Books and stationery retailer The Works has unveiled plans to open 60 new stores over the next five years as part of its growth strategy. The company aims to boost sales to over £375 million by 2030. Currently operating 506 stores across the UK, The Works is focusing on expanding
The Ofwat Innovation Fund will double to £400 million to support projects that could transform the water sector to meet and solve the many challenges it faces. Established in 2020, the original £200 million Ofwat Innovation Fund has been awarded to collaborative projects which see water companies working with promising
Greystar, a global leader in real estate investment and management, has acquired two high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) properties in Cardiff and Exeter for £60 million. The purchase adds 400 premium student beds to Greystar’s UK portfolio, with 240 beds in Cardiff and 160 in Exeter. This move brings the
A consultation has opened on proposals to deliver new, fit for purpose services and more school places that support Queensferry’s growing population Residents are being asked to share their feedback on new ideas to create a community campus on Burgess Road, bringing together more modern services in a central location
Civic, a team of system thinkers in the built environment, has appointed Rob Harris as Director of Building Services and Sustainability at its London studio. In this role, he will lead the expansion of Civic’s building services team across London and the South East. His focus will be on creating
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to expand its property development proposition by hiring Andy Thomson to lead its activity in the Build to Rent (BTR) sector. Andy has been appointed to the newly created role of Senior Director – Operational Real Estate working within UTB’s Property Development business. He
The Association for Project Safety (APS) proudly marked its 30th anniversary with a week-long series of events, celebrating three decades of championing health and safety in design and construction risk management. The week ran from 19th-24th January. Established in 1995, APS has remained at the forefront of promoting good practice
Raimondi Cranes (Raimondi) is set to participate for the first time at the 13th edition of Big 5 Construct Saudi, the largest construction event in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event will serve as a platform for Raimondi to target the country’s active construction sector and present its latest
Broadgate REIT, equally owned by British Land and GIC, has announced a landmark joint venture with Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding. This partnership will spearhead the development of 2 Finsbury Avenue, a 750,000 sq ft world-class project set to redefine the Broadgate area in the City of London. The development will
Landmark Port Hamilton building redesign to become one of Capital’s largest ever pre-letting deals Lloyds Banking Group has announced plans to transform its Port Hamilton building in Edinburgh city centre into a state-of-the-art innovation hub as part of a £200 million redesign led by Drum Property Group. In what will
Books and stationery retailer The Works has unveiled plans to open 60 new stores over the next five years as part of its growth strategy. The company aims to boost sales to over £375 million by 2030. Currently operating 506 stores across the UK, The Works is focusing on expanding its footprint in approximately 100 target locations. Recent activity included three new store openings, two relocations, and eight closures of underperforming outlets during the first half of the 2025 financial year. A further net reduction of five stores is expected by the end of the year, followed by plans to resume growth with five new stores in 2026. In the 26 weeks ending 3rd November 2024, The Works reported a 1.3% increase in total revenue, reaching £124.2 million. Like-for-like sales dipped slightly by 0.8%, aligning with expectations, while adjusted pre-tax losses improved from £10.4 million to £6.5 million. Chief Executive Officer Gavin Peck remains optimistic despite challenges such as fragile consumer confidence and rising costs. He commented: “We are confident that our actions to grow revenue, enhance margins, and reduce costs will deliver better results this year and in FY26. Our new strategy lays the groundwork to transform The Works, significantly improving performance and shareholder returns in the years to come.” The retailer’s plans signal a renewed focus on sustainable growth and operational efficiency, positioning it as a key player in the competitive retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Ofwat Innovation Fund will double to £400 million to support projects that could transform the water sector to meet and solve the many challenges it faces. Established in 2020, the original £200 million Ofwat Innovation Fund has been awarded to collaborative projects which see water companies working with promising innovators from across different sectors and around the world to develop and deploy solutions to the water sector’s biggest challenges. Today’s announcement will extend the fund for a further five years to 2030. The fund was highlighted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer following a meeting of UK regulators on 16 January as one of a number of promising ways in which regulators are supporting the Government’s plan for economic growth. Investment expenditure is set to quadruple over the next five years as part of a wider £104 billion plan for the sector. Helen Campbell, Senior Director for Sector Performance, Ofwat, said: “There’s no question that the water sector faces many urgent challenges – reaching net zero emissions, ending the overuse of storm overflows, preventing leaks, and adapting to the impact of climate change – all while ensuring customers are properly served and enabling economic growth. Our £400m commitment to continued investment in innovation will support highly collaborative projects to develop and deploy solutions to these enormous challenges. While the first five years championed nascent technologies and new approaches to demonstrate their future potential, the next five years must see them scale and deliver a lasting and beneficial impact for customers, society and the environment”. Through multiple competitions (four Water Breakthrough Challenges, the first Water Discovery Challenge – plus the pilot Innovation in Water Competition in 2020), the fund has so far supported 93 projects involving more than 240 partners, including water companies, universities, environmental charities, local governments, civil society organisations and other utilities. The fifth Water Breakthrough Challenge is underway and the winners will be announced in Spring 2025. Previous winners have included robots that spot cracks from inside pipes, seagrass restoration projects, citizen science initiatives, partnerships to help communities adapt to increased rainfall and new ways to process sewage sludge to destroy forever chemicals. The funding for the next five years will see further annual Water Breakthrough Challenges, focused on innovative ideas from consortia led by water companies, and at least two more Water Discovery Challenges, seeking groundbreaking ideas to revolutionise the water sector from companies outside the industry. It will also introduce three new funding streams to support the implementation and scaling of successful innovations, solutions which require collaboration across the entire sector, and challenges across other sectors. The water sector must transform its environmental impact whilst encouraging growth, and innovation is crucial to end the overuse of storm overflows, cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce leaks. It must innovate to continue improving services for customers, provide value and meet the high standards that the public demands. Collaboration is at the core of the innovation fund – it fosters new thinking and new approaches to develop effective solutions that are fit for the future. The Ofwat Innovation Fund will be delivered by innovation prize experts, Challenge Works (a Nesta enterprise), in collaboration with Arup and Isle Utilities. Natalie Wadley, CEO of ChangeMaker 3D, a partner in Water Breakthrough Challenge 3 winning project, Water Industry Printfrastructure, said: “The Ofwat funding has quite simply been game changing for both our company and the development of Printfrastructure as a positive impact for the UK water sector. The funding has unlocked new jobs for our business, five new products, a patented design and a significant opportunity to add value in the next five years. We are incredibly proud to work alongside all of the project partners, United Utilities, Scottish Water and Print City, in what has been the most trailblazing project to date. This project has truly delivered several UK firsts, pushed all of the technology boundaries and demonstrated how we can return tangible value to water customers.” Paul Lavender, UK Water Utilities Director at Royal HaskoningDHV, a partner in Water Breakthrough Challenge 4 winning project, Biopolymers in the Circular Economy, said: “As a technology provider, we highly value this centralised innovation funding approach for its role in supporting the development of large, impactful projects. We’ve witnessed strong collaboration among partners who share a unified vision to address major industry challenges, effectively bridging gaps across the supply chain. We’re excited about the next steps, as engagement with the water company project partners and widespread industry dissemination will help us to develop new opportunities.” Professor Ana Soares from Cranfield University, a leader and partner on multiple Ofwat Innovation Fund winning projects, including Water Discovery Challenge winner, Innovative Coagulant Free Phosphorus Removal Technology, said: “Having participated in three Ofwat Innovation Fund challenges, I have witnessed firsthand how the programme nurtures collaborative innovation, transformative projects addressing strategic challenges, and the introduction of fresh perspectives from new innovators. The programme is inclusive, supporting every stage from the conception of new ideas to their practical implementation. It supports ambitious projects that address long-term challenges such as climate change, resource efficiency, and resilience, while embracing inclusivity, leveraging leading-edge technologies and services, and ensuring tangible benefits for customers, communities, and the environment.” To find out more about the Ofwat Innovation Fund and its previous winners, visit waterinnovation.challenges.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greystar, a global leader in real estate investment and management, has acquired two high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) properties in Cardiff and Exeter for £60 million. The purchase adds 400 premium student beds to Greystar’s UK portfolio, with 240 beds in Cardiff and 160 in Exeter. This move brings the company’s UK PBSA portfolio to over 35,000 beds, solidifying its status as a major provider of student housing. The newly acquired properties, previously developed by Ethos Property, will now operate under Greystar’s Canvas brand. Canvas is known for creating vibrant student communities with exceptional amenities such as gyms, cinema rooms, karaoke spaces, and curated events designed to enhance the student living experience. This acquisition aligns with Greystar’s strategy to expand in key student markets across the UK, driven by increasing demand for professionally managed, high-quality accommodation. With their strong academic institutions and growing student populations, Cardiff and Exeter represent ideal locations for this latest investment. By focusing on delivering well-designed spaces and enriching community experiences, Greystar continues to cater to the evolving needs of the UK’s student housing sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A consultation has opened on proposals to deliver new, fit for purpose services and more school places that support Queensferry’s growing population Residents are being asked to share their feedback on new ideas to create a community campus on Burgess Road, bringing together more modern services in a central location for the whole of Queensferry. Plans for the new project, which have been designed using the findings of past consultations and reports, focus on: The proposals for the hub are part of the Queensferry Living Well Locally project to help make Queensferry greener, healthier and safer for everyone. The project aligns with the 20-minute neighbourhood strategy to help local people meet most of their daily needs within a short walk, wheel or cycle from their home. Information on further plans to improve walking, wheeling and cycling connections to shops, services, and facilities in the local area will follow as related projects are developed. Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: With Queensferry’s population continuing to grow, we need more school places to meet demand, while some of our existing community buildings are reaching the end of their usable life and are no longer fit for purpose. We firmly believe that doing nothing is not an option, and we need to invest in local community facilities for today and tomorrow. We are looking to deliver this through a place-based approach that reflects what people in the area want and need. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible who use services in the area. The proposals have been designed partly using the feedback from previous engagement, but we need to make sure they work for everyone. This consultation is a fantastic opportunity to make sure people’s views are heard and considered when plans are developed in more detail. Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: We know from previous engagement that people would like modern community services and facilities in a central location that is easy for people from all over the local area to access. Our ideas for a new community hub on Burgess Road address these issues. The proposals for the new early years centre and expanded primary school have the potential to create a modern learning and development environment for children in Queensferry, while allowing us to provide vital new classroom spaces. The survey is now live on the Consultation Hub and will run until Monday 21st April. A number of in-person events will be held in venues across Queensferry, where officers will be available to discuss plans and listen to people’s views. The first of these will take place on Thursday 6th February at Queensferry Library (12pm – 2pm) and Scotmid Co-Op (4pm – 6pm). Details of further dates and times will be published on the Council’s website and Consultation Hub. Beyond this, the project team is also meeting with local community groups and organisations as part of the consultation process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Civic, a team of system thinkers in the built environment, has appointed Rob Harris as Director of Building Services and Sustainability at its London studio. In this role, he will lead the expansion of Civic’s building services team across London and the South East. His focus will be on creating a fully integrated engineering service that bridges disciplines to deliver high performing, cohesive, next-generation sustainable projects tailored to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market. With over twenty five years of technical, performance and leadership experience in the built environment, Rob brings an impressive track record to Civic. He has held senior roles at respected firm Elementa Consulting, now known as Introba, where his work earned industry recognition for innovation in sustainable engineering and design. His achievements include leading the detailed production design of 2 Trafalgar Way in London, which will become Europe’s tallest PassivHaus-certified tower, optimising energy efficiency and buildability while reducing complexity for the client in this next generation of tall tower ambient loop projects. At the W Hotel in Edinburgh, situated in Edinburgh St James Quarter, he delivered high-profile, mixed-use developments, and his work alongside Civic on net zero and whole-life carbon at the Shugborough Estate for the National Trust highlights his ability to align sustainability with heritage conservation, a feature that has been a theme throughout his career. As a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Rob is known for driving technical excellence and real world performance, while fostering a collaborative, people-focused work environment, which aligns with Civic’s values and conscience which prioritises people, planet and purpose. Speaking about his appointment, Rob said: “What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to build an integrated engineering and consultancy team that challenges conventional approaches to building services and aligns with today’s new ways of working, data, research, building and thinking. Civic’s ethos of system thinking aligns perfectly with my belief in breaking down silos and designing projects that truly deliver value—whether that’s technical, operational, environmental, social or economic. I’m looking forward to helping Civic make an even greater impact across London and beyond.” Welcoming Rob to the team, Stephen O’Malley, CEO at Civic, commented: “Rob understands the importance of integrating engineering and sustainability disciplines to create seamless, efficient projects that benefit our communities and clients. His leadership will further Civic’s ability to take on larger and more complex regeneration projects, particularly in London, where his expertise will help deliver tangible social and environmental benefits. This appointment demonstrates Civic’s commitment to being system thinkers and having an even greater impact while remaining true to our values and conscience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to expand its property development proposition by hiring Andy Thomson to lead its activity in the Build to Rent (BTR) sector. Andy has been appointed to the newly created role of Senior Director – Operational Real Estate working within UTB’s Property Development business. He will initially focus on delivering loans to developers and investors operating in the Build to Rent sector, before exploring opportunities in adjacent markets including Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Co-living. Andy has over 30 years of banking experience gained from senior roles with a variety of lenders including RBS, Bank of Scotland and Secure Trust Bank and within real estate debt advisory at Avison Young, formerly GVA. Andy has worked on a number of significant loans within the UK Living sector since 2016 and has joined UTB from Bank of London and Middle East where he was Head of Real Estate Finance and Private Banking. Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development, United Trust Bank, commented: “Andy’s appointment follows a very successful year for Property Development at United Trust Bank. For the first time in the Bank’s history, we credit sanctioned over £1bn of funding for a variety of residential and mixed use schemes across England and Wales and by the end of 2024 our loans were helping our housebuilder and developer customers create around 4500 new homes. “Build-to-Rent, and the wider UK Living sector, presents a great opportunity for the Bank and Andy’s experience and contacts will help us to develop UTB’s proposition and activity in this increasingly important and exciting market.” Upon joining UTB, Andy Thomson said: “I am excited to have joined such a highly regarded bank with an impressive track record. The UK Living Sector is an attractive real estate asset class for domestic and international capital seeking high quality investment and development opportunities. 2024 saw more than £5bn invested into the UK BTR sector and the UK government’s goal to deliver 1.5m homes over the next five years is an important catalyst for further growth. “Multifamily BTR apartment developments in London and the key regional cities have been the initial focus for the market and it’s exciting to see this expanding into other smaller UK towns and cities, as well as the increasing focus on Single Family BTR developments. UTB is keen to consider all types of schemes proposed by experienced operators.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Association for Project Safety (APS) proudly marked its 30th anniversary with a week-long series of events, celebrating three decades of championing health and safety in design and construction risk management. The week ran from 19th-24th January. Established in 1995, APS has remained at the forefront of promoting good practice and raising standards across the industry. This significant milestone coincides with 30 years of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), which have transformed the safety landscape within the construction sector. Together, APS and CDM have been instrumental in driving change, reducing accidents, and fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, inclusion and mental wellbeing. Throughout the week, members and industry leaders joined APS in reflecting on its legacy, celebrating achievements, and looking ahead to the future. The celebrations included: Reflecting on this milestone, APS President Mark Snelling comments, “For three decades, APS has been a driving force in improving health and safety standards within the construction industry. This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made while also recognising the work still to be done. Together, with our members and industry partners, we look forward to continuing to lead the way in promoting excellence and innovation.” The week concluded with a renewed commitment to building a safer, more inclusive, and collaborative industry. APS remains dedicated to empowering its members and advocating for good, thoughtful, and thorough practice, ensuring the legacy of the past 30 years continues to inspire future generations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Raimondi Cranes (Raimondi) is set to participate for the first time at the 13th edition of Big 5 Construct Saudi, the largest construction event in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event will serve as a platform for Raimondi to target the country’s active construction sector and present its latest crane model with enhanced lifting capacities. Headed by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Raimondi Group Chairman, the Raimondi delegation onsite will include the Group CEO and the General Manager of the Middle East business segment. Big 5 Construct Saudi, scheduled from February 15 to 18, 2025, at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, will provide Raimondi with an opportunity to showcase its innovative technologies. Highlights include the Lumina crane cabin, advanced control systems, and a range of tower cranes and accessory solutions. The event will also mark the launch of Raimondi’s new crane model, reinforcing its commitment to serving the dynamic construction market in Saudi Arabia, and supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious infrastructure goals under Vision 2030. “This marks a significant milestone for Raimondi as we plan to build on our strong presence across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and further increase commercial activities in the wider MENA region,” stated Luigi Maggioni, Group CEO of Raimondi Cranes. Visitors to Raimondi’s stand, located at 3D51 in Hall 3, can explore the Raimondi Lumina crane cabin, installed onsite at ground level for public access. “Participating in The Big 5 Saudi is a strategic step as Raimondi continues to grow our footprint in the GCC, a market characterized by dynamic development and transformative megaprojects,” said Wael Hasan, General Manager, Raimondi Middle East. “We have recently celebrated a key milestone with the deployment of 70 cranes across the Kingdom, and we are excited to continuing contributing to its construction ambitions by delivering high-quality lifting solutions tailored to the unique needs of the market,” concluded Hasan. Raimondi Middle East has experienced remarkable growth over the past three years, with over 200 Raimondi cranes deployed across major developments. The Middle East division has established a strong track record of providing durable, efficient and customizable equipment, tailored to meet the demands of the region’s most complex construction projects. The region largest construction event featuring more than 2,000 local and international exhibiting companies over a period of two weeks, the Big 5 Construct Saudi is staged by dmg events, and its portfolio of global trade shows and summits has connected more than 100,000 global suppliers and buyers of construction products across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Broadgate REIT, equally owned by British Land and GIC, has announced a landmark joint venture with Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding. This partnership will spearhead the development of 2 Finsbury Avenue, a 750,000 sq ft world-class project set to redefine the Broadgate area in the City of London. The development will feature two iconic high-rise towers, a 36-storey East Tower and a 21-storey West Tower, connected by a 12-storey podium. At its heart will be a 7,000 sq ft winter garden, offering green spaces, leisure areas, and publicly accessible facilities, making it a standout addition to the London skyline. Construction is already in progress under the leadership of Sir Robert McAlpine, with completion anticipated in 2027. Notably, the project has secured a major pre-let agreement with Citadel and Citadel Securities, leasing a minimum of 261,000 sq ft of workspace with options for an additional 121,000 sq ft, achieving record rental rates for the City. The development places sustainability at its core. Once completed, it will be a fully electric, smart-enabled building, ensuring operational energy efficiency and aligning with the growing demand for sustainable office spaces in London. H.E. Jassem Mohammed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Modon Holding, expressed enthusiasm about the venture, calling it a key milestone in Modon’s international growth strategy. Bill O’Regan, Group CEO of Modon Holding, highlighted the project’s exceptional quality and potential, describing it as a compelling entry into London’s prime real estate market. Simon Carter, Chief Executive of British Land, commented, “This partnership with Modon demonstrates confidence in both Broadgate and the City. With limited supply forecasted in 2027, this project is well-positioned to meet high demand for premium office space, driving strong rental growth.” This exciting collaboration underscores the enduring appeal of London’s real estate market and showcases innovative approaches to urban development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landmark Port Hamilton building redesign to become one of Capital’s largest ever pre-letting deals Lloyds Banking Group has announced plans to transform its Port Hamilton building in Edinburgh city centre into a state-of-the-art innovation hub as part of a £200 million redesign led by Drum Property Group. In what will be one of Edinburgh’s largest ever pre-letting deals, the complex will become Lloyds Banking Group’s main base in Scotland following completion of the works in 2027. Lying at the heart of the city’s financial district, the 282,000 sq. ft. Port Hamilton building has been home to Scottish Widows for almost 30 years. It is one of Edinburgh’s landmark office buildings, reaching up to eight storeys with a distinctive curved roof. In an innovative deal structure, Drum will assume control of the property and take responsibility for redeveloping the building as part of a forward funding agreement. Port Hamilton will remain the head office for the pensions and investments business as Drum has also concluded a pre-letting agreement with Lloyds Banking Group which will see the firm enter a 21-year lease after the transformation works are expected to be completed in 2027. Welcoming the redevelopment deal, Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director, Drum Property Group, said: “The £200m redevelopment of Port Hamilton presents an exceptional opportunity for Lloyds Banking Group to upgrade and enhance one of Edinburgh’s landmark buildings and deliver an exceptional working environment for Lloyds colleagues in an unrivalled city centre location. We are particularly proud of securing one of Edinburgh’s largest ever office pre-letting deals. The level of investment, structure and net-zero objectives of the Port Hamilton redevelopment sends out a very strong message for the future of the city centre office market. It also marks another exciting addition to our proven track record in delivering major office facilities for both corporate and government occupiers.” As the UK’s largest digital bank, Lloyds Banking Group employs around 10,000 people in Edinburgh across a range of different parts of the company, including customer-facing, finance and technology roles from software engineering and data science to cyber security. The Port Hamilton redevelopment is part of Lloyds Banking Group’s wider drive to create a more sustainable office footprint across the UK and contribute to its net zero goal. It follows the full refurbishment of its Bristol office in 2022 and a move to the most energy-efficient office building in Leeds last year. Chira Barua, CEO of Scottish Widows, said:“The fintech scene in Scotland is buzzing and we’re committed to staying right in the centre of it. We’ve made huge progress in connecting customers with their financial futures and we’re starting to see how powerful digital engagement and gamification will be in the future. There’s huge potential to help make a real difference for our customers’ lives and we’re right out in front building all the parts we need to innovate in a massive way.” Sharon Doherty, Chief People & Places Officer, Lloyds Banking Group, said:“We want to create a more modern and sustainable workspace in Edinburgh where our colleagues enjoy working so that we’re in the best place to serve our 27 million customers in more ways with the things that matter to them.” HSBC Asset Management advised the building owners on the transaction, noting they weredelighted to conclude the agreements to enable this significant redevelopment project. In concluding the Port Hamilton transaction, Knight Frank acted as commercial property agents for Hamilton Prop Co. Ltd. whilst CBRE acted for Lloyds Banking Group. Drum’s legal advisors were Morton Fraser and MacRoberts, Pinset Masons represented Lloyds Banking Group and Brodies acted for Hamilton Prop Co. Ltd. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals