Willmott Dixon has created a unique programme to help the construction industry tackle its skills shortages by setting up the first of what it hopes will be a series of academies within prison environments that help former offenders find jobs on their release Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy has
Leading UK construction company Willmott Dixon has strengthened its presence in Sussex with a new office. The firm held an event to celebrate the opening of the Gatwick office, welcoming leaders and representatives from both Crawley and Surrey County Council. The new base expands the company’s presence as it looks
Willmott Dixon has selected REL Building Services to deliver the M&E package for a new £12m facility at the University of Hertfordshire. Part-funded by the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the three-storey ‘Business Hub’ is due to be completed in 2020. Designed by Bond Bryan, it will bring business incubator,
Willmott Dixon has won a £34 million council house building contract to deliver 266 new homes on a site in Wolverhampton. The company will be completing the project for WV Living on the site for the Wednesfield High School on Lakefield Road, Wednesfield. The new development, named ‘The Marches’, will
Building work on new council homes in Manchester has been completed by Willmott Dixon. A total of 40 new council homes in north Manchester have been handed over to tenants, while a further 20 new shared ownership homes were bought by the City Council to help residents on to the
A 1960s tower block in Manchester is to be transformed by Willmott Dixon as part of a £22.5 million residential scheme. The contractor has been appointed by Salix Homes to deliver over 100 affordable homes at the Salford Canon Green Campus development on Canon Green Drive in Trinity. New kitchens,
A £15 million contract to deliver the new Central Library and Museum in Doncaster has been secured by Willmott Dixon. The project, designed by architect Bond Ryan, involves the transformation of four existing buildings into a cultural and learning centre that includes a new library, rail heritage centre, art gallery
This year’s CIBSE Building Performance Awards has seen three organisations as double winners during its results night at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. The focus of the awards is on the delivered performance outcomes achieved by buildings and projects. The Coveted Building Performance Champion title went to the University of
A NEW multi-million pound Sports Hub at the University of Warwick is one step closer to completion after contractor Willmott Dixon hosted a topping out ceremony today, which traditionally signifies the structure has reached its maximum height. Due to complete in March 2019, the new Sports Hub will create one
The excavators have been hard at work on the new Sports and Wellbeing Facility that is being created at Warwick University. The project will see £36 million invested into the creation of this new facility. Carrying out the earthworks services for this projects in Mick George Ltd. The business is
Willmott Dixon has created a unique programme to help the construction industry tackle its skills shortages by setting up the first of what it hopes will be a series of academies within prison environments that help former offenders find jobs on their release Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy has teamed up with HMP Elmley to provide offenders with drylining skills and a CSCS card to help them move straight into employment when back in the community. It comes after the CITB’s annual Construction Skills Network report recently predicted approximately 168,500 jobs will be created in construction over the next five years to meet demand. The launch was made possible after Willmott Dixon and its supply chain converted a warehouse inside the prison into a drylining academy facility. They have also equipped prison officers with accredited skills necessary to deliver six week long in-house courses for prison residents, a sustainable and replicable training model believed to be a UK first. The academy aims to upskill over 100 HMP Elmley residents each year so they are ‘job ready’ on release and ready to find careers in construction. Willmott Dixon’s supply chain partners and local job agencies are part of the process to help them find work, which is important as it is estimated that only 17% of former offenders quickly get work on release, with re-offending more likely for those who are unemployed. This is the third Building Lives Academy launched by Willmott Dixon within the last 12 months. Its academies in Croydon and Kingston, based adjacent to construction projects being delivered in these two London boroughs, have already equipped over 150 young unemployed people with key construction skills. Candidates who attend at Croydon and Kingston get a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Operations, Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work, plus a CSCS card. Afterwards, candidates are supported to apply for work with Willmott Dixon, supply chain partners or other construction opportunities advertised by a local employment service. The academies are part of Willmott Dixon’s ‘purpose beyond profit’ ethos to play an active role in strengthening the well-being of society through the contribution of its people. Last year, four out of five Willmott Dixon people undertook a community-related project as part of the company’s volunteering policy. Willmott Dixon’s regional head of legacy, Richard Pickett, said: “It’s a logical step to tap into the potential of people who are in prison but keen to find a sustainable and rewarding job on release. Our industry needs to constantly think of imaginative new ideas if we are to attract the people we need and this is a very replicable model that’s easy to migrate to other UK prisons.” Andy Davy, HMP Elmley deputy governor, said: “HMP Elmley and the Reducing ReOffending team are excited to be working in partnership with Willmott Dixon. Being able to better prepare our residents with the appropriate skills to transition straight into employment upon release is a priority for the Prison. Employment is a definite contributor to the reduction in offending behaviour and helps to build stronger family stability.”
Leading UK construction company Willmott Dixon has strengthened its presence in Sussex with a new office. The firm held an event to celebrate the opening of the Gatwick office, welcoming leaders and representatives from both Crawley and Surrey County Council. The new base expands the company’s presence as it looks to deliver more projects that play a key role in the county’s future. The opening comes shortly after the successful completion of L3 Technologies’ new flight simulator production and training facility on Gatwick Road in Crawley. It was designed to promote an agile, collaborative, project-led working approach, and will accommodate both pre-construction and operations staff, with partners and customers also encouraged to utilise the space. “Willmott Dixon has been well established in the county since 1930 when we built Bailiffscourt at Climping near Littlehampton for Lord Moyne. Since then we’ve grown across Sussex and opening our new Gatwick hub, close to where many of our people live, is a natural evolution,” explained Russell Miller, Willmott Dixon Director for Delivery in Sussex. “Gatwick is a thriving area and has, along with Sussex, a really bright future with many bold and imaginative initiatives to encourage growth and investment. We want to be part of shaping that by basing ourselves in an area close to our partners and customers,” Russell added. The event also saw Chestnut Tree House – the children’s hospice for Sussex –presented with a cheque for £7,104.12 which was raised by the team at Willmott Dixon following a sponsored skydive.
Willmott Dixon has selected REL Building Services to deliver the M&E package for a new £12m facility at the University of Hertfordshire. Part-funded by the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the three-storey ‘Business Hub’ is due to be completed in 2020. Designed by Bond Bryan, it will bring business incubator, social, and teaching facilities all under one roof. REL will be responsible for developing the M&E design to optimise performance, energy efficiency and costs. The installation of the £1.9m solution is expected to take eight months. Toby Buckley, REL’s managing director said: “This exciting educational facility incorporates teaching spaces alongside open plan collaboration spaces that will allow entrepreneurial students to mix with local businesses and hopefully develop successful business relationships. “We will be drawing on our extensive experience of both the education and commercial sectors to design and deliver an M&E package that uses the most effective technology to drive efficiencies and meet all client objectives.” The Business Hub will feature a ground floor social space, an area dedicated to business incubation, providing local entrepreneurs with access to all of the University’s facilities, and a new learning space for students. Hertfordshire LEP has invested £2.5m from the Local Growth Fund towards the construction of the building as part of its strategic priority to support business growth and innovation within the county. REL has a long-established relationship with Willmott Dixon and has worked with the contractor on several major projects, including the award-winning St Albans Museum and Art Gallery.
Willmott Dixon has won a £34 million council house building contract to deliver 266 new homes on a site in Wolverhampton. The company will be completing the project for WV Living on the site for the Wednesfield High School on Lakefield Road, Wednesfield. The new development, named ‘The Marches’, will include 67 affordable homes and comprise of one, two, three and four bedroom homes for sale. “This is fantastic news for WV Living and for the city, The Marches will provide much needed quality homes to rent and high quality homes to buy. WV Living is continuing to support the overall house building programme in the City of Wolverhampton and in appointing Willmott Dixon we will also see real, long-lasting benefits for the local community,” said Kate Martin, Director for Housing, City of Wolverhampton Council. “Willmott Dixon’s business commitment to social value and sustainable futures is a real strength and we are confident this development will also boost local business and skills, and add further pace to housing growth across the city,” added Kate Martin. Willmorr Dixon is working with BM3 Architecture on this project and the first homes are scheduled to be ready for tenants by the end of the year. 67 homes out of the total of 266 will be affordable. “We are delighted to be working with WV Living to develop and build over 260 new houses and apartments, creating new housing stock for the people of Wolverhampton. At Willmott Dixon, we also believe we have a purpose beyond profit and that includes leaving a lasting positive legacy in the areas where we work,” commented Simon Liversage, Director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. The development is part of WV Living’s plans to deliver more than 1,000 new homes across the city over four years. WV Living is also developing three further sites as part of its phase one developments, with 52 houses on the site of the former Danesmore Park Primary School in Ashmore Park, 25 at the former Ettingshall Primary School site, and 40 at the former Prouds Lane leisure centre site.
Building work on new council homes in Manchester has been completed by Willmott Dixon. A total of 40 new council homes in north Manchester have been handed over to tenants, while a further 20 new shared ownership homes were bought by the City Council to help residents on to the property ladder. Northwards Housing, the council’s housing management organisation, will be managing the 40, two-bed homes located across six sites in north Manchester. Developed by Willmott Dixon with support from Homes England of a £1.4 million grant funding, the rental properties will all be affordable. “The positivity and community spirit surrounding the delivery of these highly-anticipated homes is inspiring. This project represents a truly positive legacy far beyond just bricks and mortar. Throughout this project we have been focused on helping to raise the aspirations and opportunities available to the north Manchester community, providing a range of jobs and training on our sites, and we are delighted to be able to see the fantastic reactions of those moving into their new homes,” said Anthony Dillon, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon in the North. The City Council has also purchased 20 new, high-quality family homes in partnership with Taylor Wimpey at Booth Hall in Charlestown, north Manchester, that will be re-purposed to support its people onto the property ladder through affordable shared-ownership. The next phase of the North Manchester new homes project is due to be announced later this year and it will include a further 150 new homes. The affordable homes projects represent the first phase of an ambitious affordable housing investment programme that will see 6,400 genuinely affordable homes built up to 2025.
A 1960s tower block in Manchester is to be transformed by Willmott Dixon as part of a £22.5 million residential scheme. The contractor has been appointed by Salix Homes to deliver over 100 affordable homes at the Salford Canon Green Campus development on Canon Green Drive in Trinity. New kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, sprinkler systems and exterior re-facing and insulation will be included in the Canon Green Court tower block’s redevelopment plans. A new 11-storey apartment block within the grounds of the site, as well as complete external works on the neighbouring Westminster House apartment block will also be delivered by Willmott Dixon. “The start of work on our Canon Green Campus development marks a pivotal moment for Salix Homes and for Salford, and we look forward to seeing work progress on site over the next two years. This is the largest affordable housing development in the area and we are confident that this ambitious scheme will make a valuable contribution to delivering the high quality, affordable homes that Salford desperately needs. Canon Green Court is an iconic building on the city’s skyline, but it has suffered from lack of investment over the years. We are proud that we can now deliver on our promise to the existing residents to refurbish their homes and create modern apartments fit for the future,” said Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes. This project adds to Willmott Dixon’s success in Greater Manchester, with recent schemes delivered in Wythenshawe and Old Trafford. “With our track-record for creating new homes in Manchester, we’re proud to be working alongside Salix Homes on what is a much-needed, exciting and transformational investment for the Salford community. Together, we share a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy for existing and future residents who will continue to play a central role in shaping these plans,” added Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North.
A £15 million contract to deliver the new Central Library and Museum in Doncaster has been secured by Willmott Dixon. The project, designed by architect Bond Ryan, involves the transformation of four existing buildings into a cultural and learning centre that includes a new library, rail heritage centre, art gallery and museum. “The new Central Library and Museum project is one of many schemes we are on the ground and delivering as part of our comprehensive and ambitious Urban Centre Masterplan. We are transforming Doncaster, making it a highly desirable place to live, work, visit and invest in,” said Cllr Bill Mordue, Doncaster Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development. Throughout the project, the central frontage of the former Hall Cross Girls School building will be retained and encased in a glass façade to showcase an iconic part of Doncaster’s architectural heritage. “Scape and Willmott Dixon have a strong and ongoing relationship with Doncaster Council, with a proven track record of delivering much-needed programmes in the area,” added Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive. “Our delivery partner, Willmott Dixon, has played a key role to support Doncaster Council in the regeneration of the local area, providing upgraded community facilities and affordable housing. By utilising our framework Doncaster Council has ensured cost-effective and efficient project delivery, while ensuring local suppliers benefit from the inward investment.” Located on the junction of Waterdale and Chequer Road, the new development is expected to open in summer 2020. This latest contract adds to a series of schemes in Doncaster by Willmott Dixon.
This year’s CIBSE Building Performance Awards has seen three organisations as double winners during its results night at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. The focus of the awards is on the delivered performance outcomes achieved by buildings and projects. The Coveted Building Performance Champion title went to the University of Oxford, together with the Facilities Management Team of the Year. Both awards were given for the team’s Carbon Reduction Programme which aims to reduce the university’s direct carbon emissions by 33% by 2020. The judges noticed that the programme resulted in a host of collaborative initiatives and new carbon savings partnerships have developed between students, staff, the City Council, and the industry: “The University of Oxford is leading the way for the higher education sector, not only in the global rankings of universities, but in the management of their extensive and diverse estate,” said the judges. The other double winners of the evening were Elementa Consulting, which took the Building Performance Consultancy for up to 100 employees and the International Project of the Year awards for its engineering design of an ultra-low energy laboratory at Pomona College, California, USA, while BuroHappold Engineering received the Building Performance Consultancy for over 1000 employees and the Energy Efficient Product or Innovation awards for its NewMass cooling system. “The CIBSE Building Performance Awards increasingly stand for ethical, sustainable and environmentally sound business. Those organisations who take their commitment to energy management and WELL Building seriously should be championed and their examples followed by others. I praise the good work of all the finalists and winners and encourage others to follow their lead,” said CIBSE President Peter Y Wong. Other winners for this year’s edition include Architype, BDP, Choice Housing Ireland, Energy Action, Landsec, Max Fordham, NPS North West, Q-Bot and Willmott Dixon.
A NEW multi-million pound Sports Hub at the University of Warwick is one step closer to completion after contractor Willmott Dixon hosted a topping out ceremony today, which traditionally signifies the structure has reached its maximum height. Due to complete in March 2019, the new Sports Hub will create one of the best sports facilities at a UK university – including the UK’s largest gym facility in the HE sector – aligning with the University of Warwick’s ambition to be the “most physically active campus community in the UK by 2020”. Once complete, it will be available to all students, staff and the general public. Replacing the current sports centre on the campus, the Hub will feature a sports hall, a swimming pool, fitness suites, climbing and bouldering walls and flexible studio spaces, as well as squash courts, outdoor 3G sports pitches and netball courts. It will also be the official training ground of Coventry’s Wasps Netball super-league team. The afternoon included a tour of the internal areas including the 12-lane swimming pool, as well as speeches on the main roof from key representatives, including Lisa Dodd-Mayne, director of sport and active communities at University of Warwick, and Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. Speaking of the facility, Lisa Dodd-Mayne said: “The Hub will mark a major step towards seeing the University of Warwick achieve its ambition to have the most active campus community in the UK. “The building will house top quality facilities, and will give all of its users the opportunity to be active in their own unique way. It will become a destination facility for our students, staff and local community, delivering an outstanding experience for all.” This is the second project that the University has partnered with Willmott Dixon to deliver, following the completion of the Oculus Building, the University’s flagship central teaching facility, in 2016. Peter Owen added: “This is a fantastic project to be a part of, creating cutting edge sporting facilities for the community at University of Warwick, which will really benefit its users. “Our team has an excellent track record of producing leading leisure facilities and we are delighted to be back on campus and working again with University of Warwick as their partner to unlock future growth.” For more information on the centre, visit https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/projects/university-of-warwick-sports-hub
The excavators have been hard at work on the new Sports and Wellbeing Facility that is being created at Warwick University. The project will see £36 million invested into the creation of this new facility. Carrying out the earthworks services for this projects in Mick George Ltd. The business is working on the site on behalf of the Principal Contractor for the construction work Willmott Dixon Construction. Willmott Dixon has become a familiar face on Warwick University campuses. Recently the company has been involved with the construction of the Oculus Building, an award-winning facility that forms a part of the University’s estate regeneration plans. This regeneration proposal was submitted as a part of the 2007 masterplan for the future developments of the Campus. It is thought that this new Sports ‘Hub’ will be both operationally and environmentally sustainable as well as delivering one of the best sports’ facilities at a UK University by the time the Hub is complete. Construction is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2019. This development is a part of the target that has been set by the University to become the most physically active campus community in the UK by 2020. This new Sports and Wellbeing Hub will be located off Leighfield Road in the Cryfield Village area of the campus. The facility will be open to staff and the general public as well as students, in order to encourage the local area to get more active. The creation of new world class sports facilities will lead to a healthier University as well as new facilities to be enjoyed by the community. This new Sports Hub will replace the old existing facilities and will include a swimming pool, fitness suite, climbing and bouldering wall and flexible studio spaces as well as squash courts outdoor 3G sports pitches and netball courts. Also created as a part of this new project will be a Café offering refreshments.
