McAleer & Rushe posts record performance as pipeline strengthens for 2026 and beyond
McAleer & Rushe has reported a year of strong financial performance, delivering record turnover and a significant rise in profitability as the business continues to expand its presence across key sectors. For 2025, the contractor achieved revenue of £627.7 million, representing a 27 per cent increase on the previous year. Pre tax profits also saw substantial growth, rising by 37 per cent to £22 million, reflecting a combination of disciplined delivery, project execution and a strong pipeline of work. The company has entered 2026 with continued momentum, supported by a robust order book and a high level of secured and future work. To date, McAleer & Rushe has secured £800 million in contracts, with a further £250 million where it has been named preferred contractor. In addition, the business is progressing £600 million of projects under pre construction services agreements, many of which are expected to move to site in 2027. This forward pipeline provides strong visibility over future workload and underpins confidence in the company’s growth trajectory. It also highlights the increasing role of early contractor involvement in securing major schemes, enabling greater certainty around cost, programme and buildability. Eamonn Laverty, chief executive at McAleer & Rushe, said the results demonstrate the strength of the company’s strategy and the commitment of its team. He noted that sustained growth has been driven by the quality of its project pipeline and long standing relationships with clients and partners across the industry. The contractor continues to focus on delivering complex, high quality schemes across sectors including residential, hospitality, commercial and mixed use development. Its integrated design and build model has enabled it to respond effectively to market conditions, while maintaining strong performance across both delivery and financial metrics. With a strengthened leadership team and continued investment in its operational capability, McAleer & Rushe is well positioned to build on its recent success. The combination of secured work, future opportunities and a growing reputation for delivery places the business in a strong position as it moves through 2026 and into the next phase of its growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
British Travel Brand Antler Opens Flagship Store on London’s Iconic Regent Street
British travel brand Antler will open the doors to its UK flagship store at 100 Regent Street, London, on 21 April 2026. Marking the brand’s first standalone UK store under its new ownership, the opening represents a significant milestone in Antler’s journey and global retail expansion strategy. Spanning two floors and over 2,400 sq ft, the Regent Street flagship opens as the home of Antler. The store affirms Antler’s brand positioning as The British Travel Lifestyle Brand through a considered physical environment with sensory details introduced through lighting, materials and Antler’s signature scent. 100 Regent Street is designed as a destination that reflects Antler’s ethos that more travelled people make for a better world, brought to life through Antler’s collections of modern, functional travel goods for those who travel often. Located within London’s prestigious shopping district, Antler will join other iconic British brands, including Burberry and Mulberry, in its premium retail positioning. Designed in collaboration with award-winning design agency Checkland Kindleysides, the flagship brings together product and travel expertise within a contemporary, design-led retail environment defined by natural materials and a seamless artisan micro-cement finish that flows from floor to ceiling. The ground floor forms the primary retail space, centred around a bespoke 6-metre layered table designed as a focal point of the floor. The table features a soft, tactile surface designed to encourage hands-on interaction, allowing customers to open cases and explore the form and function of Antler’s collections. The ground floor is also home to a floral art installation by renowned British floral artist Hamish Powell. Woven around the central table and, along the right-hand wall, the installation introduces texture and seasonality into the space, drawing on natural materials and inspired by great British landscapes. At the rear of the ground floor, the space opens into a quieter haven designed for pause and reflection. Immersive brand visuals introduce Antler’s lifestyle world, offering a moment of rest and refreshments within the pace of Regent Street. The lower ground floor opens into a second retail space alongside the more intimate retreat, designed for discovery. The atmosphere shifts into a lounge environment inspired by the warmth of British hospitality with refreshments served, inviting customers to relax and explore the collection. The space converts from retail floor to an adaptable showroom and events space designed to host talks and cultural moments, bringing together London’s travel community. Furniture throughout the flagship has been designed and made by Toogood, the London based studio led by British designer Faye Toogood, introducing a sculptural yet functional design language throughout the store. In keeping with Antler’s wider engagement with British creatives, staff uniforms have been curated in collaboration with London clothing brand Studio Wylder, each piece finished with a bespoke Antler patch featuring the new monogram. The opening also marks the introduction of the Antler Monogram, a new brand code developed from the interlocking geometry of Antler’s icon and brand mark. Launching in a palette of signature green, archival coral and warm white, the monogram is a symbol of Antler’s design heritage and will launch with a flagship exclusive cashmere scarf and throw, packing cubes and a candle in Antler’s signature store scent, ‘Shared Worlds’. Introduced to mark the milestone opening of the Regent Street flagship, the monogram is designed to remain a long-term brand code, reflecting Antler’s evolution from heritage luggage maker to modern British travel lifestyle brand. Kirsty Glenne, CEO at Antler, said: “The opening of our Regent Street flagship is a defining moment for Antler and a powerful statement of our ambition. This store brings our brand to life as a destination that expresses our values, our heritage and our confidence in the future of physical retail, while creating a new, meaningful way for customers to engage with Antler. Regent Street provides the perfect stage for the next chapter of Antler’s growth.” The Regent Street opening follows four consecutive years of double-digit profitable growth with global sales reaching £52M, +17% YoY. Strategic investment into new product categories including bags and accessories has broadened Antler’s reach beyond core luggage to grow its consumer base, placing the brand firmly on track to reach £100 Million in global sales by 2029. This sustained global growth has also enabled Antler to accelerate its strategic expansion into a House of Brands, through acquiring Paravel and undertaking the expansion of Nere’s international business. Laura Thursfield, Retail Leasing Director, at The Crown Estate, said: “We are delighted to welcome Antler, an iconic British brand, to Regent Street. The arrival reflects our strategy to curate a street of best-in-class brands, led by flagship stores that reinforce Regent Street’s global profile. Antler’s opening marks the start of a summer of new arrivals and supports our ambition to create a forward-thinking destination that continues to evolve in line with emerging consumer trends.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones advances Bristol PBSA scheme as Malago Road hits key delivery milestone
Watkin Jones has reached a major milestone on its 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Bristol, with the Malago Road development securing Gateway 2 approval and progressing into full delivery. The scheme, located within the city’s fast-evolving Temple Quarter, is being delivered through a joint venture with Maslow Capital. Gateway 2 approval confirms that all necessary planning, funding and contractual arrangements are in place, allowing the project to move confidently into the next phase of construction. Works commenced on site in early 2026, with the development remaining on programme for completion ahead of the 2028 academic year. Once delivered, the scheme will provide a mix of modern student accommodation, including studio units and 30 non-en suite rooms, arranged across three buildings. The project will regenerate a brownfield site in a well-connected urban location, positioned approximately 100 metres from Bedminster station and within an 11-minute walk of the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus. Part of the development will operate under a nomination agreement with the university, supporting demand from its expanding student population. The scheme forms part of a wider wave of PBSA development across key regional cities, where supply continues to lag behind growing student numbers. Its proximity to transport infrastructure and major academic institutions is expected to underpin strong long-term occupancy and investment performance. Gwyn Pritchard, managing director at Watkin Jones, said the milestone reflects the strength of collaboration across the project team, as well as the quality of the scheme’s design and delivery approach. He added that the development demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering sustainable, future-ready student accommodation in prime urban locations. Sky Mapson, senior director of origination at Maslow Capital, described Gateway 2 approval as a significant step forward, highlighting Bristol’s continued appeal as a market with clear demand for well-located PBSA. He noted that the scheme is well positioned to meet the long-term needs of the city, particularly given its connectivity and alignment with the University of Bristol’s growth plans. The Malago Road project reinforces the continued momentum within the PBSA sector, with developers and investors targeting high-quality schemes in strong university cities where demand fundamentals remain robust. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Detailed plans submitted for 155 new homes in Colney Heath
Bellway has submitted detailed plans for a development of much-needed new homes in South Hertfordshire. The company secured outline planning permission for the project and completed the purchase of the 12-acre site in Colney Heath in November last year. Its proposals for the 155-home development, to be known as Roestock Meadows and accessed off Roestock Lane, include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom houses. Ali Maruf, Managing Director of Bellway North London, said: “Our plans for Roestock Meadows would deliver a highly sustainable development which would make a significant contribution towards meeting the need for high-quality homes in this popular part of South Hertfordshire. “There’s a real demand for new housing here given Colney Heath’s proximity to St Albans, the city’s excellent rail links to central London, and the wide choice of highly rated schools within the area. “We have taken great care to ensure that our development would be a positive and sensitive addition to the village, with homes designed to reflect the appearance of existing houses in the area through the use of features such as dark weatherboard, dormer windows and gable-end chimneys. “Landscaping has also been carefully considered, with the majority of trees and hedgerows on site to be retained and a comprehensive planting programme put forward to improve biodiversity. We also plan to provide a new children’s play area in a central area of open space featuring three large trees for the community to enjoy. “This is a sustainable location for people to live, within walking distance of the village primary school, pub, takeaway and Post Office – and the new residents which the development would attract would further support these important village amenities. “We have also committed to significant financial investment in local education, health services, bus routes and community facilities as part of the planning agreement for the outline permission already in place for the project.” Bellway North London is currently building homes across Hertfordshire – at King George’s Vale in Cuffley, Forster Park in Stevenage and St James’ Park and Goodsyard in Bishop’s Stortford. For more information, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/north-london. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK Achieves Silver for Social Value Excellence, Tackling Construction Skills Crisis
Leading contractor Bouygues UK has achieved the Silver Level Social Value Quality Mark in under three months. This makes them the first organisation to fast-track from Bronze to Silver, while accelerating efforts to address the UK construction sector’s critical skills shortage. Awarded following a comprehensive audit and a 90% compliance score, the accreditation recognises the company’s outstanding progress in delivering measurable social value across its communities, customers and employees. The Social Value Quality Mark is an independent accreditation that assesses compliance across multiple dimensions, with Silver representing substantial achievement in embedding and evidencing social value in core business operations. At a time when the construction industry faces a skills gap, Bouygues UK has positioned social value as a key lever to drive long-term workforce development. Significant investment in education, apprenticeships and training programmes is helping create sustainable pathways into construction careers – particularly for young people and underrepresented groups. Through STEM initiatives, school and college partnerships, and targeted employability programmes, the company is actively contributing to building a more diverse and future-ready workforce. This approach not only supports local communities but also strengthens the industry’s long-term resilience. The audit highlighted Bouygues UK’s exemplary approach to strategic partnerships, alongside strong leadership and governance, sector-leading sustainability practices, ethical supply chain management, high staff engagement and development, and robust measurement of social return on investment. Huw Evans, Director of Quality at SVQM CIC, said: “We congratulate Bouygues UK on the award of Silver. This recognises their outstanding progress to create social value for their communities, customers and employees, through their everyday operations. In particular, their determination to help tackle the UK skills gap through innovative approaches was found to be exemplary. We look forward to supporting their journey as they continue to drive positive social legacy.” Emmanuelle Rodarie, Director of Social Value at Bouygues UK added, “This Silver award is a testament to our team’s commitment to creating real, measurable impact in our communities. From education and skills development to supporting local economies, we’re proud of the breadth of positive change we’re driving. Achieving Silver at pace reflects the strength of our approach, and we look forward to building on this momentum – delivering even greater value for our clients and the communities we serve.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Harworth and Microsoft move forward with major data centre and industrial scheme in Leeds
Harworth Group plc and Microsoft have taken a significant step forward at Skelton Grange in Leeds, after receiving a resolution to grant planning consent for a major data centre and industrial and logistics development. The scheme, located in West Yorkshire, will deliver a hyperscale data centre campus alongside supporting infrastructure, forming part of a wider regeneration and development strategy for the site. Full planning permission has been sought for approximately 500,000 sq ft of data centre space across three buildings, supported by ancillary facilities. In addition, outline consent has been granted for a further 160,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics accommodation, alongside electric vehicle charging infrastructure on an adjoining 16 acre plot. The development represents a key milestone in the ongoing partnership between Harworth and Microsoft, following the completion of the first phase of the land transaction in June 2024. This initial phase comprised the sale of 27 acres, with Harworth continuing to undertake site remediation and enabling works to prepare the land for development. A second phase, covering a further 21 acres, is also progressing, with additional value to be realised upon completion of the sale. The Skelton Grange scheme is expected to play a major role in driving regional economic growth, with the wider development estimated to generate around £4 billion of inward investment once fully delivered. The project also highlights the increasing demand for well located, power enabled land capable of supporting data centres and other energy intensive uses. Beyond the immediate scheme, Harworth retains further development capacity within the surrounding area, including adjacent land and its nearby Gateway 45 site. The company’s broader portfolio includes significant power connections, positioning it to capitalise on continued growth in the data centre sector and other high demand occupier markets. The resolution to grant planning consent underlines the strength of collaboration between the public and private sectors in delivering large scale, infrastructure led developments. It also reinforces the strategic importance of sites such as Skelton Grange in supporting the UK’s digital economy, while unlocking long term value through regeneration and investment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals