Family-owned construction firm Beard has unveiled details of the most successful trading period in its 133-year history, with turnover rising by 10% and approaching £200m in 2024. In the full year to 31 December 2024, the company turned over £198m, with pre-tax profits reaching £5.2million in a strong performance underpinned
Baxi is encouraging social housing providers to ensure they have robust clean heat strategies in place for both new build and refurbishment projects following funding announcements in the Spring Statement. The call follows the government’s allocation of £2 billion to support the development of 18,000 new affordable homes, half of
Round Hill Capital, a leading global specialist real estate investor, developer and manager, has recently topped out on its Fairfax build-to-rent development in central Manchester. With BTR specialist Olympian Homes acting as lead developer and RG Group as main contractor, topping out was achieved eight weeks ahead of schedule. Acquired
Multiplex is gearing up to commence the main build phase of the £1bn Fifty Fenchurch Street development in London this summer. With Keltbray now completing piling and excavation works, Multiplex is preparing to take over as the main contractor for the 36-storey, 650,000 sq ft office tower, developed by AXA
Specialist capital advisory firm Arc & Co. has closed a 70% LTV debt package in partnership with Ingenious Capital Management, whilst also sourcing a JV equity investor to support the development of a purpose-built student accommodation project in Tower Hamlets, London. Southern Grove is developing the 111-bed, £36m GDV scheme in
St John Ambulance launches Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign and new mental health first aid course. St John Ambulance has today launched a campaign to get construction workers to open up about their mental health after new research* found nearly seven in 10 have suspected a colleague was seriously depressed
Drax Power has announced a major partnership with Power Minerals Limited (PML) to process pulverised fuel ash (PFA) for use in cement, in a move set to reduce carbon emissions in the construction industry. Under a newly agreed 20-year joint venture, PML will develop and operate a facility near the
UK fire door manufacturer JELD-WEN will be on hand to discuss sector-specific fire door solutions at this year’s Fire Safety Event. Returning to the event for the second year in a row, the specialist manufacturer of timber doors will be showcasing its expanded range of certified fire doorsets – and
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with Women in Construction Anglia to help bridge the gap between the industry and education, and encourage more women into construction roles. The new partnership comes as the government commits £600 million to address the construction sector’s skills shortage, with the aim of
PERI and BECOFORM have strengthened their collaboration with their partnership for UK-based projects. Through this partnership, PERI secures access to a high-quality and innovative product with significant growth potential in the UK market. BECOSTOP, a permanent stop-end system, plays a key role in PERI’s Construction Accessories range, designed to enhance
Family-owned construction firm Beard has unveiled details of the most successful trading period in its 133-year history, with turnover rising by 10% and approaching £200m in 2024. In the full year to 31 December 2024, the company turned over £198m, with pre-tax profits reaching £5.2million in a strong performance underpinned by the completion of 43 projects from its offices in Bristol, Guildford, Oxford, Southampton and Swindon. It also saw a successful year for Beard’s newest office in Southampton, which opened in January 2024, and successfully achieved its targets by turning over £4.8million. Finance director, Fraser Johns, said: “Having laid the foundations in 2023, we worked hard to continue this momentum into 2024 and are pleased to once again to report strong results. “We’ve delivered projects for our customers across all our specialist sectors, including education, leisure and commercial. It was also an outstanding year for our special projects teams. “While it’s been a more favourable trading environment from that of recent years, a continued focus on the basics of building construction has been a key driver. “We start 2025 with a healthy pipeline of work, supporting our ambitions for further business improvement and growth.” Laying foundations for success Investing in people has continued to be a core focus for Beard, with new and enhanced training programmes developed and delivered. This included EmpowerHer, a bespoke training course to support women in construction. Beard also formalised its approach to supporting communities, with social value coordinators appointed in each region to support the firm’s charitable, developmental, and sustainability ambitions. With match funding from The Beard Charitable Foundation, colleagues raised more than £100,000 for 14 different charities and good causes in 2024. During 2024, Beard was also amongst the first cohort to be awarded the Fair Payment Code bronze award, which replaced the Prompt Payment Code in December 2024, demonstrating its commitment to supporting supply chain partners. Delivering for customers At the heart of this is Beard’s work for its customers across the south of England. Project highlights from 2024 included: Fraser added: “This wouldn’t have been possible without our skilled and supportive supply chain who help us to deliver prompt and faultless work for our customers, and our project partners, who trust us with their visions. “A huge thank you must also go to all our Beard colleagues who are dedicated to delivering the very best on every project, as well as continually developing themselves and staying true to Beard’s values. It’s a collective success for us all.” To find out more about Beard, visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Baxi is encouraging social housing providers to ensure they have robust clean heat strategies in place for both new build and refurbishment projects following funding announcements in the Spring Statement. The call follows the government’s allocation of £2 billion to support the development of 18,000 new affordable homes, half of which is allocated for social housing. This funding for new build homes sits alongside the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund in place to retrofit existing social housing and improve energy efficiency. Rob Pearse, Residential Business Director at Baxi, said: “The £2 billion set aside for social housing in the Spring Statement must be used with sustainability in mind, which includes the long-term comfort and financial security of tenants as well as electrified heating. This can be achieved by working closely with manufacturers who have expertise in the sustainable heating of social housing and a raft of solutions able to match almost any requirements. “Delivering clean heat in social housing sector can be challenging, and we intend to support providers from the earliest steps of their net zero journey. It is important to identify the system that delivers the best efficiency, cost and environmental results for the building and occupants. Working closely with experts and the wider supply chain can provide the expertise and solutions to do this successfully for both new build and retrofit.” Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are a key route to clean heat for both new build and retrofit social housing projects, though design challenges for retrofit and skills shortages for installers can be a barrier to social housing providers. To assist the sector with implementation, Baxi has developed a broad portfolio of heat pump solutions suitable for new build and retrofit, along with extensive training, commissioning services and customer support. This includes new prefabricated pod options for new build and retrofit that bring the ASHP system into a pre-assembled unit, manufactured offsite by Baxi Packaged Solutions (BPS). Using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to deliver a more sustainable solution makes the installation significantly faster and simpler and removes the need for major modifications inside the home. This in turn makes low-carbon heating and hot water more accessible in social housing. For larger developments and multiple occupancy buildings, Baxi‘s expert full-service heat network team offer support with design and implementation of end-to-end solutions, including social housing developments. Where zoning policy mandates that heat networks must connect to a larger scheme, consultation with experts, such as those at Baxi, can support a smoother integration with the wider network. Rob said. “Achieving decarbonisation requires a combination of bespoke plans and expertise in heating and hot water solutions. “At Baxi, we have the range of solutions to deliver on energy efficiency and net zero targets, along with the vital experience to support social housing providers in delivering clean heat across new build and retrofit. With the funding discussed in the Spring Statement, we are encouraging all social housing providers to stay ahead of the curve by exploring the solutions available for their projects.” For more on how to decarbonise social housing properties, see Baxi.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Round Hill Capital, a leading global specialist real estate investor, developer and manager, has recently topped out on its Fairfax build-to-rent development in central Manchester. With BTR specialist Olympian Homes acting as lead developer and RG Group as main contractor, topping out was achieved eight weeks ahead of schedule. Acquired via a forward funding agreement in August 2022, the development, one of the largest in the central Manchester area, totals 488 one-and-two-bed, high quality apartments across two buildings, of 29 and 23 storeys respectively. Residents will benefit from exceptional amenities including a gym, 24-hour concierge, co-working space and roof terrace with panoramic views of the city skyline. Due to achieve practical completion in early 2026, the asset will be operated by Round Hill Capital and Allsop. Serving as the gateway to the Portugal Street East masterplan regeneration area, the project is less than a kilometre from the city centre. Appealing to a wide demographic of young professionals, families and students, the development is located next to Piccadilly Station, the largest train station in the city, which provides excellent connectivity across the region and wider UK. The scheme is on track to achieve a BREEAM Very Good certification. In line with Round Hill Capital’s commitment to embedding technology in its business and its focus on sustainability, Utopi has been engaged to provide accurate tenant meter data in order to assess the environmental impact of the buildings, positively engage with the future residents, and deliver insightful environmental reporting to Round Hill Capital stakeholders. In 2024, Round Hill Capital secured a £115 million development loan from global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) to fund the construction of Fairfax. With higher-than-average annual GDP growth of 2.2% forecast over the next five years and a growing population, Manchester will require over 170,000 new homes by 2038, with only 70,000 planned or underway, positioning the UK’s largest regional urban centre as an attractive location for investment in high quality rental homes.* Tom France, Head of Acquisitions UK, Round Hill Capital, commented: “Fairfax is our prime, flagship UK build-to-rent development, and just one example of the high quality, sustainable homes in our established pan-European Living platform. Reaching the highest point in the construction ahead of schedule is a fantastic achievement and testament to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in the project, including the Round Hill Capital team, Olympian Homes and RG Group, all of whom share a commitment to delivering much needed rental homes in central Manchester, where housing supply is still not meeting demand. Manchester is a sought-after location in the UK, attracting young professionals and students and where technology, engineering, manufacturing and pharmaceutical businesses are thriving, creating a huge investment opportunity.” *Sources: Colliers’, UK’s Top UK Residential Investment Cities report / Savills, “Why invest in Manchester” Autumn 2023 report. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multiplex is gearing up to commence the main build phase of the £1bn Fifty Fenchurch Street development in London this summer. With Keltbray now completing piling and excavation works, Multiplex is preparing to take over as the main contractor for the 36-storey, 650,000 sq ft office tower, developed by AXA IM Alts. Awarded the contract in June 2024, Multiplex aims to complete the project by 2028. AXA IM Alts previously worked with Multiplex on the construction of 22 Bishopsgate, which was completed in 2020 and has recently reached full occupancy. Designed by Eric Parry Architects, Fifty Fenchurch Street is set to be one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse high-rise office buildings, targeting BREEAM Outstanding and net zero in operation. The tower will feature internal and external gardens on the 10th floor, along with over 40 planted balconies and terraces. Each upper-level office floor will include two terraces with shrubs and flowering plants, enhancing both biodiversity and employee wellbeing. The development will also incorporate a new subterranean livery hall for The Clothworkers’ Company and the restoration of Lambe’s Chapel Crypt beneath the tower. Rob Samuel, UK head of development at AXA IM Alts, commented:“Our success at 22 Bishopsgate confirmed the importance of designing workspaces that evolve with occupiers’ needs, encouraging employees to return to the office. At Fifty Fenchurch Street, we are delivering exactly that—a landmark structure that blends best-in-class office space with green public areas while preserving the City of London’s heritage.” Fifty Fenchurch Street is set to redefine sustainable office design in the capital, offering a future-focused workspace that integrates nature, innovation, and history. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist capital advisory firm Arc & Co. has closed a 70% LTV debt package in partnership with Ingenious Capital Management, whilst also sourcing a JV equity investor to support the development of a purpose-built student accommodation project in Tower Hamlets, London. Southern Grove is developing the 111-bed, £36m GDV scheme in a joint venture with Falco Group. Andrey Redman, Director at Arc & Co., structured the debt with the Ingenious and Falco teams over a period of eight weeks. Andrey commented: “It is a pleasure to support ambitious developers who are acquiring and building to provide much-needed homes in the popular PBSA, BTR and co-living sectors. “Arc & Co. has the necessary expertise and deep relationships to source funding partners that have the right appetite and experience to back these ambitious strategies. “Our advisory approach ensures that the structuring results in the best possible outcome for the borrower—now and as part of their future business plans. “We are excited to support all parties as they bring their strategies to fruition.” The Tower Hamlets scheme will have a gross internal area of 43,249 sq ft, 5,382 sq ft of which will be commercial space. Construction is set to begin in Q4 this year. Southern Grove has ambitions to deliver 50,000 across its living sector brands, with 5,000 planned for 2024 alone. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
St John Ambulance launches Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign and new mental health first aid course. St John Ambulance has today launched a campaign to get construction workers to open up about their mental health after new research* found nearly seven in 10 have suspected a colleague was seriously depressed but felt it too difficult to talk about. Such is the taboo around the topic that 71% of research respondents admitted to giving their employer a different reason, such as a physical illness, for taking time off for mental health. Nearly four in 10, 39%, would rather quit their job than tell someone at work. The health charity has released the stark findings as it introduces a mental health first aid course that uses real-life scenarios to train workers to spot hidden signs, start difficult conversations and create workplaces where colleagues feel safe to share their problems. It hopes to kickstart these vital conversations by sharing limited edition “Hi Vis Stress Vests” with construction companies and celebrities including TV builder Tommy Walsh and construction entrepreneur Daniel Ashville Louisy. The back of each high-visibility jacket features a statement, such as “No-one will miss me when I’m gone”, to express some of the invisible mental distress that many builders don’t feel able to talk about. The research of 500 construction workers also revealed nearly a third, 31%, describe their current state as “struggling”, “overwhelmed” or “suicidal”, while 82% say they’ve suffered with a mental health challenge at some point in their career in the trade. Nearly a tenth, 8% have left their job as a result of mental health challenges, while 28% have considered leaving; more than a fifth, 21%, have taken over five sick days for the same reason. Nearly half, 48%, say their current levels of stress and anxiety are having a negative impact on their work. Peer pressure Although nearly two-thirds of respondents, 65%, agree it is healthier to share struggles about stress, anxiety or depression, nearly half (48%) think they’ll lose the trust and respect of their colleagues if they don’t put on a brave face. More than a fifth, 22%, believe doing so would be letting the team down, a fifth are too embarrassed and 14% believe they’ll be laughed at. However, more than half, 54%, of respondents said they would be more likely to share their problems if they had a trained mental health first aider on site. Six in 10, 60%, would like to see their employer do more to support mental health in their workplace. Lisa Sharman, head of education and commercial training at St John Ambulance, says: “We know that opening up about a mental health problem with someone who’s ready to listen is the first step towards getting vital help. Our research shows that those working in the construction sector find it particularly difficult to share what they’re going through. We’re confident that our Hi Vis Stress Vests will help get the conversation started. “However, we urge construction leaders to go further and equip themselves and employees with the skills to spot signs and start the difficult chats. St John’s new face-to-face mental health first aid course is interactive and practical, meaning employees find it engaging and leave with the tools to make a real difference to the wellbeing of the people around them.” Wellbeing manager at construction giant BAM, Rhianwen Conron, recently used the Hi Vis Stress Vests at a session for 10 workers. She says: “The messages on the back of the vests are very powerful and proved to be effective conversation starters. “I’m fully in support of this campaign. Anything that prompts our people to start opening up is valuable and having something physical to focus on, like these Hi Vis Stress Vests, is hugely helpful. “I think every construction company should be training people to hold these kinds of wellbeing conversations.” Jon Clayden, former project lead at construction giant ISG, which went into administration last year, says: “The building site is a tough and stressful environment, and whilst over the 30 years I’ve been in the industry, I’ve seen some improvements in mental health conversations, we still have a long way to go. “I’ve known people struggling with mental health issues, and the silence often comes from them simply not knowing how to approach it. “Mental health first aid training has been a critical experience for me, as it’s allowed me to spot signs and support my colleagues who find it challenging to speak up. It’s also given me the skillset to approach them first and show that someone is looking out for them. Having someone to speak to in confidence can be life-saving.” For more information visit sja.org.uk/hivis. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Drax Power has announced a major partnership with Power Minerals Limited (PML) to process pulverised fuel ash (PFA) for use in cement, in a move set to reduce carbon emissions in the construction industry. Under a newly agreed 20-year joint venture, PML will develop and operate a facility near the Drax Power Station in Selby, on land leased from Drax. The facility, expected to be operational by the end of 2026, will process PFA into a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), with a projected annual output of 400,000 tonnes once fully operational. Power Minerals, owned by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský—who recently acquired Royal Mail—will construct, own, and run the facility. Drax will supply PFA to the joint venture, as well as provide power and water to support operations. Lee Dawes, Chief Operations Officer at Drax, hailed the agreement as a landmark deal for both the energy and construction sectors. “Cement production is one of the most carbon-intensive industries globally, and through this partnership, we can help cut emissions in UK construction. Drax Power Station has long been vital to the UK’s energy security, and now it will also play a key role in reducing carbon emissions in construction.” Drax sees this joint venture as an opportunity to unlock additional value from its site while supporting the transition to low-carbon building materials. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK fire door manufacturer JELD-WEN will be on hand to discuss sector-specific fire door solutions at this year’s Fire Safety Event. Returning to the event for the second year in a row, the specialist manufacturer of timber doors will be showcasing its expanded range of certified fire doorsets – and highlighting performance criteria and design that supports use in a range of sectors. With more than 250 exhibitors, the Fire Safety Event (8-10 April) is the leading industry event bringing together construction experts, facilities managers, fire safety specialists and suppliers to share the latest fire safety innovations. Visitors to the JELD-WEN stand will get the opportunity to find out about the wide range of fire doorsets that it creates, including hardware options and different finishes. As a licensed door processor and having recently secured BM Trada Q Mark certification in addition to its existing Certifire and Certisecure, JELD-WEN manufactures and fabricates a wide range of fire doorsets for a range of different sectors. Throughout the event, experts from the team will be on hand to discuss performance and specification requirements – including the best options for key sectors where fire doors are frequently a requirement, such as hospitals, care homes, schools, high-rise residential buildings and office blocks. This includes considering key performance factors that tackle the challenges of that sector, including adequate fire ratings, acoustics, security, durability and aesthetics. Lisa Ward, Senior Manager, Product and Marketing at JELD-WEN UK, said: “Fire doors play a vital part in providing passive fire protection in buildings to help to keep occupants safe, providing a means of escape. “As well as showing the depth of JELD-WEN’s testing and certification in ensuring the highest performance standards in fire protection, this will be a good opportunity to highlight how our fire doors have been designed, tested, and certified with the end project in mind. “With a comprehensive sector-by-sector insight into fire door performance – and designed to complement building aesthetics, we are keen to show how fire doors have been designed to meet sector requirements. “This is a great arena to see the latest innovations in fire safety, and to highlight the ongoing commitment to ensure the highest standards across the board, and we look forward to taking part.” The Fire Safety Event takes place at the NEC, Birmingham – visit JELD-WEN at stand 4/L37 or find out more about its fire doorsets at https://www.jeld-wen.co.uk/products/fire-doors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with Women in Construction Anglia to help bridge the gap between the industry and education, and encourage more women into construction roles. The new partnership comes as the government commits £600 million to address the construction sector’s skills shortage, with the aim of ensuring Suffolk leads the way on collaboration and tackling the skills gap within the industry. At its core, the partnership looks to enhance skills development by collaborating with local education institutions and local businesses, address barriers to work, promote diversity and inclusion and facilitate engagement between the industry and education. John Dugmore, CEO of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to bridging the gap between industry and education. “We have been working behind the scenes on this partnership for some time, so the Chancellor’s announcement on investing in skills in construction has come at the perfect time. “With this new partnership, we can ensure that Suffolk remains at the forefront of the construction sector, continuing to work with our partners in our Suffolk colleges and higher education institutions, with skills leads in our local authorities and, most importantly, with industry so the county is equipped with a diverse and skilled workforce ready to meet future challenges.” The government’s investment seeks to train up to 60,000 skilled construction workers by 2029, supporting the plan to build 1.5 million homes and stimulate economic growth. With women currently making up only 15% of the workforce in the construction industry, it is hoped that through the work of organisations like Women in Construction Anglia and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce that more women will be involved in plans to get Britain building again. Clare Friel, Founder of Women in Construction Anglia, said: “Our collaboration with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce amplifies our efforts to inspire and support women in the construction industry. “Since its inception we have been proud to collaborate with colleges across Suffolk but have aspirations to take our work across the region. “Together, we can create more opportunities and drive meaningful change” Since its launch in October 2024, Women in Construction Anglia has made a big impact in the sector, engaging more than 600 individuals through events and initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of women to pursue careers in construction. More information on Women on Construction Anglia can be found here and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PERI and BECOFORM have strengthened their collaboration with their partnership for UK-based projects. Through this partnership, PERI secures access to a high-quality and innovative product with significant growth potential in the UK market. BECOSTOP, a permanent stop-end system, plays a key role in PERI’s Construction Accessories range, designed to enhance construction projects through efficient installation, reduced material waste, and improved safety standards. Meanwhile, German-based manufacturer BECOFORM looks forward to gaining comprehensive UK coverage through projects facilitated by PERI along with the added benefits of technical and sales support, marking a significant milestone in its market expansion. With shared goals and complementary strengths, both companies look forward to a successful partnership focused on delivering exceptional service and value to their customers. Richard Fuchs & Tobias Klich, Managing Directors at BECOFORM commented: “We as BECOFORM are proud to have a strong partnership with PERI UK. We greatly value the excellent collaboration, which has enabled us to successfully support a wide range of projects together. In particular, we would like to highlight the outstanding technical consulting and professional expertise of the PERI UK team, which plays a key role in providing optimal support for our products in the UK market. We sincerely thank the entire PERI UK team for their dedication and look forward to further strengthening our successful and trusted partnership with PERI for our products in the UK market.” Ian Hayes, PERI UK Managing Director commented: “We’ve established a solid foundation with the team at BECOFORM, and I’m excited about the opportunities this partnership creates for PERI UK. With the extended support from BECOFORM, we can deliver labour-saving solutions like BECOSTOP to our customers’ sites quickly. I’m confident that we can measurably increase site efficiencies through BECOSTOP, which will be game-changing for those seeking more modern and sustainable approaches to construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals