Kenneth Booth
Ceremony marks new Coventry school SENCO enhancement works

Ceremony marks new Coventry school SENCO enhancement works

Grace Academy School in Coventry celebrated the opening of its upgraded facilities in a community launch ceremony this week with Ireland International football player, Andrew Townsend, in attendance. Regional contractors joined forces to carry out ‘The BIG Build’ charitable programme of works over the summer at Grace Academy and the

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Award-winning 78-home Preston development completed

Award-winning 78-home Preston development completed

A brand-new estate of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in Preston has been completed by Community Gateway Association (CGA), the city’s largest not-for-profit housing association. The 78 homes, comprising 75 houses, three bungalows, a playground and ample green space, have been built by Seddon Housing Partnerships on behalf

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Injecta Fire Barrier providing innovative fire safety improvements for Student Accommodation in Nottingham

Injecta Fire Barrier providing innovative fire safety improvements for Student Accommodation in Nottingham

Leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, are currently delivering a remediation project for a student accommodation building in Nottingham to improve fire safety and meet new legislation. Using the patented Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier are installing cavity barriers between student’s apartment in compliance with the latest

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The Government Property Agency confirms Mark Bourgeois as CEO

The Government Property Agency confirms Mark Bourgeois as CEO

THE GOVERNMENT Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Mark Bourgeois as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was confirmed in the permanent position after holding the interim seat for 10 months. Mark brings more than 30 years’ experience in strategic and operational leadership across the fields of investment,

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Turnaround underway with significant growth in first half of the year finds RLB’s latest Construction Market Intelligence

Turnaround underway with significant growth in first half of the year finds RLB’s latest Construction Market Intelligence

Turnaround is underway in the built environment after output falling for over a year, according to the latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) from leading construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK). According to its Q3 2024 findings, there is an improving market confidence which although dependent

Read More »
PermaGroup strengthens commercial team with key appointments

PermaGroup strengthens commercial team with key appointments

LEADING provider of innovative product solutions PermaGroup has boosted its restructured commercial team with the appointment of five key team members. John O’Connor, Adam Walker, Thom Brown and Craig Batton have all joined as technical specification managers, while Jamie Eliades has been appointed as area sales manager covering East Anglia.

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North East construction generates jobs and millions of pounds worth of economic output – Adderstone Living analysis reveals

North East construction generates jobs and millions of pounds worth of economic output – Adderstone Living analysis reveals

New analysis by a North East affordable house builder reveals the impact its construction activity has on supporting jobs and delivering millions of pounds worth of economic growth across the North of England. Jesmond-based Adderstone Living, which is working with social housing providers to deliver affordable new homes, says that

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Independent Design House Group acquires Clarkebond (Uk) Ltd to triple size and capabilities

Independent Design House Group acquires Clarkebond (Uk) Ltd to triple size and capabilities

Move takes team to 140 with £10m turnover across 7 locations Engineering design consultancy firm, Independent Design House Group, (IDHG) (https://www.idh-design.co.uk), has acquired Clarkebond (UK) Ltd in a move that significantly upweights its engineering capabilities and locations. The acquisition will take IDHG to seven locations globally, including its offices in

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New £40m building at West Cumberland Hospital reaches completion

New £40m building at West Cumberland Hospital reaches completion

West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, part of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), is set to open its doors following a £40 million redevelopment. This milestone marks the practical completion of a new 55,860 square feet, two-storey extension built on to the hospital, delivered by GRAHAM through the

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Kenneth Booth

Ceremony marks new Coventry school SENCO enhancement works

Ceremony marks new Coventry school SENCO enhancement works

Grace Academy School in Coventry celebrated the opening of its upgraded facilities in a community launch ceremony this week with Ireland International football player, Andrew Townsend, in attendance. Regional contractors joined forces to carry out ‘The BIG Build’ charitable programme of works over the summer at Grace Academy and the event brought together members of the school and all suppliers to unveil brand-new classroom facilities and sensory spaces which will enrich the lives of students. Attendees enjoyed a tour of the enhancement works, live music, canapes and a speech from Andrew Townsend. McLaren Construction Midlands and North division and Opus Land led the community project which has been supported by Architect – Webb Gray, Structural Engineer – SBK, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers – CPW and Landscaper – Whiting’s, who provided the landscape and raised beds works. The works have included a complete refurbishment and remodelling of existing classrooms to form larger teaching and sensory spaces, alongside access to the outside. New walls, ceilings and floorings have also been installed, complemented by new LED lighting, heating, security and fire alarm systems. The newly reconfigured environments will offer room for small group intervention and 1-2-1 support, with internal staff and external agencies ensuring students with special educational and emotional needs can be as fully equipped as possible for success. Head of Grace Academy, Natasha Whiles, said: “We are so incredibly grateful and blessed with the new facilities. It’s such an improvement on our old facilities – and I can’t wait to see the student’s faces when they come in and see their new space, and just how amazing it looks.” Operations Director at McLaren Construction Midlands and North, Shaun Colley, said: “We are proud to have led this community project with Opus Land with the support of regional contractors – giving back to this incredible academy. “The ceremony was a fantastic event, showcasing state-of-the-art classrooms and new spaces within the existing school that will improve the lives of the current and future intake of students. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the designers and contractors who committed to supporting this project alongside everyone who attended in celebrating the programme.” Joint Managing Director of Opus Land, Richard Smith, said: “We are most grateful to McLaren Construction and all the other companies involved in the BIG Build for their tremendous generosity here. “Opus originally got involved in The Grace Academy through their development of the nearby Prospero estate on the Ansty Business Park and soon came to realise the tremendous results that the school fulfils for the local community. It was wonderful to celebrate the new improvements to the Grace Academy which will enhance the lives of so many.” McLaren Construction Midlands and North serves both the public and private sectors in core areas including commercial offices, residential, education, retail, distribution and logistics, hotels, and leisure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Award-winning 78-home Preston development completed

Award-winning 78-home Preston development completed

A brand-new estate of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in Preston has been completed by Community Gateway Association (CGA), the city’s largest not-for-profit housing association. The 78 homes, comprising 75 houses, three bungalows, a playground and ample green space, have been built by Seddon Housing Partnerships on behalf of CGA. 43 of the homes are available for affordable rent, while 35 are to be sold on a shared-ownership basis. The site, completed in May, is on Miller Road in Ribbleton, Preston, and has been designed to promote ‘people-led construction’. CGA’s Executive Director of Customers and Communities, Louise Mattinson, said: “We’re thrilled to see final completion at our Miller Road development. These new affordable and shared ownership homes are sorely needed in Preston and to be able to deliver them to such a high standard has been so encouraging. “It will be incredible to watch the community evolve over the years as individuals and families make homes out of these houses.” While construction was underway, Seddon and CGA were recognised with an LABC Brick Award for their standards of quality on the project, taking home the ‘Social Housing Development of the Year’ accolade, following an inspection of the site by risk management surveyors. LABC praised the quality of the workmanship, with the project standing out for its commitment to health and safety, site organisation and tidiness, innovation and care for the environment. Peter Jackson, Managing Director of Seddon Housing Partnerships, said: “The project at Miller Road is another great example of how Seddon works in partnership with organisations of all kinds to develop new and vibrant spaces. Working with CGA has been immensely rewarding and we look forward to developing projects with them in the future. “We were thrilled to receive the recognition from LABC, but we’re more excited to see people moving into their new homes and creating a community.” Seddon Housing Partnerships is part of the Seddon family of businesses. Committed to its ‘Better Homes, Better Lives’ ethos, they form partnerships with housing associations and local authorities to develop new homes, and refurbish, retrofit and regenerate existing homes and communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Injecta Fire Barrier providing innovative fire safety improvements for Student Accommodation in Nottingham

Injecta Fire Barrier providing innovative fire safety improvements for Student Accommodation in Nottingham

Leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, are currently delivering a remediation project for a student accommodation building in Nottingham to improve fire safety and meet new legislation. Using the patented Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier are installing cavity barriers between student’s apartment in compliance with the latest building regulations detailed in the Fire Safety Act (2021) and Building Safety Act (2022). By avoiding replacement of the external façade, Injecta Fire Barrier are significantly reducing both the project costs and the installation time, ensuring the new class of 2024 will be safe. “With project completion expected this November, our team are delivering the Injectaclad system in the high-rise structure with minimal disruption or external amendments. With passive fire barriers installed, the property owner can ensure the future academics of Nottingham are protected with enhanced fire safety in their students digs” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director at Injecta Fire Barrier. Injectaclad is a fire-retardant sealant that can be seamlessly inserted into a building’s vertical or horizontal cavities to slow the spread of flames and smoke. With its simple installation process, cavity fire barriers like Injectaclad are offering property owners a more cost-effective solution to fire safety in high-rise structures. To install Injectaclad, the Injecta Fire Barrier team pump the solution into mesh socks that are then inserted in horizontal cavities that divide each apartment floor. After installation, Injectaclad will provide passive fire protection for the building for over 25 years. “Injectaclad is an intumescent material, meaning it reacts to heat by expanding approximately 20 times its original volume. This expansion fills any gaps and contains the fire and smoke, meaning the occupants of the Nottingham building will have more time to exit safely in the event of fire” adds Shaun. Following the Grenfell fire disaster, the Fire Safety Act was brought in to place in 2021 and made it compulsory for buildings over 18 metres high to comply with correct fire safety measures.  These legislations have led to more building owners, like the student accommodation in Nottingham, to seek regulatory-compliant safety measures to protect their tenants from fire while minimising costs and disruption. Following the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report in September 2024, pressure has mounted with more UK high-rises being investigated for lacklustre or non-existent fire preventions. “With responsibilities for fire safety increasing, we recommend that that property-owners and contractors act before it’s too late. And, when major renovations to the building’s façade aren’t viable, to consider passive fire barriers for a safe and cost-effective alternative” concludes Shaun. Injecta Fire Barrier are the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system. With years of experience in passive fire protection, the company are helping property managers and building owners install the Injectaclad solution. More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Government Property Agency confirms Mark Bourgeois as CEO

The Government Property Agency confirms Mark Bourgeois as CEO

THE GOVERNMENT Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Mark Bourgeois as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was confirmed in the permanent position after holding the interim seat for 10 months. Mark brings more than 30 years’ experience in strategic and operational leadership across the fields of investment, development and asset management within commercial real estate. He is a former Managing Director for the UK and Ireland division at FTSE listed developer and investor Hammerson plc, and prior to that Executive Director at Capital & Regional plc. He also has extensive expertise in regeneration in partnership with local and city authorities, including acting as Interim Corporate Director for City Development at Liverpool City Council. Georgia Gould MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “Mark has demonstrated exceptional leadership of the Government Property Agency during his tenure as interim Chief Executive over the past year. “With decades of experience, Mark will be instrumental in enhancing the financial and environmental performance of the government estate while delivering world-class workplaces for civil servants nationwide.” Pat Ritchie CBE, the GPA’s chair, said:   “I am delighted to confirm Mark in the permanent role, he has already had a huge impact on the leadership of the GPA. “Working closely with the board and executive team, Mark will continue to play a fundamental role in the way property is managed across government and creating great places to work for civil servants, supporting economic growth and local communities. “He and the executive team will further build the agency’s commercial organisational culture, with our client and customer needs being at the heart of this. With Mark’s experience in real estate and building, inspiring and developing teams, he is the ideal leader to take the GPA to the next stage of our development.”  Since launching in 2018, the GPA has grown to manage around 1 million sq m of the government’s office portfolio – acting as an expert partner to departments for strategic planning and workplace services including design, property technology and workplace experience.  The agency is also responsible for the Government Hubs Programme – bringing civil service teams closer to the communities they serve across the UK. Recent milestones within the programme have included the opening of the Peterborough hub last year which last month was awarded Leesman+, and acquiring 5.5 acres of the former Central Retail Park at Ancoats in Manchester earlier this year which is currently the subject of a public consultation on the future development of Manchester Digital Campus. Mark Bourgeois said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as the permanent CEO at such a pivotal time for the GPA. During my time as interim, the collaborative support from departmental clients has been excellent  and I’m hugely grateful to impressively talented colleagues for all their continued dedication and commitment. We’re well placed to further strengthen the GPA culture, deliver financial efficiencies and productivity gains across the civil service, all in support of the Government’s missions. I’m looking forward to  the continued challenge.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Turnaround underway with significant growth in first half of the year finds RLB’s latest Construction Market Intelligence

Turnaround underway with significant growth in first half of the year finds RLB’s latest Construction Market Intelligence

Turnaround is underway in the built environment after output falling for over a year, according to the latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) from leading construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK). According to its Q3 2024 findings, there is an improving market confidence which although dependent on the new government’s management of the economy, is seeing significant growth of nearly 18% and over 16% respectively in new work orders in the first two quarters of 2024. Backing ONS data, RLB’s CMI Q3 found that new orders for private commercial work (new build and repairs and maintenance) are on the increase.  Even more striking is the fact that in Q2 2024, almost 12% of total new work orders arose from the commercial sector, whether that be in actual new work or repairs and maintenance.  This has been reflected with RLB appointed on projects including the Tower Bridge Court, a landmark net zero workspace on the River Thames. Across RLB’s 14 offices around the UK,  the outlook is also positive, with the reduction in the base rate of interest to 5% hopefully helping confidence levels across the board, and possible future investment.  Labour shortages ongoing However, RLB’s Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) highlights the ongoing concern from many contractors and subcontractors around labour shortages, lending weight to the need for political solutions and planned programmes of skills development.  The new government’s aim to abbreviate the planning pathway, while useful in bringing projects to market more speedily, has the potential to encourage price inflation should excess workload appear in a restricted timeframe, particularly in the case of labour-intensive projects such as housing.  Roger Hogg, RLB’s Head of Research and Development Manager comments, “Overall, the watchword of this quarter’s report findings in respect of tender pricing is ‘stability’. While some regional forecasts have been trimmed slightly, there is prospect of more work entering the marketplace next year, which is set to constrain any current breakout of price inflation on a project basis.” Click here to read RLB’s full Construction Market Intelligence Q3 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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PermaGroup strengthens commercial team with key appointments

PermaGroup strengthens commercial team with key appointments

LEADING provider of innovative product solutions PermaGroup has boosted its restructured commercial team with the appointment of five key team members. John O’Connor, Adam Walker, Thom Brown and Craig Batton have all joined as technical specification managers, while Jamie Eliades has been appointed as area sales manager covering East Anglia. The new appointments signal PermaGroup’s continued trajectory of growth and success following the appointment of group head of sales, Steve Greaves, earlier this year, and in under four years the commercial division of the business has grown extensively. With more than 30 years in the industry John brings with him a wealth of roofing knowledge, including expertise in both flat and pitched roofing, while Adam has worked in the industry for the last ten years, building valuable relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including architects, building surveyors, local authorities and roofing contractors. New area sales manager Jamie has hopes to manage a team of her own at PermaGroup and to pass on her 20 years’ worth of knowledge and experience, and is looking forward to immersing herself into learning more about EDPM products. Having spent a large portion of his career working in interiors for large national brands, Thom has ambitions to grow PermaGroup at scale and to continue to develop his existing industry relationships, while Craig is keen to learn from his new colleagues to build on his ten years of roofing knowledge in both supply and installation. Steve Greaves said: “Building our restructured commercial team has been a very rewarding process, and each of our new recruits brings something different to their role. It’s an exciting time of change for the business and it was the right time to expand on the foundations we had in the commercial division by solidifying our dedicated team in that area of the business.  Commercial roofing is central to our overall growth and development, and our team is looking forward to working together to achieve strong results. “Our company culture at PermaGroup is very important, and we’ve had fantastic feedback from the newer members already, which is extremely encouraging. We always want our people to feel valued, so to hear that our new team members are settling in well and are enjoying their work is all we can ask for.” To find out more about PermaGroup, please visit: www.permagroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Arcadis bolsters its architecture and urbanism capabilities with two new strategic hires

Arcadis bolsters its architecture and urbanism capabilities with two new strategic hires

Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), London – Arcadis, a leading global company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, has appointed senior industry figures Rory O’Hagan and Simon Carter to strengthen its architecture and urbanism capabilities across the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. Best known in the UK for its engineering, project management and construction solution services, Arcadis distinguished its capability as one of the strongest innovators among global consulting players with its acquisitions of IBI Group and CallisonRTKL (CRTKL) last year. As a result, Arcadis is now recognised as the second largest architecture firm in the world and is now advancing its design and delivery services, built-asset specific decarbonisation strategies, deep retrofit programs, green certifications, and supporting digital tools with greater focus and scale than ever before. Strategic hires continue to play a key role in the firm’s growth, particularly in the UK where Rory O’Hagan has been appointed to lead Arcadis’ residential and hospitality design work, which includes the design and delivery of over 3,500 Build to Rent homes and award-winning schemes including Station Hill in Reading, Corkfield in Birmingham, City Suites II and Lampwick Quay in Manchester. Bringing together the Build to Rent (BTR), Co-living, Senior Living, Student Living and Hotel portfolios, Rory is focused on a creating a culture of collaboration and designing assets of enduring value with strong social and sustainable impact. Having held the position of board director at AJ100 London practice Assael Architecture and with over two decades of experience, Rory has an enviable track record spearheading some of the UK’s first purpose-built BTR communities. Also new to the firm is Simon Carter, who has been appointed as an associate principal to advance Arcadis’ work and innovation in life sciences. Drawing on the group’s proven track record in the allied health and education sectors, Simon is finding new opportunities for private and public sectors with clients including the NHS and major healthcare investors. With nearly 30 years of experience, Simon is a specialist in the design of higher education and research facilities and former partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The pair join an established leadership team and over 100 registered architects who work across the UK from Arcadis’ design hubs in London, Manchester, Brighton, and Cardiff. Backed by the weight and resource of Arcadis’ global network, this specialist multidisciplinary team is driving forward new design innovations, sustainable solutions and digital leadership with greater focus and scale than ever before. Simon Bimpson, Country Director, Arcadis UK and Ireland, comments: “Arcadis has formed one of the most dynamic and diverse design firms in the world. Here in the United Kingdom, the expansion of our architecture and urbanism expertise means we are now able to add value to every stage of a project’s lifecycle and imbed sustainability best practice in from the outset.” “With Rory O’Hagan and Simon Carter joining our architecture and urbanism leadership team, we deepen the subject matter expertise of a highly skilled group who are proving the power of design in solving some of the most pressing challenges facing our cities and communities when it comes to accessibility, affordability, housing, healthcare, education and wellbeing.”  Rory O’Hagan, Principal – Living at Arcadis Architecture and Urbanism, comments: “At the intersection of architecture, engineering, and construction, Arcadis is uniquely positioned to deliver insights, efficiencies, and innovations in ways other firms can’t because we provide services across all three pillars not just one or two. We see the full picture and are able to zoom in on the minutiae of every stage of the development lifecycle, with 3D, model-based workflows and digital tools that enable us to generate new efficiencies and design safe, sustainable and deliverable buildings for our clients.” “We also unlock a great deal of cross-sector learnings from our work across placemaking, residential, healthcare, hospitality, education, industrial, retail, life sciences, and workplace around the world. This is what I am most excited about, the opportunity to champion hybrid solutions borne off the overlap between these sectors, for instance our healthcare design work in pediatrics informing pedagogy and our K-12 education design philosophy, so too our work on luxury hotels around the world which we’ve applied with our healthcare expertise to create new senior living concepts. We are only just scratching the surface, with Arcadis better positioned than ever to positively impact on the design, development and resilience of this country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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North East construction generates jobs and millions of pounds worth of economic output – Adderstone Living analysis reveals

North East construction generates jobs and millions of pounds worth of economic output – Adderstone Living analysis reveals

New analysis by a North East affordable house builder reveals the impact its construction activity has on supporting jobs and delivering millions of pounds worth of economic growth across the North of England. Jesmond-based Adderstone Living, which is working with social housing providers to deliver affordable new homes, says that its current North East and Yorkshire building sites – which will see hundreds of new homes delivered in the next 18 months – are producing millions of pounds (£39m) in economic output as well as supporting hundreds of construction jobs. Indeed, analysis shows 75% of on-site construction jobs are being undertaken by people who live less than a 20-mile drive to sites, creating and securing local employment opportunities across the region. The firm estimates that more than 300 people are currently working on its sites, which combined produce a total economic output of £35m in GVA (gross value added) during the build phases of affordable housing developments at places such as Eskdene Rise in Sunderland and Pease Way in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. In excess of £45m is estimated to be spent on local subcontractors and suppliers who live and work within a 20-mile radius of these sites, while £2m is being spent on food and drink, leisure and entertainment in the local areas around each scheme. The firm’s analysis also reveals how modern construction techniques reduce the impact new house building activity has on the environment. The majority of materials (85%) are being recycled during each site’s build phase at the same time as hundreds of tonnes (689 tonnes) in carbon emissions are being reduced annually.  Working with local authorities and housing associations, Adderstone Living’s ‘land-led’ solutions involve the sourcing of suitable land, scheme design and securing of planning permissions before delivering quality homes. Stephen McCoy, managing director, said: “We are among leading developers who are at the forefront of bringing forward new developments that deliver tangible benefits and support ‘ultra-local” supply chains. “We spend tens of millions on local manufacturers and subcontractors, boosting local businesses, communities and families. Added to that, it makes business sense with competitive prices and fast delivery times. Our Eskdene Rise scheme in Sunderland is a perfect example – some materials have travelled just a few miles to get to site.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Independent Design House Group acquires Clarkebond (Uk) Ltd to triple size and capabilities

Independent Design House Group acquires Clarkebond (Uk) Ltd to triple size and capabilities

Move takes team to 140 with £10m turnover across 7 locations Engineering design consultancy firm, Independent Design House Group, (IDHG) (https://www.idh-design.co.uk), has acquired Clarkebond (UK) Ltd in a move that significantly upweights its engineering capabilities and locations. The acquisition will take IDHG to seven locations globally, including its offices in Bristol, London, Ireland and Poland, and an estimated annual turnover of over £10m.  Tim Burt will remain CEO of IDHG following the move, and its headquarters will be in Bristol. Making up the senior management team are Wojciech Wisnowski (partner), Ian Fernandes-Johnson (UK managing director) and Michal Rzaski (IDHG Poland director). Neil Marks will be commercial director and Brian Davis, head of finance.  Established in engineering as a specialist in the field of temporary works design, IDHG was founded by CEO, Tim Burt, and Wojciech Wisniowski, in 2011 in Rochester, Kent. Expansion into Poland and Bristol followed, along with more engineering disciplines, with managing director, Ian Fernandes-Johnson, joining in 2020. The acquisition of Clarkebond Ltd, a seasoned multi-disciplined consultancy which operates in the UK and global markets, further cements its growth into the field of permanent works design.  Now employing over 140 people, IDHG will have offices in Bristol, London, Ireland, Maidstone, Poland, and Exeter. Positioning itself as the complete design partner for any project requirements, IDHG will consist of IDH Ltd, IDH SP Zoo and Clarkebond Ltd and will offer a full range of engineering disciplines across multiple sectors.  Tim Burt, IDHG CEO, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the acquisition of Clarkebond and look forward to all parties collaborating and contributing to the way forward. This is all about the mutual development and growth of the companies involved for the benefit of all of our customers, employees and the wider IDH Group.”  Ian Fernandes-Johnson, IDHG managing director, added: “Adding the skills and strengths of Clarkebond to our existing capabilities will be a game changer. The move transitions IDHG to a multi-disciplined engineering consultancy, providing services from concept through to construction on site. In my very first meeting with the Clarkebond team, my overriding impression was how much they care about the work they deliver, which resonated with me and the IDH approach. Exciting times indeed.”  Neil Marks, Clarkebond Commercial Director, added: “The opportunities that this deal provides for our staff, the additional services that both companies can now offer and the additional infrastructure that IDH brings to the Company aligns with our vision to provide outstanding engineering for communities and place. It will increase our competitiveness so that Clarkebond can continue in pursuit of that vision and grow to be a stronger and more resilient company.”   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New £40m building at West Cumberland Hospital reaches completion

New £40m building at West Cumberland Hospital reaches completion

West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, part of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), is set to open its doors following a £40 million redevelopment. This milestone marks the practical completion of a new 55,860 square feet, two-storey extension built on to the hospital, delivered by GRAHAM through the ProCure22 framework.   The state-of-the-art facility incorporates up to 70% modern methods of construction, demonstrating a successful integration of innovative building techniques into healthcare infrastructure. The building features specialised wards and units that cater to a diverse range of healthcare needs, including:  The building integrates advanced medical facilities with patient-centric design to enhance both the quality of care and the overall patient experience. It includes private therapeutic outdoor courtyards and dedicated family spaces for private meetings and consultations.  Chief Executive, Lyn Simpson for NCIC, said: “I’m really proud of everyone who has brought this project to life over the last four years, none more so than our own staff who have been integral in getting the right design approved and over the line for their patients. This will make a huge difference to our patient experience. We hope our patients and visitors and the rest of Team NCIC will agree this is has been a great project and certainly worth all the hard work. Well done to everyone involved!”  Peter Reavey, Regional Director at GRAHAM, commented: “We’re proud to have been part of this transformative project. The new facilities at West Cumberland Hospital will greatly improve the provision of healthcare services locally. Using modern methods of construction, we’ve delivered a building that not only meets but exceeds current healthcare standards.”  West Cumberland Hospital’s new extension is expected to be fully operational by the end of September, with all services moved in and ready to serve the community. GRAHAM was awarded this contract following the successful delivery of the Trust’s cancer treatment centre in Carlisle.  For more information on GRAHAM, please visit: www.graham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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