
HS2 launches new apprenticeship pathway for the unemployed
HS2 is launching a new fast-track training programme to help unemployed West Midlands residents secure a construction apprenticeship on Britain’s new railway. The programme is being led by HS2’s West Midlands construction partners, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) – who are delivering the 90km section of the railway between Warwickshire, Birmingham and Staffordshire, and Mace Dragados – who are building Curzon Street Station. The new initiative builds on the success of BBV’s well established routes into employment programmes. In the West Midlands, 2,273 unemployed local residents have already secured a job on HS2 and 885 have started an apprenticeship. Now, for the first time, the two joint ventures are teaming up to deliver a new six-week general operatives training programme, which will equip participants with the skills and health and safety accreditation they need to start working in construction. Candidates who successfully complete the six-week course, and want to progress their career in construction, will automatically qualify for an interview for an 18-month apprenticeship. Julie Venn Morton, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Skills and Inclusion Manager for the region said: “We work exceptionally hard to ensure that local residents benefit from career opportunities on HS2, and it’s great to see our construction partners working together to create more new entry-level jobs for local people. “A project the size and scale of HS2 offers a unique opportunity to upskill the next generation and we’re proud of our achievements to date, with over 2,000 people starting an apprenticeship and over 5,700 unemployed people starting new careers on the programme.” The six-week general operatives training programme will be delivered at South and City College’s Bordesley Green campus and starts on 28 September. Eight successful candidates will go on to secure an 18-month Level 2 apprenticeship, where they will join the teams delivering the city’s new flagship terminus station. Beatriz Ramos Albert, Communications, Skills & Social Value Lead at Mace Dragados said: “Collaboration is essential to maximising the social value we create through HS2, and this programme is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition. We are delighted to be partnering with Balfour Beatty VINCI and are grateful for the expertise and best practice they are bringing to this programme. “As construction of Curzon Street Station progresses, we continue to create opportunities across our city centre project and supply chain, and initiatives like this help to ensure those opportunities are accessible to local residents”. Four candidates will progress onto a Level 2 apprenticeship with BBV, where they will join the teams constructing the railway as it travels through Solihull and Warwickshire. Kam Hundal, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Skills, Employment and Education Business Partner said: “We’re creating more new apprenticeship opportunities for local people who are currently out of work, as part of our on-going commitment to leave a lasting skills legacy in the West Midlands. “Candidates who successfully complete a six-week training programme are guaranteed an interview for these entry-level roles. Along the way, we’ll equip them with the skills and health and safety accreditation they need to start working in construction.” West Midlands residents who are interested in joining the programme should register their interest with their local Jobcentre Plus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Where Performance Meets Practice: The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham
From Passivhaus to working at height; roofing to insulation; fire safety to solar integration, the new Building Envelope Stage at UK Construction Week Birmingham will offer visitors a practical and technical focus on the systems and materials that determine a building’s performance, safety, durability and energy efficiency. Bringing together contractors, manufacturers, specifiers and installers, the programme will explore the latest developments in roofing, cladding, insulation, facades and waterproofing, alongside key issues such as fire safety, regulation, retrofit and net zero delivery. Partnering with organisations such as the National Retrofit Hub and NFRC, topics covered on the Building Envelope Stage will include: Passivhaus at Scale: Why Major Housebuilders Are Embracing Higher Performance Standards; Healthy Homes: Building Fabric, Ventilation and Occupant Wellbeing; and Roofing for Net Zero: Design, Performance and Whole-Life Value. Stage highlights include: Tuesday 29th September 12.30pm – 1.15pmHealthy Homes: What Really Makes a Building Good for People?Demonstrating best practice, the session will provide evidence-based guidance on delivering homes that are not only energy efficient, but demonstrably better for occupant health and wellbeing.Speakers: Dr Anastasia Mylona (CIBSE), Jade Lewis (Healthy Homes & Buildings Group), Mark Allen (Fortem), Olga Turner Baker (Ekkist) 1.30pm – 2.15pmThe Retrofit Reset: Beyond Grants to Long Term DeliveryGovernment grants have played an important role in kickstarting retrofit, but they won’t deliver the scale or pace of home upgrades the UK needs on their own. What comes next? How do we move beyond short-term funding towards a stable, long-term retrofit market that gives homeowners, landlords, local authorities and industry the confidence to invest?Speakers: Carl Bairstow (Efficiency North), Rachael Owens (National Retrofit Hub), Sarah Louise Fletcher (Leeds Beckett University) Wednesday 30th September 2.30pm – 3.15pmRight First Time: The Future of Membrane SuitabilityApproved Document B, Awaab’s Law and the Future Homes Standard are converging on the roof. As fire safety rules tighten, repair timeframes shorten, and solar PV goes mainstream, membrane suitability is a critical compliance consideration. This panel cuts through the noise to ask what “suitable” will mean going forward, and how the sector can get it ‘right first time’.Speakers: Adrian Howe (Stormforce Roofing), Matthew Sexton (BMI UK & Ireland), Thomas Marshall (Don & Low Ltd) 3.30pm-4.15pmBeyond Sedum: The Next Generation of Green RoofsThis session will explore the technical and practical considerations of designing, specifying and maintaining roofs that respond to local vernaculars, support Biodiversity Net Gain objectives and function as genuine nature-based solutions rather than compliance measures.Speakers: Chris Bridgman (Bridgman & Bridgman and Chair, Green Roof Organisation (GRO), Vice President, European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations and Founder, World Green Roof Day), Keith Hills (Eco Green Group), Luke Rootham (Axter Ltd), Maggie Fennel Wells (The Environment Partnership (TEP) Ltd) Thursday 1st October 10.30am – 11.15amSolar, Storage and Heat Pumps: What New Build and Retrofit Mean for Your BusinessThis session will explore how the Future Homes Standard and the Warm Homes Plan are shaping demand for solar PV, battery storage and heat pumps, and what businesses need to do now to prepare.Speakers: Jason Howlett (Energy Storage Association), Neil Evans (GoodWe), Nigel Banks (Octopus Energy) 12.30pm – 1.15pmNet Zero Transition Planning: Turning Construction Ambition into ActionThis presentation will explore how organisations can build robust transition plans, align with the emerging ISO Net Zero Standard, and integrate carbon reduction into business planning, procurement and project delivery.Speaker: Lucie Shackley (Carbon Trust) Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham Editorial Director, commented: ““The Building Envelope Stage reflects a shift we’re seeing across the industry: performance is no longer an abstract ambition, it’s a practical discipline. By bringing contractors, manufacturers, specifiers and installers together, we’re creating a space where real world challenges meet real world solutions. This is where innovation becomes practice, and where the sector moves forward together.” Sponsored by Barbour ABI, Zutec, Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over 250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections. Architect, TV presenter and UKCW ambassador, George Clarke will officially open the show and also host the Main Stage discussions on Day One (September 29th). To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0hcnqiudc1lrv?actioncode=1000 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Lovell delivers industry leading social value as £14m generated at key partnerships site
TELFORD’S major mixed tenure development Wild Walk has been completed, bringing hundreds of much-needed homes and pouring more than £14m into the local supply chain. The scheme of 329 homes – including open market, affordable rent, accessible and care home plots – has been built as part of a multi-generational development. The aim is to deliver legacy housing that makes a difference, addressing local and national housing targets as well as providing more high quality, efficient home options for local people. As part of the completion, a social value report for Wild Walk has been produced, highlighting the scope of the project impact on the wider community. A testament to the successful partnership between national housebuilder Lovell, Telford & Wrekin Council and Housing Plus Group, the project created 17 jobs for local people, with more than £14 million spent in the local supply chain and 75% of subcontractors employed within 30 miles of the site. Stuart Penn, regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: “Our commitment to social value is solid, whether that be through apprenticeships, work experience placements and training, or organising engagement events with the local schools, we understand the impact of making these efforts. For us, it’s not just a tick box it’s about integrating into the communities in which we build and leaving a lasting legacy. “We have compiled a comprehensive report detailing these efforts on this site, which once again shows that we are holding ourselves accountable and are actively looking to continue these efforts across all our developments.” Alongside prioritising local employment, existing residents have also been front of mind with roughly £58,000 donated to local causes. This included a £2,500 contribution and renovation of the local play area, transforming it into a safer and more inviting spot for children and families to enjoy. Councillor Nathan England, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer Streets and Better Housing, said: “Wild Walk has delivered high-quality homes for local people, but the true measure of its success is the lasting positive impact it has had on the wider community. “The scheme has supported local businesses, created employment and training opportunities, invested in community projects and delivered environmental benefits. It demonstrates how housing developments can help strengthen communities and leave a positive legacy long after construction has been completed.” As well as social value, sustainability was prioritised from design concept and throughout construction. During the build, 98% of waste was diverted from landfill – far ahead of the 2023 national average of 87%. The homes are also built with energy efficiency in mind with solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, combined with enhanced insulation for reduced running costs. Stuart added: “Wild Walk is a true showcase of what can be achieved when partners share a vision – sustainable homes, meaningful investment in people and a community built to last. The variety of housing types at the site more than meets resident needs and can provide accommodation for all walks of life. “We’re proud of the legacy this project leaves for Telford and this foundation will continue to serve as the basis for other developments across the region.” To find out more, visit the Lovell website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Incorporating Solar Into Modern Leisure Centre Construction Projects
Leisure centres have incredibly high energy demands, particularly during the day. Because of this, many facilities choose to install solar panels to reduce costs and stay resilient against volatile energy prices, as well as show their commitment to sustainability – something consumers are now prioritising more than ever before. Solar panels are one of the most popular forms of renewable energy for leisure centres thanks to their vast, flat roofs which are ideal for solar PV systems. Since things like pool pumps, HVAC systems, and lighting create such a consistently high demand for energy, generating on-site electricity is typically an incredibly worthwhile investment. The layout of a PV system and the number of panels used is dependent on many factors, and older buildings are often limited. New buildings, however, have a unique opportunity to tailor their solar panel installations to their actual energy requirements and construct a building that is well equipped to deal with solar PV systems. With that in mind, here are just a few ways in which solar for leisure centres can be integrated during construction to maximise energy generation and investment returns. Roof Design Leisure centres typically have large, flat roofs making them ideal for solar PV installation. However, potential obstructions, like ventilation systems, heat pumps, and access routes can have an impact on usable space. Access for maintenance is particularly important, both for safety and regulatory compliance, and roof orientation can influence the annual solar yield and panel placement. All of these factors play an important role in determining the overall system layout and design. By considering all of these requirements prior to construction, architects, engineers, and contractors can incorporate solar PV into the design of the roof from the start, maximising panel coverage and making the most out of the available roof space. Electrical Infrastructure A building’s electrical infrastructure is important to weigh up, too. The proposed PV system should take into account the possibility of future energy technologies, such as electric vehicle charging, to help futureproof the development and reduce additional costs later down the line. Maximising Energy Generation is Key By thinking about the requirements of solar PV systems during the design and construction of leisure centres, rather than adding them on post-build, businesses can optimise the efficiency of their panels, reduce energy costs and reliance on grid-supplied power, and maximise the long-term value of their investment.

5 Leading Partners for Property Development Marketing Services in Modern Construction
Choosing the right partner for property development marketing services can shape how a project is understood long before the doors open. In real estate development and construction, developers often need to sell a future experience rather than a finished place. That requires clear positioning, credible visuals, and campaign assets that work across planning conversations, investor presentations, and sales. A specialist property development marketing agency can connect design intent with commercial goals, giving a property developer a consistent story from early concept to launch. The stakes are practical: the National Association of Realtors’ 2025 Generational Trends report found that 83% of internet-using buyers rated property photos as very useful, while 41% said the same about virtual-tour features. Although that research covers home buyers rather than off-plan campaigns, it reinforces a simple point: strong visual information matters when people are evaluating property online. Why Property Development Marketing Services Matter in Modern Construction Modern development projects rarely rely on a single brochure or launch event. A campaign may need planning-stage visuals, investor decks, digital ads, a launch environment, and a sales experience that stays coherent as the scheme evolves. For real estate developers, the best partner is not simply a general marketing firm. It is a team that understands how architecture, phasing, location, and commercial objectives affect communication. Strong brand positioning gives the scheme a clear place in the market, while a defined unique value proposition explains why people should care. From there, the agency can translate the idea into a coherent visual identity and persuasive brand messaging. This matters for prospective buyers, but also for investors, brokers, local stakeholders, and internal sales teams who need to understand the same project from different angles. Core Evaluation Pillars for Property Development Marketing Partners Before appointing a real estate development marketing agency, look beyond surface-level creative work. The partner should understand the commercial sequence from early awareness to qualified buyer inquiries and be able to adapt assets as the project moves from planning to launch. Ask how the agency defines the target audience, how it interprets buyer intent, and how it connects audience targeting with creative decisions. A strong team should also show how its marketing strategy changes across project stages rather than applying the same channel mix everywhere. Technical reliability matters as much as concept work because late renders, inconsistent copy, or disconnected campaign assets can slow approvals and weaken the sales process. The following three checks provide a practical starting point for comparing partners. · Architectural Visualization and Digital Innovation: assess high-end 3D rendering, immersive presentation formats, and the ability to create campaign-ready visual assets at different stages of design. · Public Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement: review evidence that the agency can communicate complex urban ideas clearly to community, planning, investor, and commercial audiences where those groups are relevant. · Integrated Campaign Execution: check whether strategy, branding, paid media, content, digital experience, and launch activity can operate as one coordinated system rather than separate deliverables. 1. Omegarender Omegarender is the first recommendation in this selection for teams that need a visual foundation before wider campaign execution begins. The studio focuses on architectural 3D production, including exterior and interior imagery, aerial views, walkthroughs, modeling, 3D animation, and virtual tours and 360-degree experiences. Its portfolio states that the team has completed more than 7,300 images and worked with companies in 25 countries. That scale is useful when a real estate development marketing company needs a large set of coordinated assets rather than a single hero image. High-quality photorealistic CGI can support planning presentations, investor decks, launch creative, and paid ads while the physical project is still being built. Omegarender is especially relevant for pre-construction marketing, where marketing renders often become the visual reference point for every later asset. Its strength is not full-funnel media buying; it is creating the visual material that other campaign functions can build around. 2. Wordsearch Wordsearch brings a broader real estate branding perspective. The agency says it has worked in property for more than 30 years and employs over 80 people across seven countries. Its campaigns combine identity, design, digital, film, renderings, and other formats, with work spanning commercial towers, large neighborhoods, and mixed-use regeneration. That range makes Wordsearch useful when storytelling needs to connect architecture with a wider sense of place. On Brabazon in Bristol, for example, its work included stakeholder workshops, a brand identity, a vision brochure, a marketing suite, and a launch event. Other projects show websites, sales centers, film, print, and CGI working as one system. For a property development marketing company, this integrated approach can strengthen brand consistency across buyer touchpoints while maintaining a recognizable visual language as the scheme progresses through a long development cycle. 3. Luchtenberg M3 (M3 Agency) M3 Agency has a dedicated land development and real estate practice. The company describes work that starts with community branding and digital audience building and can extend to sales-center design. That makes it a practical choice for teams that want brand, media, and customer acquisition handled in a connected way. Its brand strategy work can establish direction before marketing campaigns move into paid and owned digital channels. M3 also publishes a useful performance example from Westmoore: its list-building program generated more than 1,600 leads before the grand opening and nearly 60 sales in the first 90 days. Results from one case should not be treated as a universal benchmark, but they show why disciplined lead generation and campaign measurement matter. For developers, that focus can make it easier to connect sales performance with the creative work that generated demand. 4. Sectorlight Sectorlight is an insight-led creative agency focused on place and space, with studios in London and Dubai. Its current positioning emphasizes international placemaking, brand platforms, identity, digital experiences, and campaigns for property and destination clients. This makes the agency particularly relevant when project differentiation depends on more than building features. A scheme may need a cultural idea, a destination narrative, or a sense of lifestyle to create an emotional connection before buyers

Landsec Wins Approval to Restart £1bn North London Regeneration
Landsec has secured planning approval for a major reset of its £1 billion O2 Centre regeneration in North London, unlocking revised plans for up to 1,800 homes alongside new retail, workspace, leisure and public spaces. Camden Council has approved changes to the 14-acre Finchley Road masterplan after the original proposals stalled amid rising construction costs, viability pressures and new building safety requirements. The revised approach will allow Landsec to increase the height of several buildings and reduce the proportion of affordable housing, with the changes intended to make the substantial mixed-use development deliverable. Affordable housing across the masterplan will fall from the previously planned 35% to 20%, reflecting emergency measures introduced by the Government and Mayor of London to help unlock stalled residential developments. Despite the changes, the overall ambition remains to deliver up to 1,800 homes while transforming an underused site into a new neighbourhood incorporating shops, workplaces, leisure facilities, community amenities and extensive public realm. The first phase, which has secured detailed planning permission as part of the hybrid application, will provide 651 homes. Additional floors have been introduced to several blocks, with some of the buildings now expected to rise to around 17 storeys. The redesigned scheme also incorporates changes required to respond to updated building safety regulations, which have become an increasingly important factor in the design, viability and delivery of higher-rise residential projects. More than half of the wider development site is planned as publicly accessible space, with new landscaped areas, green spaces and improved walking and cycling connections between Finchley Road and West Hampstead. Landsec has also committed £10 million towards providing step-free access at West Hampstead Underground station, supporting wider improvements to connectivity around the new neighbourhood. GRID Architects and Heatherwick Studio have worked on the revised designs. The wider professional team includes AtkinsRéalis as cost consultant, Pell Frischmann providing civil and structural consultancy and Buro Happold responsible for MEP consultancy. Mike Hood, CEO of Landsec, said: “Camden Council gave us a clear mandate in 2023 to transform this isolated, underused land into a mixed-use neighbourhood with new homes, public space and community facilities. “The economic reality has shifted since then and that’s why we’re updating the first phase of the masterplan. “Our changes, which respond to emergency measures from the Government and Mayor of London, would enable delivery and protect the many public benefits that the scheme can deliver. Our vision for a greener, healthier and better connected neighbourhood remains the same.” The regeneration is expected to be delivered across three phases over approximately 10 to 15 years, representing one of the most significant long-term residential and mixed-use development projects in this part of London. The existing O2 shopping and leisure centre will continue operating through the earlier stages of the redevelopment before being demolished as part of the final phase. With the revised plans now approved, Landsec has cleared an important hurdle in bringing the stalled project back towards delivery, while retaining the wider vision of creating a greener, better-connected mixed-use neighbourhood around Finchley Road and West Hampstead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
