Type One Energy, Tokamak Energy, and AECOM form the UK Infinity Fusion Consortium to accelerate development of a commercial fusion power plant in the United Kingdom
Type One Energy, Tokamak Energy, and AECOM today announced the UK Infinity Fusion Consortium to pursue development of the first private-sector-led fusion power plant project in the United Kingdom. Together, the companies intend to develop a fusion project that is commercially credible, deployable using existing enabling technologies, and capable of attracting private capital —consistent with the long-term goals of the government’s recently announced UK Fusion Strategy. This announcement comes at a time of increasing U.S.-U.K. bilateral cooperation on fusion. His Majesty King Charles III said during his address to the United States Congress last week that, “Our nations are combining talent and resources in the technologies of tomorrow: our new partnerships in nuclear fusion and quantum computing, and in AI and drug discovery, holding the promise of saving countless lives.” The Consortium partners are all members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), a global CEO-led network founded by His Majesty King Charles III with the mandate to lead the private sector in accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy. At its core, the UK Infinity Fusion Consortiumcombines Type One Energy’s 400 MWe Infinity Two stellarator fusion power plant design, AECOM’s leading engineering capabilities, and Tokamak Energy’s HTS magnet technology and manufacturing expertise in the UK. The Consortium will use these capabilities to develop a UK Infinity Two fusion power plant project that will include participation by the broader UK fusion value chain spanning construction, finance, offtake and other supply chain partners. The Consortium will build on the UK’s significant investment in magnetic confinement fusion technology, supply chain capabilities, regulation, and power plant siting for the government’s STEP Fusion programme. It will also capitalize on the synergy and experience gained from the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) Infinity Two fusion power plant project at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) Bull Run site in the United States, which is targeted for commercial operation in 2034. The TVA Infinity Two project is being supported by the U.S. government’s own fusion programmes and provides a strong technical and programmatic foundation for the UK Infinity Two deployment project. The development of a UK Infinity Two fusion power plant project by the Consortium is aligned with the UK Government’s strategy to move from world-leading fusion science to commercial deployment — a strategy guiding the STEP Fusion programme. The Consortium will create a private-sector-led fusion commercialization pathway complementing the STEP Fusion programme. The UK Infinity Two project further scales growth of the UK fusion supply chain and accelerates time-to-market for this critical new energy source, while strengthening the country’s industrial base. Chris Mowry, Chief Executive Officer, Type One Energy, said:“Fusion needs to be delivered, not just developed. This Consortium brings together the core industrial capabilities in the UK and US required to deploy real-world fusion power plant projects that are commercially viable. By aligning fusion technology, advanced manufacturing, and power plant engineering, we are closing the gap between today’s energy innovation and tomorrow’s energy infrastructure. Our initiative is fully aligned with UK and US ambitions to be leaders in commercial fusion deployment.” Warrick Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, Tokamak Energy, said:“This Consortium puts Tokamak Energy’s transformative magnet technology and manufacturing expertise in the centre of another world-class fusion programme. Together, we can accelerate towards commercialising a new form of limitless, clean energy and, in combination with our role as STEP magnet systems partner, strengthen the UK supply chain’s leadership in global fusion.” Troy Rudd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AECOM, said: “Fusion represents one of the most important long-term energy solutions, offering a clean, safe and reliable source of power for future generations. Delivering on fusion’s potential requires disciplined engineering, well-established infrastructure delivery models and collaboration across the entire energy ecosystem. Through this Consortium, AECOM is bringing its global experience in complex energy infrastructure to help lay the groundwork for commercial fusion projects that can scale with confidence, supporting the UK’s energy system while strengthening its industrial and infrastructure base.” Lord Vallance, UK Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said: “This government is backing fusion with over £2.5 billion and recently announced a deal with the United States, which includes closer working on fusion research and development, taking us closer to a future powered by limitless clean energy. Our long-term vision and investment in the sector is now helping turn that ambition into reality.” Lord Stockwood, UK Minister for Investment, said: “The UK is a world leader in renewables, and this consortium will play a key role in new fusion projects, creating exciting opportunities for people in local communities. We’re serious about the benefits of clean energy technologies, which is why our modern Industrial Strategy is attracting investment into the sector to boost economic growth as the UK powers towards net zero.” Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) said: “Type One Energy, Tokamak Energy and AECOM have come together as members of the SMI, demonstrating the SMI’s Terra Carta and Astra Carta mandates in action — business and finance working together to turn breakthrough innovation into measurable progress in building a more sustainable future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals About Type One Energy Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies. Type One Energy applies proven advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized stellarator fusion energy system. Its FusionDirect™ development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion power plant over the coming decade, using a partner-intensive and capital-efficient strategy. Type One Energy is committed to community engagement in the development and deployment of its clean energy technology. About Tokamak Energy Tokamak Energy is a global leader in high temperature superconducting (HTS) and fusion technologies founded in 2009 as a spin out from UK Atomic Energy Authority. The company
Liverpool John Lennon Airport boosts performance and reliability with Telent’s CCTV assurance platform
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been working with Telent, the mission-critical technology specialist, to trial its CCTV assurance platform, Arbitex, giving technical teams continuous visibility into the condition and performance of the airport’s CCTV estate. The three‑month trial, which has now concluded, enabled the airport to assess how automated daily checks on each camera improve oversight and maintenance planning. Arbitex verifies connectivity, confirms alignment against reference images and assesses image quality, including detecting contamination such as dirt or obstruction. Throughout the trial, Telent worked closely with Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s Technical Services team and the airport’s on-site maintenance contractor throughout the trial. This included methodical onboarding, calibration of reference frames and refinement of reporting parameters to ensure the entire camera estate was accurately represented. Together, the teams configured the platform to reflect the scale and operational importance of the airport’s CCTV infrastructure. The automated monitoring provided structured assurance that cameras are performing as expected. Instead of relying solely on reactive fault reporting or periodic inspection, engineers can identify potential performance issues earlier and schedule targeted maintenance where required. The consistent, data‑driven insight delivered by Arbitex offered earlier visibility of issues before they could impact operations. In this type of critical infrastructure environment, this level of visibility provides confidence that CCTV systems remain aligned and operational, supporting the day-to-day running of the airport. “Arbitex is designed to give organisations confidence in the condition of their critical systems. Continuous monitoring of camera performance and image quality enables teams to identify changes early and maintain infrastructure more effectively. Working with Liverpool John Lennon Airport allowed us to tailor the platform to the operational demands of a busy airport environment,” said Reg Cook, Director of Asset Management at Telent. “Operationally, Arbitex has become an invaluable tool for monitoring the health and condition of our CCTV estate. The platform provides consistent visibility of system performance and early insight into potential issues, allowing us to take a more proactive approach to maintenance. In a critical infrastructure environment, that level of assurance is extremely valuable,” said Michael Brown, Head of Technical Services at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Following the successful completion of the trial, the next phase sees Telent begin its contracted rollout of Arbitex at Liverpool John Lennon Airport from 1 April. The rollout phase will see the platform extended across the full CCTV estate, supporting a more consistent and data‑driven maintenance approach. The platform gives the airport clearer visibility of system performance, offering early warning of degrading camera performance before it impacts operations. Overall, the trial demonstrated tangible operational benefits, supporting a more proactive maintenance model and strengthening system assurance. Learn more about Telent’s Arbitex platform here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SEGRO signs with Asendia for newly renovated SEGRO Park Axis
SEGRO, a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses, industrial property and data centres, has signed an agreement to lease SEGRO Park Axis, a standalone, recently upgraded Grade A+ building totalling 81,500 sq ft, to Asendia, a major international mail and e-commerce parcel shipping specialist SEGRO Park Axis is strategically located close to the M4, Heathrow Airport and the Heathrow Cargo Centre, and will serve as Asendia’s primary international parcel processing, mail distribution and air conveyance centre for the UK, supporting both the company’s domestic and international operations. Asendia, founded as a joint venture between La Poste and Swiss Post is expected to move in by January 2027, following a major back to frame redevelopment and extension that will see 29,349 sq ft added to the previous unit. Enhancements include an increased internal eaves height of up to 15 metres and new office space, with completion scheduled for September 2026. Designed with sustainability at its core, the enhanced facility is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ ratings, with key features including photovoltaic panels, dedicated cycle parking and 20 per cent electric vehicle charging provision. The scheme will also support SEGRO’s embodied carbon targets, with a base build design of 332kg/m². Anna Bond, Head of Western Corridor at SEGRO, commented: “Asendia’s commitment to SEGRO Park Axis highlights the critical role that well located industrial and logistics infrastructure plays in supporting international trade and investment. Sites close to Heathrow Airport are increasingly scarce, and global businesses need confidence that the right space can be delivered in the right place, to the right standard. By investing in high quality, low carbon infrastructure in this corridor, we’re providing the long term platform companies like Asendia need to grow and operate successfully in the UK, and we’re pleased to have them on board.” Carl Loader, Chief Operating Officer, Asendia UK, added: “We’re pleased to be partnering with SEGRO on this new facility, which marks an important step in strengthening our UK operations and supporting our continued growth. “Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the design, reflecting our broader ESG ambitions and commitment to reducing environmental impact. At the same time, the flexibility of the space enables us to design workflows that support greater automation and operational efficiency as our business evolves. “SEGRO Park Axis gives us the scale, specification and reliability required to operate a high-volume international parcel hub, while meeting the expectations of our customers and partners. It provides a strong operational base for our UK business within our wider European and global supply chain. “Just as important is the environment we create for our people. The facility has been designed to support both our operational and office teams, with spaces that encourage collaboration and innovation, alongside areas to step back and recharge. “As a Great Place to Work certified organisation, we place real importance on creating an environment where our people can thrive. Alongside our ongoing focus on ESG performance, including continuing to improve our EcoVadis rating, this investment reflects our commitment to supporting our people, driving performance and building for the long term for the benefit of our customers. SEGRO understands what globally mobile businesses require and has been a strong partner as we continue to invest in our UK operations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wrekin products becomes first UK manufacturer to achieve CCPI assessed status for ductile iron range
WREKIN PRODUCTS has become the first civil engineering product manufacturer in the UK to achieve Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessed status for its ductile iron range, reinforcing its position as a trusted and transparent partner to the construction sector. The CCPI is an industry-led initiative developed to raise the standard of product information across the construction industry. Achieving assessed status means Wrekin’s ductile iron product information has been independently assessed against the Code’s requirements, with a focus on the quality and management of that information rather than product performance alone. In practice, this means documentation has been reviewed to provide greater confidence that it is clear, accurate, accessible and up-to-date, as well as structured to support better decision-making across specification, installation and long-term asset management. Wrekin’s ductile iron range was prioritised internally for assessment because it’s the company’s largest and most safety-critical offering, reflecting a commitment to ensuring that the products most relied upon by specifiers and installers are held to the highest standards of information quality. John Kiernan, product manager at Wrekin Products, said: “Achieving CCPI assessed status is about more than a mark of quality. It is about giving our customers greater confidence that the information we provide can be trusted. It is very easy for manufacturers to make claims about their products, but being able to back those claims up with independent assessment adds a level of credibility that we believe is increasingly important in this industry. We want customers to know that what we tell them is accurate, consistent and reliable. “This is an important step forward in how we manage and communicate our product information, and we see it as part of a longer journey. We are committed to continually improving how our product information is presented and maintained, so that we are contributing to higher standards across the construction industry. “We encourage other manufacturers to explore what CCPI assessment involves. The process itself drives real improvements in how you present and maintain your information, and the benefits go well beyond the accreditation.” Wrekin’s ductile iron product range includes manhole covers, gully gratings, through to kerb units, surface boxes and accessories, which are used across several sectors such as highways, housing and utilities. Further information about Wrekin’s CCPI assessed products, including a full product finder, is available at https://www.wrekinproducts.com/ccpi Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Redleaf completes new Tesco-anchored local centre in Swaffham
Developer, Redleaf, has reached Practical Completion for its new Tesco-anchored retail centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, with the convenience store now open to the public. Brandon Road Shopping Centre has been constructed by Warwick Burt Construction Ltd. of Northampton on behalf of Redleaf and will serve the local community, including residents moving into Cygnet Rise, a new development in the town by Abel Homes. The new shopping centre totals 9,150 sq ft and having brought in Tesco Express as the anchor store, Redleaf has also exchanged contracts with national coffee operator, Esquires. Further retailers will be confirmed in due course. Approximately 3,600 sq ft of commercial space remains and the scheme benefits from planning consent for all retail uses – A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. Sui Generis uses would require consent. Minimum unit size 800 sq ft and the development includes 36 demised car parking spaces. Interest in the remaining space can be discussed directly with Redleaf. To mark the completion of the new local centre, Redleaf founder Paul Bishton and Abel Homes managing director Paul LeGrice visited the site to inspect the new units. Paul Bishton comments: “Very proud to see this latest Redleaf development achieve PC. We’ve really pushed the boat in terms of design and Warwick Burt has done a fantastic job with the build. It’s great to see Tesco trading and with Esquires commencing its fit out imminently, I can’t wait to bring more great brands to the centre. Redleaf prides itself on delivering high-quality commercial developments and Brandon Road Shopping Centre is a fine addition to our portfolio.” Rory Bartlett, Head of Operations at Esquires Coffee, said: “We’re really pleased to be joining Brandon Road Shopping Centre and becoming part of the Swaffham community. The development is a great fit for Esquires, clearly designed as a real community hub. We’re looking forward to opening a welcoming space for customers to enjoy great coffee, quality food and a relaxed environment as the scheme continues to grow.” Speaking about the broader development, Mr LeGrice added: “Our Cygnet Rise development is very much about creating a new community, providing a new local centre, a care home and assisted living units, as well as much-needed new homes. “We are delighted to be delivering another key component of the community so early in the scheme’s programme, fulfilling the promises we made when we brought plans for the site forward.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mixed-Use Developments Are Becoming the Future of UK Cities
Urban development priorities across the UK have moved toward mixed-use projects. Developers and local authorities are increasingly backing schemes that combine housing, retail, offices, hospitality, and entertainment in one location. Projects such as Smithfield Birmingham and St James Quarter reflect how city-centre development is changing in 2026. This change is being supported by policy. The Homes England 2023–2028 strategy, alongside wider planning reforms, increasingly favours brownfield regeneration projects that deliver homes, jobs, and commercial activity within the same development. Why Mixed-Use Schemes Are Accelerating Market data reflects the momentum behind this model. At least 25% of UK residential developments are expected to form part of mixed-use schemes. Urban regeneration projects of this kind are expected to play a growing role in the UK property sector through 2030. Analysts project that they could add roughly 0.6 percentage points to the cumulative CAGR of the UK real estate market. That reflects how deeply mixed-use regeneration schemes are now embedded in long-term development forecasts. Office and retail repurposing is also feeding the pipeline. Between 2022 and 2024, around 3.3 million sq ft of UK office stock was sold with the intention of conversion to alternative uses. Much of it is directed towards mixed-use and residential schemes. In regional cities, combining homes with retail, hospitality, and workspace in the same building or block has become a standard response to vacancy and shifting demand patterns. Construction Challenges Unique to Layered Developments Building a mixed-use scheme is structurally and logistically far more complex than delivering a single-use project. Different use classes, residential, commercial, and leisure, each carry distinct structural requirements, fire separation standards, acoustic specifications, and service zoning needs. Reconciling these within a single building envelope creates design and engineering challenges that contractors must address from the earliest stages of procurement. The entertainment and leisure sector adds another layer of complexity. Operators in this space, including high-footfall venues, gyms, and digital entertainment venues, require specific floor-loading tolerances. This includes ventilation systems and power infrastructure that sit well outside typical residential specifications. Online platforms operate very differently. Digital-first brands do not require the same type of mixed-use infrastructure to reach users. GamblingInsider’s UK online casino list, for example, highlights platforms that can deliver gaming, live dealer experiences, and entertainment services entirely online without relying on large physical destinations or resort-style developments. That difference shows how physical mixed-use projects must solve far more complicated construction and operational demands than purely digital entertainment models. Mixed-Use Projects Are Changing Build Requirements Mixed-use developments across the UK are no longer just changing city skylines. They are also changing how buildings are regulated, designed, and managed from the ground up. Under the Building Safety Regulator framework introduced through the Building Safety Act 2022, any building over 18 metres with at least two residential units can now be classified as a Higher-Risk Building. That means even largely commercial projects can fall under strict residential safety rules if apartments are included within the scheme. This has created new challenges for developers and contractors. Mixed-use sites must now balance the very different risks attached to residential living, retail activity, offices, hospitality, and entertainment spaces inside the same structure. Fire compartmentation standards have become stricter, especially between residential units and commercial areas such as restaurants or leisure venues. Acoustic separation requirements are also becoming more demanding in projects where people live directly above busy public spaces. Design requirements are evolving as well. From September 2026, new residential applications for buildings above 18 metres will require dual staircases. In mixed-use towers, that often means additional building cores, reduced sellable floor area, and more complicated structural layouts. Environmental standards are also influencing design decisions, with policies around biodiversity net gain, energy efficiency, and low-carbon systems now shaping everything from rooftop layouts to HVAC planning. Operational management has become more complex. Many mixed-use developments now involve multiple accountable parties, including residential operators, commercial landlords, and hospitality management teams. At the same time, projects must maintain a continuous “golden thread” of digital safety information throughout the building’s lifecycle. Together, these changes are turning mixed-use development into one of the most technically demanding areas of modern UK construction. How Contractors Are Adapting Procurement Strategies Procurement approaches are changing to match the complexity of mixed-use delivery. Early contractor involvement (ECI) is becoming more common, with main contractors brought in during RIBA Stage 2 or 3 to advise on phasing strategies, interface management, and trade contractor sequencing. This is particularly important where residential units must be handed over while commercial or leisure shells remain under construction on lower floors. Supply chain coordination is equally critical. Contractors managing mixed-use schemes are increasingly segmenting their procurement into use-class-specific packages, allowing specialist subcontractors to operate within defined zones without creating programme conflicts. The conversion of existing stock into mixed-use destinations adds further complications, since retrofit work requires detailed surveys and adaptive design responses that new-build schemes can avoid. The contractors best placed to win and deliver these projects will be those who invest in the coordination systems and specialist knowledge this new generation of development demands.