Winvic shortlisted for Contractor of the Year at Construction News Awards 2026
Winvic Construction is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (turnover over £500M) category at the Construction News Awards 2026 as it celebrates its 25th year in business. Recognised as one of the construction industry’s most respected and competitive accolades, the Construction News Awards celebrate the organisations, projects and people that are driving excellence, innovation and impact across the built environment. Also marking the 30th anniversary of the awards – a rigorous judging process is led by an independent panel of over 100 senior industry figures, being shortlisted is a significant achievement and testament to Winvic’s Doing It Right ethos and values-led approach, The Winvic Way, delivering outstanding results for clients and the communities in which it operates. The Contractor of the Year category highlights organisations that demonstrate exceptional performance across a range of criteria, including project delivery, sustainability, innovation and workforce development. Winvic’s shortlisting, on the 25th year anniversary of the business, reflects the strength of its diverse portfolio and its ability to deliver complex, high-quality projects across multiple sectors, alongside recognising the company’s ongoing investment in its people and innovative construction methods, such as the use of a unitised brick façade system enabling the rapid installation of 2,768 prefabricated panels without scaffolding, HP SitePrint Robot and the UK’s first deployment of Skyline Cockpit for remote tower crane operation at Crown Place, Birmingham. Operationally, Winvic expanded delivery and community outcomes across its three core sectors in 2025, completing 20 Industrial & Logistics, 34 Civils & Infrastructure, and five Multi-Room projects, while launching a fourth sector, Data Centres in 2026. It also announced the early completion of a £14m infrastructure scheme in Milton Keynes, delivered three months ahead of programme, helping to minimise disruption and improve efficiency. The contractor showcased its leading ESG credentials achieving Achilles Net CarbonZero Certification, reducing overall carbon footprint by 71% in compliance with the Achilles Climate Impact Programme Part 3 requirements, and innovated an industry-first water pollution solution at SEGRO Park, Coventry. During the year, Winvic completed its 91st Net Zero/ Low Carbon facility and hosted its 10th workshop with 80 partners from its Green Supply Chain to collaboratively embed best practice and accelerate progress towards a Net Zero future. Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Winvic’s shortlisting for Contractor of the Year is a commendable achievement and a reflection of the hard work, commitment and expertise of teams across our entire business. “We pride ourselves on consistently delivering best-in-class projects while continuing to invest in our people, innovation and sustainable practices. I’d like to thank our teams, clients, supply chain and partners for their continued commitment and collaboration, which has made both this shortlisting and the last 25 years possible. Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
wienerberger pilot programme supports care‑experienced young people into construction careers
wienerberger UK & Ireland has delivered the first pilot of its Trades of Tomorrow programme, a three‑day initiative designed to help care‑experienced young people explore careers in construction while responding to the industry’s long‑term skills challenge. Developed as part of the company’s Social Impact Strategy, the programme was delivered in partnership with charity The National House Project and the Greater Manchester Youth Network, bringing together young people from across the North West with lived experience of the care system. With demand for skilled trades continuing to outstrip supply, Trades of Tomorrow was created to provide practical, real‑world insight into the construction sector, build confidence, and demystify the different routes into employment, training and further education. The programme sits alongside wienerberger’s wider, long‑standing support for construction skills development, including its backing of and provision of materials for national skills competitions such as Super Trowel, SkillBuild and the Guild of Bricklayers. Sarah Nurton, Social Impact Manager at wienerberger UK & Ireland, said: “Construction is facing a long‑term skills challenge, and as an industry we have a responsibility to think differently about where future talent comes from. Trades of Tomorrow is about opening up access to the sector and providing practical, real‑world insight for young people who may not otherwise see construction as an option. “By working alongside trusted partners and employers, we can help care‑experienced young people build confidence, understand the breadth of opportunities available, and make informed decisions about their next steps.” Across the programme, participants were introduced to a broad range of construction trades, including heritage skills through sessions delivered by Donald Install Associates. Activities included hands‑on clay work and a practical roofing session, designed to give participants a tangible feel for working on site and with materials. The group also visited Stockport College, where they toured the construction department, took part in a brick‑building exercise and spoke directly with teaching staff about course options, entry requirements and what to expect from further education in the built environment. The programme concluded with a site visit to an Anwyl Homes development in Chorlton, offering a live view of housebuilding in progress. Participants took part in a site tour and Q&A session with an apprentice, providing insight into day‑to‑day site life and the different pathways into construction careers. Kat Luckock, Director of Partnerships at The National House Project, commented: “It has been fantastic to partner with wienerberger to co‑produce the Trades of Tomorrow programme with young people from two of our Local House Projects. For care leavers, access to industry insight and real career pathways can be transformative, and construction is a sector full of opportunity. “Working in partnership with an employer like wienerberger ensures the programme is grounded in real industry experience and opens doors that might otherwise feel out of reach. It also supports our existing partnership, where wienerberger provides a bursary to young people looking to start or develop their career in construction. “We’re excited to continue growing the programme to support care‑experienced young people to build sustainable, skilled careers in the construction sector.” Mathew Harrison, Group HSE Director at Anwyl Homes, said: “It was our pleasure to welcome such an enthusiastic group of young people to our Dalton Fields development in Chorlton and give them an insight into the everyday workings of a construction site. We hope we have inspired them to consider housebuilding as a future career path.” Andy George, Director of Skills and Attraction at Home Builders Federation, said: “It’s great to see targeted interventions like Trades of Tomorrow being launched by the industry and shows how initiatives like this can really open up construction careers and strengthen the talent pipeline. This programme builds on the success of the HBF Partner a College programme, which works by connecting employers with colleges to provide hands-on experience, giving clearer pathways into the sector and enabling more work-ready students.” Following the success of the pilot, wienerberger plans to build on the programme, with ambitions to deliver further Trades of Tomorrow sessions and continue working with partners to support care‑experienced young people into long‑term careers across the construction industry. www.wienerberger.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Eversheds Sutherland announces 25 promotions to partner for 2026 – including two in its Construction Litigation Practice
Eversheds Sutherland (International) is pleased to announce that it has made 25 partner promotions with effect from 1 May 2026. 40% of Eversheds Sutherland’s new partners are female. The latest round of promotions includes two construction lawyers based within the firms Litigation & Dispute Management practice group, underlining the firm’s ongoing investment into its construction offering. Those promoted are Ray Hetherington (Birmingham) and James Molland (Cardiff). Keith Froud, Chief Executive, Eversheds Sutherland (International) commented: “Our newly promoted partners exemplify exceptional talent, deep client commitment and market-leading capability. Together, they reinforce our position as a firm that is powerful globally, strong locally, delivering seamless support to clients wherever they operate. “My congratulations go to our 2026 cohort on this well-earned achievement for their outstanding contribution to our clients and our firm.” Eversheds Sutherland – Partner promotions 2026: Practice group Partners Corporate Finance Chris Archer, Corporate (London) Adite Aloke, Corporate (Dubai) Faris Al-Louzi, Corporate (Riyadh) Thomas Howell, Corporate (Leeds) Griff Jones, Corporate (Leeds) Thomas Plant, Corporate (Birmingham) Rob Worsfold, Corporate (Birmingham) Commercial Advisory Thomas Farkas, Commercial (Munich) Lisa Highet, Commercial (Nottingham) Teresa Pessoa e Costa, Commercial (Lisbon) Robbert Santifort, Commercial (Rotterdam) Employment Labor & Pensions Laura D’Arcy, Employment (Manchester) James Ellis, Pensions (Birmingham) Jen Green, Pensions (Cardiff) Sarah Lown, Pensions (Manchester) Taoufik Yekhlef, Employment (Rotterdam) Litigation & Dispute Management Ray Hetherington, Construction (Birmingham) Angharad Hurle, Commercial Dispute Resolution (Cardiff) Mostafa Ihab, Commercial Dispute Resolution (Riyadh) Philip Kiossev, Commercial Litigation (Sofia) Karen Mitchell, Real Estate Litigation (London) James Molland, Construction (Cardiff) Real Estate Emma George, Core Real Estate (Dubai) Fiona Hammett, Core Real Estate (Cardiff) Chris Mullings, Core Real Estate (London) In December 2025, Eversheds Sutherland (US) announced the promotion of six attorneys to partner, which took effect on 1 January 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bricklaying students given insight into construction at Roe Wood Park
Bricklaying students visited Bellway’s Roe Wood Park development in Harold Hill to get an insight into work on a construction site. The 10 students, who are all studying for their Level 1 Bricklaying qualification at New City College, were welcomed by Bellway Senior Site Manager David Barden. The visit took placeon Friday 20 March and included talks from Bellway staff and contractors GSQ Brickwork, as well as a tour of the site and the chance to have a go at bricklaying. Roe Wood Park is a joint venture with Mercury Land Holdings, a wholly owned company of Havering Council. The 120-home project is redeveloping the former Quarles Campus of Havering College – now part of New City College – and the sale of the site provided funding towards the college’s Specialist Construction and Engineering Centre at Rainham. David said: “As a company, we are very much focused on providing opportunities for young people to gain the skills and experience they need to progress in their careers, and developing the skilled workforce we need as a business now and into the future. “It was a pleasure to welcome this group of young people to Roe Wood Park and give them an insight into what the job of a bricklayer looks like on a live construction site, where we are building homes at scale. “It is particularly rewarding to be welcoming students who are benefitting from the state-of-the-art facilities on the Rainham Construction and Engineering campus, which was supported by the regeneration of the former Quarles Campus site. “This is all part of our commitment to the local community – to not only provide high-quality housing, but also create jobs and invest in local infrastructure and facilities.” Jane Nugent, Work Related Curriculum Advisor at New City College, said: “Our Brick students learnt so much whilst at Roe Wood Park– they came out of there beaming, and for most of them it was the first time they had used real cement. Bellway’s Senior Site Manager David Barden was so informative, and we truly appreciate the opportunity.” When complete, Roe Wood Park will comprise 53 houses and apartments for private sale, including a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties, 47 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership and 20 new homes for private rent. As part of the planning agreement for the development, the aim is for 20 per cent of people working on site to be residents of Havering or neighbouring boroughs. More information about career opportunities with Bellway can be found at https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lucky winners of Finning giveaway collect excavator prizes
Finning has revealed the two winners of its ‘Win Big’ competition, each receiving brand-new Cat® excavators to help power their projects forward. Finning UK & Ireland launched the free-to-enter competition, organised to mark Caterpillar’s 100th anniversary, with one winner in mind, however the high calibre of entries led to Finning naming two winners: the Colin Burt Reserve for Wildlife Conservation and Valley Veterans. Both winners were invited to Finning UK & Ireland headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire to celebrate their win with the Finning team. During the day Finning provided training on mini excavators, as well as tutorial on how the new machine owners can get the very best from their new excavators with telematics. The Colin Burt Reserve, in Killin in the central Highlands of Scotland, opened in 2005 in memory of keen conservationist Colin Burt who died aged 38 following a motorcycle accident. The 50 acre site was a poor-quality piece of waste wet land and is now a diverse nature reserve open to all. The project has won a Cat 301.6 excavator to continue its development. Valley Veterans, a charity based in the Rhondda Valley, was founded more than 20 years ago as an informal support group for PTSD sufferers and is now a vibrant hub with more than 140 active participants. Its Equi-Grow project includes the development of a purpose-built equine and horticultural space for activities supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of veterans. It has won a Cat 301.5 excavator to help get groundwork underway. To mark Caterpillar’s centenary year in 2025, Finning hosted the giveaway on its website, asking participants: ‘How would winning a Cat machine or generator help you build something that lasts?’ Gary Megarrell, Managing Director at Finning UK and Ireland, said the high quality of the entries meant it was impossible to select just one winner. He said: “The 100th anniversary of Caterpillar provided the perfect opportunity to gift our winners with the equipment they need to take their projects forward. “The answers from the Colin Burt Reserve and Valley Veterans truly embodied the values we share at Finning around safety and inclusivity. Caterpillar’s centenary and Finning’s desire to have a positive impact within the community “We are delighted both organisations are now the owners of mini excavators, and that this will make a real, tangible difference to their projects and to their visitors. This prize-giving has been a fantastic way to mark what has been a very memorable year celebrating the Finning partnerships.” The winners were given the choice between a Cat 301.6 excavator or a Cat DE110E2 genset as their prize. They were also automatically enrolled in a set of monthly prize draws – with rewards up for grabs including a trip to Malaga. Ashley Pearson of the Colin Burt Reserve, said: “We encourage participation in practical conservation tasks and wildlife habitat improvements, and our work includes carrying out regular maintenance and projects to promote increased biodiversity. “Winning this Cat excavator means we can progress our development plans so that even more visitors can experience being in the outdoors.” Valley Veterans was last year honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It has been presented with the centenary celebration Cat machine that was on display at Finning’s headquarters in Cannock during the anniversary year. Nigel Locke, Secretary at Valley Veterans, said: “This recognition from Finning comes on the back of a remarkable year for us, and inspires us to keep working to make a difference to veterans and their families. “The Equi-Grow project will allow Valley Veterans to vastly increase capacity to train and mentor existing members as well as extending the offer to a far wider veteran and community cohort in the South Wales Valleys region. “Having the new excavator means we can focus on delivering the project and support more veterans to combat the challenges resulting from isolation and loneliness.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Smarter Skip Hire in Britain – How to Choose the Right Skip for Fast, Affordable Waste Removal
When people start searching for the right waste solution, they often want a practical guide to hiring skips near you that makes sense of size, cost, timing and local service standards without the jargon. In the UK, skip hire is not simply about dropping a container on a driveway and filling it up; it is about choosing a reliable service that matches the scale of your job, avoids delays, keeps a site tidy, and helps householders, tradespeople and site managers stay in control of waste from the first clear-out to the final collection. Whether you are renovating a kitchen, stripping out an office, clearing a garden, or managing ongoing construction debris, the right skip can save time, reduce stress and make the whole waste removal process far more efficient. Why the Right Skip Hire Choice Matters More Than Most People Think In the skip hire industry, the biggest mistakes usually come from choosing too little capacity, booking too late, or focusing only on the headline price. Many customers begin with searches such as cheap skip hire near me, assuming the lowest quote will naturally be the best value. Still, experienced operators know that true value comes from a balance of price, availability, local knowledge, legal compliance and dependable collection times. A skip that arrives late, is too small for the volume of waste, or cannot legally be placed where you need it, can end up costing more in labour, inconvenience, and repeat collections than a better-planned booking would have in the first place. For readers of bdcmagazine.com, this matters because waste management sits at the heart of efficient property, construction and improvement work. Even on smaller domestic jobs, poor waste planning can slow progress, create hazards and make an otherwise straightforward project feel chaotic. On larger sites, it can affect housekeeping standards, workflow and customer satisfaction. Good skip hire is therefore not an afterthought; it is part of a well-run job. The best approach is to see skip hire as a practical support service that keeps work moving, helps separate waste streams where needed, and gives people confidence that rubbish, rubble and unwanted materials are being handled straightforwardly and responsibly. Understanding Which Skip Size Works Best for Your Job One of the most common questions in the trade is whether a customer should opt for a small skip hire or move up to a larger one. In practice, the answer depends as much on the type of waste as on its volume. Heavy materials such as soil, hardcore, concrete, and bricks quickly reach fill weight limits. In contrast, lighter waste from packaging, mixed household clutter, timber or old fittings may need more space before weight becomes an issue. This is why experienced skip providers will often ask what kind of project you are doing rather than simply asking how much rubbish you have. A small skip is often ideal for bathroom upgrades, modest garden clearances, garage tidies, and small trade jobs where the waste is predictable, and space on site is limited. It is especially useful in tighter urban settings where access is restricted, and customers want a neat, manageable solution that does not dominate the property. For many domestic jobs, small skip hire offers the sweet spot between affordability and practicality. It keeps the project organised without encouraging overfilling, which is of leading cause of collection delays and safety concerns. Typical situations where a smaller skip makes sense include: That said, underestimating waste is very common. If the job involves bulky items, repeated clear-outs, or multiple rooms, stepping up one size can often be the more economical choice. A slightly larger skip can prevent the need for a second order and give teams or householders room to work without constantly compressing loads or worrying about running out of space halfway through the job. What People Really Mean When They Search for Cheap Skip Hire Near Me The phrase cheap skip hire near me reflects a perfectly reasonable concern: people want waste removal that is affordable and convenient. Yet the most experienced view in the industry is that “cheap” should never mean careless. A good quote should include delivery and collection, a realistic hire period, and clarity on what can and cannot be loaded into the skip. Hidden extras, rushed service and vague terms are often the reasons a seemingly low-cost booking becomes frustrating. When comparing options, people should look beyond price alone and consider the following: This is where local skip hire often stands out. A local operator usually knows the area, typical access constraints, council permit realities and the day-to-day pressures customers face. That local knowledge can make the booking smoother and more accurate, especially where roads are narrow, parking is tight, or projects are moving quickly. In other words, affordable skip hire is not only about shaving pounds off a quote; it is about getting dependable service that prevents hold-ups and keeps waste under control from start to finish. Why Local Skip Hire Still Gives Customers an Edge There is a reason local skip hire remains a strong search term across the UK. People want a provider that feels accessible, practical and accountable. Local service matters because waste jobs are often time-sensitive. A house clearance may need to happen before a sale completes, a building team may need a fast turnaround to keep the site clear, or a shopfit may require out-of-hours coordination to avoid disruption. In each case, having a nearby operator who understands the area can make a noticeable difference. Local service also tends to work well for communication. Customers usually value straightforward advice over hard selling. They want someone to tell them whether they really need a permit, whether the skip will fit on the drive, what should be kept out, and whether a small or larger size is the better option. The strongest local firms make this simple. They do not overcomplicate the process; they solve problems before they grow. Practical habits that lead to a smoother skip hire experience The most