Leading interior design consultancy Office Principles North has announced that it will deliver the workspace of law firm Shoosmiths in Birmingham. Office Principles North will fit out 28,449 sq ft across the 11th, 12th and 20th floors of the new, state-of-the-art 103 Colmore Row development in the city centre. The
Fit out, Design and Build specialists Paramount have used maritime history to inspire their new South West of England base and help revitalise a “forgotten” part of Bristol. The company’s design team have delved deep into the past and taken a lead from local architecture in a move it is
ISG has been awarded the £50m Northcliffe House refurbishment project to restore the historic Art Deco office to its former glory. The refurbishment of the 25,119m2 building will see an increase to the building’s net lettable space of 1,150m2 with the extension of two new levels. It will also include
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists, has been awarded a £3.1m contract by Robertson Group to manufacture and install bespoke kitchens and wardrobes for a new £80m build-to-rent neighbourhood in Glasgow developed by Moda Living. Holland Park is Deanestor’s first build-to-rent contract in Scotland. It follows
The future is here as Merchant Square positions NI as a global centre of innovation Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has embarked on a groundbreaking project which will help position Northern Ireland as a global centre of excellence for innovation and business. The award-winning company was appointed as fit-out
GRAHAM has been awarded a contract by THG, the global technology platform company, specialising in taking brands direct to consumers, to complete the interior fit-out of its ICON Studios and ICON Offices at Airport City in Manchester. The privately-owned fit-out contractor will help to create 376,000 sq. ft. of high
Work has been completed on a £120k office refurbishment project at the headquarters of risk management consultancy Finch Consulting based in Ashby de la Zouch. The investment has also provided state of the art training and conference facilities. The launch of the training service is expected to increase revenue and
FIS is proud to announce that we have secured £14K funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in collaboration with a host of industry partners. This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship.
FIS is proud to announce that we are launching the FIS Sector Skills Pledge, designed to bring the sector together to secure future sector sustainability and address the skills shortages in key trades, we need to work together as a sector. This will ensure a steady supply of new entrants
Last week, leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Gilbert-Ash marked its recent growth by unveiling a collaborative As One exhibition at an event at The IET, London. Attended by over 100 high profile guests from the across the design and construction industry, the considered collection celebrates twenty three
Leading interior design consultancy Office Principles North has announced that it will deliver the workspace of law firm Shoosmiths in Birmingham. Office Principles North will fit out 28,449 sq ft across the 11th, 12th and 20th floors of the new, state-of-the-art 103 Colmore Row development in the city centre. The consultancy has worked in collaboration with Shoosmiths to design the new workspace, which it says will become a hybrid “workplace destination” for both clients and Shoosmiths’ legal advisers and colleagues. The project is expected to be ready for occupation in Q2 2023. Tina Batham, joint managing director of Office Principles North said: “We’re incredibly excited about delivering Shoosmiths’ new Birmingham office in one of the city’s most iconic buildings. This workplace will be a destination that blurs the lines between work and home and will deliver a hugely memorable experience for Shoosmiths’ colleagues and clients alike – with lots of places and features to discover. “We’ve worked together with Alex Bishop and Beth McArdle to design a space that has people, hospitality and choice at its heart. It’s a warm, accessible and inclusive environment that reflects and celebrates the very best of Birmingham’s past and present, using locally designed and sourced materials wherever possible. We can’t wait to deliver it.” Beth McArdle, partner and co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office said: “We are very pleased to be working with Office Principles North on the design of our space in 103 Colmore Row. We want it to be a destination space, and we can’t wait to showcase that to our colleagues and clients in the New Year.” Alex Bishop, partner and co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office, said: “It is our vision that 103 will serve as a shining example of post-pandemic working done right. We have been working tirelessly with the team to ensure that, upon completion, this will be more than just an office space and somewhere that the whole firm can take pride in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fit out, Design and Build specialists Paramount have used maritime history to inspire their new South West of England base and help revitalise a “forgotten” part of Bristol. The company’s design team have delved deep into the past and taken a lead from local architecture in a move it is hoped will invigorate Bristol’s historic Welsh Back dock area. The interior design of the harbourside office painstakingly reflects the area’s history with corten steel, burnt timber, rope and metalwork all prominent features all tying the base to the docks. The focal points of the workspace are the boardroom which is hidden behind a slatted door and a bar area which resembles a boat-shaped below a rusted cage structure named the Portcullis in keeping with maritime traditions. Local architectural firm AWW was responsible for the creative concept of the building regeneration. Developer and investor was V7. Gareth Davies, Paramount’s Senior Designer who masterminded the design, said: “We are privileged to be able to call Bristol’s famous floating harbour the setting for our new office because it’s an area that is steeped in history. “We’ve gone Back to the Future for inspiration to create a hybrid working environment that celebrates the bygone days of the Welsh Back area. “A workspace that encourages professional collaboration and helps build team dynamics with a nod to the storied past of Bristol’s dock area was our priority and we’ve worked hard to turn that vision into a reality.” Taking inspiration from neighbourhoods, it is hoped that Paramount’s new workplace will become a thriving community for their teams and industry colleagues alike. Paramount Sales Director Kevin Mashford, who will lead the Bristol team, added: “We set out to create Bristol’s most ‘Instagrammable’ office and thanks to our exceptionally talented design and project team I am proud to say we have achieved our goal. “With a variety of interconnected spaces our new office is a prime example of how you can take inspiration from ‘community’ and create neighbourhoods within the office where the same energy and connection people feel sitting in a coffee shop, or the same level of focus they experience in their own home, can be achieved within one space. “These are exciting times for Paramount, and we are proud to play a part in the regeneration of the Welsh Back area which is forgotten for some people but is now really buzzing and is set to be a brilliant place to do business and socialise.” The new workplace signals the acceleration of Cardiff-headquartered Paramount’s growth and will create up to 20 specialist jobs in the city as it targets £50-million turnover within three years. Paramount Managing Director Richard Jones, who led a management buyout in 2018, said: “Our brilliant new office represents a substantial investment by Paramount which will ensure company growth continues to gather pace across the South West of England. “The Bristol base is a real statement of intent and demonstrates our confidence. Paramount will strengthen its presence in a vibrant region and build on our proud reputation as a company with an outstanding record of creating places where people want to be.” Bristol-based Bafta-nominated natural history film-making company, Offspring Films also now call the Welsh Back building home following a design and fit-out by Paramount. Paramount, whose turnover currently stands at £33.5million, is already well known across England where it has developed office space for a number of leading companies and have revitalised 360 Bristol – formerly South Plaza – in Bristol city centre.
ISG has been awarded the £50m Northcliffe House refurbishment project to restore the historic Art Deco office to its former glory. The refurbishment of the 25,119m2 building will see an increase to the building’s net lettable space of 1,150m2 with the extension of two new levels. It will also include the addition of 9,000sq ft worth of green space including the south-facing landscaped roof terraces across levels six and seven. Upon completion, the refreshed space will provide its occupiers with a modern workplace to a Cat A standard. It will boast scenic lifts overlooking the renovated atrium extension, all within the existing cast steel frame. Whilst providing state of the art amenities internally, cleaning and repairs will also take place to restore the building’s historic Art Deco façade. The former home to the Daily Mail newspaper is targeting BREEAM Outstanding. The approach has been strongly informed by a Life Cycle Assessment, which considered the savings in embodied carbon by retaining the existing structure compared with demolition and a full, new-build redevelopment of the site. A key feature of the Grade II listed building is the reconfigured internal atrium, which upon completion will link the reception with the renovated office space and break out areas. However, during renovation works the atrium is home to the 40-metre crane, reducing external disruption and improving efficiencies while guaranteeing the project’s high-quality and consistent delivery. Scott Knibb, Project Director for Fit Out at ISG, said: “Sitting in the heart of the Fleet Street Business Development District, the refurbishment of Northcliffe House plays a pivotal role in the regeneration of this area. Its development will further attract other businesses to bring the former glory back to what was once recognised globally as the beating heart of the newspaper industry. “This project has benefited from a truly collaborative approach from across the board to offer this unique and flexible office space of the future to meet the requirements of today’s workforce. Showcasing the best-in-class amenities, features and scenic views both internally, via its atrium lifts, and externally, via its extensive green spaces. The sustainable principles it has followed ensure it is future-proofed, all while maintaining the building’s 1920s charm and heritage.”
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists, has been awarded a £3.1m contract by Robertson Group to manufacture and install bespoke kitchens and wardrobes for a new £80m build-to-rent neighbourhood in Glasgow developed by Moda Living. Holland Park is Deanestor’s first build-to-rent contract in Scotland. It follows its successful delivery of multiple fitout projects for private rental schemes in other parts of the UK, and the company’s long track record of providing furniture solutions for major new developments across Scotland. Deanestor will provide 433 contemporary kitchens and 599 wardrobe sets for the high-tech studios and apartments in Holland Park. Set around a new public courtyard, the development will provide 433 homes for rent in four buildings up to 22 storeys, creating a vibrant community of around 900 people. The scheme is designed by Haus Collective and delivered by Ryder Architecture. Deanestor is manufacturing L-shaped and linear kitchens in 18 different configurations for the 1, 2 and 3-bed apartments. These will have a dark grey woodgrain finish for the base cabinets and matt arctic grey wall units with contrasting white quartz worktops and splashbacks. According to Ramsay McDonald, Managing Director of Deanestor Scotland, “We engaged with Robertson at the early pre-construction planning stages of this project and so were able to develop the furniture solutions to meet Moda Living’s stringent design, cost, quality, and programme requirements. We look forward to starting on site, and to completing the furniture and fitout works by Spring 2023.” “Holland Park will help to address a significant under-supply of quality homes for rent in Glasgow whilst contributing to the cityscape. Demand for our kitchen and fitted bedroom furniture solutions continues to rise in the fast-growing UK build-to-rent sector. We are delighted to be involved in this exciting new city living scheme for Moda Living in Scotland.” The kitchen cabinets will have integral formed handles and integrated appliances including extractor fan, ceramic or induction hob, combi or dual fan oven, dishwasher, built-in fridge/freezer or under-counter fridge, microwave, and washer/dryer fitted in a specially designed utility cabinet. The bespoke, full height fitted wardrobes for Holland Park will have a woodgrain finish and will be installed with mirrors, shelving, and hanging rails. Deanestor’s sister company, Offsite Solutions, is also working on the Holland Park project, manufacturing bathroom pods in its third contract for Moda Living. Deanestor provides a complete furniture and fitout service for both bedrooms and kitchens, working on major residential schemes for some of the UK’s leading developers and contractors. Its high specification cabinets are built for longevity and crafted using robust glue and dowel constructions which provide a durable finish for build-to-rent developments. The units are all pre-assembled in the factory for consistently high quality and to reduce work on site. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/buildtorent call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com .
The future is here as Merchant Square positions NI as a global centre of innovation Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has embarked on a groundbreaking project which will help position Northern Ireland as a global centre of excellence for innovation and business. The award-winning company was appointed as fit-out contractor at Merchant Square, a £14million project which will see the creation of 200,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over nine floors. The offices, which are exclusively let by PwC, will accommodate up to 3,000 employees at the former Oyster and Royston buildings, in the heart of Belfast’s business district and adjacent to the City Hall. Belfast’s future as a global centre of innovation is cemented as Merchant Square is set to become one of the most advanced digital spaces in the city. The landmark building will incorporate technology-enabled client collaboration and event spaces, as well as a state-of-the-art digital hub that will provide the infrastructure and environment to inspire and support innovation. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director Ray Hutchinson said the company is delighted to be working on one of the most prestigious projects to be undertaken in Belfast in recent years. He said: “It is always great to be working on a landmark building in our home city of Belfast, but this is extra special as Merchant Square really will be a leader on the international stage. We have been working with excellent local partners to bring this stand out fit-out project to life, with advanced logistical planning and management during what has been a challenging year for many industries, including construction. “Earlier this year we completed our new £5million headquarters at Boucher Place in the city which was a very proud moment for Gilbert-Ash and it is a privilege to follow it up with this project which has the power to be transformative for the city, in terms of helping to position Belfast on a global stage as a centre of innovation. “The designs for Merchant Square are a celebration of Belfast’s industrial and linen heritage as well as a number of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Harland & Wolff cranes. The themes running throughout the building will give nods to the city’s ship building and aviation industries as well as Belfast’s history as a centre of the linen industry. “The building will also reflect the geography of Belfast with the River Lagan and Botanic Gardens incorporated into designs. “This will be a building which will help foster an excellent working environment and help inspire and attract the best people to work in Belfast.” Gilbert-Ash attributes its continued success to its ‘As One’ approach and its unique working culture and family environment as an employee-owned company. It continues to complete a broad portfolio of successful construction projects across sectors including arts and culture, workplace, hotels and leisure, science and technology, retail and residential. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com
