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
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
Local people in the communities around SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett are set to benefit from investment in careers advice, employability training and wellbeing support as part of a newly launched Community Investment Plan by SEGRO, the developer of the former Radlett Aerodrome site The plan was developed in partnership with
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
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
Ideal Heating has confirmed its continued support for Andy’s Man Club (AMC), strengthening a partnership that puts men’s mental health front and centre – and uses Ideal’s reach in the trade to signpost men towards support. With more than 87,000 installers across the UK and a big presence in a
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
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
New lighting in schools, refurbishing a local wellbeing centre, creating crisis packs and wellbeing bags, running education events and donating almost £60,000 to community causes are some of the ways that the construction company building the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) have delivered social value to the local area. The construction
Wagstaff Interiors Group and Umbrella Furniture once again transformed their Clerkenwell showroom into a casino pit, welcoming their suppliers and manufacturers for their annual charity casino night. This year’s event raised over £27,000, supporting Waste to Wonder and Global Orphan Empowerment Academy’s Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia. Held at their
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
Local people in the communities around SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett are set to benefit from investment in careers advice, employability training and wellbeing support as part of a newly launched Community Investment Plan by SEGRO, the developer of the former Radlett Aerodrome site The plan was developed in partnership with seven community and education partners – Communities 1st, Emmaus, Mind in Herts, St Albans Foodbank, Citizens Advice Bureau, Oaklands College and SmallPeice Trust – to improve social inclusion and community wellbeing. The Community Investment Plan, which will be funded by SEGRO and supported by its suppliers and future customers, aims to achieve the following outcomes by the end of 2028: 1,000 students, including young people from local schools such as Batchwood and Links Academy, will benefit from a coordinated programme of careers advice, STEM and skills-based initiatives. SEGRO and its partners will help inspire young people to pursue rewarding careers in construction and logistics through career workshops, specialist insights and site visits. 300 local unemployed people supported through targeted employment and skills services. Working alongside local community partners, the programme will include volunteering opportunities, as well as helping participants build confidence, enhance digital skills and access routes into long-term, sustainable work. SEGRO is also funding a new CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) training centre at Oaklands College that will enable 650 construction learners and 120 adults seeking a job in the sector to prove they have the necessary training, qualifications and competence to work on a site. More than 300 residents will benefit from initiatives promoting physical and mental wellbeing, including expanded access to health and counselling services, nutrition and lifestyle workshops, and targeted support for those experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. Neil Impiazzi, Partnership Development Director, at SEGRO, said: “Through the Community Investment Plan, we want to create a lasting, positive change by supporting local people into employment, inspiring young people about careers in construction and logistics, and improving wellbeing across the community living area around SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett. “We know from our conversations with community partners there is increasing demand for their services from vulnerable members of the local community, and we’re happy to work in partnership to ensure we are benefitting residents that really need our support.” The Community Investment Plan covering the St Albans area forms part of SEGRO’s broader commitment to Invest in local communities and environments, boosting skills, training and employment, in the communities where it operates across the UK and Continental Europe. It builds on a series of pilot initiatives launched in 2024, including careers workshops and site visits for local students, as well as funding for educational equipment at Batchwood School and Links Academy. The success of the Community Investment Plan relies on collaboration, and the community partners are central to delivering programmes and initiatives that will have meaningful positive impact. Stephen Craker, Chief Executive, Communities 1st, said: “Our aim is to strengthen opportunities for people in the south of the district. SEGRO’s Community Investment Plan will enable the St Albans Community Partnership to extend practical help for those who will benefit from tailored training, structured pathways into work and wider wellbeing support. It will reinforce existing community networks and help create long-term prospects for local residents.” Chloe Hawkins, Director of Adult & Work Based Training, Oaklands College, said: “We’re delighted to partner with SEGRO on this initiative which will directly support our construction students and adult learners in a sector which is important to both our organisations. The new CSCS training centre it will fund will give more local people access to the essential qualifications they need to work safely and confidently on site, helping them take the next step in their careers and supporting the wider construction sector across our community.” SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett will deliver 335,000 sq m of state-of-the-art, sustainable logistics space, enabled by a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange on site, set within in 600 acres of managed woodland, conservation grazing and public country park. 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
Ideal Heating has confirmed its continued support for Andy’s Man Club (AMC), strengthening a partnership that puts men’s mental health front and centre – and uses Ideal’s reach in the trade to signpost men towards support. With more than 87,000 installers across the UK and a big presence in a male-dominated industry, Ideal Heating is in a unique position to help start conversations that many men find hard to begin. This autumn, Ideal is running a nationwide programme of activity to encourage conversation and raise funds for men’s mental and physical wellbeing – with installers and Ideal’s own teams all getting involved. AMC is a men’s suicide-prevention charity with a simple but powerful message: It’s Okay to Talk. The organisation runs more than 300 free peer-to-peer support groups every Monday evening, in person and online. Thousands of men attend each week, making AMC one of the fastest-growing movements for men’s mental health in the UK. Championing conversations with trade counter events Throughout October, Ideal’s Area Sales Managers will host Mental Health Awareness Days at trade counters in partnership with AMC. Installers visiting participating branches will be able to meet AMC reps, pick up information and resources, and join light-hearted activities designed to break the ice and open conversations. We’ll also be highlighting our ongoing support for Andy’s Man Club and making sure installers know where to turn if they or someone they know needs help. To find out more about where to access these events and other mental health resources, visit the blog: Backing the Boys: Our Nationwide Autumn Campaign with Andy’s Man Club. Movember activity In November, Ideal will go all-in for Movember, raising funds for both AMC and Prostate Cancer UK. Installers can join the Mo Wall of Fame by snapping a moustache selfie – real or stick-on – at trade counters across the country. The Ideal team will also take on a Move for Movember challenge, completing 100 miles in Movember, by walking, running and even stair climbs – raising awareness and funds for men’s mental and physical health. You can support the fundraising by donating here. Lucas Whitehead, Head of Marketing and Partnerships at Andy’s Man Club, said: “Support from companies like Ideal Heating helps us reach more men across the country. Every flyer handed out, every chat at a trade counter and every moustache photo shared makes it easier for men to talk. It really does make a difference.” The partnership runs year-round, with Ideal and AMC continuing to look for new ways to reach installers, employees and communities with the message: It’s Okay to Talk. Ideal’s Head of Marketing, Luke Pykett said: “We’ve supported Andy’s Man Club for years, and that commitment hasn’t changed. By teaming up with AMC and adding Movember activity, we’re backing men’s mental and physical health across the trade. Installers are at the heart of what we do, and we want to use our platform to make a real difference – raising awareness, encouraging open conversations and raising vital funds. That’s ideal.” 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
New lighting in schools, refurbishing a local wellbeing centre, creating crisis packs and wellbeing bags, running education events and donating almost £60,000 to community causes are some of the ways that the construction company building the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) have delivered social value to the local area. The construction of the 70-bed purpose-built rehabilitation centre near Loughborough is being carried out by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), a joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine and VINCI Building, and investing in the local community has been high on their priorities since the beginning of the programme. The NRC will be staffed and run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) when it opens to our first patients later this year and aims to transform rehabilitation in the UK. Through their social value scheme, IHP contractors have volunteered 988 hours of their time within a 20-mile radius of the NRC and paid for the materials to deliver a variety of projects. These included: In addition, IHP has supported the local area by employing more than 150 local employees and 8 apprentices, and running 41 weeks’ worth of work placements for people aspiring to work in the construction industry. Miriam Duffy, NRC Director, said: “The commitment to social value was one of the key factors in our decision to select IHP and we’re delighted to see the impact they have had on our local communities. “The NRC is about improving the lives of our patients through rehabilitation following a serious illness or injury. I’m pleased that the building of such an important centre has also had a positive impact locally.” One key project has been refurbishing the lighting system at the nearby St Peters Church of England Primary School in Loughborough to help them to save 27% of their annual energy costs. This project was especially fitting as the design of the NRC uses modern methods of construction and will be the first operational carbon neutral NHS building in the country. T-Clarke, the company which has been completing Mechanical and Electrical installation, donated a total of 332 hours to replace all the faulty equipment with newer and more energy efficient lighting. Anton Melia from T-Clarke said: “The school’s existing lighting system was an outdated fluorescent installation that was not energy efficient and had also been causing the school a few issues. Following a report by an energy expert, we were approached under social value responsibility to see if we could aid with bringing this both up to date and reduce both energy usage and carbon dioxide production. “Together with our partner Lightcraft Technology, we installed a point for point LED based solution – resulting in a 27% energy reduction and a significant improvement to the learning environment for the children.” Another important project carried out by IHP as part of their social value commitments saw a refurbishment of the Loughborough Wellbeing Centre which provides a safe and supportive place for adults experiencing mental health problems. The refurbishment included installing sustainable, energy-efficient lighting, reconfiguring the interior space, making acoustic enhancements to make the space more peaceful, and created a new café area. This project is still on going and will be finished in the coming months. Numerous contractors from the project donated 70 hours and £3,267 to make the project possible. Helen Carter, CEO at the Loughborough Wellness Centre, said: “Through the works provided so far, we have already seen a difference with new cost-effective lighting being installed and creating a new cafe space for our Wellbeing Cafe within our building. “We are so grateful to have the support of IHP, Clear Engagement, T-Clarke, and Sherwood Interiors from the construction of the National Rehabilitation Centre to enable these improvements to be made. The works that you and your team have carried out have been greatly appreciated and have created a calmer space for our mental health charity beneficiaries which has been very well received by all.” The £105million NRC programme will create a specialist facility combines NHS care with research and innovation, all on the same site as the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre and is part of the New Hospital Programme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wagstaff Interiors Group and Umbrella Furniture once again transformed their Clerkenwell showroom into a casino pit, welcoming their suppliers and manufacturers for their annual charity casino night. This year’s event raised over £27,000, supporting Waste to Wonder and Global Orphan Empowerment Academy’s Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia. Held at their London Showroom in Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell, the evening featured casino games, a prize raffle, and a celebration of community spirit. Funds raised will aid in equipping young Gambians with skills in sustainable cooking, agriculture, hospitality, and tourism, to foster education, future employment and food security. The evening featured an impressive array of prizes donated by Wagstaff Interiors. Some favourite prizes amongst the attendees included a Vitra Eames chair, a series of red-letter day experiences, and a selection of Apple and Bose audio products. Building on the impact and success of previous charity initiatives, which included a borewell project in 2023 that provided clean water to 9,000 people, this year’s event underscores Wagstaff’s commitment to sustainable education and community impact in Gambia. With guests getting the chance to roll the dice throughout the night, contributions were made through ticket sales and on-the-night donations which channeled directly into the Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia – a joint effort by Waste to Wonder Worldwide and the Global Orphan Empowerment Academy. Waste to Wonder offers a groundbreaking Ethical Clearance service, ensuring redundant office furniture is reused responsibly rather than wasted. Since its founding, it has diverted tens of thousands of tonnes of equipment from disposal and donated office furniture over 1,300 schools across 32 countries worldwide, all while advancing corporate ESG goals. Matt Clarke, Marketing Director at Umbrella Furniture, reflected on the evening’s success: “Waste to wonder is a charity that is close to our hearts – we’ve been working with them in commercial office clearance for 18 years now. The work they do and the donations – it really changes lives, which we’ve seen first-hand on our trip with them to the Gambia. They are one of our key partners when we are raising money for charity as we truly believe in their work.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals