MIKE TYLER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT WSP, JOINS THE BOARD – After seeking a new national board member to fulfil the role of North West Regional Director, networking group the Forum for the Built Environment (FBE) have appointed Mike Tyler of global construction consultants WSP. Tyler returns to the FBE
The construction division of The Premier Group, specialists in retail forecourts and commercial fuel installations, has appointed a new director to its board, strengthening the company’s leadership with a dedicated staff member. Shane Fairburn, new director at the construction division of The Premier Group, has worked with the Swansea-based company
BE DESIGN, the multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering practice, is rounding off the year with a series of significant new appointments, announcing seven additional members to its team. The practice celebrated its fifth anniversary this year and works across a number of sectors – from retail and leisure to residential and
Going back to work after taking time off, for whatever reason, can often be daunting. Making the transition to your old professional self, which has been on hold for so long, can make anyone feel like an impostor. If you’re in a situation where you have to find a job
Local school and college students were given an insight into the wide variety of career opportunities available in building maintenance and construction at a special event organised by Magenta Living, one of the North West’s leading housing providers, to encourage more young women into the industry. The Girls in Construction
A training hub aimed at providing opportunities for the unemployed, addressing Shropshire’s housing shortage, and boosting the county’s construction industry, has been given the go-ahead after a £650,000 Government grant was secured by a strong consortium of local businesses. Known as the Marches Construction Ready Partnership the group which includes
Developer Crest Nicholson has launched a new dedicated training scheme for former members of the Armed Forces, agreeing to offer army veterans the opportunity to build a career in the housebuilding sector with its new scheme. “As a nation, we owe a great deal to our Armed Forces and it
Hull-based TLJ Security Systems’ electrical engineering apprentice, Lewis Wankiewicz, has won two awards at the Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE) Awards 2018. The event, held at Hull’s Guildhall on 9th November, was a celebration of the achievements of apprentices, learners and businesses across the Hull and East Yorkshire region.
A new construction skills course funded by developer Berkeley Homes will provide practical experience of working in construction to a group of Year 10 students from Bay House School’ Enterprise Academy. By funding this new innovative course, Berkeley Homes hopes not only to provide a valuable opportunity to the students
THE MOST transformational office development scheme to happen in the East Midlands in more than a decade has been submitted to Nottingham City Council, creating thousands of jobs – and setting a ‘cornerstone’ for the city’s Southern Gateway. Developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have lodged a planning application to
MIKE TYLER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT WSP, JOINS THE BOARD – After seeking a new national board member to fulfil the role of North West Regional Director, networking group the Forum for the Built Environment (FBE) have appointed Mike Tyler of global construction consultants WSP. Tyler returns to the FBE following a brief spell away to focus on his family commitments. He was previously involved with the FBE Manchester group, utilising his extensive experience of dealing with the Public Sector. As Regional Director, Tyler will be supporting and advising the Lancashire, Liverpool and Manchester FBE branches, as well as giving North West members a voice on the larger, national stage by feeding back to the wider group. One of his key aims will be to engage with potential speakers, and drive attendance to the FBE’s fantastic range of events in the North West. Of his appointment, Tyler said: “I am thrilled to be asked to join the board, particularly at such an exciting time for the region with businesses thriving and expanding in the North West. I can’t wait to work alongside the existing board members to help the FBE keep moving forward and cement our status as the go-to national networking group for the construction industry.” David Jones, National Chairman of the FBE, added: “Mike is a fantastic addition to the FBE Board. His experience in the sector as well as his knowledge of Manchester and the North West made him an obvious choice for the appointment.” The Liverpool and Manchester branches are already collaborating on upcoming events, including a breakfast celebrating the achievements of the whole North West region to be held in Chester on the 9th January.
The construction division of The Premier Group, specialists in retail forecourts and commercial fuel installations, has appointed a new director to its board, strengthening the company’s leadership with a dedicated staff member. Shane Fairburn, new director at the construction division of The Premier Group, has worked with the Swansea-based company since June 2014. He has undertaken various roles during his time with the company including project manager, head of major works and most recently, head of contracts. Fairburn’s promotion to director has been in recognition of the integral part he plays within the business. His outstanding enthusiasm, contribution and commitment to his role will be invaluable to the company’s board. His dedication to The Premier Group will also enable the company to capture and implement the vision of the next generation into the future strategy of the business. One of The Premier Group’s core values is ‘people’, which enables the business to focus on recognising, rewarding and promoting its employees. Fairburn’s invitation to become a director is testament to this, showing the company’s commitment to recognising and rewarding its employees for their hard work and dedication to the company. Steve Evans, managing director of the construction division of The Premier Group, said: “Shane’s appointment to the board is recognition of his hard work and commitment to the business and I am personally thankful for the support he has given me over the last few years. I have worked with Shane since he first joined the business and have seen first-hand his development into his role. He has been a huge inspiration to others through leading and developing his own team. It has been a true pleasure to witness Shane’s progress and I look forward to him being a valuable member of the board.” Shane Fairburn, director at the construction division of The Premier Group, added: “I am thrilled to have been invited to join the board of The Premier Group and am thankful to the team for all their support and guidance over the years. The company has always been incredibly supportive of each employee’s development and this promotion just shows how hard work is recognised and rewarded. I am keen to begin my journey as a director and contribute beneficial insights to our strategy going forward.” The Premier Group is a leading UK independent fuel engineering company that operates as two main divisions: construction and maintenance. The company works with many major national brands, including BP, Esso, Shell, MFG, MRH, Rontec, Asda and Tesco.
BE DESIGN, the multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering practice, is rounding off the year with a series of significant new appointments, announcing seven additional members to its team. The practice celebrated its fifth anniversary this year and works across a number of sectors – from retail and leisure to residential and industrial – designing projects across the UK and throughout Europe. A number of appointments have been made to the technical team, including Adam Hancocks, who brings 12 years’ experience to his new role as principal engineer. He will be working on the development of Grantham Designer Outlet Village and various international projects. Speaking of his new role, Adam said; “Having worked in the industry in the East Midlands since graduating, I’m really pleased to be staying in the region and joining the BE Design family. I’m looking forward to getting to know my clients, understanding their projects and applying my technical skills to solve problems and deliver high-quality buildings with a variety of end uses. “One thing that really drew me to the company was the friendly environment and focus on training and development, and I’m looking forward to furthering not only my own development, but that of other team members through mentoring.” Joining Adam will be: Tim Wallis, senior engineering BIM technician; Sam Johnson, engineering BIM technician; Sophie Hayes and Will Turner, junior BIM technicians and Su Ford, administration assistant. Katie Barnes also joins the team as an architectural placement student from Newcastle University. Stephen Oakden, director at BE Design said: “At BE Design, we know that the people in our practice are the key to our success as a business. With their passion, and the support of our development programmes, we work together as a close-knit team to ensure that our clients receive service that exceeds their expectations every time. “We recently announced a raft of internal promotions, and we’re thrilled to be following that with this boost of new staff throughout the technical and support teams. Myself and the wider team look forward to working alongside this talented influx of new staff and wish them all the best in their new roles.” Find out more about BE Design at www.bedesign.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @B_E_Design.
Going back to work after taking time off, for whatever reason, can often be daunting. Making the transition to your old professional self, which has been on hold for so long, can make anyone feel like an impostor. If you’re in a situation where you have to find a job first, then it’s even more difficult as the inevitable worry of how to explain the long break surfaces. Whatever the circumstances surrounding your absence from work, there are some steps you can take to make the transition easier. Below we have created some helpful points to consider before returning to work. Reconnect with Your Professional Self Working, even part time, usually comes with a routine but taking a break from this can mean slipping into late nights and even later wake up times. Start by building up a routine again, rising at the same time every day and getting dressed in comfortable but smart clothing. If you need to find a job then treat this as your main activity, dedicate morning hours, broken up with a lunch hour, before completing the search in the afternoon. Update you CV and take a look at your LinkedIn profile, ensuring that it’s looking good. Reconnecting with some former colleagues is also a good idea whether you’re searching for employment or getting ready to make a return to work. You’ll ease yourself, get some helpful information and open yourself up to professional opportunities. Manage Expectations Once you’re back at work, it’s important to manage your manager’s and your own expectation regarding how fast you’ll be able to catch up. Ask for a meeting with your manager and have an honest conversation about what you need to get back into the swing of things. Doing so will ease a lot of the anxiety surrounding being at work and feeling out of the loop. Perhaps it may be useful for you to shadow a colleague, spending a week taking notes and acclimatising to the office. Don’t be afraid to be honest (though always professional), it will demonstrate good judgement and your ability to prioritise, coupled with a willingness to be a great employee. Be Prepared to Explain Your Career Break People are naturally curious; whether you’re returning to your previous office or joining a new one, be prepared to get a lot of questions about your break and previous jobs. You don’t have to disclose anything you’re not comfortable with – take a few moments to think of what you might reply with, so you’re not caught out without anything to say. It can even be a polite ‘I hope you’ll understand but I don’t feel comfortable discussing this’ alongside a smile and people will leave you alone. Otherwise, keep your answers brief to start until you establish more of a connection with your colleagues. It’s natural to feel anxious about returning to work following a career break. Remember, there are multiple resources out there available to help you make the transition. One great place to visit if Randstad’s Returning to Work hub, featuring stories and advice from people who have done it before.
Local school and college students were given an insight into the wide variety of career opportunities available in building maintenance and construction at a special event organised by Magenta Living, one of the North West’s leading housing providers, to encourage more young women into the industry. The Girls in Construction open day was held at Magenta Living’s Building Services Depot in Birkenhead, home to the housing provider’s team of more than 150 highly-skilled building services technicians. The team provides a broad range of specialist services to Magenta Living customers, across the 13,000 properties the organisation currently owns and manages in Wirral and throughout the North West. Services delivered include 24/7 emergency response repairs, refurbishments, maintenance, building renovations and conversions, electrical engineering, plumbing, joinery and decorating. Female students were invited to see the team in action, with a series of practical demonstrations and talks put on to increase awareness of the diverse career paths available to them across the building maintenance and construction industry. Plumbing, joinery, plastering and decorating were all showcased, and students heard from Magenta Living painter Cathy Jackson who shared her own personal development story, having originally joined the organisation ten years ago via an apprenticeship. The event was opened by Michelle Plimley, Magenta Living Head of Voids and Allocations, who explained her role in the organisation, along with Head of Business Development for Building Services, Mike Cliff, who talked about the vital part apprentices play in delivering excellent services for Magenta Living’s customers. Students were able to take a tour around the Building Services depot, which included a session with Leona Roper, assistant branch manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services, who explained what her role is and how her company manages Magenta Living’s repair and maintenance supplies. Leona gave her audience a sneak peek into the Travis Perkins dedicated store facility at Magenta Living’s Building Services Depot, which gives repair and maintenance staff instant access to the materials they require on a daily basis. Magenta Living also invited three of its IT high-fliers to talk to the young women attending the open day, to help illustrate that building and construction also encompasses a wide variety of business support roles. Jen Tyler and Anne Carr, who have reached the finals of this year’s Women in IT Excellence Awards, along with Paige Carr, ICT Apprentice, gave an insight into their day-to-day work and the opportunities available to women in STEM related areas of the industry. The event was designed in conjunction with Wirral Metropolitan College, a further and higher education college offering courses and diploma qualifications from entry level to degree. The college has been a source of local, talented apprentices for Magenta Living for some time and earlier this year, the two organisations formed a new mutually beneficial partnership. Under the agreement, the college provides insight and expertise to help Magenta Living strengthen the capabilities of its workforce whilst Magenta Living helps to shape the development of Wirral Met’s curriculum to ensure it meets the needs of its business. Magenta Living also provides work experience and apprenticeship opportunities for students. Students from Wirral Metropolitan College joined year 9 to 11 pupils from Birkenhead Park School and Bebington High at the open day. Joanne Francom, Director of HR & Organisational Development at Magenta Living said, “It was fantastic to engage with young women from our local schools and colleges through this event and, hopefully, to open their eyes to the exciting variety of careers avaliable within the building maintenance and construction industry. The housing sector relies heavily on skilled tradespeople and we need to tap into female talent to help ensure we have the right skills in place going forward. We have some outstanding female team members at Magenta Living but we recognise that our organisation, along with the rest of the industry needs to do more to encourage women into building and construction. “While there have been some positive changes in terms of gender diversity in building and construction in recent years – with more than a quarter of positions in the industry expected to be filled by women by 2020, we still have a long way to go. “Of course it’s important that women of all ages come to see building and construction as a viable career path, and Cathy Jackson who joined us as an apprentice in her 30s illustrates that age barriers aren’t an issue to entry, but a big part of making change happen is building awareness of opportunities from an early age and helping to break down the gender stereotypes by engaging with school children and actually demonstrating to girls that they can do what would have traditionally been male-dominated roles. This was a pilot event for us but, given its success, we look forward to holding similar events in future.” The event was sponsored by The Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub,and funded as part of the Employees Support in Skills Project funded by the European Social Fund / Education and Skills Funding Agency. Chris Eriksen, Hub Skills Broker from the Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub attended the open day and said, “It’s fantastic to see a local company opening up its business like this to help bring apprenticeships and career opportunities to life for young women.This was an excellent showcase of the types of sought after skills that can be acquired via an apprenticeship with organisations like Magenta Living.” Carmell Denton, a joinery student from Wirral Metropolitan College who went along to the open day added, “Pro-active events like this will help to shift the balance in what has been a very male-dominated environment and encourage more women like myself to pursue a skilled trade and make their mark in the industry.” Pictured: Wirral Met Students (right to left: Jenny Yarrow, Carmell Denton, Jamie-Lee Wockenforth, Zoe Martindale) and their tutor, Victoria Dann- Head of Construction, with Magenta Living Plumber Dave Stenhouse
A training hub aimed at providing opportunities for the unemployed, addressing Shropshire’s housing shortage, and boosting the county’s construction industry, has been given the go-ahead after a £650,000 Government grant was secured by a strong consortium of local businesses. Known as the Marches Construction Ready Partnership the group which includes The Wrekin Housing Trust, training provider Landau Ltd, Telford College, Beattie Passive and Hawk Safety & Training, aims to introduce around 400 skilled construction workers to the Marches area by training the long-term unemployed, students and people looking to make a career change into the construction industry. The initiative will see a construction manufacturing hub based in Telford, where learners will be taught key construction and offsite manufacturing skills needed. Learners will also receive the training necessary for the first stage construction processes for passive housing, which are advanced, low energy, draft-free buildings featuring high performance insulation to effectively eliminate heat loss. Most of the heating in these properties comes from sunlight, electrical appliances and even body heat meaning almost no heating systems are required. There will also be two mobile training hubs providing all training activities for learners on building sites across the Marches. Professionals from The Wrekin Housing Trust will oversee the supervision and management of trainees at both the on-site hubs and construction sites. Each learner will be assigned a construction worker ‘buddy’ to build confidence, ensure a supportive learning environment and reduce drop-out rates. Learners on the scheme could gain ongoing employment opportunities with The Wrekin Housing Trust and other local construction sector partners. Wayne Gethings, The Trust’s Managing Director, said: “This is a fantastic project on so many levels. It will provide training and jobs for those who have struggled to find work, which in turn means giving the construction industry access a much-needed workforce. “We are really pleased to have had the support of Telford and Wrekin Council during the bid stage of this project and we look forward to working with them and the other local authorities across the Marches area to deliver on the project by providing training opportunities and much needed affordable homes.” Sonia Roberts, CEO at Landau Ltd, said: “The hubs will provide high-quality on-site environment to engage with those who have previously struggled with traditional learning environments, taking them successfully through the ‘Work Ready’, ‘Site Ready’, ‘Skills Ready’ course modules. “The factory training hub will be equipped to focus upon learning skills used in construction- manufacturing of Passivhaus structural panels. The skill set taught is transferable within the construction industry and enables the learner to quickly master local industry-required manufacturing techniques.” Graham Guest, Principal and CEO at Telford College, said: “We provide opportunities for learning across a whole range of subjects everyday and we are really excited to be part of this project working with local employers to help provide the skills for individuals to enter the construction industry. At Telford College we will be working with learners on their employability skills during the work ready module, which will complement the hands-on skills that they will move on to.” Matt Bourne, General Manager at Safety and Training which is part of the Hawk Group, said: “We relish the opportunity to be working on this project with local partners to provide opportunities to get into such a rewarding industry. At Safety and Training we provide learning and support to many of the construction sector’s biggest players and during this project we will be helping to make the learners site ready.” Martin Rinvolucri at Passivhaus designers Beattie Passive said: “The Passivhaus structures will ensure that the homes built for affordable rent, will be of the highest quality and performance. The homes will be extremely comfortable and promote healthy living, have low maintenance costs over the long-term and up to 90% fuel reduction, helping to eradicate fuel poverty”. Gill Hamer, Director of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership which supported the funding bid, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have supported this project throughout its development and worked with industry to bring much-needed on-site construction skills training to the region. “This scheme will help boost our economy, create employment opportunities and offer a new route into the construction industry for anyone wishing to develop their skills.” Funding for this project comes from the Construction Skills Fund which aims to create 20 training hubs around the country. The 18-month scheme is funded by the Department for Education administered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Developer Crest Nicholson has launched a new dedicated training scheme for former members of the Armed Forces, agreeing to offer army veterans the opportunity to build a career in the housebuilding sector with its new scheme. “As a nation, we owe a great deal to our Armed Forces and it is particularly pertinent at this time of year to reaffirm our commitment to them,” said Patrick Bergin, CEO of Crest Nicholson. “Currently, we have a number of employees across our business who have been involved with, or touched by, the Armed Forces. They bring a wealth of transferable skills, experience and values to their roles thanks to the world-class training they have received during their time with the military and we recognise the valuable contribution they can make to our business. It gives me great pride to sign the Armed Forces Covenant today and to formalise our ongoing commitment to supporting these men and women.” The agreement was signed by Patrick Bergin and Lt Col Paddy Baines MBE, who signed it on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Crest Nicholson hosted the signing event at its Arborfield Green development, which is being delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Defence on the site of the former Arborfield Garrison. “The Armed Forces Covenant relies on the people, communities, and businesses of the UK to actively support it and make a difference. Clearly Crest Nicholson PLC already recognise the benefits of engaging with defence particularly in the employment of skilled service leavers and we look forward to furthering our mutually beneficial relationship,” added Lieutenant Colonel Baines. Crest Nicholson has been building new homes for over 50 years and is firmly established as a leading developer with a passion for not just building homes, but creating vibrant sustainable communities. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities, both now and in the future, by providing better homes, workplaces, retail and leisure spaces.
Hull-based TLJ Security Systems’ electrical engineering apprentice, Lewis Wankiewicz, has won two awards at the Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE) Awards 2018. The event, held at Hull’s Guildhall on 9th November, was a celebration of the achievements of apprentices, learners and businesses across the Hull and East Yorkshire region. Born out of the successful partnership HTAE has with local employers and partners each winner had an inspiring story to tell, making them true ambassadors in their field. The awards themselves were sponsored by local companies who are all passionate about providing apprenticeship and work placements to local people. TLJ are delighted to announce that Lewis, 19, won two headline awards at the event: The Engineering Centre Apprentice of the Year and the HTAE Learner of the Year prize. A distinguished panel of judges, including local employers, past apprenticeship award winners and partners chose Lewis for his dedication and commitment to the business, as well as his exceptional professional, technical and personal development. Claire Martin, TLJ’s Head of Human Resources, said: “We are so proud of Lewis! He has visibly grown in confidence and stature during the time of his apprenticeship with us but was, frankly, a little overwhelmed by his double win. But it was fully deserved: despite being a naturally shy person, Lewis has grown into a strong team player and demonstrates an active focus on site safety. He has not only become technically skilled within the area of access control but also developed the ‘soft’ skills required when dealing with customers. Lewis’ success confirms our belief that even smaller companies can benefit from employing apprentices.” Sharon Gamble, Assistant City Manager with Hull City Council, said: “We truly believe that good education and work-based training plays a crucial role in building a bright future for our learners. It’s great that, through the HTAE awards scheme, we get the chance to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, employers, trainers and partners. It’s great for the commercial future of our city, and the wider economy of the country.” TLJ were also category sponsors for The Engineering Centre Mike Brown Award for Outstanding Achievement. For more information contact Sean Wilson, TLJ Marketing Manager, 01482 830334, s.wilson@tljlimited.com
A new construction skills course funded by developer Berkeley Homes will provide practical experience of working in construction to a group of Year 10 students from Bay House School’ Enterprise Academy. By funding this new innovative course, Berkeley Homes hopes not only to provide a valuable opportunity to the students taking part, but also to inspire more young people to consider a career in construction related industries. Initially twelve students will take part in the 30-week course, which starts this month and will run through the school year, resulting in a BTEC Level 1 Extended Certificate in Construction. This will involve attending Highbury College in Portsmouth once a week to undertake modules in topics such as carpentry, plastering and bricklaying, as well as health and safety. The teenagers will gain hands-on experience of working at Berkeley’s nearby Royal Clarence Marina development in Gosport. Regular visits will give students a chance to set foot on a live construction site, watch The Bridge House develop, and meet the Project Team. “We are pleased to welcome the students to this unique programme that offers a wide range of practical and employability skills that we hope they will find positively engaging. The construction industry is crying out for more young people to take an interest in jobs in this sector, so we want to give them a taster of some vocational skills that could lead to stable employment. For students that find traditional academia challenging, school can be a disillusioning place so it is great to be able to provide a different kind of opportunity to those young people,” said Chris Gilbert, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes (Southern). Bay House School’s Enterprise Academy, based on Military Road, is a facility designed for young people that need extra support and who can find it more challenging to work in a classroom environment. As well as doing core GCSEs in English, mathematics, science and ICT, they work towards accredited qualifications in vocational and business skills. This course is delivered in partnership with Highbury College in Portsmouth, which is experienced in providing pre-16 courses and has excellent construction course facilities.
THE MOST transformational office development scheme to happen in the East Midlands in more than a decade has been submitted to Nottingham City Council, creating thousands of jobs – and setting a ‘cornerstone’ for the city’s Southern Gateway. Developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have lodged a planning application to bring 62,022 sq m of Grade A office space to Unity Square, the 1.14 hectare site in Queensbridge Road, opposite Nottingham Train Station. The eagerly anticipated scheme will advance the £250 million Southern Gateway regeneration project – creating a new business district within an area of the city desperately in need of redevelopment. The planning application encompasses two office buildings – the first being ten storeys and the second being 13 storeys high. The build will be in two phases with landscaping and an attractive urban space connecting Unity Square and the station, creating a stunning entrance to this part of the city. The height and scale of the office buildings, along with urban spaces is set to create a brand new city landscape. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates purchased Unity Square in 2015 and demolished the derelict car park buildings last year. Unity Square is seen as a crucial area of redevelopment with huge potential – and a cornerstone of Nottingham City Council’s vision for the city’s Southern Gateway, said Ralph Jones, MD of Peveril Securities. Today’s planning application hails the next step of the Unity Square story – and development is likely to commence early in 2019. The contractor is Bowmer & Kirkland. Jones said: “There is significant long-term investment in this area of the city. Nottingham Train Station was the catalyst and coming up is intu Broadmarsh’s forthcoming redevelopment along with other significant schemes expected over the next couple of years. “It is an exciting time for Nottingham with many significant schemes on the horizon and cranes expected on the Unity Square site in the next 12 months. “Looking ahead, the occupiers of Unity Square will be at the heart of this regenerated area of Nottingham, allowing them to take advantage of the multitude of local facilities and excellent transport links.” “The city council has been proactive in supporting the scheme which has generated strong interest from a number of office occupiers. Now that the existing buildings on site have been demolished, it is possible to see the huge potential for not just this site, but for the city as a whole,” said Nick Sladen, Sladen Estates’ chief executive “Unity Square is a major piece in the Southern Gateway jigsaw. “Unfortunately, Nottingham has struggled to provide Grade A office space over the last few years. Unity Square will help to bridge that gap. “With hundreds of people working in offices in Unity Square, we see ourselves as helping bring forward an entirely new business community – breathing new life into the southern gateway – and boosting the Nottingham economy. “There will be significant job creation up to and during the build programme, and once complete local eateries and shops will benefit from the hundreds of people working there. “Unity Square will benefit from Nottingham’s superb transport links – bus, train and tram -and it will create a magnificent backdrop for commuters arriving from Nottingham Station – providing the sort of dynamic surroundings you’d expect to see as you step from the train in one of the UK’s Core Cities. “We have strong occupier interest in the site, which is why we’ve submitted a planning application. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have an in-depth knowledge of the local market and national development, along with contracting expertise, and has the scale, expertise and resources to bring this scheme to fruition,” Sladen added. Lorraine Baggs, head of investment at Invest in Nottingham, said: “Unity Square is a prominent high quality development in this significant part of Nottingham – already seeing a massive resurgence in attracting multi-million pound regeneration. “The scheme indicates the growing confidence in Nottingham as a city which is ripe for both occupiers and developers and we anticipate other substantial interest over the months to come. 2019 is gearing up to be a momentous year not just for Nottingham’s regeneration plans as a whole, but for this area of the city to considerably advance its landscape.” Based in the East Midlands, and headquartered in Derbyshire, Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have an established background in the regional commercial property market. They have a track record of delivering large-scale developments across the UK. Over the last 20 years, they have jointly completed projects worth more than £500 million in sectors including office, industrial, leisure and student accommodation. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have a portfolio with a development end value of around £750 million. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates bought the Unity Square site from Peel Land and Property Group in 2015 for an undisclosed sum. The site came with planning approval for a mixed use scheme of office, hotel, retail and leisure. This new planning submission will supersede the previous application.
