Michael Holmes, property expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Vice Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), says: 1. High VAT Costs for London home improvements Ensure your contractor is VAT-registered and can apply the reduced rate for eligible works. Take advantage of the
A successful event at Castle Meadow Campus hosted by G F Tomlinson and Henry Brothers Construction provided an opportunity for Fbe and ProCon members and guests to look at the new University of Nottingham city centre redevelopment site. The collaborative event was held at the Grade II Listed site where
Infopro Digital, a leading business information services company, has acquired Built Environment Networking Ltd which runs UKREiiF (The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum), a must-attend event for the real estate, property and infrastructure communities. The acquisition will strengthen Infopro Digital’s position as a leading international business-to-business trade show
Spencer Bridge Engineering has been recognised for its outstanding work on the historic Union Chain Bridge with a prestigious industry award. The company received the Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award at the New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 for its work on the iconic structure which crosses the
CIBSE and IBPSA-England are pleased to unveil their partnership for the upcoming 2025 Technical Symposium. This joint effort merges two premier events in building performance and sustainable design: CIBSE’s annual Technical Symposium and IBPSA-England’s biennial Building Simulation and Optimisation event. Themed “Fit for 2050 – Achieving Net-Zero through Intelligent, Resilient
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s biggest event for the built environment, have announced the creation of their first-ever Advisory Board, a prestigious panel of top industry leaders. Last week’s inaugural session saw the panel discuss some of the most critical challenges facing today’s construction industry, whilst attempting
Carrier HVAC Service recently welcomed building owners and operators to its second HVAC asset management-focused event in London to learn how to maximise HVAC system performance and create healthier, more efficient indoor environments. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
Designs for a new neighbourhood at the St George’s site in Wolverhampton are set to be unveiled for the first time at a city centre event. Since spring, four award-winning teams of architects have been working up their vision for the brownfield plot – a key gateway site for the
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s biggest event for the built environment, have sent their congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on last night’s General Election victory – along with an open invitation to this autumn’s show. UKCW Birmingham (NEC, 1-3 October) has invited the new Prime Minister to
Inco Contracts has capped a record twelve months by being named the best company in the Black Country, Staffordshire and North Worcestershire. The fast-growing principal contractor beat off competition from 50 of the region’s finest firms to land the Express & Star Business Awards’ Business of the Year in front
Michael Holmes, property expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Vice Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), says: 1. High VAT Costs for London home improvements Ensure your contractor is VAT-registered and can apply the reduced rate for eligible works. Take advantage of the 5% VAT rate for installing energy-saving materials like insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. If converting a non-residential building into a home or renovating a property that has been empty for 2+ years, you may qualify for a reduced 5% VAT rate. Projects that increase or decrease the number of dwelling units, such as splitting a house into flats or vice versa, can attract a reduced 5% VAT rate. Renovating properties that have been empty for 10 years or more, or changing the use of a building, may also qualify for the reduced 5% VAT rate on all eligible labour and materials. 2. Substantial property taxes for London househunters First-time buyers can benefit from Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief on properties up to £500,000. If you are transferring equity (ownership) of a property, SDLT may only be payable on the portion being transferred. Purchasing a property that includes both residential and commercial elements can qualify for the non-residential SDLT rates (often lower than residential rates). If you are purchasing multiple properties in a single transaction, such as a house with an annex, you may qualify for Multiple Dwellings Relief, which can lower the SDLT payable. Try to negotiate the purchase price to fall just below an SDLT threshold to benefit from lower SDLT bands. If possible, structure the purchase agreement to include deferred payment arrangements, which can spread the SDLT liability over a longer period. When buying through a shared ownership scheme, you can choose to pay SDLT in stages based on the share you purchase, which can reduce the initial SDLT burden. 3. Air Pollution A mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system ensures a consistent supply of warm fresh air no matter the temperature outside. It also has filters to clean the incoming air of pollen, dust and other particles so it’s constantly replenishing your home with fresh, filtered air. 4. Climate Change Impact An architect using the Passivhaus design software will be able to predict how much overheating your home will experience in summer and advise on measures to bring this down. For example, external blinds can be very effective at reducing solar gain (which causes the temperature to rise in your home) by between 80 and 100%. The most effective systems should be fixed or need intervention to be effective such as brise soleil and overhangs. But shutters blinds or awnings can also be effective. Other useful measures include optimising the size of your windows, doors and rooflights, and deep window reveals. 5. Lack of skilled labour We have a real shortage of skilled labour in the UK Construction industry. However, there are still good trades and builders out there. You will have to wait for the good ones as they’re booked up, so do not be tempted to rush into using someone who can start on Monday. They aren’t busy for good reason. Use social media to follow their jobs, you can build a good understanding of their company without getting off your sofa. 6. Planning delays The current planning system is flawed and needs a radical overhaul to get London building again. If the new government looks at this as a matter of urgency it will hopefully reduce the delays homeowners are currently seeing with planning applications which means their build can start quicker and with less red tape. 7. Fitting an air source heat pump Due to the nature of London buildings which are close together and often have a high number of occupiers, a lot of the properties are not immediately suitable for heat pump installation procedures. Also, some of the permitted development rules and regulations can make it more difficult to fit new technology… One long-term effect will be that the ‘spark gap’ – the difference in price between the cost per kw of electricity and the cost per kw of gas, for heat – is getting bigger as gas gets harder to find. So, there will be a cost burden going forward, as we’ll have carbon emissions, but it’ll also be more expensive in the future to run gas. And it’ll be much more expensive than to do the conversion to a heat pump because, potentially, the boiler upgrade scheme grant won’t be there. If these could include hybrid systems (where you keep the boiler but have a heat pump as well), this might also become a solution for congested areas. 8. The cost and complexity of the energy efficiency upgrades As we’ve seen in the past with solar photovoltaic panels, the moment that you make it easier for people to get them, the turnover increases and the cost comes down. So, what we need to do is increase the adoption rate by making it simple for people to adopt new energy efficient technology. Then from that perspective, the cost comes down and more people can implement energy efficiency upgrades. And what starts as a snowball rolling down a hill becomes an avalanche of change. 9. Understanding what can be done without needing a full planning application Permitted development rights are what allow you to do things to your house without having to make a planning application. Each of these rights has a different set of criteria that your project needs to meet in order to qualify for the exemption. Many of these criteria are super complicated. Luckily the government has pushed out a technical document that explains them. Just put “Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance” into a search engine. Again, a planning consultant can advise on what it means, but the only way to obtain a legally binding confirmation that what you want to do doesn’t require a planning application is to get a lawful
A successful event at Castle Meadow Campus hosted by G F Tomlinson and Henry Brothers Construction provided an opportunity for Fbe and ProCon members and guests to look at the new University of Nottingham city centre redevelopment site. The collaborative event was held at the Grade II Listed site where current works include the transformation of the former HMRC headquarters – the Central Building being delivered by G F Tomlinson, and the remodelling of Buildings D and F, by Henry Brothers, into modern office spaces. Encompassing seven buildings, the complete redevelopment is set to establish the Castle Meadow Campus as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, featuring state-of-the-art facilities for its community of students, academics, and industry partners. 60 members of the Fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) East Midlands and ProCon Nottinghamshire – both of which are professional regional construction and property groups – attended the event, and were treated to a morning of insightful presentations, networking opportunities and firsthand experiences of the ongoing redevelopment works. While enjoying breakfast sandwiches and hot refreshments, representatives from the University of Nottingham, Arup, and Bond Bryan provided detailed site plans, offering a comprehensive overview of the campus scope and objectives. Visitors were given guided tours of the current works by G F Tomlinson and Henry Brothers, providing a unique insight into the intricate renovation processes. A highlight of the event was the demonstration of the large-scale Projection Augmented Relief Model (PARM) by Dr. Gary Priestnall from the University’s School of Geography. The interactive 3D model of Nottingham city centre showcased the innovative use of digital and data tools in urban planning and development. Led by Director, Prof. Paul Grainge, University of Nottingham, ‘City as Lab’ also presented work on leveraging digital and data innovation to address real-world challenges in the Nottingham city region, emphasising the role of the campus as a catalyst for technological advancement and community engagement. G F Tomlinson, a longstanding partner of the University of Nottingham, is leading the refurbishment of the Central Building, including the complex replacement of the tensile fabric roof and the addition of a new mezzanine level, designed to enhance the building’s functionality and sustainability. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “The event at Castle Meadow Campus was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the extensive work being done to transform the Central Building. “We were delighted to share our progress with the community and our industry peers and we are extremely proud to contribute our expertise to such a landmark project. “We have a long-standing working relationship with the University of Nottingham, with this being our 8th scheme working together. It is a real pleasure to combine our university and heritage experience to help the university to deliver another world class facility.” Henry Brothers Construction, alongside a consortium of leading industry experts, is nearing completion of the remodelling works on Buildings D and F. Managing Director of Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Construction Ian Taylor said: “The Castle Meadow Campus is a hugely exciting project for the University of Nottingham and for the city as a whole and we are proud to be playing a part in it. “Henry Brothers has extensive experience of working with universities across the Midlands to improve their facilities. This is our first contract with the University of Nottingham, and we are really pleased to see the partnership creating such fantastic new facilities in our home city. They will be a tremendous asset to the community, and we are honoured to have jointly hosted this event for our peers in the local construction and property sector.” James Hale, Building and Design Lead for Castle Meadow Campus, University of Nottingham, said: “We’re pleased to be working together with our partners on the Castle Meadow Campus development. The chance to welcome ProCon and Fbe members and guests to showcase the great work that’s already happening to transform the site was excellent. “We’re pleased that members and guests showed a keen interest in this historically significant site. With more work to come, we are determined to create an accessible and sustainable world-class campus environment.” The event underscored the importance of fostering partnerships in technological advancement and sustainable development. With the University of Nottingham, G F Tomlinson and Henry Brothers at the forefront, the Castle Meadow Campus is poised to make a lasting impact on the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Infopro Digital, a leading business information services company, has acquired Built Environment Networking Ltd which runs UKREiiF (The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum), a must-attend event for the real estate, property and infrastructure communities. The acquisition will strengthen Infopro Digital’s position as a leading international business-to-business trade show and event provider in the construction, built environment and public sector verticals. Infopro Digital’s portfolio includes SIMI, a French trade show that attracts 26,000 attendees, and is similar to UKREiiF as both events are heavily attended by investors, developers and the public sector. UKREiiF enhances Infopro Digital’s presence in the UK, where it runs leading brands in their fields such as Risk.net (risk management), Haynes (automotive) and Barbour ABI (construction). Infopro Digital operates five offices with more than 450 staff in the UK, while employing more than 4,000 worldwide. The announcement sees Keith and Amanda Griffiths, the founders of Built Environment Networking Ltd leave the business. Keith said of the acquisition: “Infopro Digital is the ideal partner to continue the development of UKREiiF, ensuring that the values and quality of UKREiiF are preserved. I’m confident that under their stewardship UKREiiF will reach new heights and continue to serve our community with excellence.” Nathan Spencer has been promoted to Managing Director and will head up the UKREiiF business unit within the Infopro Digital portfolio. He added: “We have a long serving team who’ve worked on UKREiiF, all of whom have been instrumental in creating, delivering and growing UKREiiF to what it is today – and we cannot wait to kickstart the next phase of our journey alongside Infopro Digital.” Built Environment Networking Ltd announced in 2023 that the business had moved to an employee ownership model. Founder and Executive Chairman of Infopro Digital, Christophe Czajka, said: “UKREiiF has become a key event for the real estate, property and infrastructure communities in a short time. We admired how it achieved this by offering relevant content, high-quality networking and a great delegate experience. We also recognise the huge efforts it made to support equality, diversity and inclusion.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spencer Bridge Engineering has been recognised for its outstanding work on the historic Union Chain Bridge with a prestigious industry award. The company received the Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award at the New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 for its work on the iconic structure which crosses the border between England and Scotland. Opened in 1820, Union Chain Bridge crosses the River Tweed. It’s the world’s oldest suspension bridge still carrying traffic and was the longest wrought iron suspension bridge in the world when it opened. Designed and built by Royal Navy officer and bridges design pioneer, Captain Samuel Brown, the crossing was credited with being a catalyst for bridge innovation and influenced the design and construction of suspension bridges around the world. Spencer Bridge Engineering was appointed by Northumberland County Council to dismantle the bridge and carry out a complete refurbishment and rebuild, ensuring the 200-year-old structure continues to provide safe passage for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists for many years to come. A key element of the project was to ensure all modifications were in keeping with the heritage and historical significance of the bridge and, where possible, structural elements, including the main suspension chain rods, links, pins and hanger caps, were refurbished rather than replaced. The existing masonry towers were also refurbished using stone from the same quarry that was originally used. Working in partnership with local stonemasons and heritage bodies, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team conducted masonry trials to determine the exact stone facing and pointing techniques required to best match the existing structure. Using a combination of bespoke temporary works and a highly-skilled workforce, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team was able to carry out the refurbishment, giving the structure a new lease of life in a sustainable way and ensuring future access for maintenance and inspections. The Spencer Bridge Engineering team has been recognised for its work on the bridge on several occasions, after recently winning the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Infrastructure Award. This followed accolades for “Gold Winner” of the Restoration Project of the Year Award and the “Silver Winner” of the Community Engagement Award for the Union Chain Bridge project at the National Building and Construction Awards 2023. Joe DiMauro, Engineering Director, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been honoured with prestigious industry awards for our work on Union Chain Bridge. “This recognition further reinforces Spencer Bridge Engineering’s reputation as an industry leader in specialist bridge works, including the delivery of projects on historic structures. “Our expertise, experience and wide-ranging capabilities across the company mean we can be trusted to complete complex bridge works to exceptional standards. “I’d like to thank the team for their tremendous work which made this project so successful and these awards possible.” The New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards judges paid tribute to Spencer Bridge Engineering’s delivery of the project and positive collaboration with partners and stakeholders. The citation for the winning entry said: “The judges found this to be a particularly exciting project which demonstrated an excellent example of stakeholder engagement and collaboration across a broad range of organisations. “The project scored very highly across all categories, and the panel particularly liked the innovative solution to temporary work implemented within this project. “The extensive refurbishment rather than replacement really helps to keep its sense of place in the local environment and has significant carbon saving. Well done!” Spencer Bridge Engineering’s emergency works project on the Menai Suspension Bridge, between the Welsh mainland and the island of Anglesey, was also shortlisted in the same Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award category at the awards ceremony. The project saw the Spencer Bridge Engineering team carry out emergency works on the historic bridge to protect users and allow time for engineers to consider ways to solve the problem at hand, while once again preserving the original structure and functionality of the bridge. The project is another outstanding example of preservation of a historic structure, using innovative techniques and solutions developed under high pressure and at pace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CIBSE and IBPSA-England are pleased to unveil their partnership for the upcoming 2025 Technical Symposium. This joint effort merges two premier events in building performance and sustainable design: CIBSE’s annual Technical Symposium and IBPSA-England’s biennial Building Simulation and Optimisation event. Themed “Fit for 2050 – Achieving Net-Zero through Intelligent, Resilient and Sustainable Design in the Built Environment,” the CIBSE IBPSA-England Technical Symposium 2025 aims to serve as a platform for the latest research and innovations in sustainable practices. This partnership underscores a shared dedication to advancing knowledge and best practices in building performance. Event highlights Combined expertise: Leveraging the strengths of both organisations, the symposium promises a comprehensive programme covering a broad spectrum of topics related to building performance and sustainability. Diverse formats: Attendees can expect engaging sessions including technical reviews, case studies and poster presentations, fostering dynamic discussions and knowledge exchange. Networking opportunities: The event will provide numerous opportunities for participants to connect with industry peers, exchange insights and establish valuable professional relationships that can catalyse future collaborations and innovations. Simon Parker, Managing Director of CIBSE Services said about this partnership: ‘At CIBSE, we’re excited to collaborate with IBPSA-England for the 2025 Technical Symposium. This partnership combines top expertise in building performance and sustainable design, delivering cutting-edge research and innovations. We look forward to meaningful discussions and connections that will shape the future of the built environment.’ Professor Neveen Hamza, Chair of IBPSA-England stated: ‘IBPSA-England is excited to partner with CIBSE for the 2025 Technical Symposium. As an affiliate of the International Building Performance Simulation Association, IBPSA-England focuses on improving the built environment through building performance simulation. This collaboration merges our biennial Building Simulation and Optimisation conference with CIBSE’s annual Technical Symposium, creating a unified platform for cutting-edge research and innovation in building performance and sustainable design.’ Join us in shaping the future of the built environment. Abstract submissions are now open. Please visit https://go.cibse.org/ts2025-pr for more information and to submit your abstract. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s biggest event for the built environment, have announced the creation of their first-ever Advisory Board, a prestigious panel of top industry leaders. Last week’s inaugural session saw the panel discuss some of the most critical challenges facing today’s construction industry, whilst attempting to uncover meaningful and innovative solutions which could be rolled out across the sector. The panel also dissected UKCW’s stage content, with suggestions on elements and features which could be introduced to keep the show relevant and fresh. Topics debated included the new government’s manifesto commitments and first 100 days of Labour; Modern Methods of Construction (MMC); the skills gap; AI and data; planning; mental health in construction; and social value. Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “The aim of the panel is to get to the very heart of the most important issues facing our industry today. We want UKCW to not only be at the centre of the construction debate, but for us to be a voice for the sector; that means the show must reflect the ever-changing needs of a fast-paced industry. “We aspire to ignite growth, enhance connectivity, and drive meaningful improvements across the construction landscape, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all.” The Advisory Board features a Who’s Who of top level experts, including: Charlotte Garrett said: “I think it’s a great experience to sit alongside other industry leaders and collectively bridge that gap between the organisers and the wider construction community, leveraging all of our connections and progressing the industry forward together.” Jessie Wilde commented: “Being on the advisory board is a great opportunity to help shape construction with like-minded people and discuss vision and purpose; I’d like UK Construction Week to draw everyone together around key shared objectives for the country we live in; we have such a part to play to move those discussions forward.” Trudi Sully added: “I think it’s a great opportunity for industry leaders to be able to influence the shape of these conferences because they are such important events to bring people together to talk about what’s coming up and how we can work together more effectively. I think it’s how we bring everything together – the technology, systems, processes and tools are really well developed but not widely adopted, so we need to talk about how we start to implement, develop and adapt to ensure continuous improvement in everything that’s been happening in the last 5-10 years.” Andy Tookey said: “The skills shortage is one of the biggest challenges we face in the construction industry, and I would really like to hear from the different demographics – Generation Z, and what attracts them to the industry, and how do we use AI and tech as a lever so it’s not seen as a dirty and disruptive industry; I’d also like to see those of working age who’ve not considered construction, and also those valuable people thinking about leaving the industry and how we can retain them.” Marie Claude Hemming commented: “UKCW brings all the elements of the industry under one roof, and through this board I’m hoping to not only meet people in adjacent sectors but also represent the interests of civil engineers and contractors. At UKCW, I’d like to see a great thriving buzzing environment but also more focus on infrastructure and the direction of travel from the new government, and how we can work with them.” Opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter George Clarke, UKCW Birmingham attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the globe, and will showcase a host of international exhibitors from the likes of Turkey, China and India. The multi award-winning show will feature over 200 exhibitors. 300-plus seminars, CPD sessions and workshops, and over 300 thought leaders and keynote speakers. To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carrier HVAC Service recently welcomed building owners and operators to its second HVAC asset management-focused event in London to learn how to maximise HVAC system performance and create healthier, more efficient indoor environments. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. Held at The Gherkin in central London, guests from various sectors, including real estate management, hospitality, healthcare, education, banking, energy, transport, and local authorities, explored how market trends are driving Carrier’s proactive performance upgrades, modernisation strategies, and predictive maintenance to enhance equipment efficiency and lifespan. “With HVAC systems, traditional maintenance alone is no longer sufficient,” said Ralph Davies, Head of Sales, Carrier Service. “Around 80% of the buildings we have today will still be in use in 2050. In order to optimise HVAC performance, enhance energy efficiency, and drive decarbonisation efforts, organisations need to shift to a total asset management approach.” Attendees also had the opportunity to hear about a number of recent projects where Carrier’s life cycle asset management provides substantial improvements in energy efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and cost savings to its customers. “Our second Life Cycle Asset Management event at the Gherkin was another insightful afternoon,” continued Davies. “It reinforced how connected services, such as Carrier’s BluEdge® service solution integrated with the Abound™ cloud-based connected services platform, can provide real-time data and analytics to enhance system performance. This in turn helps maximise equipment uptime, reduce operational costs, enhance efficiency, and contribute to decarbonisation goals.” The asset management-focused series, which launched in January 2024, aims to equip professionals with the knowledge to unlock their HVAC system’s full potential through Carrier’s life cycle asset management capabilities. As urbanisation accelerates, with 80% of the global population projected to live in cities by 2050, decarbonisation and improving indoor air quality are more crucial than ever. Carrier is committed to addressing these challenges and will host other events in this series in cities across the UK later this year and into 2025. To find out more about Carrier’s life cycle asset management solutions, visit: www.carrier.com/commercial/en/uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Designs for a new neighbourhood at the St George’s site in Wolverhampton are set to be unveiled for the first time at a city centre event. Since spring, four award-winning teams of architects have been working up their vision for the brownfield plot – a key gateway site for the city. It’s part of a landmark competition led by City of Wolverhampton Council, social impact developers Capital&Centric and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The architect teams will now unveil their respective ideas at a free event at Wulfrun Hall, The Halls, North Street, Wolverhampton on Wednesday 17 July, 2024. Anyone is welcome to attend the showcase, to be hosted by architect Angela Brady OBE, a past president of RIBA who’s overseeing the competition. Visitors can choose from one of two sessions (3pm or 5.30pm) and can expect a Dragon’s Den style format, as each of the 4 shortlisted teams get 10 minutes to pitch their vision for what will become an impressive new neighbourhood. Attendees will then get a chance to wander around, speak to the teams to explore their ideas and provide valuable local feedback. It will be the first time that the designs will be seen in public since the competition launched. Speaking ahead of the event, Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “St George’s is a fantastic opportunity to create a game changing neighbourhood of which the city can be proud. It’s a critical part of our citywide plan to unlock investment in considered development that delivers much needed homes and new opportunities for our communities. “Through this competition we have secured designs from award winning architects that we hope set a new design benchmark for brownfield regeneration in Wolverhampton. I cannot wait to see what local residents make of the designs the shortlisted teams have come up with and hope as many people as possible get along to the event at The Halls on 17 July.” Social impact developers Capital&Centric are aiming to replicate the approach they’ve successfully delivered in other cities, attracting investment into imaginative and creative communities that feature restored historic buildings alongside contemporary new builds, as well as providing lush green public gardens. The intention for the former Sainsbury’s supermarket site is for a neighbourhood with a kaleidoscope of hundreds of homes, community spaces and green streets, centred around a repurposed Grade II listed church. It’s anticipated to feature shops, workspaces, café bars and lots of community open space, adding a vibrant new quarter to Wolverhampton’s city centre, with links to the £61 million City Learning Quarter set to open in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s biggest event for the built environment, have sent their congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on last night’s General Election victory – along with an open invitation to this autumn’s show. UKCW Birmingham (NEC, 1-3 October) has invited the new Prime Minister to not only speak at the three-day event, but hear first-hand from industry leaders on the issues they are currently facing, and how the new Labour government can best support a sector that employs over 1.5 million people and contributes more than £130 billion to the UK economy. At UKCW Birmingham, Sir Keir will have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of professionals from the industry, including architects, contractors, designers, planners, surveyors, and key national house builders, including Berkeley Group, Barratt Developments, Persimmon Homes and Bellway. Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “We would like to congratulate Sir Keir and his party on last night’s victory, and would like to extend an invitation for him and his new Cabinet to come to the NEC in October and hear how they can help our sector over the next five years and beyond. “The theme for UKCW Birmingham 2024 is ‘Growth’, and we hope the new Labour government will quickly set to work on delivering on its manifesto promises on homebuilding, fast track approvals of urban brownfield sites and updating the National Policy Planning Framework.” With its reputation for networking and knowledge sharing, organisers of UKCW Birmingham asked its 2024 Role Models nominees what they would do if they became prime minister. Insightful responses included: Paula McMahon – Honorary Professor of Teesside University (Icon nominee) Kevin Pratt – Director, Purehaus (Pioneer nominee) Rekiya Shodunke, Apprentice Technical Coordinator, Berkeley Group (Rising Star nominee) UKCW Birmingham’s own election wishlist addresses three core topics – mental health, skills and planning: Opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter George Clarke, UKCW Birmingham attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the globe, and will showcase a host of international exhibitors from the likes of Turkey, China and India. The multi award-winning show will feature over 200 exhibitors. 300-plus seminars, CPD sessions and workshops, and over 300 thought leaders and keynote speakers. To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Inco Contracts has capped a record twelve months by being named the best company in the Black Country, Staffordshire and North Worcestershire. The fast-growing principal contractor beat off competition from 50 of the region’s finest firms to land the Express & Star Business Awards’ Business of the Year in front of 350 people at The Halls in Wolverhampton. Judges were impressed with how the management team of Sam Norton and Dave Cotterill had instilled a deep-rooted commitment to customer service and carved a growth plan that has put it on course to achieve £40m in revenue this year. Part of this ambitious expansion has been the creation of satellite offices in the North West and South of England, providing national coverage that has seen it deliver high-profile office and industrial refurbishment projects for Anchorage in Salford, Manchester Airport, Eurolinks, Woodside Industrial Estate and Barlow Road in Coventry. “This is a massive win for Inco Contracts as we continue our journey to be the best principal contractor in the UK,” explained Sam Norton, Operations Director. “There were so many excellent companies we were competing with, doing amazing things and helping put the region on the map. To come out on top and be named the ‘Business of the Year’ is a massive honour and one that our staff richly deserve.” David Cotterill, Managing Director, continued: “You can sometimes get too consumed with figures. We know how important our people are and we do everything we can to offer them development opportunities so we can retain the best talent. This accolade is testament to their skill, hard work and commitment to often go above and beyond.” Inco Contracts, which has recently relocated its Head Office to Cannock, received its prize from Express & Star Editor Mark Drew. The Awards evening was the highlight of the publisher’s 150th anniversary of bringing news to the people of the Black Country, Staffordshire and North Worcestershire. For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals