ProcurePro Lets Contractors Talk to Their Live Procurement Data Through Microsoft Copilot and Claude
Commercial teams can ask plain-English questions across every project, package and supplier with answers drawn from their own live data, so they can see commercial risk before it erodes margin or delays the project’s programme. “Where are we losing money, and why?” Contractors using ProcurePro can now ask that question in Microsoft Copilot or Claude and get an answer from their own live commercial data in seconds.. The new Model Context Protocol (MCP) connectors link ProcurePro’s end-to-end procurement workflow directly to the AI tools teams already use. The launch reflects a wider shift in business software. AI models are widely available and easy to switch between, so the advantage is now in the data they draw from. In construction, this means the commercial detail behind every project, which general AI tools cannot see on their own. MCP is a shared standard that allows AI assistants to connect to software and read real-time data. In practice, this means customers can ask their AI tool of choice which trades are trending over budget across every live project, see what’s driving it, and act to mitigate risk on billions in spend, today rather than next quarter.. This is significant, as general AI tools will guess and hallucinate as it has no live view of suppliers or contracts. ProcurePro’s MCP connector gives AI tools a sovereign data layer to work from that is specific to every customer instead of filling gaps with assumptions. The UK’s 100 largest contractors averaged a pre-tax margin of around 3% in their latest accounts, and a quarter made less than 2% (TCI Top 100 2026, Company Watch). ProcurePro platform data says that one in four subcontracts is procured over budget. In that environment, an AI answer based on guesswork is a commercial risk. Alastair Blenkin, CEO at ProcurePro, said: “Construction has spent decades finding its problems in the rear-view mirror. Margin erodes late, and everyone moves on to the next job. Live, connected data flips from reactive to proactive. Industry leaders are no longer scraping 2 or 3%, they have their commercial intelligence at their fingertips and meaningfully grow margins. ProcurePro holds procurement activity across suppliers, contracts, quotes and project spend all in one connected system so the AI tools drawing upon the data can reason across the full picture rather than isolated fragments. Over time, that record-keeping turns into a commercial intelligence engine that spots patterns in supplier pricing and helps construction firms make better award decisions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Official Launch of Built Influence Awards 2027; Celebrating those who celebrate others
the international Built Influence Awards programme for 2027 is officially launched and open for entries. Led by Senior Leader in the Built Environment sector, Gill Parker, the Built Influence Awards have been established with one clear purpose; to celebrate the people raising the standard of communications, championing the skill, judgement and creativity that elevates the companies they work with and for, as well as the entire Built Environment sector. The skill of communication has never been more challenging and complex, with more platforms, more noise and more ways to spend, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine impact. Whilst big budgets and impressive social numbers may catch the eye, but they do not always tell the full story with integrity. Great communications is about more than visibility, it is about relevance, influence and the value of expertly curated editorial in a crowded media landscape. The Built Influence Awards will shine a light on the true skill and talent in the built environment sector, across key sectors and disciplines. The carefully selected judging panel comprises key experts, including journalists and senior marketing professionals who are tasked with identifying the truly talented teams out there. Gill Parker, President of the Built Influence Awards and Chair of the judges comments: “I am incredibly excited to be launching this new and unique awards programme to recognise the talent within our sector. I began my career in marketing before moving into senior leadership within UK architecture and the wider built environment sector, as a result of which I have always advocated for marketing representation at the board level. Accurate and compelling storytelling is vital to driving business strategy, building trust, and unlocking an organization’s full potential. While our sector has not always been known for its marketing communications, we have witnessed monumental leaps forward in creativity and style. Marketing professionals are often the unsung heroes of our industry, and the Built Influence Awards provide a dedicated moment to recognise and celebrate this abundant excellence.” The experienced panel have a collective understanding on the different sectors and geographies, as well as being accomplished communicators, working for outstanding businesses. Closing date for entries is 20th November 2026, with judging taking place in January 2027. Winners will be announced in early March 2027. Please visit www.builtinfluenceawards.com and start planning your entry today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ramboll announces senior Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals hires
Global engineering and sustainability consultancy appoints Richard Linacre and Ivana Poparic as Directors in its Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals teams Ramboll has today announced the hires of Richard Linacre as Director (Pharmaceuticals) and Ivana Poparic as Director (Business Development & Strategic Advisory). Richard and Ivana bring complementary expertise that further strengthens Ramboll’s presence across the UK Life Science and Pharmaceuticals market, following a number of recent wins for the business. With over 30 years of engineering experience, Richard brings a wealth of market insight and pharma-sector expertise, underpinned by a proven track record in building trusted client partnerships, leading complex programmes and shaping high-quality outcomes across pharmaceutical and life science environments. In his role Richard will be focusing on co-ordinating Ramboll’s multi-disciplinary capabilities on projects across Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals. This will include work both in the UK and internationally across the sector, delivering innovation with a focus on design excellence and sustainability. As Business Development & Strategic Advisory Director, Ivana will leverage Ramboll’s multidisciplinary expertise to support the delivery of complex projects and provide strategic counsel to clients across the life sciences sector. Having previously held positions at King’s College London, The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and MedCity, Ivana is a highly respected scientist and a well-known expert in life sciences infrastructure development and ecosystems. She will bring considerable strategic advisory experience and a strong track record to Ramboll, having built partnerships across industry, investors, government, academia and real estate to support Ramboll’s growth and innovation. Together these appointments further enhance Ramboll’s ability to create new opportunities for collaboration and growth, enhance the company’s offering, and reinforce its commitment to supporting its clients across the Life Science and Pharmaceutical sector. Commenting on the appointments, Jason Layfield, Executive Director – Buildings, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Richard and Ivana to Ramboll. Both arrive with a well-earned reputation for excellence in their fields and a proven track record of delivering commercial success. They will provide an important focal point and leadership for our pharmaceutical and life sciences teams in the UK. I am looking forward to working closely alongside them both.” Richard Linacre, Director – Pharmaceuticals added: “Ramboll’s track-record in delivering the highest quality of work speaks for itself and I’m excited to be joining a company that shares my commitment to providing across-the-board excellence to clients. I have been impressed by Ramboll’s expertise, collaborative approach and use of creativity to develop novel solutions, which provide real impact for projects of significant scale and the breadth in the sector. It’s a timely moment to be joining with both life sciences and the business experiencing growth and I’m glad to be here to help maximise the opportunity.” Ivana Poparic, Director Business Development & Strategic Advisory – said: “I am pleased to be joining Ramboll to help deliver further growth in life sciences and pharma in the UK. Ramboll already has a first-class reputation in this space, which is part of what made me so keen to take on this role. I have seen firsthand both the challenges and opportunities for life sciences development in the UK and Ramboll’s ability to exceed expectations to meet them through its holistic approach. I’m looking forward to delivering positive outcomes for our life sciences clients as their sustainable partner for change.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Railpen hires Paul Hunt to lead the asset management of its 1.9m sq ft Cambridge Innovation Cluster
Railpen, manager of the around £36bn railways pension scheme in the UK, has appointed Paul Hunt, a seasoned senior asset manager with multi-sector experience, to lead the asset management of its 1.9 million sq ft Innovation Cluster in Cambridge. Railpen’s Innovation Cluster is a geographical eco-system comprising real estate, direct investments into innovation companies, and strategic partnerships, with the goal of creating sustainable economic and social growth for the UK at scale and pace, while also delivering long-term returns to its members. Paul has almost 30 years’ experience in real estate portfolio, asset, and development management in the UK, Europe and Australia, spanning offices, retail, industrial and logistics, residential and hospitality assets. He joins from Gaw Capital Advisors, where he was Head of UK Portfolio and a Senior Director, and has also worked at Hutchinson Property Group and Landsec, the latter on its London estate. Paul is the latest in a series of strategic hires by Railpen for its Innovation Cluster. Under the leadership of Railpen’s Head of Property, Matthew Howard, it has created a senior team with the skills, experience and network to drive the successful delivery of the Cluster. The team also includes Emma Goodfood, consultant Head of Leasing, Parminder Singh, Development Director, and Neil Crawford, Senior Development Manager, all of whom have joined Railpen in the last 18 months. Commenting on Paul Hunt’s appointment, Matthew Howard, Head of Property at Railpen, said: “Railpen is one of the UK’s most active investor-developers, and nowhere better exemplifies this than our Cambridge Innovation Cluster. Our ambition is bold, but with the appointment of Paul Hunt alongside Emma Goodford, Parminder Singh and Neil Crawford, we have the very best combination of expertise, experience and drive to deliver our vision.” Paul Hunt, Head of Cambridge at Railpen, added: “This was a hugely attractive opportunity to work on a portfolio that has longevity, sustainability, and is truly customer and neighbour focused. Railpen is fully committed to building on its existing portfolio, making it even more successful by aligning our ambitions with those of Cambridge as a wider eco-system. I have joined a very strong but lean team that has a great mixture of talent and capability. Together, we are going to deliver market-defining assets and environments that will make a lasting positive contribution to our members, Cambridge, and the UK more widely.” Railpen’s Cambridge Innovation Cluster comprises 11 high-quality assets conceived to reflect existing and emerging occupier demands, including offices, life sciences and innovation space. Mill Yard, its unique 180,000 sq ft mixed-use campus adjacent to the station completes in Q1 2027, with Botanic Place, its 325,000 sq ft global standard headquarters development at the heart of Cambridge’s commercial core, completing in Q1 2028. Railpen also has consent for a 112,000 sq ft Grade A office development at 230 Newmarket Road, and the one million sq ft Beehive innovation hub on an adjoining site. These are complemented by existing offices on Station Road, the Bracks solar farm to the north of the city, and direct investments in several Cambridge-based innovation businesses. Railpen is also an active contributor to several strategic partnerships in Cambridge, with Anna Rule, Director of Real Assets and Private Markets, serving on Innovate Cambridge’s Innovation Council and the Cambridge-Manchester Innovation Partnership’s board. Railpen has also created the Glasshouse, a hub for innovators and entrepreneurs in Botanic House, in partnership with Innovate Cambridge. Beyond Cambridge, Railpen is underway with a major refurbishment and development program of its 600,000 sq ft of commercial space in London and Birmingham, focused on repositioning existing assets to meet the flight-to-quality demand from occupiers. In total, it has over three million sq ft of space under construction or consented, making it one of the most active investor-developers in the property sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kier Set for Return as £3bn Harlow Health Security Campus Moves Back Towards Construction
Kier is set to return to one of the UK’s most technically demanding health infrastructure programmes as the Government revives delivery of the UK Health Security Campus at Harlow following several years of reviews, delays and rising costs. A new Government business case proposes reinstating Kier’s pre-construction services agreement for the specialist H50 high-containment laboratory building, while a separate two-stage competition is expected to be launched for construction of the wider campus. The decision represents a significant step forward for the programme after the main construction supply chain was effectively suspended from 2022 as the Treasury and Department of Health and Social Care reassessed the project and its escalating cost. Ministers have now approved the programme business case, with the overall funding envelope standing at £3.52 billion. This includes VAT where applicable, inflation, risk allowances and relocation expenditure, with approximately £3 billion allocated to capital investment. Early works are scheduled to begin in 2028, ahead of main construction starting in the final quarter of 2029. At the heart of the development will be the H50 bioscience building, one of the most complex elements of the programme. It will contain Containment Level 3 and 4 laboratories designed to enable scientists to work safely with some of the world’s most dangerous pathogens. The building will also provide the UK’s first suited Containment Level 4 facilities for public health, allowing specialist scientists to operate in air-fed protective suits within a highly controlled laboratory environment. Retaining Kier for this element is intended to protect the programme against further delays. Officials concluded that replacing the contractor could require another 12 to 18-month procurement exercise, potentially jeopardising access to a highly specialised construction supply chain. Government assessments indicate that only three UK suppliers have the capability to deliver high-containment facilities at the scale required, demonstrating the specialist nature of the engineering, building services and construction expertise needed for the project. Alongside H50, a fresh two-stage tender is planned for the wider main campus construction package, with procurement expected to begin in November. This package will encompass Containment Level 2 and 3 laboratories, headquarters offices, logistics and security facilities, reception areas, education buildings and a new energy centre. The extensive infrastructure programme will also include utilities, roads, parking and external works. The successful main campus contractor will be required to coordinate closely with the separately delivered high-containment laboratory project. The existing main building is expected to be demolished to ground level, although officials are continuing to examine the most appropriate procurement and delivery strategy for the demolition works. Before the programme was paused, Kier had secured the specialist bioscience laboratory package, while Wates had been appointed to deliver arrivals, administration and logistics buildings together with refurbishment works. VolkerFitzpatrick had secured the infrastructure, external works and energy centre package. Previous contracts have subsequently either been terminated, expired or placed into suspension. Seven professional services packages are now also planned to support the renewed programme from 2027/28. Once completed, the Harlow campus will consolidate UK Health Security Agency scientific operations currently based at Porton Down and Colindale alongside its London headquarters. The programme aims to transfer as many as possible of the approximately 2,500 roles currently based across those locations. Validation and dual running of the new facilities are expected to begin in early 2034, reflecting the extensive testing and commissioning required for such technically sensitive laboratory environments. The campus is scheduled to become fully operational in September 2038. With the business case approved and construction procurement preparing to restart, the Harlow programme is moving back towards delivery as one of the largest and most technically complex public health construction projects planned in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ardstone Breaks into Global Top 50 as Irish Residential Platform Gains Institutional Scale
Ardstone has been ranked among the world’s top 50 core real estate investment managers, highlighting the growing scale of its institutional residential investment and property management platform in Ireland. The company has taken 49th position in the inaugural PERE Core 100, a global ranking measuring capital raised by private real estate managers for core and core-plus strategies. PERE recorded $1.186 billion of capital raised by Ardstone during the five-year assessment period, placing the Irish property investment manager alongside some of the largest institutional real estate businesses operating internationally. The recognition comes as institutional investment continues to play an important role in the development, ownership and long-term management of purpose-built rental housing. At the centre of Ardstone’s residential strategy is the Ardstone Residential Income Fund (ARIF), which currently owns and operates approximately 3,100 homes across the Greater Dublin Area. The fund is focused on the mid-market rental and social housing sectors, connecting long-term institutional capital with the delivery and operation of new homes. The Irish Strategic Investment Fund is among the investors supporting ARIF, having committed €75 million alongside international pension fund capital. Its investment strategy is intended to help unlock new rental housing through forward purchase and forward funding arrangements. For the wider residential property sector, Ardstone’s ranking illustrates how Build to Rent and professionally managed rental housing are increasingly becoming long-term institutional asset classes rather than simply development opportunities. That approach places considerable emphasis on what happens after construction is completed. Property and asset management, resident experience, building performance, energy efficiency, maintenance and the creation of sustainable communities all become integral to protecting the long-term performance of residential investments. ARIF has also placed sustainability within its investment strategy, with objectives including the creation of sustainable, low-carbon residential assets that are better positioned to respond to future climate risks. The fund is classified as an Article 9 fund under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. Ardstone said its position in the global ranking reflected the strength of its long-standing institutional investor relationships and the scale achieved through its specialist Irish residential platform. The wider PERE Core 100 also provides an indication of the scale of capital targeting lower-risk real estate strategies. The 100 managers included in the inaugural ranking collectively raised more than $223 billion for qualifying core and core-plus strategies during the five-year assessment period. For Ardstone, reaching the global top 50 provides further recognition of a residential platform that now spans thousands of homes and combines investment, development, ownership and long-term operation. As institutional capital continues to target professionally managed rental housing, the relationship between investment and the physical performance of residential buildings is likely to become increasingly important, placing property management, sustainability and long-term asset quality firmly at the heart of the sector’s future growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals