Taylor Wimpey North Thames has now launched its new 191-home Rose Meadows development in Chiswell Green. The development will bring a range of three, four and five-bedroom homes to the community with prices starting from £665,000, providing a wide selection of house types to cater to a range of buyers
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is helping to address the construction industry’s skills shortage by investing in the next generation of talent through a programme of careers events and practical skills workshops across the North East. Throughout the academic year, Keepmoat’s North East social value team, based in Newcastle, has
A joint venture partnership between McLaughlin & Harvey and Boskalis Westminster has completed a major land reclamation project at the Port of Dover. The £53m Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) Stage 3B project commenced in 2024 and involved the reclamation of land within the Wick Channel, Tidal Basin marinas and Granville Dock. McLaughlin
Luceco Group, the leading designer and manufacturer of residential and commercial electrification products and systems, has announced the appointment of Dr Thorsten Müller as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 September 2026. Thorsten brings extensive experience leading global industrial technology businesses, across lighting, electrification and energy management sectors. Most
Workman LLP has strengthened its retail and leisure property management business with the appointment of Matthew Gioia as a partner, marking his return to the firm where he began his property career 16 years ago. Gioia will co-lead Workman’s London retail and leisure team alongside partner Chris Church, with responsibility
Yorkshire housebuilder Newett Homes has appointed Zoe Wheatley as sales and marketing director, recognising the significant contribution she has made since joining the business. With 22 years of industry experience, Zoe began her career as a sales executive before progressing through a range of senior roles. She joined the Wetherby-based
A new guide to help construction clients better understand their responsibilities under Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act has been published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The free guide is aimed at anyone commissioning building work on behalf of a business, public body, charity or other non-domestic
As students receive their GCSE results today, many will be deciding whether to continue studying or to begin their careers via an apprenticeship. Nicola Hodkinson, owner and director at Seddon, warns that the shortage of apprenticeship places risks excluding young people who are ready to begin careers in construction. All
Landsec has secured planning approval for a major reset of its £1 billion O2 Centre regeneration in North London, unlocking revised plans for up to 1,800 homes alongside new retail, workspace, leisure and public spaces. Camden Council has approved changes to the 14-acre Finchley Road masterplan after the original proposals
Five-year strategy records a 33% reduction in carbon emissions, £153m social return on investment and major advances in resource efficiency and responsible sourcing Leading contractor Sir Robert McAlpine has announced the release of its new sustainability impact report, revealing how action across the business has delivered significant reductions in carbon
Taylor Wimpey North Thames has now launched its new 191-home Rose Meadows development in Chiswell Green. The development will bring a range of three, four and five-bedroom homes to the community with prices starting from £665,000, providing a wide selection of house types to cater to a range of buyers from first-time buyers to growing families. The offering also includes 76 affordable homes. Rose Meadows will also comprise six self-build plots, as well as green open space, play areas and wildlife habitats. Taylor Wimpey’s development is part of a larger community that will eventually comprise up to 391 new homes and land for a new primary school. Each home at Rose Meadows will feature PV panels, triple glazing, smart heating, and EV charging to keep energy bills low and to allow for a sustainable lifestyle Paresh Pandya, Senior Sales Manager for Taylor Wimpey North Thames, said: “We are pleased to have launched our Chiswell Green development, Rose Meadows. Over 1,500 househunters registered their interest in the development before its launch, and we invite anyone looking to make a move to the area to get in touch with our friendly sales team to find out about the offers and incentives available to avoid disappointment.” To find out more about Rose Meadows, please visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/st-albans/rose-meadows. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is helping to address the construction industry’s skills shortage by investing in the next generation of talent through a programme of careers events and practical skills workshops across the North East. Throughout the academic year, Keepmoat’s North East social value team, based in Newcastle, has worked with local schools, colleges, apprentices and prospective employees, engaging more than 900 young people across the region and providing opportunities to gain practical insight into careers in construction. A key part of the programme has been delivered through Keepmoat’s National House Building Council (NHBC) Training Hub at New Tyne West Development Company’sThe Rise development in Scotswood. The facility provides a dedicated space for apprenticeships, construction careers days, recruitment events and practical training, giving participants the opportunity to see how the skills they are developing translate into real-world construction projects. A new cohort of bricklaying apprentices recently began their careers with an intensive block of training at the hub, covering the fundamentals of bricklaying, health and safety and the process of obtaining Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards. The training hub has also welcomed groundwork apprentices from Wearmouth Construction and Applebridge, who visited The Rise development to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their vocation. Geoff Scott, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat North East, explains: “At Keepmoat, we’re proud to support the next generation of young talent across the North East in preparing for long-term career opportunities they’re passionate about. We also understand the construction industry faces a skills shortage, which is why it’s so important that we empower students early and help them understand the breadth of opportunities available. “By collaborating with local schools and colleges, we are able to help students prepare for the world of work. These partnerships allow Keepmoat to offer tailored opportunities where students can visit live sites and gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.” Keepmoat has also worked alongside NHBC to connect prospective apprentices and members of the local community with employers. At a recent recruitment day, members of the public, prospective apprentices and supply chain employers visited the hub to learn more about opportunities in construction and see current Keepmoat apprentices put their developing bricklaying skills into practice. Darryl Stewart, Head of Commercial Services at NHBC added: “We’re committed to helping the home-building industry bridge the skills gap and believe strongly in working in partnership with developers to deliver training. “The UK faces a housing crisis and it’s essential we build more quality homes at pace – that’s why we’re investing £100 million to train up to 3,000 new apprentices every year and are creating 12 new multi skill training hubs across the UK. “The NHBC Training Hub at The Rise development in Scotswood is an effective, collaborative partnership with Keepmoat designed to immerse apprentices in a realistic working environment. This initiative is equipping the next generation of skilled site workers with hands-on experience to meet the growing demand in the home-building industry.” New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) is the regeneration partnership – comprising Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat – behind The Rise development, in Scotswood. The partnership has plans to build 1,800 mixed-tenure homes in the west end of the city and has, to date, delivered over 750 new homes. Works on the latest phase of housing started last year. Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK. To date, almost 70 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more please visit: www.keepmoat.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A joint venture partnership between McLaughlin & Harvey and Boskalis Westminster has completed a major land reclamation project at the Port of Dover. The £53m Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) Stage 3B project commenced in 2024 and involved the reclamation of land within the Wick Channel, Tidal Basin marinas and Granville Dock. McLaughlin & Harvey was awarded principal contractor on the project. The transformative scheme created 10 hectares of new port land and required the placement of nearly 900,000 cubic metres of infill material to raise the dock bed to approximately 0.5m below the level of the existing quay walls. Work undertaken under the scope of the project included the removal of pontoons, gangways and associated equipment from within Tidal Basin and Granville Dock, together with the demolition of some of the existing quay wall structures, including the North Pier and the Ferry Jetty. New utility and road infrastructure was installed throughout the project area. This included substantial drainage works and a complex stormwater pumping station. Seamus Devlin, Managing Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “Our history of delivering maritime and port infrastructure projects meant we were well placed to undertake this complex programme of works and we’re delighted to have completed the project with minimal disruption to the public and tenants. “Working closely with the Port of Dover, Boskalis Westminster and other stakeholders, the project team successfully delivered significant reclamation and infrastructure works, including extensive temporary works. “We are proud to have played a role in this ambitious revival project which will support the future transformation of Dover’s waterfront.” Paul Maurice de Jong, Managing Director at Boskalis Westminster, said: “The successful completion of this project demonstrates the strength of collaboration between the Port of Dover, McLaughlin & Harvey and Boskalis Westminster. We are proud to have delivered the land reclamation works and associated soil-improvement that will support the Port’s long-term growth and future development, helping to create new opportunities for one of the UK’s most important maritime gateways.” The Port of Dover is Britain’s busiest port, with the Western Docks containing the cruise terminal, EU Entry Exit facilities and newly renovated cargo and marina facilities. The Western Docks Revival project has created land for future development, supporting the Port of Dover in delivering its 2050 masterplan. McLaughlin & Harvey is a leading construction and civil engineering contractor that specialises in complex port, harbour, and marine infrastructure across the UK and Ireland. Its expertise includes quay wall construction, dredging, terminal development, and Ro-Ro facility upgrades, working frequently in live environments to support the offshore wind, ferry, and fishing industries. Royal Boskalis is a leading global dredging, maritime infrastructure, and marine services company. With a fleet of around 400 vessels and over 11,000 employees, Boskalis delivers innovative solutions for coastal protection, land reclamation, offshore energy, port infrastructure, and marine salvage projects worldwide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Luceco Group, the leading designer and manufacturer of residential and commercial electrification products and systems, has announced the appointment of Dr Thorsten Müller as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 September 2026. Thorsten brings extensive experience leading global industrial technology businesses, across lighting, electrification and energy management sectors. Most recently, he was Divisional Chief Executive in the Safety Sector at Halma plc. Prior to joining Halma in 2022, he held senior leadership roles at ABB, Osram and Bosch. Giles Brand, Chair of Luceco, said: “We are thrilled that Thorsten will be joining Luceco as Chief Executive Officer. Thorsten has a proven track record of delivering growth and innovation at industry leading technology companies serving the lighting, electrification and energy management segments. He brings all the necessary skills and experience to drive the continued execution of our strategy.” Dr Thorsten Müller commented: “I am truly excited to be joining Luceco as Chief Executive. Luceco is a business of real quality, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the strong foundations that the Luceco team have built. Luceco’s premier brands, market-leading positions and exceptional people give me firm confidence in the core of the business, while the energy transition offers significant further upside that Luceco is exceptionally well placed to capture.” The appointment comes at a time of continued positive momentum for Luceco, with the Group reporting a strong performance for H1 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Workman LLP has strengthened its retail and leisure property management business with the appointment of Matthew Gioia as a partner, marking his return to the firm where he began his property career 16 years ago. Gioia will co-lead Workman’s London retail and leisure team alongside partner Chris Church, with responsibility for a number of key client relationships as the property specialist continues to invest in its retail and leisure capabilities. The appointment brings Gioia back to Workman following extensive experience across the UK commercial property sector. He originally joined the company’s Manchester office through its graduate scheme before moving to Savills, where he spent four years. He subsequently joined MAPP and has spent the past eight years with the business, helping to lead its retail team and developing significant experience in the management of retail property and client portfolios. His return comes at an important time for the retail and leisure property market, with owners and asset managers increasingly focused on creating well-managed, commercially resilient destinations capable of responding to changing occupier and customer requirements. Gareth Soar, partner at Workman LLP, said: “Matthew joins a team that’s already delivering great results for our retail and leisure clients, and he brings a wealth of experience in the sector to the role. “His appointment reflects our continued investment in specialist talent, and I’m confident he’ll play a key part in helping the team grow and continue to deliver a great service for our clients.” Gioia added: “It’s great to be back at Workman. The firm has grown considerably since I left, but that focus on doing things properly is still very much at the heart of how the team works. “I’m looking forward to working alongside Chris and the wider team, and to putting my experience to work for our clients.” The appointment adds further senior-level expertise to Workman’s retail and leisure property management operation, with Gioia’s experience across different property businesses providing a strong platform to support existing clients and the team’s future growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire housebuilder Newett Homes has appointed Zoe Wheatley as sales and marketing director, recognising the significant contribution she has made since joining the business. With 22 years of industry experience, Zoe began her career as a sales executive before progressing through a range of senior roles. She joined the Wetherby-based developer as sales and marketing manager in May 2025 and was promoted to head of sales in August the same year. As sales and marketing director, she will now lead the company’s sales and marketing strategy, driving the sales team to achieve its targets and support the wider objectives of the business. Zoe’s responsibilities also include raising brand awareness of Newett Homes’ product and its developments, overseeing all aspects of marketing, and ensuring customers continue to receive an exceptional level of service. Commenting on her new position, Zoe, said: “Newett Homes is an ambitious organisation with a fantastic product, and I’m delighted to have been recognised for my part in driving its success. “I am excited to build on our strengths, raise standards across sales and marketing, and help the business achieve its growth plans while continuing to enhance the brand and customer experience.” Established in 2017, Newett Homes is an award-winning housebuilder dedicated to delivering quality-led homes in hand-picked locations. Employing over 70 people, the business currently has 10 active developments, supported by a growing land pipeline. In April the housebuilder marked a significant step in its growth strategy by acquiring a seven-acre greenfield site in Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire, which is its first development site outside Yorkshire. In March 2026, it was awarded its first five-star rating from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) recognising the businesses continued commitment to excellence in build quality and outstanding customer experience. Newett Homes chief executive, Will Newett, said: “Zoe has made a considerable impact on the business since joining us and has demonstrated the leadership, expertise and drive needed to take our sales and marketing function forward. “Her commitment to developing the team, strengthening our brand and delivering an outstanding experience for our customers will be invaluable as we continue to expand and I look forward to working closely with her as we deliver the next stage of our growth plans.” For more information about Newett Homes visit https://newetthomes.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new guide to help construction clients better understand their responsibilities under Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act has been published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The free guide is aimed at anyone commissioning building work on behalf of a business, public body, charity or other non-domestic organisation. It clearly sets out a client’s legal duties under the Building Safety Act 2022, as well as helping identify which projects are and are not subject to Building Regulations. The guide also includes a checklist clients are recommended to follow in advance of each project, which covers checking the competence of experts, confirming processes for managing compliance and checking if their project is categorised as a high-risk building. Ayo Allu, Chair of CIOB’s Client Steering Group, said: “As a client your role is no longer simply to commission construction work. You should help ensure it is properly planned, managed and delivered in compliance with the Building Regulations, keeping in mind the decisions you make before and during the project influence safety, quality and compliance. “You are not expected to be a technical expert. However, you are expected to make informed decisions, appoint competent people, provide necessary information to your contractor and estate manager, maintain records and remain engaged throughout the project. “It is not uncommon for projects to be derailed when clients are unaware of the level of involvement they need to have and only realise when it’s too late. By empowering clients to make good decisions from the outset and fulfil their legal obligations, their relationships with their contractors are likely to be easier and their projects more successful.” To download the new guide visit CIOB Building Regulations August 2026.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As students receive their GCSE results today, many will be deciding whether to continue studying or to begin their careers via an apprenticeship. Nicola Hodkinson, owner and director at Seddon, warns that the shortage of apprenticeship places risks excluding young people who are ready to begin careers in construction. All comments below are authored by Nicola Hodkinson – Owner and director of Seddon “For young people receiving their GCSE results today, this should be a moment of opportunity. But those hoping to begin their careers through an apprenticeship may quickly discover that the route we encourage them to pursue is extremely difficult to access. “At Seddon, we receive thousands of applications for our apprenticeship scheme each year, around 100 for every role. These are young people who want to work, develop practical skills and build long-term careers. Yet there are simply not enough places available to give them that chance. Demand is far outstripping supply “The wider picture is just as concerning. Data reported by the BBC shows that applications for degree apprenticeships through the government’s central platform have risen from 8,100 to 21,800 in three years, while the number of available positions has fallen from 7,300 to 3,700. Although those figures relate specifically to degree apprenticeships, they expose the same gap between young people’s ambitions and the opportunities available to them. “The latest government figures show apprenticeship starts increasing by 8.7% overall, but starts among under-19s fell by 5.4%. Construction apprenticeship starts rose by 5%, which is encouraging, but progress needs to happen much faster if apprenticeships are to become a realistic option for more school leavers. Desperate need for construction skills “This is particularly frustrating because construction desperately needs them. CITB estimates that the industry will require an average of 41,200 additional workers every year between 2026 and 2030. Construction cannot keep complaining about its skills shortage while young people who want to join the industry are being turned away. “Employers have to accept their share of the responsibility. Too much of the industry still relies on a flexible or self-employed workforce and expects somebody else to train the next generation. That may meet an immediate labour need, but it leaves young people without routes into the sector and weakens the workforce we will all depend on in future. Practical steps for creating more places – industry and government responsibility “There are genuine barriers for employers. Training an apprentice is a long-term commitment that involves wages, equipment, structured learning and experienced people dedicating time to passing on their skills. Yet there is very little funding available to employers to offset these wider costs, and what support does exist can be difficult to access, with layers of red tape that many businesses simply do not have the resources to navigate. “The government is beginning to recognise this. The introduction of a £2,000 hiring payment for smaller employers taking on young apprentices is a welcome step, as is the decision to give jobs, skills and apprenticeships greater weight in major public contracts. These changes now need to translate into more opportunities on the ground, with their impact closely monitored and further support introduced if apprenticeship numbers do not keep pace with demand. “This cannot be solved through education policy alone. Giving technical education the same status as academic routes is the right ambition, but that promise will ring hollow if young people reach the end of school and find there is nowhere for them to go. “Results day should open doors. Government, clients and employers now need to make sure construction creates enough of them.” About Nicola: Nicola Hodkinson is owner and director of Seddon and a longstanding advocate for apprenticeships and direct employment in construction. Seddon maintains a significant apprenticeship programme and regularly receives thousands of applications from young people looking to enter the industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec has secured planning approval for a major reset of its £1 billion O2 Centre regeneration in North London, unlocking revised plans for up to 1,800 homes alongside new retail, workspace, leisure and public spaces. Camden Council has approved changes to the 14-acre Finchley Road masterplan after the original proposals stalled amid rising construction costs, viability pressures and new building safety requirements. The revised approach will allow Landsec to increase the height of several buildings and reduce the proportion of affordable housing, with the changes intended to make the substantial mixed-use development deliverable. Affordable housing across the masterplan will fall from the previously planned 35% to 20%, reflecting emergency measures introduced by the Government and Mayor of London to help unlock stalled residential developments. Despite the changes, the overall ambition remains to deliver up to 1,800 homes while transforming an underused site into a new neighbourhood incorporating shops, workplaces, leisure facilities, community amenities and extensive public realm. The first phase, which has secured detailed planning permission as part of the hybrid application, will provide 651 homes. Additional floors have been introduced to several blocks, with some of the buildings now expected to rise to around 17 storeys. The redesigned scheme also incorporates changes required to respond to updated building safety regulations, which have become an increasingly important factor in the design, viability and delivery of higher-rise residential projects. More than half of the wider development site is planned as publicly accessible space, with new landscaped areas, green spaces and improved walking and cycling connections between Finchley Road and West Hampstead. Landsec has also committed £10 million towards providing step-free access at West Hampstead Underground station, supporting wider improvements to connectivity around the new neighbourhood. GRID Architects and Heatherwick Studio have worked on the revised designs. The wider professional team includes AtkinsRéalis as cost consultant, Pell Frischmann providing civil and structural consultancy and Buro Happold responsible for MEP consultancy. Mike Hood, CEO of Landsec, said: “Camden Council gave us a clear mandate in 2023 to transform this isolated, underused land into a mixed-use neighbourhood with new homes, public space and community facilities. “The economic reality has shifted since then and that’s why we’re updating the first phase of the masterplan. “Our changes, which respond to emergency measures from the Government and Mayor of London, would enable delivery and protect the many public benefits that the scheme can deliver. Our vision for a greener, healthier and better connected neighbourhood remains the same.” The regeneration is expected to be delivered across three phases over approximately 10 to 15 years, representing one of the most significant long-term residential and mixed-use development projects in this part of London. The existing O2 shopping and leisure centre will continue operating through the earlier stages of the redevelopment before being demolished as part of the final phase. With the revised plans now approved, Landsec has cleared an important hurdle in bringing the stalled project back towards delivery, while retaining the wider vision of creating a greener, better-connected mixed-use neighbourhood around Finchley Road and West Hampstead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Five-year strategy records a 33% reduction in carbon emissions, £153m social return on investment and major advances in resource efficiency and responsible sourcing Leading contractor Sir Robert McAlpine has announced the release of its new sustainability impact report, revealing how action across the business has delivered significant reductions in carbon and waste, strengthened responsible sourcing and created lasting social value for communities across the UK. Covering the period 2020-2025, ‘From Ambition to Impact’ charts the company’s progress in embedding sustainability into the way projects are designed, procured and delivered. The report captures the collective impact of people, projects and supply chain partners across four strategic pillars: Carbon, Resource Efficiency, Ethical Procurement and Social Value. Highlights include: Action across the business The results were delivered through thousands of decisions made across Sir Robert McAlpine’s projects and operations, supported by clearer standards, stronger governance, specialist capability and improved data. For carbon alone, over the five-year period, the company established its full Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon baseline; introduced carbon benchmarking across projects; rolled out Carbon Literacy training; expanded renewable energy use; developed Carbon Minimum Standards; and secured validation of its emissions targets from the Science Based Targets initiative. By 2025, 92% of its electricity came from renewable tariffs and 45% of the concrete used across the business was lower embodied carbon, exceeding a 30% target. Sir Robert McAlpine also became the first Tier 1 contractor to achieve PAS 2080 certification across its entire business. The certification provides independent assurance that robust systems, processes and technical expertise are in place to predict, manage and report whole-life carbon throughout the project lifecycle: ensuring they’re reducing their emissions and providing their clients with tangible carbon reduction solutions The transformation extended beyond carbon. A more structured approach has turned social value into a targeted and measured business deliverable. Every project is now expected to plan, pursue and report its contribution. Community Needs Assessments now enable project teams to target activity around local employment barriers, skills gaps and community priorities rather than defaulting to generic initiatives. In resource efficiency, the business progressed from retrospectively measuring waste to using digital tools, building information modelling and materials data to prevent waste at source. At 1 Broadgate, Sir Robert McAlpine helped deliver the UK’s first large-scale materials passport, enabling materials to be tracked for future reuse and repurposing. The project reclaimed 27% of materials for reuse and diverted more than 13,000 tonnes of non-hazardous demolition waste from landfill. From ambition to Sustainable Engineering Excellence The report also marks the transition to Sir Robert McAlpine’s new Sustainable Engineering Excellence strategy, which builds on the capability, evidence and lessons developed since 2020. Sustainable Engineering Excellence places sustainability at the heart of the company’s engineering and construction capability. Centred on carbon, circularity and social impact, it challenges teams to make better choices earlier, work more closely with clients and the supply chain, and focus expertise where it can create the greatest measurable impact. Simon Richards, Sustainability Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “Five years ago, we set a clear ambition for the future of sustainability at SRM, and then we set about delivering it by embedding sustainability into how we design, procure and deliver. “The results in this report did not happen through isolated initiatives. They came from action across the business, with our people applying their expertise, challenging established approaches and making better decisions on projects every day. “We have built capabilities, systems and data that did not exist when we started, and created a strong foundation for Sustainable Engineering Excellence. Our next strategy takes everything we have learned and raises the bar again, helping us and our clients make choices that matter across carbon, circularity and social impact.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals