It’s been one full year since Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland launched Flooring Solutions. Neil Shakespeare, Flooring Solutions Business Unit Director, shares how the business unit has grown by supporting customers with innovative equipment and flexible rental agreements. How has the business developed in its first year? When we had
CBRE Southampton has strengthened its regional building consultancy team, expanding its expertise and enhancing its service. James Widdowson, Senior Director, leads the team, working with clients across the corporate and real estate sectors and providing expertise in dilapidations, office repositioning, project management and project monitoring. James has been at CBRE
Bankfoot APAM, the specialist UK Development Manager, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sam Crusz as Project Director, bringing with her over 15 years of experience in the construction and property industry. With a background in Civil Engineering and Project Management, Sam has worked both in consultancy and client-side
James Hammond knew he wanted to pursue a career in construction after developing an interest in architecture at 12-years-old. Now, 21 years later, after working his way up within the housebuilding industry, James has been appointed as regional technical manager for Vistry Thames Valley, which has its headquarters in Reading
Kilwaughter Minerals Limited is to become part of the multi-national Saint-Gobain group after they reached a binding agreement for Saint-Gobain to acquire the Northern Irish quarrying and mineral processor. As per normal process, the acquisition has been forwarded to the Competition and Markets Authority with closing of the transaction expected
Talented construction professionals across Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward and be recognised at a glittering awards ceremony. The prestigious event will be held at Croke Park in Dublin on 18 September 2025 and will be hosted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). CIOB hosted a launch
MILWAUKEE® continues to disrupt the cordless impact wrench market with the introduction of the next generation of M12 FUEL™* Compact Impact Wrenches. With the compact size, the new Impacts deliver the most access in tight spaces while doubling the performance from the previous gen. The compact size and reduced weight
GMI Construction Group and Luminate Education Group hosted a visit by Leeds MP Alex Sobel to update him on the progress being made on the city’s Mabgate Campus development. Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel, accompanied by Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families,
Developer, Cityheart and Wigan Council have signed agreements allowing Principal Contractor Galliford Try to deliver the first phases of construction work at the former Galleries site in Wigan Town Centre. Galliford Try will start work in mid-October 2024, following directly on from the large-scale demolition and site investigation works already
Bensons for Beds has launched 15 new stores within three weeks, occupying former Carpetright locations across the UK. This expansion follows the furniture retailer’s acquisition of 19 ex-Carpetright sites in August, after the flooring company entered administration. The move forms part of Bensons for Beds’ long-term growth strategy, which aims
It’s been one full year since Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland launched Flooring Solutions. Neil Shakespeare, Flooring Solutions Business Unit Director, shares how the business unit has grown by supporting customers with innovative equipment and flexible rental agreements. How has the business developed in its first year? When we had the vision to expand into the floor care and maintenance industry, we did so with research and a bold vision. Inspired by the success of our US colleagues, we knew there was potential in the UK but what we’ve achieved so far has exceeded our expectations. We started out with three depots and a £4m equipment fleet and in just a short time, we’ve added an additional depot in Bathgate, Scotland and increased our fleet to almost £7.5m. What began as a small team of six has expanded to a strong team of 21 dedicated experts to support the growing customer demands, and that’s just the beginning. Offering floor care and maintenance solutions was a new area for Sunbelt Rentals, with 95% of the specialist equipment range new to the company. We developed strong partnerships with industry leaders like Tennant, National Flooring Equipment, and Husqvarna to build our unique equipment fleet tailored to customer and industry needs. By leveraging their insights and combining them with our expertise in delivering flexible rental agreements, we ensure that our customers have access to the right equipment when they need it most. How has the equipment fleet evolved in the last 12 months? Our mission is clear: to deliver a world-class rental experience. By investing in robotic equipment and new technology, we’re able to provide customers with solutions that enable them to ensure they are using limited resources efficiently. Take Heathrow Airport, for example, two of our robotic cleaners have each completed over 1 million square feet of cleaning. This innovation hasn’t just improved operational efficiency; it has also contributed to a notable increase in customer satisfaction ratings, all while maintaining costs. We’re excited to be growing our fleet of robotic scrubber-dryers with the new X4 ROVR from Tennant. It uses the latest AI technology in a compact design to provide customers with even greater productivity in more complex and busy environments. The strength of our relationship with Tennant means we’re the first UK rental company to stock this model. Outside of robotic technology, we’ve expanded our product range to include a wide range of complementary products so our customers can get everything they need from one place, including large-scale equipment to smaller essentials like vacuums and jet washers. What achievements stand out to you? The growth and expansion of our customer base has been phenomenal. An impressive 80% of our customers are new to Sunbelt Rentals, reflecting the unique value and appeal of our offering. We’re successfully attracting a new and diverse customer base from across the country, which shows the strength of our solutions and the trust we’ve earned in such a short time. What’s even more exciting is the unexpected ways in which our floor care and maintenance solutions are making an impact. We’ve seen significant uptake in industries we didn’t initially expect, such as construction. Our dust management systems, for example, have proven to be invaluable in helping projects like HS2 meet health and safety standards while improving welfare on site. How does equipment help customers improve their sustainability credentials? As part of our sustainability strategy, Our Planet, we’re committed to helping our customers drive down their carbon emissions and achieve their sustainability goals. With 95% of our equipment powered by battery, our solutions deliver zero emissions during use. In fact, we only have four fossil-fuelled products remaining in our entire range and we’re continuing to look for sustainable alternatives for these. As soon as greener options that deliver the same, or better, productivity become available, we’ll make the switch—because innovation in sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our flexible rental model also plays a crucial role in supporting sustainability. Instead of requiring customers to invest in, maintain and eventually dispose of their own equipment, they can access the equipment they need, only when they need it. This is especially helpful for those necessary but infrequent tasks. This sustainable rental model means customers can stay agile by accessing the latest models without requiring storage and maintenance nor dealing with the waste and cost of disposal. What’s next? As we look ahead to the next 12 months, we anticipate continued sustainable growth with exciting opportunities in the pipeline. We’ll continue to look at our depot network to ensure we’re well positioned to support customers across the UK, We’re planning to open a fifth depot which will allow us to expand our reach and create more employment opportunities as we grow our team. Our product range and solutions will keep evolving, driven by the feedback and response from our customers. By staying responsive to their needs, we’re not just keeping pace—we’re setting the standard for excellence in the rental industry. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved so far. – And we’re only just getting started! Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE Southampton has strengthened its regional building consultancy team, expanding its expertise and enhancing its service. James Widdowson, Senior Director, leads the team, working with clients across the corporate and real estate sectors and providing expertise in dilapidations, office repositioning, project management and project monitoring. James has been at CBRE for 15 years, 12 of which were leading the Building Consultancy team in Bristol. George Miller joins CBRE as an Associate Director, bringing expertise in dilapidations and technical due diligence surveys and Lauren Smith has joined the team as a Graduate Building Surveyor after completing her degree at the University of Portsmouth. Kritika Gambhir is providing the team with vital admin and finance support. James Widdowson said: “As someone who grew up on the South Coast, I am delighted to lead the talented team, which has a diverse range of experience. We are looking forward to capitalising on the opportunities in the region and continuing to provide our specialist expertise to our clients across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bankfoot APAM, the specialist UK Development Manager, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sam Crusz as Project Director, bringing with her over 15 years of experience in the construction and property industry. With a background in Civil Engineering and Project Management, Sam has worked both in consultancy and client-side roles, successfully delivering development projects across multiple regions including the UK, New Zealand and the US. Sam has spent the last eight years based in London, where she has taken on senior roles such as Development Manager at Old Park Lane Management, and previously, Director at Gardiner & Theobald. Her portfolio includes large-scale residential developments, hotel and office schemes, with notable projects such as the regeneration of Elephant & Castle and major masterplan developments in New Zealand. In her new role at Bankfoot APAM, Sam will oversee the delivery of several key development schemes, including the prominent transformation of Salford’s Soapworks which is set to deliver 143,000 sq. ft. of office space and 450 new homes. She will leverage her expertise to provide strategic oversight, ensuring the smooth delivery of these developments while contributing to the growth and success of the business. On joining Bankfoot APAM, Sam expressed her enthusiasm: “I’m excited to join the growing team at such an exciting time of expansion. I look forward to working closely with Chris, Andy and the team to successfully deliver the diverse range of projects. My goal is to use my skills, knowledge, and experience to positively contribute to project success, value creation, and overall business growth.” Chris Moore, Managing Director of Bankfoot APAM, commented: “We are hugely excited about Sam’s arrival, which is a milestone moment for the business. Sam’s leadership, knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to the team as we drive our next phase of growth and deliver the significant pipeline of development projects and we look forward to the positive impact she will bring to Bankfoot APAM’s continued success.” Sam’s appointment reflects Bankfoot APAM’s commitment to expanding its capabilities and delivering high-quality projects across the portfolio. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
James Hammond knew he wanted to pursue a career in construction after developing an interest in architecture at 12-years-old. Now, 21 years later, after working his way up within the housebuilding industry, James has been appointed as regional technical manager for Vistry Thames Valley, which has its headquarters in Reading and is part of Vistry Group, Britain’s biggest housebuilder. ‘The 33-year-old, who lives in Puttenham, near Guildford, said: “I’ve always been inspired by Architecture and buildings and with Salisbury Cathedral adjacent to my school, there was inspiration to be taken from at an early age. This fed through to the subjects I learned in school and ultimately, I knew that I wanted to work in the building industry.’ Following on from his early inspiration, James completed school, gained a degree in construction management from university and then joined the building industry as a graduate trainee in the technical department at a housebuilding company. He worked his way up to senior technical co-ordinator before joining Bovis Homes – now part of Vistry Group – in that role in 2018, then gaining promotion to technical manager and senior technical manager in quick succession. As regional technical manager, the father-of-two now manages a team of seven in the technical department at Vistry Thames Valley, which is building new homes across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire across its Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes brands. He said: “My role is to look after the operational side of the technical team. Basically, we aim to keep things going on site by co-ordinating all the information from our architects, civil and structural engineers, landscape architects and other third parties. This ensures a smooth handover of information to other departments which, in turn, enables them to carry out their roles in working towards completing great homes for our customers.” James is also directly overseeing the technical operations at two sites – Buckler’s Park in Crowthorne, in Berkshire, and at Beckley Place in Barton Park, Oxford. He said: “I have to ensure that all the relevant drawings and technical information is provided so that the commercial department can price accurately and the build team can get on and build the properties to meet Vistry’s exacting standards. What I like about this part of the job is that it gives me the opportunity to be in the office and also get out on site to see the projects come to life.” “My personal professional ambition is to become a technical director and head up the whole team. The reason I love this job so much is that it is not only challenging but also that two days are never the same. That variety keeps things fresh and exciting. I feel lucky that I love my job and that Vistry has a positive promotion pathway.” Trevor Wicks, managing director of Vistry Thames Valley, said: “In the six years that James has been with us, his enthusiasm and positive can-do attitude has rightly seen him go from promotion to promotion within the technical department and now sees him occupy a senior role in that team. “James is a great leader within a great team. His proven ability to problem solve and create an environment where operations run incredibly smoothly means that he has very bright future with us here at Vistry.” For more information about careers with Vistry Group, visit vistrygroup.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kilwaughter Minerals Limited is to become part of the multi-national Saint-Gobain group after they reached a binding agreement for Saint-Gobain to acquire the Northern Irish quarrying and mineral processor. As per normal process, the acquisition has been forwarded to the Competition and Markets Authority with closing of the transaction expected in the first half 2025. Saint-Gobain is a global leader in the design and manufacture of solutions for the construction industry and employs 160,000 people across 76 countries globally. It has a wide-ranging portfolio of lightweight construction solutions for building facades and envelopes, with its emphasis on making buildings better for occupants and the planet. Kilwaughter has its headquarters at its limestone quarry in Larne, Northern Ireland from where it serves its construction and agriculture customers throughout the UK and Ireland, with distribution centres in Glasgow, Cork and St Helens. Known for leading brands K Rend, K Systems and Kilwaughter Lime, the company has delivered continued success in recent years, with a clear strategy centred around outstanding customer service and innovative products. To year end (April 2024), Kilwaughter generated revenues of circa £50m and has over 200 employees. Gary Wilmot, CEO of Kilwaughter Minerals said: “We’re excited with the opportunity to join the Saint-Gobain group and continue Kilwaughter’s ambitious growth journey. “Kilwaughter has a rich company culture and heritage, and our focus remains on delivering a leading customer experience, underpinned by our trusted brands. We look forward to the added synergy that Saint-Gobain will undoubtedly bring and sharing our passion for innovation, quality and excellence. “We see the alignment of the vision and values between both companies as a strong building block for our teams and customers.” As stated above, the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Talented construction professionals across Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward and be recognised at a glittering awards ceremony. The prestigious event will be held at Croke Park in Dublin on 18 September 2025 and will be hosted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). CIOB hosted a launch event for the awards on 11 October at Tughans, The Ewart, Bedford Square, Belfast, giving aspiring winners the chance to network with fellow construction professionals before going head-to-head for one of the coveted titles. A similar event was held at Engineers Ireland, Clyde Road, Dublin at the same time. Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: “I am always delighted when this important industry has an opportunity to showcase the talent, hard work and achievements of the people creating and maintaining our built environment. “The CIOB Ireland Awards is a great platform for the incredible things industry professionals are doing and I’m very much looking forward to hearing all those stories. “Nothing in construction happens in isolation so I encourage everyone working in the built environment sector to nominate the colleagues who most deserve recognition.” Councillor Micky Murray, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, oversaw the launch ceremony as categories covering Client of the Year, Team of the Year, Rising Star and Sustainability Award were officially opened for nominations. Cllr Murray said: “The CIOB Awards Ireland are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the remarkable talent and innovation driving Northern Ireland’s construction sector. “It’s an honour to attend this celebration of excellence, and I encourage everyone to put forward their nominations and highlight the outstanding achievements within our built environment. “Recognising the talented individuals who help shape Northern Ireland’s infrastructure is crucial, as they play a vital role in creating spaces and places that enhance our communities and support our future growth.” Nominations are now open and aspiring winners can enter their submissions online, with categories covering Client of the Year, Team of the Year, and Rising Star. Awards are open to both members of CIOB and non-members and CIOB is urging as many construction professionals as possible to put their names forward. More information on the awards can be found on the dedicated webpage: www.ciob.me/irelandawards Anyone interested in sponsoring the event can contact Sarah Hallinan, Regional Manager Ireland, at shallinan@ciob.org. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MILWAUKEE® continues to disrupt the cordless impact wrench market with the introduction of the next generation of M12 FUEL™* Compact Impact Wrenches. With the compact size, the new Impacts deliver the most access in tight spaces while doubling the performance from the previous gen. The compact size and reduced weight make overhead applications less strenuous and reduce fatigue from repetitive use throughout the day. Available in 3/8” and ½” with Friction Ring, the new M12 FUEL™ Compact Impact Wrenches are the most compact and their weight without battery is only 1kg, which is lighter than the competition. With the increased power, the new impact wrenches can remove the most corroded and stubborn fasteners. Featuring an updated 4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL, enabling single handed mode changes by shifting into neutral and double tapping the trigger. The AUTO SHUT-OFF Mode also applies no more than 20 Nm of torque for hand-tight applications, that prevents overtightening when in forward mode delivering users greater control. While in reverse, bolt removal mode slows down the RPM once the bolt is free, preventing bolts from flying around the work area. The new M12 FUEL™ Compact Impact Wrenches join the M12™ Cordless System, the largest sub-compact system on the market, focused on delivering industry-leading durability and the power to complete applications in the tightest spaces. Currently, the M12™ System is made up of more than 115 solutions. *M12 FUEL™ power tools are designed, engineered, and built to deliver extreme performance and productivity. All M12 FUEL™ products feature three MILWAUKEE®-exclusive innovations—the POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM™ Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence Hardware and Software—that deliver unmatched power, run time and durability on the job site. Simply put, M12 FUEL™ tools are the most powerful sub-compact cordless tools in their class. Specifications M12 FUEL™ ½” Compact Impact Wrench with Friction Ring M12 FCIWF12G3-502X Kit Includes: (1) M12 FUEL™ ½” Compact Impact Wrench with Friction Ring, (2) M12 HB5 Battery Packs, (1) C12 C Charger, (1) HD Box M12 FUEL™ 3/8” Compact Impact Wrench with Friction Ring M12 FCIWF38G3-502X Kit Includes: (1) M12 FUEL™ 3/8” Compact Impact Wrench with Friction Ring, (2) M12 HB5 Battery Packs, (1) C12 C Charger, (1) HD Box Perfect Match: M12 FCIWF12G3 ½″ SHOCKWAVE™ IMPACT DUTY automotive impact socket set – Automotive 3pcs socket set (4932451568) M12 FCIWF38G3 SHOCKWAVE™ IMPACT DUTY impact sockets – 3/8″ Packout impact socket set – 19 pc (4932480946)To find out more about M12 FUEL™ Compact Impact Wrenches, see video footage of it in action or find your nearest store, please visit www.milwaukeetool.eu Visit Milwaukee Tool UK’s Instagram and LinkedIn for further information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group and Luminate Education Group hosted a visit by Leeds MP Alex Sobel to update him on the progress being made on the city’s Mabgate Campus development. Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel, accompanied by Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, toured the construction site, which, upon its completion in summer 2025, will mark a significant expansion of Leeds City College. Milestones completed include the installation of the structural steelwork and the completion of a section of concrete forming a wall of the library. The development will provide around 70,000 sq. ft of additional educational space, while contributing to the area’s regeneration and providing much-needed community resources. Mabgate Campus already holds Leeds City College’s School of Events, Enterprise and Employability, together with studio space for Leeds Conservatoire – both members of Luminate Education Group. Leeds-headquartered GMI’s £26m contract involves partial demolition of existing buildings fronting onto Mabgate, allowing for the construction of the flagship five-storey campus for University Centre Leeds and a new building for Leeds City College’s English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) centre. As part of the construction of the ESOL building, GMI will also build a new atrium cafeteria, located between the new building and existing converted warehouse space, which is the hub of the Mabgate Centre, providing eco-friendly open-plan learning spaces and specially designed classrooms. Alex Sobel MP said: “It was wonderful to see the buildings taking shape, we really appreciated being able to sign the library wall and look forward to another visit when the buildings are complete, and students are benefitting from purpose-built provision. We know that there is need for more post 16 provision in the city and welcome this development whilst working for further space for post 16 education in Leeds.” Helen Hayden, who represents the Temple Newsham ward on Leeds City Council, added: “I was delighted to visit the Mabgate Campus development which represents a significant investment in education and regeneration of this part of Leeds. This project will deliver long-term benefits for the city by creating new opportunities for learning and community engagement, which are key to enhancing our skills base.” Andy Hurcomb, Regional Director at GMI Construction Group, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alex Sobel MP and Cllr Helen Hayden to the site to show them the significant progress being made. Their visit highlighted the importance of this project to the local community, and we’re honored to partner with Luminate Education Group to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that reflects both the ambition of our educational partners and the aspirations of the wider Leeds community.” David Warren, Group Vice Principal of Development at Luminate Education Group, added: “This project will create a flagship campus that will provide a dynamic learning environment that meets the needs of today’s students and the future workforce. We are thrilled to see this project progress. It project represents a significant investment in education in Leeds, and we are confident it will play an important role in shaping the future of education in this region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer, Cityheart and Wigan Council have signed agreements allowing Principal Contractor Galliford Try to deliver the first phases of construction work at the former Galleries site in Wigan Town Centre. Galliford Try will start work in mid-October 2024, following directly on from the large-scale demolition and site investigation works already completed by BCEGI and PP O’Connor. The agreement means construction can start immediately for the new 90,000sqft market hall, located in the heart of the town centre. Alongside commencing delivery of the new market hall, Galliford Try will also undertake ground and enabling works across the wider site to progress the next phases of the new mixed-use neighbourhood. Earlier this year Hampton by Hilton were announced as one of the first occupiers at the development, signing up for a 144-bed hotel. A series of Meet the Buyer events have also been held for local businesses to find out how they can get involved with the project and to ensure that Wigan borough businesses benefit from the contracts and investments that are being made. Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said “The new market hall is at the heart of the project and set to be the first new building to open. Wigan is a traditional market town, receiving its Royal Charter in the 13th century. This development will bring our market into the 21st century, creating a vibrant, modern and thriving space for our traders and visitors to the town, ensuring it has a strong and exciting future with a lot of job opportunities for people both during and after construction.” Darren Jones, Development Director for Cityheart added: “We are delighted to be working with Galliford Try to bring forward the next stage of redevelopment at this transformational Wigan Galleries site. We are progressing the delivery of the site in various phases in accordance with the planning consents we have secured. Throughout the phased development and once the scheme is complete the focus will be on community wealth building with job opportunities for local businesses and residents. We’re proud to be part of delivering a destination which will enhance the offer in Wigan town centre and bolster the economy in the borough for many years to come.” The complete scheme is set to create circa 660 full-time jobs generating Gross Value Add (GVA) impacts of £26.5m per year. During the first phase of demolition, jobs apprenticeships and training placements were provided for local people through projects with Wigan Youth Zone and Wigan and Leigh College. Darren Parker, Managing Director for Galliford Try Building North West, commented: “We are pleased to be getting under way with this initial construction phase of the Wigan Galleries project and look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to deliver social value back into the local community and support Wigan’s investment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bensons for Beds has launched 15 new stores within three weeks, occupying former Carpetright locations across the UK. This expansion follows the furniture retailer’s acquisition of 19 ex-Carpetright sites in August, after the flooring company entered administration. The move forms part of Bensons for Beds’ long-term growth strategy, which aims to establish up to 40 new stores over the coming years. In addition to these openings, Bensons has launched its first high street store in Sutton and made a return to Northern Ireland after a four-year absence with a new outlet in Belfast. The new store locations include: Nick Collard, Chief Executive of Bensons for Beds, commented: “The scale of store openings we’ve achieved in such a short period is unprecedented for us as a business, and it’s a significant accomplishment for any retailer, especially given the current economic climate. “While market conditions remain tough, Bensons is positioned to take advantage of a market recovery. This success is a direct result of our ongoing transformation into the leading bed specialist, providing expert advice and great value to help our customers enjoy a good night’s sleep.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals