Singapore-based fashion manufacturer Q Collection has completed works on its new UK HQ in Ashby. Q Collection manufactures apparel and textiles for international fashion brands and retailers, specialising in high-quality, sustainable production. With a need for a UK centre of excellence to grow the UK-based team, expand its operations, enhance
Sustainable refurbishment specialist Better Green Living has been appointed to refurbish Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Birmingham. Owned by the University of Birmingham, the hotel will benefit from a soft refurbishment to enhance its facilities. The new business win marks a pivotal moment in Better Green Living’s expansion
United Infrastructure, a leading provider of solutions for the UK’s critical infrastructure, and SoilDri, a specialist provider of sustainable soil improvement, have announced the launch of a national innovation partnership focused on transforming how infrastructure renewal is delivered – enabling utility clients to deliver at greater pace, lower cost and
Specialist logistics developer Padrock has submitted plans to speculatively develop a 245,000 sq ft Grade A urban multi-let industrial (MLI) and logistics development in Elstree, Hertfordshire. The proposed scheme will comprise 13 units ranging from 10,500 sq ft to 130,000 sq ft and have a gross development value of around
MILWAUKEE® introduces its latest addition to the job site the M18™ Lift Air Fan, built for versatility and quick adjustments. Built for demanding job sites, this fan delivers powerful personal cooling with full airflow control, a quick‑adjust scissor lift mount, and all‑day versatility on the MILWAUKEE® M18™ battery platform. The
Lincoln’s retail sector is set to receive another boost this summer as fashion brand Superdry prepares to open a new flagship-style store at the Waterside shopping centre, reinforcing confidence in well-located retail destinations and the continued evolution of the UK’s high street. The retailer has secured an 11,200 sq ft
Millions of homeowners waiting for permission to extend their homes, convert lofts or make other improvements could see faster decisions, with two new AI tools unveiled today (Wednesday 17th June) to modernise England’s planning system. The first is a new AI prototype that aims to halve the time it takes
BW: Workplace Experts (BW) is introducing mandatory raspberry hi-vis for subcontractor operatives across all its new fit out projects, creating a standardised identification system which is currently spanning 14 live sites and 137 supply chain partners. The London-based fit out contractor is implementing the raspberry hi-vis for all subcontractor operatives
FIS has launched a short, targeted e-learning module: The Building Safety Act Wales 2026 to help contractors, designers and specialists prepare for significant changes to building regulations in Wales coming into force on 1st July 2026. From that date, a new building safety regime will come into force in Wales,
Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) has appointed Stuart Hayler as General Manager of its Durham Hub. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Stuart will be responsible for leading the team and managing all operations from the Hub. Prior to the appointment, Stuart was Regional Director at Jewson and
Singapore-based fashion manufacturer Q Collection has completed works on its new UK HQ in Ashby. Q Collection manufactures apparel and textiles for international fashion brands and retailers, specialising in high-quality, sustainable production. With a need for a UK centre of excellence to grow the UK-based team, expand its operations, enhance its technology, and a space to welcome clients, the manufacturer identified Ashby as the right location in the heart of the Midlands to realise its plans. Located in Excelsior House on Excelsior Road in the town, local workplace consultancy Blueprint Interiors was appointed to deliver internal design and fit out of the 7,000 sq ft space. After an eight-week fit out phase, Q Collection now has a state-of-the-art office, design and manufacturing facility which includes a lingerie lab, with 14 sewing machines, cutting tables, cup moulders and a dark room, and a knitting lab, with four full-size knitting machines, steam press and yarn library. Other features include a fit room, where garments can be modelled and photographed, connected to a presentation area with tiered seating, next to a runway. This space allows for co-creation sessions, bringing designers and customers together to realise garments and 3D modelling technology to develop new collections. Q Collection also has its new client lounge, which can be set up as a showroom or bespoke retail experience to display collections, with large video conferencing set up for global communications. During the works, Blueprint encouraged Q Collection to pursue a SKA certification – an environmental assessment method developed specifically for commercial office fit outs, that helps landlords and tenants to measure sustainability across factors like energy and water use, CO2 emissions, materials, waste and pollution. The project successfully secured a SKA Silver certification. Alongside partner TecInteractive, Blueprint and Q Collection developed a ‘Virtual Quality Lab’ – a unique space with high resolution, high zoom cameras with links into the manufacturer’s Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh sites, where colleagues can use the technology to see the samples in the labs from thousands of miles away, enabling them to make faster decision, saving time and costs. Boutaina Faruq, Director at Q Collection, said: “This investment reflects our long-term commitment to the UK market, our global brand partners and to innovation and sustainability. “Our dedicated team was also a primary factor in creating a space that truly puts people first. We wanted to acknowledge their commitment and design a workplace around them, which inspires creativity, supports wellbeing, and enables our people to do their best work in the space that they need. “Blueprint are visionaries and were easy and dynamic to work with from day one. We thought we knew what we wanted and what was possible until we met with Chloe and the team. They really took us to the next level with their expertise of workspaces that put wellbeing and productivity front and centre. It was a real collaboration and an incredible end result. “Excelsior House is already strengthening collaboration, accelerating innovation, making us more efficient and is bringing us closer to our customers. We are proud to be a manufacturing business in Ashby.” This is the third project Blueprint has delivered for Q Collection, having also worked on the design of its head office in Singapore, and a new 50 head count office facility in Sri Lanka. Chloe Sproston, Creative Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “We are proud to have had the opportunity to work with Boutaina and the team at Q Collection again on what is a really bespoke and innovative project. Securing the SKA Silver rating is a particular highlight, allowing us to realise our passion for truly sustainable fit out into reality. “Providing Cat B design and fit out services on a significant single-storey space was a real opportunity to create something special, which would meet and surpass Q Collection’s objectives. We’ve challenged ourselves at every level to deliver a really exciting project. “As a team we took the time to fully understand the intricacies of Q Collections operations and this included on the ground research here and abroad. Blending this with our knowledge of how people work, and how to create memorable and successful workplace experiences – for colleagues and visitors – we guided Boutaina and the team on what’s possible. “The new UK HQ is an incredible open-plan space, separated into zones to enable workflow and collaboration. Every element has a purpose from the furniture to the fixtures and fittings and can be moved and adapted as the space evolves. This was a highly unique and technical project which provides the best possible environment for the team, and a place for clients to partake in the co-creation process of garments.” Q Collection is looking at further expansion in the Midlands and wants to encourage more manufacturing companies back to the region to create British-made products. Boutaina adds: “The Midlands used to be a centre for apparel manufacturing and we see great opportunity for firms operating in the space, like us, to bring this back. We are working to support students wanting to learn the skills needed for a career in fashion design and production and are investing in the next generation who will hopefully enable this movement to grow and scale.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sustainable refurbishment specialist Better Green Living has been appointed to refurbish Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Birmingham. Owned by the University of Birmingham, the hotel will benefit from a soft refurbishment to enhance its facilities. The new business win marks a pivotal moment in Better Green Living’s expansion within the commercial sector. With previous projects including Co-op Live Manchester, the largest indoor entertainment arena in the UK, Better Green Living has firmly established itself as a trusted name in sustainable design and build, retrofitting and refurbishment. The project will involve the refurbishment of 12 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a staircase and meeting rooms across the venue. The works also include moving and creating a new reception desk and building a new luggage room. The company will lead on all aspects of project management, contractor coordination and on-site delivery to ensure the project runs smoothly and efficiently. Refurbishment is considered a sustainable practice as it extends the lifecycle of the existing built environment, reducing landfill waste and saving embodied carbon, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a material. Deborah Parsons, CEO & Sustainability & Outreach Director at Better Green Living, commented: “Refurbishment is an inherently sustainable approach to property development, as it improves existing spaces, rather than building from the ground up. This aligns with Better Green Living’s values as a zero waste to landfill company. Our method for refurbishment focuses on delivering high-quality updates that meet modern standards, while reusing materials wherever possible. We hope our work at Edgbaston Park Hotel will give the building a new lease of life, ready to receive guests at the start of August.” Julie Crump, Director of Operations at Edgbaston Park Hotel, commented: “Edgbaston Park Hotel receives guests for every occasion, from relaxing breaks and conferences to weddings. By upgrading some of our rooms to a stylish, modern standard, we ensure that our guests enjoy the best possible experience during their stay with us. The reconfiguration of the foyer to accommodate the new reception desk means that the hotel is a better fit for purpose, while providing brand-new luggage rooms enables us to accommodate all our guests comfortably.” Better Green Living, part of Better Green Group, is a specialist refurbishment company dedicated to sustainable retrofitting and commercial fit outs. Known for delivering high-profile refurbishment projects for King’s College London, the company continues to strengthen its reputation as a leader in environmentally conscious construction. To find out more about Better Green Living, please visit: www.better-greenliving.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Infrastructure, a leading provider of solutions for the UK’s critical infrastructure, and SoilDri, a specialist provider of sustainable soil improvement, have announced the launch of a national innovation partnership focused on transforming how infrastructure renewal is delivered – enabling utility clients to deliver at greater pace, lower cost and with improved outcomes for customers and communities as the industry progresses through AMP8. The partnership follows SoilDri’s recent recognition at the United Infrastructure Supply Chain Awards, where the business received an Innovation Award for its approach to minimise soil-to-landfill, and emphasise value in soil reuse and sustainable utility delivery. The award recognised the environmental and operational benefits being delivered through the use of SoilDri SEM and the innovative TSM-5 soil mixing machine. The partnership brings together United Infrastructure’s expertise in utility infrastructure delivery with SoilDri’s innovative soil reuse technologies, enabling excavated materials to be treated and reused directly on site rather than being removed to landfill and replaced with imported aggregates. The announcement comes at a time when the utilities industry and its delivery partners are under increasing pressure to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and maximise the reuse of excavated materials. Industry initiatives championed by organisations such as Street Works UK, together with evolving reinstatement standards, sustainability targets and a growing focus on circular economy principles, are driving change across the sector. At the heart of the partnership is SoilDri SEM, a specialist solution developed specifically for the utilities sector that enables excavated materials to be improved and reused within reinstatement works. Supporting this approach is the innovative TSM-5, a road-towable soil mixing machine that allows treatment to take place directly at source. Together, the technologies reduce waste, minimise lorry movements and community disruption, lower carbon emissions and improve project efficiency whilst supporting the delivery challenges facing the utilities sector throughout AMP8 and beyond. The partnership forms part of a national rollout programme that is bringing sustainable soil reuse technologies to utility infrastructure projects across the UK. Already being deployed on live utility projects, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and delivering better outcomes for clients, communities and the wider environment. At a time of unprecedented infrastructure investment, this partnership highlights how innovation can unlock faster delivery, lower carbon and reduced cost – ensuring AMP8 and AMP9 are delivered efficiently and at best value for customers and the wider UK economy. Kelly Macfarlane, Managing Director of United Infrastructure Water, said: The scale of infrastructure renewal required in AMP8 demands a step change in how we deliver projects. Traditional approaches alone will not meet the pace, cost, and sustainability challenges ahead. At UI, we have a strong focus on innovation, supported by a dedicated team that identifies and develops new approaches to address the sector’s most pressing challenges. Our partnership with SoilDri is a direct result of this focus. It enables faster, more efficient delivery of essential water infrastructure, improving outcomes for customers and the communities that rely on these services. By reducing waste, minimising haulage, and accelerating reinstatement, we lower carbon emissions and deliver works in a more sustainable way. At the same time, we support our water company clients in achieving better value for money while meeting their environmental commitments. Dan Macey, Director of Strategic Growth at SoilDri, said: “United Infrastructure has established a reputation for embracing innovation and challenging traditional approaches to project delivery. That makes them an ideal partner as we continue the national rollout of SoilDri technologies across the utilities sector.” “The combination of SoilDri SEM and the TSM-5 enables excavated materials to be treated and reused directly on site, reducing reliance on landfill and imported aggregates whilst supporting faster, more sustainable project delivery. As the partnership expands, we will continue introducing additional SoilDri technologies across the utilities sector, helping contractors and asset owners reduce waste (in line with the top tiers of the waste hierarchy), lower carbon emissions and improve operational efficiency.” The partnership will be supported by a programme of joint communications, project case studies and industry engagement activities throughout 2026, showcasing how innovation can support the UK’s infrastructure renewal ambitions and the delivery challenges associated with AMP8 and beyond. Watch the supporting video here: SoilDri & United Infrastructure Partnership Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist logistics developer Padrock has submitted plans to speculatively develop a 245,000 sq ft Grade A urban multi-let industrial (MLI) and logistics development in Elstree, Hertfordshire. The proposed scheme will comprise 13 units ranging from 10,500 sq ft to 130,000 sq ft and have a gross development value of around £120m. The 17-acre brownfield site was acquired by Padrock in March this year and is located adjacent to the established Centennial Park business estate in Elstree. The site is also strategically positioned next to the A1, three miles from the M1 and six miles from the M25, providing strong connectivity to central London and the national road network. All units at the development have been designed to deliver best-in-class sustainability credentials including BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ ratings, plus alignment with EU Taxonomy objectives. Subject to planning, construction is anticipated to commence in autumn of this year, with practical completion expected in late 2027. Padrock founding partner, Mark Symonds, said: “Our plans will provide Elstree with a highly sustainable economic asset that will help satisfy the latent demand in the region for high-specification, new-build urban MLI accommodation. “Our scheme will appeal to a wide range of occupiers due to the versatility and flexibility of our proposals and the diversity of tenants we would hope to attract would be one of its strengths. “With all of our developments we want to create outstanding sustainable environments with excellent connectivity for businesses to grow, employ people and achieve their commercial objectives. “We intend for our Elstree scheme to be another great example of Padrock’s distinct approach to development and we now look forward to our plans being heard at committee.” Headquartered in London, Padrock is a property developer and asset manager which specialises in sustainable urban MLI and logistics assets across the UK and Europe. The company has around 1m sq ft of Grade A MLI and logistics accommodation under construction or ready for development with a combined gross development value of £500m. Its current development portfolio also includes Hertford Logistics Hub in Hertford, Dagenham Logistics Hub and Leyton Logistics Hub, both in east London, and Erith Logistics Hub in south east London. For more information on the company, search ‘Padrock’. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MILWAUKEE® introduces its latest addition to the job site the M18™ Lift Air Fan, built for versatility and quick adjustments. Built for demanding job sites, this fan delivers powerful personal cooling with full airflow control, a quick‑adjust scissor lift mount, and all‑day versatility on the MILWAUKEE® M18™ battery platform. The integrated variable speed dial provides precise control, allowing users to adjust airflow to suit the application and job site conditions. Featuring up to 350° of horizontal fan head rotation and up to 210° of vertical tilt, this fan delivers exceptional control to direct airflow exactly where it is needed. A quick adjust clamp design enables fast, secure mounting to any scissor lift, reducing setup time and keeping airflow where operators need it. Designed for maximum compatibility, the quick adjust clamp securely mounts to both square and round rails, allowing the fan to be installed in seconds on any scissor lift. An integrated tether point allows attachment of a tool lanyard, providing added security when used at height. Engineered with an impact‑resistant housing and protection against dust and water ingress, the fan is built to withstand demanding job site conditions. Powered by a high‑performance brushless motor, this fan delivers airflow speeds of up to 30 km/h and a volume of 1.274 m³/h, optimised for personal cooling in demanding commercial job site environments. Delivering dependable run time, the fan operates for up to 3.5 hours on high and up to 8 hours at 75% speed when paired with an M18™ 5.0 Ah REDLITHIUM™ battery. Specifications M18™ Lift Air Fan M18 LAF-0 Kit Includes: (1) M18™ LAF To find out more about M18™ Lift Air Fan 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
Lincoln’s retail sector is set to receive another boost this summer as fashion brand Superdry prepares to open a new flagship-style store at the Waterside shopping centre, reinforcing confidence in well-located retail destinations and the continued evolution of the UK’s high street. The retailer has secured an 11,200 sq ft unit across two floors within the popular retail and leisure destination, with fit-out works now underway ahead of an anticipated opening at the end of July. The new store has been designed to provide dedicated retail environments for both menswear and womenswear, with the ground floor showcasing the brand’s women’s collections and the upper floor focused on men’s fashion. The arrival of Superdry further strengthens Waterside’s occupier mix, joining a portfolio of established national retailers including H&M, Next, Rituals, The Body Shop, New Look, Accessorize and Office. The announcement represents another positive milestone for Waterside following recent investment by property developer and investor Wykeland Group. Wykeland initially acquired the 130,000 sq ft shopping centre through a joint venture with Lincolnshire Co-op in 2023 before taking full ownership earlier this year, signalling its long-term commitment to the destination. Jason Platten, Head of Retail and Leisure at Wykeland, described Superdry as a major addition to the centre, noting that the retailer’s decision to invest in Waterside reflects growing confidence in the scheme’s strong footfall and its position at the heart of Lincoln’s retail and leisure offer. He added that Wykeland remains committed to investing in the centre to enhance the customer experience while attracting high-quality occupiers that support its long-term success and strengthen its appeal to both shoppers and brands. For Superdry, the opening forms part of its wider strategy to invest in physical retailing, recognising the continued importance of well-designed stores in delivering engaging customer experiences alongside its online channels. Founder and Chief Executive Julian Dunkerton said the new Lincoln store reflects the company’s commitment to creating attractive retail environments that showcase the brand’s evolving identity while bringing its latest collections closer to customers. The investment highlights the continued resilience of high-quality regional retail destinations, with landlords increasingly focused on curating strong tenant mixes and investing in their assets to create vibrant, experience-led environments that support long-term commercial success. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Millions of homeowners waiting for permission to extend their homes, convert lofts or make other improvements could see faster decisions, with two new AI tools unveiled today (Wednesday 17th June) to modernise England’s planning system. The first is a new AI prototype that aims to halve the time it takes to process householder planning applications – down from eight, to four weeks in an average case. It is in early stage testing with Barnet, Camden and Dorset councils. The prototype triages applications, summarises key information and provides planning officers with an initial assessment they can consider when making their decision. It has been created by Government together with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local planning authorities. The second is that another tool, Extract, is now available to all councils in England as promised by the Prime Minister last year. It uses AI to help planning officers convert decades-old planning documents and maps, sometimes with handwritten notes, into readily useable data in minutes. Householder applications account for nearly 70% of planning applications each year. By reducing the time spent on straightforward cases, the prototype being tested in Barnet, Camden and Dorset could help planning officers focus more on complex applications, including new housing and major developments communities rely on. If successful, the technology will be rolled out nationwide by 2027 – with every assessment reviewed and approved by a qualified planning officer before any decision is made. The announcement marks another step in the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and use technology to improve public services. Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government Ian Murray said: “When someone wants to add a bedroom or convert their loft, they shouldn’t be waiting months for a straightforward decision. And planning officers shouldn’t be spending hours digging through decades of paper records when making the decisions that really matter. “These tools give planning officers better support to make quicker decisions – and give families the answers they deserve, faster. “This isn’t about replacing the expertise and judgement of planning professionals; it’s about taking admin off their desks so they can focus on the skilled work their communities need most.” Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said: “Our planning system remains heavily reliant on cumbersome paper-based processes that consume the time of expert planning officers and cause delays on even the most routine types of application. “We are dragging the system into the twenty-first century by harnessing the power of AI to streamline the planning application process, freeing up planners to make quicker and better decisions and reducing unnecessary delays.” Naisha Polaine, Executive Director for Growth at Barnet Council said: “The tool’s ability to collect relevant information, undertake a provisional assessment, and draft the foundations of a report has the potential to save significant officer time spent working on the administration of planning applications and direct this to speeding up the decision-making process for residents. “In turn, this will contribute significantly to delivering our house building growth targets in the borough.” From today, Extract is now available to all local planning authorities in England. It will slash the estimated 250,000 hours a year spent by planning officers manually checking these documents. Digitising and publishing these documents, as data, helps officers and the public access high-quality planning data more easily, and create the right foundation for the next generation of tools that could dramatically reduce delays that plague the system. Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on checking old documents. For every application, planning officers must check the local planning rules that apply, many of which are hidden away in hundreds of pages of documents, before reaching a decision. This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding. It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process, reduce costs and save time for councils and developers. It comes as the Government laid regulations in Parliament earlier this month to overhaul planning committees – speeding up decisions on small planning applications, such as larger home extensions and loft conversions, through a new National Scheme of Delegation. Marc Waner, CEO of Faculty, CTO of Accenture, said: “For decades, England’s gummed up planning system has slowed families seeking simple home improvements – like new windows, or attic conversions. “By using AI to support planning officers with clear recommendations – with humans retaining final sign off – we will help cut approval times on simple renovations in half. “This will give councils more time and resource to focus on the bigger infrastructure projects that will improve communities and drive economic growth.” Lila Ibrahim, Chief AI Readiness Officer, Google DeepMind said: “The UK has an opportunity to build the homes our communities need, but local councils face a mountain of paperwork. “That’s why we’re co-creating a sophisticated planning tool directly with councils to solve real-world bottlenecks. This will help significantly cut decision times, freeing up planners to focus on the future to get Britain building faster.” Following trials across 20 local planning authorities in England including Exeter and Hillingdon, Extract is expected to save the average council around 255 hours of manual work digesting documents into digital form. This is down from more than 500 – giving staff more valuable time back to focus on complex work that delivers value for the communities they serve. Last year the Prime Minister announced that Extract would be made available to every local planning authority in England by Spring 2026 – today the government is delivering on that commitment. Extract was developed by the Government’s expert applied AI team, the Incubator for AI (i.AI), working with MHCLG’s Digital Planning programme. You can read more about i.AI’s work here: https://ai.gov.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BW: Workplace Experts (BW) is introducing mandatory raspberry hi-vis for subcontractor operatives across all its new fit out projects, creating a standardised identification system which is currently spanning 14 live sites and 137 supply chain partners. The London-based fit out contractor is implementing the raspberry hi-vis for all subcontractor operatives working across its new project sites, forming part of a three-colour identification system. BW project teams wear black hi-vis, visitors wear white, and subcontractor operatives wear raspberry. In the past 30 days alone, more than 1,660 operatives from 137 partner companies have signed in across BW sites, accounting for almost 19,000 individual site entries by its supply chain. On active fit out and refurbishment projects, where multiple trades and subcontractors often work simultaneously, clear identification plays an important role in supporting day-to-day coordination, emergency response and workforce wellbeing. BW’s colour-coded system gives site teams an immediate reference point to understand who is on site and their relationship to the project. Lorna Killick, Head of Business Transformation at BW: Workplace Experts, said: “On a busy site, you can have dozens of people from different companies working in the same space. Knowing who is on site, who they work for and whether they’re supposed to be there is an important part of running a safe, well-managed project. “We wanted a system that reinforced our commitment to Defect Free project journeys by enhancing the full site experience from day one. Where safety messages sometimes blend into the background, particularly in environments where people are exposed to the same visual cues every day, raspberry is an unmistakeable signal of a BW site member. It stands out. “This isn’t about changing hi-vis for the sake of it. It’s about creating consistency across our projects and supply chain. The colour is becoming a shorthand for accountability, familiarity and looking out for each other.” Unlike project-specific branded PPE, which is commonplace in the industry, the standardised raspberry hi-vis can be used by operatives as they move between BW projects. This creates a consistent experience for returning supply chain partners while reducing the waste associated with single-project PPE that cannot be used elsewhere. To mark the roll-out of the initiative, BW has launched a ‘Raspberry Week’ campaign from 22-26 June 2026, turning its logo, website, sites and support centre raspberry to highlight the thinking behind the policy and encourage conversation about visibility and accountability in live construction environments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FIS has launched a short, targeted e-learning module: The Building Safety Act Wales 2026 to help contractors, designers and specialists prepare for significant changes to building regulations in Wales coming into force on 1st July 2026. From that date, a new building safety regime will come into force in Wales, introducing fundamental changes to how building work is regulated, approved and enforced. While closely aligned with the principles of the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced in England, the Welsh system is not identical and will operate through different regulators, processes and documentation requirements. What is changing in Wales? Wales is introducing a dutyholder‑led regulatory framework that applies to all regulated building work, with additional and more stringent requirements for higher‑risk buildings (HRBs). The system has strong parallels with the English regime, but there are important practical differences that contractors, designers and specialists need to understand. Key features of the Welsh regime include: A significant difference from the English system is that Wales has not created a standalone Building Safety Regulator. Higher‑risk buildings and enforcement remain within the jurisdiction of local authority building control, with different approval routes, statutory declarations and appeal mechanisms. The Welsh regime also defines higher‑risk buildings more broadly, capturing buildings with at least one residential unit as well as hospitals and care homes with overnight stays. What the FIS Wales 2026 module covers The new FIS training module is targeted at those who have already completed the Introduction to the Building Safety Act and now need to understand how the Welsh system works in practice. It provides: Preparing for July 2026 Transitional provisions mean that some projects already in the system before 1st July 2026 will continue under the current arrangements. However, any project that has not deposited full plans or secured acceptance of an initial notice by that date will need to comply with the new Welsh regime from the outset. With increased emphasis on competence, accountability and documented compliance, now is the right time for organisations to ensure their teams understand how the Welsh system operates. FIS remains committed to supporting the finishes and interiors sector through the biggest regulatory change in a generation. Alongside this new Wales‑specific module, FIS continues to provide guidance, training and practical tools to help members manage risk, improve safety and remain compliant. To access the course, visit the FIS E-Learning Academy. For any questions about the regulations contact the FIS team at info@thefis.org or 0121 707 0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) has appointed Stuart Hayler as General Manager of its Durham Hub. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Stuart will be responsible for leading the team and managing all operations from the Hub. Prior to the appointment, Stuart was Regional Director at Jewson and brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Part of the STARK Building Materials UK Ltd group of builders’ merchants and materials distributors, MBS provides tailored product and service support for large-scale building projects. Focused on volume supply and project-specific solutions, MBS helps major housebuilders deliver efficiently and consistently. Stuart said: “Having spent more than 25 years in the industry, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience every level, from working in the yard to leading teams as a regional director. Those experiences have shaped my approach and given me a strong understanding of what it takes to build successful operations and support our customers in the best way. “After several rewarding years with Jewson, I’m excited to take on a new challenge with MBS. The Durham Hub has enormous potential and I see a real opportunity to build on its strengths, drive further growth and ensure we continue delivering exceptional service to the businesses in the area who rely on us. “I’ll be bringing a combination of commercial, supplier and operational expertise to the role, but my focus will also be on developing the talented people within the business. Strong teams are what drive long-term success, and I’m looking forward to helping both the Hub and its people reach their full potential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals