Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has been selected as the preferred bidder to deliver a significant new residential development in Preston, following a competitive tender win for a mixed-tenure scheme with Community Gateway Association (CGA) – Preston’s largest social housing landlord. The £28 million contract will mark
Mulberry will open a 1,466 sq ft pop-up at Landsec’s Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth later this month, adding the British heritage label to the outlet’s line-up of premium brands. The temporary store, set within The Avenues, will showcase a range of the brand’s leather goods and follows a period of
As World Mental Health Day today (10/10/25) highlights the importance of wellbeing across all workplaces, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is urging builders to make mental health a top priority. With construction workers continuing to face suicide rates three to four times the national average, the FMB is campaigning
The sale follows Catesby Estates successfully overturning a refused planning application in 2024 Catesby Estates, a leading strategic land promoter, has completed the land sale of a 25 acre site in Latchingdon, Essex, to housebuilder Dandara Homes. The land, which is a dedicated greenfield site, has planning permission for 160
Europe’s €500 billion logistics real estate market faces a structural supply gap of more than €150 billion, according to a new Prologis Research white paper, Persistent Supply Constraints Position Europe For Value Growth. Regulatory hurdles, infrastructure bottlenecks, environmental requirements and political resistance are constraining new development across Europe. At the
Hampshire-headquartered Bargate has been crowned winner of Premier Guarantee’s 2025 ‘Development of the Year’ for its landmark Heritage Place scheme at North Stoneham Park, Eastleigh. The award for 151+ Units recognises Heritage Place, a £97m neighbourhood of 322 homes set within a historic 120-acre former deer park, as the standout
G&H has secured a £12 million contract to deliver a complete mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) design and build for Harrogate District Hospital’s new state-of-the-art Day Care Surgery and Imaging Centre. Following a competitive tender, main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has appointed MEP service provider G&H to support the
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has appointed Mathura Paramjorthy as Head of Portfolio Management in its Specialist Mortgages and Bridging division. She will report to Alex Upton, Managing Director, Specialist Mortgages and Bridging Finance. Mathura was most recently Chief Operating Officer at Bridge Invest, having previously held the same role at
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland has appointed DEAN O’SULLIVAN as CEO for its UK & Ireland business following the retirement of long-standing CEO, Mike Chaldecott after 42 years in Saint-Gobain. Dean will lead Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland in delivering its new Strategic Plan – Lead & Grow – unveiled on Monday,
OCU Group, one of the UK’s leading energy transition and utilities infrastructure services companies, today released its annual report and financial statements for the year ending 30 April 2025, marking another year of strong growth and strategic investment. As the UK significantly increases its demand for energy, utilities and digital
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has been selected as the preferred bidder to deliver a significant new residential development in Preston, following a competitive tender win for a mixed-tenure scheme with Community Gateway Association (CGA) – Preston’s largest social housing landlord. The £28 million contract will mark the first collaboration between Vistry and CGA and will see the delivery of 126 homes in the first phase of this wider scheme. The development will offer a mix of tenures, supporting CGA’s commitment to providing a wider choice of good quality and affordable homes for the local community. Work is scheduled to begin on site in 2026, with Vistry bringing its proven expertise in delivering large-scale residential projects to the partnership. Zac Worthington, Managing Director of Vistry Merseyside & Cheshire West, said: “We’re delighted Community Gateway Association has chosen to work with us for the first time on this exciting new scheme in Preston. Working together we can deliver a significant number of homes for local people in a range of housing choices.” Stephen Galbraith, Head of Development and Regeneration at Community Gateway said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Vistry on this development, which will bring much-needed, high-quality homes to Preston. This partnership reflects our corporate priority of offering a wider choice of affordable housing and supporting our ongoing commitment to meet local housing needs.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mulberry will open a 1,466 sq ft pop-up at Landsec’s Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth later this month, adding the British heritage label to the outlet’s line-up of premium brands. The temporary store, set within The Avenues, will showcase a range of the brand’s leather goods and follows a period of active leasing and investment at the waterfront scheme. Recent arrivals include Citizen and Oliver Bonas, joining established names such as Penhaligon’s, AllSaints, Polo Ralph Lauren and Coach. The signing comes on the back of strong trading across Landsec’s outlet portfolio, with April–June sales up 11.2% year-on-year. The landlord’s ongoing investment programme at Gunwharf Quays aims to elevate the customer experience and support a more premium tenant mix. “We’re focused on elevating Gunwharf Quays as