Construction Enquirer

JULY 3, 2025

Laing O’Rourke soared to the top of the contracts league rankings after winning a £919m order to deliver an animal diseases super-lab at the government’s flagship Weybridge biosecurity campus in Surrey. Design work for the mega contract is already underway, with most construction expected to ramp up between 2027 and 2032. Multiplex ranked second with the next biggest order in June from developer Endurance Land for a London office project worth £300m at Old Street Roundabout in London.

Contracts 210

Contracts Ramps 210

Construction Enquirer

JULY 4, 2025

Construction buyers have reported a return to growth in the house building sector for the first time since last September. But contraction in civil engineering and commercial work saw the bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index drop below the standstill 50 mark again in June for the six month in a row. At 48.8 in June the index was up from 47.9 in May and signalled the slowest decline in construction output since the current period of contraction began in January.

Surveying 224

Surveying Risk Management Contracts Construction Management 224

Construction Enquirer

JULY 4, 2025

Doctors managed to successfully reattach the thumb of a teenage apprentice after was severed off by a rotating blade on a refurbishment site. The then 18-year-old resumed his apprenticeship with another firm following the procedure. He was employed as an apprentice joiner by 3B Construction when the incident happened during the conversion of a 19th century hunting lodge into a luxury hotel in the Highlands.

Procurement 186

Procurement Construction Management Project Management 186

Construction Enquirer

JULY 3, 2025

The grandson of Gallagher Group chairman Pat Gallagher has become the UK’s youngest qualified digger driver – at the age of just 13. Finlay Gallagher spent his school holidays learning how to put a JCB digger through its paces and has now passed his Construction Plant Competence Scheme exam with flying colours. Finlay took the industry standard proficiency test at Flynne Plant Training Centre in Rochford, Essex.

Construction Machinery 182

Construction Machinery Building Controls Building Standards 182

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

Procure Partnerships is preparing to start bidding for places on its third-generation North West contractor framework worth up to £1.8bn over the next four years. Presently around 28 firms holding spots on the second generation framework face a fight to refresh places. These include BAM, B+K, Graham, Kier, McAlpine, Morgan Sindall, Wates and Willmott Dixon on the existing major projects lot.

Procurement 239

Procurement Surveying Building Design 239

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

A developer has been fined £165,000 for repeatedly failing to put suitable fire precautions measures in place during a renovation job in Preston. Glovers Court Ltd was found guilty of four offences in relation to the redevelopment of a former city centre warehouse into 35 apartments spread across six floors. The Glovers Court project was under construction on 16 May 2023 when it was visited by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS).

Fire Protection Systems 250

Fire Protection Systems Site Planning Flooring Systems Property Management 250

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

HG Construction is phasing out diesel generators on its tower cranes after pumping £1.2m into site battery systems in a major move to decarbonise its operations. The contractor is rolling out UK-made Revolution Battery units from Dumarey Green Power across it sites, following a successful trial that saw costs and emissions slashed by over 90%. The first wave of installations are in London at Canada Street Phase 2 and 55 West Ealing sites, alongside an already live unit at Trocoll House in Barkin

Site Planning 195

Site Planning 195

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

The Great North Healthcare Alliance is laying the groundwork for a £3bn, 15-year construction and infrastructure programme across the North East and Cumbria. The Alliance – made up of Newcastle Hospitals, Northumbria Healthcare, Gateshead Health and North Cumbria Integrated Care – plans to start early market engagement with contractor ahead of a raft of upcoming procurement opportunities.

Procurement 217

Procurement Maintenance Contracts 217

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

Investment firm Svella has completed the acquisition of Carlisle-based Cubby Construction, building a base to create a major regional contracting business. Led by former Stobart director Andrew Tinkler, Svella is committing £12m into a newly-formed Cubby Group that brings together 14 integrated businesses drawn from both Svella’s and Cubby’s existing operations.

Project Management Consulting 164

Project Management Consulting Energy Efficiency Contracts Construction Management 164

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

House builder Hill has broken its profit record with pre-tax earnings topping £90m, up 29% from £70m last time. Turnover edged up slightly to £1.15bn, but Hill’s net assets soared to £432m as the group poured more into land investment and new homes delivery. Over the year to March 2025, Hill delivered 2,811 homes across southern England and the Midlands, and now controls a development pipeline of more than 32,000 plots – with an estimated future revenue of £12.5bn.

Building Controls 173

Building Controls Estimating 173

Construction Enquirer

JULY 2, 2025

Henley Restoration and Remedials has bagged the job to restore one of Leeds’ oldest surviving textile mills as part of the wider Sky Gardens regeneration scheme. Client City Life Developments has appointed Wakefield-based Henley as principal contractor to refurbish the Grade II-listed Midland Mill, which will be converted into 22 flats alongside a new 33-storey tower being delivered by main contractor Torsion.

Steel Fabrication 221

Steel Fabrication Historic Preservation Masonry Engineering 221

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

Becoming a paid member of our Suppliers and Buyers directory is a great way to get your latest company news published on the Enquirer. The Suppliers and Buyers news feed features the latest stories from member firms alongside one of the industry’s most comprehensive company directories. Construction firms spend a lot of time and money producing PR to highlight their latest achievements.

166

166

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

VINCI UK Developments and ION Property Developments have been named as the preferred development partners for major regeneration projects in Chester and Northwich. Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet is set to rubber-stamp the appointment on 9 July following two separate procurement contests. The two schemes will be delivered via a joint venture between VINCI and ION, aiming to create over 500 new homes across both sites.

Procurement 202

Procurement Sustainability 202

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

Keltbray Built Environment has delivered a major turnaround, posting a £3.2m pre-tax profit last year, a sharp recovery from just £44,000 in the prior year. Turnover rose 17% to £364m, while gross profit jumped 71% as the business tightened up opportunity selection and improved project delivery through its Integrated Project Model. The model sees several of Keltbray’s early-stage construction specialist services delivered under one roof, giving clients a single point of accountability and more e

Risk Management 147

Risk Management Facility Management Project Management Construction Management 147

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will today unveil details of a £39bn house building drive for the next 10 years aiming to deliver around 300,000 new social and affordable homes. The new Social and Affordable Homes Programme will almost double the previous five-year £12.3bn Affordable Homes Programme, which targeted 130,000 homes by 2026. Rayner’s new programme will set a target of delivering 60% of homes for social rent, equivalent to 180,000 homes, up a third on the previous AHP target.

Building Standards 301

Building Standards Energy Efficiency 301

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

Eric Wright Civil Engineering has promoted Gavin Hulme to managing director, replacing Diane Bourne who is stepping down after 15 years at the helm. Hulme, who has been with Eric Wright since 2000, was promoted from operations director, a role he’s held since 2016. A Chartered Civil Engineer, he brings nearly 30 years’ industry experience to the top job.

Engineering 170

Engineering Project Management Sustainability 170

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 29, 2025

Sizewell C is forming an alliance with three construction giants to deliver the main civils work at the new power station in Suffolk. A Programme Alliance Agreement has been signed between Sizewell C, Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics who together form the Civil Works Alliance (CWA). The CWA will be responsible for extensive areas of the project, including: Enabling works and earthworks Marine and Tunnelling Works Main Civils Works (Nuclear Island, Conventional Island,

Energy Efficiency 173

Energy Efficiency Public Works Infrastructure Development Building Standards 173

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 29, 2025

The government has stepped in to take direct control of the Building Safety Regulator in a shake-up aimed at unblocking high-rise housing delays and restoring industry confidence. Responsibility for the regulator is being stripped from the Health and Safety Executive and handed to a new arm’s length agency under the housing ministry. Former commissioner and deputy commissioner of London Fire Brigade Andy Roe and Charlie Pugsley called up to sort out regulatory logjam A shadow board has been set

Safety Regulations 159

Safety Regulations Health Regulations Government Works Handover 159

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 30, 2025

Lancashire haulage and earthmoving contractor Fox Brothers has made its first acquisition since being bought by private equity firm Stellex Capital Management last year. The Blackpool-based construction materials supplier has snapped up £11m turnover J Fisher & Sons, a major player in heavy haulage, road planing and asphalt reprocessing across the north west.

Construction Management 258

Construction Management 258

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 30, 2025

Façade specialist Permasteelisa Group has been appointed by developer Obayashi Properties UK at 60 Gracechurch Street. The group’s Dutch brand – Scheldebouw – will take the lead as the specialist façade contractor for design, engineering and manufacture with the group’s UK division supporting on the installation. Bovis is main contractor on the £500m scheme to build a 36-storey tower offering more than 37,000 sq m of Grade A office space which complete in early 2029.

Building Design 152

Building Design Architecture Sustainability Engineering 152

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 30, 2025

The first steel frames are now in place on the £4bn Agratas gigafactory site near Bridgwater, Somerset. Severfield is working on the steel package for main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine on the site which has faced construction delays as plans were revised. Earl Wiggins, VP Manufacturing Operations at Agratas said: “The construction of the steel frames is a proud moment for everyone involved in this project.

Site Planning 192

Site Planning 192

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 30, 2025

Consultant Arcadis is forecasting a cautious construction recovery amid early signs of renewed momentum across key sectors after a period of stagnation. The consultant’s latest Summer 2025 tender forecast suggests the industry could outpace wider economic growth, with new orders stabilising, sentiment picking up, and contractor performance improving after a tough 2024.

Ramps 198

Ramps Building Optimization Procurement Sustainability 198

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

Dalkia UK has been awarded a £200m facilities management deal on eight nuclear power stations operated by parent company EDF. The contract covers a broad spectrum of services including mechanical and electrical maintenance, building fabric and grounds upkeep, industrial services, catering, waste management and office support services. As part of the deal around 1,000 employees based at Dungeness B, Hartlepool, Heysham 1 & 2, Hinkley Point B, Hunterston B, Sizewell B and Torness power stati

Maintenance 146

Maintenance Facility Management Contracts 146

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 30, 2025

Britain’s biggest M&E contractor has posted a record set of results after de-listing from the Stock Exchange and going private. Latest figures from TClarke show turnover for the 15 months to March 31 2025 hit £846.6m from £490.9m for the 12 months to December 31 2023. Pre-tax profits also increased to £16.3m from £15.6m at the company which employs 760 staff.

Controls Manufacturing 147

Controls Manufacturing Quality Control Electrical Systems Building Controls 147

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 30, 2025

Pinewood Group has submitted plans for a £1bn data centre on land south of its iconic studios, with proposals including a 55,000m² facility alongside a 60-acre nature reserve and six-acre community garden and learning space. The planning application to Buckinghamshire Council marks a major shift into digital infrastructure for the film studio giant, following the Government’s 2024 move to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure.

Infrastructure Development 178

Infrastructure Development Zoning Approvals 178

Construction Enquirer

JULY 1, 2025

Ofgem has approved an initial £24bn five-year funding package to keep the UK’s gas infrastructure running safely and to begin a major upgrade of Britain’s electricity supergrid. The decision kicks off the RIIO-3 price control period from 2026 to 2031 and includes funding for 80 electricity transmission projects aimed at connecting up to 126GW of clean energy capacity by 2030.

Electrical Systems 217

Electrical Systems Energy Efficiency Cost Control Approvals 217

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 26, 2025

Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) has acquired commercial roof refurbishment systems specialist HD Sharman Group Ltd. The latest deal by construction services group PTSG adds the £18m-turnover company to its expanding portfolio of firms. HD Sharman Group helps organisations extend the life of their building assets and represents a strategic expansion of PTSG’s current roofing operation NSS which is the the UK’s largest provider of commercial roof cleaning, maintenance and reactive rep

Roofing Systems 157

Roofing Systems Property Management Maintenance Construction Management 157

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 26, 2025

Hotel giant Travelodge has acquired 6 Broad Street Place & 15-17 Eldon Street from the City of London Corporation. The buildings opposite Liverpool Street station will have the upper floors converted into a hotel with retail use on the ground floor. Jo Boydell, CEO of Travelodge, said: “The acquisition of 6 Broad Street Place and 15-17 Eldon Street marks another significant step in our UK development strategy as we continue to grow and optimise our hotel network. “Office-to-hotel conve

Budgeting 227

Budgeting Sustainability 227

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 26, 2025

Northern property developer Breck has completed the acquisition of the 21-acre former Ibstock Ravenhead Brickworks site in Upholland, near Wigan. The factory was decommissioned in 2023 and the site will be transformed into a new residential community of approximately 300 homes. The Lancashire-based developer aims to submit a detailed planning application by the end of this year to add to its current pipeline of around 2,000 homes across the North.

Site Planning 147

Site Planning Property Management Risk Management Project Management 147

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 26, 2025

Entertainment giant Universal has formally lodged its bid to fast-track plans for a major theme park and resort in Bedford using a Special Development Order. Universal confirmed on Thursday it had submitted a request to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to secure planning permission for the new resort without going through the normal local planning process.

Site Planning 139

Site Planning Government Works Public Works 139

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 26, 2025

Labour supply specialist Hercules has struck a £15.7m deal to buy specialist overhead lines labour supplier Advantage NRG. The acquisition marks its entry into the UK’s booming power and energy sector. Hercules gains a 155-strong team of skilled operatives, giving it a strong foothold in a market expected to surge as National Grid rolls out £58bn worth of transmission upgrades.

Building Controls 137

Building Controls 137

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 27, 2025

Major contractors could be barred from bidding for public sector contracts worth over £5m a year if they cannot prove they pay their supply chain within an average of 60 days. The Government is proposing changes to procurement law that would force all public contracting authorities to exclude firms that fail to meet the payment benchmark. The shake-up is aimed at stamping out late payment across the wider public sector and delivering better cashflow for small businesses.

Procurement 170

Procurement Public Works Government Works Building Resilience 170

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 25, 2025

Kier has secured final sign-off on a £42m deal from Midlothian Council to build the Mayfield Community Learning Campus. Work will start this summer on the all-in-one development, which will replace existing school buildings and deliver a combined education and community hub. The existing buildings will be demolished, and the new campus will incorporate Mayfield Primary School, St Luke’s RC Primary School, nursery , additional support needs and community facilities.

Government Works 226

Government Works Building Design 226

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 25, 2025

The Construction Skills Mission Board will hold its first meeting today with a target of attracting 100,000 new workers into the industry. The government has also unveiled plans to make more construction roles available to jobseekers as Jobcentres work more closely with the industry to offer work experience and tailored placements. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will co-chair the first Construction Skills Mission Board with Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council toda

Government Works 252

Government Works Carpentry Infrastructure Development Collaboration 252

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 25, 2025

NHS Shared Business Services has kicked off early market talks on a new £2.3bn public sector construction consultancy framework due to launch in 2027. The revamp marks the fourth generation of the long-running framework and will cover 11 professional service lots, ranging from architects and project managers to sustainability and net zero consultants.

Project Management Consulting 147

Project Management Consulting Project Management Construction Management Building Design 147

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 26, 2025

Family-run contractor J Coffey Group has delivered a £5.5m pre-tax profit in 2024, down 14% on last year, as the firm adjusted to the end of a major overseas contract. Revenue for the year to 30 September fell to £164m from £216m previously. But directors said the group remained resilient, underpinned by stable margins, repeat business and strong cash reserves.

Contracts 162

Contracts 162

Construction Enquirer

JUNE 25, 2025

Investment group Svella has agreed a deal to buy Cubby Construction saving it from possible administration. Svella, run by former Stobart director Andrew Tinkler, confirmed it aimed to complete the deal next week protecting 214 jobs and the supply chain of the Carlisle-based contractor. Family-owned £24m turnover Cubby ran into problems working on Galliford Try’s Carlisle Southern Link Road project which it exited late last year.

Infrastructure Development 147

Infrastructure Development 147