Issuu

Issue 10 July 2026

DAVIESPARTNERSHIP E N E R G I S I N G E N V I R O N M E N T S CHESTER | LIVERPOOL | CONWY

ENERGISED news & views from our corner of the world

A N N UA L G O L F DAY

AWA R D S

WHOLE LIFE CARBON & EPDS

E A R LY C A R E E R S

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

CONTENTS Hello & welcome to issue

Annual Golf Day

Awards

New Services

Away Days

Projects

Milestones

Knowledge Sharing

Early Careers

Editors Experience

Industry Calendar

The bi-annual bulletin to keep you up to date with all things Davies Par tnership.

15th May 2026

Annual Golf Day

Thanks to the incredible support of f riends, colleagues and clients, we have raised vital funds and awareness for some truly inspiring causes. This year, we were proud to support the extraordinary Alzheimer’s Society and Maggie’s Centre North Wales. Each year our team selects charities with a personal connection, and we are honoured to champion these two organisations in 2026.

£19,279 RAISED

On Friday 15th May, colleagues and f riends came together in support of the amazing Alzheimer’s Society and Maggie’s Centres North Wales. We are proud to now be in our fourth year of hosting this event, continuing to break fundraising records year after year. The support and generosity shown by every team, sponsor, and individual involved has been truly outstanding. This year, we welcomed 24 teams to the course for 2026 to take part in a Texas Scramble across Bromborough Golf Course. Blessed with sunny (and slightly windy) weather the teams made their way around the course competing in six nearest to pin challenges, a longest drive on 18th and a putting competition. Our own Tony McDonnell took the top spot on the Longest Drive, while Dave Wainwright took home a TaylorMade Spider 5K ZT Black Counterbalance Golf Putter for his skills on the putting green. A huge congratulations also goes to our f irst, second & third place teams: AB Building & Electrical Ltd Inspired Pet Nutrition Coeus Insurance Management Ltd A special and f inal thank you to the Davies Partnership team behind the scenes for organising the event, Nicola McDonnell for providing the most delicious baked goods, Bromborough Golf Club for hosting, Ginger Pixie for capturing the day, to all sponsors & supporters and f inally the 24 golf teams who competed on the day.

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Jamie-Leigh Burgess-Smith and Sasha Mathias f rom the Maggie’s fundraising team joined us on the day and shared the inspiring Maggie’s message

Hospitals do an incredible job of treating the patient; at Maggie’s, we treat the person. 2

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO... AB Building & Electrical Ainscough Fire and Security AJ Field Alan Johnston Partnership Amnis Group Athertons Baxi Capstone Accountants & Tax Advisors Carden Park Carrier Coeus Insurance Management Complete Ventilation Solutions Ltd Concept Environmental Crime Prevention Services Davies FM Dextra Eric Wright Construction Evans Warrington Ltd Flowtech Gilberts Grundfos Hamworthy Heating Hikvision HM3 Legal Honeywell Iguzzini Inspired Pet Nutrition JDA MAC Projects Maldron Hotel Markhams McGoff Group Merseyprint Mitsubishi Nuaire Oakmere Timber Paddock Johnson Picow SAS Daniels Shape Engineering SNS Northern Stulz / Honeywell Tamlite Tec Desk Thorlux Trilux Vaillant Group UK Vent Axia Verde Vistry 3

new services WH O L E L I F E CA R B O N A S S E S S M E N T S

Why Whole Life Carbon Assessments Are Becoming Essential for UK Developments

GLA London Plan Manchester Places for Everyone (PfE) Welsh Public Sector and planning frameworks Scotland, NPF4 Policy 2 and the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard BREEAM/ LEED Certiﬁcation Many local authorities now expect carbon assessments for major developments

WE SUPPORT TEAMS THROUGH THE MOST CRITICAL STAGES OF THE DEVELOPMENT LIFECYCLE: Developers Navigating referable planning applications and emerging carbon reporting requirements. Housing Associations Meeting Net Zero Housing targets and securing government funding. Local Authorities Establishing benchmarks for public sector decarbonisation. Architects & Design Teams Integrating technical carbon data into the early-stage design decisions and material selection.

C A S E S T U DY North Wales NET ZERO HOUSING Client Sector Location Design Team

Clwyd Alyn Residential Buckley, North Wales John McCall Architects, IE Engineering, Drees & Sommer, Davies Partnership

The Challenge Align with Welsh Social Housing Net Zero targets to secure funding. Davies Partnership Role Detailed geographic supply chain mapping and material optioneering to support side wide WLC targets The Outcome - Geographic supply chain map to support early design and procurement discussions. - Provided a baseline and low-carbon roadmap that maintained contractor flexibility while meeting strict Welsh guidance. 5

E PD S E N VI R O N M E N TA L PR O D U CT D E C L A R AT I O N S Why Manufacturers Need EPDs & Whole Life Carbon Support Now The UK construction market is hitting a critical turning point. Architects and developers now prioritise products with verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to meet BREEAM, LEED, and Net Zero requirements. Without transparent carbon data, your products risk being excluded from high-value specifications. Avoid the Verification Bottleneck With a limited number of accredited EPD programme operators and verifiers, acting now ensures your products are market-ready before the rush. The Path of Least Resistance We provide verified environmental data that enables specifiers to confidently select your products. By providing verified data, you remove the “carbon risk” for Tier 1 contractors and developers. Secure Green Building Credits Your EPDs provide the vital data points needed for BREEAM and LEED “extra credits,” making your products the preferred choice for sustainable developments. Failing to provide verified data means being excluded from specifications and missing out on funded or policy-driven projects that require strict carbon reporting. Don’t risk losing export or framework opportunities by lagging behind the industry shift.

What exactly is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)? An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a third-party verified document that communicates the environmental impact of a product across its life cycle.

Precinct Way, Buckley. PC-John McCall Architects

It is based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and follows international standards such as EN 15804 and ISO 14025. Does each product need its own EPD? Not necessarily. Multiple products can often be grouped under a single EPD if they share similar attributes. Our EPD mapping process helps manufacturers group suitable products efficiently before undertaking the full Life Cycle Assessment.

Precinct Way, Buckley. PC-John McCall Architects

How long is an EPD valid? Most EPDs are valid for five years, after which they must be updated to reflect changes in manufacturing processes, materials, or environmental performance. 6

roject portfolio

PROJECT PORTFOLIO

project portfolio

PROJECT P

Bay View Road | Colwyn Bay | Wales & West Housing Association | Residential

Key Outcomes and Technical Highlights Successfully achieved an EPC ‘A’ energy efficiency rating. Drastically lowered day-today energy bills for residents. SolShare grid distribution system supplying private apartment meters simultaneously from a single roof array. High-efficiency apartment MVHR ventilation systems configured with specialised boost rates to pass strict Part O overheating thresholds. PC-Castlemead Group

Project Summary This £13.7 million town-centre development delivers 54 highly accessible, 100% allelectric affordable apartments for older persons, built to the Welsh Government’s strict Development Quality Requirements. Davies Partnership engineered the full mechanical and electrical building services, delivering detailed RIBA Stage 4 layouts and continuous RIBA Stage 5 construction support to create an ultra-sustainable blueprint ensuring low running costs and total energy self-sufficiency for residents. As part of this comprehensive scope, the team executed advanced Building Regulations Part O dynamic thermal modelling and infrastructure load assessments to guarantee strict compliance regarding energy performance and residential overheating. Challenge The central engineering challenge lay in hitting a mandatory, top-tier EPC ‘A’ rating across all 54 apartments using an entirely all-electric infrastructure. This was heavily complicated by a complex pitched roofline that blocked standard facade-mounted ventilation grilles, forcing the design team to jam-pack active air vents, soil pipes, and high-density solar arrays onto a heavily congested roof without creating performance clashes or shading out the renewables.

Solution Smart Solar Sharing Allowing green electricity from the shared roof to be distributed dynamically to individual apartment meters. Hybrid Heat Pump Cylinders Mixergy heat pump water cylinders in every flat to generate low-carbon hot water three times more efficiently than standard direct-electric systems. 7

P T h d e t n l

PORTFOLIO

project portfolio

PROJECT PORTFOLIO

project portfolio

Rathbone Hospital Decarbonisation | Liverpool Kimpton (Mitie / Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust | Decarbonisation

Project Summary This major healthcare decarbonisation scheme involved the complete replacement of outdated, gas-fired heating systems across a live NHS hospital estate with a resilient, low-carbon alternative. Davies Partnership delivered full-lifecycle MEP design and sustainability services, spanning initial heat demand monitoring, existing infrastructure surveys, thermal performance assessments, and detailed RIBA stage design through to final commissioning and handover support. The team engineered an ultra-efficient, multi-building heat network strategy that successfully transitions the estate away from fossil fuels while modernising the hospital’s long-term energy infrastructure.

Challenge The primary challenge was executing a complete thermal overhaul within a live, critical healthcare environment where heating and domestic hot water services could not be interrupted. This transition to a low-carbon heat network had to be carefully managed within the constraints of the hospital’s existing essential electrical infrastructure and standby generator capacity to avoid triggering millions of pounds in grid reinforcement costs. Additionally, the engineering team had to design a hybrid low-temperature distribution strategy capable of connecting multiple complex hospital buildings while maintaining strict clinical temperature control and legionella pasteurisation regimes. Solution Two-Tier Heat Pump Network Live Service Continuity Smart Grid & Controls Integration Pre-Insulated Heat Network

Key Outcomes and Technical Highlights Successfully transitioned the entire multi-building estate away from gasfired plant with zero downtime or disruption to live hospital operations. Eliminated the need for major, expensive electrical grid infrastructure upgrades through intelligent heat pump optimisation and loadshedding design. Delivered a hybrid low-temperature network that drastically reduces operational energy consumption and maximises operating efficiency.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING... Collaboration is key ac ross design teams and our sector, so we are always pleased to support clien ts, colleagues and contractors when they invite us to contribute to industry talks, lead discussions or share va luable lessons learned.

CIBSE Webinar

Senior Electrical Engineer, Walter Holmes, featured alongside Allume UK on a specialist panel for the CIBSE Journal. The webinar explored real-world project experience of using Allume’s SolShare distribution technology – the world’s only solution that directly connects multiple flats to a single rooftop PV system. Walter shared an overview of incorporating the SolShare system into a recent Stage 4 Extra Care design and explained the specific design constraints it helped the project overcome. Joined by Tim Dwyer, CIBSE Technical Editor, and Nick Williams, Allume UK Technical Partnerships Manager, the webinar explored how solar PV can be specified for apartment schemes. The session was very well received, with attendees praising Walter for “delivering concise, engaging content”.

Peter, Emily and Jessica attended the most recent round table hosted by The Save Construction Initiative North Wales. The discussion was really open and raised many valuable reasons why women working in construction is plateauing at around 15% and the hidden bias that prevent women successfully career building in the industry. - Menopause and Maternity discrimination - Outdated attitudes towards a female presence in the space - Lack of education and information at Key Stage 3 about construction career prospects Three of many factors brought up in the conversation, that will undoubtably fuel future debate and drive change for the initiative. 9

ISO Accreditations

Following another successful audit this spring, we are extremely pleased to have retained our ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 45001 (Health and Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) accreditations. These certifications are testament to the robust processes we have in place to ensure our business operates efficiently, and responsibly every day. More than that, they provide a strong foundation for collaboration, giving our clients, and colleagues confidence that we are committed to consistent standards and continuous improvement. Collaboration is key across design teams and our sector, so we are always pleased to support our project partners when invited to contribute to industry talks, or share valuable lessons learned.

A Story of Partnership & Progression

TESTIMONIAL

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Liverpool Chamber

We’re pleased to announce that Davies Partnership has joined the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce as a strategic partner, marking another step in our ongoing commitment to the Liverpool City Region. Liverpool has been home to us for more than seven years. During that time, we have become part of a strong and vibrant business community, forging invaluable partnerships and supporting projects across the region. Joining the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce provides us with the opportunity to further strengthen these relationships, connect with new organisations, and continue contributing to the growth and success of the region.

Gilberts and Davies Partnership have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, one that has become even stronger since Richard Lewis joined the team 11 years ago. Richard has been a customer of Gilberts since 1987, when his first mentor introduced him to Gilberts Air Diffusion products. Earlier this year, representatives from Gilberts and Davies Partnership came together following Richard’s visit to the Blackpool site, reflecting on their longstanding relationship and reaffirming a shared commitment to future collaboration. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

More Than Just a Customer Beyond the impressive credentials, they share something fundamental with us: a belief that strong relationships are at the heart of good work. Their culture of collaboration and trust mirrors our own, and it’s that shared foundation that’s helped our partnership thrive for over 30 years. Looking Ahead Together As our industries evolve, so too does our shared responsibility. The conversation with Richard wasn’t just a nostalgic one; it was forward-looking. Together, we explored how we can collaborate to make the built environment more sustainable, starting with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and greater transparency in our environmental data. 10

N R

TANZ Truly Affordable Net Zero

Davies Partnership was pleased to support Great Places Housing Group with the delivery of a session exploring the evolving Truly Affordable Net Zero (TANZ) framework. Hosted by Nicky Lloyd and the Great Places team, the session was led by Sustainability Associate Rob Buchanan, Sustainability Consultant Shriyamdha Natarajan and Quality & Technical Director Richard Lewis. Bringing together consultants and clients, the discussion explored the current ICN Framework and how Greater Manchester’s net zero ambitions are being translated into practical housing delivery through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Places for Everyone (PfE) and the TANZ framework. The session examined how current TANZ targets align with the wider direction of the industry, particularly the Future Homes Standard, and highlighted how early design decisions can play a significant role in reducing embodied carbon while supporting long-term operational performance. Drawing on live project case studies, the team shared practical insights and lessons learned to demonstrate how sustainable outcomes can be embedded from the earliest stages of design. Collaboration and knowledge sharing remain central to driving progress across the built environment, and we are always pleased to support clients, colleagues and industry partners by contributing to discussions that help shape best practice and deliver more sustainable development. 11

Northern Power Towns Parliamentary Reception in Westminster Event : Speakers :

Downtown in Business Alison McGovern, Tom Riordan & Steven Broomhead

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It was encouraging to see such a strong mix of voices from across business, local government and policy, all focused on a shared goal: unlocking the full potential of our towns across the North. A clear takeaway for me was that growth isn’t just about major cities, it’s about recognising the role that towns play in driving regional economies, supporting communities, and creating opportunity. There’s real momentum behind devolution, investment, and long-term planning, but delivery will depend on continued collaboration between the public and private sectors. Kevin Fields, Commercial Director

2017

2025

30 YEARS

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editors experience

As we celebrate 30 years, it’s incredible to think how many lives, and the business itself, have been shaped by moments that seemed insignificant at the time. A conversation, a presentation, a decision to take a chance. Thirty years of Davies Partnership has been built on people whose lives could easily have taken a different direction. 20 years ago, when I was choosing my GCSE options and pondering what Uni course I was going to take, a career in construction never crossed my mind. My immediate thought would have been a builder or brick layer, pathways into QS, or indeed, marketing in the built environment would not have been on my agenda that they were even a possibility. Is that because I didn’t know about them? Would I have listened and chosen a different route and ended up here all the same? I did eventually choose Interior Architecture however with aspirations of designing sets for fashion and screen. A girl I went to school with was on the same Uni trajectory as me, we were in a lot of the same classes and had the same interests, but she ended up as an apprentice engineer at Shell right out of school. I didn’t see her again for a couple years, but when I did, I had to ask, how did you end up there? The answer was pretty good, one of the lads had told her that Shell (or whoever it was) was giving a talk about apprenticeships in the afternoon during Maths - so as a skive went along with them. Turned out to be literally a life changing moment. She loved what they were talking about, what they offered, did a 180 and applied. A single hour changed her life. If that talk had been offered to the whole year, how many others would have done the same? Just makes you wonder how differently life could have turned out. What if Tony hadn’t retrained in his twenties? What if Phil hadn’t decided to start Davies Partnership? What if Gemma had never joined? What if Richard had stayed in a global practice? What if Pete had taken up music? What if Kev had stayed in Australia? We’re all here because of a series of decisions that, at the time, probably didn’t feel quite so significant. Thirty years of success isn’t just about talent, it’s about people, chance, opportunity and having the courage to say “yes” when an unexpected door opens.

AWA R

Incredibly honoured to have won and been nominated for some pretty spectacula

PC-Read Construction

winner CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE WALES

Ysgol Croes Atti Delivering Value Award sector : education

national nomination CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE WALES

winner RSAW - ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS IN WALES 2026

national finalist WALES PROPERTY AWARDS 2026

2026 UK RSAW Welsh Architecture Award 2026 UK RSAW Project Architect of the Year sector : heritage and conservation

Commercial Development of the Yea sector : commercial

St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre

PC-TG Williams

Football Association of Development Centre Ext

PC-FAW

RDS

ar awards this year...

Wales National Football tension at Hensol

winner CITY OF LIVERPOOL BUSINESS AWARDS

Davies Partnership Employer of the Year

regional finalist CHESHIRE & NORTH WALES BUSINESS AWARDS

Davies Partnership

Property Company of the Year

regional finalist CHESHIRE & NORTH WALES BUSINESS AWARDS

Kevin Fields

Property Personality of the Year

national nomination 2026 METRO EMPLOYER’S EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Davies Partnership Small Employer of the Year 16

March 2026

CIBSE Lunch Another fabulous CIBSE lunch with our wonderful team!

away days

We really value having the opportunity to take time away f rom the everyday to spend quality time together. The bi-annual outing provides the perfect opportunity to bring engineers f rom all three off ices together.

The lunch supported two life-changing organisations, The Lord Mayor’s Charity, The Liverpool Education Grants Charitable Trust which manages legacy funding to provide funds to schools to support pupils’ educational achievement, and Maggie’s Centres who provide vital practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended and supported the event, a donation of £5,320 will be split between the two causes.

Andrew Forrest attended the cheque ceremony representing both Davies Partnership and his role as Treasurer for the CIBSE Merseyside and North Wales Region.

May 2026

Girls Team Day Working across three off ices on different days means we don’t often get the chance to catch up socially, so the ladies we made the most of a rare opportunity and headed out for a few games of darts! This isn’t about having a ‘girls team and boys team’ it’s about creating space for the women in our team to connect and bond in an industry that’s still largely male-dominated. We’re really proud of the culture we’ve built, most of our socials are together as one team, but there’s value in making time for smaller moments like this too. 17

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July 2026

COLBA Awards

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR 2026 WINNER!

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There are some awards that recognise what you do. Then there are awards that recognise who you are. Being named Employer of the Year is one of those awards, and I couldn’t be prouder of everyone at Davies Partnership. As we celebrate our 30th year in business, this recognition feels even more signif icant. Looking back over the last three decades, one thing has never changed, our belief that our people are our greatest strength. This award belongs to every single member of the Davies Partnership family. It reflects the commitment, passion and professionalism that our team demonstrates every day, and the supportive, collaborative culture they have helped create. It is that culture that makes Davies Partnership such a special place to work, and I am incredibly proud of what we have built together. I’m also immensely proud of our apprenticeship programme. Investing in the next generation isn’t just about developing future engineers; it’s about giving talented young people the opportunity to build rewarding careers and ensuring our industry continues to thrive for years to come. Watching our apprentices grow in conf idence and become valued members of our team is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. A huge thank you to Frank Mckenna and everyone at Downtown in Business for another fantastic evening. The Palm House in Sefton Park provided a spectacular setting to celebrate so many successful businesses, and we are honoured to have been recognised among such outstanding organisations. Thanks also to all f riends and colleagues in our network who have contacted me and the team to congratulate us on the award, it is very much appreciated. To everyone at Davies Partnership, thank you. Thank you for your hard work, your commitment, your support for one another and for believing in what we’re building together. This award isn’t just a milestone; it’s a reflection of the culture we’ve created and a reminder that when you invest in people, success follows. Here’s to the next chapter as we continue building an exceptional place to work. Tony McDonnell, Managing Director

rob buchanan

S U STA I N A B I L I TY A S S O C I AT E

20 YEARS

M I L E STO N E S

Congratulations to Rob, James and Walter as they mark three significant milestones with Davies Partnership.

Rob joined Davies Partnership 20 years ago as a CAD/Technical Support Technician. Today, as Sustainability Associate, he leads the team in f inding solutions to project challenges. His skills and knowledge are invaluable, both in the training and support he provides to the Sustainability team and in the expert guidance he offers clients and the wider design team on the latest regulations and technologies.

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My proudest achievement is seeing schemes become a reality and witnessing the positive impact they have on their environment and the people who use them. As I travel around, I see examples of schemes I have contributed to everywhere, f rom the Floral Hall Theatre and Marine Point in New Brighton to the Crown Building Council Off ices in Wrexham, the Kensington Road regeneration and Community Fire Station in Liverpool to educational facilities for Coleg Cambria, and the award-winning net zero Meole Brace Vanguard Building. Being part of the team f rom the start has allowed me to learn a great deal and gain extensive experience across a broad range of sectors. The role of sustainability in building design, construction, and operation continues to evolve, and it’s a pleasure to work within such a genuinely f riendly and committed team in developing smarter, lower carbon and more resilient buildings. 19

james chaffer

15 YEARS

PR I N C I PA L M E C H A N I CA L E N G I N E E R

James has been with us for 15 years, joining as a Mechanical Design Engineer in 2011. Today, as a Principal Engineer, he plays a key role in shaping major multi-million-pound schemes through his expert early-stage MEP guidance. More recently, he has taken on his f irst mentoring role, supporting f irst-year apprentice Emily as she begins her own engineering journey.

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My proudest and most rewarding achievement has been my career progression within the business since joining as a f resh-faced Mechanical Engineer. I’ve also received some great feedback f rom clients over the years, which makes me proud and reassures me that I must be doing a good job. I have fond memories of our Team Together days and our 25th anniversary celebrations back in 2021, so I’m really looking forward to our 30th celebrations this year. I feel lucky to be surrounded by such a genuinely dedicated team. The family culture and support f rom colleagues make every working day a pleasure rather than a chore.

walter holmes

05 YEARS

S E N I O R E L E CT R I CA L ENGINEER

Walter began his career as an Electrical Contractor before joining Davies Partnership in 2021 as a Senior Engineer. His technical capability and the strong rapport he has built with both clients and colleagues make him a genuine asset to the business and our culture.

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My proudest achievement while working at Davies Partnership has been seeing how much I have developed as an engineer and having the opportunity to work on many challenging projects with the support of the entire team. It’s why I like working here, the people. Everyone gets along and has a laugh and always willing to support each other. 20

Early Careers 2026 Apprenticeship Intake Partnering with Coleg Cambria to recruit for a prospective role at our Conwy off ice. To begin the application process, we had the pleasure of joining fellow professionals at Coleg Cambria’s Meet the Employer events. Spending time at both the Bersham Road and Deeside campuses gave us the opportunity to meet students f rom a range of built environment and engineering courses. As an engineering consultancy within the construction industry, it was invaluable to speak with students and course leaders about our sector and the many pathways into Building Services f rom different disciplines. Following a successful application process and f irst round of online interviews, we welcomed a group of prospective Degree Apprentices to our Chester off ice for the next stage of the selection process. Candidates took part in formal interviews, a series of informal assessments and, most importantly, work experience alongside our engineers. The process is as much about giving students the opportunity to discover whether Davies Partnership and a career in Building Services are the right f it for them, as it is about us seeing how they align with our culture and values. We are delighted to announce that Hannah WadeJones has already joined the team! Working alongside our Conwy team, Hannah has made a fantastic impression and will begin her university degree this Autumn. We truly believe that degree apprenticeships offer much more than a solely academic journey; they bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world engineering practice. Within weeks of joining us, our apprentices are contributing to live projects, working alongside their mentors and the wider Engineering team, gaining practical experience that supports both their professional and personal development. 21

Apprenticeship Exchange Davies Partnership, alongside and Kimpton and Picow are pleased to announce a new Apprentice Exchange programme. Each business shares a clear commitment to supporting young people and creating highquality opportunities for the next generation of engineers. Together, we want to take a lead in helping address the skills gap in UK construction. As each organisation continues to develop their apprenticeship programme, this partnership will help apprentices broaden their experience, build conf idence, and gain a stronger understanding of the full project lifecycle - f rom design through to delivery. How the exchange works: Design apprentices will be based on a Kimpton or Picow project site for a a week, gaining exposure to installation and contributing to on-site delivery. Contracting apprentices will spend time within Davies Partnership’s design team, learning more about the design process and contributing to live project work including calculations, schematic design and co-ordination. The aim is to support apprentices on both sides to develop well-rounded skills and help bridge the gap between design and delivery for the future of the industry.

University of Liverpool x Springpod UoL x Springpod AI Consulting Micro-Internship, in partnership with Accenture. Jessica, Kevin & Tony attended the launch of Springpod, a collaboration with the University of Liverpool that invites students to work on a live brief and provide a real AI solution. We were approached by the university to take part in the new initiative where students could learn about AI capabilities and how it can improve efficiency in everyday tasks. We were especially pleased to attend the launch and meet so many engaged, aspiring professionals. The university has reported a very positive impact on participants, with students already applying their new skills in everyday life. Huge congratulations to Gillian O’Brien, Jade B., and the team for such an incredible initiative.

Success for Harry First-year Electrical Apprentice Harry Cartlidge has successfully completed his Foundation in Electrical Principles at Liverpool City College. Harry enrolled on the course in September 2025 alongside his university degree to strengthen his understanding of the fundamental electrical principles that underpin Building Services engineering. The additional qualif ication has provided a solid foundation to support both his academic studies and his practical development within the business. Congratulations Harry! 23

five minutes with...

Elliot Dorgan Apprentice Mechanical Engineer Chester Off ice Our ﬁrst Apprentice, now in his third year, Elliot has only gone from strength to strength since joining the business...

How would you describe your job role? As an Apprentice Building Services Mechanical Design Engineer, I help design the mechanical systems that make buildings comfortable, safe, and eff icient to use. My role involves supporting experienced engineers with design work, producing drawings and calculations, and learning how different systems work together within a building. Every day gives me the chance to develop my technical skills while gaining hands-on experience on real projects. How did you get into the industry? I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving and understanding how things work, so engineering was a natural choice for me. I wanted a career that combined technical knowledge with practical application, and an apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while studying. Building services stood out because of the impact it has on creating comfortable, eff icient, and sustainable buildings. If you were not an Mechanical Engineer, what would you be? I would have gone to university to be a lawyer.

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What is your favourite part of your job & why? My favourite part is seeing how a project develops f rom an initial concept into a detailed design. I enjoy learning f rom experienced engineers and using software to solve design challenges. It’s rewarding knowing that the work we do contributes to buildings that people use every day. What do you enjoy most about working at DP? I enjoy the supportive environment and the opportunity to learn f rom experienced colleagues. Everyone is willing to share their knowledge, which has really helped me develop both my technical skills and conf idence. I also enjoy working on a variety of projects, as each one brings new challenges and learning opportunities. What are your aspirations for the future? To complete my apprenticeship and progress into roles of more responsibility and critical decision making.

What are your interests outside of work? Golf, Going to the pub, Football

Director Commendation

Since joining us two years ago, Elliot has become a well-liked and valued member of the team. He approaches his work with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a willingness to learn, earning the respect of both his colleagues and managers. Elliot has consistently balanced the demands of his apprenticeship with his university studies, where he continues to perform well academically. His dedication to both his education and his role within the business is a credit to him and reflects his strong work ethic and determination to develop his skills. Peter Lyke, Operations Director

Why choo My apprenticeship has been really good so far and I’ve learnt a lot more than I thought I would in a short space of time f rom being in the off ice and being out on site. So far I have found that the projects I have worked on have been very varied and I do something different every day which makes it a lot more interesting. Everyone in the off ice has been very supportive but working with James especially and having him as a mentor has been really helpful, as he is very thorough in the way he works and is always willing to sit with me and help me go through anything I’m struggling with, even when he’s busy with other jobs. I don’t think I could have a better person to learn f rom. He also supports the best football team even in an off ice full of Liverpool fans! Emily Cavaliere Apprentice Mechanical Engineer

Emily is the f irst Apprentice that I’ve mentored at Davies Partnership and she has been a great help on several projects over the last 5 months, most notably Pasture Road Extra Care. She is courteous, patient, has a great attitude and progressed really well. The main challenge for me has been keeping Emily busy and trying to vary her types of work whilst also planning my own! Having an Apprentice has made a huge difference to my work balance despite having to dedicate time to explain tasks then check her work. We have regular reviews in our Liverpool Off ice and she communicates well on Teams to update me at the end of each day. Emily is a pleasure to work with and I hope over the next few years she can continue to develop and become a fully-fledged Mechanical Engineer and have a successful career in the Building Services Industry.

James Chaffer Principal Mechanical Engineer 25

ose an apprenticeship with Davies Partnership... Over the past six months, I’ve really enjoyed developing my role as an Electrical Design Engineer apprentice. Working closely with Rich has helped me build conf idence, particularly when producing drawings and calculations. I’ve found the mentor–mentee relationship extremely valuable, as I feel I can ask questions whenever and receive support when needed. This allows me to learn f rom real project experience and understand industry standards. Knowing I can ask questions and be supported has made learning on the job much more enjoyable and effective. I’ve particularly enjoyed being part of a collaborative team, producing different types of electrical drawings and seeing how they are developed. One of the main challenges has been managing workload alongside academic commitments, but the support and guidance I’ve received has made this much easier to navigate. Overall, it’s been a positive and rewarding experience, and I really appreciate the patience and support shown throughout the last six months. Harry Cartlidge Apprentice Electrical Engineer

The mentor–mentee relationship has developed naturally and has worked well. Harry has integrated quickly into the team, demonstrated a positive and professional attitude, and engaged well across a range of projects. He has consistently asked appropriate questions, showed a willingness to learn, and carried out tasks to a high standard. Working together on projects has been a positive experience. Harry has approached both technical tasks and new challenges with enthusiasm and diligence, responding well to guidance and feedback. Overall, the mentoring experience has been rewarding. Harry has proven to be reliable, capable, and keen to develop, making him a valued member of the team and someone with strong potential for continued progression. Richard Goff Principal Electrical Engineer

Industry May 2026

UK REiiF 2026 One of the highlights of UKREiiF each year is simply getting everyone around the same table. During our lunch the bar manager asked how any business gets done? He saw 50 people having lunch and drinks, we saw 50 people having the opportunity for longer, meaningful conversations and new introductions being made over a glass of wine. This is where business gets done, it’s about who you choose to work with and the relationships behind the projects. It was a pleasure to host clients alongside Markhams, JDA Architects, Shape Consulting Engineers & Hamilton Building Contractors at the fabulous The Lost and Found Leeds Club.

June 2026

Torus Sports Day Harry, Shriyamdha, Hannah and Emily took part in the 5th annual Torus Foundation Sports Day showing off their sporting prowess while supporting a fantastic cause, helping to raise an incredible £57,000 towards the refurbishment of the FireFit Hub. June 2026

Gilling Dod Golf Day Walter & Peter hit the course alongside Gilling Dod Architects for their annual Charity Golf Day, fundraising this year for Baby Beat and Golf Fore The Ages. Some f ierce competition out on the fairways, it was a fantastic day spent supporting two worthy causes and catching up with industry f riends. 27

Calendar June 2026

Rise Construction Framework We are delighted to announce that Davies Partnership has secured a place on the Rise Construction Framework. This appointment also coincides with Rise’s 10th anniversary, a signif icant milestone for a social business that reinvests its prof its into community initiatives aimed at tackling poverty and deprivation. For our f irst collaboration with the group, Jessica and Rebecca joined 81 construction businesses f rom across the Northwest for the Mr Motivator Keep Fit Session at BOXPARK Liverpool, hosted by the legendary Mr Motivator himself. Organised by the Rise Construction Framework, the event raised an amazing £25,000 for Mr Motivator’s Bed Bank Charity, supporting its mission to provide beds for 10,000 children across the UK who currently do not have a bed of their own.

June 2026

Housing26 Great conversations, great company and a great venue! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and Paddock Johnson at Albert’s Schloss during Housing 2026. To have progressive discussions around the challenges facing the sector, while also reflecting on the positive progress we’ve seen since last year, was encouraging. With a strong focus on sustainability targets and Whole Life Carbon analysis at RIBA Stage 2, it was particularly positive to hear the recognition of the value that early Building Services engagement brings to a project. While innovation and engineering drives progress, it’s the relationships behind every project that make the biggest difference. 28

Thanks For Reading editor: Jessica Laycock jessica.laycock@daviespartnership.co.uk daviespartnership.co.uk

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