GRAHAM has been awarded a contract by THG, the global technology platform company, specialising in taking brands direct to consumers, to complete the interior fit-out of its ICON Studios and ICON Offices at Airport City in Manchester. The privately-owned fit-out contractor will help to create 376,000 sq. ft. of high specification office and studio space spread over the 12-acre landmark business campus, adjacent to the UK’s third biggest airport. THG will be the anchor occupier of this development, with the content creation studio sitting at the heart of the ICON development, where THG will continue building its unique end-to-end ecommerce infrastructure, THG Ingenuity, as well as office space to house approximately 3,000 employees. Designed by Penson, the fit-out programme begins in November, and is scheduled for handover in May 2021. Commenting on the contract award Sue Blanche, GRAHAM Development Director, said: “THG is a truly global e-commerce company based in Manchester and is investing heavily in job creation across the region. We are delighted to be playing our part in this investment, ensuring a high-quality interior fit-out of studio and office space for this brand’s talented team of people.” GRAHAM’s appointment by THG follows its continued expansion across the north of England region. The leading fit-out contractor was recently appointed to fit-out Qiagen’s world-leading precision medicine campus, and is presently delivering Leeds Building Society’s new headquarters in Leeds City Centre.
Work has been completed on a £120k office refurbishment project at the headquarters of risk management consultancy Finch Consulting based in Ashby de la Zouch. The investment has also provided state of the art training and conference facilities. The launch of the training service is expected to increase revenue and create new employment opportunities. Finch is located on the Ivanhoe Business Park in a modern but traditional style office building and consider this investment a vital part of the company’s overall growth strategy to bring its brand and company values to life from the moment people enter the building. Blueprint Interiors, which is also based on the Ivanhoe Business Park completed all the design and installation works to create the new look for the Finch offices which have been affectionately named ‘The Nest’. Brand design elements were created by the Cafeteria, and installed by Hardy Signs, who also supplied an 86” CleverTouch screen for the new training facility. In creating the new workplace, an important objective was to ensure the design encouraged Finch’s widespread consultants, who mainly work remotely, to come to ‘The Nest’ to collaborate, innovate, share ideas and engage together on a more social basis. The ground floor was previously a myriad of offices and meeting rooms. This space has been opened out to provide hot desking facilities for the Finch community to hold informal meetings with large project benches, focus desks, booths, and touchdown areas. Ensuring the Finch community enjoys being at work is also a key ethos, therefore plenty of socialising opportunities were factored into the design through the provision of comfortable relaxed seating areas, and an open plan café including a pool table. Commenting on the fit-out, Andrew Millington Finance Director said, “Finch Consulting continues to invest heavily in creating a brand identity which accurately reflects our culture, entrepreneurialism and expertise as risk consultants who inspire ‘Engineering Confidence.’ – a strapline that is used to underpin our market positioning.” He added, “From the outset it was clear Blueprint Interiors understood the rationale for our investment in our office-fit out. The initial design meetings were very creative, the design proposal was superb, and the install was completed by Blueprint Interior’s own team of very competent and professional contractors who were very attentive to the finest detail. The project was also finished as promised and ready for us to reveal to all of our colleagues who were at Charm, our annual conference, which we were able to host for the first time at The Nest.” Blueprint Interiors Creative and Commercial Director, Chloe Sproston, added, “The delivery of this project had to be meticulously planned around the need for Finch to remain fully operational throughout the eight week period of works to ensure staff were relocated with minimal of disruption to their daily routine. We are delighted that the overall, finished project has delivered a range of work spaces that support Finch’s wellbeing initiatives and enables the Finch community to share, escape, focus, explore, create and socialise together.” The Cafeteria’s Senior Designer, Tom Peet, said “Finch have such a strong understanding of their brand and the significant role it has in presenting their offer to the world. But it’s just as important to present that brand message internally as it is externally. The interior graphics created for The Nest help to build a collective understanding of the mission and values that ultimately drive Finch forward.” Tom Hardy, Operations Director at Hardy Signs, also added “Hardy Signs is delighted to have been involved in this stunning project for Finch Consulting, a company with whom we have a long-standing relationship. As a company, we aim to transform spaces for our clients. The results offer a great example of just what can be achieved through signage, wall graphics and branding from Hardy Signs.” Finch is unique in that it is the only professional services organisation to be both an engineering consultancy and law firm. Its unique position enables Finch engineers, lawyers, specialists, ex-regulators and consultants, to offer world class advice, investigation, training and representation to its clients in a wide range of market sectors, including legal, financial and insurance, food and drink, leisure and entertainment, manufacturing, energy and waste, and defence.
FIS is proud to announce that we have secured £14K funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in collaboration with a host of industry partners. This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship. The Interior Systems occupations are both skilled and very diverse in their needs and hence it was very important to develop a model that is fit for purpose and simple for sector delivery. The end result is a Level 2 Apprenticeship that provides a core and two pathway options across a minimum of 18-month delivery. The working group, chaired by Helen Tapper from Tapper Interiors and vice president of FIS, comprised a broad group of representatives from the whole sector, including manufacturers, sub-contractors, colleges and training providers to ensure all stakeholder perspectives were covered. FIS co-ordinated the development with the Institute for Apprenticeships &Technical Education (IfATE). Helen Tapper, vice president of FIS said “this is the first time that a ‘Trailblazer’ Apprenticeship has been developed for our sector, following on from FIS becoming a consensus federation. This gives our sector the status and recognition that it so rightly deserves. It was an honour to chair a group who worked methodically and thoroughly to produce a standard, that is fit for the future of our sector. I am grateful to all group members who so readily gave their time to produce both the standard and the end point assessment” The working group agreed that a core and pathway options approach was the only way to provide the sector with the right skilled outcomes for each individual entering the industry. The core incorporates the standard skills and knowledge required of any interior systems installer and requires an end point assessment separate to a final one for their chosen specialist area. The options are -: – Drylining – methods to install different drylining systems that form the walls and rooms within a building, often used to hide wires and pipes whilst improving acoustics and create space for insulation. – Ceiling and partitions – incorporates different ceiling and partition systems within a building. used to provide different types of working environments, taking account of lighting and other fixtures. Training providers and FE colleges are now being invited to apply to deliver the standard in readiness for the new academic year. FIS have already got interest from employers in all regions interested in taking on new apprentices identified through the forward planning of FIS Skills Clinics we’ve run with our members. FIS have developed an excellent network of college and training provision that underpins all the training developed for the sector and are always keen to add more to this. Hopefully, now this standard is available for delivery and we can widen the network to enable more employers to access and encourage new entrants into the industry. Iain McIlwee, CEO at FIS said “this new standard will help raise awareness of the fantastic career opportunities and attract the 1500 new entrants needed in the finishes and interiors sector”
FIS is proud to announce that we are launching the FIS Sector Skills Pledge, designed to bring the sector together to secure future sector sustainability and address the skills shortages in key trades, we need to work together as a sector. This will ensure a steady supply of new entrants into the sector who will be trained and skilled tradespeople with the right qualifications for their trade to deliver the projects needed. Businesses can deliver lasting change by providing work experience, taking on apprentices and setting individuals up with skills and knowledge for long term careers. We want to inspire young people to choose careers in construction as a first-choice option, not the last. The FIS Sector Skills Pledge is a commitment from organisations and employers to become FIS Skills Champions and to embrace programmes that will help us as a sector to create a sustainable, competent and skilled workforce. The pledge will also highlight which businesses and employers are going the extra mile. To become FIS Sector Skills Champions, we need businesses and employers to commit and sign up to at least one of the following programmes: • FIS BuildBack – allows businesses and employers to meet their social value obligations and unearth new workers in this dedicated programme to train and bring new individuals into the sector in the drylining trade. • FIS BuildME – encourages new entrants from the college sector. It allows businesses and employers to meet their social value obligations and open their sites and offices to college learners for work experience opportunities. • Qualify your workforce – committed to training the finishes and interiors workforce to NVQ 2 (equivalent) by 2020. Enabling your workforce skills to be recognised with the right matching qualifications. • Showcase dedication to skills – commit to the 5% Club challenge, a dynamic cross sector movement of employers working to create shared prosperity across the UK by driving ‘earn and learn’ skills training opportunities. • #iBuiltThis2019 competition – designed to inspire the next generation of construction workers – promote and encourage attraction into construction through a fun competition by showcasing the projects you have built and enter the competition • Bringing you modern apprentices – without the pain! Iain McIlwee, CEO at FIS said “I firmly believe that together we are stronger and can make a lasting difference if we work together. The Sector Skills Pledge is an industry wide campaign to improve sector skills sustainability, an exciting invitation to the sector to sign-up to the pledge and work in collaboration to deliver the programmes that will help to make this sector sustainable for all. Together we can show everybody including young people what fantastic career opportunities exist within the sector and attract the 1500 new entrants needed in the finishes and interiors sector” For more information and to sign up to the FIS Sector Skills Pledge visit our website at www.thefis.org/fis- sector-skills-pledge/
Last week, leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Gilbert-Ash marked its recent growth by unveiling a collaborative As One exhibition at an event at The IET, London. Attended by over 100 high profile guests from the across the design and construction industry, the considered collection celebrates twenty three iconic projects. The exhibition has been designed to represent how Gilbert-Ash has grown significantly in this time as a result of its unique collaborative approach working with its team, partners and clients to create landmark buildings around the world. Selected and interpreted by Hugh Mulholland, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading visual art curators and currently Senior Curator of The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) in Belfast, the imagery includes recent, high-profile projects. These include the Cambridge Mosque, stand-out Royal College of Pathologists headquarters, the award-winning City of London Freemen’s School swimming pool and the stunning new build of the renowned Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Curator Hugh Mulholland commented: “As One” is a considered collection that brings together imagery from Gilbert-Ash’s most recent, highest profile projects. In totality, the exhibition symbolises the company’s ‘as one’ approach. But take a closer look and you’ll discover that each photograph does too. Wood, glass, stone and the environment in which each building exists work together to create a unity much greater than the sum of the parts. Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director, Gilbert-Ash commented: “As we recognise the recent success of many projects and our continued growth as company, we felt it was the perfect time to step back and take a moment to understand why we have reached this point; and this exhibition is the result – a celebration of collaboration and our signature can-do style. “We have had the privilege of working with visionary clients, partners and suppliers, and we really do work as one to pursue excellence, delivering innovative, bespoke buildings all over the world. Gilbert-Ash is an employee owned company which certainly leads to a unique working culture. Our success is in no small part down to this environment and the hands-on attitude of our dedicated team – often going above and beyond to deliver stunning buildings while confidently facing and overcoming challenges that can often be encountered.” The venue selected for the unveiling of the ‘As One’ exhibition – the headquarters of the Institution of Engineering &Technology (IET) on Savoy Place – is also an award-winning Gilbert-Ash project preserving a heritage building while providing a contemporary home for the IET and its 150,000 members in 127 countries around the world and one of London’s most technologically advanced conferencing facilities. Aside from projects highlighted in the As One exhibition, Gilbert-Ash’s current work on prestigious Royal College of Music in London was represented this evening by a talented quartet which accompanied the unveiling. Gilbert-Ash projects have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize with its work on the Everyman Theatre recognised in the winning of the coveted award in 2014. The contractor employs over 180 staff at offices in London and Belfast and is currently UK Contractor of the Year in the coveted Construction News Awards. Gilbert-Ash’s latest financial results reveal significant year-on-year growth with an increase in overall turnover to £179.4m in 2018, up from £165.5m in the previous year. The company also confirmed a more than three-fold increase in pre-tax profits to £7.6m in 2018, an increase from £2m in 2017. Gilbert-Ash attributes its continued strong performance to its ‘As One’ approach and its unique working culture and family environment as an employee-owned company. It also highlighted the completion this year of a broad portfolio of successful construction projects across sectors including arts and culture, workplace, hotels and leisure, science and technology, retail and residential. Speaking tonight at the event, Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson also revealed plans to invest in new £5m headquarters in Belfast with work already underway on the prestigious new facilities close to its current offices in Boucher Road in the city. The As One Exhibition will be moving tomorrow to The MAC, an award-winning venue in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and home to iconic exhibitions, theatre performances, and contemporary experimental works. Employees, partners and industry stakeholders from across Northern Ireland will join Gilbert-Ash in the Belfast unveiling.
