Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, with completion of the building’s substructure. Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a new framework agreement, Building Safety and Fire Compliance, to address the need for robust fire safety systems in healthcare settings. This comes as healthcare buildings across England face mounting infrastructure challenges, emphasising the need for fire safety,
Injecta Fire Barrier was proud to present at the London Stock Exchange during Light Science Technologies (LST) Holdings PLC’s Capital Markets Day on 26th February in the City of London. The event provided a valuable platform to discuss recent progress, financial performance and the outlook for 2025 and beyond. Recognising
Cornish Bakery has started 2025 on a high, opening its first site of the year in Cirencester while preparing for six more locations set to launch soon. With this latest addition in the heart of the Cotswolds, the growing bakery chain now operates 66 sites across the UK. Plans are
At a conference at Coventry Transport Museum today (28 Feb 2025), Midlands Connect made the case to reinstate the direct rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. In 2021, Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the government, proposing the links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were reinstated.
Sika’s Roofing Division is excited to announce its participation in the highly anticipated Futurebuild 2025, taking place from 4-6 March 2025 at London Excel. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable roofing solutions, Sika invites visitors to join them at Stand E76 and G20D to explore the latest in
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to enhance its support of housebuilders and developers operating in the South of England with the appointment of Andy Porter as Senior Director in its business development team. The appointment follows a busy start to 2025 for the specialist lender and a successful 2024
In celebration of National Careers Week (3-8 March) and International Women’s Day (8 March), Coventry native Izzy Ward, 19, is paving the way for young women in construction as she excels in her degree apprenticeship at Mace. Now in her second year of studying Construction Management at the University College
Following the success of the inaugural Steel Window Association’s awards in 2024, 2025 sees a bigger and better programme with the addition of two new categories – Refurbishment Project of the Year, and Product Supplier of the Year option. The full list of categories comprises four awards – Commercial, Domestic,
The latest index shows that: – CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “The UK property market has begun the year on the front foot and we’re now seeing the rate of house price growth start to accelerate, as more buyers push on with their plans to purchase following a brief
Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, with completion of the building’s substructure. Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230 students when it completes next year. The development includes construction of a single storey block adjacent to the main building, which will provide laundry facilities, a gym, cinema, and cycle store, as well as an electricity substation to power the buildings. Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Site operations started in October with the demolition of the previous structure and the project has made excellent progress since then. With the completion of the ground slab substructure, the next phase of the build will see the columns rising as we complete each storey of the new building. This is our 15th student accommodation project in recent years, and we look forward to handing over a first-class facility to Firethorn Trust next year.” Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn Trust, said: “As the first PBSA scheme within our Living portfolio, Leith Walk reflects our ambition to meet growing demand for modern student housing in prime university cities across the UK. “With a shared commitment to quality, alongside the strength of its local expertise, Ogilvie Construction is perfectly positioned to deliver our vision for the development, which has been designed to meet the highest sustainability standards, while providing a vibrant community for students to thrive.” Work is expected to complete in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family-owned businesses. The company is over 65 years old and employs 600 people across its various business operations in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a new framework agreement, Building Safety and Fire Compliance, to address the need for robust fire safety systems in healthcare settings. This comes as healthcare buildings across England face mounting infrastructure challenges, emphasising the need for fire safety, building maintenance, and compliance across NHS estates and the wider public sector. The framework agreement provides a full compliance offer, including active and passive fire safety, fire risk assessment, and consultancy services, essential to mitigate risks such as life hazards, liability, operational disruption, reputational damage, and legal penalties. Brendan Griffin-Ryan, NHS SBS senior category manager, highlighted the urgency: “The increased emphasis on fire safety brought about by the dreadful Grenfell Tower disaster has shown that some NHS buildings fail to meet modern safety standards and underscores why fire safety compliance and protocols are paramount.” NHS England estimates the cost to eradicate the NHS maintenance backlog at £13.8bn, surpassing the £13.6bn total cost of running the NHS estate. The National Audit Office reported 5,400 clinical incidents in 2023-2024 due to infrastructure failures and poor conditions. Trust documents reveal deficiencies risking fires, floods, electrical failures, and hazardous material exposure. Government recognition of this issue led to a £1bn funding boost for essential repairs and upgrades, with £102m earmarked for the first phase of GP surgery upgrades. The New Hospital Programme, backed by £15bn, aims to modernise NHS buildings over several phases. NHS SBS’s framework agreement allows procurement teams to access vetted suppliers for specialist services like asbestos management, legionella treatment, authorising engineers, and fire safety, quickly and compliantly. It includes suppliers from multinationals to regional small and medium-sized enterprises. Griffin-Ryan concludes: “The NHS must prioritise fire safety to prevent incidents similar to Grenfell from occurring in healthcare settings, where the impact could be catastrophic. Our framework agreement provides the NHS with a comprehensive range of services. It aligns with key health and safety regulations—ensuring seamless integration and adherence to all compliance in critical areas like fire safety, water treatment, and asbestos management, crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of NHS buildings, protecting patients, staff, and visitors.” For more information, contact the NHS SBS team at: sbs.hello@nhs.net. For more information about NHS SBS framework agreements click: Framework Agreements | NHS SBS Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Injecta Fire Barrier was proud to present at the London Stock Exchange during Light Science Technologies (LST) Holdings PLC’s Capital Markets Day on 26th February in the City of London. The event provided a valuable platform to discuss recent progress, financial performance and the outlook for 2025 and beyond. Recognising Injecta Fire Barrier’s significant growth since 2023, Managing Director Shaun Tasker delivered a presentation on the evolving landscape of Passive Fire Protection (PFP) and the opportunities ahead. “We are proud to showcase Injecta Fire Barrier’s success and the impact we’ve made in the industry. Our innovative approach to fire safety is setting new benchmarks, and this event provided a fantastic opportunity to discuss our achievements and future direction,” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director at Injecta Fire Barrier. The event welcomed institutional investors, asset managers, analysts, and industry collaborators, offering insights into market trends and investment potential. It was hosted by Light Science Technologies Holdings’ leadership team, alongside managing directors from various divisions. “It’s exciting to be part of an organisation making a real impact by enhancing fire safety in mid and high-rise structures across the UK. With Injectaclad’s numerous advantages, not just in safety but also in reducing remediation costs, we are confident that 2025 will be another year of strong growth,” adds Shaun. Injecta Fire Barrier is the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system, an acrylic-based graphite sealant that expands upon heat exposure to slow the spread of flames and smoke in structural cavities. By installing the regulatory-compliant Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier helps property owners avoid excessive remediation costs while ensuring enhanced fire safety. “I enjoyed sharing our vision and goals at the London Stock Exchange on the 26th of February. It was great to see so many partners and investors there!” concludes Shaun. For more information about Injecta Fire Barrier, visit: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cornish Bakery has started 2025 on a high, opening its first site of the year in Cirencester while preparing for six more locations set to launch soon. With this latest addition in the heart of the Cotswolds, the growing bakery chain now operates 66 sites across the UK. Plans are already in motion for further expansion, with six more properties currently in the legal process—locations to be revealed in due course. In addition to new openings, Cornish Bakery is rolling out a major refurbishment programme in five key tourist hotspots. Over the next three months, bakeries in Totnes, Swanage, Bude, Fowey, and Sidmouth will undergo upgrades, including expanded seating areas, just in time for the Easter rush. The expansion follows a record-breaking 2024, during which the company saw a 9.7% like-for-like sales increase at existing sites, a 26% rise in total sales, and six successful new openings. The year concluded with a highly successful launch in Milton Keynes in December—the company’s strongest opening to date. Cornish Bakery Managing Director Mat Finch said, “The second half of 2024 was a period of incredible growth, with new bakeries opening in Nottingham, Taunton, Winchester, Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, and Cirencester. Now, we’re pressing ahead with five major refurbishments while lining up six more locations. The response from customers has been fantastic, and with sales and team engagement at an all-time high, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for us.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
At a conference at Coventry Transport Museum today (28 Feb 2025), Midlands Connect made the case to reinstate the direct rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. In 2021, Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the government, proposing the links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were reinstated. It is clear the project is still significant, and Midlands Connect has refreshed the original Strategic Outline Business Case for the project, which has only become more vital since its original submission in 2021. The project could create £400m overall benefits including almost £150m wider economic benefits for the region. Due to a more accurate understanding of how people shift from road to rail, the benefits are much higher than the previous SOBC submission in 2021. The event today saw the launch of a report which detailed plans to improve rail connections between the three cities. Currently, just 3% of journeys between Coventry and Leicester are made by rail, compared to 30% of journeys between Coventry and Birmingham. Political representatives including Mary Creagh MP, Rachel Taylor MP, Jodie Gosling MP, and Sir Peter Soulsby were joined by business leaders such as Corin Crane (Coventry and Warwickshire Chambers) and Richard Blackmore (East Midlands Chamber). The event saw a lively discussion of how this project can support the people and businesses of the Midlands. Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East, said: “This project is vital to the future of our three great cities. It would help reduce journey times and create access to work for hundreds of thousands of people. I will be pushing hard for this much needed infrastructure investment in our region as part of Labour’s plan for growth.” Leicester City Mayor, Peter Soulsby, said: “Coventry and Leicester are the two biggest cities without a direct rail link. This crucial scheme will reconnect them, directly helping travellers and supporting the local economies of Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. “With rail lines through Leicester at capacity, hindering the development of both passenger and freight trains, this scheme is urgently needed. By increasing rail freight capacity, the scheme will remove HGVs from the highway network, reducing carbon and improving air quality – which is great news for Leicester.” Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “It was so great to be at the event today, to hear support for our project from leaders across the Midlands. This scheme is so important, as we move to decarbonise transport, we must make rail the most attractive option possible. Creating direct routes between major centres is the best way to do this.” The plans will see an increase in services and a reduction in journey times for those travelling between Coventry, Nuneaton, Leicester, and Nottingham by rail; making it a more attractive option compared to driving. There will be two faster services from Coventry to Leicester and Nottingham, calling at Hinckley, Leicester, and Loughborough. An additional local service will stop Coventry, Coventry Arena, Bedworth, Bermuda Park and Nuneaton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika’s Roofing Division is excited to announce its participation in the highly anticipated Futurebuild 2025, taking place from 4-6 March 2025 at London Excel. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable roofing solutions, Sika invites visitors to join them at Stand E76 and G20D to explore the latest in roofing technology, designed to meet the demands of a more sustainable future in construction. At Futurebuild, one of the UK’s most influential events for the built environment, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the globe to explore and address the challenges facing the construction industry. Sika will highlight its commitment to sustainability, showcasing a range of products that meet the growing demand for environmentally responsible materials in the construction sector. Visitors to the GRO Pavilion Stand E76, will have the opportunity to meet the Sika team, discuss the latest trends in sustainable roofing, and find the ideal products for their next project. In addition to their presence at Stand E76, Sika will also be featured at the 540 World Stand G20D, where they will showcase their Cradle to Cradle® certified products such as the Sarnafil AT technology. Attendees can look forward to discovering solutions designed to contribute to a circular economy, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact across the lifecycle of roofing materials. “We are thrilled to be part of Futurebuild 2025, a key event for anyone interested in shaping the future of construction,” said Mark Harris, Head of Sustainability – Roofing “This is an exciting opportunity for us to engage with the industry, share our expertise, and help visitors find the most sustainable roofing solutions for their upcoming projects.” Futurebuild provides a unique platform for architects, contractors, and building professionals to collaborate and gain insights into new technologies and products that are set to transform the industry. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and cutting-edge design, the event will be a key gathering for anyone passionate about driving positive change in the built environment. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect with the Sika team and explore how their sustainable roofing solutions can support your next project. Visit Sika at the GRO Pavilion on Stand E76, and stop by the 540 World Stand G20D to learn more about their Cradle to Cradle® certified products. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to enhance its support of housebuilders and developers operating in the South of England with the appointment of Andy Porter as Senior Director in its business development team. The appointment follows a busy start to 2025 for the specialist lender and a successful 2024 when it sanctioned over £1bn of funding for a variety of residential and mixed-use schemes across England and Wales. Andy Porter is an experienced career banker having worked in real estate finance for around 25 years with lenders including RBS and Barclays. Most recently Andy was Business Development Director at Close Brothers. In his role at UTB, Andy will predominantly be assisting housebuilders and developers operating across the South of England in securing flexible and competitive funding for a wide variety of residential and resi-led mixed use developments for both build to sell and build to rent sectors. Andy Porter’s appointment follows Andy Thomson recently joining UTB in the newly created role of Senior Director – Operational Real Estate. He is initially focusing on delivering loans to developers and investors operating in the Build to Rent sector, before exploring opportunities in adjacent markets including Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Co-living. Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development, United Trust Bank, commented: “Andy has joined us at an excellent time as we’re seeing high levels of enquiries from housebuilders and developers looking to take advantage of increasing activity in the market as well as the Government’s commitment to get Britain building. “2024 was a successful year for the Bank’s Property Development team. At the close we were helping our developer customers create around 4500 new homes across England and Wales and we are aiming to help housebuilders deliver even more in 2025.” Upon joining UTB, Andy Porter said: “UTB has established an excellent reputation as an experienced and reliable relationship lender. I am excited to have joined the Bank at this busy time as it continues to support SME housebuilders and targets further lending growth this year and in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In celebration of National Careers Week (3-8 March) and International Women’s Day (8 March), Coventry native Izzy Ward, 19, is paving the way for young women in construction as she excels in her degree apprenticeship at Mace. Now in her second year of studying Construction Management at the University College of Estate Management (UCEM), Izzy is proving that hands-on experience combined with academic learning is a powerful formula for success. Izzy began her apprenticeship in September 2023, drawn to the opportunity to gain both practical experience and currently works as an Assistant Project Manager on a major strategic project, known as The Connect Programme at The University of Warwick. The unprecedented investment by the University will focus on the Social Sciences and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), the latter of which will form the first phase of the programme. In this role, Izzy is deeply involved in the enabling works as part of the STEM Connect project which will see new state-of-the art facilities delivered on campus. She will soon be engaged in the technical design activities. Her responsibilities include stakeholder and client management, contract reviews, procurement, tendering and planning workshops. Explaining her decision to undertake an apprenticeship and reflecting on her experience so far, Izzy said: “I didn’t want to move away from home but also gaining experience and a degree together seemed like the best and most valuable route for me. Being in meetings and absorbing conversations has been invaluable. I’m constantly learning by doing. “The construction degree provides a strong foundation in the legal and regulatory aspects of the industry, which is essential for planning and ensuring safety on-site and I know the skills I’m building are transferable and will serve me well throughout my career.” Despite entering a field where women traditionally remain underrepresented, Izzy has found support and encouragement, including through Mace’s ‘Women at Mace’ network and her team. She said: “It’s not unusual to see women on construction sites nowadays, and I’ve never been treated differently. It’s great to see more women in larger projects like this, and the network makes me feel supported.” Balancing her apprenticeship is no small feat. Izzy spends four days on-site and dedicates Fridays to her degree work, but she sees this as a tremendous advantage. Looking to the future, Izzy’s goal is to become a project manager and eventually gain chartered status. Speaking on apprenticeships in construction, she encourages others to explore them as a viable and rewarding pathway. She added: “There’s so much work going on in construction, and it’s a great industry to be part of. My advice is to get involved – there are no barriers. Speak to people in the industry, build your network and don’t be afraid to take the apprenticeship route.” Izzy’s story aligns with the themes of National Careers Week and International Women’s Day, demonstrating the power of apprenticeships to foster diverse talent and create opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. She hopes her journey will inspire others to consider construction and apprenticeships as a springboard for success. Andy Grove, Associate Director at Mace, said: “Izzy’s journey highlights the incredible opportunities available through apprenticeships in the construction industry. At Mace, we are committed to nurturing talent and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We’re proud to see Izzy breaking barriers and excelling in her role on such an impactful project.” Mark Williams, Academic Director of STEM Connect at The University of Warwick, added: “We are excited to see Izzy develop her career and gain as much knowledge and valuable experience as possible on a major strategic project like the STEM Connect Programme. Apprentices like Izzy demonstrate the vital role young talent plays in shaping the future of construction and infrastructure development.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the success of the inaugural Steel Window Association’s awards in 2024, 2025 sees a bigger and better programme with the addition of two new categories – Refurbishment Project of the Year, and Product Supplier of the Year option. The full list of categories comprises four awards – Commercial, Domestic, Refurbishment and Product Supplier of the Year. The awards were created to celebrate the work of the companies that make up the Steel Window Association, showcasing impressive commercial, domestic and refurbishment projects and highlighting the experience and knowledge that goes into creating beautiful steel windows and doors. The Association is delighted to be supported again this year by the Technical Editor of Architecture Today, John Ramshaw, who will be using his wealth of experience and knowledge to judge the submitted entries. Winners will be announced on the 6 June 2025 at the Association’s AGM in London. The winning entrants will receive an award and a full media package spotlighting their company and their winning project. The SWA offers UK wide coverage with member companies able to carry out the full range of contracts, from the repair and restoration of heritage windows through to the installation of major fenestration packages in contemporary commercial, residential and other types of developments. For further information on the Steel Window Association or if you’re interested in becoming a member, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest index shows that: – CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “The UK property market has begun the year on the front foot and we’re now seeing the rate of house price growth start to accelerate, as more buyers push on with their plans to purchase following a brief respite over the Christmas period. A degree of this increased activity in recent months has, of course, been spurred by the impending stamp duty deadline at the end of March, with those making their move keen to reach completion and avoid any increased cost when buying. However, we’ve seen the vast majority of buyers take the potential stamp duty cost increase into consideration before submitting their offers, so whilst there may be a momentary market correction, we expect momentum to continue building beyond 1st April.” Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “A consistently positive performance has been the theme for the UK property market over much of the last year and this theme has so far continued in 2025. House prices may not be climbing at the same rate as previous market peaks, but some may argue that this more measured rate of growth is far healthier for the market, particularly when you consider that first-time buyer activity is on the up, despite the fact that this market segment faces the toughest task with respect to affordability.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
