Sir James Cleverly MP announced as keynote speaker at UK Construction Week London
UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s largest and most comprehensive construction event, has announced that Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, will headline as a keynote speaker at its London show next month. Sir James will speak at the Housing Action Hub on Thursday May 14th at 12.30pm, addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities currently facing the UK housing sector. He will be joined by a strong line-up of senior policymakers, including Mike Reader MP, the Department for Business and Trade’s Business Construction Champion, and Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade. Further high-profile speakers confirmed for UKCW London include: From May 12th-14th, UK Construction Week London will come together with Futurebuild and The Stone & Surfaces Show, creating the UK’s largest event uniting the entire built environment, attracting over 25,000 industry professionals, where every stage of a project gets decided. As the largest and most comprehensive construction event in the UK calendar, the show will bring together 25,000 industry professionals, 600+ exhibitors and 700+ speakers across six dedicated stages – all under one roof. Attendees can expect a packed programme of CPD-accredited panels and seminars tackling the sector’s most pressing issues, covering everything from innovation in construction methods, to product testing and assurance; housing insights to workforce capacity; workplace culture to data-driven project management. Sam Patel, Divisional Director at UK Construction Week London, commented: “Securing Sir James Cleverly as a speaker highlights the scale and influence of UK Construction Week. Alongside an exceptional line-up of industry leaders, policymakers and innovators, it reinforces our position as the UK’s leading platform for shaping the future of the built environment.” Sponsored by Sage, Wyre, HotelPlanner, Zurich Resilience Solutions and Build Warranty, UKCW London will feature over 300 leading brands; over 25 trade bodies and associations, including the Federation of Master Builders, CIBSE, and the National Association of Air Duct-Cleaners UK. Following the London Show in May 2026, UKCW Birmingham will return to the NEC from 29th September to 1st October 2026. To register for free, visit: https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2026/cab-campaign Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HLM Architects appoints new Studio Director in Birmingham
Award‑winning architecture practice HLM Architects has appointed Simon Reid as Studio Director of its Birmingham studio, due to open this summer. Simon joins from Lungfish Architects, where he served as Managing Director, and brings 15-years’ experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering high‑impact public sector and community projects across the Midlands. HLM’s Birmingham studio will become the practice’s eighth location across the UK and Ireland, joining its existing studios in Sheffield, London, Plymouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin. It will place HLM at the centre of one of the UK’s fastest-evolving regions – home to major regeneration schemes, ambitious decarbonisation initiatives, expanding healthcare and education estates, and long‑term infrastructure investment across the West Midlands and into Wales. Simon and his team will collaborate closely with colleagues across HLM’s national network. HLM will recruit architects, interior designers and landscape architects to operate across the education, defence, justice, healthcare and commercial sectors, aiming to create a team of up to twelve within the first full year of operation. HLM already has a strong track record in the West Midlands, with notable projects including Three Snowhill – a premier 17-storey, 420,000 sq ft Grade A office building in Birmingham’s central business district. The new studio will provide a platform to expand this portfolio and strengthen client relationships across the region. Commenting on his appointment, Studio Director Simon Reid said: “I’m delighted to be joining HLM Architects and to be launching our new Birmingham studio. “The Midlands is experiencing a wave of regeneration and long-term investment across public services, infrastructure and placemaking. Establishing a permanent base here gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with clients and partners, to grow our regional presence, and to support the delivery of projects that have real and lasting social impact.” Philip Watson, Chair and Head of Design of HLM Architects, added: “Opening our eighth HLM studio, right in the heart of Birmingham, is an important milestone for our practice. It reflects the momentum we’re building and the scale of opportunity across the West Midlands, from major health and education programmes to long‑term justice, defence and emergency services estates. “Strengthening our national resilience and deepening our regional presence is a strategic priority for HLM. Birmingham provides the ideal base to broaden our reach, enhance our framework capabilities, and tap into a new and diverse talent pool. As a Brummie myself, it’s great to be returning to the city, and we are thrilled to welcome Simon to the team and excited for the opportunities ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canary Wharf set for record-breaking tower as JPMorgan secures key approvals
JPMorgan Chase is moving closer to delivering Canary Wharf’s tallest tower after overcoming critical height restrictions linked to nearby London City Airport, clearing a major hurdle for its proposed £3bn headquarters at Riverside South. The Wall Street banking giant is now preparing a planning application for a 265-metre skyscraper that will surpass One Canada Square, which has dominated the Docklands skyline at 235 metres for more than three decades. Designed by Foster + Partners, the scheme will deliver approximately 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space. The development is intended to consolidate JPMorgan’s existing London operations into a single hub capable of accommodating up to 12,000 staff, establishing its largest base across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flight path constraints had posed a significant challenge due to Canary Wharf’s position within the airport’s safeguarding zone. Aircraft approaching London City Airport follow a notably steep glide path, imposing strict limits on building heights across the estate. However, following negotiations, an agreement has been reached allowing the tower to rise to its proposed height while maintaining operational safety. The Riverside South site, owned by JPMorgan Chase since 2008, already benefits from existing foundations and basement structures. This could accelerate delivery timelines once planning consent is secured, with construction expected to take around six years. Canary Wharf Group will act as co-developer on the project. Economically, the scheme is expected to provide a substantial boost. Estimates suggest it could inject up to £9.9bn into the UK economy and support more than 7,800 jobs across construction and associated industries. However, questions remain סביב the role of government incentives in unlocking the project. JPMorgan is understood to have sought clarity over business rates liabilities, with discussions reportedly including potential discounts to support the investment. A report from Tower Hamlets council indicated the bank had requested a long-term business rates incentive, with government sources suggesting progress may depend on certainty around its future tax burden. The debate has drawn mixed reactions. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the development as a “multi-billion-pound vote of confidence” in the UK economy, critics have raised concerns over offering tax breaks to major corporations. Despite this, the project signals renewed momentum for Canary Wharf’s commercial market. A series of recent commitments, including expansions from major financial occupiers, point to a broader recovery in demand for large-scale office space in the Docklands. If approved, JPMorgan’s tower will not only redefine the area’s skyline but also reinforce Canary Wharf’s position as a leading global financial district, at a time when confidence in large office developments is returning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractors circle £30m high-rise container storage project at London Gateway
Contractors are preparing to bid for a £30m landmark logistics project at London Gateway, where plans are advancing for a 12-storey automated container storage facility at the major Thames-side port. The scheme, known as BOXBAY, will deliver a next-generation, high-density storage system for empty containers within the port’s existing MT Park area in Thurrock. Once complete, the structure will rise to around 55 metres in height, with a footprint of approximately 323 metres by 159 metres, making it one of the most technically ambitious industrial buildings of its kind in the UK. Procurement for the project is now underway, with contractors invited to participate in a competitive flexible tender process. A shortlist of bidders will be selected before final submissions are assessed on a 60:40 split between price and quality, with contract award expected in July. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly afterwards, with a two-year delivery programme. The project presents a complex engineering challenge, combining heavy civil engineering works with a substantial structural steel package. More than 15,000 tonnes of steelwork will be required, alongside around 50,000 sq m of cladding and a 46,500 sq m roof. Groundworks will also be extensive, involving the installation of over 5,000 precast piles, each approximately 28 metres in length, to support a 1.2 metre deep reinforced concrete raft foundation. The contractor will additionally deliver a full suite of infrastructure works, including drainage, power, firewater systems, IT networks and heavy-duty external pavements, as well as associated ancillary structures. A defining feature of the development will be its integration of advanced automation. The building will house 15 automated storage and retrieval machines operating along around 3km of rail, although the specialist systems themselves will be supplied separately. One of the key challenges will be delivering the project within a fully operational port environment. This will require careful sequencing, logistics planning and strict safety management to ensure ongoing terminal operations are not disrupted. The BOXBAY system is designed to significantly increase storage density and improve operational efficiency compared with traditional container stacking methods, helping to reduce congestion and maximise the use of available land. The project forms part of wider ongoing investment at London Gateway, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s most advanced logistics and port infrastructure hubs, and highlighting the growing role of high-specification, automated industrial facilities in modern supply chains. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chelmsford’s The Meadows enters a transformational era with a raft of new lettings as a growing a leisure and retail destination
The Meadows is entering an exciting new chapter with 2026 set to be a year of change and progress towards consolidating its position as a vibrant mixed leisure and retail destination at the heart of the city centre. Hollywood Bowl, recognised as the market leading tenpin bowling operator in the UK, has signed to take a substantial 30,000 sq ft unit for its latest multi-lane bowling, games zone, sports bar and party venue format. It is expected it will open this winter and will anchor the growing leisure hub at the core of the centre, complementing the Odeon cinema and the food offer. The food & beverage line-up is strengthened further with the growing restaurant brand Smoke & Pepper. Its 4,650 sq ft riverside unit opening in April will become its 14th outlet and feature its signature smash burgers, grilled chicken, loaded fries, smoked meats and speciality sauces. The retail offer is also being consolidated across fashion, gifts and convenience sectors. Suit Direct is taking a c5,000 sq ft unit for its menswear designer and bespoke styling range of men’s suits, accessories and casualwear from leading brands. Big Dog Land the innovative new lifestyle gifts, gadgets, and novelty technology products retailer is also set to open on the High Street frontage in a c1,500 sq ft unit. The High Street frontage also boasts the recently opened new convenience-led ‘grab and go’ food concept store – Co-op On The Go. One of the first of a “brand new chain of stores in vibrant, high foot-flow locations.” – The Co-op Group. This step up in the range and quality of the offer at The Meadows is complemented by other recent openings this year of women’s fashion brand Penny Plain and Taz’s Beauty Salon, part of a expanding chain of salons offering a range of beauty treatments. Alex Butler, Senior Asset Manager at Estama said: “It’s been a really strong start to 2026 at The Meadows, with a great mix of new lettings and openings already coming through. We’re proud to be playing a part in the centre’s ongoing evolution alongside a great team, and there’s more to come across both retail and leisure, which will build on this momentum and continue to strengthen the centre’s position in Chelmsford. The city is one of the key destinations in the East of England, and The Meadows is becoming an increasingly important part of that.” Agents for The Meadows are Savills and Purpose Real Estate. Estama is the Asset Manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Last Mile secures major multi-utility contract for landmark 6500 home airfield redevelopment
Last Mile will help bring 6,500 new homes, five schools, and a range of commercial premises to the Waterbeach redevelopment in Cambridgeshire. UKPS, now Last Mile, was appointed by Urban & Civic Plc to design, build, and manage utility services at Waterbeach. This includes one of the UK’s single largest water network adoptions under the New Appointment and Variations (NAV) programme. The company will replace the incumbent, Staffordshire Water, taking ownership and responsibility for the clean water infrastructure at the development. In total, the contract encompasses the delivery of: Paul Betts, Senior Project Manager for Urban & Civic said, “Working with flexible, forward‑thinking partners is key to bringing large-scale strategic sites like Waterbeach to life. Last Mile’s joined‑up approach will help us keep things moving, making sure the essential services and infrastructure are ready to support our growing community from day one.” The new community is an ambitious redevelopment of the former Waterbeach Barracks, a WW2 RAF Bomber Command airfield. It is partially funded by a £61 million investment from Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator and regeneration agency. The transformative site aligns with national sustainability goals, aimed at supporting biodiversity and tackling climate change. It will feature low-energy homes equipped with EV chargers and air-source heat pumps, incorporate recycled materials during construction, deliver significant biodiversity net-gain, and reduce car dependency through over 20km of active travel infrastructure. “We’re delighted to support this visionary development which will create a sustainable, well-connected community for thousands of families,” said Craig Boath, managing director at Last Mile, Design and Build. “It’s a prime example of how electricity, water and fibre services from a single provider bring significant efficiency and cost benefits to developers. And how independent providers, such as NAVs and independent distribution network operators (IDNOs), can speed up house building to meet our important national and regional targets.” Following the government’s reform to planning permissions and Plan for Change target of building 1.5 million new homes over five years, the joint housing target for South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City was increased by one-third to 2,309 homes annually. Last Mile’s project comprises the western portion of the total Waterbeach site, which was identified in the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan as a new town capable of bringing 11,000 homes to the area. Planning permission for the further 4,500 homes was granted in December 2024. Last Mile Asset Management will manage the infrastructure adoption process for the multi-utility network as it progresses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals