Business : BDC Insight News
Revolutionising heritage building management: sustainability and resilience

Revolutionising heritage building management: sustainability and resilience

Earlier last week, the workplace and facilities management (WFM) community celebrated World FM Day and its theme of “Resilience in action: thriving in a world of change”. While professional resilience and organisational resilience are integral for the WFM sector to do its best work, IWFM’s Strategic Leaders Forum (SLF), Sustainability

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Beyond the Classroom: A New Dimension in Education

Beyond the Classroom: A New Dimension in Education

Education is constantly evolving, and the exciting potential of immersive learning spaces is at the forefront of this transformation.  Two UK colleges have taken a bold leap into this future by partnering with WindsorPatania to turn vision into reality. Eastern Education Group, with its state-of-the-art XR Lab, and USP College,

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Size Matters in Planning

Size Matters in Planning

The House Builders Association (HBA), the housebuilding division of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) has reignited its campaign for the planning system to adopt five clear site size definitions, replacing the current, arbitrary ones of ‘Minor’ (one to ten homes) and ‘Major’ (ten and above). Richard Beresford, Chief Executive

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“Staying Agile and Technically Innovative Is Essential”: Navigating Today’s Construction Challenges

“Staying Agile and Technically Innovative Is Essential”: Navigating Today’s Construction Challenges

In today’s fast-paced construction industry, project leaders face a complex landscape marked by rising material costs, stricter environmental regulations, and growing sustainability demands. Harry Simpson is a seasoned project leader with extensive experience managing high-profile projects and pioneering innovative fire safety and remediation strategies. His work on award-winning initiatives has

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The Momentum Group shares insights into its responsible business and health and safety practices

The Momentum Group shares insights into its responsible business and health and safety practices

Leading North West property services company, The Momentum Group, has announced the publication of its first Annual Report for Momentum Contribute and its second Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report. Momentum Contribute underpins The Momentum Group’s business activities, encapsulating the company’s commitment to people, places, the planet, and professionalism.  Its

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Pexhurst Hosts Informative Industry Insights Event on Sustainability

Pexhurst Hosts Informative Industry Insights Event on Sustainability

With sustainability being a key focus for the built environment, encouraging conversation and educating industry professionals on the importance of designing and building future-proof buildings is absolutely essential. To that end, Pexhurst recently hosted an Industry Insights/CPD morning in partnership with Landways and Mitsubishi Electric.   The morning, held at

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Business : BDC Insight News

How to Choose the Best Property Management Group for Your Commercial Property

How to Choose the Best Property Management Group for Your Commercial Property

The best property management group for commercial spaces helps you protect your investment while making your life easier. When you bring in a professional team, you get a partner who can reduce vacancies and streamline daily operations. From managing budgets to boosting tenant retention, the right company takes care of the details so you can focus on growing your business. Working with a top-tier management group is wise if you want peace of mind and long-term value from your project. Why Property Management Matters for Commercial Assets The best property management group for commercial spaces understands your project’s unique challenges. It takes a proactive approach to solving them. Commercial spaces have complex regulatory requirements and tenant expectations that can quickly become overwhelming. Without proper management, you risk tenant turnover, rising operational costs and potential legal trouble. A reliable management company handles lease enforcement, budgeting and tenant communications, which gives you consistent results and peace of mind. What Is the Best Property Management Group for Commercial Spaces? Choosing the right property management group for commercial spaces can make or break your investment. Whether you own one office building or manage a portfolio of retail centers, the right team keeps operations smooth and tenants satisfied. 1.   Property Management, Inc. If you are looking for a dependable commercial property management group in Pennsylvania, Property Management, Inc. (PMI) offers services tailored to your needs. With over 50 years of experience, it manages more than 6 million square feet of commercial space, including office buildings and retail centers. Its services encompass lease administration, facility maintenance, financial planning and tenant relations. PMI’s dedicated team provides on-site staff management and strategic consulting to help you maximize your investment. Recognized as the No. 1 Best Commercial Property Management Firm by the Central Penn Business Journal, PMI stands out among its competitors for its commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. 2.   Cushman & Wakefield If you manage a high-value commercial asset, Cushman & Wakefield brings global reach and deep local expertise to help you elevate your property’s performance. Its management services go beyond basic operations. It focuses on delivering workplace experiences that attract and retain top tenants. You will benefit from smart building technology, real-time data insights and a team that tailors solutions to your business goals. With a presence in over 60 countries and a team of more than 50,000 professionals, it brings global expertise and local market knowledge to every client. Cushman & Wakefield’s dedicated teams create engaging workplace experiences by maximizing your investment’s value while providing superior tenant service. 3.   CBRE Group, Inc. CBRE combines global expertise with innovative solutions. Managing over 3.1 billion square feet across 19,000 properties worldwide, CBRE can help enhance your establishment’s performance and value. It offers lease administration, facility maintenance and financial planning to ensure your property is efficient. CBRE’s commitment to sustainability is evident through its integration of environmental, social and governance principles and smart building technologies. Its expertise helps you meet environmental goals while reducing operational costs. With a dedicated team of over 16,000 professionals, CBRE provides personalized service tailored to your specific needs, which makes them a top choice among commercial property management groups. 4.   JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) JLL is a strong contender if you want a property management group for commercial spaces that brings innovation and reliability. It offers a full range of services that cover building operations and lease administration, energy management and workplace experience design. What sets Jll apart is its focus on using real-time data and advanced technology to drive smart decision-making and reduce costs. You will also benefit from its deep commitment to sustainability, with tailored programs that help your property meet environmental goals without sacrificing performance. Whether managing an office tower, industrial park or mixed-use development, JLL delivers consistent results with a focus on tenant satisfaction and long-term asset value. 5.   Lincoln Property Company Suppose you want to partner with a company that combines national scale with personalized service. Seek the services of Lincoln Property Company (LPC), which offers solutions to enhance your project’s performance and tenant satisfaction. It covers lease administration, facility maintenance and tenant relations, which ensures your property is profitable. Its proactive approach focuses on creating premier environments and engaging tenant experiences, leveraging the latest technologies and innovations to optimize real estate investments. Whether managing an office tower or industrial park, LPC’s dedicated team provides tailored solutions to meet your needs. How to Choose the Right Property Management Partner The best property management group for commercial spaces responds quickly, uses smart technology and understands the unique needs of your project. Take the time to compare offerings because the right partner can protect your investment and support long-term stability.

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CBRE Report for West Yorkshire Combined Authority highlights need for life sciences grow-on space in region

CBRE Report for West Yorkshire Combined Authority highlights need for life sciences grow-on space in region

A new report by CBRE, commissioned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), has highlighted the acute need for more grow-on space for life sciences, and in particular digital health companies if the region is going to fulfill its potential and retain its home-grown talent. CBRE’s research found that with over 600 health and life sciences companies, including 250 MedTech firms and over 90 digital health enterprises, West Yorkshire is emerging as a top ten cluster due to its vibrant start-up culture, skilled graduates and strong research network.  The 51,618 sector professionals across the region represent a 10% annual growth and Leeds has a significantly higher density of these employees than the national average. The UK is aiming to develop 21 million sq ft of lab space by 2030 and investment currently remains concentrated in established hubs. CBRE’s report shows increasing investor interest in the sector, with 58% of funding from Venture Capital funds into West Yorkshire going to life sciences and technology. However, if the region is going to continue to attract investment and retain home grown talent, it will need to address the supply issue. Jonathan Lowe, Head of Science & Technology for the North at CBRE, explains: “West Yorkshire has done a fantastic job of enabling start-ups to get established, evidenced by the fact that Leeds University’s Nexus incubator is nearing capacity, so the question now is where these companies will move to. The key is to keep that talent, innovation and the associated jobs within the region and provide a range of flexible space with a combination of offices, labs and industrial facilities to satisfy demand. It is important to encourage clustering to enable knowledge and resource sharing and avoid new facilities becoming too disbursed.” CBRE’s report shows there are 44 live occupier requirements in West Yorkshire, with remaining lab availability limited at Nexus in Leeds and Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre.  All of the available lab space across the region is within suites of 2,000 sq ft and below, leaving little room for growth. Most grow-on requirements start above 5,000 sq ft, therefore intervention is required to bridge this gap. Lowe continues: “The repurposing of office stock is certainly a viable solution, particularly for digital health companies who don’t typically require the same specific requirements of wet lab facilities. Redundant space within medical and university estates could present opportunities, providing the buildings have the underlying building infrastructure fundamentals within locations surrounding the key research institutions.” Looking ahead, there is 45,166 sq ft of lab and office space to come forward at Old Medical School in Leeds but this isn’t set to be available until 2027. The future development pipeline for West Yorkshire also includes future phases of Innovation Village in Leeds, the National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield and the focus in Bradford on the Knowledge Quarter. CBRE’s report concluded that the West Yorkshire life sciences sector holds significant growth potential and that by addressing specific real estate needs, fostering clustering and investing in targeted incubator and grow on development, the region can solidify its position as a competitive player in the UK life science landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Revolutionising heritage building management: sustainability and resilience

Revolutionising heritage building management: sustainability and resilience

Earlier last week, the workplace and facilities management (WFM) community celebrated World FM Day and its theme of “Resilience in action: thriving in a world of change”. While professional resilience and organisational resilience are integral for the WFM sector to do its best work, IWFM’s Strategic Leaders Forum (SLF), Sustainability Special Interest Group (SIG) and Rising FMs explored the theme’s practicalities during an in-person and online event. At London’s Guildhall, the groups and attendees delved into the crucial role of resilience in ensuring the endurance and prosperity of heritage buildings. As WFM professionals pursue net zero, maximise the efficiency of buildings and respect historic architecture, what were the key takeaways shared? Heritage challenges: retrofitting historic buildings requires balancing preservation with modernisation, often facing structural limitations and strict regulations. Open communication with heritage authorities about the benefits of eco-friendly upgrades is critical, as is minimising disruption during upgrades through phased implementation and effective stakeholder coordination. Strategic sustainability: tailored climate action strategies, focused on decarbonisation through smart controls, insulation and renewable energy, are essential. Data-driven decisions, continuous monitoring and workforce training are also key to embedding positive sustainability practices. Climate resilience: With rising temperatures and increased extreme weather events, proactive adaptation is key.This entails risk assessments, early monitoring and climate-conscious design (like green roofs and shading). For heritage sites, vulnerability audits, stakeholder engagement and staff training in sustainable practices ensure the integrity of historic buildings in a warming climate. Additionally, the Skyline Skills Hub was highlighted, connecting the future of historic buildings to the insight and capabilities of today’s WFM professionals. Click here to access the event recording and click here to access the slides. Remember, IWFM hosts a suite of learning resources for professionals looking to achieve sustainability success. IWFM Certified or Fellow Member? Stay up to date with the latest news, expert insights and exclusive event invitations. Simply log in to your IWFM account and update your contact preferences by opting into the Strategic Leaders Forum. Need help? Watch their short video Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Beyond the Classroom: A New Dimension in Education

Beyond the Classroom: A New Dimension in Education

Education is constantly evolving, and the exciting potential of immersive learning spaces is at the forefront of this transformation.  Two UK colleges have taken a bold leap into this future by partnering with WindsorPatania to turn vision into reality. Eastern Education Group, with its state-of-the-art XR Lab, and USP College, with its trailblazing USP Immersive Theatre, both spaces were designed to challenge the norms of traditional teaching and deliver deeply engaging, real-world-ready learning environments. Designing the Future with USP College At USP College, the goal was ambitious: to build a flexible immersive theatre that could seamlessly incorporate VR and provide an experience far beyond conventional classrooms’ limits. In an interview with Dan Pearson, USP College CEO, he quoted saying “we have a vision of what we want the space to be able to do. A strategic vision about… future purpose and ensure we stay ahead of time. We knew that the architects that we chose have to be somebody that deliver, someone that can come and give it the wow factor.” WindsorPatania Architects was the chosen entity and led the charge from day one. “Design information was presented in a format that enabled both the client and building user to easily understand how the physical space was going to be utilised,” said John Blundell (MCIOB) from TJEvers. This early alignment helped everyone involved see the vision. As the Architect Director of this project, my main challenge, as usual, is to keep everything together. All these orders, requests, as well as the budget constraints, the timeline. And we’re really pleased to say that we managed to achieve our great results.” The team tackled key design requirements such as adaptability, future-proofing, and ease of use well before construction. Their early involvement ensured that the physical environment would serve the evolving needs of students and staff alike. Our Development Director, Ryan Windsor notes that when we’re thinking about what we’re doing to the space and how we’re gonna transform it, we often think about assets. We want to create an asset for the College or Universities. We want to inspire the students. James McInroy, USP College Executive Director shared that- “What we’ve done is… provided brand-new facilities which are modern, state-of-the-art, and conducive with the current climate and reflect the external employment environment.” One of the most significant breakthroughs came from how the people involved used VR during the design phase. “The ability of the VR technology to quickly model on ‘Site Survey’ and ‘As Built’ information greatly assisted design change, coordination of M&E services, and installation of FF&E elements,” Blundell added. Despite the project’s technical complexity, the group completed the immersive theatre fit-out in 12 weeks—a testament to Windsor Patania Architects streamlined design and integration process. Chris Murgatroyd, USP College Vice Principal Academic added, “previously, the space was drab, it was old, it was tired, it was slightly depressing to walk into.” WindsorPatania Architects’ task was to come in and build that wow factor. We decided to go for a really minimalistic look for everything, such as old tribunes, the sitting area, the monitor, and we just decided to emphasize the ceiling as the main feature of the space. Dan Pearson commented that -” the transformation was outstanding”. After seeing the complete transformation of the spaces. While Chris Murgatroyd added a compliment as “Now, when we come into the area, it’s engaging, and it’s exciting.” Steven Hendy, USP College CFO, expresses his desire to have an environment that is available to all USP College students. He is proud that the investment has paid off. When you design a beautiful space with a wow factor, you also have to think about how you get to the space from outside. So, in the case of the immersive theatre, we found the opportunity to create feature corridors, like a portal that leads you to a new dimension. As you’re walking into the new space, you feel like something beautiful is going to happen. And as you open the doors and enter, your expectations are fully satisfied as you see a stunning masterpiece bought together by a collaboration of experts with a feature of a delicate and illuminated ceiling which highlights the area. The main aspect of the T-level labs to make them successful as a design was to channel all the requests and the brief from the college itself into a functional layout. Creating Connection with The XR Lab At Eastern Education Group, the vision was clear: build a space that removes the barrier of geography and brings education closer to the real world. The result was the XR Lab—an immersive environment where students don’t just learn about their subjects, but they live them. Learners can use the XR Lab in a wide range of subjects: health, counselling, chemistry, engineering, renewables, maths, logistics, and more. “There are so many examples,” Tom Lloyd shared. Every Friday, our health and applied science students come into study using a specific piece of software that our team has created.” Staff also receive training and hands-on support. “As part of every personal development day, all staff get the chance to work and better understand the capabilities of the XR lab,” Tom Lloyd said. “The XR team are [sic] available to offer significant support to them every time they want to use the new technology.” Designing this space meant considering how students of all learning styles and abilities would interact with the technology. Ethical use, community engagement, and preferred learning styles were all factored into WindsorPatania’s thoughtful and inclusive design approach. “We wanted to create a cutting-edge space that would remove the barrier of geography and close the gap between industry and education,” said Tom Lloyd from Eastern Education Group. The impact has been transformational. “It increases engagement in our experience. It also stimulates excitement to learn and supports knowledge and skill acquisition. The data captured backs this up,” Tom Lloyd added. The immersive nature of the lab boosts student motivation, and early data trends point to better learning outcomes

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Workplaces with Purpose: Rethinking the Role of the Office in a Hybrid World

Workplaces with Purpose: Rethinking the Role of the Office in a Hybrid World

Despite the seismic shift towards hybrid working, the physical office is far from obsolete. In fact, a new global survey from workplace experience experts ISS suggests the opposite: while remote work is here to stay, the modern office still plays a vital role in how we connect, collaborate and thrive at work—if it’s designed with intent. Drawing insights from nearly 11,000 office workers across multiple continents, the study reveals that 81% of professionals now operate in a hybrid model. Working from home one or two days per week is the most common set-up, allowing employees to strike a better work-life balance, reduce commuting time and gain more control over their daily routines. But the office, it seems, still has a heartbeat. Seventy-one per cent of respondents said the physical workplace remains important to them—though not for the reasons one might expect. Productivity, while essential, isn’t the sole draw. Instead, the office is prized for the human experiences it enables: spontaneous conversations, shared learning, and a break from the solitude of home working. According to the data, 99% of workers identify specific advantages to office attendance. Chief among them are social interaction, informal knowledge exchange, and simply the act of ‘getting out and about’. Yet one somewhat unexpected finding stood out: food is a major factor. From well-thought-out breakfast offerings to quality coffee and healthy lunch options, curated food experiences are now seen as key motivators for returning to the workplace. It’s here that ISS introduces the idea of the purpose-driven office—a reimagining of the workplace not as a default location, but as a destination in its own right. When asked to picture their ideal workspace, over half of respondents described environments that directly support how they work: ergonomic chairs, height-adjustable desks, well-integrated technology and flexible areas for collaboration. A further 25% focused on how the office makes them feel, citing features that support physical and mental wellbeing—natural light, quiet zones, greenery, and areas to decompress. The findings highlight a truth many organisations are now grappling with: the office must earn its place in people’s lives. It needs to provide more than just a desk—it must offer experiences, inspiration, and the kind of human connection that simply doesn’t happen over Zoom. Carl-Fredrik Bjor, Group Commercial & Revenue Officer at ISS, sums it up: “Today’s workforce has high expectations. While it’s not always possible to meet every request, it’s essential that businesses understand what motivates and engages their people. Often, it’s the smaller, everyday experiences—great coffee, thoughtful design, the buzz of collaboration—that have the most lasting impact.” The purpose-driven workplace is not about gimmicks or empty gestures. It’s about creating spaces that are both functional and fulfilling—where people feel seen, supported, and energised to do their best work. In a world where home is always an option, the office must become something more: a place people choose to be. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The growing importance of workplace data standards: what you need to know

The growing importance of workplace data standards: what you need to know

In April, IWFM Academy were excited to launch the third episode of our Tech Survival Guide at the Workplace Event, plus announce an exclusive offer to save money by purchasing the full guide.   It’s perfect for workplace and facilities management (WFM) professionals who feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological change and are looking for practical, digestible insights to enhance their tech proficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned professional aiming to stay current or someone new to the field seeking foundational knowledge, the bitesize, 20-minute episodes provide an accessible way to quickly grasp essential tech skills and confidently integrate new tools into your daily workflow.  Why professionals need CPD in relation to technology  IWFM and sector leaders have highlighted the need for workplace and facilities management (WFM) professionals to get to grips with evolving standards in today’s landscape, such as the recent UK Information Management Initiative.   Episode three explores ISO 19650, its practical use in workplace data and how to leverage data for strategic gains. It covers improving data accuracy, efficiency and decision-making through information management and standards.  Key topics include:  Click here to learn more, access each episode and purchase the entire guide with our exclusive offer.  Looking ahead:  Attend upcoming webinars with IWFM’s Technology Special Interest Group (SIG), including:   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Size Matters in Planning

Size Matters in Planning

The House Builders Association (HBA), the housebuilding division of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) has reignited its campaign for the planning system to adopt five clear site size definitions, replacing the current, arbitrary ones of ‘Minor’ (one to ten homes) and ‘Major’ (ten and above). Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the NFB, said: “In order to build 1.5 million new homes and save our SME builders, we need a planning system that is fit for purpose, prioritises placemaking, and enables builders of all sizes. Our proposal for five different site sizes based on development impact would end the arbitrary, problematic two site size approach and aligns with what is already going on in local planning, while ensuring the Government’s planning reforms can deliver growth and good planning outcomes.” In 2018, the HBA was successful in inserting a paragraph into the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to support small and medium-size sites. However, with the then Conservative government focusing on tweaks rather than reforms, the HBA scaled back it’s ask to a ‘Medium’ sized site of between 10 and 50 homes. Although this was never taken up by the Conservative government, the term ‘medium’ was added to the NPPF, alongside a site size of ‘up to one hectare.’ NPPF reforms did not achieve their intended ambition. Data shows an increasing reliance on large site allocations, while non-allocated ‘windfall’ sites, typically under one hundred homes, are not given as great planning focus, however they can make up more than 50% of new local supply. To address this, the NFB and HBA are calling for the following site sizes to be included in planning policy: Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight for the NFB, said: “Smaller sites of 1 to 10 homes support projects best targeting local demand. Sites of 10 to 50 are focused on organic growth. Sites of fifty to one hundred support almost all SMEs and do not greatly impact existing infrastructure. Meanwhile sites of 100 to 249 and 250+, whether urban or rural, create a threshold which ensures planners can strategically build out their communities or boundaries. Different site sizes also allow planning reform to avoid unintended consequences, such as making planning more expensive for SMEs, creating more burdens for non-allocated sites, or to target support, for example streamlining planning for sites creating the lowest levels of local impact. Although redefining site size is not a silver bullet to fix planning, it ensures that from the outset the system and reforms are set up to succeed, so we can achieve a planning system that supports better placemaking and recognises the value of all builders, whether micro, small or large.” The NFB’s ‘Size Matters’ report will available in the ‘Research and Political’ section of Ask NFB https://ask-nfb.builders.org.uk/documents-category/research-and-political/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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“Staying Agile and Technically Innovative Is Essential”: Navigating Today’s Construction Challenges

“Staying Agile and Technically Innovative Is Essential”: Navigating Today’s Construction Challenges

In today’s fast-paced construction industry, project leaders face a complex landscape marked by rising material costs, stricter environmental regulations, and growing sustainability demands. Harry Simpson is a seasoned project leader with extensive experience managing high-profile projects and pioneering innovative fire safety and remediation strategies. His work on award-winning initiatives has made him a respected voice on the challenges and advancements shaping modern construction. In this interview, Harry shares his insights into adapting to industry pressures, leveraging digital tools for transparency, and exploring the future of facade engineering. The construction market is currently facing a number of challenges, including rising material costs and tightening environmental standards. How are you adapting to these conditions, and which industry trends do you see as most critical for the successful delivery of projects? Clearly, these challenges are affecting how we deliver projects. We now prioritise early engagement with the supply chain to balance performance, aesthetics, and budget. For instance, we collaborated with the subcontractor’s curtain wall manufacturer to examine aluminium options, ultimately choosing a system that contained 75% recycled aluminium. This decision significantly reduced the facade’s embodied carbon and aligned with the government’s net zero targets. Looking ahead, two trends are becoming critical: prefabrication and modular facade systems for faster, higher-quality construction, and stricter tracking of embodied carbon, especially in facade materials. Staying agile and technically innovative is essential, and we are actively pursuing these approaches. In light of these pressures, which project management practices do you find to be the most effective? A proactive approach is crucial. We should identify risks early during procurement and have a plan to deal with them as they arise. It is also helpful to negotiate with the supply chain early on, to secure prices, and to fix lead times in order to mitigate external factors such as rising raw material costs. Moreover, strong change control management is essential, including tracking costs and maintaining clear communication for evaluating and approving contract variations with all relevant parties. I understand that at Lendlease, you introduced processes that have since become a company-wide standard. Could you share how you persuaded the organisation to adopt a new approach to assessing design consultants’ competencies? It wasn’t about persuading the organisation, rather, creating something genuinely useful for the team, which led to its wider adoption. I am referring to our responsibilities under the Building Safety Act 2022. In response to that, I have developed a competency questionnaire for all new Principal Designer appointments. The questionnaire helps assess how companies or individuals ensure compliance with regulations and provide the necessary information to the principal contractor for managing health and safety during construction. It also allows them to present practical evidence of how they eliminate hazards and control risks during the design phase. Using this approach ensures that the partners we select for our projects are qualified. You’ve led both new-build developments and the refurbishment of existing faсades. What are the key differences in management approaches between these two types of projects? A lean approach is generally best suited to new-build projects, focusing on efficiency through effective planning. These projects involve multiple trades, each following its own schedule to meet key milestones. In contrast, facade remediation works—especially those related to fire safety—require an agile approach to project management. This is due to the potential for scope changes as inspections and uncovering progress. Continuous collaboration between the fire engineer, designers, and contractors is essential to ensure that any new scope is thoroughly evaluated for fire safety risks. Which facade project has been the most challenging for you personally, and what made it so? Probably the most challenging project I’ve worked on was the New American Embassy in London, because of the scope and logistics involved in getting materials from the US to a highly secure and restrictive building site in London. One of the major on-site challenges was planning the installation of 20+ foot column cladding, which required a complex lifting strategy using mobile spider cranes and specialist lifting devices. Additionally, we encountered significant issues with slab deflection on the ground floor, which led to the development of an innovative preloading system using calibrated weights. With this solution, we were able to adjust the façade’s preset positions precisely, helping us avoid substantial programme delays. In one of your columns, you mention that without reliable and transparent EPD declarations, reducing embodied carbon becomes something of a mystery. In your view, what are the main barriers to achieving full data transparency across the construction supply chain, and how can project leaders influence this in practice? The inconsistency in the way that data is collected, reported, and verified across different manufacturers is one of the biggest barriers to full data transparency, especially around EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations). In the facade industry we work with a wide range of materials—aluminum, glass, insulation, and sealants—often sourced internationally. Many suppliers either lack EPDs or provide ones that are not third-party verified or aligned with current standards, making it difficult to compare products consistently. As project leaders, we can promote transparency by integrating EPD requirements and low-carbon options into procurement processes at the tender stage. Additionally, we can engage with suppliers to encourage life cycle analysis and certification. Finally, digital tools and databases, such as One Click LCA or EC3, allow us to benchmark and track carbon data across design iterations. This makes informed decisions clear and measurable. What role do you see for digital technologies—such as BIM or carbon-tracking platforms—in improving transparency and reducing carbon emissions throughout the construction process? BIM has played a massive part in revolutionising the way we look at projects digitally. Over the past several years, I’ve personally seen significant improvements in the user interface and adoption. This has, historically, been a challenge due to the vast amount of information involved and the complexity of managing changes to ensure that the most up-to-date project data is presented. Construction projects are inherently dynamic, with designs evolving throughout, making strict supervision by a dedicated controller essential. For BIM to be effective

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The Momentum Group shares insights into its responsible business and health and safety practices

The Momentum Group shares insights into its responsible business and health and safety practices

Leading North West property services company, The Momentum Group, has announced the publication of its first Annual Report for Momentum Contribute and its second Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report. Momentum Contribute underpins The Momentum Group’s business activities, encapsulating the company’s commitment to people, places, the planet, and professionalism.  Its maiden annual report provides an assessment of the company’s progress since launching the responsible business strand 12 months ago.  Highlights include: Establishing processes to capture The Momentum Group’s baseline emissions leading to the first carbon footprint calculation for the whole business; Achieving ISO 14001 and 45001 standards to prove the Group’s successful environmental and health and safety management systems; Taking a leading role in the Liverpool City Region to open the debate around how the property sector can become more sustainable, most notably delivering Liverpool’s first Sustainable Property Conference in support of the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals Week.  The conference brought together over 80 attendees and speakers from across the property sector; And establishing the Momentum Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the group, as a force for good in the Liverpool City Region by holding its first open grants panel, providing funding to five local charities. Chris Bliss, Co-founder and Director of The Momentum Group, commented: “The Momentum Group is committed to maximising our positive contribution and minimising our negative impact.  The creation of Momentum Contribute was a key step in achieving this, but the publication of our first annual report assessing its activities takes us even further on our journey to be a responsible, sustainable business.  We recognise we have more to do and are committed to fulfilling our objectives in the years ahead, whilst encouraging other businesses to behave in a more socially and environmentally responsible way.” Marking The Momentum Group’s ongoing commitment to the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing, the company’s second Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report offers a transparent look into Momentum’s practices for clients, supply chain partners, and its own team. Sitting at the core of the business, ‘Safe First’ underpins everything that Momentum does.  The report reveals: In over 195,000 hours of activity, the team had only one significant reportable incident, and zero dangerous occurrences, with The Momentum Group continuing to set very high standards and ensuring its team and supply chain partners adhere to processes and procedures; Momentum facilitates several regular meetings across the business to keep an open line of conversation to discuss health and safety issues and concerns. These include the Steering Group, chaired by the company’s external safety advisors alongside the Co-Founder Directors and each of the division heads. The Co-Founder Directors also undertake Monthly Safety Tours on various sites across the business; Mental wellbeing is another key aspect of Momentum’s health, safety and wellbeing considerations, with the management team implementing a range of initiatives to aid the mental health of the team, including all line managers being trained as Mental Health First Aiders; During the 12-month period, The Momentum Group employees took part in over 8,600 hours of training, including courses on Fire Safety, First Aid, and various construction related courses. Chris Renshaw, Co-founder and Director of The Momentum Group, added: “Our health and safety performance continues to be strong, and we will ensure we maintain our high standards, reviewing, adapting, and challenging ourselves to be even better in the year ahead. “More broadly, both reports are a testament to the commitment, hard work and support from our team, clients and partners, and extend our gratitude to them all for the key roles they have played in all that we have achieved so far.” Read the full Annual Report for Momentum Contribute here and the Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Pexhurst Hosts Informative Industry Insights Event on Sustainability

Pexhurst Hosts Informative Industry Insights Event on Sustainability

With sustainability being a key focus for the built environment, encouraging conversation and educating industry professionals on the importance of designing and building future-proof buildings is absolutely essential. To that end, Pexhurst recently hosted an Industry Insights/CPD morning in partnership with Landways and Mitsubishi Electric.   The morning, held at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Liverpool Street, London, began with a warm welcome and registration at 8.15am, followed by breakfast that provided all attendees with an opportunity to network and connect with like-minded professionals from various sectors across the industry. Landways delivered the opening CPD session on multi-use digital and DC power infrastructure design and how this can help deliver smarter, greener solutions. The in-depth Q&A session that followed allowed those attending to engage directly with the experts, address queries about the sustainability advantages it could bring and deepen their understanding. Mitsubishi Electric then took to the stage to present the importance of retrofitting building stock and why choosing heat pump technology as a low-carbon solution could be pivotal for the future of the industry. Additionally, the session highlighted what good looks like and how it can be achieved. Following the event, the attendees completed a survey to review the Industry Insights morning and give their feedback. The respondents highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions and the networking opportunities in-person events offer. One attendee commented: “The morning was incredibly informative and there was a good mix of clients and consultants in attendance. Great work team Pexhurst!” Delighted with the turnout for the event and the conversations created, Pexhurst Director Nick Tagliarini said: “This was our second Industry Insights/ CPD morning, following the success of our first, last year. We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the attendees were keen to learn and engage with the content. “It was another hugely successful event and we were incredibly grateful for the valuable contributions from our partners, Landways and Mitsubishi Electric.” Pexhurst remains committed to industry excellence and creating opportunities for professionals to keep up-to-date on the latest advancements and best practices in the industry. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed on all relevant industry news –  https://www.linkedin.com/company/pexhurst-services-limited/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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