BCIA AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY! Anticipation is building towards the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards 2025. Entries for the 10 award categories are now open, so place your nominations today! Following on from last year’s incredibly successful event and celebrating the best the building controls sector has to
In Residential Property Awards run by Yorkshire Children’s Charity The sustainable, regeneration and innovative residential work in Yorkshire of a Leeds-based architects practice has been recognised in this year’s Residential Property Awards run by the Yorkshire Children’s Charity. Edward Architects has been named as the Best Residential Consultancy Practice in
The National Home Decarbonisation Group, in partnership with Futurebuild and Innovate UK, has launched its Big Retrofit Challenge, a bold new competition aimed at unearthing game-changing solutions in home decarbonisation. The Big Retrofit Challenge offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and companies to showcase their innovations in front of key
The new government’s net zero priorities and the impact of a Trump presidency on global climate action will be top of the agenda at Net Zero Festival 2024 next week (October 22-23 at the Business Design Centre in London). The UK’s leading event dedicated to accelerating the net zero transition
As work begins on site near Woodstock, Blenheim Estate Homes’ innovative community Hill Rise has already picked up a prestigious design award for its architects, Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE). The community, by Blenheim Estate Homes, will be built by their build partner, Pye Homes and has been named as one
FLEXI-job apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures continues to lead the way in supporting construction apprenticeships, rising top of the podium at last week’s Construction Apprenticeship Awards. A division of Efficiency North Holdings, the service was named Construction Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, solidifying its reputation as a leader in nurturing the next
A renewable energy installation specialist has received national recognition for its efforts to tackle fuel poverty across the UK. UK Energy Management (UKEM) last week [11 Oct] won the ‘Fuel Poverty and Vulnerable Customer Support of the Year’ award, at the National Energy Efficiency Awards. Taking place at Birmingham’s Hilton
Talented construction professionals across Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward and be recognised at a glittering awards ceremony. The prestigious event will be held at Croke Park in Dublin on 18 September 2025 and will be hosted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). CIOB hosted a launch
Winvic Construction Ltd’s Talent Development Manager, Kayleigh Merritt, has won a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Award. Kayleigh scooped the Midlands Local Hero accolade – which recognises exceptional women that are working at an operational or site level in construction – and collected her
On Tuesday 8th October, 340 people from local businesses attended an open day to hear about the opportunities to work on the development of the Agratas battery facility near Bridgwater. In partnership with Agratas’ contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, Agratas invited businesses operating in various sectors, including catering, offsite consolidation, and signage
BCIA AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY! Anticipation is building towards the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards 2025. Entries for the 10 award categories are now open, so place your nominations today! Following on from last year’s incredibly successful event and celebrating the best the building controls sector has to offer, the BCIA Awards 2025 will take place on Thursday 1st May 2025 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. As one of the sector’s hottest yearly events, the Awards evening is one not to be missed – there are also plenty of seats and tables available, so make sure to secure your attendance. Recognised as the biggest awards in the building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) industry, the BCIA awards shine a spotlight on the talented professionals that make up the building controls sector. There are ten different categories available to enter, with some sponsorship opportunities also available. These are: Building Controls and BEMS Installer of the Year (sponsored by Trend Control Systems Ltd) This award recognises the building controls and/or BEMS installer that most demonstrates commitment, professionalism, and understanding of client needs. Engineer of the Year (sponsored by BCIA Operations Ltd) Awarded to individuals working for building controls manufacturers, consulting engineers, installers, or facility management companies who best demonstrate engineering excellence in BEMS and building controls. Young Engineer of the Year This award is given to the individual aged 35 years or under who best demonstrates the achievements gained through successful participation in and completion of the BCIA Technical Training Programme and other building controls educational programmes. Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Group Horizon) An award given to the individual who best demonstrates the achievements gained through successful participation in and completion of an approved BEMS or building controls apprenticeship. Energy Management Award (sponsored by Priva UK Ltd) Awarded to a team, installer, or manufacturer in recognition of a project which demonstrates how building controls and/or BEMS have been installed to increase energy efficiency in a building or premises. Best Service & Maintenance Provider (sponsored by Western Automation) An award given to the company that best demonstrates outstanding levels of customer care in the provision of long-term maintenance and service contracts for building controls and BEMS. Technical Innovation of the Year – Products (sponsored by CIBSE) Awarded to the most innovative BEMS/building controls product development launched in the past 12 months. Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects This award is presented to the project team/installer that best demonstrates innovation and the deployment of smart technology to create a sustainable building/complex. Contribution to Training Award An award given to the organisation, company, or individual that has contributed to training on the design, installation, and/or use of BEMS and building controls. Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award (sponsored by BCIA) Unlike previous years and the other awards, this cannot be self-nominated – peers must nominate individuals who they believe have made a significant and consistent contribution to the building controls sector. This individual will have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the building controls and BEMS industry, such as helping to raise awareness of the importance of controls, supporting the BCIA in its work, or helping to raise standards in training and performance for our industry. The Management Committee will be looking for the nominating party to provide a statement, with a minimum of 100 and maximum of 300 words, that explains the clear contribution the nominee has made to the industry as a whole and/or association. This could include any differences or impact the contribution has had, how the individual’s work has changed processes, or how they have innovated or raised the profile of the industry. All award entries can now be entered using the online entry system, which allows you to start, edit, view, and download your entry before submitting it. The closing date for entries is Thursday 23rd January 2025 – there will be no deadline extension. BCIA President Stacey Lucas said: “The BCIA Awards are a fantastic event and a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the talented individuals and organisations in the building controls sector. This year saw some absolutely incredible entries and I’m sure next year’s awards will be no different – the skills, innovation, and expertise shown on a daily basis by building controls engineers and companies continue to move the sector forward in a hugely positive way. “This year’s event took place in a brand-new venue, The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, and we’re delighted to say that the BCIA Awards 2025 will also be held there. Whether you have been a regular attendee of our awards evenings or you’re attending for the first time, it’s sure to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening – so mark the date in your diary now! “We have tickets and tables on sale, as well as various sponsorship opportunities, so don’t hesitate to get in touch! “If you’re looking for some inspiration for your 2025 entry, a series of case studies featuring this year’s terrific winners can also be found on the BCIA website.” To find out more and enter the BCIA Awards 2025, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In Residential Property Awards run by Yorkshire Children’s Charity The sustainable, regeneration and innovative residential work in Yorkshire of a Leeds-based architects practice has been recognised in this year’s Residential Property Awards run by the Yorkshire Children’s Charity. Edward Architects has been named as the Best Residential Consultancy Practice in the award scheme which celebrates excellence across the region’s residential property sector. The architects firm, which rebranded and relocated to Marshall’s Mill last year to accommodate continued business growth, successfully demonstrated delivery excellence and first rate services for its clients in the residential category. Highlight projects in the region included Massey Fold in Spofforth for Yorkshire Housing where the firm was lead consultant in securing planning consent for a 72-home scheme in the village, which is set in a Conservation Area. An innovative, carbon efficient 216-home development on Edge Lane in Openshaw for Your Housing also demonstrated the practice’s commitment to sustainable design and community-focused housing solutions. This scheme also saw the firm collaborate with the University of Liverpool to develop four identical houses with differing specifications, monitored over a year to assess cost, comfort, usability and energy efficiency for future applications. Another key sustainable scheme included a masterplan for the regeneration of the former 73-acre Maltby colliery site in Rotherham for Hargreaves Land, which subsequently led to the firm’s role evolving to deliver the employment units and the outline application for a 200-unit residential housing scheme. The firm’s work in helping to drive forward the ambitious community scheme to transform Holbeck’s iconic viaduct in Leeds into a vibrant green space for the public to enjoy was also lauded, as well as it’s specialism in improving the lives of clients, families and carers through its accessible design work. Yorkshire Children’s Charity was established in 2022 and has already made a huge impact in the region, helping more than 20,650 disadvantaged children in Yorkshire. The Residential Property Awards put the spotlight on the region’s property talent whilst simultaneously raising vital funds to support the valuable work of the charity. Graham Edward, MD, Edward Architects said; “We are very proud to win this award and it is testament to the hard work of our entire team. As a business we have seen a 10% growth in turnover despite challenging market conditions and rising costs, so picking up this accolade is a great end to the year as both the housing sector and the modular market are key drivers in this growth and remain active.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The National Home Decarbonisation Group, in partnership with Futurebuild and Innovate UK, has launched its Big Retrofit Challenge, a bold new competition aimed at unearthing game-changing solutions in home decarbonisation. The Big Retrofit Challenge offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and companies to showcase their innovations in front of key industry players and get their ideas to the market. The innovations that come through the competition should aim to either directly address central challenges to the sector or improve wider processes for the delivery of projects that help consumers live in healthier homes, tackling issues such as exposure to damp and mould and alleviating fuel poverty. The judges are looking for innovations that go beyond just products, including new systems, approaches, solutions, and processes that contribute to creating healthier homes. Entries are open to UK-registered businesses that have an annual turnover of £15 million or less, with priority being given to less established organisations. The submitted solutions must be suitable for retrofitting or renovating existing homes or non-residential properties. While solutions designed for new builds are also welcome, they must demonstrate applicability to retrofit projects as well. Six shortlisted winners will have the chance to pitch their solutions on stage at Futurebuild’s National Retrofit Conference, and attend a networking morning to showcase their innovation to NHDG members with each winner having allocated slots to network directly with its members. Winners will also be given the exciting opportunity to discuss with NHDG members the potential of piloting their technology on a live decarbonisation scheme, accelerating their path to market and turning ideas into reality. It offers shortlisted winners a unique opportunity to actively work with the private sector to deliver retrofit. Paul Rogers, National Decarbonisation Manager at CLC Group, and member of the National Home Decarbonisation Group who are managing The Big Retrofit Challenge on behalf of the team, said: “By collaborating on the Big Retrofit Challenge, we are supporting the discovery and implementation of solutions that address the urgent need for greener, healthier homes. This competition will help unlock innovations that reduce fuel poverty, improve living conditions, and advance the UK’s decarbonisation agenda.” Mat Colmer from Innovate UK, and Senior Innovation Lead for Construction and Net Zero Heat at UK Research and Innovation, also commented on the competition: “Innovation is key to solving the complex challenges we face in home decarbonisation. The Big Retrofit Challenge provides a crucial opportunity for cutting-edge solutions to be tested and scaled, ultimately helping the UK meet its net zero targets while improving the quality of housing for consumers.” Martin Hurn, Event Director at Futurebuild, said: “The Big Retrofit Challenge is about turning bold ideas into impactful solutions. We are excited to partner with Innovate UK and the National Home Decarbonisation Group to create a powerful platform where innovators can showcase their game-changing technologies that will accelerate the decabonisation of homes across the UK.” The Big Retrofit Challenge is an inspiring step towards transforming the UK’s housing sector and achieving net zero goals. By fostering bold innovation and collaboration, the competition aims to deliver real-world solutions that will make an impact on the environment and communities across the country. Enter now for your chance to make a real impact. Further criteria and guidelines are found on the application form. The competition will close at 11am on Thursday 28th November 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The new government’s net zero priorities and the impact of a Trump presidency on global climate action will be top of the agenda at Net Zero Festival 2024 next week (October 22-23 at the Business Design Centre in London). The UK’s leading event dedicated to accelerating the net zero transition will bring together 2,000 business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and campaigners across two days to showcase the best of the UK’s green economy and explore strategies for turbocharging decarbonisation. New Labour MP and environmental campaigner Polly Billington, green entrepreneur and Labour donor Dale Vince and Google’s sustainability lead Adam Elman are among the more than 150 expert speakers leading keynotes, panel discussions and workshops during the event. Other speakers will include: Now in its fifth year, the CPD accredited event remains free to attend, and will this year feature keynotes, presentations, panel discussions, and workshops across four stages: Inspiration, Action, Engage, and Showcase. Meanwhile visitors can upgrade their ticket to gain access new arena, the BusinessGreen Intelligence stage, which will provide a series of deep-dive sessions, offering exclusive insights into how to develop a best-in-class net zero strategy. James Murray, co-founder of Net Zero Festival and editor-in-chief of BusinessGreen said: “Action on climate change is more critical than ever, so this year’s Net Zero Festival promises to be our most impactful yet. “We’ve seen an incredible surge in interest in this year’s event, reflecting the urgency and importance of the net zero agenda and how serious it is being taken by our new government. Our focus now is to convert this enthusiasm into actionable collaboration during the festival and so we are bringing together a diverse group of leaders to collaborate on tangible solutions for a sustainable future.” Keynotes, panel discussions and workshops will include: To secure your place at the Net Zero Festival 2024, register at netzerofestival.com/register. Attendees can upgrade their free tickets to access the BusinessGreen Intelligence Stage for specialised content tailored to sustainability executives and green business leaders. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As work begins on site near Woodstock, Blenheim Estate Homes’ innovative community Hill Rise has already picked up a prestigious design award for its architects, Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE). The community, by Blenheim Estate Homes, will be built by their build partner, Pye Homes and has been named as one of the big winners in the 2024 Housing Design Awards. Hill Rise is an innovative low-carbon development, where Blenheim Estate Homes has full planning permission to build 48 homes, 57 sqm of community space and a parking barn. The Oxfordshire housebuilder is also preparing a Reserved Matters Application for the outline permission of up to 132 homes. Key features at Hill Rise include: Roger File, Managing Director of Real Estate at Blenheim Estate Homes said: “Hill Rise sets new standards for low-carbon housing, and we are rightly proud of the scheme to have already won an award before even a single home has been built.” PTE partner and project masterplanner Alexis Butterfield said: “We had a refreshingly unusual brief; to imagine a different relationship with private cars. The resulting dramatic change from car-shaped roads to landscaped, sociable streets hints at what we could deliver nationwide if this cultural shift could be embraced more widely.” He added: “The benefits of reduced road infrastructure are, put simply, more green space. Having easy access to quality green spaces is a key part of a healthier lifestyle. More green spaces contribute to improved mental and physical health, air quality and temperature control, as well as providing vital habitat for nature.” In addition to Blenheim Estate Homes’ Hill Rise, build partner Pye Homes is also continuing to develop its greener community, Church Farm, in Radley, with homes for sale now, as well as a final spacious and family friendly home at Temple Gate in Marcham. Both locations offer a lifestyle centred around commitment to quality, heritage, community, and sustainable living that defines Pye Homes. To enquire about Hill Rise, contact the Blenheim Estate Homes team at Hillrise@pyehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FLEXI-job apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures continues to lead the way in supporting construction apprenticeships, rising top of the podium at last week’s Construction Apprenticeship Awards. A division of Efficiency North Holdings, the service was named Construction Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, solidifying its reputation as a leader in nurturing the next generation of talent across the built environment sector. To enhance its already impressive accolades, two of EN:Able Futures’ apprentices were also recognised at the ceremony. Lauren Raynor, who is hosted by Alan Wood & Partners, was awarded Level 3 Construction Apprentice of the Year, while Liam Mansbridge, hosted by Termrim Construction, won Level 4 Construction Apprentice of the Year. These wins continue a proud tradition for the agency, as the team has previously celebrated success at the Construction Apprenticeship Awards through its apprentices, who received individual awards in 2022 and 2023. Julie Deeley, director of operations at EN:Able Futures, said: “Winning Construction Apprenticeship Employer of the Year is a testament to our apprentices’ hard work, host employers, and our team’s dedication alike to deliver opportunities that translate into job-ready skills, while steering the trajectory of our sector. “Seeing Lauren and Liam excel in their roles is what drives us to continue serving talented individuals to thrive and fast track their professional growth. Once again, we are proud to show that apprenticeships are not just an alternative path to higher education, but a powerful tool for transforming the workforce development and future of construction.” EN:Able Futures has a proven track record in creating pathways for young people across the north of England by providing routes for development along the construction industry. To date, the agency has supported more than 500 apprentices to prepare for the workforce, providing high-quality training and steadfast support while addressing the industry’s critical skills shortage. The construction industry continues to face a workforce gap, with 250,000 additional skilled workers required by 2027, according to the latest CITB figures. Apprenticeships like those facilitated by EN:Able Futures are key to unlocking opportunities that can address this shortfall. In 2023 alone, only 22,310 apprenticeships were started in the construction sector, despite the growing demand for trained professionals. EN:Able Futures has earned multiple accolades this year, to only name a few: SME Employer of the Year at the East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, and Apprenticeship Employer of the Year at the Yorkshire and Humber regional apprenticeship and skills awards. The latter, organised by the Department for Education, has secured the service a place in the national finals, which will take place in London on 27 November. These achievements reflect the agency’s commitment to excellence and success as apprenticeship delivery provider, paving the way to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. For more information about EN:Able Futures, visit: https://www.efficiencynorth.org/futures Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A renewable energy installation specialist has received national recognition for its efforts to tackle fuel poverty across the UK. UK Energy Management (UKEM) last week [11 Oct] won the ‘Fuel Poverty and Vulnerable Customer Support of the Year’ award, at the National Energy Efficiency Awards. Taking place at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole, the glittering award ceremony brought businesses and experts from across the energy efficiency industry together under one roof. Comedian Jason Manford hosted the event and presented UKEM directors Steven Copeland and Chris Snaith with the award, which recognised ‘those organisations going the extra mile to help people in difficult circumstances.’ UKEM beat eight other finalists to the award, having helped install energy saving solutions in over 9,000 homes over the past 12 months. Speaking after receiving the accolade, Steven Copeland, UKEM CEO, said: “We are beyond proud to have been presented with this prestigious award. “We have invested heavily in our marketing and advertising efforts over the past couple of years to target those in traditionally hard to reach communities who may be experiencing fuel poverty. We are now seeing those efforts really bear fruit. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve installed energy efficiency solutions in thousands of homes, the vast majority which have been on behalf of people struggling with rising energy prices, so to receive such an award is testament to the fantastic work our team do week-in, week-out, to help those most in-need.” All of UKEM’s installations during the period were delivered via the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and Great British Insulation (GBIS) Schemes, aimed specifically at reducing fuel poverty through the installation of renewable and low-carbon technologies. The solutions installed by UKEM, including heat pumps, solar panels and loft and wall insulation, have a real environmental as well as economic impact, with the firm’s latest impact report concluding that its installations also prevented over 57,000 tonnes of CO2 from escaping into the earth’s atmosphere. “Poorly insulated homes not only come at a huge financial burden to residents, but also at a significant environmental cost to the planet, and the judges reserved special praise for how our solutions are helping to directly address both challenges,” Steven added. “The Government has set a target for around 6.5million fuel-poor homes to be at least band C by 2030 and for as many as possible homes to be band C by 2035, which is why support schemes such as ECO4, which make it more affordable for those struggling to make their homes more energy efficient, are so important. “By breaking down the barriers preventing those most in-need from improving the energy efficiency of their homes, it is helping retrofit the UK’s housing stock at pace, while helping the nation meet its ambitious Net Zero targets. “However, we know there are still millions of households out there who are eligible and very much in-need of such support, so we’d recommend anyone to check their eligibility for funded measures via our website.” For more information on UKEM, visit: https://ukem.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Talented construction professionals across Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward and be recognised at a glittering awards ceremony. The prestigious event will be held at Croke Park in Dublin on 18 September 2025 and will be hosted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). CIOB hosted a launch event for the awards on 11 October at Tughans, The Ewart, Bedford Square, Belfast, giving aspiring winners the chance to network with fellow construction professionals before going head-to-head for one of the coveted titles. A similar event was held at Engineers Ireland, Clyde Road, Dublin at the same time. Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: “I am always delighted when this important industry has an opportunity to showcase the talent, hard work and achievements of the people creating and maintaining our built environment. “The CIOB Ireland Awards is a great platform for the incredible things industry professionals are doing and I’m very much looking forward to hearing all those stories. “Nothing in construction happens in isolation so I encourage everyone working in the built environment sector to nominate the colleagues who most deserve recognition.” Councillor Micky Murray, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, oversaw the launch ceremony as categories covering Client of the Year, Team of the Year, Rising Star and Sustainability Award were officially opened for nominations. Cllr Murray said: “The CIOB Awards Ireland are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the remarkable talent and innovation driving Northern Ireland’s construction sector. “It’s an honour to attend this celebration of excellence, and I encourage everyone to put forward their nominations and highlight the outstanding achievements within our built environment. “Recognising the talented individuals who help shape Northern Ireland’s infrastructure is crucial, as they play a vital role in creating spaces and places that enhance our communities and support our future growth.” Nominations are now open and aspiring winners can enter their submissions online, with categories covering Client of the Year, Team of the Year, and Rising Star. Awards are open to both members of CIOB and non-members and CIOB is urging as many construction professionals as possible to put their names forward. More information on the awards can be found on the dedicated webpage: www.ciob.me/irelandawards Anyone interested in sponsoring the event can contact Sarah Hallinan, Regional Manager Ireland, at shallinan@ciob.org. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd’s Talent Development Manager, Kayleigh Merritt, has won a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Award. Kayleigh scooped the Midlands Local Hero accolade – which recognises exceptional women that are working at an operational or site level in construction – and collected her trophy at the awards ceremony in Birmingham last week. Kayleigh’s passion to drive more meaningful on-site interactions and her collaboration with colleges led her to devise the award-winning Winvic Enrichment Programme (WEP). Five days of on-site sessions – tailored to the students’ discipline – are delivered by the Winvic team and subcontractors to showcase roles, skillsets, technology and teach CV-writing and interview skills. Students are benefitting from seeing more on-site activities, learning about the varied roles available and speaking to team members who can provide a greater depth of information. Student and tutor feedback is excellent and the WEP is inspiring the next generation of construction professionals and helping them to make informed career choices. Kayleigh works closely with the Winvic social value team to identify opportunities with schools and colleges that are located near projects. The whole team gets involved in presenting in schools and welcoming students to sites to learn about modern construction culture, site experiences and careers. Winvic’s focus on using the power of female role models has been successful in encouraging young women to consider a construction career and increasing female representation in the industry. Talent Development Manager at Winvic, Kayleigh Merritt, commented: “I’m honoured to have won the Midlands Local Hero award, and I think what we’ve been able to achieve with the Winvic Enrichment Programme and hundreds of other educational outreach activities is very special. I’d like to dedicate this award to all the schools and colleges we collaborate with and the whole Winvic team because I couldn’t do my job without their support.” Rebecca Schwarz, Head of HR and Training, added: “We see Kayleigh as a hero every day, so I’m delighted that she has been publicly recognised for her innovative and tenacious work to engage with young people and support them on their construction career journeys. We’re proud to always listen, learn and be flexible in our approach and this ensures students in local communities gain valuable on-site experiences. Congratulations, Kayleigh, this accolade is well deserved.” Danny Clarke, Engagement Director, England at CITB, said: “Congratulations to our award winners and to all of those who were shortlisted for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction. We are delighted to recognise the incredible women and allies who are driving real change in the construction industry. “The award ceremony and Top 100 shortlist celebrate the women that work at every level within the sector and their phenomenal achievements, while inspiring others and encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in this field. We are proud to showcase those who are leading in our industry and hope to see more even more applicants next year.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
On Tuesday 8th October, 340 people from local businesses attended an open day to hear about the opportunities to work on the development of the Agratas battery facility near Bridgwater. In partnership with Agratas’ contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, Agratas invited businesses operating in various sectors, including catering, offsite consolidation, and signage to hear updates on the Gravity Smart Campus development and explore future supplier opportunities. David Crew, Managing Director, Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “Somerset has many skilled and talented businesses who are ready to help deliver this exciting project. “The supplier engagement day was very well-attended and informative, describing a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to be at the heart of the green revolution here in Somerset as vehicle manufacturers switch from fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles. “Somerset Chamber is looking forward to supporting local businesses, Agratas and its partners to mobilise and deliver this transformative project in our region.” During the supplier engagement day, businesses were provided with a comprehensive project overview, detailing the objectives and significance of the Agratas facility. Attendees were updated on the site progress to date, highlighting key milestones achieved and the work packages currently being considered for future collaboration. The event offered valuable networking opportunities, enabling suppliers to connect, discuss potential partnerships, and engage at exhibition stands where they could ask questions and gain a deeper understanding into the project’s requirements. Jefferson Weber, Head of UK Construction at Agratas, commented: “It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm and expertise in the room at the first supplier engagement day for the Agratas facility in Bridgwater. While this is a nationally significant project, Agratas is committed to a local-first approach that provides opportunities for businesses and individuals across Somerset.” Graham Lill, Project Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “This supplier engagement day marks an exciting opportunity for us to connect with local businesses in Somerset. It highlights our commitment to collaborating with the community as we move forward with the Agratas facility project. Sir Robert McAlpine is proud to work alongside high-quality businesses from the region, and together, we can create a meaningful impact on the local economy.” The Agratas site at Bridgwater is a multi-billion dollar facility that will design, develop and manufacture high-quality, high-performance, sustainable electric batteries once operational. It is set to be the biggest battery facility in the country and by the early 2030s will contribute almost half of the projected battery manufacturing capacity required for the UK automotive sector. The facility itself will create up to 4,000 new high-skilled green tech jobs in the area, with many thousands more expected to be created in the UK supply chain. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
