Small and medium sized businesses from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire will have the opportunity to connect with key prospective clients at Manchester Airport’s annual Meet the Buyers event next month. More than 300 attendees representing over 150 companies are expected to be at the event on Thursday 13 March,
NHBC has announced renowned broadcaster, journalist and author Louise Minchin as its host for its upcoming BEYOND ‘25 LIVE event in March, with entrepreneur Deborah Meaden as a keynote speaker. With 20 years of presenting BBC Breakfast, Minchin will guide over 1,200 delegates through an action-packed agenda of expert speakers,
Façade specialist Alsecco has been named as winner of the Judges Choice Architectural Design – High Rise award at this year’s INCA Awards, in addition to taking the title for Refurbishment High Rise. Judges at the awards, which recognise excellence in the external wall insulation sector, made a unanimous decision
Door manufacturer JELD-WEN has won the Health and Safety award at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards 2024, recognising its use of innovative technology in reducing workplace risks. JELD-WEN has introduced a new system to protect employees from moving vehicles in its manufacturing operations that uses radio frequency and TRUE-AI
ASSA ABLOY and Lorient are excited to announce their debut at the UK’s fastest-growing fire safety exhibition, the Fire Safety Event, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 8th to 10thApril 2025. Located at stand 4/G30, these industry leaders will exhibit a complete range of fire door hardware and sealing
Bellway Project Manager Adam Hawkes has earned one of the highest accolades in the homebuilding industry. Adam, who oversees construction at Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange development in Essex, was announced as the runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Awards on Friday (24 January). Adam,
Hochiki Europe, a leading provider of innovative fire detection and life safety solutions, is proud to announce it has been named Fire Detection Company of the Year by Building and Facilities News. This prestigious award recognises Hochiki Europe’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and reliability in the fire safety industry. Building
Local housebuilder Dandara has received quality excellence from Premier Guarantee for two of its developments in Buckinghamshire, The Muse and The Aces, and its development in Bedfordshire, Saxon Park. All three developments received a ‘Quality Recognition Award’ from the warranty provider after meeting top standards in site management, workmanship, health
Technical Director of Promat Nigel Morrey has been recognised with a lifetime award for his commitment to fire safety at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection Awards. Recognising over three decades of commitment to improving standards in passive fire protection and raising awareness of the importance of this in protecting
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show’s 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design. Established 26 years ago, the show
Small and medium sized businesses from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire will have the opportunity to connect with key prospective clients at Manchester Airport’s annual Meet the Buyers event next month. More than 300 attendees representing over 150 companies are expected to be at the event on Thursday 13 March, including procurement teams from major names in the aviation, hospitality and construction industries like Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Holiday Inn & ibis budget, Bethell, Arup, and AmcoGiffen. Meet the Buyers will once again be hosted at Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park. Last year’s event at the same venue saw more than £6m-worth of deals struck and organisers are hoping to see a similar windfall for local businesses this year. A waiting list is currently in operation for prospective suppliers, who will get guaranteed face-to-face time with buyers’ procurement teams as part of the organised event schedule. Guest speakers and a range of workshops and presentations are scheduled throughout the day, parallel to the exhibition in the Runway Visitor Park’s main hangar. These include talks and interactive workshops delivered by representatives from MAG and Manchester City Council. Marcella M’Rabety – Group Head of Social Sustainability, Manchester Airport says… Our Meet the Buyers event is back by popular demand this year, following the success of last year’s event. We know how much small and medium sized businesses from across our region value the opportunity to meet face -to-face with large prospective purchasers, including Manchester Airport. We are very proud of our role as a key economic enabler, not just for Greater Manchester but the wider region, and this event is an important part of how we achieve that.” Councillor John Hacking – Executive Member for Employment, Skills and Leisure, Manchester City Council – says… “Manchester City Council is delighted to support the successful Manchester Airport Meet the Buyers event. This event is more than just a commercial opportunity; it’s a vital platform for fostering community connections and empowering local businesses, including SMEs. “By facilitating meaningful interactions between Manchester-based businesses and a diverse range of suppliers, the event helps to strengthen the local economy and promote inclusive growth. It’s a key part of our City’s Economic Strategy – Investing in Success, ensuring that the benefits of economic development are felt by all members of our community.” Interested parties can register here: https://www.manchestermtb.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NHBC has announced renowned broadcaster, journalist and author Louise Minchin as its host for its upcoming BEYOND ‘25 LIVE event in March, with entrepreneur Deborah Meaden as a keynote speaker. With 20 years of presenting BBC Breakfast, Minchin will guide over 1,200 delegates through an action-packed agenda of expert speakers, industry insights and cutting-edge discussions on the future of house building, as NHBC takes over the CBS Arena in Coventry. The brand new construction industry event will see Minchin joined by celebrated entrepreneur Deborah Meaden in a fireside chat diving into a host of hot topics including sustainability, innovation, resilience, leadership, adapting to change, the environment and women in construction – advancing opportunities across the industry. Boasting a full exhibition, dedicated networking space and a variety of workshops and training sessions, the event will also bring over 50 guest speakers covering best practice, skills, innovation, regulation, housing regeneration and customer care. The must-attend, future-focused event will reflect the ever-changing nature of the house-building industry, issues affecting the sector and explore the opportunities and challenges the construction industry faces in everything from innovation to sustainability. Paul Edwards, NHBC senior regional director said “We are delighted to announce both Louise Minchin and Deborah Meaden to BEYOND ‘25 LIVE and see them bring their energy, passion and insights to our delegates in a packed agenda. It’s an event not be to missed for those in the industry and attendees can expect fresh ideas and new insights from some of the leading voices in housebuilding. I am immensely proud that we have been able to cover so many topics at this event and I am confident there will be a wealth of information, presentations and discussions relevant to everyone involved in the building of new homes.” Speakers at the event include: The Rt Hon. Lord Gavin Barwell -Former MP and Housing Minister, and Chairman of the NHBC Foundation and NHBC Foundation’s Expert Panel, Gavin will cover ‘The public policy and geo-political trends impacting UK house building’. Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer from Homes England – With over 30 years’ experience in the banking industry, including roles at Barclays, Recognise Bank and the Yorkshire Building Society, Ian will discuss Homes England’s role in delivering key initiatives that will drive innovation across the sector as part of his keynote address ‘Accelerating housing growth – building the future together’. Nigel Cates, Chief Ombudsman at the New Homes Ombudsman – Nigel will take an in-depth look at the Buildmark policy in his session, ‘Understanding NHBC Buildmark warranty and insurance: obligations, dispute resolution, effective claims management’. Breaking down the key stages and providing practical insights into how to navigate its requirements. For more information, to exhibit, view the full agenda and to book your tickets visit nhbc.co.uk/beyond Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Façade specialist Alsecco has been named as winner of the Judges Choice Architectural Design – High Rise award at this year’s INCA Awards, in addition to taking the title for Refurbishment High Rise. Judges at the awards, which recognise excellence in the external wall insulation sector, made a unanimous decision in naming the Victoria House development, in Manchester, as Judges Choice Architectural Design – High Rise, describing the building as ‘an architectural masterpiece with great angles and complex detailing making it a worthy winner’. Alsecco supplied its Ecomin 400 cladding system with Meldorfer lightweight brick slips to complete the exterior of the building, providing external wall insulation and a brick-effect finish. The use of brick slips supported efficient construction of the 25-storey residential development by main contractor Domis, recreating a traditional gault brick appearance. Alsecco was also named as winner in the ‘Refurbishment High Rise’ category for its work on the colourful exterior on The Boardwalk development, in Eastbourne Harbour. The upgrade saw Alsecco’s Ecomin 300 external insulated render system used to ensure the exterior of the building was suited to the challenges of a marine environment. The project was praised for the ‘all round quality coupled with such a strikingly vibrant yellow and white finish that enhanced the building’s visual appeal’. Dean Broughton, Managing Director of Alsecco, said: “It is fantastic to see these two projects recognised at the INCA awards, which celebrate the very best projects in the external wall insulation industry. “Being involved in a project with the ambition and scale of Victoria House was a real privilege. The development, right in the heart of Manchester, showcases exactly what can be achieved with high quality brick slips, both in terms of efficiency, but also aesthetics. “To see this ambitious project awarded the judges choice in its category is testament to the commitment across the board that went into making this vision a reality. “Likewise, the Boardwalk upgrade shows what can be achieved through a high-quality external wall insulation system. While performance underpins external wall insulation applications, it is great to be involved in design-led projects that deliver a striking finish such as this. Thanks to INCA for helping to showcase excellence in the industry.” Run by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA), the awards recognise the highest standards in external wall insulation (EWI), with submissions across a variety of categories to highlight excellence in a range of building projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Door manufacturer JELD-WEN has won the Health and Safety award at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards 2024, recognising its use of innovative technology in reducing workplace risks. JELD-WEN has introduced a new system to protect employees from moving vehicles in its manufacturing operations that uses radio frequency and TRUE-AI cameras to create a detection zone around each vehicle. To ensure the safety of employees, a flashing light and audible warning is triggered if the systems detects a pedestrian. The vehicle will then automatically slow down and stop if a pedestrian comes into its proximity. In presenting the award to JELD-WEN, judges recognised that the initiative had seen a significant investment in emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) and AI technologies to help manage operational safety and protect employees, supply chain drivers, and visitors to the site. Helen Hewitt, BWF CEO, said: “JELD-WEN is to be commended for focusing on risk reduction and demonstrating a clear commitment to safety improvement in what is currently one of the highest severity risk areas at work. “By investing in this cutting-edge technology JELD-WEN has clearly demonstrated its willingness to go above and beyond in ensuring the safety of employees and visitors to the site.” Hamish White, Operation Director at JELD-WEN UK, added: “Health and safety is paramount within the sector, and we remain unrelenting in our aim to eliminate risk. “I congratulate all of the team at our Penrith factory for taking a comprehensive view of the need to maintain the highest health and safety standards. This is a tremendous achievement and a fantastic example of living our JELD-WEN value that we build our business ethically and safely.” Now in its sixteenth year, the BWF Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding skills, talent and achievements of the UK woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ASSA ABLOY and Lorient are excited to announce their debut at the UK’s fastest-growing fire safety exhibition, the Fire Safety Event, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 8th to 10thApril 2025. Located at stand 4/G30, these industry leaders will exhibit a complete range of fire door hardware and sealing system solutions. Spanning an impressive 84SQM, the stand will highlight the critical role of door hardware and intumescent sealing systems in fire safety, showcasing how these components safeguard lives and property. Engaging Experiences and Live Demonstrations Experience the power of fire safety in action! Watch compelling fire test footage that vividly demonstrates the critical importance of properly specified and installed intumescent sealing systems. See firsthand the dangers posed by unprotected ironmongery and inadequate seals with mini burnt doors on display. Attendees can also witness the transformative reactions of various intumescent materials and discover their suitability for different fire safety applications. Interactive Zones and Product Showcases Visitors will embark on a journey through ASSA ABLOY and Lorient’s comprehensive fire door solutions guided by their highly experienced teams. Full-sized door models will showcase real-world applications of rigorously tested and certified products, highlighting the latest innovations designed to meet the diverse needs of various sectors. Interactive zones on the stand will provide attendees with a hands-on experience; and feature samples and miniature door models from a broad range of products such as: A key highlight at the event will be ASSA ABLOY’s Openings Studio®, an award-winning software solution featuring a powerful, asset tag-enabled, fire door inspection app. This end-to-end Golden Thread Solution streamlines the entire building lifecycle, from design and construction to ongoing compliance, maintenance, and future inspections. Insightful Seminars at the Innovation & Compliance Theatre During the event, ASSA ABLOY and Lorient will host two engaging seminars: Join Us at the Fire Safety Event Visit ASSA ABLOY and Lorient at stand 4/G30 during the Fire Safety Event 2025 to view the latest advancements in fire safety and building compliance. Lorient is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway Project Manager Adam Hawkes has earned one of the highest accolades in the homebuilding industry. Adam, who oversees construction at Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange development in Essex, was announced as the runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Awards on Friday (24 January). Adam, 45, from Burnham-on-Crouch, was recognised for his exceptional work in the Large Builder category at the national ceremony, which took place at the London Hilton at Park Lane. He said: “It was an amazing experience. To be there among all those incredible site managers at the top of our field and all chosen by the NHBC to share that moment was brilliant. “To have my name read out as a runner-up and everyone cheering me like a winner, it was a great experience, and it was a privilege and an honour to be there and represent Bellway.” Managing Director of Bellway Essex Phil Standen said: “We are all so proud of Adam’s achievements. He is genuinely a real team player, who is quick to praise his assistant site managers, Billy Granshaw and James Ward, both of whom have been instrumental in Adam’s success. “Adam, Billy and James also truly epitomise what real team working means. They all play their part, each acting intuitively in dealing with daily site challenges. They are all adaptable, trustworthy and always put customers at the heart of everything they do. “As Adam says – Nil satis nisi optimum – nothing but the best is good enough. This is what he brings each and every day, and he truly deserves every award he has won.” The Supreme Awards are the pinnacle of the NHBC’s Pride in the Job competition, which it runs every year. During the competition it considers and inspects all the sites registered with the organisation – around 8,000. To reach this stage, Adam won awards in a series of ever more prestigious rounds in the competition. It was the first year he had won a Pride in the Job award in his own right, though he has been part of the team on sites where an award has been won previously. He received a Quality Award and a Seal of Excellence, before going on to be named as the Regional Winner for the South East Region in the Large Builder category. Adam paid tribute to his assistant site managers Billy and James. He said: “This award is as much for them as it is for me, thank you both for the incredible support. I’d also like to mention my Contracts Manager Sam Prideaux for his guidance and knowledge.” Bellway gained 10 per cent of all the Quality Awards given by the NHBC for 2024 – 45 in all. The company also won three Regional Awards which went to Adam, as well as Cymon Robinson for the Central region and James Kilby for the East region. Bellway Group Construction Director, James Griffin, said: “Adam’s well-deserved success comes as the crowning moment of Bellway’s achievements within the NHBC’s Pride in the Job awards this year. “Hard work, experience and skill are essential to reaching this level, but it is also about having an exceptional attitude to standards, detail and quality. Our people most certainly have this, and it shows not only in the quantity and prestige of the awards we have won, but most importantly in the homes we are building.” Adam has worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, and for the last 10 years he has been with Bellway. Previous roles included working on the Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He took over running Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange construction site in March 2023. To find out more about Bellway’s approach to building quality new homes, visit https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hochiki Europe, a leading provider of innovative fire detection and life safety solutions, is proud to announce it has been named Fire Detection Company of the Year by Building and Facilities News. This prestigious award recognises Hochiki Europe’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and reliability in the fire safety industry. Building and Facilities News highlighted Hochiki Europe’s extensive product portfolio, dedication to customer service, and continuous investment in research and development as key factors in their decision. The award also acknowledged the company’s contributions to advancing fire safety standards and its strong reputation within the building and facilities management sector. “We are incredibly honoured to receive this award from Building and Facilities News,” said Shinsuke Kubo, Managing Director at Hochiki Europe. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality fire detection solutions that protect lives and property. This award inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence in the fire safety industry.” Hochiki Europe provides comprehensive fire safety solutions to a diverse range of industries, including commercial property, healthcare, education, industrial, transportation and spaces of cultural and historical importance. This award further solidifies Hochiki Europe’s position as a global leader in the fire detection industry, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions and exceptional service to its customers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Dandara has received quality excellence from Premier Guarantee for two of its developments in Buckinghamshire, The Muse and The Aces, and its development in Bedfordshire, Saxon Park. All three developments received a ‘Quality Recognition Award’ from the warranty provider after meeting top standards in site management, workmanship, health and safety, site tidiness and general cooperation. The Muse is now 80% sold and Saxon Park is 90% sold, whilst prospective buyers can purchase their new home from plan at The Acres. Gary Williams, Construction Director at Dandara Northern Home Counties comments: “It is fantastic that the teams have been recognised for their hard and consistent work across the site. The fact that three Dandara developments have received Premier Guarantee Awards just shows the high standards that the construction team maintain across all sites, which is reflected through the high-quality homes that are eventually built.” Rachel Lindop, Head of Sales at Dandara Northern Home Counties, added: “It is a great achievement to be awarded for our high standards across not one but three developments in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire! It really does reflect the hard working team that we have building new Dandara homes and their attitude to maintaining excellence on site.” Currently at The Acres, in Milton Keynes, Dandara is selling a selection of three, four and five bedroom homes from plan, with prices starting from £435,000. At The Muse, in Milton Keynes, there is one final three bedroom home remaining, priced from £378,000. Dandara is also selling a range of three, four and five bedroom homes at its Saxon Park development in Biddenham, with prices starting from £400,000 for a three bedroom home. At Saxon Park and The Acres, Dandara is currently offering six months free shopping with a £500 Waitrose or John Lewis voucher per month when buyers reserve select homes. For more information about the homes Dandara Northern Home Counties is currently selling, visit www.dandara.com/new-home-counties. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technical Director of Promat Nigel Morrey has been recognised with a lifetime award for his commitment to fire safety at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection Awards. Recognising over three decades of commitment to improving standards in passive fire protection and raising awareness of the importance of this in protecting buildings and the occupants within, the ASFP presented Nigel with the Lifetime Contribution Award at the 2024 awards. As Technical Director at passive fire protection manufacturer Promat, Nigel has taken a leading role in the development and testing of passive fire protection systems over the past 22 years with Etex, including supporting the drive for improved standards in built-in fire safety. A passionate advocate for improved fire safety, Nigel has served as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Association of Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), as well as being a member of their Council and Strategy Groups. He has also represented the organisation on Expert Panel D, Passive Fire Protection at the Loss Prevention Council Board (LPCB). Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, he was invited to chair the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) Fire Safety Group, and was a director of the Finishes and Interiors Sector for a number of crucial years in the industry. In his role at Promat, Nigel has led a drive to improve and demonstrate competency across all aspects of the company to highlight the importance of knowledge and experience in supporting accurate specification and installation of passive fire protection. This has included introducing training initiatives for all staff and ensuring all customer facing staff have passed, or are working towards, the IFE Level 3 qualification in passive fire protection. In presenting Nigel with the Lifetime Contribution Award, the ASFP highlighted his commitment to improving fire protection standards ASFP managing director Mike Ward said: “Innovation and promoting the highest standards in fire safety are integral to everything the ASFP stands for and Nigel Morrey truly embodies that. “He has shown commitment to both pushing for higher standards across the fire safety industry as a whole but also to raising awareness of fire safety – and building that into construction and the supply chain. This award is richly deserved for Nigel’s tireless commitment to keeping fire safety at the top of the agenda.” Nigel said: “Receiving this award is a real privilege in an industry, and an organisation, that works so hard to ensure that fire safety is a priority in all construction. “The ASFP does a fantastic job of promoting the work of the passive fire protection industry and it has been an honour to be able to work so closely with the organisation over the last two decades. “Amid great tragedy the industry has recently seen major change and it is vital that we continue to ensure that life-saving fire protection systems are subject to the tightest standards – and that the awareness is there of the need for passive fire protection and the correct specification and installation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show’s 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design. Established 26 years ago, the show will bring together around 200 top suppliers, showcasing the latest products and trends in the fast-moving field of surface design. It is a must-attend for architects, designers, developers, fabricators, specialist contractors, installers and KBB outlets. Running from 7-9 May at ExCeL, London, The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, supported by show partner Stone Federation Great Britain, will be three days of inspiration and innovation for the entire supply chain, engaging specifiers, designers, architects, stone masons, wholesalers, fabricators, installers, stone maintenance services, and beyond. Confirmed exhibitors include among others Stonegate, Mapei, Waters Stone, Marble & Granite Centre, Keope Ceramiche, Stone Cladding Systems (SCS), Gwrhyd Specialist Stone Quarry, Arcturus Stone, Stone Automation, EC1 Progetti, Dimpomar and ParCa. The show will feature expert-led seminars, recognise emerging industry talent, and showcase award-winning projects from the last 24 months. It will also shine a spotlight on the latest stone and hard surface design trends, finishes, fixing systems, and technology impacting the UK’s construction environment. Key highlights of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces include: Richard Bradbury, Managing Director of The QMJ Group, Organisers of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, commented: “Co-locating with UK Construction Week presents a fantastic opportunity for The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces to connect with a vast, high-quality audience of building professionals. It will allow exhibitors and visitors alike to benefit both from our specialist focus, and a wider construction event that delivers 300+ seminars, 20+ live demonstrations and 400 exhibitors’. UK Construction Week divisional director, Sam Patel, added: “The theme for this year’s UKCW London show is ‘growth’, so it’s fitting that we are expanding our offer by co-locating with such a prestigious event as The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces. Along with our other new features, it really is a one-stop shop for the whole industry, whatever your specialism.” The UK’s largest event for the built environment, UKCW London will also see the debut of Workwear & PPE Live by PCIAW®, a dedicated show for construction clothing, footwear, and accessories, in an exclusive partnership with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®); Onsite On Hire, a hire industry showcase making its return to London after 16 years; and HVAC+R, a new showcase of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions. To register for The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces and UKCW London for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2025/cab-pr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
