Government agency achieves a world-first in providing ‘exceptional workplace experiences’
The Government Property Agency’s (GPA) Birmingham hub has become the first public sector building in the world to retain a coveted quality mark. Its flagship site at 23 Stephenson Street has secured Leesman+ accreditation – a prestigious global workplace experience rating – for the second time, demonstrating a sustained commitment to delivering an exceptional workplace experience for civil servants. Carly Ersser, Director of Workplace Services at the GPA, said: “We are incredibly proud that 23 Stephenson Street has secured Leesman+ accreditation for a second time. Surveying the people who work from our buildings gives us invaluable insights that directly inform how we design our services and continuously improve the workplace experience. “While this historic milestone is a fantastic achievement, we recognise there is always more work to be done. This rigorous feedback helps us target our resources to where they are needed most, ensuring we make a meaningful difference to civil servants working productively and happily from the office.” Leesman+ is a globally recognised certification awarded to top-tier workplaces that achieve outstanding employee satisfaction scores. To earn the accreditation, buildings must undergo rigorous, independent surveying and analysis of their features, services, and infrastructure. The GPA government hub at Stephenson Street first achieved this benchmark in 2023. The Birmingham office hosts 1,700 civil servants from more than 20 government departments and agencies. It was transformed from disused retail and commercial space into a modern, digitally-connected, and inclusive workplace in 2022, and now features a variety of spaces to support productivity, collaboration and wellbeing aligned to the Government Workplace Design Guide. Dr Peggie Rothe, Chief Insights and Research Officer at Leesman, said: “Leesman+ certifications have been awarded to just three per cent of the more than 10,400 buildings Leesman has assessed worldwide, and only 10 per cent of those have been re-certified. The GPA’s Stephenson Street Hub is the only public sector building globally to achieve Leesman+ re-certification, testament to the agency’s programmatic, data-led approach to delivering and sustaining exceptional workplace experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Hill Group bucks market trend as profits rise to record £92.5m and revenue hits £1.2bn
Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has published its financial results for the year ending 31 March 2026, reporting increased turnover, profit and new homes completed despite restrained housing market conditions. The Group reported revenue of £1.164 billion and profit before tax of £92.5 million, having completed 3,329 new homes across its operations – all increases on the previous year’s figures. Net assets increased to £493.1 million and net cash rose to £129.1 million, with no drawings against the Group’s Revolving Credit Facility, reflecting the resilience of Hill’s diversified operating model and the successful delivery of the first year of its new five-year growth strategy. Land and work-in-progress increased to £733.9 million as the Group continued its policy of retaining the majority of annual profits to invest in future growth opportunities. Hill invested £54.6 million in new land acquisitions and strategic opportunities during the year, with commitments in place for a further £44.1 million of future investment. Hill’s development pipeline includes 10,800 homes with planning consent and a further 1,900 homes controlled on a subject-to-planning basis. In addition, Hill’s long-term strategic pipeline includes 29,900 homes owned or controlled under option and promotion agreements. Combined, the Group’s controlled pipeline has the potential to generate more than £14.5 billion of future revenue. Hill’s contracting pipeline also increased during the year to more than £5.6 billion, up from £4.8 billion the previous year. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, comments: “These results demonstrate the resilience of our business model and progress towards our long-term objectives. In a restrained market, we have continued to increase turnover, profit and completions while investing in future opportunities. Our contracting business continues to expand, and we remain confident in long-term demand for the high-quality homes that Hill has always been known for.” The Group further enhanced its financial flexibility in December 2025 through the successful refinancing of its Revolving Credit Facility with major lenders. The new £300 million facility extends through to 2030 and retains its Sustainability Linked Loan status, reflecting Hill’s continued commitment to environmental and social value objectives. Hill delivered a successful year in an uncertain sales market, with average selling prices of £520,000 reflecting a change in product mix as two-thirds of completed homes were apartments across London, Cambridge and Oxford. The Group’s Build-to-Rent (BTR) activities also continued to mature, with the completion and handover of many BTR homes at various locations across the South East and London. The business continued to perform well despite delayed starts on a number of high-rise buildings in London caused by protracted Building Safety Regulator approval processes. Activity improved during the year, with major regeneration projects, including City Centre South in Coventry, and Dollis Hill and Wembley in northwest London, progressing to construction stage. Hill also secured a major strategic land opportunity at Colworth in Bedfordshire, with the potential to deliver 4,500 new homes. The Group continued to invest in its people and communities, reaching approximately 1,000 employees and launching its new Social Value Strategy 2025-2030. Hill also retained its five-star status in the Home Builders Federation’s National New Homes Customer Survey for the ninth consecutive year. Andy Hill adds: “While market conditions remain challenging and economic uncertainty continues to impact buyer confidence, we remain optimistic about the future. Recent commitments to affordable housing investment provide greater certainty for the sector, and with a substantial strategic pipeline, a growing order book and an exceptional team in place, we are well positioned to deliver the ambitions set out in our 2025-2030 business plan.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Think pink: Mellor Plant UK raffles Yanmar SV08 for Cancer Research UK
The Lancashire-based authorised Yanmar CE dealer has turned one of Yanmar’s most compact excavators into a standout fundraising prize, with the winner set to be announced at the Great Eccleston Show. Mellor Plant UK, Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA (Yanmar)’s authorised dealer for the North West of England, is giving one UK resident the chance to win a specially wrapped Yanmar SV08 in a summer raffle for Cancer Research UK. The dealership has transformed the micro excavator into a vivid magenta and rose-pink showpiece – bright, bold and impossible to miss. The custom SV08 forms the centrepiece of a campaign inspired by a charity close to the hearts of Mellor Plant UK’s team, while bringing customers and the wider community together in support of Cancer Research UK’s work to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Over the past 50 years, the charity’s research has helped double cancer survival in the UK. “This is a cause that means a great deal to our team and many of the families and customers we work with,” shares Gordon Hayes, Director at Mellor Plant. “We wanted to do something positive that would bring people together while raising money for an incredibly important charity. With Yanmar’s support, the SV08 felt like the perfect machine to place at the heart of the campaign.” A pink machine with a powerful purpose The SV08’s bold new look draws on Cancer Research UK’s distinctive visual identity. Its magenta and rose-pink wrap features the charity’s recognisable dotted ‘C’ motif, creating an immediate connection to the cause. Finished with crisp white detailing, the design turns one of Yanmar’s smallest excavators into a striking symbol of hope and collective support. Behind the wrap is a practical machine built for confined working environments. Weighing 1,035kg, the SV08 has an adjustable width of 680 – 840mm and a maximum digging depth of 1,460mm. Its narrow access and extendable undercarriage are ideally suited to landscaping, utilities, agricultural work and residential construction, making it a fitting prize for Mellor Plant UK’s customers across Lancashire and the wider North West. “We are proud to support Mellor Plant UK with this inspiring fundraising initiative,” says Phil Elam, Yanmar UK Dealer Manager. “It reflects the close relationship between our dealers and the communities they serve, while showing how our network can make a positive contribution beyond the job site.” A summer in the spotlight The custom SV08 is already attracting attention this summer, including at Hillhead, the UK’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition, held last week at Hillhead Quarry in Buxton, Derbyshire. It will next appear at the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show from 3–5 July at Salesbury Hall, Ribchester, before the raffle reaches its finale at the Great Eccleston Show on 18–19 July 2026, where the winner will be drawn on stage. As a highlight of Lancashire’s rural calendar, the two-day event will put the campaign in front of farmers, contractors, machinery enthusiasts and families from across the North of England, with Mellor Plant UK attending and the SV08 on display. Visitors will have one final chance to support the campaign before one lucky entrant takes it home. How to enter Tickets cost £20 and the raffle is open to UK residents only. Entries can be purchased at Mellor Plant UK’s headquarters, via WhatsApp on 01254 812937 or by emailing sales@mellorplantuk.co.uk. Full terms and conditions are available at www.mellorplantuk.co.uk. All proceeds will support Cancer Research UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TOTO equips the restroom facilities of the Gallery of Five Continents at the Musée du Louvre
Japanese sanitaryware equipment expert TOTO has been selected by the Musée du Louvre to equip the restroom facilities of the new Gallery of Five Continents, reinforcing its longstanding expertise in delivering high-performance sanitary solutions for some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions The appointment builds on TOTO’s existing relationship with the museum, following an earlier installation in the reception areas beneath the Pyramid. For the Gallery of Five Continents, which opened on 3 December 2025 in the Denon Wing, TOTO supplied toilets, urinals, washbasins and sensor-operated faucets. With visitor comfort and operational excellence central to the museum experience, TOTO was selected for its ability to deliver durable, hygienic and easy-to-maintain sanitary solutions suited to intensive public use. The products combine robust construction, water-saving performance and ease of maintenance with a discreet, contemporary aesthetic. Among the technologies specified are TOTO’s CeFIONtect ceramic glaze, which helps prevent dirt and bacteria from adhering to surfaces, and Tornado Flush technology, which delivers powerful, efficient flushing while reducing water consumption. The company’s rimless toilet design further supports hygiene and maintenance by eliminating hard-to-reach areas where dirt, germs and odours can accumulate, enabling faster cleaning and reducing the need for detergents. The project reflects TOTO’s continued commitment to supporting leading cultural, hospitality and public institutions with sanitary solutions that combine performance, sustainability and long-term reliability. Accessible via the Porte des Lions entrance, the Gallery of Five Continents is the result of a landmark collaboration between the Musée du Louvre and the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. Bringing together 130 major pieces of our global cultural heritage, this new presentation draws connections between artworks, objects, artefacts, artistic forms, and symbols which span geographies and cultures, interweaving manifold narratives of art and human creativity. Founded in 1793, the Musée du Louvre houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and cultural heritage, with its holdings organised across nine departments. It remains the most visited museum in the world, welcoming around nine million visitors annually. Yu Takagi, General Manager at TOTO France, said: “The Musée du Louvre represents the highest standards of cultural stewardship and visitor experience, values that strongly resonate with our philosophy at TOTO. “Throughout our work, we place great importance on creating environments that make people feel welcomed, comfortable and respected, often through details that remain almost invisible. We are honoured to continue our collaboration with the museum and to support the Gallery of Five Continents with solutions that combine advanced technology, exceptional hygiene and enduring quality.“For us, this project is not simply about providing sanitary equipment – it’s about contributing to a seamless and positive experience for every visitor who passes through these remarkable spaces.” Key Information: Name: The Louvre Museum Category: Museum Renovated Area: Five Continents Gallery Completion Date: November 2025 Museum Size: 72,000 m² Selected TOTO Products: GP wall-hung WC, urinal, automatic faucet, CS rectangular washbasin Website: – http://www.louvre.fr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
How to Run a Site Incident Investigation in 48 Hours
What happens in the first 48 hours after a construction site incident, and why is that short period so important? The International Labor Organization (ILO) says that 2.9 million people around the world die every year due to job-related accidents and illnesses. Hundreds of millions suffer significant injuries. Every construction accident affects safety, legality, and financial matters. Without an organized investigation, important evidence can be lost, memories can blur away, and opportunities to avoid a similar incident in the future may disappear. This article explains how you can run a site incident investigation within the first 48 hours. Why the First 48 Hours Are Critical The effectiveness of an investigation may depend on how soon it is started. Physical evidence can be disturbed by weather, site activities, or emergency response efforts. Digital data might be lost, and witnesses’ memories get less reliable with time. A rapid investigation makes it possible to determine what has happened and shows that the company is serious about health and safety issues. More importantly, it helps to identify potential dangers to prevent future incidents. Hours 0-4-Safety Comes First The first thing to do after a construction accident is to protect people. You need to seek emergency medical assistance immediately, and watch out for any ongoing hazards. They may include unstable structures, electrical risks, or hazardous materials. If possible, control them before anyone enters the affected area. After making the site secure, ensure that no unnecessary access is possible. Investigators should document their observations as soon as possible. Hours 4–12: Complete the Required Notifications After the emergency situation has been dealt with, all resources should be used to comply with statutory legal obligations. Depending on the gravity of the disaster and regional regulatory requirements, some notifications should be made to the regulating authorities, insurance companies, clients, and relevant organizations. Construction projects operating under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) should also ensure that all relevant dutyholders are involved where appropriate. Clients, principal designers, principal contractors, contractors, and designers each have responsibilities that may provide valuable insight into planning decisions, risk management measures, and site supervision. Hours 12–24: Preserve and Collect Evidence The process of collecting evidence must start even before the surroundings change. An extensive investigation incorporates both physical and electronic evidence. It is important to take photographs from various angles before equipment and materials are removed. Measurements, sketches, and location markers help investigators recreate the scene later. Collecting electronic evidence like CCTV footage, inspection documentation, and maintenance records is also important. In situations of a more complex incident involving machinery breakdown or dangerous substances, following a structured incident investigation process, including specialist fire explosion investigation techniques may be appropriate. Create a Timeline Developing an effective timeline allows investigators to understand how the situation unfolded instead of relying on guesswork. They can create this timeline using information from witness statements, site records, video cameras, equipment files, and delivery schedules. Organizing events chronologically often reveals relationships between seemingly unrelated actions. It can help identify the conditions that allowed the incident to occur. Determine the Root Causes Rather than Symptoms A lot of investigations end by identifying the direct cause of an accident. However, in order to prevent any new occurrence of such accidents, a more detailed analysis is necessary. For instance, a fall may seem to be the main cause of an incident. However, it is crucial to investigate whether the following were adequate: Applying root cause analysis methodology makes it possible for companies to stop blaming someone for their failure. They can focus on the existing gaps in their systems and processes instead. Implement Temporary Controls As Soon As Possible The investigation should not slow down the process of taking safety measures. If there are still hazards in the workplace, safety controls should be applied as soon as they are found. Temporary controls can involve stopping certain activities, increasing supervision, and inspecting similar equipment. It may also be necessary to introduce new work procedures or repeat safety briefings. From Incident Response to Safer Construction Projects The first 48 hours after a construction accident serve as the most important period for the investigation. Immediate action helps to gather evidence, protect people, meet legal requirements, and lay the basis for determining the right cause of what happened. By using a systematic investigation framework that complies with the existing regulations, construction firms may not only respond to accidents but also learn lessons from them. They can build a culture of safety and improve operational efficiency.
Why Every Commercial Development Project Needs Legal Expertise Before Breaking Ground
No matter where you are in the world, commercial property development involves complex layers of legislation, non-standard contractual frameworks, and strict regulatory oversight. Not only do these massive projects carry enormous physical risks and reshape communities, but they also span years and involve millions in capital. Attempting to break ground without expert legal counsel leaves a developer blindly exposed to devastating operational and financial bottlenecks. In today’s piece, we’ll discuss three critical reasons why specialised legal expertise is a requirement. 1. Complex Planning Obligations Nothing of substance can be built without securing express planning permission, which is rarely a straightforward endeavour. Approval of planning permission is almost always tied to complex legal agreements or heavy infrastructure requirements that require careful negotiation before you can safely build. Every developer worth their salt knows they can’t do much without a professional real estate attorney to negotiate and structure legally binding planning obligations between the developer and the Local Planning Authority. In fact, reliable legal expertise in commercial real estate law is a must-have from the start of every commercial development project through to the end. For the planning step, you need a legal expert to ensure the financial contributions or land restrictions don’t kill the project’s financial viability. 2. Securing Essential Infrastructure Agreements A project of the magnitude of Liverpool’s Pall Mall regeneration doesn’t exist in isolation. It must connect safely and legally to public utilities and roads. For this, you need legal experts to draft and review critical infrastructure adoptions before construction begins. Without specialised legal help, developers are left exposed to unlimited layout liabilities or highway authority disputes. 3. Uncovering Title Restrictions and Restrictive Covenants Land ownership is never straightforward, especially after it has passed through several generations of owners. Without proper due diligence, you may discover a bit too late that the land is burdened by restrictive covenants (e.g., a century-old clause stating the land cannot be used for retail operations) or unrecorded easements (third-party rights-of-way or drainage crossings across the site). Discovering these after pouring concrete gives neighbouring parties legal leverage to seek an injunction, forcing you to tear down your work or pay extortionate damages. Overall Risk Mitigation As a rule of thumb, if you want to build commercial projects that change the face of a community, you need access to reliable legal expertise. Besides the cases mentioned above, you also need lawyers for highly specialised, non-standard contract suites, strict environmental laws, and construction regulations.