Refurb Projects – February 2025

REFURB PROJECTS THE JOURNAL OF REPAIR, REPLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE FEBRUARY 2025

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CONTENTS

When leading UK property development and investment

company, British Land wanted to decarbonise its flagship

headquarters in London’s Marylebone, the company took the

opportunity to showcase how low carbon heating could be

achieved, without needing gas as backup. Pages: 8-9.

Vol. 35 No 253 FEBRUARY 2025

SPECIAL FEATURES

4-5 AWARDS

6-7 VENTILATION

8-12 HEATING

13 WINDOWS

14 EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE

15 SOCIAL HOUSING

16-18 FUTUREBUILD

19-35 PROJECTS

35-38 APPOINTMENTS

Publisher/ Editor: Carole Titmuss

Editorial Assistants: Clive Titmuss, Sue Watson

Advertising / Marketing: Lorraine Compton

Subscriptions: Kay Knight

Design / Graphics: Ian Purves, Jonathan Milburn

This journal includes editorial photographs provided and paid

for by suppliers.

Refurbishment Projects incorporating Refurbishment

Products is published by

Sheen Publishing Ltd,

121 Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey,

Essex EN9 1JH, UK.

Tel: 020 8504 1661

Fax: 020 8505 4336

Email: editor@refurbprojects.com

Web: https://www.refurbprojects.com/category/news/

Twitter: @RefurbProjects

Refurb Projects is available on subscription.

Annual rate: UK £28.

Europe: £36.

Overseas: £40.

Single Copies: UK: £5

Overseas: £10

ISSN 1475-1135

REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS, FEBRUARY 2025 3

AWARDS

BDP’s John Roycroft awarded prestigious

Milne Medal by IABSE

John Roycroft, Principal and

Chair of Civil and Structural

Engineering at BDP has been

awarded the esteemed Milne

Medal from the International

Association of Bridge and Structural

Engineering (IABSE) for his

outstanding achievements in

structural engineering and design.

This prestigious award honours

engineers whose work embodies

creativity, technical brilliance, and a

commitment to advancing design in

the built environment, and it

recognises John’s remarkable career

and his contributions to high-profile

and challenging projects across the

globe.

John’s leadership at BDP has

been instrumental in shaping a

collaborative culture that pushes the

boundaries of conventional design.

With a hands-on approach, John has

led multidisciplinary teams on

landmark projects, including major

science, technology and research

buildings, prominent hospitals,

world-class universities and

innovative public buildings.

His commitment to creating

structural solutions that balance

innovation with practicality has

made a lasting impact on the design

community and the projects

themselves, many of which have

received recognition for their design

excellence.

John’s design philosophy centres

on the importance of early

collaboration and clear

communication between engineers

and architects. He encourages his

teams to engage with clients and

architects from the outset, believing

that this teamwork approach leads

to optimal, integrated solutions.

Known for his passion for drawing,

John frequently hosts sketching

workshops that empower young

engineers to build their

communication skills and

confidently convey their design

concepts - a practice he views as

essential to effective engineering.

Reflecting on his career and this

recognition, John said: “Receiving

the Milne Medal is an incredible

honour, and I would like to thank

IABSE for the acknowledgement.

While digital technology has

transformed our industry, I believe

the best tool remains the humble

Leeds College of Building Students

Triumph at National SkillBuild Competition

Leeds College of Building is

celebrating after four students

took podium positions at the

national final of SkillBuild 2024

- the largest multi-trade skills

competition in the UK for

construction trainees and apprentices.

Delivered by the Construction

Industry Training Board (CITB),

SkillBuild showcases some of the

brightest talent in construction. The

prestigious competition brings

together highly skilled learners and

apprentices to battle it out to be

crowned winners across ten trades.

Leeds College of Building

apprentice Holly Taylor Whitehead

took 1st place in the Wall & Floor

Tiling category, with fellow student

Ben Gordon achieving 3rd position.

Not only is Holly the first Leeds

College of Building entrant to attain

top position in the tiling category, but

she is also the first female student to

enrol on the College Wall & Floor

Tiling apprenticeship.

Holly’s lecturer said, “I’m very

proud of the skill and talent that both

Holly and Ben displayed throughout

the competition, and this really shows

the proficiency of our apprentices at

Leeds College of Building.

“I was confident that Holly would

win the SkillBuild gold medal and I’m

immensely proud of her achievements

and development throughout her

apprenticeship. This year she also won

Wall & Floor Tiling Apprentice of the

Year award at the College BIG Awards

due to her outstanding level of work.

“As the only female Wall & Floor

tiling apprentice, I’m sure Holly is an

inspiration to all women who are

considering a career in construction

and the built environment. She’s a

fantastic young professional and I

look forward to seeing what the

future holds for her.”

Elsewhere at the competition,

Leeds College of Building student

Alfie Waddington took 2nd place in

the Roof Slating & Tiling category.

NFRC Vice President and head judge

for the category, Andy Rowlands,

stated that in all the years of his

involvement, he had “never seen it so

close” after all six finalists completed

their rigs to an exceptionally high

standard.

In Plastering, Leeds College of

Building apprentice Wesley Proud also

achieved 3rd place after a hardfought

battle. Across three days,

competitors were tasked with

constructing a project designed by an

expert panel of judges within an 18-

hour timeframe. The project tested

their knowledge and skills, as well as

the ability to work under pressure and

manage time.

The National Final at Milton

Keynes Marshall Arena in November

attracted 1,500 visitors, highlighting

the variety of skills and career

opportunities available within the

industry. The top scoring 75

competitors earned their place at the

event following Regional Qualifiers

held at various UK colleges, including

at Leeds College of Building on 4

June.

Leeds College of Building has an

exceptional track record in SkillBuild

competitions. Student Newton

Robinson achieved 1st place in

Plastering in 2023, and apprentice

Zara Dupont received 1st in the

Plastering and Drywall Systems

category in 2022.

Mark Sims, Leeds College of

Building Skillbuild Coordinator,

commented, “We are so proud that

eight of our students secured a place

in this year’s national SkillBuild final.

The dedication, hard work, and

commitment applied by both learners

and staff is second-to-none.

“All our students demonstrated

exceptional commitment and

professionalism, and we were very

proud of every one of them. SkillBuild

is a fantastic opportunity for students

to really showcase their skills, push

them to the limit, and represent our

amazing college on a national stage.”

With CITB’s Construction Skills

Network (CSN) report forecasting a

pen or pencil. Sketching is a brilliant

way to think, solve problems, and

collaborate, and working with

people to develop ideas has been the

most enjoyable aspect of my career.”

John will further share his

insights in the 2024 Milne Lecture,

titled Send Me a Sketch, on 14

November at the Institute of

Structural Engineers in London. He

will explore the value of sketching

as a tool in design and collaboration

and share his career journey and

inspirations.

Chris Harding, Chair of BDP,

added: “John is a credit to BDP. His

dedication to advancing the

profession through his own work

and his mentorship of others is

creating a legacy that his fellow

engineers can carry forward into the

next generation. His drive to

enhance multidisciplinary working

with values of innovation,

collaboration, and simplicity in

design is an inspiration to us all.”

For more information, contact

Russell Eggar, PR Manager at BDP

Russell.eggar@bdp.com

need for over 250,000 new

construction workers by 2028,

SkillBuild is more important than ever

to spotlight the industry and its wide

array of roles.

Richard Bullock, Head of Careers

Products at CITB, said, “Each year I

look forward to SkillBuild and this

year definitely did not disappoint.

“Now more than ever before is a

critical time for skills development in

construction, and SkillBuild has the

power to turn interests and hobbies

into rewarding careers. The past few

days have been great. It’s been

excellent getting to meet talented

individuals and learn about their

passion for their chosen trade.

“Congratulations to all our

winners and participants at the

SkillBuild National Final 2024. It’s a

fantastic accomplishment, and

everyone involved should be

incredibly proud of their efforts.”

Learn more about courses,

training, and apprenticeships on the

Leeds College of Building website or

register for the next College open

night in March.

https://www.lcb.ac.uk/find-a-course/

4 FEBRUARY 2025, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS

AWARDS

Zentia wins prestigious FIS Training Award for

second consecutive year

Leading UK ceiling solutions

manufacturer, Zentia, is proud

to announce that it has once

again been named the winner

of the FIS Member Training

Programme Award. This prestigious

win, awarded for a second

consecutive year, highlights Zentia’s

unwavering commitment to

excellence in industry training and

skills development.

The FIS (Finishes and Interiors

Sector) Training Awards celebrate

the very best in the sector, with the

Training Programme category

specifically recognising organisations

that demonstrate exceptional

leadership and delivery in workforce

development.

The Award recognises the success

of Zentia’s industry-leading

Installation School, where the

company provides tailored, hands-on

training for ceiling installation.

Under the leadership of Ian Young,

who heads up the programme, the

Installation School has continued to

evolve and adapt, ensuring it

consistently meets the specific needs

of contractors, architects, and

designers across the industry.

Zentia’s Installation School offers

participants practical, real-world

knowledge and skill-building

opportunities that are invaluable for

high-quality ceiling system

installations. Taking place across the

classroom, as well as live training

facilities, the school is tailored to

support both individual and team

growth, making a tangible

difference in quality, efficiency, and

safety on-site.

Gert van Doormalen, Managing

Director at Zentia, said: “It is an

honour for us to receive the FIS

Member Training Programme Award

once again. At Zentia, we believe

that investing in industry training is

key to ensuring quality and

innovation in ceiling installation.

This recognition is a testament to

the hard work and dedication of our

team and reflects our continued

efforts to deliver tailored training

that empowers our contractor

partners.”

As a leader in ceiling solutions,

Zentia remained committed to

supporting the construction industry

with innovative products and an

empowered workforce that can

product high-quality installations.

This latest achievement reinforces

Zentia’s position as a leader not only

in product development but also in

education and skills enhancement.

https://www.zentia.com/engb/installation-school/


VENTILATION

Extract Fans: the unsung hero

Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, looks at how to select and install a domestic extract fan

to ensure high performance and longevity.

The humble mechanical extract

fan: the unsung hero of the

ventilation market. They’re

never the star of a company’s

product portfolio and, once they’re

installed, they are mostly forgotten

or ignored. Yet these compact

mechanical devices keep millions of

our homes and facilities well

ventilated year after year, removing

stale air that’s frequently heavy with

condensation.

Humble though they may be

when compared to whole house

ventilation systems, choosing the

right extract fan is essential if the

fan is to perform to the desired

standard and to meet Building

Regulations Part F Ventilation.

TYPES OF EXTRACT FANS

There are two types of intermittent

extract fans to choose from - axial

and centrifugal –both of which are

suitable for use in wet rooms,

including bathrooms, toilets,

kitchens, utility rooms and ensuites.

The simplest to install, axial fans

are designed to work with short

duct runs, typically no more than

1.5m, which connect directly to an

external outlet or grille. Most

kitchens and bathrooms with an

external wall are suitable for axial

fans. They incorporate impellers

that force air to move parallel to the

shaft around which the impellers

rotate. Axial fans are the lower cost

option.

Where longer duct runs are

necessary, often because the room

to be ventilated is in the centre of

the house, centrifugal fans are the

preferred option. These fans force

air to move at right angles to the

intake of the fan using centrifugal

force. They produce more pressure

to overcome resistance encountered

in longer duct runs – normally up to

a maximum run of 6m. Typically,

they are quieter than axial fans,

which in some instances may make

them a better option – especially

when it comes to ensuites - despite

being more expensive.

In addition to standard

centrifugal and axial fans, there are

also duct-mounted inline fans which

come in both formats, as well as

mixed flow models which move air

in both axial and radial direction

relative to the shaft and will develop

higher air pressure but move less air

than axial fans. Mixed flow fans are

most frequently used in longer duct

runs up to 6m. Inline fans are not

installed within the room itself –

frequently in the ceiling void or attic

– but are connected to the room via

ducting mounted with a decorative

grille at the end. This makes them

ideal for installation in splash zones.

As installation of inline fans requires

longer ducting, they are mostly used

in new builds and major

refurbishment projects.

SELECTING THE RIGHT FAN

Extract fans may be the most basic

type of domestic mechanical

ventilation, but they still need full

consideration when choosing which

is right for a particular application.

Domestic extract fans come in

two sizes: 100mm and 150mm. As

you would expect, the larger fans

are for larger bathrooms (typically

greater than 9m²), but would also be

beneficial in heavy usage bathrooms

and those where there is no natural

ventilation.

As well as size, the fan’s

performance needs to be taken into

account. Measured in litres per

second (l/s) or metres cubed per

hour (m3/hr), the air extraction rate

is vital. To meet Building

Regulations, the minimum

extraction rate for a bathroom

extractor fan is 15l/s. Domus

Ventilation fans are all Building

Regulations compliant, with extract

volumes up to 48.8l/s for axial fans.

Ultimately, when choosing your fan,

refer to the manufacturer’s

performance curve, which shows the

relationship between the static

pressure capabilities of a fan

compared to its extraction rate, plus

pressure loss in ducting, to

determine the final extraction rate.

GET IN CONTROL

Extract fans are available with

different control options, so this is

an area to also think about. We

have done research into which are

the most popular control options

and they are at the opposite end of

the market financially. The basic

timer and pull cord model remains

popular as a cost-effective option,

whilst the more advanced fans with

humidistat or combined humidistat

& timer that react to a significant


VENTIALTION

change in humidity, are prevalent in

higher end properties. Our new

intermittent axial fan range - the

DBF100 100mm fan and the DKF150

150mm fan - are available in with

these different control options.

PIR based controls that activate

the fan on the detection of

movement are also available, but are

less popular.

AVOID COMMON MISTAKES

The biggest error we see when it

comes to extract fans is not the fan

directly, but the ducting.

Contractors rarely credit ducting

with the attention it deserves, but it

can make or break any ventilation

system, even something as seemingly

simple as an extra fan fitted as a

through-the-wall installation.

The biggest ‘crime’ here is to use

flexible instead of rigid ducting.

Flexible duct work causes a lot more

air resistance and can be damaged

or even crushed easily.

The next mistake to avoid is to

use the wrong size ducting for the

fan. If the fan has 150mm diameter

spigot, use 150mm ducting! We

repeatedly see installations where

the ducting used is smaller than that

of the spigot, and reducers have

been used to make it work. But it

doesn’t work - at least, not well – as

this causes significant air resistance

and problems with the performance

of the fan. In a similar vein, ensure

you have the appropriately sized tile

vent.

Both flexible ducting and

incorrectly sized ducting will also

lead to a much noisier fan than is

necessary, and your customer won’t

thank you for that!

Also when it comes to ducting,

it’s best practice to keep ducting as

short and straight as possible as

ducting creates air resistance, which

reduces airflow.

Lastly, it might seem obvious, but

you’d be surprised how often this

mistake is made: if you are drilling

through an external wall, make sure

that the core drill is the right size

based on the fan spigot. You don’t

want it too small as otherwise the

fan won’t fit through the hole, but

clearly if it’s too big you’ll have to

do some remedial work to the wall.

Domus Ventilation is a

manufacturer of market-leading

ventilation systems that save energy

and improve indoor air quality.

www.domusventilation.co.uk

vent.info@domusventilation.co.uk


HEATING

York House retrofit shows how to

decarbonise heating

When leading UK

property development

and investment

company, British Land

wanted to decarbonise its flagship

headquarters in London’s

Marylebone, the company took the

opportunity to showcase how low

carbon heating could be achieved,

without needing gas as backup.

York House is a five-storey,

multi-tenanted office space, with a

24-hour cooling demand and

extended fresh air requirements. The

project to remove four gas boilers

involved installing two air source

heat pumps and a water-to-water

heat pump. The result delivers more

than 400,000-kilowatt hour

reduction each year on year in

energy – all achieved in a central

London retrofit.

“The project at York House is our

first building to achieve full gas

removal using heat pumps,”

commented Matt Beales, Head of

Technical Project Delivery for British

Land. “Previous projects retained gas,

but we really wanted to lead by

example as it’s our head office.”

The design of the solution was

provided by the engineering design

consultancy, 21 Engineering used an

advanced building model in line

with the NABARS standard to

identify the peak load.

“We saw that we could utilise a

95% peak load to minimise

equipment size and optimise project

costs,” explained Phil Draper,

managing director of 21

Engineering.

“We control the building with a

demand driven strategy, meaning

the building isn’t allowed to get

cold. This reduces the time needed

to heat it up maximising heat pump

efficiency.”

Once the system had been

designed, there remained two major

challenges with the project – limited

space for plant and installing a new

heating system in a fully operational

building.

“We decided to complete the

works within normal office hours, so

nearby apartments weren’t disturbed

and that meant the building was

occupied,” explained Geoff

Broughey, Senior Technical Services

Manager for British Land and York

House.

A structural survey of the

rooftop was carried out because the

footprint of the new equipment was

larger, and the weight higher.

Installer, Nationwide Air

Conditioning 3-D modelling the

pipework and surrounding areas to

make sure there were no surprises.

The offices were previously

heated by four gas boilers equating

to over a megawatt of heating


HEATING

capacity. The new equipment is two

Climaveneta i-FX-Q-GO5 air source

heat pump chillers with a combined

heating capacity of 1,113 kilowatts

and a combined cooling capacity of

1,250 kilowatts.

Working with the heat pump

chillers is an EW-HT/0612 water to

water heat pump which raises the

flow temperature from 50°C to 65°C,

this means that the existing heat

emitters could be utilised.

“The unique aspect of this

project was that there is no hydronic

separation and a much lower

capacity on the water-to-water so

that we only inject the amount of

heat needed to give the building the

load it needs during the winter

months,” commented Daniel Valente,

Head of Projects for Nationwide Air

Conditioning.

The four-pipe heat pumps use

R513A which is a refrigerant with a

lower global warming potential

(GWP) and this has also been a big

plus for British Land particularly

when it comes to trying to get the

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

rating for the building as high as

possible.

“We used a CIBSE TM65

framework to calculate the amount

of embodied carbon from the

project” added Matt Beales from

British Land. “Our sustainability

targets are for a 75% reduction in

carbon, operational carbon, and a

25% reduction in operational energy

and these targets are set to be

achieved by 2030.”

At the start of the project,

embodied carbon assessments were

still a fairly new concept, so

obtaining and sharing information

to produce the report called for

close collaboration between British

Land, 21 Engineering, Nationwide Air

Conditioning and heat pump

manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric.

This now serves as the

benchmark for future projects so,

where British Land is looking to

retrofit existing assets, York House

has become the model to follow.

“What we’ve managed to prove

here is that in a building like this we

can achieve a significant reduction

year on year in energy and that’s no

small feat in a retrofit project,”

commented Phil Draper from 21

Engineering.

“One of the key successes we’ve

been able to do here is to prove that

not only have we reduced carbon,

and energy consumption, we’ve also

increased comfort for the building’s

occupants, and control and

reporting for British Land.”

https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/


“When we approach the design of the chiller we always

consider the following;

Clients Requirement

Energy Efficient

Concept Design + Scope

Longevity

Reliability

We also take into account the way the chiller is going to last and

mature over its running life time”

Chief Designer

Enquiry Number 12 at www.modbs.co.uk/enquiries

HEATING

Underfloor Heating and Heated Towel Rails for

Croydon Cronulla By Trevor Dann. Technical & Sales Director, ThermaGroup Ltd

In the heartland of Cronulla,

located at 33-34 Croydon Street

lies Pavilion Cronulla. This

project features 28 luxurious

apartments. The ground floor

features 450m² of commercial space,

three retail spaces and two levels of

basements. With views of

Gunnamatta Bay to the south, the

site is the perfect location for

downsizers seeking a high-quality

apartment while being close to

amenities and public transport.

Thermogroup supplied this

project with Underfloor Heating

throughout the commercial facility

as well as in all bathrooms and

ensuites for the 28 apartments to

give these areas a sense of luxury as

well as being the most comfortable

way to heat these spaces.

We also supplied the Heated

Towel Rails for the bathrooms and

ensuites, again helping to a touch of

luxury and affordability to these

apartments.

https://www.thermogroup.com.au/


Abseiling and anti-social hours

all part of the ASWS armoury

WINDOWS

As one of the UK’s most

experienced and

accommodating specialists

in the art of steel and

aluminium window refurbishment,

Associated Steel Window Services

(ASWS), makes use of multiple skills

and strategies to ensure the

fulfilment of clients’ ambitions. One

such project was carried out within

London Shoreditch’s ‘Tech City’

district where ASWS had to work

outside of working hours to address

some challenging problems affecting

relatively modern W40 windows;

and utilising their abseiling team.

The project came about after one

of the capital’s leading property

consultancies asked ASWS to

conduct a full condition survey on

the 1990s fenestration; with the

detailed paperwork, drawings and

proposed interventions providing the

basis for the eventual tender

documents. As is often the case

with such demanding window repair

projects, ASWS was subsequently

invited to tender on the work by all

four main contractors bidding. The

technical challenges were further

exacerbated by the pandemic

restrictions ending before work

started on site, which necessitated

all the window repairs being carried

out at times when the offices were

empty of their computer-game

designers.

Furthermore, the very narrow

pavements along one side of the

sixties-built office block prevented

scaffolding being erected and so

ASWS had to bring in a team of

abseilers, who also undertake glazing

upgrade work, while its site

engineers addressed the repair issues

from within.

Managing Director at ASWS,

Laura Mercer, explained: “When the

W40 series windows were first

introduced 30 years ago to offer

improved energy performance and a

more modern aesthetic, they were

‘gasket glazed’ similar to aluminium

framed systems. Unfortunately,

however, the in-situ installed W40

gaskets, back in the 80’s and 90’s

were not vulcanised and tended to

break down quite quickly, which has

required a complicated technique to

replace them. What we do to

mitigate the problem now is to top

cap them both inside and out, which

offers a far more effective and

enduring seal. So, on this City

project, the gaskets were actually

hanging out of the frame and,

therefore, offered almost no

performance in terms of air leakage;

and the draught excluder had also

become brittle and failed. Our

proposals were to carry out a ‘light

touch’ service and overhaul of the

various lights cleaning out the

rebates and oiling the mechanisms.

Not only were the draught excluders

replaced with contemporary

alternatives, the perished gaskets

were removed and new top cap

silicone fillets, which were RAL 9005

Black to match the old gaskets,

inserted as a two-stage operation.”

ASWS’s technique was to leave

the 4-20-4 sealed units in-situ and

remove the internal gasket replacing

it with the top cap silicone sealant.

Once that had dried, the procedure

was repeated externally. In addition

to replacing the half dozen glazing

units which had failed, ASWS also

undertook the repair of minor

damage which had occurred to the

powder coated ironmongery and

replacement where necessary.

Despite ASWS’s interventions

totalling some five months’ works,

these weekends and other out-ofhours

shifts were spread over a

whole year, with the abseilers last to

complete their weather dependent

duties. Finally, to save the architects

and other members of the project

team having to undergo protracted

training as abseilers, detailed

photographs and reports were

supplied of all the completed

external window restoration work.

https://asws.co.uk/


EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Derby-based academy ‘delighted’ at new multi-million

pound, state-of-the-art science block built by Algeco UK

Saint Benedict Catholic

Voluntary Academy in Derby

has proudly unveiled its

brand-new multi-millionpound

science block in the latest

successful education building project

undertaken by Algeco UK.

Algeco UK is a leading provider

of permanent modular buildings,

temporary accommodation and

storage containers delivering

construction expertise to diverse

sectors including retail, commercial,

industrial, education, health, defence

and justice, and many more.

Saint Benedict is just one of

many school building projects

Algeco has been instrumental in

developing in the past few years.

The state-of-the-art science

block at St Benedict, which will

accommodate pupils in 12

classrooms in a standalone twostorey

structure and replaces a set of

classrooms scattered around the

school site – this now brings all the

science functions together in one

location.

Headteacher Hazel Boyce was

delighted at the finished classrooms.

She said: “The new science block is

incredible and a much-needed

improvement at Saint Benedict. To

have the whole department all

together, under one roof is a dream

come true.

"The benefit to our pupils is

going to be immense and their

delight at the new block is a joy to

behold! The innovative design of the

building coupled with the wide

expanse of glass in all the labs

makes it a beautiful environment in

which to learn.”

Dr Mala Mistry, Director of

Learning, Science at Saint Benedict,

added: “At last, the science

department is together in our new

science block! M block contains 12

bespoke laboratories, each fitted

with an interactive whiteboard, and

specialist prep rooms, this move will

ensure that the science teachers are

able to deliver the already robust

curriculum in new and innovative

ways.”

The building is a venture

between the St Ralph Sherwin

Catholic Multi Academy Trust and

Derby City Council, to support Derby

with a surge in the population of

children going into Year 7 this year

and last year. The project was

secured by Algeco via negotiated

contract, procured through the NHS-

SBS framework.

Algeco worked closely with its

partners at Entrust which provided

educational consultant services

between the council and design

team.

Acting as Principal Design and

Build Contractor and working with

Watson Batty Architects, Algeco is

providing a full turnkey solution to

the academy trust.

Algeco UK has taken great pains

to ensure the build has been as

environmentally-friendly as possible.

This was a low-carbon build, with

the Algeco platform design modular

solution delivering significant

reductions in both operational and

embodied carbon of up to 70%,

through factors such as design

efficiency, materials selection and

manufacturing effectiveness, leading

to limited wastage.

Additional sustainability and

low-carbon benefits were delivered

through the incorporation of solar

PV, recycled materials and high

levels of insulation.

Phil Pavey, Managing Director of

Algeco Offsite Solutions said: “The

new science block was a sizeable

project win for us. The client chose

an Algeco turnkey solution because

of our extensive experience in the

education sector, along with the

rapid build times possible through

the use of our platform design

approach.”

https://www.algeco.co.uk/


Montpelier’s completion

officially marked by the Lord Mayor

SOCIAL HOUSING

Folkestone-based Main

Contractor Jenner

(Contractors) Ltd were

delighted to welcome the Lord

Mayor of Canterbury and her Lady

Mayoress to officially open 28

affordable new homes in Montpelier

Avenue Whitstable, built on behalf

of longstanding client, Moat;- a

leading housing association owning

and managing over 22,000 homes

across the South East, with 600 of

these within the Canterbury district.

Their aim is to provide the homes

and services that best meet local

needs, enabling people to build their

lives, put down roots and thrive in

their communities, which is exactly

what has been achieved here.

The development provides

essential new homes to those on the

Council’s housing waiting list and

offers those currently in temporary

accommodation a quality new home

for life. Delivering 4no. family

townhouses and 24no. 2-bedroomed

apartments the construction of the

new homes, which curve to

maximise the corner-site with plenty

of off-road parking for its residents

at the rear, has significantly

transformed a redundant site of a

former single large family home that

had fallen into a state of poor repair

in the much sought-after seaside

town of Whitstable (Kent).

Designed by local Favershambased

architectural practice OSG

Architecture, careful consideration

was given to the project’s external

appearance to ensure a high-quality

visual that is wholly in keeping with

neighbouring properties and gives

the top floor apartments unrivalled

views over the Thames Estuary. The

homes are delivered to a very high

standard with technologies

incorporated into their design and

construction to ensure the homes

are thermally efficient in their

operation, keeping running costs

down for their residents and are

futureproofed with non-gas heating

systems and the installation of EV

charging points. Given their busy

roadside location, the new homes

are soundproofed with the

installation of acoustic glazing and

specialist fencing to reduce noise

from the traffic on the busy

thoroughfare that links onto main

transport links in and out of

Whitstable.

During its construction the

project received not one but two

quality awards from Premier

Guarantee – the UK’s second largest

warranty provider who seeks out the

best sites from across the UK to

credit their performance in terms of

safety, cooperation, tidiness and

workmanship. In its finished form

the project serves as prime example

of affordable delivery to the highest

standards of quality without

compromise, which is hugely

commendable and attributed to the

unrelenting commitment of all

involved.

Having toured the development

with great joy at witnessing the high

quality of delivery, the Lord Mayor

cut the red ribbon to officially

commemorate this project milestone

in successfully handing-over such

desirable properties to our delighted

client.

Marking the occasion, prior to

the ribbon-cutting the Lord Mayor

gave a heartfelt speech saying: “How

magnificent this £6.3m development

looks and how brilliant these new

homes are. It is immediately

noticeable how much hard work,

care and effort has gone into

building them to such a high

standard and I commend everybody

who has worked on this project”.

She continued, “Making sure we

have good quality homes for local

families is one of the most

fundamental things a Council can

do. It doesn’t get much more basic

for us in terms of our responsibilities

than ensuring people have a roof

over their head and live in a safe

and warm environment, and that is

why I am so pleased that these

fantastic new homes will benefit our

residents who are in temporary

accommodation or on our waiting

list and are in desperate need of

permanent affordable housing.”

Adding to this Sarah Butler,

Director of Development and Sales

at Moat stated: “We are hugely

proud of what the partnership

between Moat and Jenner has

delivered once again, providing

much needed homes to an

exceptional standard. It is a real

celebration here today.”

The new homes will soon

welcome their new residents, and

the development here continues

Moat’s growth strategy in the region

to ensure all those who need it have

a quality home to live in.

This year Jenner celebrates its

150th year in business since it

commenced trading in 1875 in

Folkestone as C. Jenner & Sons and

where the business, led by its

shareholding Directors remains

today. Now one of Kents largest and

most respected regional contractors

the team continue to deliver high

quality residential, care and

educational facilities across Kent and

Sussex.

https://www.jenner-group.co.uk/


FUTUREBUILD

Shaping the Future of

Retrofitting and Refurbishment

As the construction sector

continues its rapid

transition toward net-zero

carbon emissions,

Futurebuild 2025, taking place from

March 4th to 6th at London Excel is

poised to be the industry’s leading

event for those involved in

refurbishment, retrofitting, and

sustainable construction. The event

offers a unique platform to explore

innovative solutions, gain practical

insights, and foster collaborations

that will drive long-term,

meaningful change in the industry.

A SPOTLIGHT ON RETROFIT AND

REFURBISHMENT

At the heart of Futurebuild 2025 is

the National Retrofit Conference,

sponsored by Sustainable Building

Services, which is set to be a

defining feature of the event. The

three-day conference is designed to

provide industry professionals with

an in-depth understanding of the

critical issues surrounding

retrofitting and refurbishment.

Curated by The Retrofit Academy

CIC and the National Retrofit Hub,

sessions will address key topics such

as “Scaling Ambitions for

Retrofitting,” “Delivering on Retrofit

Promises,” and “Revitalising Cities

and Regions”.

Among the conference highlights

is the “Warm Homes Programme”

session, which will delve into the

important issue of fuel poverty and

how retrofitting homes can improve

energy efficiency for vulnerable

populations. Another critical session,

“State of the Nation: Retrofitting for

a Sustainable Future,” will feature

insights from Sadiq Khan, Mayor of

London, focusing on how cities and

regions are adapting to meet

sustainability goals. The session on

“Leadership in Retrofitting – Driving

Change Across Cities and Regions”

will explore how to turn ambitious

net-zero targets into actionable

strategies for cities, local authorities,

and housing providers.

One of the key challenges in

retrofitting at scale is ensuring that

there is a sufficient, skilled

workforce to meet demand.

Futurebuild 2025 will address this

issue head-on with the “Skills and

Workforce Development for the

Retrofit Revolution” session, which

will explore how the sector can build

and support a skilled workforce to

meet the rising demand for retrofit

projects. Attendees will gain

valuable insights into workforce

training, certification programs, and

strategies for collaboration across

sectors to close the retrofit skills

gap.

Additionally, “People First

Retrofit: Creating Healthy Homes for

All” will focus on the crucial aspect

of occupant well-being in retrofit

projects. This session will discuss

how to balance energy efficiency

with comfort and health, ensuring

that retrofit solutions are designed

to cater to the needs of vulnerable

populations, including the elderly

and those with specific health

conditions.

THE BIG RETROFIT CHALLENGE

One of the most exciting aspects of

Futurebuild 2025 is the Big Retrofit

Challenge, which will showcase

innovative technologies and

strategies designed to overcome the

barriers to retrofitting. Hosted in

partnership with NHDG and

Innovate UK, this live competition

will feature a number of finalists

who will present groundbreaking

tools, materials, and strategies aimed

at improving the retrofit process.

This is an unmissable opportunity for

attendees to witness first-hand the

next generation of retrofit

technologies and solutions that are

helping to shape the future of

sustainable construction.

In addition to the competition,

the National Retrofit Expo will

feature a diverse array of exhibitors

who will provide insights into the

latest materials, tools, and

technologies that are driving the

retrofit industry forward. Attendees

will have the opportunity to

participate in hands-on

demonstrations and engage with

leading suppliers to learn more

about the cutting-edge innovations

that are helping to reduce the

carbon footprint of buildings.

IMPACT STAGES

Futurebuild 2025 features five

dedicated Impact Stages, each

designed to address critical aspects

of retrofitting and refurbishment.

These stages will provide attendees

with actionable insights and realworld

case studies that explore best

practices in each area.

Buildings Impact Stage

sponsored by HG Matthews: This

stage will focus on aligning older

homes with Passivhaus standards,

showcasing practical case studies of

successful projects that have

demonstrated how to achieve high

levels of energy efficiency in existing

buildings. Featuring panels from

partners such as Passivhaus Trust,

BRE, and UKGBC.

Materials Impact Stage

sponsored by Aggregate Industries:

Learn how circular economy

principles can apply to retrofits,

emphasising material passports,

supply chain transparency, and

waste minimisation. Sessions from

organisations like the Sustainable

Supply Chain School demonstrate

how to achieve material reuse

without compromising on durability.

Energy Impact Stage sponsored

by Kensa: Delve into renewable

energy integration, air-source heat

pumps, and other technologies

essential for decarbonising housing

stock. Partners such as the Energy

Saving Trust and CIBSE provide

insights into managing energy

transitions effectively.

Placemaking Impact Stage

sponsored by Hahn Plastics:

Sustainable urban planning practices

will be the focus of this stage, with

a particular emphasis on community

engagement and design. This stage

will explore how retrofitting can

contribute to the regeneration of

urban areas and the creation of

vibrant, sustainable communities.

FutureX Digital Disruptors Impact

Stage sponsored by One Click LCA:

This stage will focus on the role of

AI, smart technology, and datadriven

approaches in achieving

retrofit excellence. Visitors will learn

how digital tools and technologies

can enhance the efficiency and

effectiveness of retrofit projects,

from design and planning to

execution and maintenance.

INNOVATION AND

COLLABORATION AT THE

FOREFRONT

Futurebuild 2025 will also feature

the Innovation Trail, which will

guide visitors through cutting-edge

exhibitors who are showcasing

innovations that address critical

issues like embodied carbon, energy

management, and sustainability.

Among the leaders exhibiting at

the event are companies like AICO

and Glen Dimplex Heating &

Ventilation, who are pushing the

boundaries of technology and

innovation in the construction

sector.

The Futurebuild Arena, sponsored

by Mitsubishi Electric, will also be a

dynamic hub for high-level

discussions on policy, strategy, and

emerging trends in sustainable

construction. Here, visitors will have

the opportunity to engage in

thought-provoking conversations

and exchange ideas on how the

industry can move forward in

achieving its sustainability goals.

For builders, architects, and

decision-makers in refurbishment

and retrofitting, Futurebuild 2025 is

an unmissable event that will

provide the insights, tools, and

connections necessary to navigate

an ever-evolving industry and build

a more sustainable future for all

https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/


FUTUREBUILD

Futurebuild partners with Supply Chain

Sustainability School to drive impact

Futurebuild is thrilled to

announce its ongoing

partnership with the Supply

Chain Sustainability School for

Futurebuild 2025, taking place from

4th-6th March 2025 at Excel

London. As it celebrates 20 years of

championing sustainability and

innovation in the built environment,

this collaboration embodies its

commitment to creating real,

actionable change. With its Impact

theme driving the agenda,

Futurebuild 2025 promises to be an

unmissable event for those ready to

transform how the industry

operates.

Empowering the Industry to Act

Futurebuild 2025 will welcome

over 20,000 professionals from

across the supply chain, from

architects and specifiers, through to

developers, contractors, and

manufacturers, all united by the

goal of advancing sustainability.

Together, the industry will explore

cutting-edge solutions, materials,

and methods that deliver on netzero

ambitions.

The partnership with the Supply

Chain Sustainability School amplifies

this mission. With a track record of

training 137,000 individuals and

engaging 30,000 companies, the

School is a powerhouse for change.

By extending its reach globally and

offering free membership to all

Futurebuild attendees, this

collaboration ensures access to the

resources needed to embed

sustainability into everyday practice.

At the heart of Futurebuild 2025

is a bold vision to drive

collaboration and innovation that

leads to real-world results. With nine

zones covering everything from

materials to energy and retrofit, plus

a robust knowledge programme

featuring thought leaders from the

Supply Chain Sustainability School,

attendees will leave equipped to

make a difference.

Martin Hurn, Event Director of

Futurebuild, said: “As Futurebuild

marks its 20th anniversary, the

theme of Impact is central to our

mission. Partnering with the Supply

Chain Sustainability School allows us

to equip the industry with the tools,

knowledge, and resources needed to

drive real change. By offering free

access to invaluable sustainability

training, we’re empowering

professionals to take action and lead

the transformation towards a more

sustainable built environment.”

Join Futurebuild this March to

see Impact in action. Register now

at futurebuild.co.uk/why-visitfuturebuild-2025

to secure your spot

and gain exclusive access to the

Supply Chain Sustainability School’s

wealth of sustainability resources.

https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/


As part of a major expansion,

TORMAX was invited to

return to the headquarters

of De Soutter Medical Ltd -

a decade after installing an

automatic curved-sliding door to the

main entrance - to enhance the

facility with four additional

automatic door systems.

A newly created main entrance

features an impressive semi-circular,

curved sliding door, like the initial

installation. Two bi-parting sliding

doors systems provide side-access to

the building. In the warehouse, a

double set of curved sliding doors

work in tandem to create a D-

shaped lobby, where small deliveries

can be quickly and easily processed.

All entrances are powered by

TORMAX iMotion 2202.A door drives.

Uniquely engineered with a motor

that features none of the working

parts that generally wear out, such

as gears or brushes, the iMotion

2202.A delivers exceptional

reliability and longevity.

De Soutter Medical specialises in

the development, production, and

global distribution of highperformance,

powered orthopaedic

tools, for surgical procedures. At the

UK headquarters in Aylesbury,

Buckinghamshire, the company

combines premium office space with

advanced manufacturing facilities,

as well as substantial landscaping

and outdoor features that

contribute to a positive working

environment.

TORMAX worked with subcontractor,

Apic, and the architect,

to deliver functional yet

aesthetically impressive automatic

entrances throughout the facility.

“TORMAX doors have welldeserved

reputation for durability,”

said Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX

UK Ltd. “The original system installed

at De Soutter Medical is still

performing reliably and the new

entrances will continue long into the

future. With minimal ongoing

maintenance demands, our door

drives have been known to last more

than 25 years.”

As well as adding a prominent

architectural detail to the front of a

building, curved-sliding door

systems are intensely practical,

providing up to 40% more passthrough

space than linear sliding

doors.

In buildings with entrance pods

formed by two curved sliding doors,

like in the De Soutter warehouse

facility, heat loss can be greatly

reduced by programming the doors

so that one is always closed. This

setup ensures a continuous physical

barrier against outside elements,

helping to maintain indoor

temperature.

PROJECTS

TORMAX Delivers Access Solutions

to Prestigious Commercial Facility

www.tormax.co.uk


PROJECTS

Aluprof brings Wood Grain elegance

to Aluminium

To ensure fenestration and

facade systems stand the test

of time, continue to look good

offering unrivalled

sustainability, a high quality finish

to the aluminium is prerequisite.

Aluprof offer both architectural

anodising and architectural powder

coating for all their systems. To

ensure the highest quality is

achieved and maintained during the

powder coating process, Aluprof are

proud to have been licensed as a

QUALICOAT applicator for many

years and supply all their systems in

accordance with this global

specification.

SO WHAT IS ‘DECORAL’?

In 1993 Decoral, a company based in

Verona, developed an enhancement

of the powder coating finish by

developing a new process where

textures can be added to the

coating. Today these finishes are

exceptionally photorealistic and

often portray woodgrain or stone

finishes, but any photorealistic finish

can be replicated. Popular on the

continent for many years, powder

coated photorealistic finishes

specified on architectural aluminium

are now growing in availability and

popularity with UK specifiers.

HOW IS IT ACHIEVED?

The finish is achieved by a

‘sublimation’ methodology, a

Wojciech Brozyna. Aluprof UK Managing Director.

physical chemical process which is

the direct transition of a substance

from a solid phase to a gas phase

using heat, the technology is also

known as a ‘heat transfer process’.

To achieve the finish, the

aluminium profile is firstly given a

base coat of powder coating, or

what is known as the 'ground' coat.

Once this has been allowed to cool

after being heat cured, the profile is

then wrapped with a sublimatic film

which carries the photorealistic

transfer inks that are required for

the finished profile. The air between

the coated aluminium the enclosing

film is then vacuumed away which

ensures that the transfer film is in

direct contact with the 'ground'

coat. The coated profile is then

cured again at approximately 200ºC

where, by sublimation, these special

inks are transferred from the

sublimatic film into the ground

coated layer. Once the profile has

cooled, the film is removed and the

coated, textured profile is then ready

for use.

Standard woodgrain films are

available in a wide range of

photorealistic timber types and

colours, such as oak, pine and beech,

stone finishes such as marble are

also available as are some patterned

finishes, all of which can be seen on

the Decoral website. Many of these

finishes are rated ’outdoor’, are

suitable for outdoor use across the

UK and are as hardwearing as any

architectural powder coated finish.

Whilst timber will change

appearance over time and require

some form of re-treatment every 5

to 10 years, its powder coated

alternative will remain looking the

same for many years with only

minimal cleaning being required.

HOW IS THE FINISH QUALITY

MAINTAINED?

Aluprof, a licensed QUALICOAT

applicator, has also attained the

optional QUALIDECO licence which

ensures that the process of

pretreatment and coating prior to

and including the Decoral

sublimation process meets the high

quality expected by specifiers of


PROJECTS

architectural powder coating. Not

only do these finishes offer a robust

finish for outdoor use, they are so

realistic that they can be seen by

many as the real thing, a testament

to the technology in use today.

Used on fenestration systems

internally or externally, these

finishes can be integrated into any

biophilic design specifications.

Samples of finishes are available for

review and specification directly

through Aluprof UK.

Aluprof UK have been supporting

specifiers in the UK and Ireland for

over fifteen years with advanced

systems that include, high

performance windows doors and

facade systems.

aluprof.co.uk


PROJECTS

Stannah refurbs two lifts and transforms

high-rise living for residents

Residents of 84-apartment

Eden Court in Lillington,

Leamington Spa, now enjoy

enhanced accessibility

thanks to the comprehensive

refurbishment by Stannah of two

passenger lifts.

The works transforms the

outdated 8-person passenger lifts,

and significantly improves safety by

meeting the latest lift regulations.

The lift refurbishment at Eden

Court is part of a wider

modernisation programme with

Warwick Council, involving the

refurbishment of around 20 lifts in

residential buildings to improve

safety and efficiency.

THE CLIENT

Warwick District Council relies on

Stannah for routine lift maintenance

inspections in line with legislative

schedules to make sure there are no

major faults with lifts in their social

housing portfolio. The contract

includes 24/7 call-out service for

emergencies and breakdowns,

protecting the council against the

loss of reputation for an out-ofservice

lift that can inconvenience

residents in a block of high-rise flats.

This project started in 2019, when

Warwick District Council and Stannah

agreed to improve lift performance

and reliability, to not only provide

safer lift access for residents but to

also reduce future lift maintenance

and running costs.

Due to the age of the lifts, they

have become more susceptible to

breakdowns with scope to be brought

up to the latest lift regulations.

Stannah conducted a comprehensive

survey and provided a condition

report for the wider 20-lift

refurbishment programme,

recommending which lifts in the

portfolio should receive priority

attention.

Work in Eden Court officially

commenced in August 2022, with the

initial lift refurbishment undertaken

on-site in January 2023 through a

phased approach.

THE WORK

Stannah proposed a comprehensive

lift refurbishment plan to Warwick

District Council for the lifts at Eden

Court, primarily due to their age and

reliability. Rather than a completely

new lift installation, a refurbishment

plan was more suited for Warwick

District Council to meet budget

expectations.

The aim was to upgrade the lifts

providing a cost-effective and

energy-efficient solution that retains

the safety of residents and service

engineers when carrying out

maintenance work.

The refurbishment spanned 14

weeks per lift, incorporating upgrades

to the lift car, including a new fullcar

entrance. This included zone

locking to prevent the doors from

opening outside of a floor zone and a

new toe guard to prevent falls into

the elevator hoistway.

The lifts are programmed on a

skip-stop system, with one lift serving

the even floors and the other lift

serving the odd floors. This setup

allows for more efficient operation

and reduced wait times, improving

resident satisfaction.

To further enhance passenger

safety, Stannah installed new traction

machines for uncontrolled movement

prevention and improved ride quality

and an autodial unit that

automatically calls for help when the

alarm button is pressed. For better

connectivity, a GSM unit replaced the

traditional hard BT line, with a

managed SIM card, futureproofing

the lift ready for the digital phone

line switchover due in 2026.

The lift shaft now features allnew

LED lighting and new pit guards,

providing improved safety for

engineers during callouts and

maintenance work.

Anti-vandal finishes were chosen

for the new car operating panel,

landing entrances and push buttons

offering a robust and lowmaintenance

solution, ensuring

longevity. The duplex lift architraves

are also wrapped in new anti-vandal

pattern stainless steel for enhanced

durability and resistance to damage,

maintaining the lifts’ aesthetic

appeal.

THE CHALLENGES

The COVID-19 pandemic initially

posed a challenge, delaying the

project as the budget was reallocated

to other areas. However, once the

budget was available again, Stannah

worked within this to develop a

workable solution.

Another challenge was carrying

out work with residents still

occupying the building, with safety

and continuous lift access being top

priorities. Throughout the

refurbishment, Stannah emphasised

safety.

Eden Court has two lifts, so

Stannah implemented a phased

modernisation approach, keeping one

lift operational while refurbishments

were carried out on the other,

guaranteeing residents easy access to

their homes.

With new technology and

aesthetics, residents can sometimes

feel overwhelmed by changes in how

the lift operates. Once the lift was

complete, Stannah left the site,

leaving both lifts operational. This

approach allowed residents to

become accustomed to the updated

lift, minimising disruption before

Stannah engineers began refurbishing

the next one. This staggered

approach also helped Warwick

District Council remain within

budget.

THE RESULT

Bringing the lifts back up to the

current safety standards at Eden

Court demonstrates Warwick District

Council’s commitment to ensuring

that the lifts in the block are kept

working and safe for residents.

The investment to upgrade the

lifts with the latest lift safety

features will pay off as lift

modernisation reduces maintenance

costs over time, contributing to Eden

Court’s energy efficiency.

By programming the lifts on a

skip-stop system, Stannah enhanced

efficiency and accessibility

throughout the building, an

important aspect of the

refurbishment project.

Stannah completed the step-bystep

refurbishment of the two

passenger lifts on schedule and

within the allocated budget,

implementing a phased approach to

spread costs for the client and avoid

disruption for residents.

The success of the Eden Court lift

refurbishment sets out a promising

outcome for the remaining lift

modernisations. The wider

refurbishment programme will

strengthen the lifespan of

approximately 20 lifts in the

portfolio.

Stannah worked hard to make the

work as affordable as possible. As this

refurbishment project was part of a

wider programme, we were able to

provide an ‘enhanced pricing

framework’ for the whole portfolio of

lifts.

To find out how Stannah can help

with your routine lift maintenance,

24/7 emergency repair service, or

undertake a modernisation project to

keep your lift users safe simply

contact your local branch.

https://www.stannahlifts.co.uk/


PROJECTS

From wardrobes to weatherproof decking,

West Fraser has the answer for housebuilders

More favourable

borrowing costs led to

September 2024’s

market figures

indicating that UK house prices have

risen at their fastest rate for two

years, adding to the political

pressure on housebuilders and their

supply chain partners to increase the

level of completions in order to

meet demand. Timber panel product

specialist West Fraser is well placed

to help customers of all sizes

respond; these include companies

which are embracing Modern

Methods of Construction (MMC) as

well as those still preferring to

employ traditional building

techniques.

As a manufacturer whose range

encompasses multiple grades of MDF

used for kitchens and other interior

fit-out work, to its ubiquitous

SterlingOSB Zero , and super tough

CaberDek, which offers 60 days’

exposure resistance, West Fraser has

long been renowned for creating

products that meet the physical

challenges involved in creating new

homes. In addition, the company has

also been investing

heavily improving sustainability

while also enhancing service levels.

Not only is the production

process for SterlingOSB Zero free of

any added formaldehyde, along with

the rest of the range it is made in

plants like Inverness where all of the

energy comes from guaranteed

renewable sources, while efforts

continue to drastically reduce the

use of fuels such as diesel, with a

switch to electric powered fork-lifts

and loaders.

In fact, Inverness is on track to

achieve its 2030 sustainability

targets within the next year thanks

to changes such as replacing the use

of gas for the drying plant through

to investment in biomass

technology. Other sites are also

making good progress on their own

road maps to Net Zero.

West Fraser makes significant

contributions to cutting carbon

emissions by reducing waste, both in

customers’ factories and on site,

with products like CaberFloor,

CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero

being dimensionally very accurate as

well as rugged in use. This means

that, when contractors are laying

floors and roof decks or closing in

dormer structures and other

features, far less time is spent on

alignment or cutting. Consistency

of size is also of enormous value to

the suppliers of timber frame wall

panel systems, including roof and

floor cassettes or SIPs. In common

with many installation contractors,

these customers also often chose to

make use of West Fraser’s own

adhesives, tapes and other ancillary

products.

Dom West, West Fraser’s Sales

Director UK & Ireland, comments:

“The recent introduction of products

like SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus,

which is ideal for site hoardings or

securing buildings, and which needs

no painting, as well as the new

version of CaberDek that is BBAcertified

for 60 days, underlines our

commitment to ensuring the range

is fit for any purpose. Meanwhile,

our dedicated key account managers

make certain customers’ needs will

always be met, including

communicating with the buyers and

plant or site managers to verify our

production schedules will cope with

any spikes in their usage. In

addition, all relevant technical

support on certification, and

particularly safety, are provided in a

timely manner. Our UK-wide

production and distribution

coverage offers security of supply to

the UK’s housebuilders and to their

supply chain manufacturers

producing the SIPs, closed panel

systems and other fabrications that

are enabling the industry to increase

efficiency and ultimately build more

new homes. It is a partnership we

are committed to expanding.”

All West Fraser panel products

produced in the UK are net carbon

negative and manufactured in mills

that have obtained the coveted

environmental ISO 14001

accreditation. Responsibly sourced,

the panels are FSC® certified

(C012533) and created from locally

grown timber, cutting embodied

carbon from transportation.

https://uk.westfraser.com/


PROJECTS

Firefly® Yystems upgrade roofspace of

Northamptonshire care facility

One of FIREFLY®’s most

active contracting partners

has successfully utilised a

selection of the

manufacturer’s fully tested barrier

systems and ancillary products to

carry out a rapid upgrade to a

property belonging to the

Northamptonshire Healthcare

Foundation, replacing a superseded,

mineral wool system which no

longer met modern standards of

performance, thereby ensuring the

safety of staff as well as patients for

the foreseeable future.

Coventry based KRASI Fire

Protection Limited - a specialist subcontractor

well experienced in all

types of commercial construction

projects and upgrades – completed

the installation of the well proven

and fully certified FIREFLY® Apollo

Lite 30:30 and Apollo Horizontal

barriers, together with a bespoke

access hatch and products such as

Collaroll. The work was carried out

over a three-week period in April

2024.

The company’s Contract

Manager, Daniel Oldacre,

commented: “A key aspect of the

specification of the products for

this job was the fact that FIREFLY®

is the only manufacturer which has

a fully tested hatch as part of their

barrier. Having removed the old

mineral wool fire barriers which no

longer conform to the Building

Regulations, Approved Document B,

our team of five operatives set

about erecting the FIREFLY® Apollo

Lite barriers to divide the roof

space into three separate

compartments, with a protected

zone, using the Apollo Lite to wrap

the timber rafters. Then because of

the spacing of the rafters, we had

to order a bespoke sized access

hatch through our contact, Chris

Boam at FIREFLY®. This was 900

mm high but only 500 mm wide, for

which we built a subframe using

Uni-struts and the new door was

delivered in just over a week, so it

didn’t hold the job up at all.

Overall, we erected some 300 square

metres of barriers and the project

went to plan.”

The standard range of FR 120

FIREFLY® hatches have been

stringently tested against EN 1363-1

2020 and are third party certified by

IFC, being shown to achieve an

impressive two hours fire resistance

from either side of a fire

compartment. Intended to be fitted

vertically, the heavy-duty

construction of the Zintec steel door

and Unistrut frame ensures the

assembly offers a tight and flush fit

when closed and rugged

performance in use.

Manufactured from woven and

non-woven glass, the FIREFLY® range

is designed to optimise resistance to

flame and smoke, as well as offer

heat protection in a wide range of

scenarios. The barriers are easy to

install horizontally or vertically

using a full selection of FIREFLY®

ancillary products to ensure a fully

tested and certified installed system.

www.tbafirefly.com


Architects’ drawing on ASWS expertise

PROJECTS

Different ages of the UK’s

built heritage are

frequently most

recognisable from their

fenestration patterns as by their roof

structure or choice of walling

materials - making decisions

regarding the windows replacement

or conservation critical to the

overall success of any

redevelopment.

So it is that London-based

Associated Steel Window Services

(ASWS) has built a solid reputation

far beyond the capital for

successfully undertaking some of the

most challenging fenestration

contracts. ASWS worked in close

cooperation with the project’s lead

design consultants; as well as

coordinating its operations with the

main and other contractors. In fact,

the multi-generational expertise

ASWS offers extends beyond its

management team to many of its

long-serving workforce; while the

company also retains a vast library

of ironmongery and other window

and door components, together with

an established supply chain to keep

contracts on track.

“ASWS was involved from

beginning to end and they were

exceptionally helpful, working

assiduously right the way through

the project. We were very pleased

with their proactive approach. From

my point of view, they have done

remarkably well and came up with

the goods; I’m very happy with the

result and would certainly go back

to them.” - David Loxton - Loxton &

Associates

(Project – Alexandra House)

Managing Director, Kris Bennell,

explains: “As a family business with

a long track record within the

industry, we are respected for our

experience and try to offer added

value for architects and the other

professionals we deal with; often on

a regular basis. In fact, we are

frequently brought on board at an

early stage to conduct very detailed

condition surveys, and to offer ideas

on how conservation goals can be

achieved. Which then becomes part

of the negotiation with the planning

authorities.”

“There has also been a shift in

the way projects are run, with end

clients now actively encouraging

architects to engage with specialists

like ourselves – especially where the

main contractor is leading the work.

This can include them making use of

our enablement service: where we

can remove heritage fabric and

windows to facilitate access for

hoists or chutes, as well as

cataloguing and putting frames and

other components of historical value

into safe storage for the duration.”

“We relied on ASWS as specialists

to tell us what could and couldn’t be

repaired. They were incredibly

knowledgeable and their expertise

was helpful in understanding what

needed to be done with the

windows.” Andrew Morgan - JM

Architects

(Project - Heals Building)

Amongst the many historic

buildings where ASWS has provided

its unique skillset are Woolwich

Arsenal, the South Bank’s County

Hall building, The Royal Academy of

Arts, the iconic retail emporium

Whiteleys and the recently

redeveloped Battersea Power

Station. Both the Royal Academy

and award-winning renovation work

on one of the Crown Estate’s most

public properties - Quadrant Arcade,

on Regent Street - both saw the

specialist offering advice to the

leading architectural practice, Barr

Gazetas.

“We regularly use ASWS and the

project went really well. The initial

schedule of work that they produced

was incredibly useful and detailed. It

was quite a tricky project for them

and they did a good job, especially

considering the budgetary

constraints and number of windows

involved. Their advice and expertise

were very helpful, especially with

the ironmongery.”

Karen Fuller - Barr Gazetas

(Glasshouse and multiple other

projects)

For more information on ASWS,

please visit asws.co.uk.


PROJECTS

A focus on SWA member, West Leigh

Located in Charlton, South

London, West Leigh was

established during the Blitz in

1943. During the destruction

in London, the company helped in

repairing windows and facades that

had been damaged by bombings

throughout the city.

Over the years, West Leigh has

evolved into a leading manufacturer

of commercial steel windows, doors,

and accessories, maintaining its

status as a privately owned entity.

The company’s skilled team works on

a diverse array of projects across the

country, from new builds with

thermal performance to heritage

refurbishments. Recent projects in

London include 30 Grosvenor

Square, The Whiteley and The

Museum of London.

THE COMPANY OFFERS THE

FOLLOWING PRODUCTS AND

SERVICES:

W20, W30 (SMW), W40, Cold formed

box profiles, bespoke profiles (nonthermally

broken)

W50TB, W75TB, OS2-65, OS2-75,

Janisol ARTE, Janisol Primo amongst

others (thermally broken profiles)

Bronze windows and doors

Fire rated windows

Bespoke repair and refurbishment

Replacement

WINDOWS

W20 range – suitable for internal,

some domestic and commercial as

well as heritage windows. They have

been in production for decades and

have a proven record of durability.

W30 – the slimmest steel

windows currently on the market,

they are double weather-stripped to

provide outstanding weather

tightness and thermal efficiency.

W40 – these hot rolled, double

glazed steel windows have slim

sightlines but can accommodate

sealed glass units up to 26mm, with

a 16mm airspace for improved

insulation.

W50TB thermally broken – these

energy efficient steel windows are

one of West Leigh’s specialities -

with narrow sightlines and U-values

meeting 1.4 W/m2K and lower. They

have highly engineered, thermally

broken steel sections designed to

closely replicate the character of the

traditional W20 steel window.

FIRE RATED WINDOWS

Available for the W20, W40 and

thermally enhanced ranges, these

steel framed, glazed windows are

specifically designed to protect life

and property in the event of fire.

They are constructed to an

extremely high standard which is

independently tested and assessed

by recognised competent authorities.

BESPOKE REPAIR AND

REFURBISHMENT

Many steel windows installed in

commercial buildings before the

1940s are now problematic,

primarily due to excessive paint

build-up. This leads to distorted

sections that allow drafts and noise

in. However, these windows are

frequently part of listed facades or

include unique design features that

are challenging and expensive to

replicate, repair and/or

refurbishment often appears as the

most viable solution.

West Leigh provides service

aimed at restoring the appearance

of old windows and facades to a

like-new condition. These services

include shot-blasting frames to

remove paint down to the base

metal, removing corroded sections

with welded new sections, and

straightening distorted frames.

REPLACEMENT

If steel windows are affected by

deep-seated rust, then replacement

is often the only option. West

Leigh’s replacement windows are

sensitively installed to ensure that

the chosen product meets all the

necessary design and performance

criteria. In addition to offering

strength, durability and high

resistance to rust and corrosion, they

are suitable for listed buildings,

conservation areas, domestic and

commercial properties.

MEMBER OF THE STEEL WINDOW

ASSOCIATION

West Leigh is a member of the Steel

Window Association (SWA), the

trade organisation which represents

the great majority of UK steel

window and door manufacturers,

ranging in size from the smallest

craft-based businesses through to

large, multi-site companies.

The SWA supports its member

companies with a wide-ranging

service relating to product

development, market research and

promotion. This in turn helps West

Leigh not only ensure that it is at

the forefront of product

development, but also helps the

company maintain exceptional

standards when it comes to

manufacture and installation.

INDUSTRY BODIES

West Leigh is a member of both the

Fenestration Self-Assessment

Scheme (FENSA) and

Constructionline.

For further information on the

Steel Window Association or if

you’re interested in becoming a

member, please visit www.steelwindow-association.co.uk


The Key to Architectural

Powder Coating Sustainability

By Chris Mansfield - QUALICOAT Chair.

Architectural Aluminium

Powder Coating is applied

using the well known

methodology of spraying

electrostatically charged fine

polyester based powders onto a

product. Coated aluminium products

are then heated to an optimum

temperature to melt the powder

which allows it to flow and

chemically cross-link into a

sustainable coating. As the product

cools the coating sets and the finish

is complete. The problem is, like most

applied opaque coatings, the finish

may look good, but the coating can

hide a multitude of problems on the

surface of the metal. If contaminants

are present, or a pre-treatment

process is lacking, a failure of the

coating will become evident over

time.

Prior to powder coating

architectural aluminium, it is crucial

that the aluminium surface is subject

to a ‘pre-treatment’ process which

includes an etch stage to remove

contaminants and then a passivation

or conversion coating to ‘seal’ the

surface of the aluminium which also

provides a ‘key’ for the adherence of

the coating. These very thin

conversion coatings can be formed of

a non-chromate or a very thin

anodising process.

For an architectural powder

coater a pre-treatment plant is a

significant investment often costing

as much, if not more than the

powder coating line itself. Few

powder coating lines in the UK have

this substantial facility and those

that do will claim to powder coat to

BS EN 12206-1 or become licensed to

powder coat to the more substantial

QUALICOAT specification.

Often in an attempt to reduce

costs through the supply chain,

installers of architectural aluminium

products will use powder coaters who

often do not possess the correct pretreatment

lines. There is also the

possibility that some coaters who do

have the correct pre-treatment

systems do not have suitable controls

in place and the quality of the

coatings can vary, even though they

can claim to coat to BS EN 12206-1.

A QUALICOAT licensed applicator,

on the other hand, must use a pretreatment

system that is QUALICOAT

approved and utilise powder systems

that are also approved by

QUALICOAT, this ensures quality is

maintained through the coating

process. Furthermore, QUALICOAT

licence holders are randomly

Chris Mansfield,

QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Chair.

inspected twice a year to ensure the

QUALICOAT specification is being

met. Licensed coaters who fail these

third-party inspections, will lose their

licence.

So, the best specification for any

architectural powder coating project

should simply be ‘coated by a

QUALICOAT licensed applicator’.

Known across the globe, with a

global supply chain and local licensed

coaters, a QUALICOAT specification

can be supplied on any continent.

Powder coat failures fall into two

broad categories, that of a complete

failure of the coating where it simply

peels off and failure called ‘filiform

corrosion’. This is where oxidisation

forms at the edge of a cut or

punched hole in the aluminium and

appears under the coating as spider

like strands of corrosion. Often this

failure is seen several years after

installation and indicates poor pretreatment

prior to powder coating.

Other problems with powder

coating can include fading of colour,

loss of gloss and ‘chalking' of the

Powder Coating in a residential application.

surface finish. The first two are

generally a normal ageing process

and the powder coating should still

adhere fully to the aluminium and

continue to protect the aluminium.

Chalking, is also part of the ageing

process and appears as a milky

surface or ‘chalk’ on the coated

surface. This only forms when the

finish is generally neglected and not

cleaned down within an agreed

cleaning regime. Often chalking can

be removed by simply cleaning the

finish several times over a period of

time. Specifying a QUALICOAT Class 2

powder, which uses more robust

compounds in its composition, can

significantly reduce these issues

QUALICOAT powder applicators

can advise of a suitable cleaning

company and there is also a paper on

the QUALICOAT UK & Ireland website

that explains how the powder

coating can be safely cleaned.

For the best sustainability, ensure

that the powder coater has the

necessary pretreatment systems in

place and that they can demonstrate

that they can coat and test to BS EN

12206-1. Alternatively, just insist on a

specification that powder coating

must be applied by a QUALICOAT

licensed applicator. In the UK, the

majority of main architectural

powder coaters are qualified

QUALICOAT licence holders. If you are

proposing to specify an architectural

coater who powder coats to BS EN

12206-1, be vigilant to ensure that

they posses a robust pre-treatment

plant and that their processes are

correctly monitored and maintained.

Should a coating specification

require a longer life expectancy,

possibly where future access for

PROJECTS

cleaning be difficult, then a Class 2

more robust powder can be specified.

Contact any QUALICOAT licensed

powder coat applicator or powder

manufacturer to seek advice for any

project location across the UK &

Ireland.

Various country Members of the

global specification, QUALICOAT, have

undertaken extensive work over the

decades to further refine the

products and processes to ensure

finishes continue to offer enhanced

sustainability. A worldwide working

group of Members began to develop

a specification for the alloys used in

extrusion for fenestration, namely

architectural aluminium alloy grades

of 6060 and 6063. The resulting alloy

specification, which now forms

Appendix A13 of the QUALICOAT

Specifications 2023, requires these

alloys to fall within the EN573-

3:2019 Standard, which can be met

using primary or secondary (recycled)

aluminium. Compliance requires the

following three tests to be carried

out, Optical Emission Spectroscopy

(OES), Anodic Cyclic Polarisation

(ACP) and a metallographic study of

the aluminium surface. This latest

development has culminated in

forming what is now known as the

‘QUALICOAT 3.0’ specification.

Specifiers who wish to take

advantage of QUALICOAT 3.0 should

in the first instance contact

QUALICOAT UK & Ireland for

guidance on specification and help in

choosing the correct supply chain. A

QUALICOAT 3.0 specification will

require a coating Member to carry

the ‘Seaside’ class pre-treatment

license as this is a prerequisite

coating procedure for QUALICOAT

3.0.

The most important aspect to

specification is the involvement of a

specialist coater at the early design

stages of any project. All QUALICOAT

UK & Ireland members are available

to offer advice and can be found on

the Association website at:

www.qualicoatuki.org


PROJECTS

Bradite’s busy bodyshop boost

Abusy East of England vehicle

repair specialist has a

tough, bright new bodyshop

floor, thanks to discovering

one of Bradite’s top coatings.

The Bodycentre is a major

automotive repair shop in Norwich,

handling an average of 60 vehicles

weekly for bodywork and structural

repairs, paintwork refinishing and a

wide range of other treatments.

“After some trouble with other

floor products in the past we

decided to speak to a local paint

supplier, called PaintWell,” says Jake

Masters, The Bodycentre’s Digital

Marketing Executive. “After much

discussion about our previous

attempts at doing the floor with no

great success, they advised that we

use Bradite Floor-it.”

The job was undertaken by a

team made up of The Bodycentre’s

own staff, including technicians, the

general manager and one of the

directors. “The application was very

straightforward,” says Jake, adding,

“recoat time was exceptional. It took

us about a day to prep the floor

ready for the product to be applied,

but once this was done and all

necessary objects were masked up, it

took us just under ten hours to

apply three coats.”

And the verdict? “It makes the

workshop look so much brighter and

cleaner. We are over the moon with

the final finish.”

Bradite Floor-it is a single-pack,

high performance coating ideal for

general shopfloor usage. The waterbased

acrylic floor paint has no

odour and is suitable for use on

suitably prepared concrete, as well

as wood, metal or asphalt surfaces.

The semi-gloss finish is extremely

durable with excellent adhesion.

https://bradite.com/onecan


A revolutionary process from HMG Paints

PROJECTS

Anorth Devon environmental

and recycling centre has

been able to keep

functioning because a

revolutionary process from HMG

Paints for treating rust and lead

contamination has enabled a

problem to be sorted without having

to shut down the facility.

Previously painted structural

steel in part of the Brynsworthy

Environment Centre and Waste

Management Facility, near

Barnstaple, was showing signs of

light rust contamination. Tests also

revealed lead to be present in

previously applied coatings.

One possible treatment of the

problem would have been to shot

blast the rusted areas and complete

removal of all existing and previous

coatings. This would have required a

complete shut down of the affected

part of the centre, disrupting its

recycling function and adding

considerable cost to the remediation

work.

Exeter-based contractor Isca

Decorating Company received

detailed technical advice from HMG

Paints who manufacture a suite of

products able to deal with just such

an issue. The products for the job

were supplied by decorators’

merchants Rabart from their

Plymouth store.

The first task was a thorough

clean and degrease of the existing

substrate in the steel structure. A

first degreasing was carried out

using a good quality water-based

foaming degreaser and this was

followed up with an application of

HMG’s solvent degreaser 2801.

The next step was to treat the

areas showing rust with HMG

Ferrozinc Rust Convertor which is

brushed on as a white coating and

then turns navy/black indicating

that the rust has been completely

neutralised. Lead contaminated areas

to be overpainted were then primed

with HMG’s BDX Anti Corrosive

Primer and then a topcoat of HMG

C71 Speedline which gives a tough,

hardwearing finish and is available

in a comprehensive range of colours.

Commenting on the contract Lee

Perrott, Isca Decorating Company’s

managing director said: “This is the

first project where we have used the

full system. It is very easy to use and

apply, similar to standard undercoats

and gloss systems. The C71 Speedline

topcoat covers particularly well and

looks very nice in the satin finish.

We will certainly be using and

recommending it for future use.”

The completed job complements

North Devon Council’s revamp of the

Brynsworthy centre so it can speed

up the processing of waste

materials, provide improved facilities

for staff and enhance the

movements of pedestrians and

vehicles.

https://www.hmgpaint.com/


PROJECTS

Work completes on £3.3m renovation project

at historic Beverley building

Champney Treasure House,

the newly renovated

cultural venue in Beverley,

has opened its doors to the

public after work completed on a

major programme of improvements.

Champney Treasure House has

been renamed in honour of John

Edward Champney, a local

businessman who in the early 20th

century made several significant

donations to the original Beverley

Public Library and Art Gallery.

The £3.3 million renovation

programme by East Riding of

Yorkshire Council, and completed by

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

construction company, Hobson &

Porter, has seen significant

improvements made to the muchloved

museum, archives, café area,

tower viewing point, gardens and art

gallery.

Several other services have also

relocated to Champney Treasure

House such as the Changing Places

facility, The Tourist Information

Centre (TIC), The Register Office and

Beverley’s Customer Service Centre.

The library has been significantly

enhanced and will feature a fully

immersive sensory room and 'Library

Now' technology which enables

visitors to experience a self-service

system outside of core opening

hours. The sensory room will be used

by library reminiscence groups,

amongst others, for captivating

story telling in which the listener

will be fully immersed into the story

through light and sound. The room

can also be used as a calm, quiet

space for customers with sensory

requirements.

Champney Treasure House will

also open the Champney Room, a

multi-use activity space, and

wedding parties will be able to make

the most of photo opportunities in

the newly landscaped Champney

Gardens, which are also open to the

public to enjoy.

The walls of Beverley Art Gallery

have been painted, creating a

stunning backdrop for visitors to

view the gallery collection and its

upcoming new exhibitions. Major

improvements have also been made

to the museum including a refreshed

area with interactive displays and

activities for children with many

new exhibitions coming up.

Councillor Nick Coultish, East

Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet

member for culture, leisure and

tourism, said: “The opening of

Champney Treasure House marks a

significant milestone for our

community. We are incredibly proud

to open this new cultural venue, a

space which houses many essential

services whilst becoming a

destination where people can come

together, explore, learn and

celebrate.

‘’We look forward to seeing

Champney Treasure House become a

vibrant venue for people of all ages

and backgrounds to enjoy.’’

Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, East

Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet

member for finance and governance,

said: ‘’This space will offer a variety

of services to our community which

will be both useful and enjoyable.

“The renovation of Champney

Treasure House is a testament to our

commitment to fostering a vibrant,

diverse, and supportive environment

for all residents which ensures best

value for money. We look forward to

seeing the positive impact this will

have on our community.”

Joe Booth, business development

director from Hobson & Porter, said:

“This has been a superb project to

work on that has seen an extensive

programme of improvements

completed across both the historic

Grade II listed parts of the building,

as well as the newer contemporary

extensions that were added in more

recent years.

“Now that work is complete,

there’s no doubt Champney Treasure

House will become a hugely valuable

cultural and community asset for

Beverley once again, and we’re very

proud to have played a key role in

its evolution for future generations

to enjoy.”

www.eastridingculture.co.uk/treasu

rehouse


Planning permission granted for

Buckinghamshire luxury hotel project

PROJECTS

Planning permission and listed

building consent have been granted

for the transformation of the

former Penn School in the village of

Penn in Buckinghamshire into ‘Rayners

Penn’, a luxury boutique hotel and spa.

The multi-million-pound development

will breathe new life into the historic

estate, creating approximately 150 jobs,

including apprenticeship opportunities, and

support Buckinghamshire’s growing tourism

sector.

It will restore and refurbish the historic

Grade II listed buildings on the site, which

have fallen into disrepair since the school’s

closure in 2015. Plans include converting

the listed Rayners House along with

complementary extensions and new build

to create a 33-bedroom hotel, a fine dining

restaurant, bistro, cookery school, wellness

spa and rejuvenating the estate’s renowned

pleasure gardens. Sustainability is at the

heart of the scheme embracing deep green

credentials to future proof against climate

change and increase biodiversity on site.

Net zero carbon is also a key aspiration.

Sarah Moorhouse, Associate Director at

Lichfields, said: “This project has been a

great example of how heritage

conservation and sustainable development

can work hand in hand. Securing

permission for a scheme within such a

sensitive planning context required careful

consideration and collaboration with

Buckinghamshire Council and the local

community. Rayners Penn will bring

substantial benefits to the area while

preserving the estate’s rich history.”

The Rayners Penn transformation also

includes significant investment in the

estate’s infrastructure to ensure

accessibility and operational efficiency. A

dedicated service access will enhance

logistics while minimising disruption to the

surrounding area, with a focus on

sustainable transport solutions such as

electric service vehicles and shuttle services

for staff and guests. These measures,

alongside a sensitive approach to

landscaping and maintaining the site’s

historic features, reflect the development's

commitment to integrating seamlessly with

the local community and its protected

environment.

Duncan Ball, CEO of Rayners Penn,

added: “Our vision for Rayners Penn is to

create a world-class retreat that reflects the

estate’s historic grandeur while embedding

sustainability in every aspect of its design.

The project will provide lasting benefits to

the wider community, and we are excited

to see it move forward.”

Construction is expected to begin in

2025, with the project taking approximately

two and a half years to complete.

For more information visit:

https://raynerspenn.com/


PROJECTS

Green light from Council for refurbishment

of Calton Square office building in the capital

Aplanning application for the

refurbishment of the Calton

Square office building,

currently home to Baillie

Gifford until 31st December 2025,

has been granted subject to

conditions by City of Edinburgh

Council (CGI image attached).

Promoted by Ardstone Capital on

behalf of Manova Partners, asset

manager to the asset owner, the

vision for the repositioned Calton

Square is to create a best-in-class

office building comparable to the

best in Europe, with the highest

possible Environmental and Social

Governance (ESG) standards and

lowest carbon footprint.

Located at the top of Leith Walk,

the scheme provides almost 200,000

sq. ft. of office accommodation,

with a number of roof terraces, coworking

area and a striking internal

atrium that has the potential to act

as an auditorium suitable for a

number of event types.

Fronting onto Leith Street the

building will retain the existing

structure and will re-use existing

materials on site where possible.

Sustainability and net zero

objectives have been established as a

key consideration, delivering first

class energy and environmental

performance standards, with bestin-class

ESG ratings targeted

including Nabers 5*, WELL Platinum

and BREEAM outstanding.

Commenting on the granting of

consent, Craig McDonald, Principal

and Managing Director of Ardstone

Capital UK, acting as development

manager on behalf of the owner and

its advisory team, said:

“The granting of consent, subject

to conditions, has been a successful

collaboration between the client,

design team, City of Edinburgh

Council and other stakeholder

groups that have been very gracious

with their time and support.

“With the lack of supply of highquality

office in Edinburgh looking

set to continue there is much

confidence around the project.

Aiming to deliver the highest

environmental performance

standards and the lowest possible

carbon footprint, we expect to

deliver an exemplar office building,

which will serve the occupiers,

investors and the Edinburgh

community well into the future.

“Calton Square will address

demand for top quality office space

in the capital, while making an

important contribution to the city,

and we look to continue engaging

with the Council and local

community as we turn our vision for

the site into a reality.”

http://orbit.scot/


PROJECTS

Protecting older properties through modern techniques

By Hudson Lambert, Managing Director at Safeguard Europe.

Restoring older properties

can be challenging and it

requires more thought than

a standard renovation.

These projects often involve

adhering to strict guidelines,

especially for historic buildings, to

preserve their original character and

charm.

The true difficulty lies in

achieving a balance between

preserving aesthetic appeal and

ensuring functionality while

protecting the property against

environmental and structural risks.

While traditional restoration

techniques are often preferred, their

effectiveness is not always

guaranteed. Modern products and

technological restoration advances

offer a middle ground that addresses

traditional limitations, without

compromising on historical

aesthetics.

RESTORATION THREATS

Restoring older properties is a

meticulous process that goes beyond

standard renovations, requiring

careful consideration of materials

and techniques to preserve their

character. The process of matching

modern materials with traditional

ones can be time-consuming and

using the wrong products can lead

to structural instability and damp

issues.

Don’t forget that older buildings

are also more vulnerable to

environmental factors, such as rain

and damp, that can take a toll on

their structure over time. That's why

it's crucial to consider modern

products and techniques that can

help preserve your home while

protecting it from the elements.

Unlike modern solutions,

traditional waterproofing methods

can often damage the look of your

home and require regular

maintenance which lead to high

costs. Luckily, modern solutions such

as silicone creams offer long-lasting

waterproofing protection that

maintains your home’s historic

character.

1950S WEAKENED WALL

INSULATION

A prime example of restoring older

properties with the right techniques

is the restoration of a domestic

block of flats in Essex. Constructed

in the 1950s, this traditional tower

block was built with several

materials including a brick cavity

wall structure with resin bonded

cavity wall insultation.

However, several issues lay with

the tower block’s location, making it

vulnerable to the elements. The

tower block was the only building of

its size in the area and its proximity

to the sea caused residents to

experience damp patches and

spoiling as the cavity of the walls

were filled by insulation that

allowed moisture to travel through.

Once these issues were identified,

a complete repointing of the

brickwork was completed and

Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream

was applied to the surface to make

the surface waterproof for 25 years,

without changing its look or texture.

This ensured liquid water was

blocked but allowed water vapour to

pass freely, allowing any residual

moisture in the walls to evaporate

and exit the wall.

This was essential for this

specific job as the wet insulation

needed to dry out to eliminate the

damp patches and restore the

insulation’s performance.

SHIFTING RESERVATIONS

Despite the successful modern

preservation of older properties,

hesitation still remains among

homeowners to embrace them. They

often believe that older methods

should only be used to restore older

properties to prevent aggravating

existing problems. These

misconceptions not only deter

homeowners from exploring

innovative solutions but also prevent

them from using products and

techniques that deliver long-term

solutions for their properties.

Modern solutions are the way

forward. From Victorian terraces to

mid-century homes, these modern

methods offer practical and efficient

solutions to preserve a variety of

older property types, ensuring their

longevity for years to come.

https://safeguardeurope.com/


PROJECTS

Condition survey enhances sustainability of

historic London property

PROTECTING unique

architectural elements, one

of London’s Grade II listed

buildings has undergone a

condition and sustainability survey

to preserve its 140-year-old

heritage.

Situated at the heart of the

Knightsbridge conservation area

adjacent to the Royal Albert Hall,

Queen Alexandra’s House operates as

a women-only accommodation for

students at the Royal Colleges of

Music, Art and Science.

Built in 1884, the building

required an in-depth assessment to

evaluate its current condition and

identify opportunities to improve its

sustainability.

Specialist heritage surveyors at

multi-disciplinary consultancy, Pick

Everard, were appointed to deliver a

detailed condition report, ongoing

maintenance and capital works plan,

a costed schedule of works, and

proposals for enhancing the

property's environmental

sustainability and energy

performance.

Matthew Appleton, strategic

account director at Pick Everard,

said: “From our detailed examination

of the building structure, fabric, and

the existing issues, it was clear that

system upgrades were required.

After carefully considering fabric

improvements, our team ensured the

recommendations maximised return

on investment, and improved the

environmental performance while

enhancing its heritage significance.

All of which aligned with the Board

of Trustees aspirations to provide

modern, flexible and sustainable

accommodation for their heritage

asset.”

Following the survey, Pick

Everard grouped the recommended

remediations into projects that can

be delivered while the tenancy is

empty to ensure minimal disruption.

Matthew added: “Utilising our

team's understanding of the historic

built environment, we ensured our

recommendations for remediation

works and energy efficiency

measures were appropriate within

the context of a listed building in a

conservation area. Our team took a

holistic, whole-building approach

and provided further

recommendations such as draught

proofing and insulation to maintain

ventilation and breathability.

“This carefully considered

approach to sustainably retrofitting

heritage assets, as demonstrated at

Queen Alexandra’s House, is essential

to helping our clients achieve their

sustainability targets.”

Martin Hadland, trustee of

Queen Alexandra’s House, said: “We

chose Pick Everard because of their

expertise in condition surveys, their

experience with historic buildings,

and their pragmatic approach to

sustainability within challenging

protected base structures. Its team

was properly integrated, and the

comprehensive output allowed us to

make informed choices about

planning future works. We were very

happy with the outcome and look

forward to working with the Pick

Everard team again.”

The condition and sustainability

survey has provided the Board of

Trustees at Queen Alexandra’s House

with a list of recommended

remediations that will maintain the

property’s unique historical

character and improve its energy

performance.

For more information on Pick

Everard and the services it

provides, visit:

www.pickeverard.co.uk/


West Fraser welcomes two new Business

Development Managers

APPOINTMENTS

Two new Business Development managers have been appointed by West Fraser bringing the total in the team to an optimum five. Both Emma Burton (SW

England and pictured left) and Demetrios De Frietas (N England) are tasked with managing and growing the company’s wide-ranging customer base in their

regions, promoting the company’s strong technological and environmental innovations, and providing the best service to customers by helping them grow

their own businesses.

Emma, who has spent the last 24 years for timber importers selling into both the manufacturing and merchant sectors, says, “I am looking forward to nurturing

new and existing relationships both with customers and the West Fraser team.

Demetrios, who hails from Timbmet and Arnold Laver is looking forward to “increasing both volume and profitability for all parties by building strong and

positive relationships.”

https://uk.westfraser.com/

Today Skanska UK announces internal

appointments to its Executive Management Team.

Terry Muckian is appointed to

Executive Vice President,

Building. In this role he will

have full responsibility for Skanska’s

building unit. Terry joined Skanska in

2011 and has held three Managing

Director roles; leading the utilities

operations, the Cementation Skanska

business and most recently, in 2023,

the building unit.

Andrew English is appointed to

Executive Vice President,

Infrastructure. In this role

Andrew will have full responsibility

for Skanska’s infrastructure unit.

Andrew rejoined Skanska earlier in

2024 as Managing Director for the

infrastructure unit. Andrew

previously worked at Skanska for

almost a decade, including in two

Managing Director positions, before

moving abroad in 2020. He

previously led John Holland Group’s

national infrastructure business and

oversaw AtkinsRéalis’ UK

transportation division.

Jo Mortensen will join the

Skanska UK Executive

Management Team as Executive

Vice President for Technology,

Sustainability & Innovation. He will

move from Skanska Norway where

he has held a similar role and will

bring that knowledge and expertise

to benefit Skanska’s UK customers.

He will join on 1 January 2025.

Adam McDonald takes on an

expanded role, becoming

Executive Vice President and

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In

this role Adam will hold executive

responsibility for the Cementation

Skanska piling and foundations

business, the facilities management

operation and Skanska Rashleigh

Weatherfoil, Skanska’s mechanical

and electrical engineering business.

As CCO, he will oversee Skanska’s UK

commercial strategy.

Adam joined Skanska as a

graduate in 2003. He became

Managing Director in 2017 and

joined the Executive Management

Team as Executive Vice President in

2023.

Executive Vice Presidents Thomas

Faulkner and Swati Paul have

decided to step down and will be

leaving Skanska.

Skanska UK President and CEO

Katy Dowding says: “These executive

appointments are testament to our

strong talent pool, robust succession

planning and commitment to

providing career development

opportunities.

I wish Thomas and Swati every

success with the next stage of their

careers and give my sincere thanks

for their significant contributions

during their time at Skanska.”

Meli Duymaz continues in her

role as CFO and Harvey Francis

continues in his role as Executive

Vice President for People,

Communications, Customer

Experience & Strategic Insights. The

executive vice presidents report

directly to Skanska UK President &

CEO Katy Dowding.

https://www.skanska.co.uk/


APPOINTMENTS

New recruit for

Manchester’s

Architecture Unknown

Ancoats-based architecture practice ‘Architecture Unknown’ is to

expand its team ahead of 2025 to its tackle its growing portfolio.

Alice Allen joins the business as an Architectural Assistant and will be

working on projects across the North of England, including Wibsey

Community Gardens. Alice joins Architecture Unknown from Manchester

School of Architecture after graduating with a master’s in architecture,

achieving a distinction.

Previously Alice completed her part one placement working at Loop

Systems continuing to work part time for the business while completing her

studies.

Architecture Unknown was founded by Charlie Butterwick and Daniel Kelso

in 2016. The Manchester practice specialises in community-lead architecture;

projects include Community Little Hulton’s ‘The Peel Park Pavillion in Salford

and Whalley Range Scout Hut, in South Manchester.

The team are specialists in designing and building using WikiHouse.

WikiHouse is a low-cost, sustainable and simple solution for construction,

allowing you to build whilst retaining a high level of quality – perfect for

community focused projects.

Speaking about her new role with Architecture Unknown, Alice Allen said:

“Architecture at its best is about community empowerment and collaborative

Steve Milnes leads northern sales for Fujitsu

Fujitsu General Air

Conditioning UK has

appointed Steve Milnes as

Northern Sales Manager.

Milnes was already familiar with the

Fujitsu product range before joining

the business, having spent almost 11

years with air conditioning,

refrigeration and heat pump

wholesaler TF Solutions. He

progressed to the position of

Regional Manager North before

leaving in 2022 to become Business

Development Manager at Haier Air

Conditioning – Europe.

He said: “I enjoyed working with

Fujitsu in my TF days and am

delighted to be joining the team.

Fujitsu has built a very strong

indirect route to market in the north

James Hardie, a world leader in

the manufacture of highperformance

fibre cement and

fibre gypsum building

solutions, is pleased to announce the

appointment of Gabriela Carp as

their new Channel Sales Manager

for the Midlands. This strategic

move reinforces James Hardie’s

commitment to optimising channel

performance, and strengthening

their presence in the region.

Gabriela brings over 8 years of

experience to James Hardie. with a

proven track record in sales

management and a clear

understanding of the construction

industry. In her new role, she will

identify new business opportunities,

design. My work, both in university and in practice aims to create spaces that

reflect the diverse need and aspirations of local people.

“Architecture Unknown puts community at the heart of all its passion

projects, it aims to foster a sense of local ownership and strives to get into the

DNA of an area. The practice felt a natural fit, and the new role gives me the

opportunity to work on meaningful projects in the heart of communities.”

Daniel Kelso, Director of Architecture Unknown, said: “As we expand the

team it’s important we get the right talent. We want people who challenge our

perspective and bring fresh ideas – whilst sharing our passion for communitylead

architecture.

“Alice has worked on some fantastic projects to date, and we are excited to

have her join the team, bringing a new energy to the practice as we grow into

2025.”

https://www.architectureunknown.co.uk/

nurture existing client relationships,

and implement strategic initiatives

to grow the business within the

region's channel sales network.

Gabriela will be responsible for

the promotion of the Hardie® Plank

and Hardie® VL Plank range, working

closely with contractors and channel

partners, to deliver product training

and demonstrate the benefits of

Hardie® Plank as an alternative to

timber and uPVC.

Commenting on her appointment

Gabriela said: “Cladding is a crucial

part of construction both

aesthetically and structurally, and

it’s an honour to be working for the

UK industry leader.

“James Hardie is a fast-growing

through its wholesale and

distribution partners. I’ll be looking

to build on that wherever possible,

but my main focus will be on

developing our direct sales

operation.’’

Stuart Eagleton, Sales Director at

Fujitsu, said: “Steve has a proven

track record and brings a wealth of

industry as well as Fujitsu experience

with him. Steve’s focus will be on

increasing Fujitsu’s market share in

the North, whilst working in

conjunction with our distribution

partners and internal team to ensure

a joined-up and focused approach in

achieving our goals.”

https://www.fujitsugeneral.com/uk/

James Hardie Appoints New Channel Sales Manager

company on a mission to deliver

high-quality solutions and a superior

service, and I’m excited to be a part

of their future. I look forward to

building strong relationships with

our channel partners and helping to

grow the Hardie® Plank market

share.”

Lee Bucknall, UK Country

Manager at James Hardie added:

“We are thrilled to welcome Gabriela

to our team – her appointment

underscores our commitment to

attracting top talent to drive

sustainable growth. Her expertise in

nurturing client relationships will be

instrumental in enhancing customer

satisfaction across the Midlands.”


MC Construction has designs on

growth with new Senior Role

APPOINTMENTS

International property and

construction consultancy, Gleeds,

has announced the appointment

of two new directors within its

London project management arm.

John Barnett and Ed Horne join the

business from Avison Young Project

Management to drive growth in

Gleeds’ major London projects

division, bolstering the firm’s

growing presence in the capital.

The pair’s arrival follows the

appointment of Craig Ward and

Andrew Todman, who also joined

Gleeds from Avison Young earlier in

the year, bringing decades of

expertise to the 40-strong project

management team. John and Ed’s

roles will add to a senior leadership

line-up with a strong track record of

delivery on some of the capital’s

most influential projects.

Ed has over 30 years’ experience

in the construction industry and has

worked on major new build and

refurbishment projects across the

commercial and residential sectors

for developer clients, pension funds

and corporate clients. Ed’s particular

sector expertise is in West End office

development, and he has headed up

numerous West End projects

including mixed use schemes at 18-

Anorth west construction

company is expanding its

offering to clients after

creating a new senior role.

MC Construction, which is based in

Salford and operates across the

north west, has recruited Dave Orrell

as its head of design.

Dave has more than 17 years’

experience in the construction

industry, having previously worked

as a senior design manager, site

manager, senior engineer and site

engineer.

He has a master’s degree in civil

engineering and construction

management and is a member of

the Chartered Institute of Building.

Before joining MC Construction,

he was a senior design manager at

Galliford Try, where he was involved

in a variety of multimillion-pound

public and private sector projects.

In his new role, Dave is working

with architects, engineers and design

teams at all stages of projects being

undertaken by MC Construction,

from the pre-construction phase

through to handover.

MC Construction, a familyowned

business with more than 60

staff, delivers complex construction

projects throughout north west

England with a focus on the

commercial, education, heritage,

hospitality, industrial, local

authority, social housing and

healthcare sectors.

Managing director Russ Forshaw

said the new role bolsters MC

Construction’s ability to meet the

needs of its client base at a time of

rapid change for the industry.

He said: "We understand the

need to adapt to the changing

market and provide tailored

solutions for clients on increasingly

complex projects.

“Dave has a proven track record

of implementing innovative design

processes on major projects, and his

appointment enables us to put a

greater emphasis on sustainability,

modern methods of construction

and efficiency.

“We pride ourselves on our client

focus and our long-term

relationships, and we aim to be at

the forefront of change, to improve

collaboration and exceed client

expectations. This appointment is

another positive step for MC

Construction as we continue to grow

sustainably.”

Russ added: “Dave has worked

across many areas, including the

public sector, education, leisure,

mixed-use developments, hospitality,

retail and heritage.

“He possesses excellent

commercial awareness, managerial

skills, technical prowess and

experience of working with

subcontractors.

“He’s a tremendous addition to

our team and will enhance our

capabilities through his knowledge,

creative vision, collaborative

approach and leadership abilities.”

Before joining Galliford Try, Dave

was a design manager at

construction company Russell

WBHO. He began his career at

Balfour Beatty as a graduate

engineer.

He has experience in supporting

clients in areas including building

regulations, planning matters, net

zero carbon requirements and

ensuring compliance with the

Building Safety Act.

Dave said: “I like the culture,

values and atmosphere at MC

Construction. It’s a family business

with a close-knit team, and I’m

excited to take up this new role.

“I like the variety of schemes the

business undertakes and I look

forward to working with clients

from an early stage in the

construction process to

accommodate their needs and pave

the way for successful projects.”

www.mcconstruction.co.uk

Gleeds appoints new directors to bolster project

management team in London

20 Hanover Square (Bond Street East

Over Station Development) and Rio

Tinto’s HQ at 5-6 St James’s Square.

Other notable projects from his

career include working on One

Palace Street, the Royal Mint Court

and Heron Tower.

John began his career as a

chartered architect before moving

into project management, and now

has 25 years’ experience in the

discipline. His diverse career has seen

him undertake a range of roles

including design and project

management, with frequent

secondments to client organisations.

He has also headed up major

projects for Battersea Power Station,

One Nine Elms, Damac Tower, One

Kensington, One Hyde Park and

Fitzroy Place as well as governance

over numerous large scale

commercial office, residential, hotel

and mixed-use developments.

Gleeds’ project management

offering in London and further

afield has seen steady growth

following significant investment

from the business, with a strong

outlook heading into 2025 and

onwards. Current projects and

clients include commercial

development 40 Leadenhall, EDF

Properties, Standard Chartered Bank,

the Department for Education and

the Government Property Agency,

among others.

Richard Steer, Chair of Gleeds

Worldwide, comments, “It’s fantastic

to introduce this newly completed

team which will truly help our

project management team in London

to reach another level. John and Ed

both bring unparalleled experience

and knowledge built up over their

respective careers, and our clients

will benefit enormously from their

guidance and support in delivering

challenging projects. I’m happy to be

welcoming them to Gleeds and look

forward to seeing what they achieve

here.”

Talking about their decision to

join the business, John Barnett,

Senior Director, Project Management

at Gleeds, said, “Joining Gleeds truly

feels like coming home, with a great

opportunity to reconnect with many

of my friends and former colleagues

from across the industry. Gleeds’

deep heritage of providing

consultancy services, and its

‘professional with personality’ value

particularly resonated with me. Our

team will be excellently placed to

drive a best-in-class project

management services to the London

market.”

“At a time of significant

investment into the project

management team, Ed and I are

both excited to be involved in to

overseeing progress in the months

and years to come, and watch

Gleeds’ potential in the capital reach

new heights.”

www.gleeds.com


APPOINTMENTS

Justin

Sullivan

becomes RICS

President

Justin Sullivan FRICS became the

143rd President of the Royal

Institution of Chartered Surveyors

(RICS). Justin is the founder and CEO

of Adair, which has provided expert

construction consultancy services

globally for over thirty years.

As consistently demonstrated in

the RICS Construction market survey,

and highlighted by our professionals

and Government, the industry has an

acute skills shortage. Skills and

encouraging the next generation into

the profession will therefore be one of

his key focus areas for 2025.

Justin is passionate about

developing the next generation of

surveyors and recognises the

challenges that ongoing skills

shortages across the globe present to

the profession and the built

environment as a whole. He is also

keen to maintain and expand

recognition of the profession's positive

impact on society at large, and his

work over the next twelve months will

reflect these interests.

RICS President, Justin Sullivan,

said: "It is an enormous honour to

serve as President for an organisation

which has supported and promoted

the surveying profession for over 150

years. Whilst RICS certainly has an

incredible history, my eyes are firmly

set on the future, and particularly the

next generation of surveyors.

"Across the globe, demand for

built environment professionals of all

specialisms is white hot, and

opportunities for the next generation

are profound. We need to get more

young people considering and

entering surveying as a career. The UK

faces many challenges - we need to

build more homes, but face skills

shortages which threaten to derail

these plans. Similarly, surveyors and

other built environment professionals

are in short supply across the globe,

most acutely in regions where

construction is booming, such as the

Middle East. We must also develop an

increasingly welcoming profession

which is open to people of all

backgrounds and identities - a crucial

cornerstone for getting more youth

into the profession.

"There is much work to be done,

and I look forward to the challenge. I

also want to congratulate Tina Paillet

for her excellent work as President in

2024, which saw RICS expand its

engagement in the circular economy

and decarbonisation. I wish her

continued success for the future."

Outgoing RICS President, Tina

Paillet, said: "I am delighted to see

Justin Sullivan take up the reins of the

RICS Presidency for 2025. Being RICS

President is a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity to positively influence the

profession on the world stage, and

meet with, listen to, and implement

the needs of our members across

every global region.

"The built environment plays a

crucial role in humanity's future,

particularly with combating climate

change and achieving Net Zero

through sustainable development and

environmentally friendly processes.

The industry also faces profound skills

shortages across all global regions,

which is something I know Justin is

passionate about tackling. I wish him

all the best for his time as RICS

President in 2025."

RICS Fellow Nicholas Maclean

becomes President Elect following his

service as Senior Vice President in

2024.

https://www.rics.org/

NATIONAL real estate

consultancy Naismiths has

appointed a new senior

surveyor, boosting the business’

growth in the South.

Peter Norris joins the team with

a wide variety of experience, having

started in the industry as an

apprentice aged 18 before

completing a Higher National

Certificate in Building Studies, as

well as a master’s degree in

Commercial Management at the

University of Westminster. After

becoming a chartered surveyor, Peter

progressed to the position of

associate director at consultancy

BAQUS.

Peter has experience in sectors

spanning healthcare, residential,

education, leisure and commercial,

and has recently spent time working

on a self-employed basis as a project

manager and quantity surveyor,

completing various projects,

including a golf club, for an ultrahigh-net-worth

individual in

Hampshire that saw them develop a

400+ unit-strong residential

portfolio. Other significant projects

Peter has completed include a

50,000 sq. ft office building.

Now based in the business’

Lovell boosts land division with

returning team member

LOVELL has appointed Nicola Colley

as head of land in the West

Midlands, boosting the business’

expertise in land opportunities.

Having previously worked at Lovell

for 12 years, Nicola has returned to a

brand-new role at the national

housebuilder, bringing with her

experience from Taylor Wimpey and

Miller.

As she makes her return to Lovell,

Nicola will be seeking new land

opportunities to strengthen the region’s

order book and is looking forward to

shaping her new role and boosting the

existing team with her experience.

Nicola said: “Returning to Lovell

after almost 10 years is like coming

back home, and it’s great to be working

with some of my old colleagues again,

as well as some new faces. I’m hoping

to develop opportunities and bring in

new contacts thanks to the experience I

have gained in my other roles, and I’m

looking forward to getting stuck in.

“The company culture at Lovell is

second to none and was an important

factor in my decision to return. People

are at the heart of the business, and we

are always made to feel valued, which

makes it a pleasure to come to work

every day. I started my career at Lovell

and after gaining new skills at a

Naismiths Boosts Team In The

South with new appointment

number of other companies felt it was

the perfect time to return and bring my

wider knowledge with me to add to the

wider team.”

Stuart Penn, regional managing

director at Lovell, said: “Many of our

team members worked with Nicola

when she was with us previously, so

we’re delighted to have her back. Nicola

has a huge amount of knowledge and

experience in land opportunities that

we know will make a real difference to

us and our developments.

“It’s an exciting time for

development in the West Midlands and

Lovell is at the forefront of this, not

only through building houses, but also

through investing in the skills and

growth of local people, and

refurbishment opportunities. Boosting

our team will continue to help us to

deliver this.”

https://corporate.lovell.co.uk/

London office, Peter’s primary

responsibility will be fund

monitoring projects across Kent,

Surrey and London. He is already

working on a number of projects,

including five care homes

throughout the South East, notably

a 70-bed care home in Westgate on

Sea, as well as a variety of

residential schemes in Kent and

South London.

Peter said: “Having worked for

myself for a number of years it felt

like the right time for a change, and

Naismiths is the perfect business for

me to join at this point in my career.

Most of my previous experience has

been in quantity surveying so I’m

looking forward to working with a

variety of funders in London and

developing my skills in that area, as

well as learning more about

Naismiths Analytics and how this

can further support my clients.

“The team has been welcoming

and from the very beginning I’ve

had a fantastic rapport with

everyone, particularly our directors

Marcus Higgins and Ross Wilson,

who were keen to get me on board

and have helped me settle in. I’m

now looking forward to getting out

and spending more time on site to

see our projects for myself.”

Ben Harwood, group chief

executive, said: “It’s been an exciting

few months for Naismiths and

Edmond Shipway following our

strategic partnership, and Peter is

another fantastic addition to the

team. We’re keen to continue to

grow in the South, and we know

Peter’s knowledge and experience

will be invaluable as we progress.”

Naismiths is a modern yet

mature national real estate

consultancy with offices in eight

cities across the UK. Earlier this year

the business announced a strategic

partnership with fellow consultancy

Edmond Shipway. The joining up of

these two industry-leading

businesses has resulted in a stronger,

more versatile organisation, capable

of delivering an even higher level of

expertise and support to clients

across various sectors.

www.naismiths.com


PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY

BUYERS GUIDE

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL 0208 504 1661

naturaL stone

conservation

30 TH ANNIVERSARY

EDITION

THE BUILDING

CONSERVATION DI REC TO RY

For subscriptions or to be included next year contact:

Cathedral Communications Limited

T 01747 871717 E bcd@cathcomm.co.uk

www.buildingconservation.com

WooD rePair

staineD GLass rePair

THE DESOWOOD REPAIR SYSTEM

A DURABLE ALTERNATIVE TO LINSEED OIL PUTTY

DESOWOOD DAP

ELASTIC GLAZING SEALANT

● A Product with an established record for performance.

● A Product with over 20 year’s history in use.

● Ideal for windows affected by break down of

linseed oil putty.

● Ideal for sash and casement windows.

● For use on existing or new bead glazed windows.

● Ideal for fixing single or double glazed sealed units

on puttied or bead glazed windows.

● For fixing laminated / safety glass.

● Can be used on softwood, hardwood and metal

windows.

● Ideal for sealing plywood or pre-finished ‘in-fil’

panels.

● Ideal replacement for ‘Back putties’ on windows

affected by condensation on internally bead glazed

windows.

● Improves paint durability and contributes towards

the prevention of wood decay

● Can be painted with an opaque paint finish or

translucent wood stain.

● Excellent adhesion to timber, metal, concrete, brick

and glass.

THE SAME DAY WINDOW REPAIR SYSTEM

Repair & Paint on the Same Day

● For Fast Repairs – can be sanded &

painted on the same day.

● Ready for sanding & painting after

4 hours.

● Designed for use in all seasons.

● Any size repair can be done in one

application.

● Easy to saw, plane, screw and drill.

● Cures at low temperature

● Ideal for large Resin Repairs and timber

splice repairs.

● Permanently elastic

● Excellent modelling characteristics.

● Excellent adhesion to timber

● Easy to apply.

● Formulated for long term durability.

*Drying times are quoted at 20 o C. Application at low temperatures may pro-long the drying time.

Tel: 01767 682446 E: sales@desofil-uk.com

Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com



PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY

BUYERS GUIDE

cast iron rainWater ProDucts

cooLinG systems

0118 918 1400

Chillers built for you

Call or email today for a brochure or a free

no-obligation site survey

www.thermagroup.com/chillers | sales@thermagroup.com

Manufacturers of traditional Cast Iron

Rainwater and Soil goods for over a century

ThermOzone

The Cooling Specialists

Major energy savings

Nationwide service

FREE design service

2- 5 years warranty

Extensive Pattern range

Comprehensive stocks for

prompt delivery

Additional services including

replication and repair

of existing castings

T. 01484 682141

F. 01484 681513

E. info@longbottomfoundry.co.uk

Typical installation 30

days min

NuChill

A ThermOzone Product

Next issue in

Special Features:

Heating & Ventilation

Retrofit

Roofing & Cladding

Landscaping & External

In Every Issue:

News • New Products • Services • Projects



A DURABLE ALTERNATIVE TO LINSEED OIL PUTTY

DESOWOOD DAP

ELASTIC GLAZING SEALANT

l A Product with an established record for performance.

l A Product with over 20 year’s history in use.

l Ideal for windows affected by break down of

linseed oil putty.

l Ideal for sash and casement windows.

l For use on existing or new bead glazed windows.

l Ideal for fixing single or double glazed sealed units

on puttied or bead glazed windows.

l For fixing laminated / safety glass.

l Can be used on softwood, hardwood and metal

windows.

l Ideal for sealing plywood or pre-finished ‘in-fil’

panels.

l Ideal replacement for ‘Back putties’ on windows

affected by condensation on internally bead glazed

windows.

l Improves paint durability and contributes towards

the prevention of wood decay

l Can be painted with an opaque paint finish or

translucent wood stain.

l Excellent adhesion to timber, metal, concrete, brick

and glass.

THE SAME DAY WINDOW REPAIR SYSTEM

Repair & Paint on the Same Day

l For Fast Repairs – can be sanded &

painted on the same day.

l Ready for sanding & painting after

4 hours.

l Designed for use in all seasons.

l Any size repair can be done in one

application.

l Easy to saw, plane, screw and drill.

l Cures at low temperature

l Ideal for large Resin Repairs and timber

splice repairs.

l Permanently elastic

l Excellent modelling characteristics.

l Excellent adhesion to timber

l Easy to apply.

l Formulated for long term durability.

*Drying times are quoted at 20 o C. Application at low temperatures may pro-long the drying time.

Tel: 01767 682446 E: sales@desofil-uk.com

Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com


19-20 November 25

ExCeL London

The new event for specifiers in the heating

and cooling, water, air, energy and technology

space - connecting them with the latest

products, solutions and ideas in the drive

towards Net Zero.

An unmissable two-day programme:

• 4,000+ visitors from the specification community

• 200+ exhibitors of the latest products

• 200+ speakers across 5 theatres

• elementalNETWORKING

• elementalINNOVATION ZONE

www.elementallondon.show

Now featuring

with CIBSE-approved

CPD programme

Supported by

Excellence in building

materials supply

Refurb Projects – February 2025

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