Business : Market Activity, Finance & Investment News
Stepnell accelerates North West expansion with regional director appointment and major framework success

Stepnell accelerates North West expansion with regional director appointment and major framework success

REGIONAL contractor Stepnell has reinforced its commitment to the North West market with the appointment of Dirk Pittaway as regional director, alongside securing significant positions on the latest Procure Partnerships North West and Rise Construction frameworks. Dirk will lead Stepnell’s Liverpool office, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience and

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Caddick Construction Group reports record £375m turnover

Caddick Construction Group reports record £375m turnover

Caddick Construction Group has reported a consolidated £375m turnover and £4.5m Profit Before Tax (PBT) for its last financial year as the Group’s Construction, Civil Engineering and Facades divisions target a combined 4% margin fuelled by a £1.4bn forward order book. Representing an 8% increase in revenue compared to 2023/24’s

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UK construction loses sight of recovery in the fog of war`

UK construction loses sight of recovery in the fog of war

Glenigan Review reveals choked activity as international conflict strangles pipeline Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Company (Glenigan), one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the April 2026 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of March 2026, covering

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Shawbrook provides £33m refinance facility for diversified UK commercial property portfolio

Shawbrook provides £33m refinance facility for diversified UK commercial property portfolio

Shawbrook has successfully delivered a £33 million refinance facility through its Structured Real Estate team, supporting a diversified portfolio of 20 commercial assets located across 19 towns in the UK. The transaction marks a new-to-bank relationship with an established UK property investor and highlights Shawbrook’s ability to structure tailored financing

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Homes England sponsors funding deal with Richborough

Homes England sponsors funding deal with Richborough

Richborough has agreed a multi-million-pound debt facility with Homes England to accelerate planning activity and support the government’s target of delivering 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament. The flexible funding arrangement will enable the company to invest in new sites and planning applications across England, increasing the supply of

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Latest Issue
Issue 340 : May 2026

Business : Market Activity, Finance & Investment News

Pagabo combines infrastructure and demolition frameworks under innovative new £4bn framework

Pagabo combines infrastructure and demolition frameworks under innovative new £4bn framework

LEADING digital framework specialist Pagabo has begun an open procedure by inviting contractors to compete for a place on its largest infrastructure procurement offering to date – the National Framework for Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Enabling Works 2026. Once launched in September, the new framework with an estimated total value of up to £4.15bn will run for a term of four years and is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024. The new offering will combine the scopes of the National Framework for Civils and Infrastructure and the National Framework for Demolition and Land Preparation, which both helped to establish Pagabo’s presence in the infrastructure sector and support public sector organisations with procuring transformational schemes. Following the formation of a 10-year strategic delivery partnership that will see resources, reputation and expertise combined to establish a new benchmark for construction procurement, this is one installment in a series of new frameworks being brought to market by Pagabo and YPO in 2026. YPO is the centralised procurement authority for the framework, while Pagabo is the framework manager responsible for design, delivery and ongoing management. Created to connect public sector bodies and private organisations with appointed contractors that will collaboratively deliver quality service and value for money outcomes, the framework agreement can be used by sectors such as local government, NHS and health service providers, blue light, housing and education. David Llewellyn, construction and infrastructure director at Pagabo, said: “Significant consideration has gone into the decision behind merging two of the existing frameworks that we manage. In doing so, we are able to streamline the procurement of important works covering civil engineering, infrastructure and enabling works, while ensuring the compliance, transparency and impactful delivery that our clients expect from us. “This open procedure is set to be a competitive opportunity for contractors across the UK, with the new procurement regulations and our own commitment to SME inclusion meaning that the very best quality businesses are able to deliver the public sector’s infrastructure ambitions. From new roads and rail routes, through to brownfield regeneration and energy supply transformation, this latest framework is going to be a vital procurement offering in helping the UK create new infrastructure that will improve connectivity and economic prosperity.” The closed framework includes 13 main lots, as well as geographical sub-lots that cover areas including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Lots 2 to 9 and 11 to 13 will also be split into value bands, from £0 up to more than £5m. The core lot structure includes: Lot 1 and Lot 10 are for suppliers able to cover all project types in their respective services.   Operating a digital-first, end to end delivery model, the national procurement specialist’s Pagabo+ system will be used as a central platform through which all framework activity will be managed. The single environment will play host to information on and management of new opportunities, call-off activity, performance monitoring and reporting, as well as compliance assurance. Supporting with enhancement of the full lifecycle of procurement and project delivery, appointed contractors will also be able to use Pagabo Group’s social value and contract management platforms Loop and Sypro. The framework’s tender submission deadline is set for 12 June at 12pm, and interested parties can find more information online via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/pagabo/aspx/ProjectManage/1282 To learn more about Pagabo, visit www.pagabo.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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RO Group Showcases Silbury House in ‘Sustainable Assets for Real Estate Investors’ Webinar

RO Group Showcases Silbury House in ‘Sustainable Assets for Real Estate Investors’ Webinar

In collaboration with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School Sustainability increasingly shapes how investors think about their portfolios RO Group recently collaborated with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to showcase its flagship Milton Keynes office property, Silbury House, as part of an initiative focused on how corporate investors can translate sustainability strategy into practical action across real estate portfolios. As part of the programme, a webinar on Sustainable Assets for Large Corporate Investors in Real Estate was held on Tuesday 28 April, bringing together industry leaders to share their experiences of delivering decarbonisation and climate resilience initiatives, as well as highlighting challenges and opportunities. During the session, Ana Bajri, Head of Sustainability at the RO Group, presented Silbury House as a live case study. The presentation demonstrated how collaboration, data-led decision making and long-term investment can deliver measurable sustainability outcomes, while also setting out our broader approach to enhancing performance across the portfolio. Silbury House reflects RO Group’s commitment to improving the performance of existing assets through targeted, data-led retrofit and optimisation. The building has achieved an EPC A+ rating, the highest possible classification, and is currently the only office building in Milton Keynes to reach this standard, demonstrating net-zero operational carbon performance in practice. RO Group’s approach focuses on practical, scalable measures, including on-site renewable energy, electrification and the optimisation of building systems, alongside carefully planned low-carbon refurbishment. This enables a material reduction in operational energy demand and emissions, while also strengthening long-term asset resilience and supporting future regulatory requirements. Ana Bajri, Head of Sustainability at the RO Group, said: “It was a pleasure to take part in the Supply Chain Sustainability School webinar alongside NatWest, and to hear how others are approaching sustainability in practice. Thank you to the organisers and all speakers for the invaluable discussion.  “Sustainability is increasingly shaping how investors think about their portfolios. Decarbonisation, climate resilience and future-proofing are no longer just considerations. They are increasingly central to long-term value and performance. “Silbury House is a fantastic example of how sustainability can be pursued. By focusing on targeted, data-led retrofit and optimisation, alongside on-site renewable energy and electrification, we have reduced operational energy demand and emissions while improving the resilience of the asset. “The focus now is on taking those lessons and applying them more widely across the portfolio as we continue to progress our net-zero pathway.” Claire Morin, NatWest, Regional Director Real Estate Finance , added: “Sustainability is no longer a future ambition for real estate investors – it is central to long‑term value, resilience and performance. Through our collaboration with RO Group and the Supply Chain Sustainability School, this webinar brought to life how data‑led decision making, collaboration and targeted investment can turn sustainability strategy into practical action. “Case studies like Silbury House show that when sustainability is embedded into core business strategy, it delivers tangible commercial outcomes alongside positive environmental impact. At NatWest, we are committed to supporting businesses with the insights, tools and partnerships they need to future‑proof their assets and thrive in a rapidly changing market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Stepnell accelerates North West expansion with regional director appointment and major framework success

Stepnell accelerates North West expansion with regional director appointment and major framework success

REGIONAL contractor Stepnell has reinforced its commitment to the North West market with the appointment of Dirk Pittaway as regional director, alongside securing significant positions on the latest Procure Partnerships North West and Rise Construction frameworks. Dirk will lead Stepnell’s Liverpool office, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience and a proven track record in delivering major public sector projects. Following an eight-year tenure as regional managing director for Robertson Group, Dirk’s appointment aims to strategically align Stepnell’s collaborative culture with the growing demand for high-quality public sector procurement in the region. The appointment coincides with a period of significant growth for Stepnell’s regional presence. The contractor has secured places on Lot 3 (£1m–£5m) and Lot 4 (£5m–£15m) of the £1 billion Procure Partnerships (PPF) North West framework. Additionally, Stepnell has been appointed to Lot 1 of the four-year Rise Construction Framework for projects valued at more than £15 million. Dirk Pittaway, regional director at Stepnell, said: “I’m joining Stepnell at a pivotal moment where we can truly influence the built environment in the North West. What drew me to the business was its sustainable approach and a ‘team-first’ culture that is genuinely agile enough to respond to regional needs. “Our goal isn’t just to build; it’s to deliver social value that stays within the local community. With the backing of our national expertise and these new framework positions, we have the credibility to provide a progressive, collaborative alternative for public sector clients.” Tom Sewell, director at Stepnell, said: “Dirk brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the North West landscape. His track record in public sector delivery makes him instrumental in our long-term regional growth strategy. “The PPF and Rise framework wins are central to Stepnell’s long-term strategy, enabling public sector clients to access our services where we can deliver high-impact projects, which prioritise carbon reduction and provide community benefit. “We are building a powerful pipeline in the North West supported by our 159-year heritage as a complete construction partner. We are committed to providing clients with the high quality of pre-construction, delivery, and post-occupancy services that Stepnell is synonymous with, supported by a can-do approach.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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McAleer & Rushe posts record performance as pipeline strengthens for 2026 and beyond

McAleer & Rushe posts record performance as pipeline strengthens for 2026 and beyond

McAleer & Rushe has reported a year of strong financial performance, delivering record turnover and a significant rise in profitability as the business continues to expand its presence across key sectors. For 2025, the contractor achieved revenue of £627.7 million, representing a 27 per cent increase on the previous year. Pre tax profits also saw substantial growth, rising by 37 per cent to £22 million, reflecting a combination of disciplined delivery, project execution and a strong pipeline of work. The company has entered 2026 with continued momentum, supported by a robust order book and a high level of secured and future work. To date, McAleer & Rushe has secured £800 million in contracts, with a further £250 million where it has been named preferred contractor. In addition, the business is progressing £600 million of projects under pre construction services agreements, many of which are expected to move to site in 2027. This forward pipeline provides strong visibility over future workload and underpins confidence in the company’s growth trajectory. It also highlights the increasing role of early contractor involvement in securing major schemes, enabling greater certainty around cost, programme and buildability. Eamonn Laverty, chief executive at McAleer & Rushe, said the results demonstrate the strength of the company’s strategy and the commitment of its team. He noted that sustained growth has been driven by the quality of its project pipeline and long standing relationships with clients and partners across the industry. The contractor continues to focus on delivering complex, high quality schemes across sectors including residential, hospitality, commercial and mixed use development. Its integrated design and build model has enabled it to respond effectively to market conditions, while maintaining strong performance across both delivery and financial metrics. With a strengthened leadership team and continued investment in its operational capability, McAleer & Rushe is well positioned to build on its recent success. The combination of secured work, future opportunities and a growing reputation for delivery places the business in a strong position as it moves through 2026 and into the next phase of its growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Caddick Construction Group reports record £375m turnover

Caddick Construction Group reports record £375m turnover

Caddick Construction Group has reported a consolidated £375m turnover and £4.5m Profit Before Tax (PBT) for its last financial year as the Group’s Construction, Civil Engineering and Facades divisions target a combined 4% margin fuelled by a £1.4bn forward order book. Representing an 8% increase in revenue compared to 2023/24’s turnover, Caddick Construction Group’s financial performance also saw the Group end the year with £36m cash and cash equivalents, a 10% increase on the previous year. The 2024/25 performance consolidates all businesses within Caddick Construction Group, including Construction divisions in Yorkshire & North East, North West & Cumbria and the Midlands, as well as sub-contracting businesses, CCL Facades and Caddick Civil Engineering. Underpinning the progress, the year saw a series of key investments to support long-term growth. These include £600k in new plant for Caddick Civil Engineering, and investments in new premises in Durham, and a £500k refurbishment of the Warrington premises, including energy efficiency upgrades. Key project wins for the year include Stone Yard, a 1,000 home BTR development in Birmingham on behalf of sister company, Moda, and its joint venture partner, Aviva Capital Partners.  Caddick has also rapidly become an established presence in the North East, with major projects underway for Richardson Barberry in County Durham and Placefirst in Sunderland. Alongside pipeline and geographical growth, Caddick has balanced its public and private sector projects to ensure stable work pipelines. Within the reporting year, this included Caddick’s appointment to Prosper’s £500m New Build Development Framework and Torus’ £224m housing and retrofit framework.  New frameworks for Caddick also include four lots of the Department for Education’s (DfE) £15bn Construction Framework 2025 for projects valued from £4.4m to £12m in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, and North West and West Midlands.  The recent reported year also saw Caddick Construction Group welcome 100 new colleagues, invest in 26 new apprentices and trainees as well as achieving an industry leading health and safety record with an accident frequency rate of 0.08. The business’ ESG strategy, Places for Life, which it shares with the wider Caddick Group, continues to make a tangible difference to its communities, and reported a collective £189 million local spend in 2024. Throughout the year, Caddick Construction Group overcame a number of industry-wide headwinds, including project delays and viability challenges due to the Building Safety Act, inflationary pressures and material price volatility. The year also saw the business write off remaining legacy losses on projects adversely affected by hyperinflation and sub-contractor insolvency. (pictured) Paul Dodsworth, Group Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group: “We are delighted with a year of real progress across Caddick Construction Group. We share in the industry’s headwinds, and we are proud to have maintained a resilient and growing group of businesses despite these challenges. Our success is down to the hard work of our people and their wealth of expertise. We are determined to sustainably grow while retaining our reputation for high quality, and this is a vision we share as a team.  “With the Group’s strong short-term visibility and significant medium to long-term potential, the Board remains confident that our three-year journey to deliver a consistent 4% margin will be achieved. Alongside our pipeline growth, we will continue to invest in our people, our business and our capability to ensure we keep pace with the huge technological and policy changes our industry is seeing, so that we can continue to deliver exceptional work for our clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Visionary Finance completes £25.5 Million Ultra High-Net Worth lending facility on prime Holland Park residence

Visionary Finance completes £25.5 Million Ultra High-Net Worth lending facility on prime Holland Park residence

Visionary Finance has successfully structured and completed a £25.5 million lending facility for an Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Indian National residing in the Middle East, secured against a £42.5 million prime residential property on one of the most prestigious roads in London. The borrower was introduced by one of their professional partners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who approached Visionary Finance to assist their client in securing enhanced lending terms on their UK residence. Although the client had already received indicative terms directly from a lender, Visionary Finance was mandated to restructure and materially improve the financing package. Following a detailed assessment of the client’s complex cross-border income structure and international profile, Visionary Finance secured a £25.5 million lending facility from an international private bank on a 10-year interest-only term with a margin of 1.15% over Bank Base Rate (BBR), with no information relating to Assets Under Management (AUM) required. The facility refinances the existing mortgage with a capital raise to cover the costs of recent significant development works to the property. It represents a highly successful outcome in the Prime Central London market, particularly given the complex process, bespoke underwriting required to accommodate the client’s sophisticated income streams and expatriate status. This transaction reinforces Visionary Finance’s position as a leading advisor to HNW & UHNW clients, including those who are international based, seeking UK property finance solutions. Navigating multi-jurisdictional income, offshore structures, and lender appetite at this level requires deep market access and structuring expertise. Hiten Ganatra, Managing Director of Visionary Finance, commented: “When dealing with UHNW clients, the difference between indicative terms and optimised execution can be substantial. Our role was to interrogate the initial proposal, understand the client’s wider balance sheet and long-term objectives, and leverage our lender relationships to deliver materially stronger terms.  “Cases involving international clients often require careful presentation of layered income streams, corporate holdings and overseas assets. By structuring the deal correctly from the outset and working closely with our introducer partner, we were able to deliver a market-leading outcome.” Visionary Finance continues to advise High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) individuals on bespoke UK property finance solutions, with a particular focus on complex expat requirements, large-ticket lending, and structured facilities above £5 million. This transaction also highlights the strength of Visionary Finance’s relationships with its strategic partners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Helical builds momentum with major London pipeline and strong leasing activity

Helical builds momentum with major London pipeline and strong leasing activity

Helical plc has reported a period of strong operational and development progress, underpinned by robust leasing activity and a growing pipeline of prime office and mixed-use schemes across central London. In a trading update covering the period from October 2025 to April 2026, the developer highlighted continued momentum across its portfolio, particularly at The Bower in EC1 (pictured). A resurgence in demand from technology occupiers has translated into a series of lettings, including a circa 20,000 sq ft deal with AI platform incident.io, alongside a further 32,000 sq ft currently under offer. Additional lease regears across multiple floors are also progressing, with occupancy expected to rise to over 96% once transactions complete. Across its development pipeline, Helical now has more than 700,000 sq ft of office space under construction. This includes the imminent completion of 100 New Bridge Street, EC4, a 194,500 sq ft refurbishment which has been forward sold to State Street Corporation for £333 million. The project is set to complete on programme and budget, delivering a return of equity to the business. Further schemes nearing completion include Brettenham House in WC2 and 10 King William Street in EC4, both scheduled for delivery later this year. These projects are positioned to benefit from a supply-constrained prime office market, with early occupier interest already evident. Helical’s pipeline is being strengthened through its joint venture with Places for London. At Southwark, SE1, a 429-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme has been forward funded, significantly de-risking the project while targeting strong returns. Meanwhile, at Paddington, a 240,000 sq ft office scheme is progressing following site acquisition and the appointment of Mace as main contractor. The development is targeting high sustainability standards, including BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5.5-star ratings. In Farringdon, the joint venture has also secured planning consent for a new 55,000 sq ft office building at 63 Charterhouse Street, further expanding the group’s central London pipeline. Financially, Helical has strengthened its position through a £220 million development financing facility with PIMCO, supporting the delivery of the Paddington scheme and enhancing capital efficiency. Overall, the update reflects a developer capitalising on improving occupier demand, particularly in the technology sector, while advancing a pipeline of high-quality, sustainable office assets in prime London locations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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UK construction loses sight of recovery in the fog of war`

UK construction loses sight of recovery in the fog of war

Glenigan Review reveals choked activity as international conflict strangles pipeline Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Company (Glenigan), one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the April 2026 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of March 2026, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report providing a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the past year. The April Review paints a bleak picture of an industry buffeted by frustratingly persistent socioeconomic headwinds. The poor project starts figures, recorded in the three months to the end of March 2026, fell back 6%, whilst nosediving by 20% on 2025 levels. Glenigan’s data shows activity becoming increasingly uneven sector-wide and, whilst main contract awards rose against the preceding quarter (+30%) and last year (+3%), fewer projects are actually making it to site. As such, these positive results ring hollow. This cooling-off is acutely observed in a significant decline in detailed planning approvals, which saw their value slashed in half (-51%) compared to 2025 levels, falling by almost a third (-29%) during the review period. Global markets are in a state of shock, prompted by the escalation of the US/Iran war, which has led to the closure of key trading routes, damaging investor confidence. This is likely to exacerbate the current downward spiral over the coming months. Commenting on the April Review, Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s Economics Director, says, “Private investment and consumer spend has stalled. A general increase in the cost of living is squeezing household spending and denting homebuyers’ confidence, while investors are cautious given the weak economic outlook, stifling potential momentum in the property market and resulting in general wariness. The Iran War is exacerbating these pressures by stoking inflation and further weakening economic growth. Unfortunately, this situation is unlikely to end in the near term, with energy costs expected to remain high this year and the prospect of interest rates cuts fading fast. “This growing culture of cautiousness is extending to contractors, subcontractors and product manufacturers alike, where higher oil prices are starting to cascade down the supply chain, raising energy, material, transport and on-site costs. Already battling against uncomfortable financial conditions, skills shortages and a deluge of complex regulations, it’s little wonder that many are keeping their powder dry until economic stability returns.” Drilling down into the sector verticals, performance was inconsistent, in line with the overall findings of the April Review. Despite remaining well behind the preceding quarter’s results, there were a few indicators that show, when measured against 2025 levels, activity hasn’t completely ground to a halt and the pipeline flow, whilst weak, is still active. Taking a closer look… Strong starts According to Glenigan data, Offices, Hotel & Leisure and Education stood out during the quarter, registering strong year-on-year growth in project starts. Offices led the way with a 75% surge, while Hotel & Leisure and Education both posted 31% increases, a broadly positive picture against a backdrop of wider market uncertainty. That said, forward-looking indicators were more cautious across Office and Hotel & Leisure, with main contract awards and detailed planning approvals declining year-on-year in each case, suggesting the pipeline may soften in the months ahead. Within Offices, growth was broad-based, with the value of major projects rising by 84% year-on-year. Data centre construction has been a key driver, though the sector faces headwinds from rising industrial electricity costs and grid-connection delays, illustrated by the indefinite pause on OpenAI’s Stargate UK scheme in North Tyneside. In Hotel & Leisure, indoor leisure facilities and cinemas and theatres were the standout performers, rising 133% and 186% respectively, while hotels and guest houses fell 30%. Education continued to benefit from the Schools Rebuilding Programme, with schools dominating activity and university schemes contributing meaningfully, though college projects declined. Regionally, London dominated Office activity with starts up by 124% year-on-year, boosted by a major data centre scheme. The South West surged 15-fold. In Hotel & Leisure, Scotland led with a 205% rise, closely followed by London and the South West, which quadrupled year-on-year. Education starts were also strongest in London, with Scotland also making a solid contribution driven by public-sector investment. It’s a deal Two sectors registered a rise in main contract awards against 2025 levels during the quarter: Housing and Civil Engineering. Housing delivered a 41% increase year-on-year, while Civils posted an 11% rise, encouraging signals for future workloads in both sectors. The picture was more complex beneath the surface, however, with project starts declining in both cases and planning approvals remaining under pressure, particularly in Civils where approvals fell 81% year-on-year. In Housing, the uplift in starts was driven largely by major projects, with social sector housing the dominant force, up 230% year-on-year and accounting for 41% of all starts. Private housing and private apartments, by contrast, fell 44% and 50% respectively. The outlook is cautiously optimistic but fragile, with global instability and early signs of softening house prices (including a decline reported by Halifax) suggesting the recovery may be short-lived. In Civils, energy schemes remained a significant component despite falling below last year’s levels. Airport-related infrastructure recorded growth, albeit from a low base, and future investment in road, rail and utilities infrastructure is expected to provide a firmer foundation from 2026/27. Regionally, Yorkshire & the Humber dominated housing project starts, substantially driven by major social housing heating works in Leeds, while London was the second most active region, despite a moderate decline. In Civils, London led project starts, rising 143%, while Scotland accounted for the largest share of planning approvals at 20%, though activity there fell 39% year-on-year. Northern Ireland recorded sharp approval growth of 903%, pointing to potential future activity in the region. Seal of approval Glenigan’s data highlights that Health, Retail and Community & Amenity shared a common thread during the quarter: while project starts and main contract awards declined year-on-year

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Shawbrook provides £33m refinance facility for diversified UK commercial property portfolio

Shawbrook provides £33m refinance facility for diversified UK commercial property portfolio

Shawbrook has successfully delivered a £33 million refinance facility through its Structured Real Estate team, supporting a diversified portfolio of 20 commercial assets located across 19 towns in the UK. The transaction marks a new-to-bank relationship with an established UK property investor and highlights Shawbrook’s ability to structure tailored financing solutions for complex, multi-asset portfolios. The portfolio comprises more than 80 leases across a broad mix of commercial uses, offering significant diversification. While a limited number of assets fall within sectors such as cinemas and bingo halls, these are balanced by the scale of the portfolio and a robust asset management strategy. The borrower has also demonstrated a clear and credible business plan, supporting both ongoing performance and Shawbrook’s long-term exit strategy. The five-year facility has been structured with a repayment profile aligned to anticipated cash flows, ensuring flexibility while maintaining strong risk discipline. The investor is a well-capitalised UK property company backed by an experienced sponsor and a proven asset management team. Asset management is led by Capreon, which oversees more than £1.5 billion of European real estate. Capreon’s extensive experience across market cycles provides confidence in the delivery of the portfolio’s business plan, including value-enhancing initiatives and planned disposals. This transaction aligns strongly with Shawbrook’s credit appetite and demonstrates the bank’s capability to understand and support complex real estate strategies while maintaining a disciplined approach to risk. Robert Mackenzie-Carmichael, Managing Director at Capreon, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with the Shawbrook team on this financing. Their commercial approach and collaborative mindset stood out. Shawbrook demonstrated a strong understanding of the assets and our business plan, delivering a flexible and well-structured financing solution aligned with our long-term strategy. We look forward to expanding the relationship as we continue to grow and actively manage this and our wider portfolios.” Tirath Singh, Relationship Director at Shawbrook Structured Real Estate, added: “This project highlights our structuring capabilities in coordinating so many moving parts. It demonstrates how we were able to deliver a fully tailored solution that aligned seamlessly with the portfolio’s asset management plan.” Shawbrook looks forward to building on this new relationship and supporting the borrower, sponsor and Capreon on future opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Homes England sponsors funding deal with Richborough

Homes England sponsors funding deal with Richborough

Richborough has agreed a multi-million-pound debt facility with Homes England to accelerate planning activity and support the government’s target of delivering 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament. The flexible funding arrangement will enable the company to invest in new sites and planning applications across England, increasing the supply of consented land for SMEs, housing associations and major housebuilders. The agreement marks one of the first commitments made through the National Housing Bank, a newly established vehicle operating under Homes England. The bank is designed to provide government-backed financing to unlock housing and regeneration projects while attracting private investment and boosting delivery at scale. Richborough has outlined ambitious plans for the year ahead, with more than 30 planning applications expected to be submitted in 2026, covering around 12,500 new homes. This follows a strong performance in 2025, when the company submitted applications for approximately 9,000 homes and completed land sales to major developers including Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Bromford, Charles Church, Vistry Group and Taylor Wimpey. Simon Century, Chief Executive Officer for the National Housing Bank, said: “Homes England works with partners who share our ambition to accelerate the delivery of quality homes in the places they are needed most. Our loan with Richborough, supported through the National Housing Bank, demonstrates our commitment to enabling housing delivery where it can have the greatest impact.” Paul Campbell, Chief Executive at Richborough, added: “We are delighted to partner with Homes England to scale Richborough’s impact for housing delivery. Decision times for major planning applications are taking three times longer now than in 2014* and against this backdrop, flexible long-term capital is essential. This facility gives us the confidence to invest earlier in more sites, maintain momentum through the planning process, and bring forward high-quality, well-designed schemes that can be built quickly once consented.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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