Contractor and modular housing manufacturer Boutique Modern has passed its first B Corporation™ (B Corp) reassessment with flying colours. Since becoming a B Corp in 2021, the Sussex-based business has made remarkable strides across all areas of its operations, resulting in an impressive 37% increase in its B Impact Assessment score. The new result of 120.3, up from 87.3, reflects significant improvements in the Newhaven company’s practices around workers, the environment and customer impact. Dick Shone, managing director of Boutique Modern said: “The most important thing to me about B Corp is that every element of our business contributes to our score. “Every role, every process has bolstered our impact, showing how committed we are in every single area of the business. “A good B Impact Assessment score stands at 80-85, according to B Corp UK, so we have really moved the dial.” Back in 2021, Boutique Modern became the UK’s first modular construction B Corp, setting out with the goal of driving continuous improvement and a commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices. Reassessments are carried out every three years. Improvements in the company’s score are evident across all measured categories – governance, workers, community, environment and customers – highlighting a holistic approach to boosting business operations and social responsibility. Boutique Modern attributes its success to diligent efforts in employee welfare, environmental sustainability and customer engagement, which have all seen marked improvements since its initial certification. It has several exciting initiatives in the pipeline, including more low-emission affordable housing projects, to further enhance its impact. These developments will support the company’s ongoing mission to use its business as a force for good. In addition, Boutique Modern is preparing to publish its next Impact Report in early 2025, providing deeper insights into its efforts and results across the past year. Shone added: “As a proudly certified B Corp, Boutique Modern is dedicated to using its platform to promote a more sustainable, inclusive and transparent approach to business. “This reassessment milestone underscores our resolve to drive meaningful change across the construction industry and beyond.” For more information visit: https://boutiquemodern.co.uk/ For further information about Boutique Modern’s B Corp score visit: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/boutique-modern-ltd Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The UK government has announced a transformative £3 billion support package to accelerate housebuilding, aiming to deliver thousands of new homes, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook unveiled the initiative, which provides vital financial guarantees to housebuilders, making loans from banks and lenders more accessible and giving developers the confidence to build at scale. Supporting Builders, Supporting Growth Government guarantees reduce risks for lenders, encouraging them to extend more credit to housebuilders. With access to credit being a significant hurdle for growth in the sector, this initiative seeks to remove barriers, paving the way for a surge in construction projects across the country. The programme forms part of the government’s ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. By unlocking funding, the initiative is set to bring more families onto the property ladder, boost economic activity, and support the development of thriving communities. Doubling Down on ENABLE Build Key to this initiative is the doubling of the ENABLE Build scheme to £2 billion, providing a significant boost to smaller housebuilders. This will help deliver over 10,000 new homes, including student accommodation and specialised housing for older people, in areas where housing demand is highest. For Build-to-Rent developers, the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Guarantee Scheme will reopen by the end of the year, offering nearly £2 billion in guarantees. A broader range of projects will now qualify for these funds, expediting the completion of critical housing developments. The government estimates that these expanded guarantees could help deliver over 20,000 additional homes, further cementing the UK’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis. Industry Leaders Welcome the Initiative Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook emphasised the pivotal role of small housebuilders and Build-to-Rent operators in achieving the government’s housing goals: “SME housebuilders and Build-to-Rent operators are crucial to delivering 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament. The additional support provided by our housing guarantee schemes will enable them to access affordable loans and build thousands of new homes across the country.” Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of supporting small builders: “Small housebuilders face significant financial challenges, and diversifying the housing market is essential to meeting the UK’s housing needs. This increased support is welcome and must reach the builders who need it most.” Louis Taylor, CEO of the British Business Bank, noted the wider economic benefits: “Unlocking finance for smaller housebuilders is critical, not just for housing delivery but also for stimulating economic growth across the UK.” A Brighter Future for Housing With the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible financing for developers and its focus on sustainability, the expanded housing guarantees mark a significant step forward. By empowering housebuilders, the initiative aims to transform housing delivery across the UK, creating better opportunities for families, workers, and communities while driving economic growth. This multi-billion-pound package demonstrates that building homes isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about building a stronger, more sustainable future for all. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Starlight Investments (“Starlight”), a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm, has acquired three build-to-rent (“BTR”) communities under development in Manchester and Basildon, for over £500 million. In Manchester, Starlight will be acquiring two high-rise towers from Renaker, a leading UK developer with a long-standing and successful track record. Manchester has experienced among the highest population and economic growth of all major cities in the UK over the past 10 years, a trend which is expected to continue over the next decade. The first Manchester property being acquired is a 60-storey, 532-suite residential tower currently under construction in the Castlefield conservation area on the bank of the River Irwell. The location is walking distance to several transit connections and easily accessible to the vibrant business, retail and entertainment precincts of Exchange Square and Spinningfields. Upon completion, the property will include a diverse mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Extensive high-quality amenities will include an indoor pool, co-working areas, a gym, resident lounges and an outdoor terrace. The second Manchester property is a 40-storey, 517-suite residential tower located in the city’s Greengate neighborhood. The location is a short walk from the Northern Quarter and the Manchester Central Business District (CBD). The property will feature high-quality one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and will differentiate itself through an exceptional amenity offering including a rooftop terrace, co-working areas, a gym, and resident lounges. The third property being acquired in Basildon is a 492-suite three-block, mid-rise property close to the main train station and part of an area within the city’s £600 million regeneration masterplan. Basildon is a popular commuter city and only a 35-minute train journey into central London. The property will feature one- and two-bedroom apartments and include extensive amenities such as five outdoor terraces, a gym, and co-working areas. All the properties being acquired will contain numerous sustainability features including high-efficiency lighting, solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations. These acquisitions mark a major milestone in Starlight’s European residential asset management platform which, together with previously announced acquisitions, will increase Starlight’s UK portfolio to over 3,300 units. “We are excited to announce the significant expansion of our UK portfolio with a vision to positively impact the communities where we will operate,” said Daniel Drimmer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Investments. “These acquisitions reflect our strategy to create dynamic communities and high-quality rental housing in growing markets across the United Kingdom. Our increasing presence in the UK and our relationships with well-respected and established developers positions us strongly to deliver on our expansion strategy in the country’s growing BTR segment.” “We are pleased to have completed these two transactions with a quality and professional global partner, who shares the same vision and values to deliver market-leading build-to-rent communities. We look forward to building on this relationship in the future,” added Daren Whitaker, Founder and Chairman, Renaker. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction begins to build the UK’s largest purpose- built village for rough sleepers Once complete, Embassy Village will transform the site below 22 railway arches into accommodation for 40 homeless men with a village hall, outdoor green spaces, mini allotments and a multi-use sports area. The team behind a pioneering homelessness project in Manchester city centre have come together to celebrate a significant milestone moment as work starts on site to build Embassy Village. The purpose-built community for the homeless will provide a long-term and sustainable solution to help address the challenges around the growing number of homeless and vulnerable men within the city region. In 2021 Greater Manchester-based charity, Embassy, joined forces with a pro-bono team led by developers Peel Waters – part of The Peel Group and Capital&Centric, alongside the city’s business community to bring forward Embassy Village and provide 40 new purpose-built homes with wrap-around support for those who need it most. Once complete, Embassy Village will transform the site below 22 railway arches which has been provided by Peel Waters, into high-quality homes with communal outdoor green spaces, including mini allotments to grow vegetables and a multi-use sports area. Embassy will be responsible for the management and operation of Embassy Village. The Greater Manchester based charity launched in 2019 and specialises in reintegrating people back into society, breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing a home, skills training and wraparound support to give them the life skills to be independent. Embassy Village will not be a homeless shelter but will instead be a purpose-built community in which residents will have to commit to six hours of training per week in shopping, cooking and budgeting. The village hall within Embassy Village will be complete with a counselling room, laundry room and communal computers, plus a training kitchen to help residents learn to cook. Since planning consent was granted in 2021, Embassy and partners have been focused on fundraising. Through a £3.5million donation from the Moulding Foundation and further substantial donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation and Benefact Trust, the first phase of the village can now begin which will include the village hall, completion of 24 homes and staff accommodation. Vermont Construction Group has been appointed to build the scheme for no profit and expect to complete phase one of Embassy Village by late 2025. James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, Tim Heatley, co-founder at Capital&Centric, and Sid Williams the Co-Founder and Director of Embassy marked the start on site at a special event with the organisations who have offered their services for free to design and plan Embassy Village. James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said: “Starting the build of Embassy Village is a very significant moment for us and our partners who have worked on this meaningful project. “From forming the initial concept of using our land for the most vulnerable in our society during a breakfast with Mayor Andy Burnham, to pulling together the huge team of consultants working on a pro bono basis, we are extremely proud of our involvement and continuous support of this amazing project. “Today’s launch event is an important milestone, marking years of hard work and collaboration to deliver the UK’s first purpose-built community village and we want to say a huge thanks to all those who have got involved in supporting Embassy Village so far. “We look forward to completing the build of Embassy Village and seeing the first residents move in, providing much needed housing, training and wrap-around support for some of our most vulnerable members of society; transforming their lives and breaking the cycle of homelessness.” Tim Heatley, co-founder at Capital&Centric and Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity added: “Initiatives such as this show how big things can happen when the people and businesses of Greater Manchester come together. A city is judged on how it looks after its most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents and once again our city region is leading the way. Nobody should have to spend a night on our streets, and this project will ensure hundreds of people will have somewhere to call home, with the help and support needed to ensure they don’t end up homeless in the future.” Mark Connor, Founder and CEO of Vermont Group also added: “Being able to commence the Embassy Village today is such an achievement. Homelessness is a huge issue in Manchester as the city has some of the highest numbers of rough sleepers in the country. We all have a collective responsibility to deal with this issue and our work at Embassy Village doesn’t just set out to offer warm homes and a village hall, but to create a real community and support system for people who need it. It’s a huge honour for Vermont to be part of solution in dealing with this issue and watching Embassy Village come to life.” A further £1million is required for the remaining units and to complete phase two of Embassy Village. Embassy is now working with the business community, individuals and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to secure funds for the long-term village running costs. Sid Williams, Co-Founder and Director of Embassy said: “Buying an A-lister tour bus to house homeless people seemed a big vision when we started, and yet here we are not so long later at the start of building an entire village. We couldn’t have done this without the incredible companies, individuals and trusts who have given their support to the project and believed in our vision. “Special thanks go to Matt and Jodie Moulding for their significant financial backing and the teams at Peel Waters, Capital&Centric, the Mayor’s Charity and Manchester City Council for making this happen. Whilst this is a huge moment for the project, the hard work doesn’t stop there and we still need further funds to complete all 40 homes and for the long-term running costs. If you can help by sponsoring a home or supplying materials please get in touch.” Jodie Moulding, Co-founder

The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, has found that the property market has picked up the pace in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget, with 84,000 more homes listed for sale today – an increase of 11.4%. Yopa analysed* current for sale stock listings across Britain, looking at how many have hit the market in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget and how this level of market activity differs by each area of the nation. The research shows that there are currently some 823,898 homes listed for sale across Britain and 84,065 of those have entered the market since the Autumn Budget alone –  a boost of 11.4% in the number of sellers choosing to make their move. Every region of Britain and every major city analysed by Yopa has seen an increase in for sales stock levels since the Autumn Budget. Regionally, the largest increase has been seen across Scotland at 12.7%, with the North East (+12.3%) and London (+12.2%) also seeing some of the largest increase in for sale stock levels. Wales has seen the smallest influx of new homes listed for sale, although there has still been a 9.5% increase in the last two weeks alone. Of the 15 major cities analysed by Yopa, Glasgow has seen the biggest increase at 13.4%, followed by Nottingham (+13.3%), Edinburgh (+13.2%) and Brighton (+12.5%). CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “There’s always a sense of uncertainty in the run up to a major budget and so it’s hardly surprising that many home sellers may have been sitting on the fence to see just what Chancellor Rachel Reeves had up her sleeve for them. The answer was unfortunately not a great deal and now that the Autumn Budget is done and dusted, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of sellers entering the market. This is a smart move given the fact that there was no extension to current stamp duty relief thresholds granted and we’re now likely to see an uptick in demand over the coming weeks as homebuyers look to purchase ahead of next year’s 31st March deadline.” Data tables and sources Full data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

In response to the Scottish Minister of Public Finance, Ivan McKee’s, announcement on reforming Scotland’s planning system, Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, comments: “Reforming Scotland’s planning system is key to making housing more affordable and measures to create a new planning hub and increasing the capacity of local authorities by training additional planners to accelerate planning applications will help build the homes that Scotland needs. “However, as the Minister said, planning isn’t the only solution to unlock more homes in Scotland and solve the housing crisis. Reviewing the tax people pay when purchasing property, bringing more empty homes back into use through financial grant support, building more social homes, introducing tax incentives to encourage investment in the private rental sector as well as requiring local authorities to have a plan for retirement housing and incentivising people to right size can also boost the supply of homes. Propertymark will continue to call for action in these areas.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Homes England has announced the appointment of Eamonn Boylan as its interim Chief Executive, succeeding Peter Denton, who will step down in January 2025. Boylan is set to begin his role on 15 January, bringing over 42 years of experience in significant public sector roles to lead the Agency through its strategic priorities. Boylan’s impressive career includes senior roles such as Deputy Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Chief Executive of Stockport Council, and Deputy Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, the forerunner of Homes England. His extensive background in public sector leadership, particularly in housing and regeneration, positions him to make a strong impact in advancing the government’s housing and community initiatives. Homes England moved quickly to secure an interim leader, with the appointment approved by the Deputy Prime Minister. Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook expressed confidence in Boylan, stating, “Eamonn brings unparalleled expertise and a successful track record in strategic leadership. I am confident he will drive Homes England’s efforts to boost housing supply and foster place-based regeneration. I look forward to collaborating with him in the new year.” Peter Freeman, Chair of Homes England, added, “Eamonn’s experience in public sector leadership, particularly in housing and community development, makes him an ideal choice to lead during this period. The Board and I are confident that under his leadership, Homes England will continue creating thriving communities that truly enhance people’s lives. We eagerly anticipate welcoming him to the team.” Boylan shared his enthusiasm for the role, highlighting the Agency’s goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes within the current parliamentary term. “I am ready to help tackle the challenges ahead and deliver on the government’s housing ambitions. My focus will be on strengthening partnerships, empowering local leaders, and driving forward housing initiatives that positively impact lives. I am proud to join a talented team, and together with our partners, I am confident we will rise to the task.” Boylan’s leadership is set to steer Homes England through a critical period, reinforcing its role in creating sustainable, vibrant communities across the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals