EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network
A leading Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support the development of half a dozen new gyms across the UK. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to project manage and provide quantity surveying to gyms being developed by The Gym Group. The new contracts will bring to
Enhancing LSH’s service offering across South-East England, leveraging SHW’s local expertise and strong client relationships. Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has taken the first major step forward in its mission to become the UK’s leading commercial property advisory firm by acquiring a majority stake in leading South-East England consultancy SHW. As
CBRE has announced the appointment of Denis McGowan as Executive Managing Director within its Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Financial & Professional Services Sector, reinforcing the company’s global leadership with seasoned expertise. In his new role, McGowan will lead enterprise accounts across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as well
Homes and businesses will benefit from reduced flood risk as part of the Cardigan Tidal Flood Scheme, the West Wales project that also aims to enhance biodiversity and contribute to community life. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has appointed Binnies, an RSK Group company, to bring a range of skills to
Two property and energy experts have today launched Hertford Birch, a specialist energy commercialisation consultancy. Co-founded by Richard Price and Ben Smith, the firm aims to provide strategic advice and brokerage services to help landlords and operators commercialise power across their assets. Operating across the UK, Hertford Birch will act
Newmark Group, has appointed Vinnie Kilner, Parin Patel, Alfie Molloy, Ine Roren, Nathan Archer and Alfie Tierney to form its Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Project and Cost Management practice. The sustainability conscious, commercially-minded construction experts will support clients in the UK and Europe, providing specialist project, programme and cost management
Geoscience experts have used their specialist rope access skills and inflatable boats to extract concrete samples from inside Sheffield’s Megatron culvert. The culvert is a concrete tunnel beneath Sheffield that carries the River Sheaf. The work is part of a project that has seen a section of the river uncovered
Global real estate firm Avison Young UK has been appointed by the University of Kent as a strategic advisor to bring its Northern Land Holdings in Canterbury to market. Spanning 97 hectares (240 acres) the site has the potential to deliver around 2,000 new homes, commercial uses and supporting social
Liverpool City Council has launched a public consultation on proposed improvements to the Chinatown area, focusing on Great George’s Square. The council, working with community groups and the University of Liverpool Architecture School, has developed plans to attract visitors, investment, and create an enhanced neighbourhood. The project’s centrepiece is the
EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network of higher education institutions across the North East of England. NEUPC is a professional buying organisation working on behalf of its North-East (NE5) members, which include Northumbria, Sunderland, Newcastle, Teesside and Durham universities. The two-year NEUPC framework, which includes an option to extend by four more years, enables EDGE to provide construction project management services on up to £6.6 million worth of projects per year – supporting the development of campus facilities and driving the decarbonisation of university estates. EDGE is at the forefront of the higher education sector, working closely with its partners to address the challenges faced with declining enrolments, financial constraints and funding cuts, estate space utilisation and the transition towards net zero. Hughie Clarke, Business Development and Marketing Director at EDGE, commented: “We’re extremely proud to have been appointed to the NEUPC framework and look forward to continuing to grow strong relationships with the many great institutions across the North East of England. As a business, we are hugely invested in the North East and understand the priorities and pressures currently facing our universities in the region. “EDGE is now firmly established as a specialist in higher education, with deep sector understanding and the ability to support universities with their ever-evolving needs. Frameworks bring real value – helping simplify procurement, accelerate project start times, and providing greater assurance on costs and deliverability.” The appointment adds to EDGE’s growing number of higher education clients and framework awards across the UK, supporting the likes of University of Birmingham, University of Greenwich, University of Reading, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Sheffield and Manchester Metropolitan University. Notably, EDGE is working on the University of Leeds’ £150 million strategy to achieve Net Zero, providing cost management services that ensure value-for-money while optimising environmental performance. “Universities face complex challenges at this moment in time – from decarbonising their estates to maintaining competitiveness amidst rising costs and fluctuating student numbers,” Clarke continued. “Through our framework roles, we’re helping universities to make their existing assets work harder, upgrading infrastructure, and creating vibrant, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready campuses.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A leading Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support the development of half a dozen new gyms across the UK. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to project manage and provide quantity surveying to gyms being developed by The Gym Group. The new contracts will bring to more than 50 the number of gym projects supported by TCC for the Croydon-based group. The latest contracts will provide new gyms all over the UK including London, West Yorkshire, East Anglia and Scotland. They are due for completion later this year. TCC has been involved in projects for The Gym Group for several years and has delivered fitness facilities in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Nottingham, Southampton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Edinburgh among others. TCC director James Smith said, “The Gym Group has been a loyal client of ours for several years and we are delighted to be able to support their ambitious plans to roll out more facilities in the UK, using our extensive project management and quantity surveying capabilities.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Enhancing LSH’s service offering across South-East England, leveraging SHW’s local expertise and strong client relationships. Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has taken the first major step forward in its mission to become the UK’s leading commercial property advisory firm by acquiring a majority stake in leading South-East England consultancy SHW. As part of Connells Group—owned by Skipton Building Society and the UK’s largest residential estate agency—LSH is expanding rapidly through a mix of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. This strategic partnership is a key plank of LSH’s growth plan, and strengthens its regional commitment to providing best-in-class services. LSH and SHW share a belief in local insight, strong client relationships and hands-on service delivery. SHW will continue operating as a partnership under its name across its ten offices in South-East England, including Brighton, Eastbourne, Fleet, Worthing, Crawley, Leatherhead, Kingston, Bromley, Croydon and London’s West End. Its suite of services, from agency and transactions to architecture, planning and building consultancy, with a team of over 200 professionals, perfectly complements LSH’s nationwide network of 30 offices and 15 service lines. Together, LSH and SHW will provide enhanced reach that deepens their client service capabilities across England, while providing even greater opportunities for their talent to flourish. Ezra Nahome, Chief Executive of Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity of investing in SHW. We see significant opportunity to drive revenue and grow profits. SHW are a great firm with a winning culture. This investment endorses our commitment to the growth in regions in the UK.” Russell Markham, Managing Partner of SHW, said: “This collaboration marks a significant step forward, enabling SHW to accelerate corporate growth and help to achieve our key business expansion objectives. Through this partnership, we look forward to further enhancing our service offering to clients whilst expanding our reach across the South and within the property industry. “In particular, the investment will also allow us to expand into Kent and Essex to widen our client services and reach.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE has announced the appointment of Denis McGowan as Executive Managing Director within its Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Financial & Professional Services Sector, reinforcing the company’s global leadership with seasoned expertise. In his new role, McGowan will lead enterprise accounts across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as well as the Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions. McGowan joins CBRE from international property development firm Osborne+Co, where he oversaw major client relationships with global banking giants such as Santander, Citi and Wells Fargo, alongside partnerships with forward-thinking operators like BoB W. His deep industry knowledge was honed over a 14-year tenure as Global Head of Property at Standard Chartered Bank, where he oversaw workplace strategies for more than 85,000 employees across over 60 markets. This strategic hire signals CBRE’s continued investment in delivering end-to-end real estate solutions that respond to the evolving needs of financial and professional services clients. McGowan will partner closely with Paul Hubbard-Brown, recently named Head of Financial & Professional Services Sector within CBRE’s UK Advisory business, to strengthen integration across service lines and geographies. Reporting to Mike Hart, Sector President for GWS Financial & Professional Services, McGowan is poised to drive forward CBRE’s mission to deliver tailored, insight-led solutions that address both global complexity and local context. “Client needs are quickly evolving, and it is more important than ever that we deliver integrated value propositions,” said Mike Hart. “Denis’s experience and expertise make him uniquely qualified to help clients navigate industry-specific challenges. His appointment, coupled with the strengthening of our Advisory Financial & Professional Services Sector expertise, means our clients can be sure our teams are well positioned to deliver the best possible solutions.” With a reputation for bridging strategy with execution, McGowan’s arrival adds significant momentum to CBRE’s global ambitions. His leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting clients with their transformation journeys, real estate optimisation and workplace evolution. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Homes and businesses will benefit from reduced flood risk as part of the Cardigan Tidal Flood Scheme, the West Wales project that also aims to enhance biodiversity and contribute to community life. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has appointed Binnies, an RSK Group company, to bring a range of skills to the project in Cardigan, in the county of Ceredigion, as part of its efforts to manage the risk of tidal flooding to approximately 90 properties in the area. The project is currently in the detailed design phase. Binnies will support NRW with civil engineering design, including geotechnical and structural design, environmental assessment, landscape visual impact assessment, hydraulic modelling and planning and consenting support. Fellow RSK Group companies will work with Binnies, with Central Alliance assisting with services surveys and RSK Acoustics providing a noise impact assessment. Binnies Project Director Alex Humphreys said: “The tidal flood risk management scheme in Cardigan would help the town become more resilient to the effects of climate change and ensure it remains a prosperous and thriving community long into the future. The scheme will generate additional beneficial outcomes by creating new public realm areas, increasing opportunities for the community to be connected with their river, which is one of the most iconic in Wales, known for its historical significance and rich wildlife, including species such as salmon, sewin (sea trout), otter and porpoise.” Alex said that the new flood defence would reduce flood risk to approximately 90 homes and businesses in Cardigan. The primary flood risk is tidal flooding within the River Teifi that flows through the town. The scheme is being designed to provide protection against a tidal flood that has a one in 200 chance of occurring within any one year period, with an allowance for climate change. He said the new flood wall will stretch from the historic Cardigan Bridge to Gloster Row car park: a length of over 300 metres. Steel sheet piles will form the main stem of the wall, which will appear approximately 1.5 to 2 metres tall from the land-side. Alex said: “Sections of the sheet piles would be clad in materials that would be sympathetic to the existing environment, while contributing to the narrative of continued investment and development in a thriving community. Along with the sheet piles, the scheme could see a new riverside embankment created, which would utilise imported natural rock material to enhance the stability and resilience of the wall.” This rock would be placed in combination with bioengineering products to soften the visual appearance and create habitats along the river corridor. He added: “The scheme involves many complex challenges, including the proximity of existing buildings, a number of important habitats along the river frontages and the significant heritage value of the setting. These sit alongside the typical challenges of construction in a busy town, minimising disruption to residents and the general public and working around complex layouts of buried utilities, such as sewers and water mains. “We strive to support NRW in delivering its corporate objectives and its commitment to Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. We have looked at ways that we can maintain and enhance the community’s connection with the river. NRW is engaging with local businesses and community groups, including the local Sea Scouts, and is working to ensure access to the river for people of all abilities is enhanced.” Alex went on to say: “I personally take a lot of satisfaction from projects like this, which showcase how the role of the civil engineer has evolved to take its place among a wide variety of skilled environmental and scientific professionals committed to combatting the effects of climate change and leaving the planet in a better state than the one that we found it in.” NRW’s project executive for the scheme, Paul Isaac, said: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Binnies, whose expertise – along with ours – will enable us to produce a scheme that not only addresses the increasing flood risk but also creates long-term value for the community and environment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two property and energy experts have today launched Hertford Birch, a specialist energy commercialisation consultancy. Co-founded by Richard Price and Ben Smith, the firm aims to provide strategic advice and brokerage services to help landlords and operators commercialise power across their assets. Operating across the UK, Hertford Birch will act as a delivery partner for electric vehicle (EV) charging projects and energy deals, looking to capture the unrealised potential for income generation from energy in commercial spaces. The group will also act as a strategic advisor to landlords, offering advice on supply challenges with the aim of minimising risks for new and existing sites across the country. Backed by investment firm Spire Ventures, the founding team have over 20 years of collective experience serving major institutions and landlords across retail, leisure, and commercial assets. The pair also have first hand operational experience of working with UK-based EV charging operators, including Ospreys, Connected Kerb, and most recently, Syzygy. Richard Price said: “Demand for EV and energy infrastructure is far outpacing supply and this is true across all commercial asset types, presenting a prime opportunity for landlords and asset managers to secure attractive, long-term revenue streams from power. The market potential is huge, and we’re seeing unprecedented demand from landlords to help them navigate the complexities of pricing, process and operational challenges to integrate energy assets into their portfolios on deals that deliver stable, risk-mitigated income “In real estate terms, the energy deals that we’re able to secure today for unrentalised car parking bays can provide rental income consistent with, if not outperforming, that of a traditional F&B deal on the same site – and with significantly less risk and minimal capital contribution.” Ben Smith added: “Landlords face hugely complex challenges in managing their energy assets and minimising connectivity or capacity risks. The energy supply gap is growing steadily as record numbers of organisations are engaging with the grid to secure power connections; struggling to keep up with demand for energisation projects across the UK, the grid connection queue can mean a 10 year wait. “Securing reliable capacity with clarity on connection dates is today as critical to project timelines and feasibility as any other part of the construction or asset management programme. Working with private networks is an opportunity to significantly reduce operational cost and carbon footprint, as our clients look to us to help expedite the energisation of assets and optimise their energy infrastructure.” Hertford Birch is currently instructed on EV Charging and Private Networks commercialisation projects on behalf of institutional landlords, REITs, occupiers and private capital investors across retail parks, shopping centres and leisure assets, MSPs and industrial, logistics, and commercial workspace sites UK-wide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Newmark Group, has appointed Vinnie Kilner, Parin Patel, Alfie Molloy, Ine Roren, Nathan Archer and Alfie Tierney to form its Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Project and Cost Management practice. The sustainability conscious, commercially-minded construction experts will support clients in the UK and Europe, providing specialist project, programme and cost management expertise across their retail, hospitality and leisure portfolios. Led by Vinnie, these hires bring more than 80 years combined experience managing projects and portfolios from site selection and feasibility, through design and construction. They will work closely with corresponding departments across Building Consultancy, Occupier Agency, Business Rates and Capital Markets, allowing the world’s most successful brands to thrive at every stage of their real estate, backed by Newmark’s extensive and comprehensive knowledge and advisory of the international market. Simon Prichard commented: “The addition of these hires reinforce Newmark commitment to bringing the best talent and services to its clients. With their proven track record of delivering transformative projects for global brands, this practice further strengthens Newmark’s comprehensive service offering and enhances its ability to support clients in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors across the UK and Europe.” The responsibilities, oversight and areas of expertise of each hire are summarized below: Vinnie Kilner brings 17 years’ specialist experience in major projects, advising international brands and occupiers on project delivery strategies, ranging from multiple store rollouts to iconic flagship projects in some of the most exclusive locations. Parin Patel joins as Senior Associate. Parin provides programme management and project delivery expertise, having worked with retailers on large scale international expansions and being responsible for the construction of 100s of stores. Alfie Molloy, Senior Associate, has an experienced background in project and cost management. He joins with a strategic focus on supporting Newmark’s leisure clients. Ine Roren, Associate, will lead multi-territory programmes for high profile brands, having worked on both client and consultancy side of international store and showroom expansions. Nathan Archer joins as Senior Cost Manager. His experience spans luxury retail, food and beverage, leisure and retail offices acquired from both main contractor and consultancy where he has worked with prominent clients in UK and Europe. Alfie Tierney, Senior Project Manager, joins with an impressive track record in the construction of retail, high-end residential and hotel projects where his technical expertise and hands-on delivery approach have been fundamental to the completion of five projects in live environments. Vinnie commented: “These project delivery specialists are aligned with Newmark’s ambitions to be the very best real estate advisor, which is evident from their track record delivering projects for many of the world’s best-known brands. It’s an exciting time to be part of Newmark, and they are perfectly placed amongst Newmark’s industry leading experts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Geoscience experts have used their specialist rope access skills and inflatable boats to extract concrete samples from inside Sheffield’s Megatron culvert. The culvert is a concrete tunnel beneath Sheffield that carries the River Sheaf. The work is part of a project that has seen a section of the river uncovered for the first time in 100 years. It is located in the centre of Sheffield, where the River Sheaf meets the River Don, and is part of a larger £15 million endeavour to create a new public park. The 70-metre-long culvert was built over a section of the River Sheaf in 1917, as part of work to create the Castle Market, at a time when the river was badly polluted with sewage and slaughterhouse run-off, according to Sheffield City Council. RSK Geosciences project manager Stephen Owen said: “Two buildings, Alexandra House and Exchange Place Studios, stand close to the edge of the culvert. Before the culvert can be removed, it is necessary to understand what is behind the concrete and how this could affect the structural integrity of these nearby buildings.” Stephen explained that they carried out ground-penetrating radar surveys above ground, in addition to collecting vertical and horizontal concrete cores from inside the culvert. Five horizontal concrete cores and three vertical cores were taken. Endoscope surveys of the core holes were carried out, along with covermeter surveys – a method of using electromagnetic measurements to measure the position, depth and size of the reinforcements within the concrete – of the walls, arches and roof of the culvert. He said: “We accessed part of the culvert through a manhole, but an underground weir blocked us from going further downstream. Fellow RSK Group company CAN Structures used its expertise in rope access and confined spaces work to go up the culvert on an inflatable boat and take the surveys for this area. “Being a river, the flow and water level can change quickly, so there were some significant health and safety precautions to be taken. There is also a nesting bat population inside the culvert, so to avoid causing disturbance we had to work outside of the hibernation season.” Concrete quality testing was carried out on recovered samples and the data included in the final report for Sheffield City Council. This report will inform the planning and design process on how to remove the culvert without affecting the nearby buildings, Stephen said. Sheffield City Councillor Ben Miskell, who chairs the council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee said: “For more than 100 years the River Sheaf, which gave the city its name, has been covered by brick and concrete. Uncovering the river is an incredibly important milestone and just one part of the wider transformation of the Castlegate site. Our new city centre public park will also feature the remains of the city’s old 12th century castle, including the gatehouse, visible to the public. The whole area is pivotal to the history of our fantastic city and our new park will showcase this most historic of areas for decades to come.” Removal of the culvert began in August 2024, with Sheffield City Council’s final vision due to be completed by 2026. The site will also include new buildings for commercial, community or education use. Funding for the project has already been secured through funding from central Government. The opening up of the River Sheaf is being streamed online by the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global real estate firm Avison Young UK has been appointed by the University of Kent as a strategic advisor to bring its Northern Land Holdings in Canterbury to market. Spanning 97 hectares (240 acres) the site has the potential to deliver around 2,000 new homes, commercial uses and supporting social infrastructure. The appointment builds on a five-year partnership between Avison Young and the University of Kent. Avison Young is progressing the land through the Local Plan process and is now seeking developers or housebuilders to provide private and affordable housing and commercial development, alongside community uses including schools and open space. Expanding Canterbury’s footprint, development will create a sustainable extension of the historic city. Releasing underutilised land north of the University campus, development would support Canterbury City Council’s District Local Plan for urgently required housing. Canterbury City Council has identified an annual Local Housing Need for 1,120 new properties. Unlocking opportunities for development and new homes in Kent, the site offers potential to boost inward investment in the region, fostering growth for future generations living and working in Canterbury. Repurposing the Northern Land Holdings would also boost reinvestment into the University of Kent’s core educational offer. Backed by the Canterbury City Council, the University is recognised as an integral job creator in the area with educational investment feeding through into wider areas of the local economy. Barney Hillsdon, Principal, Managing Director, Land and Development, Avison Young UK, said: Northern Land Holdings offers exceptional potential for developers and Kent alike. Repurposing it will ensure Canterbury’s long-term financial sustainability by attracting investment and fostering a new community. Its vast space presents a unique opportunity to deliver diverse housing, commercial properties, and social infrastructure, supporting national and local growth goals. Trevor Pereira, Commercial and Facilities Director, University of Kent, said: “By freeing up underused land to north of our campus, the University of Kent can support Canterbury City Council’s District Local Plan by providing space for additional and urgently required housing. Any future development would be done sustainably and responsibly, with full consideration given to striking the balance between net biodiversity gain and infrastructural improvements.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has launched a public consultation on proposed improvements to the Chinatown area, focusing on Great George’s Square. The council, working with community groups and the University of Liverpool Architecture School, has developed plans to attract visitors, investment, and create an enhanced neighbourhood. The project’s centrepiece is the installation of two stone lions, donated by the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester. The plans also include: Residents are invited to provide feedback on the junction, playground, and memorial garden proposals. The work is anticipated to be completed in early 2026. The consultation is open until March 31st at liverpool.gov.uk/chinatowndevelopment. Residents can also provide feedback at a community information event at the Black-e on Great George Street on March 4th. The scheme complements broader revitalisation plans for Chinatown, including new homes and businesses on Great George Street and the upcoming Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail station. Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, emphasised the city’s pride in its historic Chinatown and the goal of creating a vibrant space for residents and tourists. Chinese Consul General Tang Rui expressed hope that the stone lions would bring prosperity to Chinatown. Ming Wang, Secretary General of Merseyside Chinese Association Joint Action Group, highlighted the community’s connection to Chinatown and welcomed the regeneration plans. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
