Award Winning Fit Out Specialist Selects NFU Mutual’s Manchester Office Scheme For New Manchester HQ Award winning fit out specialist, Overbury, has selected NFU Mutual’s flagship Chancery Place office building in the central business district, as its new Manchester HQ. Overbury is one of the UK’s leading fit out specialists, operating nationally on
One of the world’s global engineering consultancies is moving into its new ‘home for big ideas’ in central London, after a 12-month transformation into a model of excellence showcasing its multi-disciplinary and sustainability capabilities to clients from across the world. Growing from 510 employees in 2019 to 720 in 2024,
Creating an inspiring and functional office environment is crucial for boosting employee morale, productivity, and collaboration. As workplace dynamics continue to evolve, modern office design has become more important than ever. At Zentia, we understand the impact that innovative design can have on an office space. Here are our top
Willmott Dixon Interiors has furthered its reputation for the delivery of public sector refurbishment projects, with the redesign of an award-winning building in north west London. The leading fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has transformed 22,600 sq ft of Brent Civic Centre, Wembley Park, on behalf of Brent Council. The
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has relaunched its Integrated Management Standard (IMS) as part of a comprehensive new Organisational Capability Toolkit, to help businesses in the construction industry streamline their operations, enhance their organisational capability, and comply with the latest Building Regulations. Recent updates to the Building Regulations now
OP has been appointed to deliver a revolutionary workplace transformation for MMD, a global leader in material processing solutions for the mining, quarrying and recycling industries. The project will create a vibrant two-storey extension to MMD’s central office building in Derbyshire. It is designed to foster collaboration, celebrate the company’s
WORKPLACE design and build specialist ODCreate has delivered a category A+ project, reimagining 7,000 sq ft of office space in central London. The offices – situated close to Leicester Square at 101 St Martin’s Lane – have been refurbished for landlord KGAL, an independent German investment and asset manager, with ODCreate
New Plug and Play suites across 3 floors completed following refurb programme and fit out Manchester’s Exchange Quay flagship office campus has completed the refurbishment programme and fit out of a series of new Plug and Play suites to meet the growing demand for more design-led, ready to occupy office
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a new Best Practice Guide – Walls as a System – to help specifiers, designers, installers and building owners ensure compatibility of compliant test evidence across building components assembled into larger supersystems. The guide addresses a critical issue in modern construction: the
The management team has successfully completed a buyout at leading workplace consultancy and commercial interior design firm, Blueprint Interiors. Rachel Biddles and Chloe Sproston have taken ownership of the business, which will see chairman and founder Rob Day take a step towards retirement and his passion for community-led projects for
Award Winning Fit Out Specialist Selects NFU Mutual’s Manchester Office Scheme For New Manchester HQ Award winning fit out specialist, Overbury, has selected NFU Mutual’s flagship Chancery Place office building in the central business district, as its new Manchester HQ. Overbury is one of the UK’s leading fit out specialists, operating nationally on office, higher education and science facilities projects. The move will see them relocate from their existing premises at The Zenith Building, to 6,843 sq ft on the 13th floor of Chancery Place, signing a new 10-year lease. NFU Mutual has invested heavily into Chancery Place to create an enhanced occupier experience including a newly refurbished reception and common areas in addition to a communal roof top terrace. Plans are also in place to deliver significantly improved end-of-journey facilities in the basement area in the coming months. Alex Pocock, Asset Manager at NFU Mutual, said: “We are thrilled that Overbury has chosen Chancery Place as its new Manchester base. Securing an occupier of this calibre is a testament to the quality of the recent refurbishment works, and we are actively making further improvements to the building to enhance the existing amenity provision.” Mark Garner, Office Agent at CBRE said: “We are delighted to welcome Overbury to Chancery Place, who will benefit from one of the best, unrestricted views of Manchester City Centre from their floor. We’re very much looking forward to seeing what they do with the space.” David Vaal, Managing Director from Overbury commented “Having been at our existing offices for the last 18 years, this move comes at a pivotal moment in Overbury’s growth in the region, and as Managing Director for the business I’m proud to play a part in it. Our collaborative approach has been the foundation in securing repeat business, while also continuing to attract new clients through the high-quality work we deliver. “The new office environment we’re creating will inspire and motivate our team, providing a space that supports creativity and enables them to give exceptional service to our clients. Over the last 20 years, we’ve earned the reputation as the leading fit out specialist in the region, and our talented team will continue to uphold that status; always putting our clients first and collaborating with our consultant partners to build long lasting relationships.” CBRE, OBI and Colliers act as leasing agents for NFU Mutual on Chancery Place and Knight Frank acted for Overbury. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the world’s global engineering consultancies is moving into its new ‘home for big ideas’ in central London, after a 12-month transformation into a model of excellence showcasing its multi-disciplinary and sustainability capabilities to clients from across the world. Growing from 510 employees in 2019 to 720 in 2024, the new office re-location is a reflection of this growth. Buro Happold’s London-based employees will work across 31,000 square feet and four floors of cutting-edge office space of the Featherstone Building on City Road, EC1. Buro Happold met the challenge of maintaining the building’s already impressive BREEAM Outstanding rating with its fit-out. The base build office also achieves both LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum, Wired Score Platinum and with the fit out an additional Well Building Standard Platinum status for achieving exemplary environmental, sustainability, efficiency and health & wellbeing criteria is being delivered. To meet its own exacting needs, Buro Happold worked closely with global architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler to shape and design its workspaces, after listening to the views and ideas of its staff including through Town Hall sessions and sustainability and workplace focused working groups. Inclusive design and wellbeing are central to the new space, with a variety of quieter spaces, and busier spaces for collaboration, parent and multi-faith rooms, as well as a dedicated landscaped terrace area. Buro Happold led on sustainability, MEP, acoustics, lighting and inclusive design, as well as the inclusion of a structurally engineered set-piece timber staircase connecting floors five and six. Q Flow software was used to track the sustainable origin of all materials throughout the design process and underpin the high level of certification needed to meet the standards. Smart building technology has been installed to monitor heating and lighting performance in real-time as well as workspace utilisation, helping optimise building performance, wellbeing and productivity. To harmonise all of these innovative new elements, an easy-to-use smart-phone app has been created to access the building, book workspace and meeting rooms, and to provide staff with improved user experience and real-time updates. Justin Phillips, London Office Director, said: “We wanted to create a workplace that embodied the excellence of our staff within it. Collaboration was essential to this process, and we engaged with our staff early-on to understand what was really important to them. “Our mix of needs is very different as we continue to evolve from traditional engineers to multi-disciplinary experts and advisors, and the design of this office reflects that. “We’re proud of our new London home we’ve created. It’s not only a great place to be, but it also aligns with our ambitious sustainability goals and those of many of our clients across the world. I’m really excited about the potential of what we imagine and create here with our clients and collaborators in the transformative years ahead.” Becky Spenceley, Design Director, Gensler said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Buro Happold to design their new London headquarters. At Gensler, we strive to implement circular and resilient design solutions, setting new standards for an eco-friendly built environment. “Our design at the Featherstone Building has established an innovative and sustainable workplace design focused around honest materiality, celebrating structure and re-use furniture. It is a reflection of Buro Happold’s brand and values, and showcases an exciting variety of work and social spaces for employees and clients.” Choice of materials, features and design was also essential to ensuring the new office was as inclusive as possible. Drawing on expertise from within, Justin sought expertise from its Senior Inclusive Design Consultant Jean Hewitt on designing its spaces for inclusivity and neurodiversity. Jean is one of the leading practitioners in the field of inclusive design and is the UK Government’s Disability and Access Ambassador focusing on the built environment. Buro Happold works for a diverse range of private and public sector clients across multiple areas and is proud to have delivered many of London’s landmarks including Battersea Power Station, O2 Arena (Millennium Dome), The Michael Uren Biomedical Building, 5 Broadgate, Emirates Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Stratford Waterfront. The Featherstone Building is a short distance from Old Street and Liverpool St underground stations and opposite the iconic White Collar Factory campus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Creating an inspiring and functional office environment is crucial for boosting employee morale, productivity, and collaboration. As workplace dynamics continue to evolve, modern office design has become more important than ever. At Zentia, we understand the impact that innovative design can have on an office space. Here are our top 10 office design ideas, showcasing how you can elevate your workspace using our ceiling tiles, baffles, canopies, and other products. 1. Embrace Open Spaces Open-plan offices encourage collaboration and communication among teams. Using Zentia’s acoustic baffles, canopies, and tiles can help manage noise levels while maintaining an airy feel. Check out our case study on Velux UK HQ to see how our ceiling tiles can create a harmonious balance in an open workspace. 2. Incorporate Biophilic Design Integrating natural elements into your office design can improve employee wellbeing. In addition to using natural materials, such as ceiling tiles that mimic natural textures, consider utilising colour palettes inspired by nature, such as greens, browns, or blues, to promote a calming and relaxing atmosphere. In fact, muted browns and earthy colours are very popular at the moment. They perfectly complement the inclusion of plants in the space, so think about incorporating foliage into the design to further improve indoor air quality. 3. Utilise Multi-Functional Spaces Design your office to accommodate various activities, such as meetings, collaboration, and relaxation. Use modular canopies to create flexible zones within open areas to encourage creativity and interaction among staff. Conversely, utilising flexible canopies such as these also enables the creation of more secluded areas that promote focus and concentration. 4. Focus on Acoustics Noise can significantly impact productivity. Investing in sound-absorbing ceiling tiles and baffles can create a quieter work environment. In fact, the reduced noise pollution will not only aid communication, collaboration, productivity, and inclusivity, it will also help to reduce stress. With workforces much more diverse than in previous decades, the needs of individuals with neurodiverse conditions also need to be recognised. Often, they will have heightened senses, meaning noise will disturb them more severely than others, so the utilisation of sound-absorbing products will help to minimise distractions and improve comfort. Our project for Howdens Joinery showcases how effective acoustic solutions can enhance employee concentration and comfort. 5. Personalise Workspaces Encouraging employees to personalise their work areas can boost engagement and satisfaction. Use versatile partition systems to create semi-private spaces where individuals can express their style while maintaining a cohesive design. Aside from boosting productivity, giving staff personalised spaces will enhance their privacy and positively boost their emotional and cognitive wellbeing. In fact, people primarily want to work in, and are more engaged with, spaces that they feel embody who they are, not only individually but also as part of their company. 6. Incorporate Technology Seamlessly Integrating technology into office design is essential for modern workplaces. Zentia’s smart ceiling solutions can house lighting and audio-visual equipment, ensuring a clean, uncluttered look. Whilst it’s not an office, our project at the F1 Racing Simulator in Glasgow offers a unique and exciting insight into how to creatively incorporate lighting into ceiling designs. 7. Choose the Right Colours Colour psychology plays a significant role in workplace mood and productivity. Incorporate a palette that reflects your brand and creates a welcoming atmosphere. Zentia’s custom ceiling tiles can be designed in various colours, allowing you to curate the perfect look for your office. For HTC Architects, we were able to provide Sonify ceiling baffles in their brand colours, light grey, dark grey and orange, to champion their company in a stylish and effective way. 8. Design for Flexibility With the rise of remote work, flexible office spaces are more important than ever. Often, they will need to adapt to changing needs, whether that’s different teams working in the office on alternate days or different rooms being required depending on which members of staff are in the building at any one time. Modular systems, such as office pods, can be quickly reconfigured or moved to suit the ever-changing needs of the business. 9. Maximising Natural Light Maximising natural light can improve employee well-being and reduce energy costs. Use transparent or translucent ceiling solutions to allow light to filter through, creating a bright and inviting environment. For more great ideas on how to brighten any office space, check out Zentia’s useful guide on maximising daylight in buildings. 10. Create Breakout Areas Designated breakout areas encourage relaxation and informal meetings. Use ceilings, walls and creative partitions to create comfortable breakout zones that enhance collaboration and creativity. Modern office design is about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating environments that foster productivity, collaboration, and well-being. By incorporating these top ten design ideas and utilising Zentia’s innovative products, you can transform your office into a vibrant and efficient workspace. View more of our projects in our project gallery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Interiors has furthered its reputation for the delivery of public sector refurbishment projects, with the redesign of an award-winning building in north west London. The leading fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has transformed 22,600 sq ft of Brent Civic Centre, Wembley Park, on behalf of Brent Council. The project has delivered improvements to Wembley Library and created a new resident hub, with comfortable and accessible public spaces that better serve the needs of local people. Several public services have been integrated into a more spacious and versatile library building, including a larger, purpose-built children’s library, new study areas, quiet zones, and an expanded library collection. A new ground floor hub features a dedicated customer service area, complete with a digital zone and private rooms for confidential conversations. An area has also been fitted out for weddings and other events, which has been decorated to a high standard to improve the experience of guests. Other enhancements include a new accessible main entrance on Exhibition Way and an internal layout that considers the needs of wheelchair users, pushchairs and people with complex needs. Willmott Dixon Interiors has installed new M&E, plumbing and heating systems within the building, as well as new lighting, acoustics and enhanced temperature controls. In parallel with its delivery of the refurbishment, Willmott Dixon Interiors partnered with West London Careers Hub to deliver more than £1.5 million in social return on investment. Activities included support for local schools and colleges through careers events, work experience and industry insights. Neil Adams, senior operations manager at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Civic spaces are the heartbeat of our communities and it’s vital that they meet the evolving needs of local people. “Brent Council recognised the opportunity it had to adapt an award-winning building into an exciting space that better serves all of its residents. We’re proud to hand over a modern community library and resident hub that provides improved public access and facilities for all.” Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, cabinet member for resident support and culture, said: “Our award-winning Civic Centre has served residents and the council well over the past decade but it’s essential for us to adapt and keep pace with the evolving needs of our community. “This exciting new space will enable us to better serve our residents, especially those with the most complex needs. With a brand-new customer service area and an upgraded library, we’ve created a more accessible, comfortable and confidential environment with enhanced facilities for everyone to enjoy.” Willmott Dixon Interiors was awarded the contract to refurbish Brent Civic Centre via the Procurement Hub framework. Andy Peck, senior client relationship manager, Procurement Hub: “This project exemplifies the benefits of working with Willmott Dixon Interiors through the MPF2 framework. Their flexibility allows them to deliver value where it’s most needed.” The new look Wembley Library and resident hub will be officially launched at a grand opening event on 7 December 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has relaunched its Integrated Management Standard (IMS) as part of a comprehensive new Organisational Capability Toolkit, to help businesses in the construction industry streamline their operations, enhance their organisational capability, and comply with the latest Building Regulations. Recent updates to the Building Regulations now require businesses to demonstrate their organisational capability, ensuring that all team members are competent and supported by effective process controls. While managing foreseeable risks has always been a legal obligation, this heightened focus from clients and Building Control officers now demands clearer evidence that companies’ processes meet required standards. The FIS Integrated Management Standard (IMS), now part of a newly developed Organisational Capability Toolkit, will help companies implement tried and proven methods of streamlining their company for the benefit of their business and its stakeholders. It will help to link and contextualise the wealth of information that FIS members have available to support compliant business management and how they can use their membership to support claims of organisational capability. This IMS sits as a central resource to help align and control resources. It provides a framework for implementing risk management systems (supported by the FIS Product, Process, People Quality Framework) that will help organisations to meet statutory and legislative requirements. On relaunching the standard at the FIS Conference and AGM in November, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said: “This standard was developed originally to support the FIS vetting process, but really comes into its own in this new environment. It is clear in our work with members that many construction firms have great processes in place, but there can be a real disjoin between these processes. “Across the sector we see design, procurement, contracts and legal, and construction processes that should complement and support each other. However, procedures often clash, cause confusion and conflict and ultimately undermine delivery. This toolkit is a great opportunity to start to look collectively at how we cannot just hit the baseline of compliance, but help to raise standards, promote professional businesses and support the ‘Responsible No’”. The new FIS Organisational Capability Toolkit is available here https://www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/product-process-people/ . For further information or for any questions please contact the FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121-707-0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OP has been appointed to deliver a revolutionary workplace transformation for MMD, a global leader in material processing solutions for the mining, quarrying and recycling industries. The project will create a vibrant two-storey extension to MMD’s central office building in Derbyshire. It is designed to foster collaboration, celebrate the company’s rich mining heritage, and embrace sustainable technologies. At the heart of the development is a ground-floor dining facility featuring a commercial-grade kitchen and servery, complemented by modern shower facilities and a dedicated gym area. The first floor will house a flexible games and training space, complete with a boardroom buffet room and an expansive roof terrace. The office design seamlessly blends historical elements with contemporary functionality, incorporating repurposed materials including recut and repolished granite table tops from the existing building. Heritage features such as traditional panelling and brass lighting pay homage to MMD’s 1970s coal mining origins while creating a modern interpretation of a classic British social atmosphere. The interior scheme features durable, wipeable surfaces throughout to accommodate both office and warehouse staff, creating an inclusive environment that encourages interaction between all departments. The new extension provides dedicated spaces for movement and collaboration, encouraging employees to step away from their desks and engage with colleagues in a more social setting. Gary Tailby, Joint Managing Director of OP, said: “We’re delighted to partner with MMD on this transformative project that perfectly balances heritage with innovation. The design not only creates essential amenity spaces but facilitates a cultural shift towards more collaborative ways of working. By incorporating sustainable technologies and celebrating MMD’s industrial heritage, we’re creating a workplace that will serve their team well into the future.” Graham Griffiths at MMD said: “This development represents a significant step in MMD’s evolution, creating spaces where our teams can come together, collaborate and relax. OP’s understanding of our heritage and vision for the future has resulted in a design that will transform how we work and interact as a company.” The fast-track project is scheduled for completion in December 2024, and the new dining facility will host the company’s Christmas celebrations. For more information, please visit https://officeprinciples.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WORKPLACE design and build specialist ODCreate has delivered a category A+ project, reimagining 7,000 sq ft of office space in central London. The offices – situated close to Leicester Square at 101 St Martin’s Lane – have been refurbished for landlord KGAL, an independent German investment and asset manager, with ODCreate repurposing the original fitout to make the space even more attractive for prospective tenants. The reimagining of the existing space has been undertaken with sustainability and adaptive reuse in mind, with an additional benefit of minimising marketing times of the offices for the landlord. Gavin Hawkins, managing director of ODCreate, said: “Market conditions within the office rental sector are changing all the time, and this project is a prime example of how existing spaces can be adapted and adjusted to those changing winds. “We are increasingly finding that landlords are pushing for category A and A+ fitouts that a tenant can let and be ready to move into straight away – especially in offices smaller than 10,000 sq ft. This kind of project is indicative of those market conditions, and the fitout was designed with this approach in mind. “It’s set in a really attractive central London location – which has been reflected in the quality of finish with the interiors – and is an excellent example of how ODCreate can deliver work that ticks the boxes for landlords and tenants alike.” Anaelle Dindorf, asset manager at KGAL Investment Management GmbH & Co KG, said: “We were pleased with the result of the works and had a very positive experience with the project team. The project was delivered without delay in the agreed timeframe.” ODCreate’s fit-out of the space is tenant-ready, with all elements of the design, dressing and fixtures designed to be used immediately by prospective tenants. ODCreate worked alongside Beadmans on the project, who acted as project manager and cost consultant. 101 St Martin’s Lane is one of several major projects recently completed by ODCreate, including a 30,000 sq ft new office for Howden Insurance in Milton Keynes. For more information, visit od-group.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Plug and Play suites across 3 floors completed following refurb programme and fit out Manchester’s Exchange Quay flagship office campus has completed the refurbishment programme and fit out of a series of new Plug and Play suites to meet the growing demand for more design-led, ready to occupy office space. Fast becoming a mainstream solution, driven by an expanding flex market and an established alternative to traditional leasing, Exchange Quay is adapting to the trend to deliver the new Fully Fitted suites across 3 floors in Building 8 thanks to continued investment in the campus offer. Each fitted out Plug and Play office suite offers 40 desks on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors comprising 4,146 sq ft each floor and complements the campus’s flex accommodation provision at Serendipity Labs alongside its traditional offices of up to 20,000 sq ft. The new Plug and Play suites range from 1,000 sq ft upwards. Building 8 is already home to Capsil Ltd, one of the UK’s leading intensive driving tuition specialists who offer flexible driving courses via its PassMeFast brand. The company relocated its 80-strong team to Exchange Quay in June this year. The launch of the new Plug & Play suites forms part of the wider programme of works at Exchange Quay, which resulted in the decarbonisation of 130,000 sq ft of office space in Building 8 to upgrade it from EPC D to EPC B. As a result, Exchange Quay can now offer occupiers all options with additional lease terms, flex space and fully furnished accommodation from a two-person office upwards. Les Lang, Director, Till AM said: “In a continually evolving and challenging business landscape, finding the right office space can be game changing whether you’re a start up enterprise looking for ready-to-go accommodation, or a growing small or large organisation moving into your next phase. “Plug and Play in particular has seen a significant shift, with fully equipped workspace solutions offering businesses of all shapes and sizes the flexibility and convenience they need and want. We are delighted to be able to now offer our new Plug and Play suites at Exchange Quay, giving occupiers all options from flex space and fully furnished, walk in ready accommodation.” Exchange Quay’s appointed letting agents are Colliers and Canning O’Neill. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a new Best Practice Guide – Walls as a System – to help specifiers, designers, installers and building owners ensure compatibility of compliant test evidence across building components assembled into larger supersystems. The guide addresses a critical issue in modern construction: the tendency to design and specify building components in isolation, without considering how they interact as part of larger systems. By introducing the concept of ‘Walls as a System’, FIS is promoting a more holistic approach to building design and construction, ensuring interfaces, penetrations, glazing and doors have compatible and compliant test evidence. Developed with input from technical experts and wider group of peer reviewers across the sector, including ASDMA, DHF, GIRI, GAI, GPDA and PFKG, this guide represents a collaborative effort to provide clear, relevant, and concise design guidance. It aligns with the RIBA Plan of Work and the Building Safety Act Gateways for Higher Risk Buildings, emphasising early engagement with manufacturers and contractors. This new guide highlights the importance of early planning and clear communication in the design process. It introduces the term ‘fire wall’ to emphasise the critical protective function of certain walls, aligning with existing terms like fire doors and fire glass. The guide includes up to date guidance on maintaining the compartment lines below raised access floors and above glazed fire walls with drop bulkheads, as well as addressing how the imposed load from the walls, glazing and doors will be supported. The appendix includes a list of all relevant standards and a list of further reading. Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS said: “This new walls as a system guide represents a significant step forward in how we approach wall design and construction. By considering walls as integrated systems, we can enhance building safety, performance and compliance across the industry. “It shows the sector coming together to provide clear, relevant and concise guidance. The core message being early engagement with manufacturers and contractors to ensure that what is designed can be compliantly delivered.” Michael Skelding, General Manager and Secretary, DHF added: “DHF is proud to have contributed to this important initiative. Our work on the guide ensures that doors and hardware are considered as integral parts of the wall system, ensuring their performance is compatible with the overall design. This collaborative approach is essential to achieving safer, compliant buildings.” You can download the Best Practice Guide – Walls as a System here https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/best-practice-guides/walls-as-a-system For further information or for any questions please contact the FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121-707-0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The management team has successfully completed a buyout at leading workplace consultancy and commercial interior design firm, Blueprint Interiors. Rachel Biddles and Chloe Sproston have taken ownership of the business, which will see chairman and founder Rob Day take a step towards retirement and his passion for community-led projects for the company. Operations director Rachel Biddles and creative director Chloe Sproston have been with Blueprint Interiors for 22 and 19 years respectively, having played a significant part in its innovation and growth over the years. The new ownership marks a new chapter for the Ashby-based business – as it celebrates a record 12 months of trading and secures significant projects with household names in 2025. Set up by Rob 23 years ago, Blueprint Interiors continue to shape the future of workplace design, meeting the evolving needs of employer and employee. Rachel Biddles, said: “This has been three years in the planning and it’s wonderful to be able to share the news with the industry. While it’s a strategic move, it has felt a natural transition with Chloe and me being in the business for such a long time. “With a very busy order book and some big projects to announce in the coming months, there is plenty for Chloe and me to deliver and celebrate. This new ownership will enable us to continue to drive forward innovation and quality in workplace design, which is what Blueprint is known for.” Chloe Sproston, said: “Rob has passionately created a vibrant company with strong ethics and values. His success is significant and he has been a fantastic mentor to Rachel and me. “We have always had a clear sense of who we are at Blueprint, our expertise, and our desire to provide the best experience for our clients. We love this company and have always treated it as our own, so to now be a co-owner is incredibly rewarding. “I want to thank Rob for putting his trust in us to take things forward, and the dedicated team who Rachel and I will be working alongside in this next phase of organic growth and expansion.” Rob Day, said “As we celebrate 23 years in business and a number of recent talent acquisitions, we now also celebrate this exciting new chapter for Blueprint. “This has been a long time in the planning and I feel grateful and proud that Chloe and Rachel will now take the business forward. They have been instrumental in creating the company we have today so it couldn’t be in better hands. “Their commitment to Blueprint along with their ambition, vision and sheer talent, ensure the ongoing success of the company, providing clients with our unique services and nurturing the best team in the business. “Now is the perfect time to hand the reins over, whilst I’ll remain in my role as chairman and founder, as well as continuing to help drive our community and social value activities. There may also be some sailing on the horizon for me as I relish a little more free time! I wish Chloe, Rachel and the team the very best for the future and look forward to seeing their continued success.” Blueprint Interiors follow the WELL Building Standard; a universally recognised benchmark which puts mental wellbeing and emotional health as key considerations when creating productive workplaces. The Standard helps organisations to optimise their workplaces around the health and wellbeing of their people, which allows teams to be their very best selves. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
