Deals totalling 14,000 sq ft bring office scheme to full occupancy Leading real estate advisor CBRE has secured a number of high-profile lettings at Trinity building in Manchester for client Swiss Life Asset Managers, with the latest signings taking the office scheme to full occupancy for the first time since
Trafford Council has approved plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi‑use event space at TraffordCity, Manchester; marking a major milestone for the region’s leisure and sports offering. The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will feature state‑of‑the‑art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, and a flexible event space designed to host
A major £500m mixed-use regeneration project close to London’s King’s Cross knowledge quarter has been given the green light, paving the way for hundreds of new homes and substantial employment space. The development, led by Camden Council in partnership with Ballymore and Lateral, will transform a complex site at Camley
NatWest has today announced a new package of £10 billion of funding to the UK social housing sector before the end of 2028, which when deployed will bring the total funding to social housing in the UK to over £35 billion* since 2018. Through this new ambition, the bank is
Enva, a leading recycling and resource recovery specialist, has signed a pre-let on a new 124,000 sq ft fridge recycling facility at Goodman’s Crossways Commercial Park in Dartford, Kent. The state-of-the-art development will enable 35,000 tonnes of e-waste (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), equivalent to the weight of three Tower
Plans to transform a landmark Art Deco office building in the City of London into a major new hotel have been approved, unlocking the future of a long-vacant heritage asset. Developer Dominus, working in partnership with Cheyne Capital, will convert Ibex House into a 382-key full-service hotel. The Grade II-listed
Sefton Council has appointed Vinci Building as its preferred contractor for the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, bringing momentum to a project that has faced previous delays. Vinci Building has now signed a pre-construction services agreement with the council and will work alongside the project team over the
Laing O’Rourke has been appointed as main contractor for a major new £250m cancer centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The project has moved a significant step forward after funding was formally confirmed by the UK Government and the New Hospitals Programme. Once complete, the new facility will serve
The latest Barclays Business Prosperity Index report1 reveals that despite affordability pressures, regulatory challenges and financial caution, four in five businesses (83 per cent) operating in housebuilding and its supply chains remain confident about their outlook for the year ahead. Barclays’ anonymised client data from around 70,000 UK businesses, combined
Acero Construction is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Thompson as Non-Executive Director, effective 1 February 2026, further strengthening the company’s board with significant sector expertise and strategic leadership experience. Bob brings a wealth of knowledge from across the construction and piling industries, having held senior leadership roles within
Deals totalling 14,000 sq ft bring office scheme to full occupancy Leading real estate advisor CBRE has secured a number of high-profile lettings at Trinity building in Manchester for client Swiss Life Asset Managers, with the latest signings taking the office scheme to full occupancy for the first time since its comprehensive redevelopment. British Engineering Group has regeared its lease and expanded by a further 3,500 sq ft, increasing its total occupation within the building to 11,000 sq ft. The company now occupies space across the mezzanine and 1st floor level within the centrally located John Dalton Street building. The recent activity also includes a new letting in December to leading law firm Lewis Silkin, which has taken 7,900 sq ft of fully fitted and furnished workspace, advised by JLL. The plug-and-play second floor workspace provides a ready-to-occupy environment, complete with meeting rooms, client lounge, kitchen breakout space and extensive desk provision. Sally Hulston, Partner and Head of Manchester Office, Lewis Silkin said: “It’s just over three years since Lewis Silkin opened in Manchester, and I’m proud to say that we’ve outgrown our office space for the third time. We’ve taken a 10-year lease on our space at Trinity, demonstrating our long-term commitment to the city. The facilities and location are excellent, and we’ve got plenty of room to grow into, which is exactly what we need as we continue to add to the team.” In addition, leading chartered accountants and business advisers Saffery Champness has expanded its presence within the building, taking an additional 2,600 sq ft of space on the sixth floor as part of its continued growth in Manchester, taking total space occupied to 6,800 sq ft. These latest deals underline Trinity’s continued appeal to professional services occupiers seeking high-quality, centrally located workspace in Manchester. Trinity provides fully fitted and furnished Grade A workspace, centred around a prominent double-height reception with concierge service and the on-site 92 Degrees café. The all-electric building benefits from VRF air conditioning, LED lighting, showers, basement parking and cycle hub. Matt Shufflebottom, Director, CBRE’s Office agency team in Manchester commented: “These lettings represent a major milestone for Trinity. We were delighted to be appointed as sole agents by Swiss Life Asset Managers, and to reach full occupancy for the first time since the building was redeveloped is a fantastic result for all involved, and testament to the investment made by the Landlord. The commitment made by all 3 occupiers reflects the continued demand for well-located, high quality workspace, particularly fitted and furnished.” CBRE acted as sole advisor to Swiss Life Asset Managers on the lettings at Trinity Building, while JLL advised Lewis Silkin and Savills advised Saffery Champness. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Trafford Council has approved plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi‑use event space at TraffordCity, Manchester; marking a major milestone for the region’s leisure and sports offering. The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will feature state‑of‑the‑art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, and a flexible event space designed to host a wide range of entertainment and community activities. The development’s anchor tenant will be Planet Ice and will become one of their largest venues in the UK. Located on the former Soccer Dome site, adjacent to The Snow Centre, Trafford Golf Centre, David Lloyd, Fives Soccer, iFLY and The Padel Club, the arena will further strengthen TraffordCity’s position as the UK’s leading leisure destination. The project is being developed by ICITIES in partnership with Peel Waters, who have cleared the site to enable future leisure developments. The new arena will offer year-round ice activities, lessons and sessions, alongside premium hospitality experiences with future tenants offering family dining, bars, leisure and VIP areas. Designed with versatility in mind, the venue will also host concerts, screenings and immersive experiences, creating a dynamic destination for visitors. The decision follows a strong period of momentum for the TraffordCity area, which is currently experiencing a wave of transformational development activity. Work has now commenced on the £450million Therme Manchester wellness resort – an ambitious, next‑generation health and wellbeing destination set to include extensive indoor and outdoor pools, thermal experiences, botanical gardens, water-based family attractions, fitness and wellbeing facilities, and a diverse F&B offer. The project will be one of the most advanced wellbeing resorts in Europe and a flagship addition to TraffordCity. Meanwhile, Trafford Waters Care Home, the first residential development within the emerging Trafford Waters neighbourhood within TraffordCity, has now completed – marking the delivery of the first new homes on the site and establishing a key anchor for the growing mixed-use community. With planning now secured for the TraffordCity Arena, Peel Waters is actively exploring further development opportunities for adjacent plots on the former Soccer Dome site. These could include high-end lifestyle hotels as well as more exciting leisure and sporting experiences, providing new opportunities for partners and operators looking to join the UK’s most successful leisure destination. The TraffordCity Arena is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the region. Peel Waters’ long-term vision for TraffordCity has already created 17,500 jobs, with plans to increase this to 33,000 over the next 20 years. The new arena will contribute to this growth by generating construction roles during the build phase and more than 50 permanent operational jobs once open, including hospitality, event management and leisure services. With the increasing popularity of ice sports, the development is forecasted to attract a significant number of new visitors annually, boosting the local visitor economy and driving further investment into Trafford and Greater Manchester. This influx of visitors will also benefit surrounding businesses and leisure attractions, reinforcing TraffordCity’s position as a premier destination for sport and entertainment. James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, said: “Securing planning approval for the TraffordCity Ice Arena is fantastic news for the area. This is a significant step in delivering our vision for TraffordCity as a destination that offers something for everyone. The new arena will provide world-class ice facilities and enhance our growing portfolio of sport and leisure experiences; attracting new visitors, investment and employment opportunities to the region.” Nick Payne, Director of ICITIES, commented: “This approval allows us to move forward with creating a truly unique venue. Our design combines professional ice facilities with flexible spaces for non-ice events, ensuring the arena can serve a wide range of uses and audiences. The design includes approximately 20,000 sq. Ft of ancillary space for tenants offering complementary food, beverage and leisure facilities.” Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “Trafford Council is committed to the regeneration of the area and this project will bring a number of important benefits to the borough including the creation of 50 permanent jobs.” Heath Rhodes, Chief Operations Manager at Planet Ice, added: “As Planet Ice enters its 30th year, we’re delighted to see planning permission granted for this landmark project. Demand for ice facilities in the North West continues to grow, and this arena will help meet that need while delivering first class amenities for visitors. TraffordCity is the perfect location, with excellent transport links and complementary leisure attractions.” The contractors will be announced in the new year, with construction expected to begin in spring 2026 and an estimated build time of 12–15 months. Once complete, the arena will become a key part of Peel Waters’ long‑term vision for TraffordCity – to create an exciting, inclusive destination for sport, leisure and entertainment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major £500m mixed-use regeneration project close to London’s King’s Cross knowledge quarter has been given the green light, paving the way for hundreds of new homes and substantial employment space. The development, led by Camden Council in partnership with Ballymore and Lateral, will transform a complex site at Camley Street, bordered by railway lines and split by a major road. Delivered through the Council’s Community Investment Programme, the scheme is being positioned as a model for how local authorities can unlock challenging inner-city locations. Planning approval covers the unification of two brownfield sites to provide 401 new homes alongside more than 350,000 sq ft of office and employment space. Around half of the homes will be classed as genuinely affordable. The scheme will be built across six buildings ranging in height from eight to 30 storeys. Site A will be led by Camden as developer and will feature three interconnected mixed-use residential blocks, designed in terracotta and red brick, rising between eight and 13 storeys. Site B will accommodate a 30-storey residential tower, a 12-storey commercial building, and an eight-storey mixed-use block with homes above ground-floor commercial space. Under the agreed structure, Camden is providing the land on a long leasehold basis to the joint venture. While Ballymore will oversee demolition works on Site B, the Council will initially fund these works, with costs later reimbursed through partner contributions and the first land receipt payment. More than 200 private-sale homes delivered by Ballymore will generate capital receipts, which Camden plans to reinvest into the delivery of social housing on Site A and other Community Investment Programme projects. The proposals are rooted in a landscape-led approach, prioritising walking and cycling routes, public squares and play spaces designed to enhance health, wellbeing and biodiversity. A car-free strategy will improve connections to Regent’s Canal and protect future links to the proposed Camden Highline, reflecting a broader national shift towards low-car, active-travel neighbourhoods. Camden Council estimates the development will create more than 1,000 job and training opportunities, including apprenticeships and school placements. These are intended to open pathways into life science, technology and digital careers for local residents, while maximising the wider economic benefits of the scheme. The first homes are expected to be ready for occupation by late 2030. The project team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Morris + Company, with Hoare Lea providing MEP services and Aecom and Gardiner & Theobald acting as cost consultants. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NatWest has today announced a new package of £10 billion of funding to the UK social housing sector before the end of 2028, which when deployed will bring the total funding to social housing in the UK to over £35 billion* since 2018. Through this new ambition, the bank is aiming to support the delivery and maintenance of social housing in the UK, which is vital to the people and families who rely on affordable housing, as well as the wider economy. NatWest has worked with not-for-profit housing associations across the UK to support their growth and development plans building homes and communities for many years. Recent government commitments will help unlock development and speed up delivery. In response, NatWest is committing billions in funding to housing associations, to help enable the development of high quality homes across the UK and support economic growth. The bank also confirmed it has now provided more than £25 billion of funding into the social housing sector since 2018, helping to create and sustain affordable homes nationwide. NatWest aims to support the delivery and upkeep of social housing across the UK, helping housing associations build new homes, upgrade existing properties, and improve living conditions. Some of this lending can help fund energy efficiency and environmental improvements, including retrofit projects. Other funding can help the housing associations sector to deliver a pipeline of new homes and improve living conditions in existing properties. Paul Thwaite, CEO NatWest Group comments: “We are incredibly proud to announce the early achievement of our £7.5 billion UK social housing lending ambition. Delivering this milestone a full year ahead of schedule demonstrates our commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives by investing in the homes and communities that need it most, and shows the demand in the market. “Reaching this lending ambition early has enabled us to set a new target of £10 billion to year-end 2028, so we can continue to provide social housing lending and play our part in supporting the development and availability of affordable and social rent homes across the UK.” Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This government is backing a step change in affordable housing to end the housing crisis, with £39 billion for a new social and affordable homes programme and 10 year rent certainty for the sector. “NatWest’s investment will be vital in helping housing associations deliver thousands of affordable homes for families priced out of home ownership, building an economy that works for and rewards working people.” The announcement forms part of the bank’s new five point Growing Together plan, setting out how the bank will help build the conditions for UK wide growth: backing powerful regions, championing mid-market companies, strengthening the country’s infrastructure and housing foundations, boosting financial confidence amongst families and young people, and supporting the innovators shaping the future economy. Drawing on its regional footprint, expertise and convening power, the bank aims to bring businesses, communities, and policymakers together to tackle structural barriers, unlock productivity and spread opportunity across the UK. Recent research from Shelter revealed that 382,618 people are homeless in England – including 175,025 children. And the number of people officially recorded as homeless has risen by 8% in one year. According to Shelter, the shortage of social homes, unaffordable private rents and the freeze on housing benefit are pushing more people into homelessness and trapping them there. With limited pathways into secure, affordable homes, many people risk becoming stuck in temporary accommodation intended for short-term use, for months or even years. Over 90% of the people recorded as homeless – including 84,240 families – are in temporary accommodation. In addition to these commitments, last year NatWest announced several other initiatives and partnerships that have complemented and contributed to our social housing lending ambition being achieved. These include a financial guarantee of up to £400 million from the National Wealth Fund to cover a series of new loans from NatWest to registered providers of social housing stock in the UK. The bank also launched a new social rent loan product to support housing associations, which are already NatWest customers, to support the construction of social rent houses across the UK. In December 2025, this fund was doubled to £1 billion in response to strong demand and to help continue the delivery of homes for social rent across the country. These initiatives complement NatWest’s ongoing dedication to supporting communities and helping to address the housing crisis. VIVID secures £100m from NatWest as part of landmark £500m social loan fund In November 2025, UK housing association VIVID, secured £100 million in funding from NatWest as part of the bank’s social loan fund, designed to support the delivery of homes for social rent across the country. VIVID was the first to draw down funds from this. The facility offers discounted interest margins and no arrangement fees, meaning housing associations could save significant sums in finance costs and reinvest those savings into building and improving homes for those who need them most. These homes for social rent are expected to help ease the shortage of social homes, support vibrant local communities, and the funding should give VIVID the flexibility to keep building where it matters most. It will go towards building an additional 450 new social rent homes for more customers and comes with a 10-year loan term, providing stability for long-term investment. David Ball, Chief Financial Officer at VIVID, said: “NatWest’s new social rent loan product gives housing associations the financial flexibility to build more homes at social rent levels. The overall rate discount being offered is an innovative step change that shows NatWest’s commitment to supporting the Government’s Social Rent led agenda.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Enva, a leading recycling and resource recovery specialist, has signed a pre-let on a new 124,000 sq ft fridge recycling facility at Goodman’s Crossways Commercial Park in Dartford, Kent. The state-of-the-art development will enable 35,000 tonnes of e-waste (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), equivalent to the weight of three Tower Bridges, to be processed each year, increasing Enva’s recycling capacity across London and the South East, while providing a UK-wide service for its customers. Set to complete in late 2026, it will be the largest facility of its type and one of the most innovative fridge recycling plants in the UK. Benefitting from 2MVA of power and an additional 678kWp of rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV), it has been designed to support the latest degassing, shredding and recycling technologies. This will enable over 98% of fridge components to be recovered for reuse or transformed off-site into new manufacturing materials. Barry Phillips, Managing Director at Enva, said: “This new facility demonstrates a continued commitment to delivering our long-term growth strategy. By investing in the latest technology to safely and sustainably process end-of-life fridges, this facility will help us create significant environmental and commercial value for our customers and support a more resource-efficient and circular economy.” Enva will join Albion Fine Foods, a premium ingredients supplier, and Mission Produce, a global leader in the distribution of avocados, at Crossways Commercial Park. Located minutes from J1a of the M25, its strategic location provides excellent South East coverage, while placing a large available workforce within easy reach. George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman said: “Whether customers are looking to expand their operations or drive efficiencies in their supply chains, Crossways Commercial Park provides high-quality, flexible space that can meet their needs over the long term. Set within a well-established logistics park, it also offers an attractive working environment with extensive landscaping and views across the River Thames and surrounding lakes. “This new facility will enable Enva to significantly increase its operational capacity and with sustainability at the heart of its business, invest in innovative, high-tech solutions to maximise resource recovery.” Now under construction, Phase 2 at Crossways Commercial Park will deliver a total of 320,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space across three units. Designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards and A+ energy performance ratings, the properties will offer highly sustainable space that reduces energy use and supports customers with long-term operational cost savings. To find out more about Crossways Commercial Park and the final leasing opportunities available, please visit the website for further details: https://uk.goodman.com/property-lease-site/crossways-commercial-park Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to transform a landmark Art Deco office building in the City of London into a major new hotel have been approved, unlocking the future of a long-vacant heritage asset. Developer Dominus, working in partnership with Cheyne Capital, will convert Ibex House into a 382-key full-service hotel. The Grade II-listed building, located at 42–47 The Minories, dates from 1935 to 1937 and is widely recognised as one of the City’s most distinctive Art Deco commercial buildings, positioned close to Aldgate, Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill. The approved scheme will see the former office space repositioned as a high-quality hotel designed by Studio Moren, with a strong focus on retention, reuse and heritage-led regeneration. Plans preserve the entire existing substructure and around 90 per cent of the superstructure, significantly reducing embodied carbon while allowing key historic elements to be restored. More than 50,000 sq ft of public space will be created, including a large conference centre featuring a ballroom and flexible meeting facilities. The proposals also include a new café and the restoration and reopening of the historic Peacock pub at ground level, re-establishing it as an active part of the local streetscape. The development will also introduce an on-site Hospitality Academy, delivered in partnership with Springboard, aimed at training local residents and supporting people facing barriers to employment. The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2028 and will be operated by Dominus’ in-house hotel platform as it continues to expand its central London portfolio. Preet Ahluwalia, chief executive officer at Dominus, said the scheme would bring a long-unused building back into productive use while celebrating and preserving its Art Deco character. The wider professional team includes Iceni Projects, Meinhardt Group, Spacehub, Pell Frischmann, Montagu Evans and Concilio. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sefton Council has appointed Vinci Building as its preferred contractor for the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, bringing momentum to a project that has faced previous delays. Vinci Building has now signed a pre-construction services agreement with the council and will work alongside the project team over the coming months to prepare the waterfront scheme for delivery. The appointment follows unsuccessful negotiations with Kier and John Graham Construction last year, making Vinci the third contractor to be lined up for the scheme. The Marine Lake Events Centre is planned as a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting entertainment, conferences and major events. It will replace the former Southport Theatre with a new 1,200-seat auditorium alongside exhibition and flexible event space. While the main construction contract has yet to be signed, Sefton Council said full works are expected to start later in 2026. Significant enabling works have already been completed, including the demolition of the old theatre building and extensive sheet piling along the lakefront to create new retaining walls. The council and Vinci Building are already partners on the Bootle Strand regeneration project, providing a foundation for collaboration on the Southport scheme. Council leader Marion Atkinson said the authority was confident in the appointment, citing a shared vision and commitment to delivering a complex and ambitious project. She added that the new venue would create jobs, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and provide a world-class events destination for the borough and the wider Liverpool City Region, delivering long-term economic and cultural benefits. Vinci Building regional director Gary Hughes described the project as a flagship opportunity for the contractor. He said the appointment would allow Vinci to work closely with local businesses and the Southport community, with benefits expected both during construction and long after completion as the council’s ambition to attract major events to the town takes shape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Laing O’Rourke has been appointed as main contractor for a major new £250m cancer centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The project has moved a significant step forward after funding was formally confirmed by the UK Government and the New Hospitals Programme. Once complete, the new facility will serve as a regional Centre of Excellence for cancer care, supporting patients across Brighton & Hove and the wider Sussex area. The scheme builds on the successful completion of the neighbouring The Louisa Martindale Building, also delivered by Laing O’Rourke, reinforcing the contractor’s ongoing role at the hospital campus. Peter Lyons, Managing Director at Laing O’Rourke, said the project would be transformative for both patients and staff. He highlighted the company’s extensive experience in hospital delivery, noting that lessons learned from previous healthcare schemes would be used to improve safety, efficiency and build quality. The contractor plans to draw on digital design, offsite manufacturing and its integrated supply chain to streamline construction while reducing disruption for local residents. These methods are expected to support faster, safer delivery while maintaining a high-quality clinical environment. The new cancer centre is set to play a central role in the future of specialist care in Sussex, offering modern facilities designed to enhance patient experience and create a better working environment for healthcare professionals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest Barclays Business Prosperity Index report1 reveals that despite affordability pressures, regulatory challenges and financial caution, four in five businesses (83 per cent) operating in housebuilding and its supply chains remain confident about their outlook for the year ahead. Barclays’ anonymised client data from around 70,000 UK businesses, combined with research from 500 industry leaders1 and 2000 consumers2, also shows strengthening activity at the start of the development pipeline, sustained buyer demand for new-build homes and a major uplift in planned investment. Key findings from the Barclays Business Prosperity Index include: Sector investment and innovation gathers pace Talent, skills and AI are all becoming major investment focus areas. Four in 10 (40 per cent) businesses with skills shortages are investing in new construction methods to reduce manual labour, alongside developing early career schemes (39 per cent), and focusing on training and upskilling (36 per cent). Meanwhile the average intended AI investment of £441,281 reflects growing demand for AI assisted design and planning (37 per cent), renewable and energy efficient materials (36 per cent), business management automation software (35 per cent) and building information modelling (29 per cent). Momentum is particularly strong in Electronics, where intended AI spend exceeds £500,000, while trades such as Plumbing (£380,000), Carpentry (£347,320) and Painting & Decorating (£328,371) signal smaller, though material allocations. Future Homes Standard: A top priority but confidence in readiness lags Nearly all firms (98 per cent) say aligning with the Government’s Future Homes Standard is a priority for the next 12 months, yet 82 per cent express concern about their readiness. Key areas where support is most needed include installing low carbon heating systems (21 per cent), applying the new Home Energy Model (20 per cent) and meeting updated ventilation standards (18 per cent). Despite this, businesses are taking proactive steps, with 30 per cent investing in specialist equipment, training and technology to boost compliance. Strong Gen Z new-build appetite despite affordability pressures A quarter of homeowners (25 per cent) report they live in a new-build property. This rises amongst first-time buyers, with nearly half (47 per cent) of those who bought their first home in the past year opting for a new‑build property. New properties are most popular amongst Gen Z (61 per cent of homeowners) with desirable location named as the top driver of purchases (28 per cent). A fifth (20 per cent) cited favourable mortgage terms, such as higher loan-to-value ratio, and 17 per cent also reported energy efficiency as a major reason for buying new. This comes as young people report improving, but significant affordability challenges, as 61 per cent of Gen Z hoping to buy a home in the next 12 months said that mortgage rates have a bigger impact on affordability than house prices themselves. Despite strong buyer demand, there are still barriers to building. A quarter (25 per cent) of housebuilders report high construction costs as a major barrier, followed by rising inflation, cost of raw materials and meeting the requirements of the Future Homes Standard (all 19 per cent). Location, location, location Over the next 12 months, new-build property developers expect that consumers’ desire for customisation options, such as layout and finishes, to have the greatest impact on their approach (31 per cent), followed by expectations for upgraded digital infrastructure including high speed broadband (27 per cent). However, consumers report slightly different priorities. When surveyed about which features most influence their choice of property, the top factor was access to gardens or communal green spaces (42 per cent), followed by proximity to transport hubs (31 per cent) and proximity to parks or countryside (30 per cent). Just 17 per cent named digital infrastructure as a key influence, and just 11 per cent cited customisation. Jason Constable, Head of Real Estate, Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “The level of innovation we’re seeing across the industry from larger developers to specialist trades is encouraging, with businesses investing in technology, skills and modern construction methods to boost productivity. “These innovations, combined with stronger consumer demand for new-builds, present a significant opportunity for housebuilders. While affordability and planning delays still pose challenges, the underlying strength of demand points to clear potential for growth as market conditions stabilise.” John Ainsworth, Head of Real Estate, Barclays Business Banking, added: “Activity is generally subdued among SME housebuilders, with nearly three in 10 expecting no increase in output in the year ahead. Yet SMEs are working hard to overcome skills shortages and regulatory alignment, with their resilience coming through strongly as they show confidence in their future success. “If the industry is to hit the Government’s target and build the much-needed homes of the future, it’s vital we continue to support the scaleup of smaller regional players. At Barclays we are committed to providing the external finance needed to scale via our Business Prosperity Fund.” The Barclays Business Prosperity Fund is available to new and existing Business Banking and Corporate Banking clients across the UK to apply for lending and refinancing on existing projects. Terms and conditions apply. Businesses can read the full Barclays Business Prosperity Index Housebuilding report and find out more about the Business Prosperity Fund at home.barclays/businessprosperity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Acero Construction is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Thompson as Non-Executive Director, effective 1 February 2026, further strengthening the company’s board with significant sector expertise and strategic leadership experience. Bob brings a wealth of knowledge from across the construction and piling industries, having held senior leadership roles within leading organisations. His appointment reflects Acero Construction’s commitment to sustainable growth and to supporting its clients through high-quality, independent support services, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement across the business. In his role as Non-Executive Director, Bob will act in an advisory capacity, working alongside the board and senior leadership team to support Acero Construction’s long-term strategic growth plans, governance, organisational development, and the continued advancement of innovative solutions that add value for clients and partners. Welcoming the appointment, Karl Nelson, Founder and Managing Director of Acero Construction, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Bob to Acero Construction. He brings a strong understanding of the construction sector and of business at the highest level, along with first-hand experience of what clients value and expect from a support partner like Acero. As we continue to innovate and improve the way we work, Bob’s experience and practical insight will be a real asset to the business and to our people.” Commenting on his appointment, Bob Thompson said: “I am delighted to be joining Acero Construction as a Non-Executive Director. Acero has built a strong reputation for its values-led approach, with a clear focus on people, culture, and doing the right thing for clients and partners. Returning to the piling industry via Acero allows me to indirectly support my many former colleagues without the potential to be in competition with them. Acero’s position as an independent support services provider is clear and essential, and I look forward to supporting the Acero team to maintain this ethos as the business continues to grow.” The board at Acero Construction welcomed Bob’s appointment, noting that his experience, insight, and understanding of the industry will be a valuable addition as the company continues to expand its services, embrace innovation, and strengthen its role as a trusted partner within the construction and piling sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals