Roofing apprentices say mentor support is key to building confidence in the trade
Roofing apprentices are opening up about the role that mentor support plays in building their confidence, enhancing their skills, and helping them progress within the trade. The insight comes from applications submitted to the 2026 BMI UK & Ireland Apprentice of the Year competition, which this year received a record number of entries from apprentices. Among the 68 applicants across pitched and flat roofing categories, more than two-thirds (68%) said they would first turn to a mentor, manager or experienced colleague when faced with a challenge on site, highlighting the importance of day-to-day support in helping apprentices develop both technically and professionally. “I feel very confident and comfortable asking the people I work with,” one applicant shared, emphasising the vital role mentors play in apprenticeships. “I always ask my manager or others on site for help.” Another apprentice added: “I feel lucky, my boss is always happy to show me what to do and teach me new things. I know I can always ask for help in my company.” The findings suggest that apprentices prefer learning the trade through peer-to-peer interactions, alongside formal training routes, particularly when developing confidence on-site and learning to handle real-world challenges. When peer support is unavailable, 20% of applicants indicated they would turn to free online resources, including Instagram, YouTube, and manufacturer-led content to learn from other skilled professionals. This suggests that practical learning, whether in person or online, is still highly valued in the trade, especially given the ongoing concerns about skills shortages. “As a young person, I use YouTube to see if I can gain any knowledge there,” explained one apprentice. The findings come at a time when the roofing industry continues to face significant recruitment and retention challenges. According to the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), the UK will need an additional 3,800 roofers by 2029. However, current training routes are projected to deliver only 1,550, resulting in a shortfall of over half. Completion rates further compound this issue. The latest ‘Apprenticeship Gap Report’ reveals that the completion rate for roofing apprenticeships is just 28%, the lowest among construction trades, meaning nearly three in four roofing apprentices do not finish their training. Several applicants also expressed ambitions to progress into leadership positions or eventually establish their own roofing business, reflecting the long-term career aspirations emerging across this year’s cohort. The findings suggest strong workplace support and positive site cultures could play an important role in supporting these ambitions and improving retention within the industry. Stuart Farnell, Lead Technical Trainer at BMI Academy, said: “What stands out from this year’s applications is how much apprentices value having experienced people around them who are willing to support, teach and share their knowledge on site. “Technical training is essential, but confidence, encouragement and practical guidance also play a huge role in helping apprentices develop successful long-term careers in roofing. Creating supportive environments where people feel able to ask questions and continue learning is incredibly important for the future of the industry.” The final of the Apprentice of the Year competition will be held on July 22nd and 23rd, 2026, at the BMI Academy in Gloucestershire. To find out more about the event or training courses provided by the academy, visit: https://www.bmigroup.com/uk/bmi-academy/?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=Release&utm_campaign=Insights&utm_id=insights Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rocklands Youth Football Club wins Huws Gray’s inaugural Pitch in competition
Huws Gray, a leading national building materials supplier, providing end-to-end solutions to tradespeople and the DIY market, is pleased to unveil Rocklands Youth FC as the winner of its inaugural Pitch in competition, securing £5,000 worth of building materials to help transform the club’s facilities and create a more inclusive environment for players, volunteers and the wider community With grassroots football playing a vital role in bringing people together, improving wellbeing and creating inclusive spaces for local communities, Huws Gray launched Pitch in to support these community hubs that face growing financial pressures and struggling with outdated or inadequate facilities. Based in Norfolk, Rocklands Youth FC supports 10 teams from Under 7s through to Under 15s, including two female teams, and is run by 24 dedicated volunteers. The club plans to use the building materials donation to refurbish its clubhouse and bathroom facilities, ensuring it is inclusive and accessible for all players, volunteers, families and visitors. The improvements will help the club meet growing demand, support participation across all age groups and provide a welcoming community hub for local residents, reflecting Huws Gray’s commitment to giving back to its communities and relating to its sponsorship of the Professional Game Match Officials. Daksh Gupta, CEO of Huws Gray, commented: “Grassroots football clubs play a vital role in bringing communities together, creating opportunities for young people and providing welcoming spaces for families and volunteers. Clubs are under increased financial pressure, leaving essential repairs unresolved. Pitch In strives to help create safe spaces for all who use a club’s facilities, supporting our local communities and providing more opportunities for young people to stay active and connect with one another. Rocklands Youth FC impressed us with its commitment to inclusivity, the impact it has on its local community and its clear vision for how these improvements will benefit players for years to come. We’re delighted to support the club through Pitch in and look forward to seeing the transformation take shape.” Rhys Verney, Chairman of Rocklands Youth FC, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected as the winner of Huws Gray’s Pitch in competition. It’s an excellent initiative that recognises the important role grassroots football clubs play in their local communities and provides practical support where it can make a real difference. Providing invaluable help to Rocklands, the building materials will help us improve our clubhouse and facilities, benefiting our players, volunteers, families and visitors, while helping us continue to grow and provide opportunities for young people in our community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One Castlefield Plans Set to Transform Final Piece of Manchester Regeneration Puzzle
A striking new residential tower could soon reshape Manchester’s skyline after proposals were unveiled for a major city centre development that would bring nearly 600 new homes to one of the area’s last remaining vacant brownfield sites. Developer Allied London has revealed plans for One Castlefield, a landmark scheme that would deliver 593 apartments across two new buildings in the Castlefield district. The proposals form part of the wider St George’s regeneration masterplan and would complete the final undeveloped parcel within the long-established vision for the area. The development is being brought forward on behalf of investor Chatha Capital and is currently undergoing public consultation ahead of the submission of a formal planning application to Manchester City Council later this year. Designed by internationally recognised architects Denton Corker Marshall, the scheme comprises a 46-storey residential tower alongside an adjoining eight-storey building on Ellesmere Street. Together, the two structures would replace a previously approved project that failed to progress following the collapse of an earlier development proposal. The site has remained vacant since demolition works were completed after plans for a £75m residential scheme stalled several years ago. Allied London’s latest proposals aim to revitalise the location while making more efficient use of the city centre site. The revised plans significantly increase the residential offering, with the number of homes rising by more than 40% compared with the previous consented scheme. The proposed tower would accommodate 436 apartments, while the adjoining lower-rise building would provide a further 157 homes. The development would predominantly comprise one and two-bedroom apartments aimed at meeting growing demand for city centre living. However, a number of larger three and four-bedroom homes have also been incorporated into the proposals, supporting greater housing diversity within the scheme. Gary Mather, Development Director at Allied London, said One Castlefield presents an opportunity to bring a long-vacant brownfield site back into productive use while completing a key element of the wider regeneration vision for the area. If approved, the development would mark another significant milestone in Manchester’s continued growth, delivering new homes while reinforcing the city’s reputation as one of the UK’s most active urban regeneration markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CPI Euromix is celebrating the world’s biggest football tournament
Stuart Russell, Head of Commercial at CPI Euromix is celebrating the world’s biggest football tournament with a reminder of CPI’s stadia project portfolio… At CPI, we have a proud history of supplying our high-quality mortar for buildings varying in stature and purpose. And as sports fans across the globe eagerly await the start of the tournament, we are pleased to say that our project portfolio includes high-profile UK football stadia and associated infrastructure. Football grounds matter. They are places of worship for millions of followers of the national game. In such places dreams are made, friendships are built, and families gather to enjoy a shared passion that is often handed down through the generations. Football stadia are not just bedecked in the colours of the occupant team; they are enveloped in history. The mere glimpse of a ground’s entrance or an iconic stand can be enough to stir memories of glories past – and moments not-so salubrious – in hardened fans. Foundational passion At many larger stadia, the bond between supporters and their team is literally etched into the foundations. In a dedicated area of the ground, fans can buy a brick and have it display their name or that of a loved one, as part of a commemorative wall portraying the particulars of hundreds, and sometimes, thousands of like-minded souls who want their commitment to their beloved club to be known for as long as time and the structure’s wellbeing allows. Football stadia in the higher echelons of the English game have undergone a huge transformation in the past couple of decades. No longer the crumbling concrete edifices of yore, England is now home to some of the best-equipped and most attractive grounds in Europe and the world; grounds that offer unprecedented safety and an unforgettable matchday experience for home fans and visiting supporters alike. Supporting structural evolution It’s therefore gratifying that CPI should have played a part in the structural revolution of a number of top-tier English football grounds. At Anfield, home of six-time Champions League winners Liverpool, our natural and coloured mortars were respectively used for the blockwork and external work of the club’s new main stand. With circa 8,500 seats, the facility is one of the largest all-seater single stands in Europe, increasing Anfield’s capacity to 54,000. Our natural-coloured mortar was also selected for the building of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Opened in 2006, the 60,000 north London venue replaced the club’s former home, Highbury, less than a mile away. It means on matchdays, fans can take a short walk through time to arrive at their current abode. Another Premier League stadium to benefit from our pioneering products was Stamford Bridge, the west London home of Chelsea FC. We supplied brickwork contractor, Irvine-Whitlock, with silos of dry-mixed mortar for a redevelopment that included Chelsa Village, the stadium’s commercial element comprising a shop, bars, a music venue, a hotel and restaurant. Football success is largely earned on the training ground. It is also where the football stars of tomorrow are born. For the building of Manchester City’s world-class training facility, CPI supplied natural and coloured mortar, as well as specialist white lime mortar. The state-of-the-art academy is not only a schooling ground for future City professionals; the venue’s community function supports the development of elite athletes and local students. In Manchester’s ‘other half’, CPI provided the mortar for an upgrade to Manchester United’s ‘Carrington’ training ground. The £25m renovation introduced a new medical and sports science facility to the site where the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville plied their trade during ‘the Reds’ last golden era of success. Even non-football fans will – perhaps grudgingly – understand why the sport and its storied stadia mean so much to fans whose happy space for the next month or so will be in front of the TV being sure not to miss every last kick, save, tackle and dive of this year’s World Cup. Let’s hope the beautiful game lives up to its reputation, and at least one of the two home nations taking part gives us a thrill along the way. If not, then let us take comfort in the fact that even if football doesn’t come home (again), the UK will still be home to some of the world’s best stadia, which lest we forget, contain some world-class mortar. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Decoding the new Service Charge Code: what commercial property occupiers need to know
Property Management expert at Naylors, Katy Clark, explains how recent changes to the RICS Service Charge Code affect commercial property occupiers. Much of the advice around the new edition of the RICS Service Charge Code is aimed at landlords but if you occupy a commercial property – what does it mean for you? The 2nd Edition of the Code recently came into force and, for occupiers, the updated guidance brings better transparency, timing and accountability. But, also, more responsibility. Occupiers can leverage the new Code to gain clearer visibility around costs, reduce disputes, and ultimately make more informed property decisions. Changes to the guidance – including more predictable budgeting, better upfront communication and fairer cost-allocation – are all welcome developments. Clearer explanations of costs Budgets are no longer expected to be just a series of numbers presented in isolation. Instead, they should be accompanied by supporting commentary that contextualises expenses and highlights any material changes. This enables occupiers to better scrutinise and reduce their reliance on retrospective queries once costs have already been incurred. The new Code states that landlord-specific costs should be excluded – such as void unit expenses, for example – which helps ensure tenants aren’t unfairly charged. New rules around funding major works There is the push for a more consistent approach to how service charges are used to fund significant repair or replacement works. These big works can have a substantial impact on both occupiers and landlords due to their cost and disruption. While both parties typically support carrying out necessary works, the way they are funded – and the effect on cash flow – is a key concern. The updated Code provides clearer best practice on funding options, including where costs are collected in advance through the service charge, as well as approaches where the landlord completes the works and then recovers the expenditure from tenants over an agreed period. More timely reconciliations Delayed reconciliations have long been a source of frustration for occupiers – often impacting financial planning and internal reporting. The new Code includes tighter expectations around the timing of year-end reconciliations which are designed to bring occupiers clarity sooner. Most institutional landlords and managing agents were already broadly aligned with best practice anyway but the Code gives those who weren’t, a push to do better. Hopefully, occupiers will see greater levels of compliance with the Code’s requirements to issue reconciliations within four months of year end. Fewer disputes The Code increasingly encourages upfront communication over reactive explanation. Early engagement between occupiers and landlords and better information sharing should ensure less disputes arise from unclear or unexpected costs. There are changes aimed at ensuring there is no ‘over-recovery’ and that there is clear treatment of reserve/sinking funds by reporting what landlords are doing, in advance. This includes clearer supporting documentation – such as detailed cost breakdowns and clear apportionment matrices – as well as more explicit reporting on areas like reserve or sinking funds. Occupiers are no longer expected to simply accept charges; they are being given the tools to understand them. The result should be fewer disputes but the key to that is both parties being equipped to interpret and act on the information provided. More work for occupiers The new Code brings more responsibility for occupiers. This is due to the increasing volume and complexity of the information provided. Interpreting budgets, understanding reconciliations and assessing whether costs are ‘fair and reasonable’ all requires time, expertise, and often specialist knowledge. This is particularly true for national or multi-site occupiers, where inconsistencies between assets can quickly accumulate into significant cost inefficiencies. As the landscape becomes more complex, occupiers increasingly need property management professionals for support. Independent service charge reviews and audits are becoming more common, helping occupiers validate costs, identify discrepancies and ensure compliance with both lease terms and the Code. Lease advisory is another key area for occupiers, especially in assessing recoverability and identifying areas of risk – whether that’s linked to ESG expenditure, reserve funds or ambiguous lease wording. For occupiers with larger portfolios, strategic advice can unlock even greater value. By analysing service charge data across multiple sites, it becomes possible to identify inconsistencies, benchmark performance and uncover opportunities for cost savings. In summary The evolution of the Service Charge Code shouldn’t be viewed purely through a compliance lens. For occupiers, it is a chance to take greater control of property costs and engage more constructively with landlords and managing agents. However, doing so effectively requires more than passive receipt of information. It needs active interpretation, informed challenge and in many cases, professional support. In a market where margins are under pressure and operational efficiency is paramount, service charge transparency is not just an administrative improvement, it’s a strategic advantage. Those occupiers who embrace this shift and equip themselves with the right expertise, will be best placed to save both time and money in the years ahead. Find out more at www.naylors.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The HVAC Decisions Developers Should Make Early in the Design Phase
For residential developers, HVAC planning early in the design phase can shape construction costs, comfort, efficiency, and long-term property performance. Planning ahead helps ensure the system supports the home’s layout instead of being forced into leftover space after key design choices are already locked in. Why Early HVAC Planning Matters HVAC planning should begin early because the mechanical system is not something that can be cleanly “fit in” after the building layout is already decided. Many of the most important HVAC decisions are actually architectural decisions in disguise. Heating, cooling, ventilation, ductwork, equipment placement, chases, soffits, ceiling heights, insulation levels, window placement, room orientation, mechanical closets, rooflines, and floor plans all affect one another. When HVAC is considered during schematic design, developers can make smarter decisions about building layout, mechanical space, duct routes, zoning, and system type before those choices become expensive to change. By the time framing, ceiling heights, window placement, mechanical closets, rooflines, and floor plans are locked in, the HVAC contractor may no longer be designing the best system. They may simply be trying to make a system fit inside the constraints they have been given. Early planning also helps prevent the common problem of forcing HVAC equipment into leftover spaces, which often leads to longer duct runs, reduced airflow, noisy operation, uneven temperatures, harder service access, lower efficiency, and avoidable construction conflicts. For residential developers, this is not just a technical issue. It is a margin, schedule, and buyer-satisfaction issue. Late HVAC planning can create hidden costs through redesigns, soffits, framing changes, trade conflicts, rushed substitutions, and callbacks after occupancy. Starting early gives the project team a chance to design the home as a complete system rather than treating HVAC as an afterthought. It allows developers to protect livable square footage, preserve clean architectural lines, coordinate mechanical spaces before they become compromises, and make system decisions based on performance rather than jobsite convenience. The result is usually better comfort, better energy performance, cleaner coordination between trades, and fewer costly field changes during construction. The earlier HVAC is included, the less likely the project is to pay for the same decision twice: once during construction and again through warranty calls, homeowner complaints, or inefficient long-term operation. Key HVAC Design Considerations For Developers Before finalizing the layout, developers should think about how the home will actually heat, cool, ventilate, and distribute air in daily use. These HVAC design considerations include equipment location, technician access, duct pathways, refrigerant line routes, return air placement, room-by-room load requirements, ceiling heights, insulation strategy, window size and orientation, fresh air needs, and whether the home should use one zone or multiple zones. One of the biggest mistakes is designing the floor plan first and then asking the HVAC contractor to work around it. A better approach is to identify mechanical needs while the layout is still flexible and ask whether the floor plan will allow the HVAC system to perform well without expensive compromises. For example, a small adjustment to a closet, hallway, attic access point, or ceiling cavity may make the difference between a clean, efficient duct layout and one that requires awkward soffits, long, restrictive duct runs, equipment in hot attics or cramped closets, or visible soffits in rooms where buyers expect clean ceilings. Developers should also consider which parts of the home will be difficult to condition. Corner bedrooms, rooms over garages, large open living areas, upper floors, west-facing glass, vaulted ceilings, and spaces far from the air handler often need special attention. These HVAC design considerations are often tied to the areas most likely to become comfort complaints later. Developers should also consider buyer expectations. Modern homeowners care about quiet operation, consistent temperatures, healthy indoor air, energy costs, and smart controls. Those outcomes depend heavily on early design decisions, not just the brand of equipment installed later. The best HVAC planning does not ask the building to serve the mechanical system. It asks whether small design adjustments made early can prevent large mechanical compromises later. How HVAC System Design Affects Performance Early HVAC system design has a direct impact on how the property feels and performs for years after construction. A properly planned system can deliver more even temperatures, better humidity control, quieter operation, lower utility bills, and fewer comfort complaints from residents. When HVAC design begins early, the system can be sized based on actual building characteristics rather than rough assumptions. This matters because oversized systems may short-cycle, struggle with humidity, waste energy, increase noise, create uneven temperatures, and wear out faster. Undersized systems may run constantly and still fail to keep the home comfortable during peak heating or cooling conditions. Bigger equipment is not a cure for poor planning, and in many homes, it can make comfort worse. Early design also improves airflow. Shorter, better-routed duct runs, properly placed returns, balanced supply registers, adequate ventilation, and predictable access all help the equipment operate closer to its intended performance. A home can have a high-efficiency HVAC unit and still perform poorly if the ductwork is restrictive, the system is oversized, returns are undersized, the thermostat is poorly located, or certain rooms have loads the design never addressed. For developers, the long-term value of early HVAC system design is predictability. Predictable comfort means fewer complaints from buyers or tenants. Predictable airflow means fewer service calls. Predictable access means easier maintenance. Predictable energy performance means the property is more likely to meet buyer expectations and efficiency targets. In other words, the best HVAC system is not just selected; it is designed into the home from the beginning. A system that is carefully designed around the building can often deliver better comfort with less waste than a larger system forced into a poor layout. HVAC Planning For Heating And Cooling Choices Developers should choose a heating and cooling system based on the building’s design, climate, energy goals, budget, available space, maintenance expectations, target buyer profile, and the business model of the project. The right system for a compact townhome may