Building Heroes Education Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a three-year Sponsoring Partnership with The Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust. This partnership marks a new chapter in a longstanding relationship dedicated to supporting Armed Forces Service Leavers, Veterans and Reservists into rewarding civilian careers. The Worshipful Company of Constructors has stood beside Building Heroes for many years through donations, advocacy and continuous support. This formal Academy Sponsorship now deepens that commitment, providing the financial security to underpin the charity’s longest-running academy at Reaseheath College and University Centre in Cheshire, and ensuring the continuation of vital skills training for the military community in the North West. This sponsorship will enable Building Heroes to sustain and grow its Reaseheath Construction Skills Academy, giving Service Leavers, Veterans and the wider military community access to high-quality training, practical skills development, industry exposure and tailored employability support, and crucially, the confidence to build successful second careers in the construction and built environment sector. A Strengthened Partnership with Impact at Its Core The Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust is one of the City of London’s historic Livery organisations. This partnership between Building Heroes and the Constructors Charitable Trust perfectly aligns with the Trust’s primary remit: ‘support the advancement of education, training and research in the Construction Industry’, making it an ideal partnership. Building Heroes, a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Social Mobility, 2022), has trained more than 4,200 members of the Armed Forces community since its formation in 2014. Over 48% progress directly into employment, self-employment or further qualifications within the construction sector. This sponsorship will ensure that continued impact, while strengthening pathways into industry across the region. Supporting Transition, Strengthening Industry Graduates from Reaseheath have gone on to join major contractors, SMEs, social enterprises and housing associations, working in trades, construction management, property maintenance, utilities and infrastructure. Many have gained the confidence to launch their own businesses. Through the Worshipful Company of Constructors and its professional network, cohorts will also have the opportunity to gain industry expertise, professional mentorship, and direct insight into the sector’s evolving opportunities. Doug Barrat, Deputy Chairman of the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust, said: “The Constructors Company, through its Charitable Trust, feels that this represents a significant step change in our relationship with Building Heroes. A permanent base for craft and skills training in the construction industry for those leaving the Armed Forces has been an ambition for several years. Now established at Reaseheath in a new bespoke building, this excellent year-round training facility is the culmination of outstanding planning and hard work.” Chris Charles, CEO of Building Heroes, commented: “This sponsorship demonstrates an extraordinary commitment, and to have a historic and respected Livery Company take such a purposeful step in support of our mission is something we value enormously. Their investment will safeguard our provision at Reaseheath, ensuring that hundreds more members of our Armed Forces family can build meaningful post-service careers, while also contributing directly to the skills needs of the construction and wider built-environment sectors. We look forward not only to delivering training but to opening doors, through the Company’s membership, networks and influence, that inspire our cohorts to explore every pathway the industry has to offer.” Quote from Reaseheath College: Andy Gould, Curriculum Area Manager for Construction at Reaseheath, said: “We’ve been working with Building Heroes for over ten years now, and it’s a partnership that means a lot to us here at Reaseheath. Craig Blount and I have watched so many veterans come through the programme and completely transform their confidence and skills. It’s hard not to feel proud when you see what they achieve next.” “This new sponsorship gives the academy real stability, which is fantastic. It means we can keep doing what we know works – giving service leavers proper hands-on training, a supportive environment, and a clear route into the industry. It’s good for them, good for the sector, and fantastic for Reaseheath. We’re very proud to be part of it.” Creating Skilled People, Positive Social Value and Stronger Futures For the sector, this partnership signals a shared belief in: For the learners, it represents stability, recognition, and opportunity at a critical point of transition. As the first academic year under this sponsorship is underway, the academy will continue to: Building Heroes looks forward to working closely with the Worshipful Company of Constructors throughout this period to showcase talent, support the next generation, and demonstrate how deeply meaningful second careers begin with access, support and belief. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Nationwide Platforms has donated almost £10,000 to charitable causes and local community initiatives over the past year, continuing its commitment to supporting colleagues, families, and communities across the UK. The UK’s leading powered access provider donated a total of £9,785 during 2025, supporting 25 charitable causes and 10 local club sponsorships. Of the total donated, £6,811 was given to national and local charities, with a further £2,974 supporting grassroots sports clubs and youth organisations. Causes supported ranged from cancer and dementia charities to food banks, Christmas raffles, and disability support initiatives. The single largest donation of £2,075 was made to a JustGiving page set up by colleague Jason Butlin, Business Development Manager for the Midlands region, to help fund a specialist purple wheelchair for his daughter Isabelle, who lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Alongside colleague-led fundraising, Nationwide Platforms supported a number of high-profile charities throughout the year, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer’s Society, Action Bladder Cancer UK, and The British Heart Foundation. Charitable giving was further driven by physical challenges undertaken by employees in aid of causes close to their hearts. These included a 26-mile Peak District Mighty Hike completed by Matthew Barnett, Marketing and Communications Specialist, in support of Macmillan Cancer Support; a 100-mile walk across Lady Anne’s Way by Blackburn-based Depot Support Operative Ollie Smith and his partner Heather to raise funds for Action Bladder Cancer UK and Pancreatic Cancer UK; and Ann-Marie Pease’s climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, which began on 2 January in support of Alzheimer’s Society. Local community support also formed a significant part of the 2025 donations. Nationwide Platforms sponsored seven junior football clubs, one local sporting club, a Muay Thai gym, and a youth club, helping to fund club kits, facility set-up costs, and travel expenses to ensure young people from lower-income backgrounds could access opportunities otherwise out of reach, including international sporting travel to the USA. Reflecting on the year’s giving, Nationwide Platforms said the donations highlight the power of colleague-led initiatives and the importance of supporting causes rooted in local communities. “Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and that extends far beyond the workplace,” said Karen Maguire, HR Director at Nationwide Platforms. “Whether it’s supporting a colleague’s family, backing life-saving research, or helping local clubs keep going, these donations reflect the compassion and generosity that exists across Nationwide Platforms.” Nationwide Platforms will continue to support colleague-nominated charities and community initiatives into 2026, building on a year that has seen hundreds of lives positively impacted through collective action. For more information about Nationwide Platforms, visit:https://www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/en-gb Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

As 2025 wraps up and we all prepare to blueprint a brighter, bolder 2026, the BDC team wanted to share a festive smile with our readers across the worlds of construction, development, architecture, real estate, engineering, sustainability and the countless trades keeping the UK’s built environment thriving. So, here are ten delightfully daft, industry-flavoured ways to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to your December… From all of us at Building Design & Construction, thank you for your support, your insight, and your commitment to shaping the spaces we live, work and play in. Wishing you a wonderful festive season, a well-deserved break, and a prosperous year of innovation, creativity and growth in 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction Midlands and North is proud to announce that its annual charity fundraising efforts have raised £5,271.25, supporting this year’s chosen charities: The Lighthouse Club – the construction industry charity, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). The fundraising total includes £4,345.00 raised through events and donations including Christmas Jumper Day, plus an additional £926.25 through Gift Aid. The Midlands and North team have led a range of fundraising activities across the region this year, supported by McLaren colleagues, supply chain partners, subcontractors and external businesses. A key highlight of the fundraising programme was a raffle supported by the generous donation of prizes from McLaren’s supply chain and partners. Contributions included a Sainsbury’s voucher from EH Smiths, four Aston Villa tickets donated by DP Interiors, two Liverpool FC tickets from Cara Brickwork, an iPad from Taurus Electrical, a Celtic Manor stay from Oakwood, a Harrods hamper from Grimes Finishings, and a Coventry hotel stay from Village Hotels. They also included an afternoon tea experience from IHG, a £250 cash donation from MJS, breakfast and cocktails from Albert’s Schloss, a gift card from Fazenda, a meal and cocktails for two from Revolution, a television donated by Miles, and significant £1,000 cash donations from both McCoys and MPB. Luke Arnold, Regional Director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “A big thank you to Lucy Cramp, Kath Sheppard and Tina Shelton, for all their efforts working tirelessly to bring all of this together, a lot of work goes into this behind the scenes to make this possible and improving the cash raised year on year!” Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We are incredibly proud of the teamwork, generosity and community spirit shown across our Midlands and North region. Supporting The Lighthouse Club and the Motor Neurone Disease Association is deeply important to us, and reaching this fundraising milestone reflects the dedication of our people and our partners. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

GLP marked the closing of its Lutterworth Community Fund (the “Fund”), having reached the end of its funding cycle, with a celebratory lunch to recognise the local organisations, sponsors and partners who have helped deliver more than £1.4 million in community support. The initiative was set up in 2020 by GLP, the developer and owner of Magna Park Lutterworth now part of Ares Management Real Estate, to support the local community, charities and voluntary organisations in and around Magna Park. The Fund has been administered through Lutterworth Area Community Projects Limited (LACPL), which was formally launched on 1 November 2020 with a five-year lifespan to invest in the parishes surrounding Magna Park. Since inception, the Fund has supported a wide range of local initiatives spanning education, wellbeing, youth services, the environment and local infrastructure. This has included: These awards reflect GLP’s long-term commitment to building strong, sustainable relationships in the regions where it operates. GLP remains deeply committed to community investment across the UK through its wider G+ Community programme, which continues to fund and deliver social impact projects linked to GLP developments nationwide. Alongside the Fund’s local activity, GLP also contributes to national causes through its annual G-Tour cycling challenge, a Europe-wide event that brings together employees, partners and customers to raise money for charity. The G-Tour’s donations for the last two years have been a combined £45,000 distributed among five UK charities: Dementia UK, LandAid, Parkinson’s UK, The Christie Charity & Mind. Bruce Topley, Managing Director at GLP UK, said: “The Lutterworth Community Fund and the G-Tour represent two sides of the same commitment: supporting both the communities around our developments and wider causes that matter to our people and partners. Over the years, the Fund has provided real and lasting benefits for local organisations, while G-Tour continues to bring together our network to raise vital funds for national charities. The scale of what’s been achieved reflects the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone involved, from our sponsors and partners to the colleagues who give their time each year. On behalf of everyone at GLP, I want to thank them all for helping us make a meaningful difference, both here in Lutterworth and across the UK”. The celebratory lunch was attended by representatives from the community partners marking the formal close of the Fund and celebrating the collective achievements it has enabled. Since its inception, the Lutterworth Community Fund has formed a central part of GLP’s G+ Community programme, the company’s pan-European initiative to deliver social value through local investment, volunteering and fundraising. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Jewson and Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) customers, colleagues and suppliers came together in a powerful show of partnership to support the Great British Beach Clean. Thirteen branch teams took part in the nationwide initiative organised by the Marine Conservation Society, to remove litter, raise awareness, and demonstrate their shared commitment to protect the natural environment. The Marine Conservation Society helped the teams plan their activities and monitored the waste collected. Their efforts and the data gathered about the waste collected will now be added to national research to help shape future environmental policy and drive positive change. From St Annes and Blackpool to Scarborough, Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth, and Freshwater East Beach in Pembroke, Jewson and MBS’s teams got customers and suppliers involved as part of their commitment to having strong, positive community relations and to help manage environmental sustainability. As a responsible business, Jewson understands the broader environmental challenges facing the planet’s oceans. Globally, an estimated 1,480 shipping containers are lost at sea each year (1); these losses can release hazardous materials and plastics into marine ecosystems.  By taking part in the Great British Beach Clean, Jewson is doing its bit to helpmitigate these impacts and protect the places its communities enjoy.Sabrina Passley, Head of Sustainability at STARK UK, said: “Protecting our natural environment is a responsibility we all share. It’s inspiring to see our teams, customers, and suppliers come together to make a real difference in their local communities.  Initiatives like the Great British Beach Clean show how collective action can drive meaningful change and help us build a more sustainable future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Park Place Retail is lacing up for a month-long challenge in support of Sri Lankan girls at risk, culminating in a 22 km trek across 16 London bridges on 16 October. Between 17 September and 16 October 2025, all 12 members of the out-of-town retail agency will collectively clock 2,300 km — the equivalent distance from the firm’s London office to its most northerly and southerly retail schemes. Every kilometre will count, with the team logging walking, running, cycling and swimming to hit the target before stepping out together for the London 16 Bridges Walk. Funds raised will go to Sparkes Homes Sri Lanka, a charity founded by the family of Park Place Retail’s founding partner, George Stratton, in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Sparkes Homes provides safe shelter, education and long-term support to hundreds of girls who are poverty-stricken, abused or otherwise at risk, creating pathways to healthier, more secure futures. The bridges route offers a fitting finale: a city-wide showcase that links London’s north and south banks while shining a light on opportunities the charity helps unlock half a world away. With a clear goal, a defined distance and a cause close to the company’s origins, Park Place Retail’s challenge blends team spirit with tangible impact — one kilometre, and one crossing, at a time. Donations to this cause can be made here, all of which will be matched by Park Place Retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ark Fire Protection has announced a collaboration with leading contractor Bowmer + Kirkland to tackle one of the construction industry’s most pressing issues: mental health and suicide prevention. Coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day, Ark Fire Protection rolled out high-visibility jackets across its sites featuring powerful messages such as “Struggling doesn’t make you weak”. The initiative highlights the importance of creating open conversations around mental health and serves as a visual reminder that behind the tools are real people with real struggles. The construction industry faces a mental health crisis, with statistics showing that men in construction are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. Ark Fire Protection and Bowmer + Kirkland are determined to break the silence, reduce stigma, and encourage workers to seek help. “This campaign is about reminding people that awareness shouldn’t just be for one day a year, it should be every day,” said Howard Hudson, Managing Director at Ark Fire Protection. “By making our sites more open to openness, by asking our mates ‘How are you? … Really?’, and by recognising that mental health is a site safety issue too, we can help create a safer, healthier industry.” The initiative also supports the Lighthouse Charity, which provides vital emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families. Ark Fire Protection confirmed that this marks just the first step in its collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland, with a larger initiative planned for winter 2025. More details will be announced in the coming months. If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember you are not alone.📞 Call the Lighthouse Charity Helpline on 0345 605 1956 for free and confidential support. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals