2024 has been a landmark year for Study Inn, with the company winning three prestigious awards across the student accommodation sector, cementing its reputation as a leader in the industry. At the Property Week Student Accommodation Awards held at Wembley, Study Inn won Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative Award. The
An innovative project using continuous data feeds from hundreds of trucks, excavators, and other earthmoving equipment to boost efficiency and cut carbon emissions has helped one of HS2’s biggest contractors win a top sustainability award. EKFB – a joint venture made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall
A Victorian building close to the Imperial War Museum in London which has been designed and renovated into an architects practice, has been highly commended at this year’s annual Secured by Design (SBD) awards. The historic nature of the building and its position within the West Square Conservation Area in
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have announced an exciting partnership for the 2025 UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The event, scheduled for 20–22 May 2025 in Leeds, will spotlight the pivotal roles of planning and surveying in shaping
An iconic building in heart of Scotland’s capital city has been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the world by an international architectural and design prize, backed by the United Nations. Edinburgh Futures Institute has been honoured with the ‘Special Prize for an Interior’ in the Prix Versailles’ 2024
Bellway is celebrating after one of its site managers in Derbyshire scooped a top accolade in a prestigious national housebuilding awards competition. James Kilby, who is overseeing construction at Holbrook Park in Chellaston, was announced as the winner of the coveted Large Housebuilder Regional Award for the East region in
Bellway has won a prestigious award for its strategy to reduce carbon emissions across the business as it helps lead the housebuilding industry towards net zero. The company, which is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and builds homes across England, Scotland and Wales, scooped the prize for Best Carbon Reduction Innovation or
Thought leader and ambassador for change Paul Tinker, 48, has really set himself a difficult and challenging problem that exists in the UK today. Former solider and bricklayer Paul has made it his mission to lead change in how construction projects are delivered in the United Kingdom and has set
Every October, the Panattoni Awards and Gala in Poland captivate attendees with their incredible energy and atmosphere, and this year was no different. The event brought together over 2,000 guests from 20 countries for an unforgettable evening celebrating remarkable achievements across the Panattoni network. Representing the UK, Matthew Byrom took
Onduline Building Products, a leader in lightweight roofing systems and waterproofing solutions, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the upcoming Public Sector Estates and Facilities Management Show, where it will showcase its renowned sub-roof system, ISOLINE LOW LINE. Taking place at the Pendulum Hotel in Manchester on 30th January
2024 has been a landmark year for Study Inn, with the company winning three prestigious awards across the student accommodation sector, cementing its reputation as a leader in the industry. At the Property Week Student Accommodation Awards held at Wembley, Study Inn won Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative Award. The judges praised the company’s pioneering approach to student wellness, highlighting the introduction of wellness spas in its properties as a sector first. “Your innovative approach to prioritising student health and wellbeing is nothing short of groundbreaking. By creating spaces where students can relax, recharge, and focus on their overall wellbeing, you’re setting a new standard for the industry”, the judges noted. Earlier this year, Study Inn celebrated an notable achievement at the StudentCrowd Voice Awards, receiving ‘Best Student Accommodation’ accolades in every city it operates in—Bristol (1st), Leeds (1st), Loughborough (1st), Exeter (2nd), Leicester (2nd), and Nottingham (3rd). These awards are especially meaningful as they are based on direct feedback from resident students. Study Inn also secured Best Student Broadband Award at the Global Student Living Awards, another student-voted recognition award, that reflects over 100,000 student voices across the UK and Ireland. The company also celebrated its Gold Certified Operator status for the second consecutive year, a testament to its ongoing operational excellence with a net promoter score of +34, 2.6x the benchmark for private halls. Since its inception in 2009, the luxury student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, has been dedicated to putting student wellbeing first, offering an all-inclusive, hotel-like service that sets it apart. From housekeeping, concierge, and 24/7 on-site staff to superfast Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art amenities including wellness spas, yoga studios, bowling lanes, cinema rooms, and study areas, Study Inn delivers an unrivalled experience for its residents. Matt Shakespeare, Managing Director of Operations, commented: “Winning these awards is an endorsement of our product and level of service and reflects the hard work of our entire team. From day one, we’ve been committed to creating spaces where students feel supported, inspired, and cared for. It’s great to see our efforts recognised on such a prestigious scale, and we’re excited to continue raising the bar for student accommodation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An innovative project using continuous data feeds from hundreds of trucks, excavators, and other earthmoving equipment to boost efficiency and cut carbon emissions has helped one of HS2’s biggest contractors win a top sustainability award. EKFB – a joint venture made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall – which is delivering some of the largest cuttings and embankments on the new high-speed railway, has been awarded ‘Platinum’ status by the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS). Part funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and industry partners, the School was set up in 2012 to boost knowledge and collaboration in the built environment. The new status was awarded in recognition of EKFB’s commitment to sustainable practices, which include the use of the Digital Earthworks programme and improvements to supply chain management. The Digital Earthworks programme – known as DIGGER (DIGital Graphical Earthworks Reporting) – is a partnership between EKFB and construction equipment supplier Finning to streamline earthmoving. It has already led to a saving of more than £25m for the project by avoiding unnecessary vehicle movements and cutting fuel consumption. It makes extensive use of data from 700 earthmoving machines, which are fitted with electronic weight sensors to monitor the millions of cubic metres of rock and earth that needs to be moved across the line’s 80km central section and telemetry devices that monitor utilisation of machines on site. This includes graders, loading shovels, dozers and compactors used on site as well as trucks and excavators. Anti-idling is also a key priority, not only to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and boost productivity, but also as a protective measure to minimise workers’ exposure to black carbon, improving their working conditions and benefiting the local community. This is achieved through the use of telematic data and workforce training. Andrea Davidson, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Carbon & Climate Change said: “Platinum status is a fantastic achievement for EKFB and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved. Their new processes are already cutting unnecessary vehicle movements and helping to optimise our earthmoving programme as well as boosting our supply chain management. “Across the whole project, we continue to reduce our carbon footprint in construction and it’s great to see our contractors engaging with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to ensure best practice is actively being shared across the whole industry.” Craig Downs, EKFB’s Plant Manager said: ‘’This is a tremendous achievement for not just EKFB but for our entire supply chain. In just seven months we’ve elevated from gold to platinum status – an incredible testament to the unwavering dedication of everyone involved. “By not only adhering to the HS2 Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) process but surpassing the targets set, we’ve achieved significant reductions in hydrocarbons and tailpipe emissions, as well as marked improvements in engine stages. This milestone underscores our collective commitment to sustainability and excellence’’. Construction of the HS2 project – which will improve journeys between London and the West Midlands while freeing up space on the existing West Coast Main Line for more freight and local services – is now well underway. As part of its section of the project – from the Chilterns to south Warwickshire – EKFB must shift 60.5 million cubic metres of rock and earth and the Digital Earthworks processes play a significant role in the job by ensuring vehicle movements are as efficient as possible. As well as the DIGGER programme, the school also recognised EKFB’s progress on embedding best practice across their supply chain. This includes a commitment to meet the high standard of the charter, working collaboratively with all parties and the provision of e-learning to move towards a more sustainable approach to construction. Alan Silvester, EKFB’s Carbon Manager said: “The DIGGER system has been invaluable to EKFB, helping us monitor heavy plant vehicle performance, fuel usage, and inefficiencies. By using real-time data, we aim to reduce carbon emissions through improved operator training and eco-friendly practices. The system also supports data-driven decisions, such as load optimization and resolving site road issues, enhancing efficiency and lowering emissions.” The school established the Plant Charter in 2020 to support the UK’s ambition of Net Zero by 2050. Signatories are encouraged to take measures to lower emissions on construction sites, address and reduce tailpipe emissions, and train staff on why and how to reduce emissions. These measures result in improved air quality and more environmentally friendly working practices. To achieve the platinum standard, companies must meet standards set by the SCSS, be reassessed every 12 months, demonstrate increased competency in sustainable practices, attend multiple training events and be at the forefront of sharing best practice with other companies. James Cadman, Head of Consultancy & Climate, Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “The Plant, Tools and Equipment Charter is a clear declaration that organisations are committed to taking tangible steps to reduce air quality impacts and carbon emissions. EKFB has reaffirmed its dedication to these goals by being amongst one of the first companies in the UK to achieve Platinum certification in the Charter. “The recent introduction of the Platinum level highlights the highest standard of excellence, and EKFB’s achievement acknowledges the outstanding efforts they’ve made—and continue to make—in minimising air quality impacts and reducing carbon emissions.” EKFB were the first HS2 contractor to be certified by the SCSS, being awarded Bronze status in 2022 and Gold status the following year alongside fellow main works contractor SCS, a joint venture made up of Skanska, Costain and STRABAG who are building the London tunnels. EKFB has now become the first HS2 contractor to be awarded the highest status – Platinum. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Victorian building close to the Imperial War Museum in London which has been designed and renovated into an architects practice, has been highly commended at this year’s annual Secured by Design (SBD) awards. The historic nature of the building and its position within the West Square Conservation Area in Southwark required a balanced approach to the implementation of SBD Commercial Developments guidance, with the building being renovated and developed to include office space, a communal reception area, staff meeting space and staff terraces at the rear. Pre-planning commenced in November 2019 with EPR architects and the developer working with the local police Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) to ensure that whilst the building was sympathetically renovated keeping as many original features as possible, appropriate security measures commensurate to the local crime risk were included in the building. The security features in the detached building, which had been unoccupied for some time, included new PAS 24:2016 certified sash windows; a new heritage style timber front door certified to PAS 24:2016 with a secondary door fitted internally on access control to allow for entry/exit during opening hours; access controlled doors leading from the reception areas to ensure that access into the building by visitors was controlled appropriately; a full range of CCTV cameras covering key positions, both internally and externally and monitored from reception; a monitored intruder alarm including glass sensors and door contacts; appropriate lighting to the front and back of the building; and the reintroduction of gates on the boundary of the building which had previously been removed. Receiving the award, Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer Alan Denyer said: “It was a pleasure to work with EPR on the crime prevention and SBD recommendations for this development. The result is a secure development that provides reassurance to those working at the location whilst respecting the architectural significance of the building”. Edward Wood, Associate Director EPR Architects, said: “As a reinvention of an existing Victorian building, the transformation of All Saints has not only provided us with a beautiful new studio but has also significantly enhanced the building’s security measures. “Achieving a Secured by Design Development Award certificate, our design introduced a fully integrated alarm and surveillance system and access control measures, including bespoke gates to the side of the building. Due to its historic nature, the integration of physical security upgrades needed to be carefully considered from the outset to ensure their appearance complimented the detailing of the existing building. With all the new measures and upgrades seamlessly in place, we feel confident that All Saints is a safe and secure workspace for the EPR team”. Improved security Developers around the UK can achieve SBD awards for incorporating crime prevention measures and techniques into their developments in all kinds of building sectors, such as residential, education, health, transport, commercial, retail, sport and leisure. Indeed, SBD can be used as evidence to discharge third-party obligations under Part Q of Schedule 1 (Security) to the English Building Regulations, the Scottish Building Standard 4.13 (Security) and Welsh Building Regulations Part Q (Security – Dwellings). These awards are gained by working with police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs), who advise architects, developers and local authority planners long before construction begins – and continue to provide advice and guidance until the development is complete. Academic and other research shows that improving standards of security in brand new and refurbished properties, helps deter and reduce crime. Reducing crime and the fear of crime has direct links to better physical and mental well-being, such as with regard to high volume crimes like domestic abuse. The built environment influences the behaviour of people who work, live, socialise or simply pass through. SBD seeks to create environments where the law-abiding feel safe and secure whilst at the same time causing the criminal or anti-social to feel vulnerable to detection and thereby influence behaviour in a positive way. This continues to be a key objective for SBD. Find out more about SBD Developers Awards here. SBD Design Guides SBD has produced a series of authoritative Design Guides to assist the building, design and construction industry to incorporate security into developments to comply with the Building Regulations in England, Scotland and Wales and meet the requirements of SBD. These Design Guides, available to download for free at the SBD website, have been updated over the years to keep pace with changing patterns of criminal behaviour and advances in building design and new technology. They are a valuable source of reference to architects, developers, self-builders, local authority planners and police officers and cover a range of building sectors, including residential, education, health, transport and commercial. Police Designing Out Crime Officers DOCOs provide specialist crime reduction advice to the public, businesses and colleagues about premises or property security. They also work with building developers, architects, and council planning departments regarding new developments and refurbishments, to ‘design out’ crimes like burglary and anti-social behaviour (ASB) by providing advice on street lighting, building and street layout, entrances and exits – as well as preferred standards and specifications for doors, windows, and locks, under the Secured by Design initiative. DOCOs are able to deliver site specific interventions required to help design out crime in areas that suffer disproportionately from acquisitive crime, based on local crime pattern analysis, police, local authority and community engagement and the collective knowledge and experience of how criminals behave. DOCOs are specialist problem solvers, working every day to make a positive difference, changing lives for the better and helping people to be safe and secure in their homes. Contact details for local DOCOs can be found here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have announced an exciting partnership for the 2025 UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The event, scheduled for 20–22 May 2025 in Leeds, will spotlight the pivotal roles of planning and surveying in shaping the UK’s built environment. Elevating Industry Standards The RTPI, an international professional body representing over 27,000 town planners globally, continues its mission of shaping planning policy and accrediting world-class planning education. With a legacy spanning over a century, it remains the sole UK organisation conferring Chartered status to planners. RICS, renowned for driving professionalism across land, real estate, and infrastructure, brings its global influence to ensure consistency and excellence in the built and natural environments. Through certifications, training, and its respected standards, RICS fosters transformative industry practices. A Collaborative Hub at UKREiiF 2025 At the forum, RTPI and RICS will host a shared space dedicated to discussions, panels, and networking. This central hub will provide opportunities for stakeholders and industry leaders to engage on topics of sustainability, placemaking, and innovation in the built environment. Justin Young, Chief Executive of RICS, emphasised the importance of collaboration:“The UK government’s focus on the built environment aligns with our goals. Partnering with RTPI allows us to champion surveying’s impact on housing, energy-efficient commercial properties, and high-quality placemaking through our standards.” Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of RTPI, shared her enthusiasm:“This partnership highlights the vital role of planning and surveying in building sustainable and inclusive communities. It’s an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore innovative solutions.” A Platform for Sustainable Growth Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiiF, welcomed the partnership:“The involvement of RTPI and RICS will elevate discussions at UKREiiF. Their expertise is instrumental in fostering sustainable and innovative solutions for infrastructure and investment in the UK.” As a flagship event, UKREiiF 2025 will attract investment, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainability and inclusivity in the property and construction sectors. Supported by leading UK companies, it continues to be a vital forum for shaping the future of the industry. For further details, visit the event website: UKREiiF 2025.
An iconic building in heart of Scotland’s capital city has been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the world by an international architectural and design prize, backed by the United Nations. Edinburgh Futures Institute has been honoured with the ‘Special Prize for an Interior’ in the Prix Versailles’ 2024 World Titles. The sympathetic yet innovative redevelopment of the category-A listed, baronial style former Royal Infirmary hospital into a state-of-the-art space for teaching, research and entrepreneurship has placed the University of Edinburgh building among an elite group to have been recognised in the prestigious awards. The Prix Versailles – an internationally recognised series of awards presented by the United Nations agency for education, sciences, and culture (UNESCO) – celebrates the best contemporary architecture and design projects across the world. The awards were announced at UNESCO Headquarters on Monday, 2 December with Edinburgh competing in the Campuses category alongside another five universities across the world. Occupying a pivotal position in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the building is well-known to residents of the Scottish capital – many of whom have visited, been a patient, or even worked there before it was decommissioned as a hospital in 2003. Built in 1879, it housed Edinburgh’s main hospital and was once described by The Illustrated London News as “the best planned hospital” in Britain. Its design was heavily influenced by the ‘pavilion’ model developed by nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale. The 20,000 sqm development is now home to the Edinburgh Futures Institute, one of the largest institutes for interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation in Europe. The Institute brings together students, researchers, partners and civic society to focus on the responsible use of data to address global challenges including ethics of artificial intelligence, social inequality and climate change. The building officially reopened in June 2024, following a seven-year, multi-million-pound restoration. Working with a project design team led by Atkins Realis, including architects Bennetts Associates and construction partner Balfour Beatty, the University of Edinburgh carried out the extensive project to sensitively repair, redevelop and reimagine the way the building could be used. The design team has made use of the former hospital’s large, airy Nightingale wards and corridors with flexible teaching areas and workspaces. The restoration work also preserved much of the building’s historical architecture, which is now united with more than 6,000 sqm of modern construction. Ensuring it lives up to the inscription above the building’s entrance: ‘Patet Omnibus’, meaning ‘Open to All’, the building is open to the public with breakout spaces, a café, an outdoor square, and a new 400-seater purpose-built space to host public events. Since opening, the Institute has already hosted a range of high-profile events, including the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival in August. The Futures Institute is one of six innovation hubs supported by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation programme. Through the University of Edinburgh’s participation in the City Region Deal, the Institute has received £56m in capital funding from the UK Government and more than £2m from the Scottish Government. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Edinburgh, said: “From the beginning of this hugely ambitious project to transform the near-dilapidated Victorian hospital, our mission was to create an inspiring space that enables collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking to flourish. The painstaking work to ensure that we achieved this for our students, staff and wider community – while preserving the beauty of the historic building for the City – has surpassed all expectations, and it is incredibly gratifying to be recognised at an international level. Through its innovative and creative design, the Edinburgh Futures Institute will help nurture some of the world’s much-needed future pioneers via world-leading innovative programmes of interdisciplinary teaching and research directed at solving the great challenges facing the human race and the planet which we inhabit.” Rab Bennetts, Founder of Bennetts Associates, said: “We are thrilled alongside our client the University of Edinburgh to be presented with such a prestigious award by the Prix Versailles jury, which is vindication of a strategy based on creative design interventions and interpretation of an important historic building for the University and my home city of Edinburgh. The building had been empty for nearly 20 years and was in very poor condition before we started, so the effort put in over the past nine years by our practice and wider team of conservation architects, engineers, project managers, contractors and many others was truly exceptional. The award also shows that the re-use of an existing building is a highly stimulating way of achieving low carbon emissions, pointing the way to limiting climate change – the greatest challenge of our time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway is celebrating after one of its site managers in Derbyshire scooped a top accolade in a prestigious national housebuilding awards competition. James Kilby, who is overseeing construction at Holbrook Park in Chellaston, was announced as the winner of the coveted Large Housebuilder Regional Award for the East region in this year’s National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job Awards ceremony. He and his colleague Jamie Smith, who is site manager at Hatton Court in Hatton, were also presented with Seal of Excellence awards at the event. James was picked as the winner from 67 site managers across the region, who had all already been selected for Quality Awards in the first round of the competition for the exceptional standard of construction on their developments. James and Jamie are two of just 18 site managers in the East region to win a Seal of Excellence. James, from Rolleston on Dove, spent five years with Bellway earlier on in his career and rejoined Bellway East Midlands in 2022 as a Project Manager. He has worked on multiple sites across the Midlands. The 39-year-old said: “I am ecstatic to win such a prestigious award from the NHBC. To win a Seal of Excellence is exciting enough but to be chosen to receive a Regional Award is genuinely thrilling. I feel humbled. “It is great to know that all the hard work and dedication that I and my team have put in to make sure that we always put the customer first has been recognised. My ethos is that I want to build a home and a development that I would be happy and proud to live in myself and my team work effortlessly towards that target. Second best is just not good enough, so we strive to ensure we get it right first time.” Jamie, who works for Bellway’s West Midlands division after joining the company 10 years ago as an assistant site manager, has won a Quality Award and a Seal of Excellence Award for three years running at Hatton Court. The 36-year-old said: “Once again, I get to step up on stage and accept an award but I have to thank the whole team at Hatton Court who have been there for me every step of the way. It’s about the team as everyone here has given their all and bought into my desire to ensure that only the best will do in every facet of the job, every day on site. “I know I have given this job 100 per cent and, with the backing of a great team and supportive senior management, have been able to create a first-class environment on the site where homes of the highest quality are being delivered. It is a good feeling to get this recognition from the NHBC and is validation of all the blood, sweat and tears we have all put in.” Every site registered with the NHBC is judged against exacting criteria each year. Site managers are assessed on a wide range of aspects of their work including attention to detail, leadership, technical expertise and health and safety. Lee Wilkinson, Construction Director at Bellway East Midlands, said: “We are incredibly proud of James and his team at Holbrook Park, not just for the East Midlands division but for the whole of Bellway. Everyone in the industry knows just how difficult it is to achieve the Regional Award. “We’re also thrilled our colleague Jamie from the West Midlands division has been recognised with yet another highly deserved Seal of Excellence. The quality control, determination and team leadership skills which both James and Jamie have demonstrated are second to none. “We now look forward to the Supreme Awards in London in January and would like to wish James and his team the very best of luck for then – we know everyone at Bellway will be rooting for him to win.” For more information about Bellway’s new homes in Derbyshire and across the UK, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has won a prestigious award for its strategy to reduce carbon emissions across the business as it helps lead the housebuilding industry towards net zero. The company, which is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and builds homes across England, Scotland and Wales, scooped the prize for Best Carbon Reduction Innovation or Practice at the 2024 Building Innovation Awards. The award was presented at a gala dinner and awards ceremony held at The Hilton Deansgate in Manchester on Thursday (17 October). Carbon reduction is central to Bellway’s Better with Bellway sustainability strategy, which aims to put people and the planet first. The company has taken an all-encompassing approach to the delivery of low-carbon homes – through pioneering research, collaboration with the energy industry, and sharing findings and knowledge with the wider housebuilding industry. Bellway has also made highly significant progress towards science-based carbon reduction targets, which have been independently validated by the SBTi. Simon Park, Group Head of Sustainability for Bellway, said: “Carbon reduction forms one of the three key priorities of our over-arching Better with Bellway sustainability strategy and we are delighted that our industry-leading work in the drive towards net zero has been recognised at the Building Innovation Awards. “The ability to deliver carbon reduction at scale is an essential part of Bellway’s low-carbon strategy – in fact, scaling up is the very purpose of it, to ensure the industry can meet the challenges faced by climate change. “We are taking the lessons learned from the experimental Future Home we have built in a climate chamber at The University of Salford – where pioneering research is being conducted on a range of low-carbon technologies – and rolling out this knowledge to live development sites across the country. “Homes heated by air source heat pumps are now being built by each of our divisions and we’re the first national housebuilder to partner with energy provider Octopus on low-carbon Zero Bills homes. “We have also created a Future Hub within four Future Home exemplar plots at our Barton Quarter development in Bolton to provide training for our employees and other small and medium-sized housebuilders on Future Home technologies. This is spreading knowledge and expertise more widely, to help deliver the changes required to meet net-zero targets.” The first results from Bellway’s Future Home at The University of Salford’s Energy House 2.0 facility were published in January this year, showing that the fabric of the house closely reflects the proposed Future Homes Standard. Bellway has also started construction at several ‘no gas’ developments, where air source heat pumps will be installed at every plot. These are at Springstead Village in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge, Ivy Hill in Bacton, Suffolk, and The Willows in Ancaster, Lincolnshire. Meanwhile, Bellway’s first Zero Bills homes have been builtat Victoria Gate in Stafford. Each property features roof-integrated solar panels, a domestic battery and an air source heat pump, alongside Octopus Energy’s Kraken energy management platform. To find out more about Bellway’s sustainability strategy, visit https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/carbon-reduction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thought leader and ambassador for change Paul Tinker, 48, has really set himself a difficult and challenging problem that exists in the UK today. Former solider and bricklayer Paul has made it his mission to lead change in how construction projects are delivered in the United Kingdom and has set about this change through powerful events and training being delivered globally. Having delivered over £300M worth of local authority funded construction projects, he sought change after the stress, the booze and working conditions in the industry needed a desperate shake-up. Paul’s project management expertise was weaponised by tier 1 main contractor employers to win, to win the battle of project management. The war that exists between client and contractor. Paul was deployed when the hammer needed to be dropped to win the battle and end the war. When one side wins, inevitably, one side also loses. And this is the change that Paul so desperately wants to see in the industry. Holding a firm belief that there is room on the market for a collaborative way of working to ensure both sides get the results that they are looking for through effective communication, collaboration and negotiation. Recently back from a talk he delivered in Coimbra, Portugal on these challenges that the industry faces, he was facing an uphill battle with getting his message across and grabbing attention from his peers and from industry. Speaking at industry specific networking events up and down the UK, spreading his message, he decided to make a bold move by hosting and funding his very own first National Event hosted at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Partnering with industry sponsors and ticket holders to make the event financially viable and become a reality, he delivered an impressive 2-day conference at the Exhibition space where he was joined by 16 other thought leaders from the space who were all singing from the same hymn sheet. Another stand-out talk from the event was delivered by Paul’s wife, Lisa Tinker, 43, who shared her career story of discrimination in the industry and how she has been unfairly treated throughout her career, which included unfair dismissal, sexual discrimination, unfair pay and her career defining moment where she used this abuse to fight back. To fight back against these industry dinosaurs to be more inclusive, to build more inclusively and ultimately attract a wider array of people into our struggling industry. Guests and speakers flew in from Dubai, Belfast, Portugal, Cyprus and came from all 4 corners of the UK to hear and support spread this message of collaboration will always beat conflict. Recently partnering with the CITB, the Construction Industry Training Board on a recent project to deliver this message to a conference of school children as it’s Paul’s firm belief that this is where the grass roots and next generation of construction professionals will come from and therefore the charge needs to be led from the back. That message is clear and can be seen and heard throughout the message he is driving across social media, the press, his events and now through this National Conference recently delivered. Following this noise that he has been making, Paul has now been approached by Doncaster University to deliver the message of change to graduates about to enter their paid profession with an unfamiliar perspective to leave their formal, academic education with which Paul hopes will improve their results and the industry at large if implemented. Paul, having delivered this most recent event so successfully decided to take on the even bigger challenge of doubling the audience size and taking it to the nation’s capital for 2025. So in November 2025, Paul will do it all again in London with the mission of changing the way in which construction projects are delivered in the UK, bridging the gap that exists between two adversarial industries – the property developer and construction industries. One side always setting up to beat the other with some contractual clause or trick up their sleeve. Openness, transparency and collaboration are always going to beat conflict, secrecy and competition and will always yield better results – so why do we seemingly always opt for the latter? Likely answer to this question is “Because that just how the industry is” Well Paul is here to change this…. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Every October, the Panattoni Awards and Gala in Poland captivate attendees with their incredible energy and atmosphere, and this year was no different. The event brought together over 2,000 guests from 20 countries for an unforgettable evening celebrating remarkable achievements across the Panattoni network. Representing the UK, Matthew Byrom took to the stage to present two prestigious awards, including UK Acquisition of the Year. Among four impressive nominees, with a combined GDV of €868 million, Panattoni Park Central A1(M) emerged as the winner. This standout 1.2 million sq ft speculative development, boasting a GDV of €216 million, is currently the largest single speculative unit under construction in the UK. The achievement highlighted the efforts of agents M1 Agency, DTRE, and Cushman & Wakefield, who have played pivotal roles in driving the project forward. Byrom also presented the Agency of the Year award to Cushman & Wakefield, recognising their exceptional deal-making contributions and longstanding partnership with Panattoni. Robert Dobrzycki, CEO & Co-owner of Panattoni, took the opportunity to congratulate global partners, teams, and collaborators, applauding their outstanding achievements in 2024. The evening was a testament to Panattoni’s commitment to impactful projects and successful partnerships. The gala once again proved to be a memorable celebration of excellence in the real estate industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Onduline Building Products, a leader in lightweight roofing systems and waterproofing solutions, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the upcoming Public Sector Estates and Facilities Management Show, where it will showcase its renowned sub-roof system, ISOLINE LOW LINE. Taking place at the Pendulum Hotel in Manchester on 30th January 2025, the event gathers Facilities Managers, Heads of Estates, and Project Managers, with a central goal of advancing sustainable, efficient public estates across the UK in a cost-effective manner. Attendees can visit Onduline to explore the unique benefits of ISOLINE LOW LINE – the only system in the UK that has been BRE tested and BBA Accredited for low-pitch applications as low as 10°, backed by a 30-year guarantee. Designed with versatility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in mind, the ISOLINE LOW LINE system provides an ideal sub-roof solution for projects where cost and functionality are key. It guarantees waterproofing for even the most complex projects, and seamlessly works beneath both new and existing roof tiles, meaning it can meet the needs of a range of applications from retrofit to heritage. In renovation projects, contractors can reuse the building’s original tiles or slates, preserving historical or aesthetic integrity while saving costs. For new construction, ISOLINE LOW LINE offers a watertight, resilient roofing solution that meets modern performance standards, featuring a durable corrugated sheet made from 50% recycled fibres. The system not only delivers superior protection but also enhances the roof’s ventilation, helping to maintain a healthy, well-ventilated roof space. Paul Duffy, Managing Director at Onduline UK, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Public Sector Estates and Facilities Management Show, which is an invaluable opportunity for Onduline to connect directly with key decision-makers in the public sector. “The public sector market is a crucial audience for us, as we understand the unique demands they face in balancing cost-effectiveness with sustainability and long-term resilience. Through our ISOLINE LOW LINE sub-roofing system, we aim to demonstrate how innovative solutions can meet these needs, offering public sector teams a reliable, sustainable choice backed by decades of performance.” For more information on Onduline’s bitumen roofing solutions, visit: www.onduline.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
