VINCI UK Delivers Record Growth as Profit Surges Following Major Group Integration
VINCI Construction Holding UK has reported a significant rise in profitability following the successful integration of its UK businesses, with pre-tax profit climbing 51% to almost £100 million as revenue approached the £3 billion mark. The strong financial performance comes after the French-owned infrastructure group completed a major corporate restructuring, bringing together Eurovia, Ringway, Taylor Woodrow, VINCI Building, VINCI Facilities and newly acquired FM Conway under a single UK operating structure. Combined revenue, including joint ventures, increased by almost 20% during 2025 to reach £2.9 billion, reflecting robust demand across highways, civil engineering, construction and infrastructure markets. For the construction sector, the results demonstrate the benefits of strategic consolidation, with improved operational efficiencies and stronger project delivery contributing to higher profitability across the enlarged business. Operating margins more than doubled during the year, rising from 1.7% to 3.5%. The improvement was driven by stronger performances across several divisions, including the return of the facilities management business to profitability and increased margins within Taylor Woodrow’s civil engineering operations. FM Conway made the largest contribution following its acquisition at the end of January, adding £569 million in revenue and almost £39 million in operating profit to the enlarged group. Among VINCI’s established businesses, highways maintenance specialist Ringway once again delivered one of the strongest operating performances, while Taylor Woodrow increased its operating profit contribution from £17 million to £19 million as investment in major infrastructure projects continued. Eurovia also delivered a solid trading performance during the year. However, VINCI Building and VINCI Facilities continued to face challenges associated with legacy projects, which constrained profitability despite generating combined revenues of more than £1.1 billion. The enlarged group also expanded its workforce significantly, with employee numbers rising by more than a third to almost 9,000 people following the integration of FM Conway into the business. Scott Wardrop, Chief Executive of VINCI Construction Holding UK, said: “These results are a credit to the six core operating business managing directors, their respective senior management teams in each of our principal operating businesses and all our teams in our business units and projects. “We have all endured significant change in our careers, but this intense period is unprecedented. “However, we are optimistic, and we have three-year plans for each business and each business unit, and plan to deliver +4.0% in 2026. “We will keep evolving through optimisation, innovation and transformation and continue to develop into a strong and resilient dynamic UK infrastructure group.” The results reinforce VINCI’s position as one of the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure businesses, with expertise spanning highways, civil engineering, commercial building, facilities management and major infrastructure delivery. As investment continues across transport, utilities, commercial property and public sector infrastructure, VINCI Construction Holding UK enters the next phase of its growth with a strengthened balance sheet, an expanded workforce and a diversified portfolio capable of delivering complex projects across the built environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multiplex Appointed to Deliver Landmark 36-Storey 99 City Road Office Tower
Endurance Land has appointed Multiplex as main contractor for 99 City Road, a major 36-storey office development set to create a new landmark on the northern edge of the City of London. Part of Nan Fung Group, Endurance Land is progressing the high-rise commercial scheme with an experienced design and engineering team led by architect Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). AKT II is providing structural engineering expertise, while Arup is advising on mechanical, electrical and public health services alongside sustainability. Designed as a next-generation workplace, 99 City Road will provide office accommodation for around 4,000 people, adding significant new Grade A commercial floorspace to an area benefiting from continued investment and regeneration. Sustainability and building performance will form a major part of the development. The project is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and a NABERS 5-star rating, alongside SmartScore and WiredScore Platinum certifications, placing energy efficiency, connectivity and smart building technology at the heart of the design. Multiplex’s appointment follows its earlier involvement with the project as Construction Partner under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement. This pre-construction phase has enabled the contractor to work alongside Endurance Land and the wider consultant team ahead of the main construction programme, supporting design development, buildability and delivery planning for the complex high-rise scheme. The contract also represents the second major collaboration between Endurance Land and Multiplex. The contractor recently completed Jahn Court and Brassworks at Regent Quarter, another significant Endurance Land development. The scheme has subsequently been leased to OpenAI and is expected to open in 2027. The appointment to 99 City Road therefore builds on an established relationship between the developer and contractor, with Multiplex bringing its experience of delivering complex commercial towers and major central London developments to the project. With KPF, AKT II and Arup forming part of the professional team, the development brings together architecture, structural engineering, building services and sustainability expertise as Endurance Land looks to create a high-performing workplace capable of meeting the evolving requirements of major occupiers. The project also reflects continued confidence in London’s premium office market, where developers are increasingly focusing investment on highly sustainable, technologically advanced buildings offering strong environmental performance and high-quality working environments. Once delivered, the 36-storey 99 City Road will provide a substantial new commercial destination for thousands of workers while adding another major high-rise development to the evolving skyline around the northern edge of the City. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ECF Selected to Drive 2,300-Home Portsmouth City Centre Regeneration
A major regeneration programme that could transform the heart of Portsmouth has taken a significant step forward after Portsmouth City Council selected ECF as its preferred development partner for the next phase of the ambitious City Centre North masterplan. The proposed regeneration has the potential to deliver up to 2,300 new homes alongside commercial, leisure and public realm improvements, creating one of the largest mixed-use developments on the South Coast. The 13.25-hectare brownfield site, which occupies land formerly home to the now-demolished Tricorn shopping centre and surrounding car parks, is set to be reimagined as a vibrant new city centre neighbourhood that combines residential, commercial and community uses. ECF – the regeneration partnership between Homes England’s National Housing Bank, Legal & General (L&G) and Muse – will now work alongside Portsmouth City Council to assess development options before progressing towards a formal development agreement. For the construction and property sectors, the appointment marks another major regeneration opportunity that could unlock substantial investment, housing delivery and long-term economic growth while bringing a strategically important city centre site back into productive use. Alongside a mix of homes across different tenures, the emerging masterplan includes new commercial workspace, leisure facilities and improved pedestrian connections designed to increase footfall, strengthen the local economy and create a more accessible and attractive urban environment. A key feature of the proposals will be more than 240,000 sq ft of new public realm, including a significant urban park that will provide valuable green space for residents, workers and visitors while enhancing the overall quality of the city centre. The regeneration reflects the growing emphasis on brownfield redevelopment as local authorities seek to deliver sustainable housing growth by repurposing underutilised urban land rather than expanding onto greenfield sites. Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman of ECF, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Portsmouth City Council over the coming months to explore the site in detail, test what’s deliverable here, and build the case for how we might take this forward together.” ECF has built a strong reputation for delivering large-scale regeneration projects across the UK, with an extensive portfolio that includes developments in Canning Town, Stockport, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Northampton and Stevenage. If brought forward, City Centre North has the potential to become one of Portsmouth’s most significant regeneration projects in decades, delivering new homes, employment opportunities, public spaces and commercial investment while creating a thriving mixed-use destination that supports the city’s long-term economic and residential growth ambitions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Activate launches into Harlequin with a regional debut
Hertfordshire’s leading retail and leisure destination, Harlequin Watford, which isowned and managed by SGS UK Retail, has announced that the immersive gaming concept, Activate, has now opened within the centre, bolstering Harlequin’s diverse tenant mix of retail, F&B, and leisure occupiers. Activate, which has taken a 15,592 sq ft unit, joins Harlequin’s evolving leisure offering, alongside Cineworld, Boom Battle Bar and Flip Out, affirming the centre’s position as both a thriving dual-purpose retail destination and a focal point for leisure and entertainment. Following Activate’s success within its London sites, and its global success across Canada, the US, and Dubai, SGS identified its popularity, along with the needs and wants of its visitors to open the brand’s 3rd destination outside of the capital. The regional debut cements Harlequin’s reputation as a key regional destination for visitors from across north London, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. As competitive socialising concepts continue to grow in popularity, the branch will feature technology-driven challenges, interactive game rooms, enhanced with lasers, grids, hoops, portals and reaction-based challenges. The new leisure addition offers a range of physical, mental and team-based challenges tailored for groups of friends, families, birthday parties and corporate teams. Games on offer include player favourites, including Activate’s most popular game, Mega Grid. It will also feature Grid, where the floor transforms into a giant interactive playing surface, challenging teams to jump, sprint and strategise their way to victory. Mega Laser is another fan favourite that will feature in the scheme, with players navigating a room criss-crossed by laser beams without triggering alarms in an experience reminiscent of Mission: Impossible. Rich Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, said: “The arrival of Activate at Harlequin is a pivotal time in the brand’s growth, as one of the first branches outside of London. With its impressive footfall from a broad catchment, we are certain that this branch in Watford will be well received as competitive socialising concepts offer something fresh and continue to grow in demand.” Robert Jewell, Managing Director of Asset Management at Pradera, commented: “As Activate officially joins our evolving portfolio of leisure tenants, it affirms Harlequin’s position as the region’s premier all-day destination for shopping, dining and leisure. The immersive gaming concept joins as we are seeing strong performance of our competitive socialising options, signalling the scheme’s success as an all-day destination.” The opening follows the recent opening of Chop & Wok at Harlequin, as it continues to evolve its F&B and leisure options in line with increasing demand. Harlequin’s success in securing both quality and diverse occupiers comes after strong investment and long-term strategy to hold its position as the region’s go-to destination for everything. Time Retail and LM are Harlequin’s retail leasing agents, and Metis and LM lead the leisure leasing. Pradera asset manages Lakeside on behalf of SGS UK Retail. LM acted for Activate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kimpton secures new M&E contract at The City of Liverpool College
Kimpton has been awarded the mechanical & electrical (M&E) engineering contract at The City of Liverpool College following a competitive tender process. Social value comprised a key component of the procurement process and Kimpton will now host a number of students on T-Level placements. It will also support the college to refurbish its Plumbing & Gas Workshop by designing and installing its gas and water infrastructure and providing industry hardware and appliances to support students’ learning, providing around £35,000 worth of in-kind value. The new contract further expands Kimpton’s relationship with the college, having previously been appointed to manage its air conditioning systems and joining its minor works framework. Kimpton, which is headquartered in Bromborough, uses current students within its delivery teams on those works, allowing the flow of talent and opportunity to come full-circle. The two organisations have worked together for more than 30 years to help develop the city region’s future workforce, with dozens of apprentices and trainees benefitting from Kimpton’s expert team in classrooms and on site, providing industry experience and positioning students for successful careers. Elaine Bowker, principal and chief executive of The City of Liverpool College, said: “It’s vitally important to us that we prepare our students for the world of work, equipping them with the skills they need to secure jobs and pursue long, successful careers. Our relationships with industry partners are critical to that approach, not only in helping students to secure work experience or apprentice opportunities, but also to guide our teaching and ensure we are producing students with the qualities that employers want. “Many of these roles will ultimately help to decarbonise our environment, strengthen local supply chains and build long-term economic resilience for the communities who live and work here. “Kimpton has been a close and valued partner in those efforts for decades now. Both organisations share values and support one another to reach our goals. This sense of authentic, committed values was evident throughout their bid in this latest competitive tender process.” Matt Breakwell, director of sales and ESG at Kimpton, explains: “We are delighted to have secured this new M&E contract with The City of Liverpool College and strengthen our relationship with one of our longest-standing partners. “Apprenticeships have long sat at the heart of our approach; four current directors and shareholders began as apprentices and nine senior team members followed the same route. In recent years we have widened access by recruiting directly through vocational colleges such as The City of Liverpool College, targeting students already committed through technical study, placements or T-Levels. “This has really helped to improve the quality of candidates, eliminate drop-out and grow our cohort as a percentage of our workforce. The results are visible and we have numerous clear success stories from our relationship with The City of Liverpool College. Young people can see a genuine pathway from apprentice to engineer, supervisor, manager, director and business owner. There is no glass ceiling here.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£70m One Founders Place Office Scheme Set to Transform Newcastle City Centre
Plans have been submitted for a landmark office development at Newcastle’s £70 million One Founders Place regeneration scheme, marking the next major phase in the transformation of one of the city’s most historic industrial sites. Submitted by Founders Place LLP, a joint venture between igloo and Newcastle City Council, the proposals centre on a striking 12-storey, 185,000 sq ft Grade A office building designed by acclaimed architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM). The development is intended to deliver high-quality, sustainable workspace while creating a vibrant mixed-use destination that blends modern commercial accommodation with new public realm and heritage-led regeneration. A key feature of the proposals is Founders Square, one of Newcastle’s most significant new civic spaces. The landscaped public square will transform an area currently lacking a major public gathering place, helping to create a welcoming environment for workers, residents and visitors while strengthening links across the wider city centre. For the construction and commercial property sectors, the scheme represents another significant investment in Newcastle’s office market, responding to growing demand for high-quality, environmentally sustainable workplaces capable of attracting businesses and supporting long-term economic growth. Construction of the office building is expected to support around 300 jobs over the two-year build programme, providing a further boost to the regional construction industry and local supply chain. The latest proposals build on the success of the wider One Founders Place masterplan, which is steadily transforming the historic Robert Stephenson & Co. locomotive works into a thriving mixed-use neighbourhood. The first completed phase, The Pattern Shop, opened in 2024 and is now fully occupied by Atom Bank, demonstrating strong demand for premium workspace within the regeneration scheme. Alongside the commercial development, Orchard Yard will deliver 79 new homes comprising apartments, duplexes and family houses, complemented by commercial space within the restored listed Machine Shop and Smiths Shop buildings. Elsewhere on the site, the Grade II-listed Coppersmiths Shop, another important part of the former Robert Stephenson works, is currently being assessed for future redevelopment opportunities as the masterplan continues to evolve. Joe Broadley, Development Director at igloo, said: “One Founders Place is about much more than delivering a high-quality office scheme – it’s about creating a destination that reflects Newcastle’s rich industrial heritage while providing the sustainable workplaces and welcoming public spaces that modern cities need to thrive. “This investment is helping to attract new businesses, support skilled jobs and create a bustling city neighbourhood where people want to work, meet and spend time. By combining exceptional workspace with high-quality public realm, we’re creating a place that will contribute to Newcastle’s long-term economic growth while celebrating the history that makes this location so distinctive.” As Newcastle continues to invest in city centre regeneration, One Founders Place is emerging as a flagship mixed-use development, combining commercial offices, residential accommodation, heritage restoration and public spaces to create a dynamic new destination that celebrates the city’s industrial legacy while supporting its future growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals