30-year construction industry leader to oversee billions of pounds in AI data centre, renewable energy, and commercial developments across Scotland. HFD Construction, the dedicated construction and delivery arm of HFD, today announces the appointment of Martin Smith as its new Managing Director, effective immediately. Mr. Smith joins HFD Construction at a transformational time for the business, as the company executes HFD Group’s ambitious pipeline of next-generation developments across central Scotland, with billions of pounds worth of construction scheduled in the coming years. Martin Smith brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the UK and Europe in the construction industry, with a career spanning hyperscale data centres, large-scale infrastructure, and high-profile commercial developments. Most recently, Martin served as Group Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at ISG plc, Interserve, Robertson Group, and Miller Construction, where he managed major projects with values exceeding £650 million. At ISG, Martin directed the successful delivery of several hyperscale projects for global technology clients, including Google’s €450 million, 60MW data centre in Belgium. His portfolio also includes complex developments such as the Amazon logistics hubs, and film studio and semiconductor facilities across the UK and Europe. His experience extends to a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, hospitality, and sustainable office developments, where his leadership has consistently focused on delivering high-quality projects via innovation, operational excellence and stakeholder collaboration. Martin holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) and an LLM in Construction Law from the University of Strathclyde and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. His career is distinguished by a strong operational foundation, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to health, safety, and sustainability. Under Martin Smith’s leadership, HFD Construction will manage the build-out of a diverse and ambitious portfolio of projects, including the construction of hundreds of megawatts of cutting-edge AI-ready data centres for DataVita, HFD’s data centre division, the development of private-wire microgrids integrating renewable energy generation and storage for sustainable power delivery, the creation of industry-leading city-centre office developments, including premium flexible workspace for Ospa – HFD’s serviced office division and the development of current and proposed upper scale hotels across the region. William Hill, CEO of HFD Group, commented: “Martin joins at an exciting time for the business, with billions of pounds worth of construction scheduled across central Scotland in the coming years. His leadership will be crucial as we deliver on these ambitious projects.” Martin Smith, Managing Director of HFD Construction, said: “Joining HFD Construction at this pivotal moment is an exciting challenge. My career has been focused on leading complex, large-scale developments, including critical hyperscale data centre infrastructure across Europe. I look forward to leveraging that 30 years of experience, alongside the talented HFD Construction team, to successfully deliver the Group’s ambitious pipeline of next-generation projects, including vital AI and renewable energy sectors and market leading office and commercial developments.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Statom Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavin Hunt as Chief Development Officer (CDO), reinforcing the company’s commitment to continued growth, innovation, and operational excellence. With more than 25 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure and building projects across the UK, Gavin brings extensive technical and leadership expertise to the group. His background in major civil engineering and structural works, combined with a deep understanding of groundworks and reinforced concrete delivery, will further strengthen Statom’s capabilities across its core business areas. In his new role, Gavin will lead the development strategy for Statom Group — driving growth initiatives, enhancing efficiency, and building strategic partnerships to support the company’s long-term objectives. Working closely with Group Chairman Tommy Brown, CEO Stan Nikudinski, and directors across all divisions, he will focus on strengthening the group’s development pipeline and advancing its position as one of the UK’s leading specialist contractors. Commenting on his appointment, Gavin said: “I was drawn to Statom Group because of its strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects and its commitment to innovation within the construction and infrastructure sector. The company’s focus on safety, sustainability, and collaboration really stood out to me. I’m looking forward to contributing to Statom’s continued success and being part of a team that clearly values both excellence and integrity.” Group CEO Stan Nikudinski added: “We’re delighted to welcome Gavin to Statom Group. His experience, leadership, and forward-thinking approach will be invaluable as we continue to evolve, improve efficiency, and drive innovation across our operations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Multi-disciplinary design practice, rg+p Ltd has announced it has made a series of promotions, rewarding ten members of staff with new roles. The promotions have been made across the practice’s London and Leicester studios, recognising the achievements of individuals across six disciplines including Architecture, Architectural Technology, Interior Design, BIM, Administration and HR/Practice Management. Two of the ten, architects, Nuno Mota and Victoria Torres, take on directorships in the London studio, with the remaining eight moving into management, senior leadership or executive level roles. These promotions will provide opportunities for managing and mentoring junior members of the team; progressing individual knowledge and skills; championing excellence in design and technical execution; streamlining operational procedures; and supporting wider business goals, including relocating the Leicester studio to Canopy House later this year. rg+p’s newly promoted team includes: Rob Woolston, architectural director at rg+p comments: “This year has seen positive growth across many divisions of our business so we’re proud to reward our talented team with this series of promotions. Many of those recognised have been with us for multiple years, or in some cases, over a decade, so it’s been a privilege to see their continued development. “Nurturing talent from within is an integral part of our culture, and it’s especially rewarding to see people advance their careers while contributing to some of our flagship residential, BTR and later living projects across London, the Midlands, the South East and South Coast. “This investment in our team, alongside the upcoming relocation of our Leicester studio to Canopy House, marks the start of an exciting new chapter and means we are well-positioned for future growth,” concludes Rob. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Revo, the leading forum for UK retail-led mixed-use real estate, has announced two significant additions to its executive board as it continues to guide the evolution of the nation’s retail and leisure environments. The organisation has appointed Toby Ogilvie Smals, director of retail investments at Savills, and Nick Thornton, founder of Aver PR, as new board directors. Both bring extensive experience and complementary expertise to Revo’s leadership at a pivotal time for the sector. At Savills, Ogilvie Smals leads the acquisition and disposal of retail assets for a wide client base spanning institutions, private equity firms, property companies and asset managers. Having joined Savills as a graduate in 2005, he now draws on more than two decades of experience in the investment market. Meanwhile, Thornton, who founded Aver PR, provides strategic communications advice across the built environment, working with some of the UK’s leading property owners, investors, and advisors. With over 30 years in the sector, his background in reputation management and stakeholder engagement adds a valuable dimension to Revo’s board. Commenting on his appointment, Ogilvie Smals said: “I’m delighted to be joining Revo at a time when the retail and leisure built environment is evolving rapidly in response to shifting consumer behaviours, capital flows and placemaking priorities. I’m looking forward to supporting Revo’s mission by strengthening industry engagement, driving membership growth and helping shape a commercially and socially resilient future for our urban spaces.” Thornton added: “It is a privilege to be joining the recharged Revo board. Retail and leisure destinations have never been more relevant than they are now. Not only are they key drivers of the economy, but they also play a central role in society. Revo’s ambition is to become the recognised voice that champions the excellence and collective contribution of the sector, and I am delighted to play a role in achieving that.” The appointments follow Revo’s governance reshuffle earlier this year, which saw Vivienne King named chair of the executive board. She said: “Toby and Nick’s appointments further reinforce the strength of our board, representing senior expertise across investment, PR, consultancy, sustainability and market intelligence – all vital to shaping the transformative future of the UK’s retail and leisure landscape.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Avison Young strengthens workplace experience and marketing teams at Lakeside Lakeside North Harbour (Lakeside), Portsmouth’s leading workspace, managed by Avison Young, has appointed two new members. Asia Torr joins as a Customer Service Apprentice, working in the Workplace Experience team at Lakeside while undertaking a Level 3 apprenticeship with HTP Apprenticeship College. In her day to day role, Asia welcomes visitors and occupiers, manages meeting room bookings, and ensures that events and meetings run smoothly, including catering and technical setup. Asia has recently attended a three-day induction in Birmingham, where she joined new starters from across the UK for training and networking. Also joining the team is Gemma Abraham, who transitioned from the Workplace Experience team into a new role as a Marketing Apprentice. After seven years at Lakeside, Gemma is now part of the marketing team, supporting campaigns, events, and occupier engagement across the business campus. Motivated by personal growth and inspired by the career journeys of colleagues, Gemma started the 18-month apprenticeship programme. She has so far led Lakeside’s Recycle Week campaign, which included daily activities, digital content, talks with occupiers, and more. Simon Bateman, Asset Manager at Lakeside North Harbour, said: “It’s fantastic to see both Gemma and Asia grow within Lakeside. Their energy, passion, and enthusiasm bring real value to our team, and their appointments are part of a wider investment in our people and in enhancing the occupier experience at Lakeside.”  “Both Gemma and Asia have brought great energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to the team. It’s exciting to see talent growing within the business, and both appointments are part of a wider focus on nurturing careers, expanding our capabilities, and delivering even more value to our clients and occupiers.” Gemma Abraham, Marketing Executive at Lakeside North Harbour, added: “I was inspired by seeing others progress at Lakeside and knew I wanted to learn something new. Working in front of house gave me a great foundation in building relationships, and I’m excited to build on that in a more creative and strategic way. I’ve already had the chance to lead a Recycle Week campaign, organising daily activities, creating content, and working directly with occupiers – and I’m really enjoying the variety and freedom the role brings.” Asia Torr, Customer Service Apprentice at Lakeside North Harbour, said: “I’ve been at Lakeside for just over eight weeks, and I already feel like part of the team. I’m learning so much through the apprenticeship and getting to understand all aspects of front of house service.” These appointments reflect Lakeside’s continued investment in its people and its ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional workplace experience for everyone.  Lakeside offers a stunning rural setting, alongside a 19-acre lake with woodland and an abundance of outdoor space.For more information or to enquire about space at Lakeside North Harbour, visit https://lakesidenorthharbour.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

New appointment brings range of services into one team to offer complete end-to-end service AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company, has strengthened its Buildings & Places team in the UK and Ireland with the appointment of Richard Bonner as managing director, bringing a wide range of services and expertise under his leadership. His appointment to the newly-created role leading a team of around 2,000 built environment professionals, is in response to the growing client need for a fully-integrated end-to-end service, from planning and building design to project management and programme delivery. The bolstering of the business unit will mean it can more effectively support clients as they meet the challenge of delivering the investments needed to position our cities, towns and high streets for economic revival. Bonner said: “Our ambition is about more than buildings and together with our partners we’ll be deploying our capabilities to support national and local government, our private sector and industry partners and institutions that fund and finance built assets. “The Buildings & Places market is at the heart of developing thriving communities and driving economic growth in our regions, from new housing, schools and green spaces to city regeneration and new towns.” Bonner, a Chartered Civil Engineer, joined AtkinsRéalis in 2023 and brings almost 20 years’ experience working with local and regional government, transport providers and the private sector to help them navigate the evolving demands of the urban environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Respected, strategic FM leader will head up Bellrock’s engineering and technical service lines as it continues to disrupt the sector Facilities management industry disruptor Bellrock has appointed Mark Evans as Director of Sales, Engineering Services, where he will lead the growth strategy for Bellrock’s critical engineering and technical service lines. His focus will be on strengthening client partnerships, expanding market presence, and embedding a culture that unites commercial excellence with people-centred leadership. With over 20 years’ experience in the facilities management and built-environment sector, including almost 10 years with Integral and five years at JLL, Evans brings a proven record of leadership, strategic growth, and client partnership development to the role. Known for combining commercial insight with a people-first approach, he has built and led teams that consistently deliver value, performance, and trust. He said: “This is a great time to be joining the Bellrock team. Their disruptive approach is redefining the industry. Engineering Services sits at the heart of the business, and we have a real opportunity to accelerate growth by blending our technical capability with the power of data, technology, and AI. My focus will be on creating value through insight, strengthening relationships with clients, empowering our people, and delivering solutions that are efficient, intelligent, and truly connected. “Bellrock’s positioning as the trusted challenger in property; driven by insights, powered by technology, and delivered by talented people completely resonates with me. It reflects the way I believe this industry should evolve: smarter, more collaborative, and more purpose-driven.” Colette Fellows, Managing Director of Bellrock Critical Engineering, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark to Bellrock. He brings both deep sector experience and a forward-thinking mindset that aligns perfectly with our strategic vision. His ability to connect commercial growth with innovation and people development makes him a powerful addition to our senior leadership team. As we continue to embed data, technology and AI across our engineering services, Mark’s appointment will help us drive even greater value for our clients.” Evans’ appointment signals another step in Bellrock’s commitment to redefining the property and engineering services landscape, combining trusted expertise with digital intelligence to deliver performance, efficiency, and impact for clients across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Compliance Group, the UK leader in integrated safety and regulatory compliance across water, air, fire and electrical announced the official appointment of Colin Lang as Managing Director for its Electrical division. He will be responsible  for leading the electrical compliance division, focusing on strategic growth, operational excellence, and the harmonisation of service delivery nationwide. Lang’s career foundation spans more than two decades, beginning with an electrical apprenticeship which provided him with deep, hands-on knowledge. His trajectory in operational leadership accelerated when he joined Intersafe, part of Compliance Group as Operations Manager. He subsequently moved into the Operations Director role, where he was instrumental in overseeing a period of ambitious and scalable expansion. Under his leadership, the business achieved a remarkable 400% growth, a success attributed to a focus on streamlining processes, boosting productivity, and establishing a robust, client-centric service model. He was appointed Managing Director of Intersafe in 2024 and was also appointed Managing Director of Compliance Group Electrical (CGE) earlier this year. “We are thrilled to have Colin officially step into the role of Managing Director of the electrical division,” said Sarah Dixon, CEO of Compliance Group. ” Colin’s journey, from the field to leading a division responsible for significant growth, is exceptional. He possesses the perfect blend of deep technical knowledge and proven operational leadership. His strategic focus on harmonising operations at scale and embedding a high-performance, people-first culture makes him the ideal leader to drive the next stage of our electrical division’s growth. Under Colin’s leadership, we are confident the division will continue to be a pillar of market trust and operational excellence, aligning with the values of the wider Compliance Group.” “My vision for the division is clear: to continue pushing what we do well, harmonise our operations, and maintain strong, sustained growth,” added Colin Lang, Managing Director Electrical at Compliance Group. “We want to focus on delivering a quality job every time and building a reputation for long-term relationships and partnerships with our customers. My personal driver is to build a thriving culture, and by aligning our people’s growth with the Compliance Group’s core values, we ensure our high standards and technical excellence are maintained.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

International real estate advisor Savills has announced the appointment of William Davies as Co-Head of PBSA Valuations, based at the firm’s Margaret Street headquarters. He will focus on student accommodation valuations within Savills Operational Capital Markets (OCM) division. Davies joins Savills from Allsop LLP, where he spent over 15 years specialising in valuations across the residential and student housing sectors. He brings extensive experience in valuing Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Student HMO Portfolios across the UK with a particular focus on Greater London and the South of England, covering both development and operational assets. His client base has included banks, debt funds, bridge lenders, developers, operators and property companies. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Surveyor at Cluttons LLP. In his new role, Davies will co-lead the PBSA Valuation team, building on the strong foundations established by Rachel Coates, the existing Co-Head of the team. He will also work closely with Savills market leading PBSA Capital Markets team, led by Lizzie Beagley, to further strengthen the firm’s position in the sector. Tim Stoyle, Head of Operational Real Estate Valuations at Savills, says, “According to our latest OpRE Investor Survey, PBSA has overtaken multifamily housing as the top investment priority in the Living sectors across the UK and Europe. 62% of our respondents indicated they are actively seeking to deploy capital into the sector. William’s expertise will be instrumental as we continue to deliver best-in-class advice and support to our clients in this space.” William Davies, Co-Head of PBSA Valuations, comments, “Joining Savills at an exciting time for the PBSA sector is a fantastic opportunity. With significant demand for insightful and strategic valuation advice, I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s continued success and delivering outstanding support to our clients across both development and operational assets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals