Building Design & Construction - BDC

Please read the latest issue of Building Design & Construction Magazine - April 2025 issue... MAGAZINE - https://lnkd.in/eZAF8NpV NEWSLETTER - https://lnkd.in/ebZxEZEp RICS RTPI Veriforce CHAS The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) RIBA Lawrence Turner Mark Topping David Churchill UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Rendall & Rittner Beard HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd Bill Jones #grenfell Mike Haywood Railpen SOLLER GROUP DC01UK Panattoni UK Building Systems UK (A Tata Steel Enterprise) Hathaway Winvic Construction Ltd Hortons Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust JM Clark Ltd Kirklees Council Stoke-on-Trent City Council Barratt London Places for London Alderley Group Homes for Scotland Stirling Developments Ltd McTaggart Group RED Construction Group Firethorn Trust Study Inn Group JCB Hemsec Tim Spann Gensler Stuart R Broadley HonFEI

The official UKREiiF After Party: Regeneration Brainery DJ Battle 2025, ‘The Spin City Showdown’ of the UKs Metro Mayors The UK’s metro mayors will battle it out on the decks for an iconic night of head-to-head musical entertainment at this year’s UKREiiF. Powered by Capital & Centric, the first Regeneration Brainery DJ Battle will take place at the O2 Academy Leeds, one of the country’s most popular music venues, on 21 May 2025. For one night only, the mayors will deliver spinbacks not speeches, regional rivalries will be tested, and the only fiery debate will be whether house is better than techno.  Ticketholders can expect a dazzling production, an all-star lineup of mayors-turned-DJs, and an electrifying clash of styles, from disco anthems to indie classics. This will be an evening where politics takes a backseat, and the musical talents of the nation’s regional leaders are revealed. This landmark event will raise money for UKREiiF’s official charity partner Regeneration Brainery.  All monies raised from ticket sales will go towards Regeneration Brainery’s continuing support of more than 6,000 young people from under-represented backgrounds, enabling them to gain hands-on experience in the property and regeneration industry.   Regeneration Brainery’s national social mobility programme offers in-depth insights into the property industry, through workshops, work experience, and opportunities to connect with inspirational mentors. https://lnkd.in/etTsksh4

Neil Humphrey appointed new CEO of Waterman Waterman is pleased to announce that Neil Humphrey has been appointed as the new CEO of Waterman Group effective 1 April 2025, succeeding Nick Taylor who has led the business for the last 17 years. Neil brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of the company. His leadership will be instrumental in driving our strategic initiatives and ensuring continued success across Waterman's operations in the UK, Ireland and Australia. With 30 years in the industry, Neil has been an integral part of Waterman, having served as a main board director of Waterman Group Plc, alongside his role as UK Chief Operating Officer. He has been actively involved in driving various strategic and operational aspects of the company and has also played a significant role with the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), where he served as Chair of ACE's Procurement and Pipeline Advocacy Group. Neil's appointment as CEO marks a new chapter for Waterman, promising continued innovation and progress. Commenting on his appointment as CEO, Neil said: "I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at Waterman. We are entering a period of significant change in our industry, with digital innovation fundamentally reshaping what we do and how we deliver for our clients. I am excited to continue to work with our talented team to drive our innovation forward and position ourselves as the consultant of choice for our clients, our people, and new talent. https://lnkd.in/e4eF74vG

Global Safety and Health construction coordinators unite at APS/ISHCCO Edinburgh congress - Industry Leaders Discuss Competency, Emerging Risks, and the Future of Construction Safety - “By promoting construction occupational safety and health, (OSH) we not only protect the lives and well-being of construction workers but also contribute to the sustainability of our industry, infrastructure and society” The Association for Project Safety (APS) and the International Safety and Health Construction Coordinators Organization (ISHCCO) recently hosted a landmark international congress in Edinburgh, bringing together construction safety experts from across Europe. The gathering focused on raising competency standards, tackling emerging risks, and strengthening global collaboration in construction health and safety co-ordination. The event provided a platform for leading professionals to discuss the latest regulatory updates, technological advancements, global challenges, building a resilient future and best practices in safety coordination. The key themes discussed included issues around competence and compliance in a Post-Grenfell Landscape. Indeed, with building safety regulations tightening, discussions focused on how Safety and Health Construction Coordinators (SHCCs) – including UK Principal Designers (PDs) and Principal Contractors (PCs) – must adapt to ensure improved safety standards. https://lnkd.in/eW6zZtAH

Construction CPOs who augment agility can arm the industry amid change With the US imposing 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium, it’s fair to say that the construction industry is facing geopolitical change. The various consequences for construction in the UK will certainly need to be managed. As we’ve learned many times this decade, from extreme occurrences like Covid-19 and climate change events, the most effective antidote for uncertainty is resilience and agility.  As UK construction gears up for this shift, staying agile and sharp in managing material costs and uncertainties will be crucial. Matt Smart, Delivery Director at Barkers Commercial Consultancy, explores what the new tariffs could mean for the industry. State of affairs The backbone of agility and resilience in construction is procurement. The function’s leaders, Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs), are at the heart of the supply chain, where agility is most essential. However, procurement operates in a complex landscape where dependencies, operational challenges, and layers of suppliers can paralyse on-demand buying and necessary pivots. Two critical dependencies are materials and labour. In addition to metals, the availability of generic yet core materials like sand and bricks is often uncertain. The labour market is equally volatile, with specialist availability and rates varying by region. Additionally, procurement teams face daily challenges, chief among them being on-time delivery. Ensuring timely delivery is tough, and delays can carry penalties. https://lnkd.in/eqYBX-Gd

Government Unveils New Infrastructure Authority to Tackle Delivery Delays The UK government has launched the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), a move it claims will usher in a “new era” of infrastructure delivery. The newly formed body merges the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and the Infrastructure & Projects Authority (IPA) into a single entity under the Treasury’s control. This restructuring aims to streamline strategy and execution, addressing the persistent delays and cost overruns that have plagued major UK projects. A Shift in Strategy The NIC was originally established in 2015 as an independent advisory body tasked with identifying the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs. However, its recommendations were often overlooked, as seen in the cancellation of HS2’s northern legs and the sluggish rollout of key energy projects. By 2017, the NIC had already lost much of its autonomy when it became an executive agency of the Treasury. Now, the government has taken a further step by merging it with the IPA, which previously sat within the Cabinet Office. While the NIC has been formally abolished, its commissioners—independent infrastructure experts—will continue in an advisory role within NISTA. The extent to which this new body will differ in practice from its predecessor remains to be seen, but the government appears keen to maintain the NIC’s expertise while giving the Treasury greater control over infrastructure planning and execution. https://lnkd.in/eV2Y7BfU

Lower Thames Crossing Approved: £9bn Project Set to Transform South East Connectivity The UK’s largest road infrastructure project in a generation has been given the green light, as the Secretary of State for Transport grants development consent for the Lower Thames Crossing. The ambitious scheme, connecting Kent, Thurrock, and Essex, is set to ease congestion at the heavily burdened Dartford Crossing. A Game-Changer for UK Roads Spanning 23km, the project includes twin tunnels stretching 4.2km beneath the River Thames, providing a vital new link between the A2/M2 and the M25. Designed to tackle severe congestion at Dartford—the busiest river crossing in the country—the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to improve traffic flow and unlock economic growth across the South East. The estimated cost of the scheme is £9.4bn, with the government exploring private finance options that could push the total to £10.2bn. Already, £1.2bn has been invested, with much of it allocated to the project's extensive planning and approval process—the largest development consent order (DCO) application ever submitted in the UK. Following its initial submission in October 2022, the project underwent an exhaustive public examination before receiving approval on 20 March 2024. The decision, which had been delayed multiple times, marks a major milestone in one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects. Construction could begin as early as 2026, with completion expected in the early 2030s. https://lnkd.in/efJtQib9

Keepmoat reveals plans to deliver £77 million investment at Eastfield Farm Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has announced its transformative plans to create 313 new homes and a 68-unit extra care facility in Driffield. The development, which recently received planning approval, is part of Keepmoat’s wider commitment to delivering high-quality, multi-tenure housing across the UK. The housebuilder is working in partnership with Homes England, East Riding Council and Beyond Housing to provide much-needed housing stock across Yorkshire. Of the 313 homes to be built, 30 percent will be designated as affordable housing with 26 being sold as affordable housing for delivery through East Riding Council. The scheme will be 100 percent gas-free, aligning with modern energy-efficient housing standards. Located on the northeastern fringe of Driffield, the development is within close proximity to a range of local amenities including supermarkets, pubs and schools. The site also provides direct transport links to Scarborough and Hull.  A new four-arm roundabout will be constructed to connect the development to the A614 and provide an access route to the east of Driffield, ensuring access for all residents. Daniel Crew, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East, said: “We are delighted to secure planning approval for this exciting development in Driffield. This project represents a significant investment in the area, and we look forward to working alongside our partners to bring high-quality, energy-efficient homes to the community. https://lnkd.in/eHZYuXfD

Chiswick Health Centre Opened for Patients - Chiswick Health Centre is a joint £23 million project between NHSPS, Hounslow Council and North West London ICB.   - It will be the base for Chiswick PCN and community staff that will deliver a range of primary care services to over 60,000 patients in the locality.  - The Health Centre is also built with sustainability at its core with carbon emissions reduced by 77%   After two years of construction, the new Chiswick Health Centre on Fisher’s Lane is now open to receive its first patients. This purpose-built modern health facility is a joint £23 million project between NHS Property Services (owners of the site), North West London ICB and Hounslow Council. It will house three local GP practices (West4GPs, Chiswick Family Practice, and Chiswick Medical Practice), as well as act as the base for the Chiswick Primary Care Network.  The modern development will improve healthcare services for over 60,000 thousands of residents. The centre will provide a broader range of GP services, including community and mental health services and will also host a range of local activities and ventures to support local health and wellbeing over the coming months. https://lnkd.in/equsmjci

Lismore investor research shows PBSA sector to be a shining light for Scottish commercial property market 72% of investors are considering Scotland’s living sector in 2025 The PBSA continues to be a shining light in the Scottish commercial property investment market, according to the latest investor research on the living sector conducted by leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors. A majority (72%) of investors are considering Scotland’s living sector in 2025, with interest highest among investment managers (86%) compared to fund investors (50%). The end of rent caps from April 2025 could provide greater stability, supporting growth in a market already facing a housing shortage, particularly in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Lismore’s research found that portfolio diversification (26.8%) is the primary driver of investment in this market, followed by minimal void risk (24.7%) and liquidity (22.3%), highlighting investors’ focus on stability and resilience. Sustainability (28.3%) remains a top priority for PBSA investors, reflecting the sector’s alignment with ESG standards, while demand is also driven by unit mix considerations (24.1%) and reliance on overseas students (23.0%), particularly in prime locations near Russell Group universities. Chris Thornton Chris Thornton, Associate Director of Lismore said: “The PBSA sector continues to be one of the shining lights, performing strongly, driven by resilient demand and stable capital values, particularly in cities with a Russell Group university. https://lnkd.in/enea5aq2