a destination for premium brands, and introducing Mulberry to The Avenues is a testament to its growing appeal,” said Pablo Sueiras, head of retail and hospitality leasing at Landsec. “With consistent high footfall and our ongoing investment programme enhancing the surroundings, we’re creating the ideal environment for brands to connect with guests. We are seeing continued rise in demand for elevated experiences, and this pop-up is perfectly placed to cater to that trend.” For retail property watchers, the move underscores how outlet destinations are using short-term formats to test demand, optimise unit sizes and maintain momentum in a competitive, experience-led market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As World Mental Health Day today (10/10/25) highlights the importance of wellbeing across all workplaces, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is urging builders to make mental health a top priority. With construction workers continuing to face suicide rates three to four times the national average, the FMB is campaigning for cultural change where open conversations and support become embedded in everyday work life. Long hours, a lack of job security, physical demands and a culture that has been historically less familiar with the idea of asking for help. As charity partners with the Lighthouse Charity, the FMB is reminding builders that they and their families can access their vital support services. This includes a confidential 24/7 helpline (0345 605 1956), counselling, emergency financial aid, and tailored wellbeing resources designed for the pressures of the construction sector. Brian Berry, FMB Chief Executive, said:“Mental Health in the construction sector is a topic that needs to be discussed much more within industry and beyond. The construction sector is built on teamwork and trust, and these values must extend to how we handle mental health. World Mental Health Day is a reminder that too many builders are still facing these challenges – caused by tough, physically demanding working conditions alone. Every small building business has a duty to prioritise mental wellbeing. It’s only through leadership, open discussion and action that we can create a safer, healthier construction sector – that encourages those who need help, to ask for it.” The FMB has partnered with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) for a podcast episode dedicated to the issue of mental health. It features the FMB’s award-winning member Dorian Bowen, alongside the FMB’s CEO Brian Berry. The episode discusses findings from the CIOB’ Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 report and offers practical advice for builders and business owners across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The sale follows Catesby Estates successfully overturning a refused planning application in 2024 Catesby Estates, a leading strategic land promoter, has completed the land sale of a 25 acre site in Latchingdon, Essex, to housebuilder Dandara Homes. The land, which is a dedicated greenfield site, has planning permission for 160 new homes, 50% of which will be affordable. The plans also include a designated plot for a children’s nursery, comprising a 300 sqm building with outside play space and on-site parking. More than 40% of the 25 acre site will be retained and transformed into a new community park. This green space will include a new children’s play area, community allotments and integrated walking and cycling routes. The site also makes provision for a 100 sqm office hub, designed to support residents working from home, local entrepreneurs and start-ups. Planning was achieved on this site in 2024 after Catesby Estate’s team successfully appealed Maldon District Council planning committee’s decision to refuse the scheme in 2023, despite a recommendation for approval by the Planning Officer. The refusal was overturned last year, with the Inspector’s report supporting Catesby Estates’ evidence of a significant shortfall of new housing delivery in Maldon. David Harper, Senior Area Land Director at Catesby Estates, comments: “The completion of this land sale to Dandara Homes will not only accelerate the delivery of much-needed new homes but it will also bring significant community benefits to the area, including a nursery, office hub, and dedicated play areas. “We’re proud that our team was able to demonstrate the demand for these new homes and facilities to the council on behalf of the landowner, and overturn a previously unsuccessful planning application. We look forward to seeing the team at Dandara Homes transform this land for the benefit of its future residents and surrounding community.” John Baines, Land Director at Dandara Homes, adds: “Dandara are really pleased to have completed the purchase of this site in Latchingdon and look forward to delivering a high-quality development that will make a real contribution to the local community. The mix of new homes, green spaces, and facilities such as the nursery and office hub will help create a vibrant and sustainable place to live.” David Brooks and Tom Bloomfield from Brooks Leney acted on behalf of the landowners. The price was not disclosed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Europe’s €500 billion logistics real estate market faces a structural supply gap of more than €150 billion, according to a new Prologis Research white paper, Persistent Supply Constraints Position Europe For Value Growth. Regulatory hurdles, infrastructure bottlenecks, environmental requirements and political resistance are constraining new development across Europe. At the same time, demand for modern logistics space continues to grow, fuelled by e-commerce, supply chain resilience strategies and expanding urban populations. Meeting this demand is becoming increasingly difficult as barriers mount. Europe’s Modern Logistics Concentration (MLC) index, which tracks logistics space relative to households, stands at 30 compared with 75 in the U.S. Because Europe’s cities are denser and networks more efficient, a perfect comparison is misleading; a benchmark closer to 50 is more realistic – still implying a major shortfall. Eva van der Pluijm-Kok, vice president, Prologis Europe Research: “Even if Europe were to reach a more balanced level of logistics space, the shortfall would remain significant. At today’s pace of construction, closing the gap would take around eight years and require more than €150 billion of investment” Development in urban locations faces the greatest challenges, pushing logistics construction further from cities — even though demand is strongest in urban markets. This is reflected in performance, with facilities close to consumers yielding higher rental growth. “City” and “Last Touch” sites have delivered rent growth of 150 to 240 basis points above the European average over the past three years. Quality matters too, with modern facilities commanding around a 9% rent premium in markets where occupiers have a choice. While vacancy rates have risen, modern stock remains scarce. Supply of high-quality, well-located facilities is being kept close to frictional levels by structural barriers, and occupiers consistently prioritise sustainable modern buildings in prime corridors. This dynamic is already supporting rental growth and is likely to drive continued outperformance of modern assets over the long term. The Netherlands illustrates how these forces converge. Grid capacity there is among the most constrained in Europe, a national nitrogen crisis has limited permitting, and public opposition to warehouse expansion – often described as the “boxification” of the landscape – has intensified political resistance. As a result, construction volumes for logistics real estate are well below peak levels. Ben Bannatyne, President, Prologis Europe: “Scarcity in European logistics real estate is structural, not cyclical. For customers, access to modern, sustainable space in the right locations is more critical than ever. For investors, it reinforces the long-term value of well-located facilities, where scarcity continues to drive performance. At Prologis, our scale, strong networks and executional capabilities allow us to deliver where others struggle – ensuring durable, long-term returns for our stakeholders.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hampshire-headquartered Bargate has been crowned winner of Premier Guarantee’s 2025 ‘Development of the Year’ for its landmark Heritage Place scheme at North Stoneham Park, Eastleigh. The award for 151+ Units recognises Heritage Place, a £97m neighbourhood of 322 homes set within a historic 120-acre former deer park, as the standout development in its category, ahead of entries from some of the UK’s largest national housebuilders. Radio and TV broadcaster Colin Murray presented the award at the Nobu Hotel in London. The Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards recognise excellence in building high-quality homes, raising and celebrating standards of construction across the industry. The annual awards showcase the very best housebuilders, developments, construction practices and workmanship across the UK. Mark White, Managing Director at Bargate and Chair of the Future Homes Hub’s SME Liaison Group, said: “To be recognised with Premier Guarantee’s Development of the Year award for a second time is an incredible achievement for Bargate and a real credit to our team. Having previously won this award for our Rivercross scheme in Warsash, to now secure it again for Heritage Place underlines the consistency of our approach and the quality we strive for across every single project. “Heritage Place is the culmination of years of meticulous planning and design, where every detail has been carefully considered. This award reinforces our commitment to creating not just houses, but lasting communities of real character and quality.” Heritage Place forms the final phase of the North Stoneham Park regeneration, completing a 1,000-home masterplan that has transformed this historic setting into a thriving modern community. Bargate’s scheme delivers a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom family homes alongside 124 affordable properties for the not-for-profit provider of affordable homes, VIVID, ensuring a balance of quality and accessibility. North Stoneham Park is rich in community assets, including a new primary school, landscaped open green spaces, a large play area, a network of footpaths and cycleways and community facilities. A self-contained community, the site is surrounded by parkland yet also within minutes of road, rail and air travel, with Southampton Airport and Parkway Station both within walking distance. Each home at Heritage Place is finished to Bargate’s renowned specification, with bespoke kitchens featuring integrated Neff appliances, Porcelanosa tiles in bathrooms, and thoughtful layouts designed around modern family living. Two showhomes, professionally styled by locally renowned home, living and garden centre The Garden Society, are open for viewings. This latest success builds on Bargate’s strong track record. In 2025, the company received both the Outstanding Achievement Award for Customer Satisfaction and a Gold Award from In-House Research. Bargate also won Developer of the Year in the Premier Guarantee Awards 2023, and Development of the Year for its Rivercross scheme in Warsash the same year – demonstrating Bargate’s position as one of the UK’s leading SME housebuilders with quality and customer confidence at the heart of its success. For more information, visit www.bargatehomes.co.uk or call 02380 601489 to book a viewing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
G&H has secured a £12 million contract to deliver a complete mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) design and build for Harrogate District Hospital’s new state-of-the-art Day Care Surgery and Imaging Centre. Following a competitive tender, main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has appointed MEP service provider G&H to support the delivery of the new £50 million facility, which is part of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s (HDFT) transformation programme. Funding comes from the government’s Targeted Investment Fund 2 (TIF2) that invests in projects that will accelerate elective care recovery and reduce both waiting lists and times. A 60-strong team, including apprentices, started on site on 6 October, and will install and commission all MEP services in accordance with the designs created by G&H’s in-house design engineers. The modern facility will feature two new operating theatres, three x-ray rooms, an MRI suite, a procedure room and a dedicated day care ward. Drawing on its proven expertise in delivering intricate, technically complex health facilities, G&H will install the theatre equipment, piped medical gas, ultraclean canopies to the two MRI scanners, specialist nurse call, power and ventilation. Scheduled to be complete and ready for handover in Summer 2026, the building will boast many energy saving features, such as air source heat pumps, Ultra Clean Ventilation (UCV) canopies, chillers and plate heat exchangers. Due to the nature of the building, the resilience to the electrical supply is provided by two HV transformers, two UPS units, and a main generator with backup connection points. Steven Fry, project manager at Morgan Sindall said: ““Personally, for me it is great to be working with the G&H team again and also great to be part of the Morgan Sindall and G&H journey. “With G&H’s extensive experience in healthcare and fully collaborative approach aligning with ours here at Morgan Sindall, I am sure this project will be a success. “Both our values and expectations align, with regards to each and every project deliverable, from our Perfect Delivery strategy, encompassing Quality, Safe, Time and Recommended, to our commitment to social value. “All of the Morgan Sindall team are looking forward to working on this fantastic project with G&H, for our prestigious clients, Harrogate integrated Facilities and Harrogate District Hospital Trust.” Rob Woodward, senior contracts manager (north) at G&H, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be collaborating with Morgan Sindall and to have the opportunity to draw on our vast healthcare experience to deliver the new Day Care Surgery and Imaging Centre. “Our aim is always to bring buildings to life and transform them into safe, comfortable and efficient spaces where people can thrive. This new facility will help the Trust perform more surgeries, reduce waiting times, and provide an improved environment for patients and staff.” Established in 1998, G&H is a leading MEP provider. Its 200-strong experienced team designs, manages, delivers, and maintains every aspect of MEP schemes. Previous health projects include Knowl Park House, a centre for excellence for dementia day care awarded gold by the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre, and Bradford Royal Infirmary Women’s and Newborn Unit. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has appointed Mathura Paramjorthy as Head of Portfolio Management in its Specialist Mortgages and Bridging division. She will report to Alex Upton, Managing Director, Specialist Mortgages and Bridging Finance. Mathura was most recently Chief Operating Officer at Bridge Invest, having previously held the same role at TAB. She began her career as a Partner at Philip Ross Solicitors, specialising in residential property, before moving into senior operational roles. Her experience spans more than 20 years across law, lending and operations, with a strong track record of managing complex portfolios. The appointment comes at a time when brokers are placing increasingly large and complex cases. HTB’s portfolio management team is responsible for overseeing facilities once they complete, ensuring they continue to perform as structured. The function provides brokers and their clients with continuity and a clear point of support throughout the term, maintaining the structures agreed at the outset and resolving any issues that arise. Mathura Paramjorthy, Head of Portfolio Management, Specialist Mortgages and Bridging Finance at HTB, said: “Joining HTB was an easy decision for me because of the way the bank works with brokers. My career has taken me from property law into operational leadership, and that mix has shown me how important it is to combine strong processes with clear communication. Brokers want to know that once a deal completes their clients will be supported throughout the term, and that is what portfolio management delivers. I am looking forward to working with the team to build on HTB’s reputation for consistency and long-term support.” Alex Upton, Managing Director, Specialist Mortgages and Bridging Finance at HTB, added: “Portfolio management is where we make sure the structures agreed on day one continue to work for clients through to repayment. It is a part of the process brokers may not always see immediately, but it underpins every facility. As the size and complexity of cases grow, that oversight becomes even more important. Mathura’s background as a property lawyer, together with her operational and lending experience, brings exactly the perspective we need across both our Specialist Mortgages and Bridging books. I am very pleased to welcome her to HTB.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland has appointed DEAN O’SULLIVAN as CEO for its UK & Ireland business following the retirement of long-standing CEO, Mike Chaldecott after 42 years in Saint-Gobain. Dean will lead Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland in delivering its new Strategic Plan – Lead & Grow – unveiled on Monday, and positioning Saint-Gobain as a Solutions Company for residential, commercial and infrastructure. Dean is an experienced Managing Director with 25 years’ experience in the construction sector. Dean has held a number of senior leadership roles within the Saint-Gobain Group in the UK & Ireland starting as a Sales Manager at Saint-Gobain’s Gyproc business in Ireland in 2007, before being appointed to lead the combined Gyproc and Isover Ireland businesses as Sales and Marketing Director in 2011. Dean then moved to the UK to lead Saint-Gobain’s Okarno (formerly Artex) business as Managing Director in 2013 and then its combined Insulation businesses including Isover in the UK in 2019. Most recently, since 2021, Dean has been Managing Director of Saint-Gobain’s UK ‘Interior Solution’s businesses – comprising of Isover and UK drylining and plaster solution brand British Gypsum – where he has overseen a transformation of how the combined businesses support customers in the residential, commercial, infrastructure and retrofit and refurbishment sectors of the UK construction market. During this time the Interior Solutions businesses of Saint-Gobain saw British Gypsum become one of the first UK brands to have products carry the Code for Construction Product Information Mark. The businesses also launched a partnership with Pallet Loop to introduce a circular economy for UK Construction pallets, launched the first plasterboard in Europe to be manufactured with 100% recycled gypsum and has overseen the transformation of its road haulage fleet transitioning the majority of the fleet to non-fossil fuel – Hydro- treated Vegetable Oil. Dean’s appointment comes as Saint-Gobain’s launches its new five-year strategic plan – LEAD & GROW – which focusses Saint-Gobain on being a solutions company for residential, commercial and infrastructure. Dean will now spearhead Saint-Gobain’s delivery of an enriched solution and service offer adapted for each of the construction market’s needs and being a catalyst for change – helping to shape the entire construction sector towards a more sustainable model. Dean said: “It’s a great privilege to lead Saint-Gobain’s businesses in the UK & Ireland at a time when we release a new strategy that positions Saint-Gobain as a true solutions provider for customers. Saint-Gobain is truly a unique company with an unrivalled breadth of solutions for the entire building industry and expertise made so special by an amazing 360-year history and strong values of care, respect and doing the right things.” “As the construction sector finds its way of responding to huge challenge such as climate change, protecting natural resources and unprecedent demand for construction – housing, infrastructure, retrofit and repurposing Saint-Gobain has a strong vision for being a catalyst for a transformed construction sector – lighter, more productive and more sustainable than before.” “I’d like to thank Mike for being such a tremendous ambassador for Saint-Gobain –passionate about our people and their safety and getting things right for our customers. Serving Saint-Gobain for 42 years – from graduate to CEO – is an amazing achievement and everyone wishes him well for the future Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OCU Group, one of the UK’s leading energy transition and utilities infrastructure services companies, today released its annual report and financial statements for the year ending 30 April 2025, marking another year of strong growth and strategic investment. As the UK significantly increases its demand for energy, utilities and digital infrastructure, OCU Group has rapidly evolved its capabilities in response, forming the future landscape of how critical services are more efficiently and safely delivered. In the year ending 30 April 2025, OCU Group’ revenue advanced to £886m, a 45% increase from the previous year, reflecting strong organic growth across multiple sectors as well as the impact of strategic acquisitions. OCU completed three acquisitions during the year, further strengthening our capabilities in energy transition, horizontal directional drilling, and water. OCU’s capabilities now span the full end-to-end lifecycle, from design through to build, commissioning, and maintenance. These include delivery across regulated power, water, digital infrastructure, and energy transition markets. Michael Hughes, CEO of OCU Group, provided insight into the company’s strategic progress, stating, “OCU Group delivered consistently strong strategic and operational progress this year, underpinned by three acquisitions, organic contract wins, and continued investment in technology and talent. Our diversified position across essential UK infrastructure markets provides a robust platform for sustained, long-term value for clients and stakeholders.” David Snowball, Chief Financial Officer of OCU Group, said “OCU Group continues to deliver strong, profitable growth, reflecting excellent progress against our strategic objectives. With a solid capital structure and robust financial footing, we are well positioned to build on this momentum into the future.” As the UK’s leading energy transition and utilities infrastructure services company, OCU Group operates across both regulated and non-regulated markets, providing clients and their customers with safe, reliable, and timely deliveries that align with their future demand. The annual report and financial statements are now available here or on the OCU Group website at www.ocugroup.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals