LEADING digital framework specialist Pagabo has begun an open procedure by inviting contractors to compete for a place on its largest infrastructure procurement offering to date – the National Framework for Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Enabling Works 2026. Once launched in September, the new framework with an estimated total value of
By Rob Davies, chapmanbdsp The rapid expansion of digital infrastructure has put unprecedented pressure on the delivery of data centres. As programmes shorten and power constraints intensify, projects are increasingly judged on speed to market and megawatt yield. Yet, according to Rob Davies, the industry’s greatest risks still arise long
Turner & Townsend, the global programme management company, with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries, has appointed Emma Gilthorpe as Chief Transformation Officer. In this newly created role, which forms a key part of Turner & Townsend’s global growth strategy, Emma will be responsible for driving global transformation
Maintenance, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Novus Property Solutions, has been recognised at the Business in the Community (BITC) North West Responsible Business Impact Showcase, held in Manchester on 30th April 2026. Novus was recognised as one of a small number of organisations to deliver in all three of BITC’s
Winvic Construction Ltd will return to real estate event UKREiiF next month during its 25th year, leading its presence with the launch of a major new ESG whitepaper calling for regulatory action to accelerate net zero across the built environment. Demonstrating its continued commitment to the UK’s real estate, infrastructure
In collaboration with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School Sustainability increasingly shapes how investors think about their portfolios RO Group recently collaborated with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to showcase its flagship Milton Keynes office property, Silbury House, as part of an initiative focused on how corporate
Pure Data Centres and SEGRO have secured planning approval for a major hyperscale data centre development at Premier Park in west London, representing a £1 billion investment into the capital’s growing digital infrastructure sector. The scheme was approved by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation planning committee and
Real estate investor Castleforge, in partnership with full-service data centre operator and advisory firm Galaxy Data Centers, today announces that full planning consent has been granted for a new 15MW data centre development at its Redhill campus. Located just outside of London, the new development will include four data halls and support a local waste heat recovery initiative. Following
Type One Energy, Tokamak Energy, and AECOM today announced the UK Infinity Fusion Consortium to pursue development of the first private-sector-led fusion power plant project in the United Kingdom. Together, the companies intend to develop a fusion project that is commercially credible, deployable using existing enabling technologies, and capable of
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been working with Telent, the mission-critical technology specialist, to trial its CCTV assurance platform, Arbitex, giving technical teams continuous visibility into the condition and performance of the airport’s CCTV estate. The three‑month trial, which has now concluded, enabled the airport to assess how automated daily
LEADING digital framework specialist Pagabo has begun an open procedure by inviting contractors to compete for a place on its largest infrastructure procurement offering to date – the National Framework for Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Enabling Works 2026. Once launched in September, the new framework with an estimated total value of up to £4.15bn will run for a term of four years and is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024. The new offering will combine the scopes of the National Framework for Civils and Infrastructure and the National Framework for Demolition and Land Preparation, which both helped to establish Pagabo’s presence in the infrastructure sector and support public sector organisations with procuring transformational schemes. Following the formation of a 10-year strategic delivery partnership that will see resources, reputation and expertise combined to establish a new benchmark for construction procurement, this is one installment in a series of new frameworks being brought to market by Pagabo and YPO in 2026. YPO is the centralised procurement authority for the framework, while Pagabo is the framework manager responsible for design, delivery and ongoing management. Created to connect public sector bodies and private organisations with appointed contractors that will collaboratively deliver quality service and value for money outcomes, the framework agreement can be used by sectors such as local government, NHS and health service providers, blue light, housing and education. David Llewellyn, construction and infrastructure director at Pagabo, said: “Significant consideration has gone into the decision behind merging two of the existing frameworks that we manage. In doing so, we are able to streamline the procurement of important works covering civil engineering, infrastructure and enabling works, while ensuring the compliance, transparency and impactful delivery that our clients expect from us. “This open procedure is set to be a competitive opportunity for contractors across the UK, with the new procurement regulations and our own commitment to SME inclusion meaning that the very best quality businesses are able to deliver the public sector’s infrastructure ambitions. From new roads and rail routes, through to brownfield regeneration and energy supply transformation, this latest framework is going to be a vital procurement offering in helping the UK create new infrastructure that will improve connectivity and economic prosperity.” The closed framework includes 13 main lots, as well as geographical sub-lots that cover areas including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Lots 2 to 9 and 11 to 13 will also be split into value bands, from £0 up to more than £5m. The core lot structure includes: Lot 1 and Lot 10 are for suppliers able to cover all project types in their respective services. Operating a digital-first, end to end delivery model, the national procurement specialist’s Pagabo+ system will be used as a central platform through which all framework activity will be managed. The single environment will play host to information on and management of new opportunities, call-off activity, performance monitoring and reporting, as well as compliance assurance. Supporting with enhancement of the full lifecycle of procurement and project delivery, appointed contractors will also be able to use Pagabo Group’s social value and contract management platforms Loop and Sypro. The framework’s tender submission deadline is set for 12 June at 12pm, and interested parties can find more information online via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/pagabo/aspx/ProjectManage/1282 To learn more about Pagabo, visit www.pagabo.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Rob Davies, chapmanbdsp The rapid expansion of digital infrastructure has put unprecedented pressure on the delivery of data centres. As programmes shorten and power constraints intensify, projects are increasingly judged on speed to market and megawatt yield. Yet, according to Rob Davies, the industry’s greatest risks still arise long before construction begins. Due diligence, he explains, is where risk is cheapest to resolve; once a project pushes past concept delivery, every change costs both time and money. Data centres are fundamentally investment-led developments, and return on investment is directly linked to IT load and available power. This naturally encourages clients to maximise capacity wherever possible. However, that pressure often results in “max packing”, designing maximum yield before constraints are properly understood. The consequences frequently emerge later in the programme: deliverables are over-promised, designs prove unusable, yield is lost through redesign and all stakeholders expend significant fees correcting issues that could have been prevented. Naturally, decisions taken at the outset lock in cost, programme and flexibility far more than those made later, and Davies stresses that doing the work properly first time avoids costly reversals. In the current race to secure ever-greater power capacity, there is a growing temptation to accelerate these early steps to claim headline megawatts. Yet rushing the foundations of a project rarely improves returns; in practice, it often hinders ROI by forcing redesign, delaying delivery and reducing the very capacity developers were trying to maximise in the first place. Central to this is technical due diligence, which Rob Davies argues must be carried out rigorously at the very outset of a project rather than rushed through or treated as a procedural step under pressure to progress quickly into delivery. Early investigation establishes the direction of the project, informing whether a site is viable before major commitments are made. Aside from Power availability, flood risk, connectivity, environmental constraints (EIA requirements) and planning considerations all directly affect investment. Communication in these early stages prevents delays further down the line, particularly as competition for grid capacity intensifies. In an environment where speed is increasingly strategic, a site without a clear path or ‘ramping plan’ to power may never proceed regardless of design quality. Rob Davies, with his architectural background, also highlights the importance of holistic thinking during the feasibility stage. Early studies are often undertaken by a single discipline due to limited budgets, but this can create bias and downstream problems. Instead, bringing together architecture, engineering, planning and civils/site considerations from day one creates clarity for clients and investors. Looking at mechanical and electrical capabilities, site adjacencies, civils, power and planning together, rather than sequentially, enables clearer decisions and reduces redesign. Within chapmanbdsp’s integrated model, fewer handovers mean design, engineering, cost and delivery thinking remain aligned from the outset, while buildability and spatial efficiency can be assessed immediately alongside IT yield and power capabilities, the usual drivers. Rob’s architectural background shapes this approach. He focuses on translating technical constraints into clear commercial options, building strong relationships with clients and avoiding over-promising. Clients, he says, do not want drawings; they want certainty. Early conversations must therefore centre on outcomes and honest advice, even when that requires difficult discussions about achievable capacity. As demand grows and infrastructure becomes more complex, early collaboration must extend beyond consultants. Shorter programmes and constrained utilities mean the supply chain, modular manufacturers and alternative energy providers increasingly need to be engaged from the start. Phased and modular delivery strategies can accelerate deployment, while future power solutions may require new ways of thinking about grid reliance. Getting the right people involved early allows projects to move faster later. Trust plays a defining role in this highly specialised sector. Clients rely heavily on advisors because delivery is everything, and confidence is built through clarity and consistent outcomes. Under-promising and over-delivering, Rob Davies argues, remains more valuable than ambitious projections that cannot be achieved. Early-stage transparency not only supports better decisions but encourages repeat collaboration across developers, funds and operators. Rob Davies believes success is determined much earlier. Early-stage design is not simply preparation, it establishes whether a project works at all. As data centre demand accelerates and infrastructure pressures grow, competitive advantage will come less from how quickly facilities are built and more from how intelligently they begin. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Turner & Townsend, the global programme management company, with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries, has appointed Emma Gilthorpe as Chief Transformation Officer. In this newly created role, which forms a key part of Turner & Townsend’s global growth strategy, Emma will be responsible for driving global transformation across its operating platform, including embracing the opportunities of AI and technology to achieve its ambition to become the world’s leading programme management business. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in leading complex business transformation, strategy and operational performance improvement, Emma was most recently Chief Executive of Royal Mail in the UK. Here she led the 500-year-old business and its 130,000 strong workforce back to profitability in a single year by creating a technology-centred environment founded on an aligned and empowered leadership team. Emma previously spent nearly 15 years on the executive team at Heathrow Airport, most recently navigating the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic as Chief Operations Officer. Earlier in her tenure, Emma established Heathrow’s expansion programme, a £30bn, 25-year project to significantly increase airport capacity whilst also delivering binding commitments to reduce aircraft noise, improve public transport and local air quality and cut carbon emissions. At Turner & Townsend, Emma will work with Chief Operating Officer David Whysall in executing the company’s strategy, to help build leading solutions for its clients across the world in real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources. David Whysall, Chief Operating Officer, Turner & Townsend, said: “We are delighted to welcome Emma to our global leadership team. The significance of her appointment demonstrates the size of our ambition. Emma is one of our industry’s most prominent figures with a tremendous track record of operating and delivering significant transformation across a range of large, multi-sector organisations and will play an integral role in accelerating our own global growth ambitions. “Emma’s role in overseeing Heathrow’s transition to become one of the world’s leading infrastructure operators will be very relevant as we continue to support our clients’ deliver major complex programmes.” Emma Gilthorpe, Chief Transformation Officer, Turner & Townsend, said: “I am excited to be joining a fantastic business which I had first-hand experience of as a client during my time at Heathrow. I am looking forward to working with a great team of people at what is a pivotal time in the company’s growth journey.” Emma originally qualified as a barrister and is currently a non-executive director at Manchester Airports Group Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Maintenance, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Novus Property Solutions, has been recognised at the Business in the Community (BITC) North West Responsible Business Impact Showcase, held in Manchester on 30th April 2026. Novus was recognised as one of a small number of organisations to deliver in all three of BITC’s core pillars of People, Place and Planet. This emphasises the impact of its responsible business activity across the region – from supporting the people in its workforce and supply chain, to investing in the places it works in and taking meaningful action on environmental sustainability. In 2025 alone, Novus’ North West team delivered 60 social value initiatives alongside its contracted works, contributing £32,727 in donations and more than 640 colleague volunteering hours. These activities directly improved the lives of 1,485 people and generated over £645,000 in social value – underpinned by a 127-year legacy of putting communities at the heart of the business. Lee Hartley, CEO at Novus Property Solutions, said: “This recognition is a real source of pride for everyone at Novus. To be acknowledged across all three pillars at the very first event of its kind is a huge achievement and a reflection of the passion and dedication our teams bring to their work every single day. “Responsible business is fundamental to how we operate, so this award recognises everyone who goes above and beyond to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.” The North West Responsible Business Impact Showcase is the first event of its kind to be held by BITC, marking a significant milestone for the organisation and for responsible business practice in the region. Bringing together businesses, community organisations and leaders, the event highlighted successful collaborations and celebrated how organisations are working together to deliver positive change across the region. Sophie Seddon, Non-Executive Director at Novus Property Solutions and Chair of the BITC North West Regional Leadership Board, added: “Being part of BITC’s North West Leadership Board means we see first-hand the brilliant work happening right across this region. “To see Novus recognised at this inaugural Showcase is incredibly meaningful and shows the value that our commitment has made in our communities. I hope that Novus’ story encourages other organisations to step forward, get involved with BITC and understand the real difference that responsible business can make.” Novus Property Solutions remains committed to making a positive difference in every community it works in, and this recognition highlights the ongoing focus to deliver lasting social, environmental and economic impact. To find out more about Novus Property Solutions and its work visit: www.novussolutions.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd will return to real estate event UKREiiF next month during its 25th year, leading its presence with the launch of a major new ESG whitepaper calling for regulatory action to accelerate net zero across the built environment. Demonstrating its continued commitment to the UK’s real estate, infrastructure and investment sectors, Winvic will have an expanded ‘Winvic and Partners Pavilion’, which will be shared with partners Ridge, UMC Architects, Maber and M1 Agency, creating a collaborative hub for engagement, knowledge-sharing and industry dialogue. As part of its position on the advisory board of The Westminster Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on ESG, Winvic has spearheaded the whitepaper, positioning the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (UKNZCBS) as a critical framework for delivering genuinely net zero carbon assets. Drawing on insights from a broad range of industry bodies and experts including investors, developers, contractors, consultants, designers and policymakers, the paper sets out clear, targeted recommendations for government to help accelerate adoption at scale and inform the future direction of net zero policy. Contributors to the whitepaper include UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Building Research Establishment (BRE), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Winvic Construction, BWB Consulting, Firethorn Trust, Panattoni, Ridge and Partners, Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), UMC Architects and Wordsworth Excavations. Further insights were gained from The Lord Porter of Spalding CBE and Lancaster City Council at a recent PLG round table where the UKNZCBS was discussed. The ‘Winvic and Partners Pavilion’ will host a programme of panel discussions and interactive sessions throughout UKREiiF, including a dedicated session exploring the whitepaper’s findings involving a number of the contributors and Mike Reader MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on the BuiIt Environment and Infrastructure, Business Champion for Construction and MP for Northampton South. Wider topics will include social value and planning reform, build-to-rent, data centre viability, and what makes “good” industrial and logistics development. In addition to its pavilion programme, Winvic will engage with a range of partners and initiatives during the three-day event. Leeds Children’s Charity has been selected as its local charity partner, with funds raised during the event supporting its work in the region, social enterprise Fusion21, Invest Warwickshire, developer Prologis, and partners Ridge and Maber will also host panel sessions within the pavilion, reinforcing Winvic’s collaborative approach across the industry. As it marks 25 years in business, Winvic’s presence at UKREiiF and its launch of the whitepaper celebrates its legacy, and its commitment to help shape policy and accelerate the adoption of net zero standards across the industry. Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial, Logistics & Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Over the past 25 years, Winvic has evolved in step with the industry, from a regional contractor rooted in Industrial & Logistics to a trusted national delivery partner across Industrial & Logistics, Multi-Room, Civils & Infrastructure and now Data Centres. That journey reflects a business responding to change while maintaining a disciplined approach to delivery. “It’s particularly meaningful to be at UKREiiF during our 25th year, sharing this milestone with partners and peers. This whitepaper is an important step in bringing together industry insight to help shape the policy and regulatory environment needed to deliver net zero at scale. Strong, collaborative partnerships are key to solving the sector’s most complex challenges.” Arun Thaneja, Technical Services and Sustainability Director at Winvic, said: “We’re proud to share a whitepaper that sets out a clear call to action for regulatory backing of the standard. Drawing on insights from across the industry, it provides practical recommendations for policymakers, highlighting where greater clarity and alignment can accelerate adoption of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard. Our focus is on ensuring ESG strategy translates into real outcomes on projects and across communities, helping to underpin the next phase of progress across the built environment. I look forward to sharing this at UKREiiF.” Recognised as the nation’s leading ‘shed specialist’, Winvic recently celebrated the construction of 110 million sq ft of industrial space and has expanded into data centre delivery. The company has also built a strong reputation in complex civil engineering and infrastructure, delivering over 125km of highways works and six Rail Freight Terminals to date. In the build-to-rent and student accommodation sector, Winvic has delivered more than 15,000 beds. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In collaboration with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School Sustainability increasingly shapes how investors think about their portfolios RO Group recently collaborated with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to showcase its flagship Milton Keynes office property, Silbury House, as part of an initiative focused on how corporate investors can translate sustainability strategy into practical action across real estate portfolios. As part of the programme, a webinar on Sustainable Assets for Large Corporate Investors in Real Estate was held on Tuesday 28 April, bringing together industry leaders to share their experiences of delivering decarbonisation and climate resilience initiatives, as well as highlighting challenges and opportunities. During the session, Ana Bajri, Head of Sustainability at the RO Group, presented Silbury House as a live case study. The presentation demonstrated how collaboration, data-led decision making and long-term investment can deliver measurable sustainability outcomes, while also setting out our broader approach to enhancing performance across the portfolio. Silbury House reflects RO Group’s commitment to improving the performance of existing assets through targeted, data-led retrofit and optimisation. The building has achieved an EPC A+ rating, the highest possible classification, and is currently the only office building in Milton Keynes to reach this standard, demonstrating net-zero operational carbon performance in practice. RO Group’s approach focuses on practical, scalable measures, including on-site renewable energy, electrification and the optimisation of building systems, alongside carefully planned low-carbon refurbishment. This enables a material reduction in operational energy demand and emissions, while also strengthening long-term asset resilience and supporting future regulatory requirements. Ana Bajri, Head of Sustainability at the RO Group, said: “It was a pleasure to take part in the Supply Chain Sustainability School webinar alongside NatWest, and to hear how others are approaching sustainability in practice. Thank you to the organisers and all speakers for the invaluable discussion. “Sustainability is increasingly shaping how investors think about their portfolios. Decarbonisation, climate resilience and future-proofing are no longer just considerations. They are increasingly central to long-term value and performance. “Silbury House is a fantastic example of how sustainability can be pursued. By focusing on targeted, data-led retrofit and optimisation, alongside on-site renewable energy and electrification, we have reduced operational energy demand and emissions while improving the resilience of the asset. “The focus now is on taking those lessons and applying them more widely across the portfolio as we continue to progress our net-zero pathway.” Claire Morin, NatWest, Regional Director Real Estate Finance , added: “Sustainability is no longer a future ambition for real estate investors – it is central to long‑term value, resilience and performance. Through our collaboration with RO Group and the Supply Chain Sustainability School, this webinar brought to life how data‑led decision making, collaboration and targeted investment can turn sustainability strategy into practical action. “Case studies like Silbury House show that when sustainability is embedded into core business strategy, it delivers tangible commercial outcomes alongside positive environmental impact. At NatWest, we are committed to supporting businesses with the insights, tools and partnerships they need to future‑proof their assets and thrive in a rapidly changing market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pure Data Centres and SEGRO have secured planning approval for a major hyperscale data centre development at Premier Park in west London, representing a £1 billion investment into the capital’s growing digital infrastructure sector. The scheme was approved by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation planning committee and will transform a redundant warehouse site into a state of the art, liquid cooled facility designed to support increasing demand for AI ready infrastructure and high capacity computing. Designed by Scott Brownrigg, the three storey development will provide 72MW of power capacity across 22,365 sq m of floorspace. The facility will include nine data halls, office accommodation, storage areas, plant space and a secure entrance pavilion, alongside a dedicated substation to power the site. Construction is expected to commence in 2026, with the project being delivered through a joint venture between Pure Data Centres Group and SEGRO. The building has been designed with operational efficiency at its core, using a simple linear layout to maximise IT capacity while maintaining a strong architectural presence within the surrounding industrial landscape. The scheme has also been developed with sustainability in mind, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and EPC A rated office space. Environmental measures include photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting systems and the potential use of heat recovery technology to improve energy performance and reduce operational impact. The approval further strengthens Park Royal’s position as a key industrial, logistics and technology hub in west London, as demand for advanced digital infrastructure continues to accelerate across the UK market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor Castleforge, in partnership with full-service data centre operator and advisory firm Galaxy Data Centers, today announces that full planning consent has been granted for a new 15MW data centre development at its Redhill campus. Located just outside of London, the new development will include four data halls and support a local waste heat recovery initiative. Following approval from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Planning Committee, the consented project marks a significant step forward in the joint venture’s plans to expand digital infrastructure capacity in the London market, following the partnership’s £100 million-plus investment in the existing Redhill Data Centre campus in December 2024. The scaling of the campus will see a follow-on £200m investment into the campus with a gross project value of around £500m. Situated on the existing 3.1-hectare industrial estate at Foxboro Business Park, the consented project comprises a single two-storey data centre with four data halls and an accompanying office block. The development has been designed to achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating and incorporates a range of low and zero carbon technologies. Waste heat generated by the facility will be reused on site, and the design enables future export of waste heat to the neighbouring residential heat network, supporting the wider community’s transition to lower carbon energy. The expansion follows surging demand for digital infrastructure across the London market, driven by advancements in AI, cloud computing and hybrid workloads. Demand for data continues to significantly outstrip current levels of power supply, with the difficulty of constructing new data centres around major metropolitan areas making established hubs increasingly attractive prospects for investment. Mike Adcock, Head of Investments at Castleforge, said: “Securing planning consent for our new development at Redhill is a major milestone in our plans to deliver high-quality, sustainable digital infrastructure to one of the world’s most important data centre markets. “Demand for capacity in and around London continues to outpace supply, and this consent enables us to bring forward the additional power and scale required to serve enterprise, hyperscale and edge customers. We are particularly proud of the project’s sustainability credentials, including the potential to export waste heat to local homes, which reflects our commitment to creating places that deliver lasting value for both customers and the surrounding community.” Paul Leong, Chief Financial Officer and Partner of Galaxy Data Centers, said: “This planning consent is a pivotal step in realising the long-term vision we set out when we acquired Redhill alongside Castleforge. “The new facility will significantly expand the capacity available to our customers and ensure Redhill is positioned to meet the evolving needs of edge, hyperscale and enterprise users. We are proud to be delivering a development that combines operational excellence with meaningful sustainability outcomes, and we look forward to bringing the project forward in close collaboration with the local community.” The Redhill campus currently spans 11,800 square metres across three buildings serving a dynamic existing customer base, including Fortune 500 enterprises across financial services, AI and other sectors. Customers are drawn to the site’s secured green energy, low-latency connectivity to data centre hubs including Slough and the Docklands, and scalable infrastructure. London remains the largest and most dominant data centre market in Europe, and the second largest globally after Northern Virginia. According to CBRE, the European data centre market continues to demonstrate strong year-on-year growth, with significant development activity across Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris. With planning consent now secured, Castleforge and Galaxy will move forward with the next phase of development, with further milestones to be announced in due course. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Type One Energy, Tokamak Energy, and AECOM today announced the UK Infinity Fusion Consortium to pursue development of the first private-sector-led fusion power plant project in the United Kingdom. Together, the companies intend to develop a fusion project that is commercially credible, deployable using existing enabling technologies, and capable of attracting private capital —consistent with the long-term goals of the government’s recently announced UK Fusion Strategy. This announcement comes at a time of increasing U.S.-U.K. bilateral cooperation on fusion. His Majesty King Charles III said during his address to the United States Congress last week that, “Our nations are combining talent and resources in the technologies of tomorrow: our new partnerships in nuclear fusion and quantum computing, and in AI and drug discovery, holding the promise of saving countless lives.” The Consortium partners are all members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), a global CEO-led network founded by His Majesty King Charles III with the mandate to lead the private sector in accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy. At its core, the UK Infinity Fusion Consortiumcombines Type One Energy’s 400 MWe Infinity Two stellarator fusion power plant design, AECOM’s leading engineering capabilities, and Tokamak Energy’s HTS magnet technology and manufacturing expertise in the UK. The Consortium will use these capabilities to develop a UK Infinity Two fusion power plant project that will include participation by the broader UK fusion value chain spanning construction, finance, offtake and other supply chain partners. The Consortium will build on the UK’s significant investment in magnetic confinement fusion technology, supply chain capabilities, regulation, and power plant siting for the government’s STEP Fusion programme. It will also capitalize on the synergy and experience gained from the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) Infinity Two fusion power plant project at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) Bull Run site in the United States, which is targeted for commercial operation in 2034. The TVA Infinity Two project is being supported by the U.S. government’s own fusion programmes and provides a strong technical and programmatic foundation for the UK Infinity Two deployment project. The development of a UK Infinity Two fusion power plant project by the Consortium is aligned with the UK Government’s strategy to move from world-leading fusion science to commercial deployment — a strategy guiding the STEP Fusion programme. The Consortium will create a private-sector-led fusion commercialization pathway complementing the STEP Fusion programme. The UK Infinity Two project further scales growth of the UK fusion supply chain and accelerates time-to-market for this critical new energy source, while strengthening the country’s industrial base. Chris Mowry, Chief Executive Officer, Type One Energy, said:“Fusion needs to be delivered, not just developed. This Consortium brings together the core industrial capabilities in the UK and US required to deploy real-world fusion power plant projects that are commercially viable. By aligning fusion technology, advanced manufacturing, and power plant engineering, we are closing the gap between today’s energy innovation and tomorrow’s energy infrastructure. Our initiative is fully aligned with UK and US ambitions to be leaders in commercial fusion deployment.” Warrick Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, Tokamak Energy, said:“This Consortium puts Tokamak Energy’s transformative magnet technology and manufacturing expertise in the centre of another world-class fusion programme. Together, we can accelerate towards commercialising a new form of limitless, clean energy and, in combination with our role as STEP magnet systems partner, strengthen the UK supply chain’s leadership in global fusion.” Troy Rudd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AECOM, said: “Fusion represents one of the most important long-term energy solutions, offering a clean, safe and reliable source of power for future generations. Delivering on fusion’s potential requires disciplined engineering, well-established infrastructure delivery models and collaboration across the entire energy ecosystem. Through this Consortium, AECOM is bringing its global experience in complex energy infrastructure to help lay the groundwork for commercial fusion projects that can scale with confidence, supporting the UK’s energy system while strengthening its industrial and infrastructure base.” Lord Vallance, UK Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said: “This government is backing fusion with over £2.5 billion and recently announced a deal with the United States, which includes closer working on fusion research and development, taking us closer to a future powered by limitless clean energy. Our long-term vision and investment in the sector is now helping turn that ambition into reality.” Lord Stockwood, UK Minister for Investment, said: “The UK is a world leader in renewables, and this consortium will play a key role in new fusion projects, creating exciting opportunities for people in local communities. We’re serious about the benefits of clean energy technologies, which is why our modern Industrial Strategy is attracting investment into the sector to boost economic growth as the UK powers towards net zero.” Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) said: “Type One Energy, Tokamak Energy and AECOM have come together as members of the SMI, demonstrating the SMI’s Terra Carta and Astra Carta mandates in action — business and finance working together to turn breakthrough innovation into measurable progress in building a more sustainable future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals About Type One Energy Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies. Type One Energy applies proven advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized stellarator fusion energy system. Its FusionDirect™ development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion power plant over the coming decade, using a partner-intensive and capital-efficient strategy. Type One Energy is committed to community engagement in the development and deployment of its clean energy technology. About Tokamak Energy Tokamak Energy is a global leader in high temperature superconducting (HTS) and fusion technologies founded in 2009 as a spin out from UK Atomic Energy Authority. The company
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been working with Telent, the mission-critical technology specialist, to trial its CCTV assurance platform, Arbitex, giving technical teams continuous visibility into the condition and performance of the airport’s CCTV estate. The three‑month trial, which has now concluded, enabled the airport to assess how automated daily checks on each camera improve oversight and maintenance planning. Arbitex verifies connectivity, confirms alignment against reference images and assesses image quality, including detecting contamination such as dirt or obstruction. Throughout the trial, Telent worked closely with Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s Technical Services team and the airport’s on-site maintenance contractor throughout the trial. This included methodical onboarding, calibration of reference frames and refinement of reporting parameters to ensure the entire camera estate was accurately represented. Together, the teams configured the platform to reflect the scale and operational importance of the airport’s CCTV infrastructure. The automated monitoring provided structured assurance that cameras are performing as expected. Instead of relying solely on reactive fault reporting or periodic inspection, engineers can identify potential performance issues earlier and schedule targeted maintenance where required. The consistent, data‑driven insight delivered by Arbitex offered earlier visibility of issues before they could impact operations. In this type of critical infrastructure environment, this level of visibility provides confidence that CCTV systems remain aligned and operational, supporting the day-to-day running of the airport. “Arbitex is designed to give organisations confidence in the condition of their critical systems. Continuous monitoring of camera performance and image quality enables teams to identify changes early and maintain infrastructure more effectively. Working with Liverpool John Lennon Airport allowed us to tailor the platform to the operational demands of a busy airport environment,” said Reg Cook, Director of Asset Management at Telent. “Operationally, Arbitex has become an invaluable tool for monitoring the health and condition of our CCTV estate. The platform provides consistent visibility of system performance and early insight into potential issues, allowing us to take a more proactive approach to maintenance. In a critical infrastructure environment, that level of assurance is extremely valuable,” said Michael Brown, Head of Technical Services at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Following the successful completion of the trial, the next phase sees Telent begin its contracted rollout of Arbitex at Liverpool John Lennon Airport from 1 April. The rollout phase will see the platform extended across the full CCTV estate, supporting a more consistent and data‑driven maintenance approach. The platform gives the airport clearer visibility of system performance, offering early warning of degrading camera performance before it impacts operations. Overall, the trial demonstrated tangible operational benefits, supporting a more proactive maintenance model and strengthening system assurance. Learn more about Telent’s Arbitex platform here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals