The scheme will include 31,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space, as well as exclusive access for residents to their own onsite ‘Clubhouse’ that offers them swimming pools, squash and basketball courts, lounges and games rooms, private dining, cinema room, meeting rooms and work spaces and a private landscaped garden.Ismail concludes: “Waterhouse Gardens will be a residential-led mixed use regeneration project that pays close attention to creating an appealing landscaped environment where young people buy and rent their homes, as well as study, begin or progress their careers and socialise, all within easy reach of Manchester’s vibrant city centre. We’ve specifically and painstakingly designed a new local neighbourhood that’ll suit anyone – renters and owners alike – who’s seeking a vibrant, convenient, city central lifestyle where what they need and want is available on site at a consistently high quality and easy access.” Sales for the fully funded scheme will commence in September. Graham + Sibbald is advising Salboy on the commercial space within Waterhouse Gardens. Director Conor Mulloy comments: “We are delighted to be involved in such an exciting project upon one of Manchester’s most landmark locations, and it’s great to see the works now starting on site. The design of the development together with the attention to detail on items such as the landscaping will ensure this brand new neighbourhood will be hugely attractive to both residents and commercial operators alike. “With over 31,000 sqft of quality commercial space being created with an abundance of well designed and landscaped external seating areas, particularly along Central Avenue, Waterhouse Gardens will be an exciting opportunity for bars and restaurants seeking space within the city. These new operators will not only benefit from the rapidly growing residential population but also the immediately adjacent AO Arena. In turn they will bring vibrancy and activity to the area which will enhance the neighbourhood and local environment even further.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Urban Group (York) Ltd has won a £15 million contract from the City of York Council to provide home repair & upgrades, including energy retrofitting improvements, across its social housing portfolio. Following a competitive tender process, Urban’s Maintenance & Energy team was appointed to cover around 3,500 of the Council’s social housing properties across the city. The five-year contract covers home improvements and repairs, extensive damp works as well as an energy retrofitting programme to make the homes greener and more energy efficient for the residents. Dunnington-based, Urban Group Commercial Director Andrew Green commented: “We are delighted to be working with City of York Council on this important programme of works that will upgrade thousands of homes, making them warmer and more energy efficient, which is obviously very good news for the tenants. “We were able to demonstrate a proven track record in the social housing sector across the North and, with our headquarters also based in York, our team has an excellent understanding and knowledge of the city which means we can hit the ground running.” He added: “We’ll be looking to recruit on the back of this contract win to grow the team, as well as take on some keen apprentices who can learn and progress with Urban over the coming years. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has enthusiasm and wants to learn on the job, whilst gaining industry-recognised qualifications.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global engineering, design, and advisory practice Buro Happold will continue its role as lead consultant for the Mayor of London’s Local Energy Accelerator (LEA) – a funding programme which supports the development and delivery of local energy projects across London – as it is extended to Spring 2024. A further £3 million of funding has been made available from the Mayor of London to support organisations to deliver clean and flexible local energy projects and help to meet London’s ambition of being net zero carbon by 2030. Buro Happold will work closely with partners Turner & Townsend and communications consultancy Camargue to continue the work done to date to decarbonise London and tackle the climate emergency. Through the continued programme, funded support and expertise will be provided to organisations including local authorities, government departments, NHS Trusts, and housing associations to develop projects such as district heat networks and technologies, including heat pumps and solar PV. Buro Happold will continue to lead on the delivery of the programme, working closely with beneficiary organisations across London and providing technical expertise to support the development of projects. Their extensive energy consulting work will help guide organisations across London to benefit from low carbon, low-cost energy solutions that are suited to the challenges faced because of climate change. Turner & Townsend will continue to provide programme management services for the GLA and support the Local Energy Accelerator’s beneficiaries. As well as supporting the application process, the firm will provide guidance and oversight throughout the projects to help ensure effective delivery. Camargue will continue to provide communications and engagement support, including promoting the programme to potential beneficiaries across London and driving applications for funding. Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “The Mayor is committed to making London net zero by 2030 and as we see the growing impacts of climate change on our world and our city we know we must accelerate our work on this target. We all need to work together and make the bold decisions now. “I’m pleased that the Mayor is providing further funding to support the delivery and development of local energy projects and that Buro Happold will continue their excellent work as lead consultant for the Mayor’s Local Energy Accelerator. This programme has already helped hundreds of London based organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and work towards achieving net zero in 2030. Working together we can build a better London for everyone – a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.” Alasdair Young, Director of Energy at Buro Happold said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our work, along with our partners, to support organisations across London developing clean and locally generated energy projects. The Mayor has set ambitious targets to decarbonise London. Scaling up local net-zero carbon energy systems requires a step change in the pace of deployment. It is an exciting time, but there are huge challenges for councils looking to transition to low carbon energy. However, with the right guidance and leadership, the opportunities to reduce energy, reduce cost and cut carbon are real. We have found that many organisations are committed to reducing their emissions but often struggle to access specialist, independent expertise. Buro Happold is relishing the opportunity to lead in this critical area for London to deliver on important net zero targets and are delighted to be supporting the GLA in providing access to skills which will help to tackle this huge challenge.” Matt Sutton, Director at Camargue, said: “It’s brilliant to see the progress that has been made over the last few years by organisations across London to decarbonise the city, and to have worked closely with the GLA to support this work through the Local Energy Accelerator programme. “Over the coming months we’ll be helping the GLA to promote the extended programme and drive applications for funding – supporting the delivery of more essential clean energy projects. We’ll also be telling the story of the success of the programme to date and fostering collaboration between beneficiaries to continue the move towards net zero over the coming years.” Richard McWilliams, Director of Sustainability at Turner & Townsend, said: “Decarbonising the UK’s energy and heat networks is central to achieving our net zero ambitions, and strengthening national energy security. This award demonstrates our ability to drive complex programmes and it’s fantastic to be able to continue our work in supporting the delivery of essential local energy projects. “Our long-standing relationship with the GLA and strong track record of working in partnership with local authorities makes us well placed to support the energy transition across the capital.” Buro Happold is leading the design and deployment of innovative net-zero carbon heat and renewable energy systems across the UK. This ranges from river, lake and mine water source heat pumps to district energy schemes which recycle waste heat from sewage to provide hot water and heating to homes and workplaces. Their specialists work with clients to tackle technical and commercial challenges. They prepare investment cases and high-performance designs which enable clients to decarbonise the built environment across scale – buildings, campuses, and cities. Buro Happold is committed to developing and sharing knowledge of this critical issue across engineering and construction. They were among the first signatories to the World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration and have a seat on the steering group for the UK Green Building Council net zero carbon buildings framework definition task group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Full-fibre infrastructure specialist Complete Fibre and leading UK housing group Orbit are collaborating to rollout safe, hyper-reliable, hyper-fast broadband in blocks of flats across the South East. Complete Fibre will manage access to the buildings as well as installing a single, open-access ‘plug-and-play’ digital infrastructure within Orbit’s blocks of flats (also known as Multi Dwelling Units, or MDUs) which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can connect into, to provide full-fibre to residents. Lightning Fibre is the first ISP to plug into Complete Fibre’s infrastructure in Orbit buildings to provide residents safe, ultra-fast fibre broadband and boost digital inclusivity in the region. Multiple ISPs can connect into Complete Fibre’s plug-and-play solution, offering Orbit’s residents more choice when selecting full-fibre packages. Eddie Minshull, CEO of Complete Fibre, explained: “We’re the bridge between landlords and telecommunications providers. By installing one plug-and-play solution, ISPs can deliver their services via existing infrastructure rather than each company needing to install its own network. “We’re delighted that Lightning Fibre are working with us to offer Full Fibre for residents in the South East. Together, we can meet stringent safety standards, reduce disruption of multiple installations for residents and reduce the carbon footprint for fibre infrastructure builds by up to 75%*. “Amid a race to lay fibre infrastructure to hit the government’s target of at least 85% gigabit coverage by 2025, this innovative approach, developed with support from Trenches Law, eliminates the need for statutory intervention in the market. It empowers landlords to manage digital connectivity with a strategic and planned approach and meets the needs of residents, developers, and ISPs. Orbit is one of the largest housing groups in the UK, has a growing portfolio of over 46,500 homes spanning the Midlands, East and South. Tony Clark, Director of Property Operations at Orbit, said: “In addition to providing quality, safe, and affordable homes, we’re committed to offering wider support to help our customers in their day-to-day lives. Working with Complete Fibre to offer our customers access to reliable, ultra-fast digital connectivity is just one of the ways in which we can help to support them in their work and education, as well as provide them with easier access to community and online services.” Tim Passingham, Chairman of Lightning Fibre, added: “We’re committed to driving digital inclusion and bringing hyper fast broadband to communities in the South East. Utilising Complete Fibre, we’re able to give Orbit and their residents access to a choice of providers, and for our part, we’ll do so with a fair pricing model and a keen focus on customer care. This way of working also contributes to Lightning’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions – fewer installations mean less material and more efficient energy usage.” *Compared to four telecoms companies installing fibre infrastructure in one building. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals