One of the UK’s leading independent builders’ merchants has joined forces with two of the nation’s most respected charities in the construction industry. Huws Gray Group has secured two-year partnerships with Mates in Mind and CRASH and is focused on helping raise awareness of mental health issues and homelessness. The collaboration will also see the company provide resources, products and general support to vital construction schemes which care for the homeless and people of all ages with life-limiting illnesses. Daksh Gupta, Huws Gray Group CEO, is looking forward to working with both charities and reinforcing the good work of the organisations among staff, customers and stakeholders. Daksh says: “We are incredibly excited to announce both Mates in Mind and CRASH as our new charity partners. We recognise the critical importance and the huge difference both charities make in the construction sector and are looking forward to working with them to raise awareness of their good work throughout our various stakeholder relationships.” Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity raising awareness and addressing the stigma of poor mental health. This new partnership extends the relationship to all brands under the Group including Civils and Lintels, an existing support of the cause. Sam Downie, Mates in Mind Managing Director, said: “We are so grateful that Huws Gray chose us as a charity partner, it gives us the opportunity to reach more organisations, and it is only through working together that we can create a sector where work is good for workers. “At Mates in Mind, we know that building a culture of prevention can reduce the likelihood of individuals reaching crisis point, as supporting positive mental health in and through work becomes an integral part of everyone’s role.  With Huws Gray’s support we will be able to provide resources and advice to more organisations and individuals throughout the four nations, reaching people that have not had access to our help before.” Huws Gray Group has also partnered with CRASH, becoming one of its corporate patrons for the next two years. Established in 1996, CRASH is the construction industry’s charity bringing together the professional expertise, products and donations of the construction industry to deliver their vital construction projects for homelessness and hospices charities creating places that care for people when they’re at their most vulnerable. Trisha Pickersgill, Chief Executive for CRASH charity, is delighted to welcome Huws Gray as a corporate patron, adding: “We are delighted to announce that Huws Gray has chosen to partner with CRASH for the forthcoming two years 2025 and 2026 by becoming CRASH patrons. “Working collaboratively to provide support from across the Huws Gray Group to aid CRASH with their vital construction and refurbishment of hospices, shelters and move-on accommodation making a difference to the lives of people who are homeless, and children and adults receiving hospice care. This partnership will make a huge difference to the project support that CRASH can offer to the charities that it receives applications from. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A Christmas lunch attended by more than 200 women across the region’s construction sector has looked to ‘bridge the gap between education and industry’. The Women in Construction Anglia event, at Ipswich Town Football Club on December 10, aimed to inspire the next generation of women to take up a career in the sector, while giving students the opportunity to meet female role models in the industry. Organised by Clare Friel, Managing Director of marketing agency Friel and founder of Construction Anglia, the event also sought to create a supportive community of women in a wide variety of construction roles across East Anglia. Clare said: “I created Women in Construction Anglia so that people could form new connections, and students studying on construction-related courses could see the opportunities in the industry. “The biggest thing that came out from our first event in October was role models – the fact our panellists didn’t have them when they came into the industry, but the students that attended now do. “We can’t get more women into the industry if they don’t know the opportunities that exist.  “That’s why it’s a priority for me to not only mix industry with education but to mix students together from different colleges.” The event was attended by staff and students from West Suffolk College and Suffolk New College and hosted by Siu Mun Li, CITB’s Most Influential Woman in Construction 2023 and Director at Temporary Works Forum. Averil Young, lecturer at West Suffolk College, said: “These events offer a unique and inspiring chance to bridge the gap between education and industry, providing my students with an invaluable window into the exciting and rewarding careers that could be part of their futures.  “Meeting powerful role models—women excelling in roles across the industry, from hands-on trades to senior leadership—has an immeasurable impact, showing my students what’s possible and inspiring them to dream bigger than ever before.” The event was sponsored by DPL Group, LDD Construction, KLH Architects, Howard Construction, Breheny, TRU 7 Group and Hudson Group. Kaleigh Norris, Head of Careers and Employer Engagement at Suffolk New College, attended the event along with a group of female electrical students. She said: “For our learners to be able to hear stories about the industry directly from employers and to hear how passionate they are about the sector helps them feel pride in what they are studying and excited to go into this industry in their future careers.” For more information on Women in Construction Anglia and upcoming events, see www.womeninconstructionanglia.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

In the spirit of the festive season, the Barrack Charitable Trust, funded by Knight Property Group, is delighted to announce that is has donated almost £42,000 to 23 charities across Scotland. This significant contribution is part of the Trust’s biannual giving programme, aimed at supporting a diverse range of organisations dedicated to making a difference in their communities across the country. From grassroots initiatives to nationwide efforts, the Trust’s donations will help tackle pressing issues such as poverty, homelessness, mental health and youth support. The winter tranche of funding comes at a crucial time, as many charities face increased demand for their services during the holiday season. Trust Chairman James Barrack, shared his thoughts: “We are incredibly proud to support such a wide range of worthwhile causes across Scotland, through the Barrack Charitable Trust. We believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work and this is especially meaningful as we approach the festive season. These charities provide essential support to so many and it is an honour to play a part in their vital work.” Spotlight on the Charities The 23 charities supported in this tranche represent the diversity and resilience of Scotland’s charitable sector. Below, seven of the beneficiaries share their appreciation and outline how the funding will help their efforts: Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer of the Denis Law Legacy Trust said: “We are delighted to receive a grant of £5,000 from the Barrack Charitable Trust, contributing to the purchase of a new mobile arena. Thanks to their generous support, the arena will help us deliver our range of free to access activities directly into the hearts of disadvantaged communities that need it most. I am incredibly grateful to the Barrack Charitable Trust and with their support, we can continue to empower more young people to thrive.” Shirley Finlayson, Manager, Disabled Persons Housing Service Aberdeen said: “We are extremely grateful to receive this generous funding from the Trust and on behalf of the staff, volunteers and committee of DPHS Aberdeen, I would like to thank the Trustees for the award. The funding will help us greatly in assisting disabled people aged over 65 in the community who are struggling to access housing options advice and are seeking solutions to their housing needs. Many of our disabled clients have complex needs or are in hospital where we visit them to provide our advice service and we can help them access housing waiting lists or advise on other housing options.” Jim Van Nice, Treasurer of Forfar & District Men’s Shed said: “We are proud to add the Barrack Charitable Trust to our list of contributors.  With their generous grant of £4,500 we are able to replace our existing old and heavy sliding door to the workshop with a new motorised insulated roll up door. This will provide ease of operation, provide added security and prevent the loss of heat during these cold winter months.  Many thanks from the members of Forfar & District Men’s Shed.” Valerie Cox, Manager of Wester Hailes Youth Agency said: “We are grateful to The Barrack Charitable Trust for their donation of £4,000 towards the delivery of 300 hours of individual support for up to 30 young people in South West/West Edinburgh over the next six months. This support will help young people address issues which may include parental & peer relationships, lack of confidence and self-esteem, bereavement & loss, trauma, stress, anxiety and low mood. Without the generosity of supporters like The Barrack Charitable Trust it would not be possible for us to deliver this vital work. Sarah Hutchison, Volunteer Coordinator at Empty Kitchen, Full Hearts said: “Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts uses surplus food to create healthy meal packs for people living in poverty across Edinburgh. Barrack Charitable Trust’s donation will support 50 people with a month of nutritious meals, free of charge. Our meal service is combined with regular well-being check-ins and referrals to further support. This donation will provide consistent nutrition and contact during what can be a very unstable, isolating time. This allows people to have the energy and headspace to tackle other challenges in their lives.”  In the spirit of the festive season, the Barrack Charitable Trust, funded by Knight Property Group, is delighted to announce that is has donated almost £42,000 to 23 charities across Scotland. This significant contribution is part of the Trust’s biannual giving programme, aimed at supporting a diverse range of organisations dedicated to making a difference in their communities across the country. From grassroots initiatives to nationwide efforts, the Trust’s donations will help tackle pressing issues such as poverty, homelessness, mental health and youth support. The winter tranche of funding comes at a crucial time, as many charities face increased demand for their services during the holiday season. Trust Chairman James Barrack, shared his thoughts: “We are incredibly proud to support such a wide range of worthwhile causes across Scotland, through the Barrack Charitable Trust. We believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work and this is especially meaningful as we approach the festive season. These charities provide essential support to so many and it is an honour to play a part in their vital work.” Spotlight on the Charities The 23 charities supported in this tranche represent the diversity and resilience of Scotland’s charitable sector. Below, seven of the beneficiaries share their appreciation and outline how the funding will help their efforts: Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer of the Denis Law Legacy Trust said: “We are delighted to receive a grant of £5,000 from the Barrack Charitable Trust, contributing to the purchase of a new mobile arena. Thanks to their generous support, the arena will help us deliver our range of free to access activities directly into the hearts of disadvantaged communities that need it most. I am incredibly grateful to the Barrack Charitable Trust and with their support, we can continue to empower more young people to thrive.” Shirley Finlayson, Manager, Disabled Persons Housing Service

Prologis UK, a leading logistics property owner, developer and investor, alongside its principal contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick has been working on an expansion of Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead since March 2024. Delivering long-term employability The development is already delivering for the town, providing job opportunities for local people as well as training to boost long-term employability. Since the start of construction, working with training provider Goodwill Solutions, two Hemel residents have been hired and received Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards – an industry-wide seal of approval and transferrable to future roles. One local resident, Maura, who completed training to work on the site, said: “My time at the site has proven immensely valuable to me personally. At Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead, every day is dynamic and fast-paced, allowing me to develop a host of new skills on the job and helping to boost my confidence. It’s been both a challenging and rewarding opportunity so far and I’m excited to continue growing in my role.” On completion, the expansion of Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead is anticipated to create many more additional jobs, as businesses setup their new operations. Inspiring the next generation Prologis actively engages in initiatives to inspire the future workforce to increase their understanding of the logistics and real estate sectors. Working closely with VolkerFitzpatrick, numerous educational visits have been conducted at the site for a number of schools, colleges and universities. Students from Nottingham Trent University’s Built Environment School were given insight into the inner workings of a construction site through detailed tours, sessions with the commercial team and team building exercises. Site visits and career talks have similarly been held with Hertford Regional College, where its T-level students gained insight into key elements of the development including in design, surveying and planning. Students and graduates have also been involved with work experience placements at Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead, during which they were able to work closely across departments with site engineers, trainee site managers and designers, gaining first-hand insight into these career routes. Giving back to the Hemel Hempstead community Prologis has pledged to deliver £7 million of social value for Hemel – supporting initiatives that directly benefit and strengthen the local community. One example is the contributions being made to Hemel Hempstead’s local food bank, DENS, for its Christmas wish list, providing vital support for the area’s vulnerable individuals. Matt Goodier, Senior Project Manager, at Volker Fitzpatrick said: “Bringing a net positive to Hemel Hempstead has been a key aim of this project. With the help of Prologis and Goodwill Solutions, the tangible benefit of providing job opportunities and career insights has been significant. Our recent contributions to the local food bank, DENS, has also demonstrated the type of support that we set out to bring to the community.” Martin Cooper, Vice President of the Development Management team at Prologis UK, said: “At the start of this project we set out to deliver real benefit to the local community and it’s exciting to see our social value coming to life. Our approach to supporting the local job market has been deliberate and purposeful, aiming to boost prospects for those wanting to enter construction, engineering or logistics. The social value goals initially set for this development will allow us to continue improving our contributions to communities, in both Hemel Hempstead and across our portfolio.” Introducing Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead Prologis announced the expansion to Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead in early 2024. Since then, work onsite has made significant progress, with the development on course to be completed in Q1 2025. The site, at Green Lane, will house five new logistics facilities ranging between 19,000 – 75,000 sq ft and push the boundaries with market-leading design features focused on sustainability, customer and community needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Lovell has gone a fair way to supporting the local sporting community by signing a sponsorship deal with Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club. The housebuilder, which is delivering 42 new homes at Saints Green at Peggy’s Field in South Otterington, has donated £500 to the golf club. The sponsorship money will be used to help with its day-to-day running costs. The club, which is in Thornton-le-Street, was established in 1914 and its parkland course was extended from nine holes to 18 holes in 1997. Club manager Matt Creighton said: “Many thanks to Lovell for their sponsorship of Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club for 2025. We’re a family-friendly golf club and take pride in welcoming more people into the sport. We look forward to working with Lovell in the future helping to promote golf in the local community.” Phil Jones, Head of Land and Partnerships for Lovell, said: “Our ethos as a developer is not just to build new homes but also to reach out to form relationships with organisations which play a prominent role in the life of the local community. “We are proud to be a sponsor of Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club which offers a sporting challenge to golfers of all levels and aptitudes. Moreover, the club has a genuine family feel and has been awarded the R&A Women in Golf Charter which is given to clubs who work to attract more women, girls and families to the sport.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has announced a new partnership venture with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT), marking the company as an Associate Trust Partner for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. As part of this exciting collaboration, G F Tomlinson has made a donation to support the vital work DCCT delivers throughout the local community and, in return the contractor’s own employees can benefit from the Trust’s extensive mental health programmes which include tailored workshops and seminars that promote well-being and mental health support within the workplace. As part of the partnership, G F Tomlinson will be the Front Shirt Sponsor for Derby County’s U14 Female Team and this sponsorship forms part of Derby County’s Female Talent Pathway, providing valuable opportunities for young female footballers from the local area. As part of the support, the contractor will contribute to the cost of their training programme which has faced cuts in funding from the FA in recent years, alongside supplying the U14 team with kits for the 2024/2025 season. G F Tomlinson has also committed to sponsoring Harrison’s Hub Community Meals, a key DCCT initiative that provides hot meals and drinks to the homeless, elderly, and other vulnerable members of society. The team will actively participate by providing volunteers for two of these meal events—one in January 2025 and another in April 2025—offering not only a helping hand but a listening ear to those in need. Andy Sewards, Group Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are proud to partner with Derby County Community Trust to support them in the invaluable work they do for the local community. As a business deeply rooted in Derby for over 130 years, we clearly see the trust’s initiatives make a real difference to daily lives, something of which is incredibly close to our hearts. “We’re delighted to contribute to both the future of young talent and the well-being of the wider community, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our values as a business.” Pete Collins, Fundraising and Partnerships Manager at Derby County Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome G F Tomlinson as an Associate Trust Partner. Their support will be instrumental in helping us continue our vital community programmes. Sponsorship of the U14 Female Team and their involvement with Harrison’s Hub Community Meals demonstrates a deep commitment to making a tangible difference and we look forward to building a strong relationship and seeing the positive impact of their involvement.” G F Tomlinson is also exploring ways to collaborate with Derby County’s Female Talent Pathway educational programmes, to promote careers in construction to young women. As part of the initiative, the company is keen to provide valuable insights into the wide range of opportunities within the industry, aiming to inspire the next generation of female talent to consider construction as a viable and rewarding career path. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Quintain, the asset manager and development company behind London’s renowned culture and entertainment hub, Wembley Park, is showcasing its commitment to biodiversity and natural capital this National Tree Week. Aligned with the start of the UK’s annual tree planting season, National Tree Week runs from 23rd November to 1st December 2024, bringing the conservation sector, volunteers and dendrophiles together.  This National Tree Week, Quintain is celebrating the planting of over 1,000 trees across Wembley Park’s public realm and resident podium gardens in accordance with its award-winning, site-wide tree planting strategy. This strategy has been in place since 2005, at which time there were just a few dozen trees dotted across the entire 85-acre Wembley Park site. Now, there are 1,333 trees flourishing in the neighbourhood, with an impressive survival rate of 99.5% following the implementation of a careful management approach. The trees are spread across the entire estate, including public areas and the gardens of those living with Quintain’s management company, Quintain Living. Trees play a key role in Quintain’s placemaking strategy, not simply for aesthetic purposes but for their role in delivering a sense of connection to nature (with a resulting boost to visitors’ and residents’ mental wellbeing) and in enhancing local air quality. Wembley Park’s trees span an impressive 103 species. They include Snowy Mespilus, English Oak, Pin Oak, London Plane, Lime, Double White Cherry, Japanese Flowering Cherry, Dogwood, Hop-Hornbeam, Japanese Stewartia, Japanese Maple, Birch, Silver Birch, Sweetgum, Ginkgo and many more. Different species are used to create distinctly different vibes across the neighbourhood, boosting the distinctive character of its various public and residential areas. One of the most recent new species in 2024 is the Tupelo Tree with stunning Autumn foliage.  You can see them in Union Park. Tree-lined Olympic Way is a notable example of this, with pairs of trees used to draw the eye along the promenade towards Wembley Stadium. Trees from temperate zones around the globe are used to create a sense of arrival and destination, while celebrating different cultures and enhancing biodiversity as part of the neighbourhood’s overall tree matrix. The avenue of ‘champion trees’ uses height, texture and colour to create a heightened sense of interest along the boulevard. In total, 62 trees of 25 species line the famous pedestrian zone leading up to the stadium, including 24 matched pairs. Quintain’s tree-planting strategy extends to ensuring residents and visitors have ample opportunities to enjoy the leafy Wembley Park neighbourhood. The firm has a dedicated Wembley Park hub on the Greentalk platform, which shares a selection of mapped walking routes that take in some of the area’s most notable and impressive trees. Walkers can also devise their own routes, focused on passing specific green points of interest along the way. Guided walks also take place, with Julian Tollast, Head of Masterplanning and Design at Quintain, on hand to talk participants through the technical aspects involved in urban tree planting and maintenance at such a scale. Tree maintenance is a priority for the Quintain team. With some trees decades old and an average canopy size of 20 sqm, tree health is excellent across the neighbourhood, from the extensive planting in Union Park and the many residents’ gardens and pocket parks, to the trees along the wide boulevards. The character of the latter changes in line with the seasons, serving as welcome shade in the summer to beautiful creations adorned with twinkling lights throughout the festive period. Across the neighbourhood, Wembley Park’s design teams have measurable targets for Biodiversity Net Gain and Urban Green Factor, providing encouragement to boost wildlife-friendly planting and maintain the existing glorious greenery. In 2022 alone, an additional 380 sqm of tree cover was added to the neighbourhood, while the total amount of public realm delivered at Wembley Park to date runs to 98,324 sqm. That equates to 38.75 trees per hectare across the entire estate.  “The abundant, flourishing growth of the greenery around Wembley Park delivers a huge range of benefits as part of Quintain’s sustainability strategy. National Tree Week serves as an excellent reminder of the importance of such greenery and we are delighted to be celebrating the planting and survival of more than 1,000 trees across Wembley Park. From headline environmental benefits and enhancement to air quality to positively impacting the mental wellbeing of all those who spend time in the neighbourhood, Wembley Park’s trees provide much to celebrate. Every tree is logged on a publicly accessible online tree map – Greentalk – accessible through the Wembley Park Website.  Treemendous!” Julian Tollast, Head of Masterplanning and Design, Quintain Moving forward, Quintain’s tree-planting strategy will continue to centre on three key areas: biodiversity, natural capital and pollution prevention, with an overarching objective of preserving, protecting and improving biodiversity across all of the asset manager’s developments. Within Wembley Park, the focus is on reconnecting the surrounding network of natural ecosystems and wildlife corridors and providing open space within the heart of Wembley. This will encompass further planting over the coming years, not only as part of the opening of a new section of Union Park, but within podium gardens for new residential developments and across other areas of public realm.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals