Colliers appoints Ben Hulland as Director in Cost Management
His appointment will strengthen large-scale and multi-sector project capability Colliers has appointed Ben Hulland as a Director in its Cost Management team, based in the firm’s London office. Ben is a highly experienced Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Project Director with more than 18 years’ experience delivering complex projects across the commercial, residential, education, life sciences, leisure and infrastructure sectors. He brings extensive expertise in cost and commercial management across large-scale office developments, refurbishment and extension projects, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) schemes, leisure facilities and major headquarters buildings. He joins Colliers from Quartz Project Services, where he was a Project Director. He previously worked for Paragon Building Consultancy prior to Colliers’ strategic partnership with Paragon in 2022. His career has also included appointments at Turner & Townsend, Gleeds and Mace. Ben is well regarded for his leadership of multidisciplinary teams, strategic procurement advice and delivery of value-led outcomes for institutional and private sector clients. In his new role, Ben will support the continued expansion of Colliers’ Cost Management offering, with a particular focus on large and complex projects, working across multiple sectors and helping to develop talent within the team. Kenji Harty, Head of Cost Management at Colliers, commented: “Ben is very well respected in the market and brings a breadth of experience that aligns perfectly with our strategy for the Cost Management team. His background in delivering complex, large-scale projects across a wide range of sectors will be a real asset to our clients and our people as we continue to grow the business.” Ben Hulland added: “I’m delighted to be joining Colliers at an exciting time for the business. The breadth of work, collaborative culture and focus on delivering high-quality outcomes for clients is a strong fit with my own approach. I’m looking forward to re-joining the Project & Building Consultancy team to support major projects and help drive the next phase of growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GRAHAM appointed to deliver new student accommodation at University of Bath
GRAHAM has been appointed by the University of Bath to progress plans for a major new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at its Claverton Down campus. The scheme, which is being procured via the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), will see GRAHAM work in partnership with the University under a two-stage Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) to help shape and develop the design ahead of construction. Once complete, the development will deliver 960 student bedrooms alongside a range of associated facilities designed to support student wellbeing and campus life, including communal kitchens and social spaces, study areas, a games room, laundry facilities, and flexible spaces for use throughout the academic year. Located on the eastern edge of the University’s campus, the accommodation will comprise a mix of en-suite cluster flats and townhouse-style living, creating a diverse and high-quality residential offering. The project will support the University’s ambition to create a healthy, sustainable and inclusive campus environment, with GRAHAM bringing its expertise in low-carbon construction and energy-efficient design to the scheme. The buildings are targeting high sustainability standards, including certification to Passivhaus principles, which will support reduced energy demand, improved thermal comfort and enhanced indoor air quality for residents. Measures such as air source heat pumps and a fabric-first approach will further contribute to lowering operational carbon and supporting the University’s wider net zero ambitions. The development will play a key role in increasing on-campus accommodation capacity for first-year students, helping to meet growing demand while enhancing the University’s wider residential offering. Rod McMullan, Contracts Director at GRAHAM, said: Securing this appointment with the University of Bath marks an important step in progressing a high-quality student accommodation scheme that responds to the growing demand for on-campus living. We look forward to working closely with the University and wider project team to shape a design that prioritises sustainability, operational efficiency and, importantly, the overall student experience. This collaborative approach will be key to ensuring the development is well-positioned for successful delivery. Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Chief Operations Officer at University of Bath, said: This scheme is a landmark investment for the University in the year we celebrate our 60th birthday. We look forward to working with GRAHAM as our construction partner. GRAHAM demonstrated their alignment with our values and ambitions to create a high-quality scheme which will enable us to build on our global reputation for providing excellent student facilities. The appointment further strengthens GRAHAM’s track record in delivering high-quality student accommodation projects across the UK, supporting universities in creating modern, sustainable living environments that respond to evolving student needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£100 million Student Village to transform student experience as bookings open
University of Staffordshire has opened bookings for its £100 million Student Village, marking a major milestone in a development set to transform the student experience and support the continued regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent. The scheme will provide around 1,000 rooms across a mix of new and refurbished accommodation and represents one of the most significant investments in student experience at the University in recent years. It also forms part of a wider programme of regeneration across the city, contributing to economic growth and strengthening Stoke-on-Trent as a place to live, study and work. Designed to offer modern, high-quality living, the Student Village, opening in September 2026, will feature en-suite accommodation across a range of formats including cluster blocks and townhouses. It will support a diverse student population, including undergraduates, postgraduates and returning students, with a focus on helping students feel settled, supported and part of a community from the outset. At the centre of the development will be a Village Hub, providing shared space for socialising, study and wellbeing. The Hub will host events and student-led activity, contributing to a vibrant and connected campus environment supported by the University’s ResLife team. Christina Matthews, Executive Director of Student Life at University of Staffordshire, said: “This is a major investment in the student experience and reflects our commitment to creating an environment where students can truly thrive. “The Student Village has been designed around the reality of student life, not just where students live, but how they build friendships and feel part of a community from day one. At the same time, it reflects the important role the University plays in the ongoing regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent.” The Student Village is located at the heart of the University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus, close to teaching facilities, the nature reserve and transport links. It has been designed with safety and accessibility in mind, incorporating 24/7 security, controlled access and the SafeZone app. The development sits alongside other major investments in the city, including the £60 million Goods Yard development, the revitalisation of the historic Spode Works, and a £29 million programme to transform the railway station and surrounding gateway. Together, these developments are reshaping the city and reinforcing its appeal to students, residents and businesses. A student who has seen the development, Lucy Hughes, said: “The accommodation looks amazing and it feels like everything has been designed with students in mind. The University already has a great community feel, and this is only going to make that stronger. “It’s easy to imagine settling in quickly, meeting people and feeling part of something from the start.” To find out more about the accommodation, visit staffs.ac.uk/accommodation Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AstraZeneca secures green light for major Cambridge conference and office hub
AstraZeneca has received planning approval for a significant new office and conference building at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, marking the latest phase in the continued expansion of one of Europe’s leading life sciences clusters. Designed by Jestico + Whiles, the six-storey development will deliver the 12,000 sq m of high-quality floorspace, including offices for more than 700 staff. The scheme also incorporates a 200-person conference centre, a 450-seat auditorium and a 110-cover restaurant, creating a flexible environment geared towards collaboration, events and knowledge sharing. The building will be located on Francis Crick Avenue, positioned just south of AstraZeneca’s landmark headquarters designed by Herzog & de Meuron, which was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. The project forms part of a wider masterplan for the campus, with Herzog & de Meuron acting as masterplan and design architect, supported by landscape architect Gillespies. The scheme is intended to support AstraZeneca’s long-term strategy of consolidating its Cambridge-based operations, bringing together research, commercial and partner teams within a single, integrated campus environment. By enhancing connectivity between disciplines, the development aims to strengthen innovation and collaboration across the organisation. A multidisciplinary consultant team has been assembled to deliver the project, including Ramboll on civils, structures, MEP and transport, Bidwells on planning, MFS on façades and The Fire Surgery on fire engineering. The site, spanning approximately 2.2 hectares, is currently used as a temporary car park and construction support area for the neighbouring Rosalind Franklin building, designed by Hawkins\Brown and being delivered by Mace. The new development will sit around 150 metres from the forthcoming Cambridge South station, further enhancing accessibility to the campus. While earlier outline consent for a commercial building on the site formed part of a wider application submitted in 2010, the approval had lapsed in 2021. As a result, AstraZeneca brought forward the current proposals as a standalone application, while still adhering to the overarching principles of the original masterplan. The project represents a further investment in high-specification, research-led commercial space, reinforcing Cambridge’s position as a global hub for life sciences and innovation-led development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Keepmoat to slash site carbon emissions with HVO biofuel roll out
Top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat will cut site carbon emissions by more than a thousand tonnes per year as its telehandlers and generators transition from diesel to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) biofuel. The switch will apply to both telehandlers and new generator hires by the housebuilder, fulfilling its commitment to achieve a 51 percent reduction in direct emissions by 2032. HVO is a renewable diesel that delivers up to 99 percent lower carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel and is fully compatible with plant machinery, enabling immediate adoption across live developments without changing existing equipment or infrastructure. On a typical site, the switch is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 21.9 tonnes per year per telehandler, making a significant contribution to Keepmoat’s science-based targets. Karl Wiseman, Group Production Director at Keepmoat said: “At Keepmoat, we’re focused on driving innovation and sustainability across everything we do, working closely with our partners and supply chain to deliver lower-carbon homes and communities. “From 1 May 2026, we’ll roll this out across our sites as existing diesel supplies are used up. We’ll also specify HVO fuel for all new generators hired, helping us deliver a smooth yet rapid transition across the business. With telehandlers and generators being the biggest contributors to direct on-site emissions, this is a clear opportunity for us to make a meaningful impact.” Keepmoat is a leading partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 60 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more, please visit: www.keepmoat.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Holcim UK supplies first-class mortar solution to iconic Manchester project
Located at the entrance to Trafford Park, No.1 Old Trafford comprises two striking residential towers of 15 and 18 storeys. Surrounded by local landmarks including the Manchester Ship Canal, Old Trafford Stadium, and Hotel Football, the twin-tower development demanded a visually united mortar finish and a supply solution capable of meeting the demands of a constrained urban site. Project at a glance section The brief Domis Construction tasked long‑term brickwork partner Kinlan Brickwork to deliver the external brickwork on the project, who in turn contacted Holcim Mortars due to the strong history of partnership between the companies across multiple North West high‑rise schemes. From the outset, the team required a consistent, aesthetically aligned mortar that would complement the chosen Heritage brick, meet architect expectations on colour accuracy and remain in keeping with buildings in the local area. With limited ground-level space and bricklayers working continuously at height, the site also needed a mortar solution that enabled efficient lifting, storage and next‑day use without risk of downtime. Challenges The project presented several logistical and operational obstacles. Dual carriageways on one side and the canal on the other restricted space for material storage. Mortar also needed to arrive in the afternoon, be moved directly into tubs, lifted up onto mast climbers, and remain workable for bricklaying first-thing in the morning. This meant there was no tolerance for delivery delays, with any missed drops halting bricklayers working at height and creating costly disruption. As a building that will be seen daily by thousands of commuters and residents travelling football fans, even minor colour variation would have been noticeable and therefore unacceptable. This added an extra layer of importance to the mortar colour, which not only had to be in keeping with the chosen Heritage brick, but also had to remain consistent in its pigmentation. The solution Holcim provided GM4 Eco 132 ready-to-use (RTU) mortar to the No.1 Old Trafford project, selected from an on‑site colour showcase and approved by the architects for its warm, light straw‑brown tone that complemented the Heritage brick palette. To ensure uninterrupted progress, RTU mortar was supplied with a 36–72-hour retarder, guaranteeing prime workability when lifted to upper floors.Deliveries were made using Holcim’s pod truck fleet, where the coloured mix is stored in an isolated compartment to protect against contamination and maintain colour consistency. Daily coordination between Holcim’s internal office team and Kinlan’s project managers ensured precise batching, proactive communication, and no missed morning or afternoon delivery windows. Continuous supply was made from Holcim’s Ellesmere Port plant, strategically located to serve Manchester’s construction corridor. These deliveries supported a smooth build sequence and enabled Kinlan’s bricklayers to work efficiently at height during summer and winter seasons. Overall operational discipline — including exact pigment dosing and meticulous pod cleaning — ensured a flawless exterior finish across both towers. Over the 18‑month programme, Holcim supplied nearly 600m³ of RTU mortar, which equates to coverage of approximately 17.5 km² of brickwork. Sustainability considerations Holcim incorporated several measures that supported reduced waste and efficiency throughout the project. Pod trucks, for example, enabled multi‑site “milk runs”, reducing the number of single‑purpose vehicle movements. The retarder also ensured full utilisation of each batch, minimising wasted material and avoiding the mortar from prematurely setting off. In addition, consistent batching eliminated the risk of rejected loads or colour mismatch, reducing remediation and embodied carbon associated with rework. What we achieved in numbers Outcome Ben Douglas, senior project manager at Kinlan Brickwork, said: “The No.1 Old Trafford project was delivered to an exceptional quality, with seamless colour consistency across both towers and zero disruption to the brickwork programme. The collaborative working relationship between Holcim, Kinlan and Domis proved instrumental in ensuring smooth logistics and a flawless finish on one of Trafford Park’s most prominent residential developments.” Steven Howitt, Area Sales Manager for Mortar and Screed at Holcim UK, said: “This project is a stellar example of what can happen when teamwork really comes to fruition. Timings, logistics and organisation were all critical factors in making sure the build ran smoothly and to plan. “Today, No.1 Old Trafford stands as a stunning visual example of efficient supply planning, technical precision and close contractor collaboration — seen by thousands of people each week as they enter the iconic Trafford Park.” To find out more about Holcim UK’s mortar offering, please visit https://www.holcim.co.uk/products/mortar Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals