Hamilton-based clean energy infrastructure developer ILI Group has been shortlisted for Green Business of the Year at the British Business Awards 2026, recognising its role in developing the infrastructure needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The awards will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)
A prominent seven-storey office building in Birmingham city centre is now available to let following a major refurbishment by landlord, Urbana Partners UK. King Edward House, on New Street, offers 78,550 sq ft of newly refurbished workspace, including several unique internal courtyards and a range of high-quality occupier amenities. All
As flexible workspace provider Orega celebrates 25 years in business, the company is spotlighting how premium flexible offices have moved from perk to business-critical infrastructure. Against this backdrop of economic success, Orega’s 25 year milestone reflects not only the evolution of the flexible workspace sector nationally, but also the growing
The UK’s industrial and logistics sector is entering a new era of complexity, driven by automation, labour market pressures, sustainability requirements, planning delays and shifting land values. Yet amid this transformation, KAM, part of Contollo Group, says one truth remains constant: while the base build of a warehouse may appear
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed‑tenure homes, has exchanged contracts on land to deliver 214 high‑quality family homes at Garendon Park in Loughborough. The 14.2‑acre site will provide a mix of affordable and open‑market homes, with a range of two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom properties. The wider Garendon Park scheme
The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is pleased to announce it has launched a new interactive UK-wide digital map of completed piling projects, marking a significant step forward in how geotechnical data is used to inform design and improve sustainability across the construction sector. The FPS Geotechnical Data Map visualises
PATRIZIA, an investment manager in global real assets, has received approval from long-standing partner Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer, to execute the GBP 50 million main build contract for the redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street in the City of London. The contract has been awarded to McLaughlin
New report also discovers that for skyscrapers, shape is as important as height A new report published today by the global professional services company Turner & Townsend provides a unique perspective on the market for tall buildings across six global cities. The Global Tall Buildings report draws on Turner &
A major new industrial development has been launched in North Lanarkshire, with Ravenscraig Enterprise Park officially brought to market by global real estate adviser CBRE on behalf of Fusion Assets Ltd. The first phase of the scheme will deliver 29,400 sq ft of industrial, business and storage space, addressing a
National maintenance, refurbishment and fit-out contractor Novus Property Solutions has secured a new 15-year planned improvement and major works contract with The Guinness Partnership in the South West, reinforcing a 14-year strong relationship of trusted delivery and shared purpose. Valued at £11 million per year, the contract will see Novus
Hamilton-based clean energy infrastructure developer ILI Group has been shortlisted for Green Business of the Year at the British Business Awards 2026, recognising its role in developing the infrastructure needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The awards will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 30 April 2026, bringing together around 2,000 business leaders from across the UK. More than 400 companies entered this year’s awards, with shortlisted businesses assessed across areas including business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy. ILI Group develops large-scale energy storage and green hyperscale data centres – infrastructure that supports the transition to a low-carbon electricity system. Its portfolio comprises 4.1GW of infrastructure projects, including 2.6GW of energy storage and 1.5GW of green hyperscale data centres. These data centres are collectively known as The Stoics: a proposed network of three strategically located facilities at Cato (Fife), Rufus (East Ayrshire) and Aurelius (North Lanarkshire). Together, these projects are designed to help store, balance and optimise renewable electricity, while creating green digital infrastructure that can make better use of clean power and help reduce curtailment. A major milestone for the business came in 2023 with the sale of the 500MW Loch na Cathrach pumped storage hydro project to Statkraft, representing one of the most significant long-duration energy storage developments currently progressing in Europe. ILI is now progressing further nationally significant infrastructure, including the 900MW / 15-hour Balliemeanoch pumped storage hydro project, which is expected to achieve planning consent in 2026. Over their operational lifetime, ILI’s energy storage projects could enable more than 150 million tonnes of CO₂ savings, equivalent to the annual emissions of around 74 million UK cars, underlining the scale of environmental impact the company’s development model can deliver. Mark Wilson, CEO of ILI Group, said: “Being shortlisted for Green Business of the Year is a fantastic recognition of the work our team has been doing over many years. At ILI, our focus is on developing the infrastructure that allows renewable energy to work in practice – ensuring it can be stored, balanced and used when it’s needed. That same approach now extends to green digital infrastructure through The Stoics, our proposed network of green hyperscale data centres, designed to support growing demand for AI and data while helping accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon electricity system. We’re a small team, but we’ve consistently delivered complex, nationally significant projects that attract major international investment. This nomination reflects both the scale of that impact and the importance of building the infrastructure needed for net zero.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals About the British Business Awards The British Business Awards celebrate businesses from across the UK, from major international companies to high-growth SMEs and family-owned firms. This year’s event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre will include a special guest appearance from George Clooney, alongside keynote speaker Sir Bob Geldof and co-hosts Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith. The awards will once again raise funds for Social Bite, with a target of helping raise more than £1 million for the homelessness charity. About ILI Group Intelligent Land Investments Group (ILI Group) is a Scottish clean energy and infrastructure developer with a portfolio of more than 4.1GW of energy storage and digital infrastructure projects, including 1.4GW of pumped storage hydro, 1.2GW of utility-scale battery storage, and 1.5GW of green hyperscale data centres through The Stoics. The company reached a major milestone with the sale of its first 500MW pumped storage hydro project, Loch na Cathrach at Loch Ness, to Statkraft, one of Europe’s largest renewable energy companies. The deal underlined ILI Group’s expertise in progressing complex, nationally significant infrastructure and its role in helping shape the UK’s clean energy and digital future.
A prominent seven-storey office building in Birmingham city centre is now available to let following a major refurbishment by landlord, Urbana Partners UK. King Edward House, on New Street, offers 78,550 sq ft of newly refurbished workspace, including several unique internal courtyards and a range of high-quality occupier amenities. All seven floors have been refurbished to CAT A specification, providing generous floor plates of up to 12,000 sq ft. Originally built in 1936, King Edward House is characterised by its imposing Portland stone façade and will now be complemented by 5,000 sq ft of outdoor workspace. Internal light wells provide courtyard space on the second, third and fourth floors, while occupiers will also benefit from two roof terraces on the 7th floor, with far reaching views across the city centre. Additional amenities include a large gym and studio space, as well as end-of-trip cycle storage and shower facilities. In addition to the building’s attractive heritage façade, the refurbishment has provided strong sustainability credentials, including operational smart energy services, LED lighting and photovoltaic solar roof panels, and is targeting BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold certifications. Nick Lloyd, Partner at Urbana Partners UK, said: “We are delighted to bring King Edward House back to life through our sustainable refurbishment of the building, which has included a complete repositioning of the ground and lower ground floors. These now provide the new reception and arrival area overlooking New Street, as well as high-quality occupier amenities. “With wellbeing as a primary driver, the refurbishment includes a new 7th floor roof terrace for all occupiers as well as seven other lettable outdoor workspaces. With the space offered at a considerable discount to the current top rents being achieved in the city, we look forward to welcoming occupiers into the new King Edward House community very soon.” Charles Toogood, partner at Newmark, added: “King Edward House presents a compelling opportunity for occupiers seeking modern, energy efficient workspace in the heart of Birmingham city centre. The combination of generous floor plates and a wide range of amenities will appeal to a broad range of businesses, from established corporates to growing firms. “Given the significant investment in the building and its proximity to key transport hubs, we expect the scheme to attract strong interest, particularly from those seeking value relative to other available office space in the city centre.” King Edward House is located close to Birmingham New Street station and within a short walk of Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street and HS2’s future Birmingham Curzon Street station. For more information, please contact Mark Robinson and Charlotte Fullard at Avison Young, and George Jennings and Charles Toogood at Newmark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As flexible workspace provider Orega celebrates 25 years in business, the company is spotlighting how premium flexible offices have moved from perk to business-critical infrastructure. Against this backdrop of economic success, Orega’s 25 year milestone reflects not only the evolution of the flexible workspace sector nationally, but also the growing importance of premium flexible offices in cities across the UK. Alan Pepper, CEO of Orega, comments: “Reaching our upcoming 25th anniversary is a proud milestone for the business. The flexible workspace sector has evolved dramatically since Orega was founded – we’ve weathered the storm of three economic downturns and a global pandemic – and we’ve come out stronger than ever. “It’s clear that flexibility is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s now central to how modern businesses operate.” For growing businesses, the appeal is strategic as much as practical. Flexible workspaces allow firms to scale without long-term real estate commitments, access central locations that help attract talent, and present a professional environment that matches their ambitions. Bristol is perhaps the clearest example of a strong regional economy proving Orega’s point. The West of England is growing at four times the national average, generating over £54bn annually, with the city maintaining the highest rate of net business start-ups outside London. That economic momentum is driving sustained demand for high-quality, flexible office space from professional services, tech and financial firms. But Bristol is part of a broader national picture where hybrid working has matured from a pandemic-era experiment into an established operating model, prompting businesses of all sizes to fundamentally rethink what they need from office space, and why. Alan adds: “In cities like Bristol, we’re seeing sustained demand from established corporations and ambitious growing businesses who want flexibility without compromising on quality or location. The role of the office has changed; it’s about creating environments that foster collaboration, support wellbeing and reflect a company’s brand and ambition.” A proven model for sustainable growth Over the past two and a half years, Orega has opened eight new premium centres and grown its team with key strategic hires including CEO Alan Pepper, COO David Kinnaird, and Commercial Director Sophie Turnbull. Orega is also the pioneer of Management Agreements with Landlords, a unique approach to flexible workspaces that has been central to its success, setting a precedent for sustainable growth in the sector. The company’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down, with ambitious plans to expand to 45 locations over the next five years at an average rate of four new sites per year. The focus will remain on London, the UK’s six big regional cities – including Bristol – and select locations where demand for premium flexible workspaces continues to rise. Alan comments: “Our future growth will be shaped by the same principles that got us to where we are today. We want to keep empowering businesses to unlock their true potential, remaining agile and responsive to the changing market. The flexible workspace industry is maturing and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that evolution.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s industrial and logistics sector is entering a new era of complexity, driven by automation, labour market pressures, sustainability requirements, planning delays and shifting land values. Yet amid this transformation, KAM, part of Contollo Group, says one truth remains constant: while the base build of a warehouse may appear straightforward, the fit-out is where the real complexity lies. “On the surface, a warehouse can look like a fairly simple construction project,” Contollo Group Director Scott Price says. “But once you introduce automation, temperature control, manufacturing processes or robotics, the building becomes a high-performance machine. The fit-out is where projects succeed or unnecessary compromises have to be made” The industrial sector has historically been the quiet workhorse of the retail economy. Today, it sits at the forefront of retail success, driven by the relentless rise of eCommerce and the need for faster, more resilient supply chains with automated distribution centres being integral. Yet Price warns that many projects still treat automation as an afterthought. Integrating automation into a building that is already well into the design process and programme – or worse, already under construction – creates a level of complexity that cannot be underestimated. Speaking as Contollo Group expands its industrial and manufacturing portfolio across the UK, Price comments: “We’re now in a phase where warehouse automation isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s becoming the backbone of logistics resilience. The only sustainable response is to design buildings and automation systems as one integrated ecosystem from the very start.” Price warns that the biggest operational risks arise long before a shovel hits the ground. “Developer base build specs and automation contractor requirements rarely align without challenge. For example, floor slab tolerances, deformation limits, shrinkage expectations and pattern loading are not small technicalities. If they’re accepted at face value, they can add millions to a project or introduce risks that only surface once the system is live.” He argues that logistics operators who treat early-stage design as a strategic investment, not a procedural step, will be the ones who stay competitive. “The winners will be those who interrogate every clause, negotiate every interface, and bring specialist project managers into the process early. Warehousing has become a strategic engine for speed, resilience and competitive advantage. You can’t afford to get the fundamentals wrong.” That mindset becomes even more critical when planning for future expansion. As eCommerce reshapes operational models, internal volume is becoming as valuable as footprint. Traditional ground-level operations are giving way to mezzanines, pick towers and multi-level fulfilment environments, but Price notes that the real challenge is balancing day-one cost with long-term flexibility. Designing for future floor slab loads, or incorporating additional steel into structural mezzanines for future vertical expansion, can avoid costly disruption later. “Futureproofing isn’t about overbuilding, it’s about making smart decisions that keep options open without inflating the base build unnecessarily.” Electrical design presents another hidden pressure point. Automation firms often have not finalised their electrical requirements when the base build specification is being agreed, meaning the eventual load can far exceed the developer’s standard offer. Price says this is where specialist engineering input becomes essential. “Automation load calculations are frequently conservative because diversity isn’t applied. Without challenge, you end up designing for every motor starting simultaneously, which is unrealistic and expensive.” Sprinkler design and insurer engagement add further layers of complexity. Automation equipment rarely conforms to standard design details, and densely packed systems, such as multi-shuttle installations, require detailed coordination to agree acceptable fire protection strategies. Price stresses that insurers must be brought in early. “If you wait until procurement to engage insurers, you’ve already lost time. Early coordination on principles and approval pathways avoids redesign, delay and unnecessary cost.” Health and safety responsibilities also evolve as automation becomes more sophisticated. Under CDM Regulations, a Principal Designer must be appointed not only for the building works but also for the automation installation. Price advises: “Segregating the site into defined zones can reduce risk and improve control.” Ultimately, Price says, the success of any logistics project hinges on programme cohesion. New builds and retrofits alike depend on multiple interlocking timelines, each with its own milestones and data requirements. “If these programmes aren’t synced from the outset, delays and cost escalation become almost inevitable.” “Warehouses of the future will be industrial hubs, energy generators and data-rich environments,” Price says. “They must be designed for long-term productivity, not just short-term occupation.” Price emphasises that the winners in this new landscape will be those who align building design, automation strategy and commercial negotiations from day one. “Fit-out is no longer a technical exercise – it’s a strategic investment. Organisations that recognise this early, and who bring the right expertise to the table, will be the ones who deliver resilient, efficient and future-ready logistics assets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed‑tenure homes, has exchanged contracts on land to deliver 214 high‑quality family homes at Garendon Park in Loughborough. The 14.2‑acre site will provide a mix of affordable and open‑market homes, with a range of two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom properties. The wider Garendon Park scheme already benefits from outline planning consent, and Vistry expects to submit a reserved matters application for its parcel in the coming weeks. The development forms part of the major 3,200‑home Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) to the west of Loughborough. This wider scheme will include 16 hectares of employment land, a mixed‑use community hub, two new primary schools, and extensive public open space including parks, play areas, allotments, access roads and a strategic link road. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry Group’s Partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said:“It’s exciting to be building so many family homes on this major new development that aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high‑quality, sustainable, and community‑centric places to live. Our homes will be designed to blend seamlessly with their surroundings and will set a new benchmark in modern living, bringing untold benefits to the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is pleased to announce it has launched a new interactive UK-wide digital map of completed piling projects, marking a significant step forward in how geotechnical data is used to inform design and improve sustainability across the construction sector. The FPS Geotechnical Data Map visualises historical piling project data using ArcGIS, allowing users to explore completed works across different locations and ground conditions. By bringing together datasets submitted by FPS members, the platform provides a valuable new resource for clients, consultants and contractors involved in foundation design. The tool has been developed to support design optimisation at an early stage, enabling project teams to identify comparable schemes, better understand ground conditions, and reduce uncertainty. In doing so, it has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce risk and avoid unnecessary overdesign. A key feature of the platform is its ability to highlight opportunities for potential pile and foundation reuse. By making historical data more accessible and visible, the FPS aims to support more sustainable construction practices and contribute to reducing embodied carbon across the built environment. Commenting on the launch, Malcolm O’Sullivan, Chair, Federation of Piling Specialists said: “The FPS Geotechnical Data Map has the potential to change how we think about foundation design. By making historical data more visible and usable, we can begin to identify opportunities for pile and foundation reuse, reduce unnecessary embodied carbon, and support a more sustainable approach to construction. This is a practical step towards a more circular economy in ground engineering.” The launch of the map also reflects a broader shift towards a more connected and data-driven industry. The FPS has positioned the platform as part of an increasingly sophisticated landscape of digital geotechnical information and intends to continue expanding its scope. Future development may include the integration of additional datasets and collaboration with external data providers. The FPS Geotechnical Data Map is now live and available to members through the FPS Website. For more information, please contact the FPS by email at fps@fps.org.uk or visit the FPS website at www.fps.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PATRIZIA, an investment manager in global real assets, has received approval from long-standing partner Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer, to execute the GBP 50 million main build contract for the redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street in the City of London. The contract has been awarded to McLaughlin & Harvey, with works commencing in early March 2026 and practical completion targeted for August 2027. The planning consent achieved in November enables PATRIZIA to transform the 1990s building into a modern, highly sustainable and amenity-rich destination in the heart of London’s financial district. The scheme will deliver approximately 120,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace following a 15% uplift in net lettable area. Works include sixth- and seventh-floor extensions, culminating in a new seventh-floor pavilion and large communal landscaped terrace. Ten landscaped terraces will be introduced across the upper floors, alongside a new ground floor café, enhanced reception and high-specification lower ground end-of-journey facilities. A fully electric, smart-enabled services strategy will underpin the redevelopment, targeting EPC A (B minimum), BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold, reinforcing the project’s low-carbon and future-ready credentials. Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield have been instructed as joint leasing agents, with marketing now underway to secure occupiers ahead of completion. The scheme has been designed by Stiff + Trevillion, with Quartz acting as project manager, Gardiner & Theobald as quantity surveyor, and Montagu Evans advising on planning. Dan Williams, Head of Investment Management Development at PATRIZIA, commented: “This appointment marks the transition from consent to delivery at 108 Old Broad Street and a key step in executing our repositioning strategy for prime City assets. With the building stripped out and ready to mobilise, we are progressing into construction with a strong team in place to deliver significant upper-floor extensions, best-in-class amenity and an all-electric building strategy. Our focus now is on safe, efficient execution and quality outcomes through to completion.” Chris Collins, Pre-Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, commented: “We are proud to partner with PATRIZIA on a redevelopment that combines significant structural interventions with ambitious sustainability targets. Our focus will be on delivering the extensions and all-electric building strategy to the highest quality standards while maintaining programme certainty in a busy City environment.” The repositioning of 108 Old Broad Street reinforces PATRIZIA’s wider value-add strategy across key European cities, building on a portfolio of landmark brown-to-green transformations within its EUR 2.5bn+ pan-European value-add programme. These projects form a core pillar of the investment manager’s commitment to delivering future-fit offices through design quality, decarbonisation and proactive asset management. Ker Gilchrist, Head of UK Investment Management at PATRIZIA, added: “The redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street demonstrates how we connect international capital with our own asset solutions to deliver a Grade A, amenity-rich building offering compelling relative value in the City market. As we move into the construction, we remain focussed on disciplined execution to ensure the asset is positioned strongly for occupiers seeking quality and sustainability in a core financial district location.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New report also discovers that for skyscrapers, shape is as important as height A new report published today by the global professional services company Turner & Townsend provides a unique perspective on the market for tall buildings across six global cities. The Global Tall Buildings report draws on Turner & Townsend’s exclusive data to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities facing developers building skyscrapers in London, New York, Seoul, Tokyo, Mumbai, and Dubai, including costs and the impact of designs and height on viability.1 The report found that the cost of delivering a new office building in London has increased by up to 40% since 2020, one of the largest price increases out of the cities analysed, and it is now more than three times as expensive to build skyscrapers in the city as it is in Seoul, and ten times as it is in Mumbai. This significant cost rise is the result of a range of factors that include price inflation prompted by conflicts and geopolitical events, significant regulatory changes, enhancements to the product, and challenging trading conditions following Brexit. However, more positively, demand for high quality, sustainable space remains strong, and confidence is beginning to return, with some large investors using their ability to take a longer-term view to get their towers into a favourable letting market. As a result, it is still possible to deliver a high quality, financially successful skyscraper in London, but only if project teams work together to address viability issues from the outset. One key finding from the report is that the shape of a skyscraper is as important as the height when it comes to the overall cost. In a city like London, there can be a 25% difference in price between the most ambitious and the most cost-efficient projects, with massing being a key determining factor. With its diverse skyline and broad range of buildings, London stands out globally for having progressed through four distinct but overlapping waves of high-rise construction in just three decades, driven by differing typologies, and developers have learned important lessons along the way. Looking to the future, London is moving through its fifth wave where there is a deep focus on value, and high-quality towers are being realised against a challenging economic backdrop: Turner & Townsend is one of the industry leaders when it comes to providing project management, cost and commercial management and programme advisory services, and has helped deliver over 200 tall buildings across the world, including the likes of 22 Bishopsgate, London; 30 Hudson Yards, New York; The Jewel, Australia; and Piramal Aranya in Mumbai. Steve Watts, Head of Tall Buildings at Turner & Townsend, said: “Demand for tall buildings globally remains incredibly strong, although the latter in London has suffered a difficult period. With elevated construction costs further pressured by continuing inflation, as well as unfriendly financing conditions and softened yields, viability is now the most pressing issue, and doing “more with less” is the order of the day in a lot of markets, particularly London. “Now more than ever, it is important to recognise that shape is as important as height when it comes to delivering a project cost efficiently, and there is an ever-increasing focus on ensuring tall buildings are integrated into the broader cityscape, whether that is by offering public amenities or a greater range of uses on the ground floors. “In this context, to deliver a successful project in London, it is critical for project teams to work together at the outset to address viability issues: to test briefs; apply greater focus at an earlier stage to both design strategies and detailing; to secure the help of key parts of the supply chain sooner; and to set up projects with clarity and alignment. London boasts one of the most compelling and diverse skylines in the world, and with the right processes in place, there is no reason why the city can’t continue to lead the way for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major new industrial development has been launched in North Lanarkshire, with Ravenscraig Enterprise Park officially brought to market by global real estate adviser CBRE on behalf of Fusion Assets Ltd. The first phase of the scheme will deliver 29,400 sq ft of industrial, business and storage space, addressing a long-standing imbalance where demand has continued to outstrip supply across the region. Craig Semple, director at CBRE Scotland, described the launch as a significant milestone for central Scotland. He noted that businesses have faced a persistent shortage of modern, high-quality premises, particularly those seeking well-located space to support growth. He explained that the development will not only help meet this demand, but also reflects growing confidence in the strength of the regional market. With strong infrastructure, excellent motorway connections and the flexibility to support a range of uses, the site is expected to attract interest from both regional and national occupiers. He added that construction is due to begin in March 2026, with the first units ready for occupation in the final quarter of the year. In total, the development will provide 62,400 sq ft across eight units, delivered over two phases, bringing much-needed new stock to the central Scotland industrial market. The project is being led by Fusion Assets Ltd, the property development and regeneration arm of North Lanarkshire Council. It is supported by £4.4 million in public funding from the Glasgow City Region City Deal and the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund. A further £6.8 million of City Deal funding has been allocated to support future commercial development at Ravenscraig and other sites across North Lanarkshire. Murray Collins, managing director of Fusion Assets Ltd, said the development builds on significant investment already made across the wider Ravenscraig site. He highlighted the company’s commitment to transforming brownfield land into high-quality commercial space that can support job creation and long-term economic growth. He also pointed to strong demand for modern industrial and commercial premises, underlining the importance of delivering new space quickly, with Ravenscraig playing a central role in those plans. Strategically located with direct access to the M74 and M8 motorways, the site offers excellent connectivity to key markets, labour pools and national transport networks, making it an attractive proposition for a wide range of businesses. CBRE anticipates strong interest from occupiers across both regional and national markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National maintenance, refurbishment and fit-out contractor Novus Property Solutions has secured a new 15-year planned improvement and major works contract with The Guinness Partnership in the South West, reinforcing a 14-year strong relationship of trusted delivery and shared purpose. Valued at £11 million per year, the contract will see Novus deliver a comprehensive programme of planned maintenance works, including kitchen and bathroom replacements, electrical heating upgrades, external works and window and door installations. Ensuring homes remain safe, comfortable and fit for modern living, the scope also includes addressing any defects classified as a significant hazard under the terms of Awaab’s Law which came into force in October 2025. The Guinness Partnership is one of the largest affordable housing providers in England, with more than 160,000 residents living in more than 70,000 homes. Committed to providing high quality homes, the framework with Novus directly supports operational delivery alongside social value to ensure meaningful impact in homes and their communities. Steve Gayter, Executive Director of Operations at Novus Property Solutions, said: “Over the past 14 years, we have developed a way of working with The Guinness Partnership that prioritises quality, responsiveness and a positive experience for every resident. Being awarded this 15-year framework for the South West region is a reflection of our ability to deliver at scale and to the highest standards while remaining focussed on the individual needs of the communities we serve.” Catriona Simons, Group Chief Executive at The Guinness Partnership said: “We’re delighted to welcome Novus Property Solutions as one of our five new long-term partners, and for them to have formally signed our Planned Investment and Major Works contract. These partnerships demonstrate our shared commitment to investing in and improving residents’ homes and marks the beginning of a relationship we expect to grow and strengthen in the years ahead, as we work together to deliver lasting benefits for our residents. “Residents are central to this partnership. When selecting our partners, we placed residents’ priorities at the front of the process. Their feedback – ranging from the importance of clear communication to consistently high‑quality works – directly shaped our decisions and will continue to guide how these partnerships operate day to day. “We look forward to working closely with Novus Property Solutions in the years ahead, as we focus on improving residents’ homes.” Novus Property Solutions has supported The Guinness Partnership since 2012, delivering more than 2,400 component upgrades as part of its planned maintenance programme. Work has included carrying out upgrades under the SHDF Wave 2 retrofit covering EWI, windows and doors, roofing, and ventilation to 50 properties in Crewe which was completed ahead of schedule. The team also successfully undertook a heritage refurbishment project including roofing works, fire safety upgrades and conservation-compliant finishes for 117 apartments housed within Grade II buildings at Lansdown Crescent in Cheltenham. To find out more about Novus Property Solutions please visit https://www.novussolutions.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals