As part of the company’s first appearance at the GaLabau International Trade Fair from 11-14 September in Nuremberg, Germany, DEVELON, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, will be premiering the new DX10Z-7 1 tonne zero tail swing mini-excavator at the show. The DX10Z-7 will form part of an impressive presentation of Develon
The IWFM are delighted to announce the 2024 IWFM Impact Awards finalists! Well done to all the individuals, teams and projects that are in contention across the 19 categories for this year’s Awards. The IWFM esteemed panel of judges had a tough job deliberating the entries, which touched upon many
Sentry Fire Safety Group, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke, certified fire safety doorsets, is delighted to announce its selection as a finalist for two categories in the Growing Business Awards 2024. Sentry has been shortlisted for the Santander Growing Business of the Year (£25-£50m revenue) and Investor-backed Business of
One of the Midlands largest housing associations is a finalist in a leading awards scheme. Platform Housing Group has been shortlisted in the inaugural ACT Diversity and Sustainability Awards, in the Sustainability Award Large Corporate category. The awards – which are organised by The Association of Corporate Treasurers – recognise
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
As part of the company’s first appearance at the GaLabau International Trade Fair from 11-14 September in Nuremberg, Germany, DEVELON, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, will be premiering the new DX10Z-7 1 tonne zero tail swing mini-excavator at the show. The DX10Z-7 will form part of an impressive presentation of Develon compact equipment for the gardening and landscaping sectors. The DX10Z-7 will be one of the machines working in the Develon demonstration area, along with the DX100W-7 10.7 tonne wheeled excavator and the DX27Z-7 2.8 tonne mini-excavator. On the company’s Booth Number 5-406 in Hall 5, the product display will include the DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator, the first mass-produced electric-powered excavator from Develon. The DX20ZE-7 will be shown alongside the DX63-7 6 tonne Stage V mini-excavator and another of the DX100W-7 models. As well as the comprehensive array of products, Develon will also be represented at Galabau by dealers from its German dealer network, plus the new company owned store located in Mannheim serving the larger Rhein-Neckar and Rhein-Main area. Increased Performance The new DX10Z-7 provides a significantly improved performance compared to the previous DX10Z model it replaces. The DX10Z-7 is compact and easy to transport, offering a width of only 730 mm when the tracks and the front blade are fully retracted, allowing the machine to pass through doors. The hydraulically expandable undercarriage provides the DX10Z-7 with one of the widest stances in the mini-excavator segment. Supplying an output of 7.6 kW (10.35 HP), the well proven D722 engine powers the DX10Z-7, providing dependable reliability, as well as low vibration and noise levels that are essential for working in confined areas in construction, rental, demolition, landscaping and many other applications. The increased performance of the DX10Z-7 is based around a new 1.45 m boom design and increased arm length (from 810 to 890 mm), resulting in a significantly enhanced working range compared to the DX10Z. This includes a 21.5% rise in dump height of 2205 mm and an 8.5% increase in digging reach at ground level of 3355 mm. Targetting Urban and Amenity Applications The DX100W-7 offers a high performance solution for customers looking for a wheeled excavator designed primarily for local authority, amenity, urban and maintenance applications. The DX100W-7 will be shown with a forestry mulcher, demonstrating the high flow from the smooth and precise hydraulic system which can be used to drive all kinds of attachments. For this type of work, the DX100W-7 offers the best compromise between compactness and agility, complemented by excellent productivity and high-end comfort. It is very important that this type of machine can operate in very restricted areas, so the DX100W-7 can be equipped with the option of four wheel steering and a crabbing mode, with two wheel steering as standard. Class-leading Power and Torque Working alongside the DX100W-7 at GaLabau will be the 2.8 tonne DX27Z-7, another of the company’s next generation mini-excavator range with a new shared global styling. The zero tail swing design of the DX27Z-7 makes it ideal for work in confined spaces on construction, landscaping and utility projects. Powered by the D17 Stage V compliant diesel engine providing 18.4 kW (24.7 HP) of power at 2400 RPM, the DX27Z-7 offers the highest power and torque in its class and covers a wide range of applications including heavy duty work. The DX27Z-7 offers a high auxiliary flow of 58 l/min to enhance work with attachments. Newly designed cast counterweights ensure excellent machine balance and stability when working. A long arm option is available with a 60 kg additional counterweight. Designed to Meet a Growing Demand for Electric The 2 tonne DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator combines low-noise and zero emissions with the features and performance enhancements that are found on the next-generation DX-7 Series family of mini-excavators. The DX20ZE-7 is powered by an in-house-developed 20.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with all of the electrical system and components on the machine optimized for work in harsh environments. A quick-charger system restores 100% of the battery power after only an hour and a half of charging, while the on-board charger restores the maximum charge after eight hours of charging. DX63-7 Six Tonne Mini-Excavator The DX63-7 is ideal for work in confined spaces on projects in landscaping, construction, utilities, rental, agriculture, recycling, waste and many other areas. It is powered by the D24 Stage V compliant diesel engine providing 44.3 kW (59.4 HP) of power. Despite offering an 8% increased torque of 26.5 kgm/rpm, the D24 engine still provides a 7% decrease in engine fuel consumption. With a high auxiliary flow of 90 l/min, the DX63-7 is designed for enhanced work with attachments. The flow capacity can be monitored on the Develon Smart 8 inch touch screen in 10 steps and controlled using the thumbwheel on the joystick. This flexibility is combined with an excellent traction force, travel speeds, lifting capacities and digging forces, together providing superior working performance, particularly for trenching and lifting work. Further Growth & Commitment for German Market In June 2023, Develon opened an interim Company Owned Store at Seckenheimer Landstraße in Mannheim, supporting customers on site with a well-equipped new rental fleet of the latest generation of construction machines, with a fast spare parts service, other services and with a wide range of new machines. The branch will relocate to a new 10,650 m² site on Lembacher Strasse in Mannheim in the fourth quarter of 2024. A modern customer and training centre with a demo area for machine tests will also be opened there. Overall this shows Develon is moving much closer to customers and dealers and is committed to Germany as a long-term location and underlines its ambitions to significantly expand its presence and market position in the German speaking market. For more on DEVELON, please visit the website: https://eu.develon-ce.com/en/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The IWFM are delighted to announce the 2024 IWFM Impact Awards finalists! Well done to all the individuals, teams and projects that are in contention across the 19 categories for this year’s Awards. The IWFM esteemed panel of judges had a tough job deliberating the entries, which touched upon many of our sector’s key trends; they were hugely encouraged by the incredible number of submissions this year and the quality of the work, making this year’s finalists even more impressive. Workplace Experience: Office/Corporate Environment Workplace Experience: Non-office/Corporate Environment Positive Climate Action Positive Climate Action – Towards Net Zero Sponsored by: CEF Excellence in Customer Experience Change Management Social Value Sponsored by: Waste to Wonder Worldwide Wellbeing Sponsored by: Waste to Wonder Worldwide Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Sponsored by: Equans People Development and Talent Retention Sponsored by: Moston Product or Service Development Technology Sponsored by: Jones FM Collaboration Best SME Led Innovation Sponsored by: Waste to Wonder Worldwide Team of the Year: Public or Third Sector Sponsored by: Tork Team of the Year: Private Sector Sponsored by: PTSG IWFM Newcomer of the Year Sponsored by: 14forty IWFM Manager of the Year Sponsored by: Thomson FM Frontline Heroes Sponsored by: Kier Places Table bookings are now open for the Awards’ entrants, with the ceremony taking place on 14 October 2024 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. Please note there are a limited number of Premium tables and tables of 12 available for entrants, so you will need to book early before they sell out. If you are a non-entrant, single ticket bookings are now available. If you are interested in booking more than a single ticket to attend the Awards, the IWFM have a limited number of supporter packages available which include a table of ten. Please email awards@iwfm.org.uk for further information. The IWFM wish to thank everyone that entered this year’s Awards and look forward to welcoming you for a night to remember in October, where alongside opportunities to network, socialise and celebrate the finalists and winners. Also disclosing the recipients of the new Deborah Rowland Scholarship. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sentry Fire Safety Group, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke, certified fire safety doorsets, is delighted to announce its selection as a finalist for two categories in the Growing Business Awards 2024. Sentry has been shortlisted for the Santander Growing Business of the Year (£25-£50m revenue) and Investor-backed Business of the Year awards, in recognition of its exceptional growth, industry contribution and innovative product range. The Growing Business Awards celebrate the achievements and economic impact of UK high-growth businesses and this year focus on the strength, vision and resilience of fast-growing SMEs. Nominations reflect the critical contribution that successful growing businesses make to the UK economy – driving innovation and creating jobs and wealth. The awards are based on sustainable growth, sector impact, product innovation, and customer engagement. The Investor-backed Business of the Year award also considers the alignment and execution of a company’s strategy with investor goals. Sentry is a trusted partner for fire safety compliance across a diverse range of sectors, including social housing, education, healthcare, leisure, and commercial. Its comprehensive range of fire safety and security doorsets meet the most stringent building regulations and as part of its programme of continuous improvement, Sentry develops new or bespoke solutions to support specialist market requirements. Ranked 3rd fastest growing manufacturer in Yorkshire earlier this year, Sentry has delivered a five-fold increase in revenue, EBITDA and production since 2019, driven by a £3 million investment in new facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. Ty Aziz, CEO of Sentry Fire Safety Group said, “We are incredibly proud of our growth story and excited by our potential so it’s fantastic to be recognised for our achievements. Importantly, we have achieved this while upholding our core values and principles. We have a sustainable approach to manufacturing, partnering with suppliers who share our environmental values; and our strong, long-standing customer relationships are key to our success. We are proud to have expanded our workforce and to use the same local supply chain, sharing the benefits of our growth with our suppliers and community.” Stuart Whiteford, Managing Director, who leads Cairngorm Capital’s investment in Sentry added, “Since our initial investment in 2019, Sentry has delivered a five-fold increase in revenue, EBITDA, and production but has the potential to achieve much more. The company has successfully entered new markets, extended its product range and contributed to local job creation. Committed to advancing fire safety standards, Sentry exemplifies the best of British manufacturing combined with world-leading testing for assured safety and compliance. We are delighted that Sentry’s outstanding performance has been recognised.” For further information, please contact Anna James on 07815 675987 or email anna.james@sentrydoors.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the Midlands largest housing associations is a finalist in a leading awards scheme. Platform Housing Group has been shortlisted in the inaugural ACT Diversity and Sustainability Awards, in the Sustainability Award Large Corporate category. The awards – which are organised by The Association of Corporate Treasurers – recognise the outstanding organisations and individuals who have championed positive change in diversity and sustainability in the treasury profession. The winners will be unveiled at a ceremony on Wednesday 16 October at The View in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. Jessica Friend, Group Corporate Finance Director at Platform Housing Group said: “To be shortlisted at this year’s awards is extremely well deserved for the team. As an organisation we have gone above and beyond in embracing sustainability finance in various forms and implementing innovative initiatives that move us further forward in our sustainability journey. Our Treasury team has been instrumental in our commitment to addressing the challenges our people, places and business are facing in relation to climate change, ecological demands and social pressures. We wish them – and everyone at the awards – the very best of luck!” Platform Housing Group’s award entry focussed on its ambitious targets for improving the energy efficiencies of its homes; a series of social value initiatives including its Wellbeing Fund which targets those customers who are most in need with essentials such as food, clothing, beds and white goods; the Fund allocated £1.1m to help approximately 3,500 customers during the year. Jessica concluded: “During the year we issued our second sustainability bond which will fund development of new affordable housing that qualifies as ‘green buildings’, having one of the highest Energy Performance Certificate ratings of A or B. In doing so we are directly contributing towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The bond was a benchmark sized £250m deal issued from our EMTN programme, attracting the tightest credit spread for the sector in more than 4 years at 83bps. This complemented £275m sustainability linked revolving credit facilities arranged earlier in the year with international banks National Australia Bank and ABN Amro. Overall this means that just under half of Platform’s £2.2bn debt portfolio is now explicitly supporting our sustainability objectives. Our sustainability linked revolving credit facilities have KPIs linked to improvements in the energy efficiency of new build properties. In addition, further metrics are linked to improving the representation of black and minority ethnic colleagues, relative to the demographics of the operational areas of Platform and national averages. “These awards are an important opportunity to take a step back and review how far we have come and share inspiration for where we go next in our sustainability journey. This shortlisting acknowledges Platform’s strong commitment to deliver on these targets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
