Sustainable heating specialists strengthen team with new Business Development Manager
Hewer Facilities Management, a leader in sustainable heating solutions, has appointed Adam Daly as Business Development Manager to support the rollout of its pioneering Heat Saviour™ technology nationwide. Having previously held senior roles at Navigator, Purmo, Westco and Fernox, Adam joins Hewer with over 20 years’ experience in the plumbing, heating and building services sectors. His expertise lies in developing routes to market for new products, driving penetration and growth through targeted training and education initiatives, and increasing sales across installer networks, merchants and national accounts, including specifiers and housing providers. At Hewer, Adam will focus on supporting the rollout of Heat Saviour™, a first-of-its-kind retrofit product that simplifies heat pump installations, reduces installation time and cost, and minimises disruption to homeowners and tenants. Officially launched in 2025, Heat Saviour™ is already installed in over 2,000 properties across the UK. Among these are 1,500 social housing homes in the South West, including those managed by providers such as Two Rivers Housing, Bromford, Green Square Accord, Rooftop Housing Group, Community Housing and Cottsway Housing Association. Compatible with all major heat pump brands, Heat Saviour™ has recently been endorsed by Midea, one of the world’s leading heat pump manufacturers which operates in 200 countries worldwide, highlighting Hewer’s position at the forefront of practical, scalable low-carbon heating solutions. Adam Daly, Business Development Manager, says: “I’m thrilled to be joining Hewer at such an exciting time for both the business and the wider sector, as it continues its transition to greener technologies. “The UK is leading the way in innovation in this space. Heat Saviour is a first-to-market solution that solves real-world challenges around heat pump adoption – tackling key barriers such as cost, disruption and installation complexity – for installers, tenants and homeowners. “My role will focus on helping installers, housing providers and local authorities understand the product and deploy it effectively at scale. Having the endorsement of Midea reinforces the value and impact of what we’re delivering.” Stuart Hesk, Director at Hewer, adds: “We’re delighted to welcome Adam to the Hewer team. His experience in product launch, market education and commercial growth is exactly what we need to support Heat Saviour’s rollout. “Adam’s appointment strengthens our business development capabilities as we help social housing providers, local authorities and homeowners adopt low-carbon heating solutions. With recognition from a global leader like Midea, it’s clear that our technology is not only innovative but also trusted by industry experts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Airey Miller Group opens Cammbridge office to support regional growth
Airey Miller Group (Airey Miller), a leading nationwide multi-discipline property and construction consultancy group, has invested in a new office in Cambridge, strengthening its presence across the East of England and reinforcing its commitment to supporting the delivery of much-needed affordable housing in the region. The opening of a new office at Milton Hall follows a sustained period of project success in and around Cambridge, driven by growing demand for Airey Miller’s multidisciplinary expertise across surveying, architecture, safety and compliance and digital services. Establishing a local base will enable the business to work more closely with clients and project partners, providing responsive, on-the-ground support and deeper local insight. The expansion is expected to create up to 10 new jobs in the area, offering long-term career opportunities, while contributing to local economic growth. Airey Miller’s total headcount now stands at 119 across additional office locations in London, Sevenoaks and Bristol. The Cambridge office will support existing teams covering Essex, the Northern Home Counties and Airey Miller’s growing presence in the Midlands and the North of England. From the new location, teams will serve projects across Cambridgeshire, Anglia and the wider East of England, where the firm is working on a growing number of new-build residential development schemes. The company has secured a significant pipeline of commissions over the next two to three years, working with housebuilders, Registered Providers, Build to Rent operators and investment partners to deliver affordable housing and residential-led mixed-use developments. Mark Humphreys, CEO of Airey Miller Group, said: “The opening our Cambridge office marks an important step in Airey Miller Group’s continued growth and regional investment. It also reflects the strength of commissions we have already secured in the area, demonstrating the confidence clients place in our multi-disciplinary expertise. Establishing a local presence allows us to better support these schemes, deepen relationships and continue to deliver high-quality output across residential and mixed-use developments. Cambridge and the surrounding area is a key market for us and this office positions us well for sustainable, long-term growth.” In June 2025, Airey Miller became part of leading UK investor Celnor Group’s Risk Management division. The Group of ambitious, entrepreneur-led businesses is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing organisations in the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) sector. Simon Parrington, Founder and CEO of Celnor Group, said: “The opening of Airey Miller’s Cambridge office is a clear example of our commitment to investing in regional expertise and supporting our businesses as they respond to client demand. Cambridge is a growing and strategically important market, and establishing a local presence enables Airey Miller to deliver even greater value to clients while creating high-quality employment opportunities within the region.” This latest opening marks another important milestone in Airey Miller’s expanding regional footprint as it continues to support sustainable development across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bullard puts the ‘ard’ in graft in new Jewson landscaping campaign
Footballing legend turned TV personality Jimmy Bullard will front a new landscaping campaign by Jewson, championing the people behind one of the toughest trades in the industry. Across TV, radio and social media, the former Fulham FC, Hull City and Ipswich Town player portrays a high-energy landscaping ‘coach’, set out to show employees, trade customers and aspiring DIY landscapers that with Jewson products and services, landscaping is made easier, ‘because the job’s ‘ard enough”. The campaign is designed to show that landscapers have all the products they need for their projects thanks to Jewson’s range, its expert team, and complementary services including Jewson Tool Hire. Throughout the spring and summer, Jewson will offer customers a variety of promotions on its landscaping range, including the Dallas, Verona and Nordic porcelain tiles from its exclusive Terralis range. New own-brand product lines including top soil, bark, mulch, compost and grade wood chippings will now be delivered to customers in Terralis-branded bulk bags, while new composite decking products are available as a low-maintenance alternative to timber decking. Jewson colleagues have also played a key role in the campaign, helping shape new ranges including landscaping accessories and fencing, and many of the team will feature in some of the content aired. There’ll also be landscaping themed activities in branch in line with key sporting events including The Masters and the World Cup. Tessa Viller, Marketing Director for STARK UK, Jewson’s parent company, said: “Landscaping is one of the toughest, most hands-on trades out there, and at Jewson we’re proud to partner those who put the work in every single day – often in challenging conditions. Our aim is to make life easier for those customers by being the go-to destination for landscaping materials – with the range, availability and local expertise to get everything you need for a landscaping project in one place. “Jimmy’s energy, credibility and down-to-earth approach make him the perfect fit as our landscaping ambassador. He’s a true champion of the Jewson colleagues who sit at the heart of our branches, playing a vital role in helping them win more work, more often. It’s great to have him on board – there’s a very fun, but busy, few months ahead!” Jimmy said: “I know a thing or two about graft. I’ve built my career on hard work, teamwork and getting the basics right under pressure, and that’s exactly what landscaping is all about. It’s not about shortcuts or showboating – it’s about skill, stamina and doing the job properly, day in, day out. From early starts to heavy materials and tight deadlines, the work’s hard enough already, which is why I’ve got huge respect for the people who do it. “That’s also why I’m proud to be working with Jewson. They really understand what landscapers need – from dependable stock to straightforward advice in branch – and they’re all about making life easier for the people putting the work in. It’s great to be part of something that truly champions landscapers. Bring on the summer.” Explore Jewson’s landscaping range here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Out-of-town retail powers on as investors and occupiers double down
Out-of-town retail continued to outperform the wider retail market throughout 2025, cementing its position as one of the UK’s most resilient commercial property sectors, according to SHW’s Q1 2026 Retail Focus report. Retail warehousing emerged as the standout performer, supported by low vacancy rates, constrained supply and sustained occupier demand, all of which helped drive rental growth across the year. Despite a modest dip compared with 2024, investment volumes remained healthy, with more than £2bn transacted in 2025. This level of activity sits comfortably in line with the sector’s 10-year average, with returns over the past 12 months averaging 9.8%. Investor appetite has been particularly strong for well-located secondary assets offering attractive income returns. Groups such as Redevco and Realty have been active in targeting these opportunities, reflecting confidence in the sector’s long-term fundamentals. Occupational demand has also remained robust. Vacancy rates across retail warehousing have held at around 5%, and space released following the failures of Homebase and Carpetright was swiftly absorbed by a mix of food retailers, DIY operators, discount brands and gym operators. There has also been a notable rise in retailers acquiring freehold interests in solus units to secure long-term occupation at lease expiry. Letting activity has varied by location and scheme type. Operators such as Next, Superdrug and M&S Food Hall have continued to target schemes with a stronger high-street bias, while discount retailers including Home Bargains and B&M have pressed ahead with portfolio expansion. While a small number of store closures have been announced by Hobbycraft, overall supply remains tight. Gym operators are increasingly competing with retailers for space, bringing new customer demographics to retail parks and strengthening footfall. Food retailers reported generally positive Christmas trading, with Lidl and Aldi recording strong sales growth. Lidl has now become the UK’s fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket, while most other major grocers also saw uplifts. The food and beverage and quick-service restaurant sector has continued to expand, with fierce competition for drive-through sites. New opportunities released by Pizza Hut closures were quickly taken up, while fried chicken and coffee brands remain particularly active. Looking ahead, SHW expects the retail warehouse sector to remain resilient through 2026, underpinned by limited new development, strong occupier demand and sustained investor interest. For a copy of SHW’s Q1 2026 Retail Focus, which covers out-of-town and high street retail, please contact any member of the SHW team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HAHN Plastics appoints new General Manager amid UK expansion
Max Cardona brings over 30 years’ experience in engineering, process automation and business management He joins the Manchester-based manufacturer as it continues a multi-million-pound investment in its UK operations HAHN Plastics UK (HPUK) has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Max Cardona as General Manager, amid continued investment in its UK operations. Based at HPUK’s Manchester site, Max brings more than 30 years of experience across engineering, process automation and business management. He joins at a pivotal time, as the HAHN Group, HPUK’s parent company, progresses with a multi-million-pound investment programme to future-proof its UK manufacturing operations and support long-term growth. In his new role, Max will help deliver HPUK’s five-year expansion plans, scaling up production as the business continues to invest in its UK operations. As HPUK expands its manufacturing capacity, the investment will also support the UK’s ability to process more recycled plastic domestically, helping to prepare the country for the upcoming Flex Collect requirements and reduce reliance on virgin raw materials. Max joins HPUK from a top-tier engineering manufacturing firm, where he served as Sales Director. Prior to that, he held a number of senior sales and management roles, including more than a decade as Managing Director in his native South Africa, leading complex engineering and production-led businesses. As part of the HAHN Group’s long-term growth strategy, the business continues to develop and scale hanit®, its high-performance recycled plastic material used as a durable alternative to traditional materials such as wood, concrete and steel. Commenting on his appointment, Max Cardona said: “I’m excited to be joining HAHN at such a pivotal time for its UK growth. The scale of investment underway shows a business committed to doing the right thing for its people, its customers and the environment. “I’m looking forward to using my experience in manufacturing and process automation to help develop a site that is fit for the future. There is a strong team already in place, and I’m excited to work alongside them as we take the next steps together.” Dave Watson, Managing Director of HAHN Plastics UK, added: “Max brings a wealth of experience in operational leadership, automation and business growth, making him a strong addition to the team at a critical time for HPUK. “As we continue to invest significantly in our UK operations, Max’s expertise will help us optimise our processes, support our people and deliver the next phase of our long-term growth strategy.” Founded in 1993, HAHN Plastics UK leads the market in manufacturing high-quality alternatives to virgin plastic, wood, concrete and steel, made entirely from recycled plastics. The business transforms post-consumer waste into durable, long-lasting products such as hanit®, supporting sustainable manufacturing and the circular economy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wallace Whittle strengthens Northern capability with senior Leeds hire
LONGSTANDING, independent MEP, sustainability and ESG consultancy Wallace Whittle continues its strategic expansion across England with the appointment of Andrew Smith as location director for its Leeds office, covering Yorkshire and the North East. This senior appointment strengthens Wallace Whittle’s existing regional footprint and reflects increasing demand for its engineering and sustainability expertise across the North of England. From Leeds, the team will support residential, commercial, mixed-use, healthcare, life sciences, data centres, education and industrial sector projects, while collaborating closely with clients and the wider supply chain on a regional and national basis. Andrew brings more than 30 years’ experience in the built environment, combining a strong technical background with an entrepreneurial approach to business growth. Having led and grown his own consultancies alongside senior leadership roles, he has built a reputation for developing high-performing teams and delivering a diverse and complex range of projects. Andrew’s long-term focus will be on growing the Leeds office organically, investing in people and creating a strong regional platform that reflects Wallace Whittle’s values. Talent development and mentoring the next generation of engineers will be central to his leadership approach, alongside a commitment to delivering projects that have a legacy across the UK. Andrew said: “Leeds feels like the right place at the right time, both for Wallace Whittle and for me. Leeds is a central hub, well connected by rail and road, which allows us to support clients across Yorkshire and the wider North in a very practical and efficient way. “What really stood out to me about Wallace Whittle is its culture. In an industry facing a real shortage of talented and aspiring engineers at every level, building and retaining strong teams matters now more than ever. My priority is to grow the Leeds office in the right way, investing in people’s professional development and choosing projects where we can make a meaningful, long-term impact. Being part of a business with a clear growth plan and strong values is incredibly exciting.” Andrew’s appointment forms part of Wallace Whittle’s wider strategy to align its expertise across a growing UK network, providing clients with local insight backed by national capability. It also builds on the success of projects such as the prestigious Hungate development – 670 central York apartments – and the major Dyecoats development in Leeds, which achieved Gateway 2 approval through Wallace Whittle’s support, enhancing its reputation for strong communication at every stage. Allan McGill, managing director at Wallace Whittle, said: “As Andrew steps into lead our Leeds office, strengthening our presence is a key move in delivering our continued growth across England. Andrew brings a rare combination of technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience that will help drive our regional expansion. His vision for building a strong team, focused on quality, culture and long-term relationships, aligns perfectly with our approach at Wallace Whittle. We’re looking forward to the benefits this will bring for not only our team but also our clients across the North, as we strengthen our presence.” For more information, visit: https://www.wallacewhittle.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals