A new Freedom of Information request spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works Recent figures reveal that the maintenance backlog for the Department for Education was in excess of £13.8bn in 2023-24.* The excessive costs spotlight the need for more cost-efficient repair and remediation works of education buildings in the UK, particularly with the discovery of RAAC across several education institutions. To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20, the industry standard for facility management, submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to universities across the country. They received responses from 61 universities, who were asked to provide information on: total costs spent on repair and remediation works in the most recent financial year; completed repair projects; outstanding projects; and total budgets.  From the universities that responded, 904,000 maintenance projects were logged in 2023, however, as of January this year, there were still approximately 76,527 outstanding maintenance requests left to carry out. This demonstrates the sheer volume of maintenance tasks that need to be carried out to keep universities to a safe and habitual standard.  The universities that invested the most in building repair and remediation  The University of Oxford ranked top position for the university that had invested the most into repair and remediation works across its facilities and buildings, with an overall score of 75.41.  As part of their overall ranking, the University of Oxford had one of the highest repair project completion rates of the institutions that responded, with almost 40,000 completed. In the most recent financial year, the University of Oxford spent a total of £18,500,000 on building maintenance projects. With a budget of £26.4 million, they were also the university that came most under budget, reflecting their cost-efficient allocation of resources.  The University of Oxford was closely followed by the University of York, which spent a total of £12.8 million on repair and maintenance works in the most recent financial year, approximately £3 million under budget.  Universities such as the London School of Economics (53.28), Arts University Bournemouth (53.01), and The Open University (52.73) were categorised into the bronze tier category. The Arts University Bournemouth had the lowest average spend per maintenance request of all the universities that responded to the FOI request at just £23 per request, calculated with their total spend and total maintenance requests completed.  The London School of Economics and Edinburgh Napier University, both finished the most recent financial year exactly on budget for repair and remediation works to their buildings, having spent £3.02 million and £1.11 million respectively.  Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, on the issue of building maintenance in UK Universities, has said:  “Staying significantly under budget on maintenance costs and keeping a low cost per repair request are both strong indicators of a well-structured, proactive maintenance strategy – one that prioritises efficiency and minimises more serious and costly unexpected downtime. To attract and retain the best calibre of staff and students, universities must provide outstanding learning environments, supported by high-quality leisure facilities and living conditions. Even before Covid, we saw a shift towards improving indoor air quality to enhance student focus and well-being. Now, more than ever, delivering a great experience is critical. Well-maintained facilities not only create inspiring spaces for learning but also play a vital role in university recruitment and retention.” The full findings can be found here: https://www.sfg20.co.uk/blog/uk-universities-investment  *https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/maintaining-public-service-facilities.pdf Methodology:  To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20 submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to 105 universities, between December 2024 and February 2025, who were asked to provide information on: From 61 responses, universities were ranked based on their answers to each FOI question in comparison to other universities and assigned a score out of 100. The higher the score, the more the institution invested both time and money into the maintenance and upkeep of their buildings. The need for building repair and remediation can be driven by a number of factors, which is why our overall ranking has been derived from several balanced metrics to show how universities compare to one another.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Graham Asset Management has secured an expanded facilities management contract with Solihull Council, strengthening a decade-long partnership. Following a competitive procurement process, Graham has been awarded a five-year deal, valued at up to £30 million, to deliver hard facilities management (FM) services across Solihull’s property portfolio. This builds on their existing collaboration, which began in 2013. The contract covers reactive and planned preventative maintenance, minor works up to £25,000, and larger-scale projects exceeding £25,000—with no upper project limit. It also introduces an enhanced scope, incorporating mechanical and electrical maintenance. Delivered under an open-book partnership model, the agreement has an estimated aspirational annual value of £6 million, with the option to extend for an additional five years. Graham Asset Management’s regional director, Alan Millar, expressed enthusiasm for the extended partnership, stating:“Graham has worked alongside Solihull Council for over a decade, delivering high-quality building fabric maintenance. Securing the full hard FM contract allows us to further enhance service delivery, ensuring excellent facilities for Solihull residents.” Councillor Karen Grinsell, deputy leader of Solihull Council, added:“Graham has an impressive track record, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to provide high-quality facilities for our community.” Since its inception, the partnership has grown significantly, with the contract value rising from £2 million to £12 million. The framework has also extended its reach, supporting additional public sector clients, including Sandwell Council, Acivico (on behalf of Birmingham City Council), Walsall Council, Worcester City Council, and Cherwell District Council. By leveraging local subcontractors and suppliers—many of whom have been involved since 2013—the agreement ensures continuity, consistency, and local economic benefits. This latest contract win cements Graham’s role as a key FM provider in the public sector, supporting essential infrastructure across the Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

DMA Group is pleased to announce its appointment to Fusion21’s Workplace and Facilities Management Framework, securing a position on Lot 4 – Building Engineering Services. The framework worth up to £700 million, set to run over the next four years, is designed to provide a range of hard and soft facilities management (FM) services to support the operation of public buildings. Fusion21’s purpose-driven procurement approach ensures that every project delivers visible social value, from creating jobs and apprenticeships to supporting sustainability and community-focused initiatives. Having generated over £200 million in social impact and created over 13,550 employment outcomes, Fusion21 is committed to making a difference and motivating sustainable change. DMA Group’s appointment to Fusion21’s Workplace and Facilities Management Framework reinforces its commitment to giving back to communities and the industry while strengthening its presence in facilities management and building engineering services. As a pre-approved supplier, DMA Group will have the opportunity to deliver efficient, sustainable, and compliant solutions, supporting initiatives that enhance workforce skills, promote sustainability, and create new opportunities. This framework is suitable for public sector organisations including the education sector. With expertise in school estate management, energy solutions, and compliance, DMA Group is well-positioned to support Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and schools in maintaining safe, efficient, and high-performing learning environments, while also contributing to the long-term development of local communities and the built environment. Valerie Miller, Chief Customer Officer at DMA Group, commented: “This appointment opens up fantastic opportunities for us to further support the public sector. Being awarded a place on Fusion21’s Workplace and Facilities Management Framework will enable DMA Group to make a real difference – helping the public sector to optimise their estates and reduce operational costs. For education providers in particular, we understand the pressures of maintaining safe, energy-efficient school environments, and we’re excited to bring our expertise to more MATs and schools across the UK.” Russell Gates, Framework Manager at Fusion21 said: “We are delighted to welcome all of the new suppliers onto Fusion21’s Workplace and Facilities Management Framework, including DMA Group. The tender process was highly competitive and has identified the best suppliers for our members to use for providing a range of hard and soft facilities management (FM) services to support the operation of public buildings. “Members accessing this framework will benefit from flexible call-off options, UK-wide coverage, and the option to deliver social value to their communities, aligned to their organisational priorities.” DMA Group remains committed to making buildings work better and is looking forward to opportunities to collaborate with Fusion21 members to drive sustainable, high-quality facilities management solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Commercial property management and building consultancy firm Workman LLP has been appointed by NewRiver REIT to manage three key community shopping centres in Greater London. From mid-February, Workman will take on property management responsibilities at The Exchange Centre in Ilford, The Mall in Wood Green, and 17&Central in Walthamstow. The appointment follows NewRiver’s acquisition of Capital & Regional at the end of 2024, a deal that created a combined retail portfolio valued at £0.9 billion. James Taylor, Partner at Workman, expressed enthusiasm for the new collaboration:“This is a fantastic opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with NewRiver. Our property management team looks forward to working closely with this leading real estate investment trust to support its strategic vision. Each of these centres has significant potential to grow as a vibrant hub within its local community.” Emma Mackenzie, Head of Asset Management and ESG at NewRiver, highlighted the continuity the appointment provides:“We are pleased to build on our long-standing partnership with Workman following our acquisition of Capital & Regional. Workman has successfully managed retail assets within our portfolio for many years, and their continued involvement ensures operational consistency as we integrate the new centres. Their experienced team will help us enhance our retail offering, support our occupiers, and create thriving shopping destinations.” In addition to this appointment, NewRiver has also enlisted Lambert Smith Hampton to oversee the management of three former Capital & Regional assets across England and Scotland. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Redevco has named Tandem Property Asset Management as the property manager for its recently acquired portfolio of 16 retail parks. The £518 million acquisition, completed at the end of 2024, adds 2.1 million sq ft of retail space to Redevco’s growing UK holdings, with key locations including Bolton, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Colchester, and Manchester. Tandem will oversee strategic property management and service charge administration while supporting Redevco’s long-term investment and sustainability objectives. Julia Pumphrey, Partner at Tandem Property Asset Management, commented:“We are excited to collaborate with Redevco’s dynamic team and apply our in-depth knowledge of these assets to develop a tailored property and asset management strategy.” Janet Bishopp, Property Manager at Redevco UK, added:“We look forward to working closely with Tandem and leveraging their expertise to help us achieve our investment goals.” This partnership marks an important step in Redevco’s ongoing commitment to enhancing and optimising its retail park portfolio across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Barnsdales appointed as property and asset manager of the 770,000 sq ft shopping centre The Doncaster-based property consultancy Barnsdales has been selected by Frasers Group to undertake the property and asset management of the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. The retailing giant purchased the centre earlier this year and has now chosen Barnsdales to oversee key elements of the 770,000 sq ft shopping destination in the city centre. With over 120 well-known brands across two storeys, the Frenchgate Shopping Centre has been a prime shopping destination for over 50 years. Now, with new ownership and new management, it is poised for a period of reinvigoration.  Jason Barnsdale, Managing Director of Barnsdales, said:  “With its own transport hub, the Doncaster Interchange, and adjoining railway station, it’s certain that when people come to Doncaster, they come to the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. It’s an honour to be entrusted with the everyday management of the centre and to act as asset managers and joint leasing agents with Rawstron Johnson on behalf of the Frasers Group; we’re determined to help it thrive as a bustling shopping and dining destination. “I’m genuinely delighted that Barnsdales has been chosen to manage this iconic Doncaster shopping centre. Barnsdales is headquartered in the city, working nationally from offices throughout the UK. This is a significant instruction for the Barnsdales property management team.” Barnsdales, which was established in Doncaster almost 120 years ago, is now a leading national property consultancy group. With offices in Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Bristol, Cirencester, Manchester, Lincoln, and London, Barnsdales’ headquarters is located on White Rose Way in Doncaster – less than two miles from the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. Corinne Mycock, General Manager at Doncaster’s Frenchgate Shopping Centre, said: “The Frenchgate Shopping Centre is delighted to bring on Barnsdales as property and asset managers and joint letting agents. As they are based in the city, we feel they have a close connection to – and an innate feel for – the place, which is essential. “We’re hopeful that having professionals from a company based in and operating from Doncaster will give us a more hands-on, proactive approach.” Barnsdales’ instruction follows several high-profile wins for the company, including the recent appointment to the property and facilities management of Newton Aycliffe Town Centre, a privately owned 200,000 sq ft shopping outlet consisting of 64 retail units in County Durham. To learn more, visit www.barnsdales.co.uk or contact the Barnsdales head office on 01302 323 453.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals