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
Mountpark – What Occupiers Wanting 2026: Insights Shaping the Next Era of Logistics Real Estate
As Europe settles into 2026, the logistics and industrial real estate landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. Occupiers facing supply chain recalibration, cost inflation and labour market constraints, are sharpening their logistics requirements. As Europe settles into 2026, the logistics and industrial real estate landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. Occupiers facing supply‑chain recalibration, cost inflation and labour market constraints, are sharpening their logistics requirements. Insights from the December 2025 Affinius Capital Sponsor Report illustrate how occupier preferences are evolving and what this means for big box developers. Its findings reveal much about occupier sentiment and have enabled Mountpark to pinpoint the Top Five Occupier Trends defining logistics in 2026: 1. Next generation design Affinius’ findings reveal occupiers continue to prioritise modern, high‑specification logistics facilities, widening the gap between demand for grade A space and the obsolescence of older stock. The report highlights that tenant preferences strongly favour modern, quality space, especially as older, functionally outdated buildings no longer support operational needs. This trend reflects: For Mountpark, which is already delivering next‑generation design, this reinforces the importance of continuing to lead on high-quality, future-proofed assets. One strong example is Mountpark Ferrybridge in Yorkshire, a former power-generation site now transforming into a next-generation logistics campus, and one that puts sustainable innovation at its core, targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+ ratings. The first unit was pre-let to Warburtons, demonstrating just how strong the demand is for Grade A properties. 2. Fight to quality While demand remains resilient, new supply is tightening sharply. European logistics completions are projected to decline by a staggering 40% from 2022 to 2026, driven by elevated borrowing costs and construction inflation that is reducing the feasibility of projects. This creates conditions where occupiers will increasingly compete for the best‑located, best‑specified space and where developers bold enough to continue delivering logistics assets will gain market advantage. Build-to-suit may also become more attractive to occupiers struggling to speculatively completed properties. At Mountpark, we want every business to have the choice to occupy or build a facility that genuinely fits its future. In an environment defined by scarcity, our goal is to deliver certainty, quality and room to grow. View our portfolio of live projects across Europe here. 3. ESG and Power Requirements Across Europe, occupiers are raising expectations around sustainability, energy performance, and regulatory compliance. The Affinius report notes that Europe’s regulatory environment places a strong focus on sustainability, data security and privacy, particularly in sectors such as data centres. Key ESG requirements include: Occupiers do not simply favour ESG‑aligned buildings they increasingly avoid non-compliant stock, accelerating the obsolescence of older facilities. Build‑to‑suit delivery is an increasingly powerful tool in this environment, enabling occupiers to align property specifications precisely with their operational priorities, ensuring they fully reflect and support ESG commitments. And it’s not just data centres where power requirements are rising. Occupiers across logistics, manufacturing and 3PL operations are requiring greater grid capacity to support their increased use of automation, robotics and AI‑enabled systems. Occupiers in 2026 will be seeking locations with the ability to scale energy use over time. Developers who can deliver these power‑robust sites will win disproportionate market share. Our focus at Mountpark for 2026 is therefore on identifying and accelerating sites with excellent power requirements while prioritising locations with undersupply, ensuring occupiers can secure future‑ready facilities even as market competition intensifies. 4. Location Strategy Affinius’ report emphasises the regionalisation of higher‑value manufacturing, growth in ecommerce and on/near‑shoring initiatives as key forces shaping logistics demand. Occupiers are reassessing their network footprints to prioritise proximity to labour pools, access to multimodal transport infrastructure and locations supporting resilient, diversified supply chains. With market conditions fluid and supply chains still adapting, occupiers also want flexible buildings that allow them to upscale or relocate quickly. The report shows latent demand delayed by macro uncertainty, with leasing momentum expected to rebound once conditions stabilise. Mountpark’s strategic landbank and presence across major European hubs positions it strongly to support occupiers recalibrating their networks. In the UK, Mountpark Hinckley is an excellent example, situated in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the UK’s premier logistics location, with unrivalled connectivity to national transport routes and major parcel hubs. The scheme has the ability to deliver up to 1.46 million sq ft of space, with Unit 1 (492,000 sq ft) already pre-let and Units 2 and 3 capable of delivery in Q2 2027, providing the certainty and speed to market that today’s occupiers increasingly demand. 5. Cost Predictability and Operational Efficiency Rising costs including energy, labour and transport are pushing occupiers to focus on buildings that make operations cheaper and more efficient. Key requirements include: Given stabilising valuations and easing borrowing costs highlighted in the Affinius report, occupiers may increasingly adopt long-term strategic leases to lock in the operational efficiencies. The leasing of all seven units at Mountpark Baldonnell in Ireland, prior to practical completion, reflects our ability to deliver complex, high-value developments that align with occupiers’ long term strategies. These five trends underline the decisive shifts defining logistics in 2026. Today’s savvy occupiers understand precisely what is required to support performance, resilience and long‑term growth and they are increasingly unwilling to compromise. Mountpark’s dedication to best‑in‑class design, forward‑thinking innovation and strategic development across Europe ensures we remain ideally positioned to meet and exceed the expectations of the modern occupier. Take an even deeper dive by viewing our live portfolio of projects across Europe offering a range of both speculative and build-to-suit opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
4 Challenges You’ll Face as a Women-Led Construction Business
The challenges facing women in construction are well-documented. Securing initial funding, combating overt bias and breaking into male-dominated networks represent significant barriers to entry. Once you’ve established operational credibility, a new set of challenges emerges. These second-level issues are more subtle and operational, affecting leadership, supply chain development, financial risk management and the expectations placed on visible minority leaders. The good news is proven strategies exist to navigate each one successfully. 1. Navigating the Leadership Double-Bind The construction industry remains heavily male-dominated, though the landscape is shifting. According to 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women made up 11.3% of the construction workforce, and those numbers continue to grow as more professionals break ground in the field. However, those in leadership roles still face a persistent paradox that can undermine their effectiveness regardless of how they choose to lead. A 2023 study found that women leaders are punished for conforming to stereotypes and violating them, being perceived as less hireable or less likable, respectively. The double-bind arises because adopting traditionally feminine traits such as gentleness, empathy and helpfulness can lead to being perceived as weak or indecisive. Conversely, displaying assertiveness, directness and decisiveness can lead to being labeled as aggressive or difficult to work with. This creates a no-win situation where competence is constantly questioned. Strategies for Success Navigating this challenge demands intentional communication strategies and team-building: 2. Recalibrating Risk and Growth Women entrepreneurs typically start businesses with 53% less capital than men, according to research on financing disparities. This funding gap creates thinner financial cushions for women-led construction entities, leaving them to operate with a significantly smaller margin for error. Equipment failures, project delays and unexpected costs that might be manageable for a well-capitalized competitor can threaten your business viability. This constraint demands a different approach to operational efficiency and risk management. What might seem like conservative decision-making is actually strategic protection of limited resources. Strategies for Success Turning capital constraints into competitive advantages calls for disciplined operations: 3. Building a New Network Traditional construction networks often operate through long-established relationships that exclude newer entrants. Relying on the old boys’ club for suppliers, subcontractors and clients frequently isn’t a viable option for women-led businesses. This means building an entirely new ecosystem from the ground up. The stakes are high because inadequate networks can create real safety and operational risks. Consider personal protective equipment. Many old-school suppliers don’t stock or prioritize items designed to fit women properly. According to a Canadian study of PPE in the workplace, almost 40% of surveyed women had experienced accidents they attributed to inappropriate gear. When your traditional supply chain fails to meet basic safety needs, you’re forced to find alternatives. Strategies for Success Building effective networks depends on active participation and strategic vetting: 4. Managing the ‘Role Model Tax’ Success as a woman in construction often comes with an unspoken obligation. There is a quiet expectation that you’ll constantly mentor others, speak on diversity panels, participate in industry initiatives and represent all women in your field. While these activities have value, the time commitment adds significantly to your workload without directly contributing to operations. The pressure is real. Declining these requests can feel like abandoning other women or failing to “give back,” yet saying “yes” to everything leaves insufficient time for actually running your business. Strategies for Success Managing these expectations requires clear boundaries and scalable approaches: Turning Challenges into Competitive Advantages These four challenges demand conscious strategy and consistent effort, but navigating them successfully builds genuine competitive advantages. Leading effectively despite double standards, managing capital constraints, building diverse networks and setting clear boundaries all require discipline. That skill creates leaner operations, stronger teams and more innovative business practices. Having grown through adversity, you will have the foundation of a resilient, responsive construction enterprise positioned for sustainable success.
Willmott Dixon secures £61m DfE contract to rebuild The Mosslands School in Wallasey
Three-storey building will enhance opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Willmott Dixon has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE), on behalf of The Mosslands School in Wallasey, to deliver a £61m programme of works to create a new, state-of-the-art secondary school. Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the 19-acre redevelopment will accommodate 1,500 pupils, providing modern and flexible learning environments. The new three-storey building will support high-quality education and enhanced opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Once complete, the existing school buildings will be demolished. The redevelopment will also include improved external facilities, featuring two sports halls, a replacement all-weather sports pitch, a multi-use games area, a new car park and cycle parking, enhancing the school environment and opportunities for sport and extracurricular activities for the community. Supporting the DfE’s and Academy’s sustainability ambitions, the new campus will be Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCIO), reflecting the school’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Low-carbon technologies will include photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. The project is expected to complete in 2028 and represents a significant long-term investment in the education of current and future pupils at The Mosslands School and the wider Wallasey community. Mike Poole-Sutherland, North West Director at Willmott Dixon: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the DfE and The Mosslands School on this landmark new school. Creating a contemporary, sustainable school that will provide inspiring learning environments for up to 1,500 pupils is something we are extremely proud to be delivering. This new campus will benefit students, staff and the wider community for years to come and we’re pleased to be playing our part in making this happen.” Mr Whiteley, headteacher at the Mosslands School: “This is a building that the students and community of Wallasey deserve. It will transform the learning environment and open up a world of possibilities for our students. It also builds on the proud history we have in providing technological excellence and we are delighted that the DfE recognises the importance of this in a modern education setting. “Equally, we are committed to ensuring that the building provides opportunity for community engagement and education and are grateful that we have been granted a building that enables us to do so.” Dominic Williams, Project Director at Ellis Williams Architects: “We are delighted that our design for Mosslands will be realised for both the School and the community. We hope the wide range of exciting spaces including a dramatic central atrium, flexible theatre, sports halls and a design technology zone will provide an aspiration to all the users.” Creating a meaningful impact and long-term legacy in Wallasey, Willmott Dixon and its local supply chain partners will support 20 T-Level students, deliver over 200 apprenticeship weeks and engage with local community projects. The project was secured through the DfE Construction Framework High Value Band Lot 1 & 2 and reflects Willmott Dixon’s strong track record in education delivery, with £700 million secured to date on the current DfE framework. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Coalville masterplan progresses as over 55s scheme gets go-ahead
Planning permission has been granted for a new, 77-bed development in Coalville, specifically designed for over-55s, representing a major step forward in the town’s masterplan. Multi-disciplinary design practice, rg+p Ltd has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of land next to Baker Street in the North Leicestershire town. Working with Geda Construction for Trent & Dove, the practice has designed a proposal that will transform disused and vacant industrial land into a contemporary development to meet the growing housing needs of our ageing population. Made up of 77 one- and two-bed affordable social rent apartments, the project also features residents’ lounges, guest accommodation, lobby, office space, buggy store, parking and extensive landscaping, including a spectacular sunken garden. rg+p’s design was inspired by Coalville’s industrial heritage, as lead architect, Sarah Grocock explains: “Our material choices focused on red brick and clay tiles to provide a connection with Coalville’s industrial past, but the design introduces familiar shapes such as feature gables to soften the scheme and give it a residential feel. “Different streetscapes define character areas throughout the building and help signal the transition between public, semi-private and private space. We also sought to harness the level change within the site to create meaningful amenity space, with the sunken garden providing a focal point for this,” adds Sarah. The approved scheme includes new access arrangements, including an extension of Linden Way which North West Leicestershire District Council received funding to provide, sustainable drainage systems and high-quality landscaping that will deliver a significant biodiversity net gain. It will also provide built-in, permanent nest brick and bat roost brick features, bee bricks and invertebrate hibernaculum. Sarah continues: “Securing planning permission for this site represents a significant milestone for our work on the wider Coalville masterplan, which also encompasses the neighbouring Wolsey Road development. “A ProCon Award finalist last year, Wolsey Road has already delivered 77 high quality, affordable homes and helped established a thriving new community in the town. It’s therefore exciting that this latest consent allows us to build on that success and continue to play a meaningful role in Coalville’s ongoing regeneration,” concludes Sarah. Charlie Riley, Development Director, Trent & Dove adds: “rg+p’s design for this brownfield site will connect seamlessly with the wider regeneration and retain a sense of individuality. They have been aligned with our vision for this development, and we look forward to delivering much-needed homes and employment opportunities for the town.” Construction at Baker Street is expected to start soon. The wider project team includes Arcadis (Employer’s Agent); BSP Consulting (Civil, Structure and Highways Engineer); Langcroft (Developer) and William Saunders (Highways Engineer – Link Road). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RICS and global partners launch CLEAR to align whole-life carbon reporting across built environment
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has announced the launch of the Coalition for Life Cycle Emissions Alignment and Reporting (CLEAR);a global initiative designed to harmonise the measurement and reporting of whole-life carbon emissions across the global built environment. CLEAR is being launched at the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit held on April 20-22, 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Bringing together leading organisations from across the sector, CLEAR has been established to create a more consistent and trusted approach to whole-life carbon assessment, improve confidence in carbon data and support faster progress towards decarbonisation targets. Human-generated greenhouse gas emissions remain a major driver of environmental, social and economic challenges, including rising global temperatures and biodiversity loss. The built environment is responsible for a significant share of those emissions, spanning both embodied and operational carbon. Yet despite growing recognition of the need for whole-life carbon measurement, fragmented and inconsistent methodologies continue to make it difficult for industry and policymakers to compare results, benchmark performance and make informed decisions. CLEAR aims to address that challenge by aligning how whole-life carbon emissions from buildings and infrastructure are measured and reported across different markets and jurisdictions. The initiative will analyse existing approaches, identify points of difference and develop a globally relevant framework for assessment and reporting. It will also support the sector through practical tools, technical resources and an online platform designed to build capability and encourage adoption. RICS is a founder of the coalition and will play a leading role in delivering the initiative alongside its co-founders, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Global Building Data Initiative (GBDI), as well as sponsor Autodesk. It will work with key industry collaborators including AECOM, Arcadis, Autodesk, Avison Young, Heidelberg Materials, Morgan Sindall, Once For All, OneClickLCA, Turner & Townsend, and we2sure. The coalition builds on existing industry leadership and recognised standards, including RICS’ whole-life carbon assessment guidance, as well as the International Cost Management Standards and International Property Measurement Standards. It also draws on RICS’ experience in supporting data transparency through initiatives such as the Built Environment Carbon Database. CLEAR is intended to bring together organisations from across the value chain, including standard setters, industry coalitions, developers and owners, manufacturers, software providers, investors and specialists in carbon measurement and reporting. Through this collaborative model, the coalition aims to strengthen trust in whole-life carbon practices and help support public-interest outcomes through greater consistency and transparency. In its first year, CLEAR will focus on coalition building, analysing existing whole-life carbon assessment methodologies and developing resources that can be used by both industry and policy stakeholders. The long-term ambition is to support a harmonised global framework that enables more effective reporting, stronger benchmarking and more confident carbon-related decision-making across the built environment. “The choices we make now will impact generations to come. The CLEAR initiative is a timely measure that will create shared trust, inspire confidence in carbon reporting, and empower the sector to shape a resilient, low‑carbon future.” – Nick Maclean, RICS President “We see early signals of real estate markets adopting Whole Life Carbon approaches to manage transition risk and drive decarbonization strategies, driven by investor demand, emerging city planning requirements, and industry calling for consistent and comparable carbon assessment as a demand driver for low-carbon solutions. While these approaches will be developed and adopted nationally and regionally, based on local needs and realities, it is important to ensure consistency and comparability of assessments, as well as ease of use for widescale adoption. CLEAR will provide the blueprints and guidance to move Whole Life Carbon from early adoption to scale.” – Roland Hunziker, Director Built Environment, WBCSD “Sustainability is a data problem – and the built environment is where that problem is most urgent and most solvable. But progress requires a common foundation: shared standards, consistent measurement, and carbon embedded in design decisions from day one. That’s why Autodesk is committed to supporting the standards and initiatives like CLEAR, bringing the industry together around what matters most, and make it possible to measure, compare, and improve at scale.” – Joe Speicher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Autodesk “The CLEAR initiative is a timely and important opportunity to align carbon assessment and reporting across the built environment – and GBDI is excited to support it! Together with the CLEAR partners, we are looking forward to further developing the open building data format (OpenBDF) and advancing this global standard for easy, open exchange of building material inventory and life cycle impact data.” – Dr. Martin Röck, GBDI Executive Director Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals