Following Construction’s recent handover of the new Ged Mason building to the client, Seashell Trust, John Hartnett, Managing Director and James Eager, Director attended the official opening ceremony.
The new £29m building offers a modern, carefully designed learning environment, to meet the needs of 16-25 year olds with complex disabilities and communication needs
James commented “As the main contractor, it has been a privilege to work alongside Seashell on a project that delivers such purpose and impact The Ged Mason Building demonstrates what can be achieved when high-quality construction is driven by a clear social mission Every element has been designed around accessibility, sustainability and long-term value for the young people who will benefit from it.”
Startonsiteat Leyland
Our Construction Team has started on site in Leyland town centre, for client South Ribble Borough Council and recently facilitated a site visit with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The team have commenced works to refurbish the market along with building a new civic square and commercial units.
Steve Reid, Pre-Construction Director said “We are proud to be working in partnership with our valued client, South Ribble Borough Council Today marks the start on site for this project following successful enabling works
“We are pleased to be the contractor delivering such important works that will not only boost the town centre economically but provide improved community facilities for years to come We look forward to providing further updates as the project progresses.”
Frameworkwin
Construction has secured a place on Procure Partnerships £1.2bn North West Contractor Framework, which will support public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the region over the next four years
James Eager said “We are pleased to have been appointed to the North West Contractor Framework in Construction Lots 3 (£1m-£5m), 4 (£5m-£15m) and 5 (£15m-£30m). We are also proud to have obtained 1st ranking on Lot 3 and look forward to being able to work on upcoming projects that will have significant impact on people and local communities.”
Contract wins
Phoenix Ironworks
We’re working in collaboration with Manchester Life to deliver a major residential-led regeneration scheme with the team starting on site in early May 2026 – works valued at £70.2m.
Regents Trading Estate, Salford
We’re working in partnership with valued client, Muse on a new residential development of 27 townhouses and 63 apartments – works valued at £28.9m.
WorktostartonMoor ParkandWaverleyPark
TramBridge openingceremony –wehaveadate!
We’re pleased to confirm that Preston’s new Tram Bridge will officially open on Friday 22 May. Our Civil Engineering team will commence works at two Preston parks, after receiving the green light for the multimillion-pound revamp last year.
Moor Park is a £4m programme which will restore and enhance the city’s oldest park, including the Serpentine Lake and its historic features. Waverley Park will receive a £2.7m upgrade. The project will deliver a new play area, improved sports facilities, expanded parking and more. Works at both parks will be running until winter 2026.
Gavin Hulme, Managing Director said “We are pleased to be working with Preston City Council to deliver these important improvements at Moor Park and Waverley Park. The works will enhance the quality, accessibility and long-term sustainability of these much-loved green spaces, while carefully respecting their historic significance.
“Our team will be working closely with the council to minimise disruption wherever possible and ensure the projects are delivered efficiently so that residents and visitors can enjoy the improved facilities for many years to come.” Read more here.
For Eric Wright Civil Engineering, it’s been a significant two-year effort to bring this new crossing over the River Ribble to life. The 130-metre structure replaces the former Old Tram Bridge, which was closed in 2019 and later demolished after being deemed unsafe.
The opening will be marked by a civic ceremony, led by Preston City Council, and will bring together partners and local community groups to celebrate the completion of this historic and iconic piece of infrastructure
Contracts Manager, Antony Mulligan, was recently featured in local media coverage of the Tram Bridge project He was interviewed by Blog Preston and the Lancashire Evening Post and took to the airwaves with BBC Radio Lancashire, where he spoke about the significance and progress of the scheme down at the site itself! Listen to what Antony had to say below.
CarlisleStationGatewayplanning
Plans for major public realm improvements and a new 239 space car park at Carlisle Station have been approved by Cumberland Council’s planning committee, marking a key milestone in the Carlisle Gateway Project.
Backed by £27m from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and £13.5m from the Department for Transport, the car park will include accessible bays, EV charging, landscaping and improved pedestrian links to the city centre.
Business Frameworkwins
Procure Partnerships North West Contractor Framework
Civil Engineering has secured a place on the Procure Partnerships North West Contractor Framework. Managed on behalf of Wirral Council, the four year £1.2bn framework will support public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the region.
Gavin Hulme said: “Securing a place on this framework, once again, is a significant opportunity for our Civil Engineering business to further support essential infrastructure across the North West
“It enables us to apply our technical expertise to projects that improve connectivity, resilience and sustainability, while working closely with partners to deliver lasting value for the public sector.”
Rise Construction Framework
Civil Engineering has secured a place on the Rise Construction Framework, strengthening our commitment to delivering highquality, socially responsible projects that benefit local communities across the North West
Martin Morrow, Pre-Construction Director, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded a place on this framework. Rise’s approach to integrating social value into every project aligns closely with our company’s core values.
“We’re not just building infrastructure, we’re helping to build stronger and more resilient communities and we’re excited to be part of Rise’s journey as they continue to make a difference across the North West.”
Walton Breck Road
We’re working in collaboration with Liverpool City Council to deliver the Walton Breck Road scheme in Anfield and commenced in April The project will deliver public realm and highways improvements – works valued at £3 9m
James Street Retaining Wall
We are working in collaboration with Cumberland Council to deliver the James Street Retaining Wall scheme in Carlisle The project, valued at just over £215k, commenced in April and involves enabling works including brickwork and paving improvements
Manchester Street Viaduct
The works comprise the refurbishment of the Manchester Street Viaduct for Oldham Council, with a contract value of £3.75m. The scope includes concrete repairs, installation of waterproofing systems, replacement of expansion joints and repairs to the existing parapets. The project is programmed to start in May and will be delivered over a 30 week period.
LandsalecompletesatLancashireCentral
Maple Grove Developments, in partnership with Lancashire County Council, has completed the sale of a 26-acre site to the NHS and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the proposed new Royal Preston Hospital at Lancashire Central. The transaction forms part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme, with the new facility expected to benefit from investment in excess of £1 5 billion
Commenting on the deal, James Scott said: “The completion of this sale marks a significant milestone for the NHS, enabling the next phase of work on proposals for a new hospital at Lancashire Central The site’s proximity to an established commercial and employment hub makes it a highly sustainable and strategic location Maple Grove Developments will continue to work closely with Lancashire County Council and NHS partners as plans evolve and engagement with local communities progresses. The land disposal represents a major step forward for the wider Lancashire Central project as the funds received will support the delivery of critical on and off-site infrastructure, acting as a catalyst for future development opportunities across the scheme, several of which are already advancing through the legal process.”
Eric Wright Water was appointed as a key delivery partner for United Utilities' AMP8 investment programme (2025–2030), focusing their work on process treatment facilities.
The team received the following praise from United Utilities: “As we move into year 2 of AMP 8, I’d like to take the time to extend my thanks to the Eric Wright Water team for the exceptional effort you have all put in over recent weeks and months.
“Your commitment, responsiveness and willingness to go the extra mile has been instrumental in ensuring we delivered the outputs at Wigton, Dufton, Morland & Milburn on time and successfully meeting the regulatory target dates. These are critical milestones for us, and the work ethic and collaboration from your team has been excellent throughout”
Neal Whittle, Managing Director and Spencer Pygott, Pre-Contract Director, recently attended the British Water Spring Reception at the House of Lords.
The event brings together colleagues from across the water industry and is an opportunity for the team to speak with the Directors from United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent
The UU Directors were particularly pleased with our commitment to achieving the regulation dates for the Cumbria Batch Phase 1. We also spoke to the business leads of Galliford Try, GHD and Huber Technologies to follow up commitments for partnering opportunities.
The keynote speaker was Becky Wood, CEO of NISTA (National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority) who gave some insight into the importance the government are placing on the largest investment ever into the water industry over the next 25 years.
EWFMwelcomesnew startersupintheLakes
Our newest team members recently swapped their work for the great outdoors, spending a day at the Water Park Lakeland Adventure Centre.
The visit was designed to help our new colleagues get to know one another in a relaxed and informal setting, while discovering more about the work of the Eric Wright Charitable Trust and the Water Park. The day offered a mixture of challenges, team activities and plenty of fresh air and sunshine. From navigating outdoor obstacles to being out on the water, everyone had a chance to step outside their comfort zone and support each other.
Alongside the fun, the team learnt about how the Trust operates, the positive impact of the Water Park and the role everyone plays in supporting our wider mission. It was a great reminder that what we do extends far beyond the workplace. The day was a great success and hopefully a memorable start to their EWFM journey!
StPeter’srefurbishmentupdate
Our Partnerships team supports public and private sector clients by combining expertise in estates strategy, asset management and healthcare planning.
Working collaboratively, the team takes an integrated, end to end approach, from early strategy through to delivery and long term management, to create sustainable, efficient environments that serve communities and services One example is St Peter’s Health Centre, where we repurposed unused space to bring key services together under one roof, improving how patients access care
Now a team of 13, Partnerships brings wide-ranging experience across healthcare, public-private partnerships and complex estates. Their work spans strategic estates planning, business case development and transformation programmes, alongside managing operational assets to ensure buildings remain compliant, fit for purpose and focused on the people who use them.
We are pleased to welcome Samantha Wallace, who joins as Senior Consultant (Clinical Strategy and Healthcare Planning). Sam brings 21 years’ experience in health and social care transformation, specialising in service redesign, strategic change and developing financially robust plans that deliver measurable impact
Work continues at St Peter’s, with major changes to the ground and first floors now approved by Partnerships and CHP. The £1.8m construction scheme, which is being delivered by Eric Wright Construction, has a total project budget approval of £3.4m, which covers contingencies, the design team and lifecycle maintenance until the end of concession.
What’s changing?
Ground floor: Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust community mental health services will move in and the musculoskeletal area will be linked to improve access and become a bookable space
First floor: East Lancashire Hospital Trust musculoskeletal and physio services will be brought together on one floor, with a new community reception created
Fourth floor: Primary Care Network staff will move into the vacant space, with Wi Fi installed only
Brookdale,Grimsargh
Over the weekend of the 13 March, we opened our stunning show home at our Brookdale site On the Friday, we welcomed the Mayor of Preston who opened the show home alongside reservation and early bird holders
It was lovely to see future residents of the development meeting their neighbours for the first time and hearing their positive comments as they looked around the show home Over the Saturday and Sunday, our show home viewing diary was full, resulting in ten plots being sold with lots of ongoing interest
Hillside,Loveclough
We are planning an opening weekend for our new show home on site in early May We have some previous show home furniture available for sale – please contact Jacqueline Emms to enquire about items
MeadowView, Burnley
Over the Easter weekend, we had a ‘hoppy’ great time at our Meadow View development.
Along with decorating the house with an easter theme, the team hid Easter eggs around the house for our younger visitors to find while parents had a few minutes peace to view the show home. 18 units (50%) have now sold across the development, with plenty of active interest on other plots.
Lunesdale, Brookhouse, Lancaster
The development is gaining interest, and we have taken our first plot reservation with a further 3 early bird reservations taken. The show home is due to open in June.
This is our newest development which will be coming soon. The development, in the heart of Wrea Green village, will offer 45 bungalows - sales on plots are due to launch in June.
Castlewood-Building Community,Together
Castlewood has continued to bring the community together with their monthly coffee mornings and intergenerational gardening sessions.
The coffee mornings are proving very popular and give residents and local people the chance to enjoy a cuppa, have a chat and get to know one another in a friendly, welcoming space.
We’re also really enjoying our intergenerational gardening sessions, where mums, babies and residents come together to get stuck into the garden These sessions are full of shared moments, with everyone benefiting from spending time together across generations
Whether it’s over a coffee or time spent in the garden, these activities help build real connections and a strong sense of community
Celebrating success
We’re really pleased to announce that one of our Carers, Lauren, has recently been promoted to Senior Carer.
Since joining the team, Lauren has made a huge impact at Castlewood. She brings kindness, energy and a genuine passion for delivering high quality care every day, which is exactly what Castlewood is all about.
We believe in supporting progression, developing talent and recognising hard work. Congratulations Lauren on this well deserved promotion.
The Wrightcare team recently enjoyed a fantastic day at Blackburn Rugby Club.
The team came together to support a match, which was proudly sponsored by Castlewood The event was a great opportunity for colleagues to show their support for local sport and community partnerships
Community SpringFayre
We’re delighted to announce Castlewood’s first ever Community Spring Fayre which is taking place on Friday 8 May
This event will be a great opportunity to bring our community together for a fun and enjoyable day. All proceeds raised on the day will go to Age UK Lancashire, supporting their vital work within our communities
Business WhatmakesEricWrightGroupgreat
Recently, Directors from across the Group came together for their annual Directors’ Day.
This is an important opportunity, each year, for us to share our plans for the year ahead, understand the priorities across our divisions and reflect on both opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. There was little doubt that we all work for a remarkable business but within the divisional updates, we also took the opportunity to spend a bit of time to reflect and try to capture why it is so special. Lots of ideas and thoughts were shared and at the end of the day we pulled it all together to draw out some consistent themes and powerful overarching messages. The ‘word cloud’ below reflects our results
We also drew together a headline narrative supported by the strong themes.
“Eric Wright Group is underpinned by a supportive, values led culture and exceptional people, offering an integrated end to end capability that’s enabled by trusted ownership, financial stability and a strong reputation - so we can invest in our communities, develop the next generation and use our wider vision to deliver real social and regional impact”
People & Culture – our values led culture and the quality, commitment and care of our people stood out clearly as our greatest strength
Versatility, Capability &Alignment – the depth and range of what we do across the Group, and how our businesses work together
Stability, Ownership & Reputation – long term thinking, financial strength and trusted ownership that enable confident decision‑making
Social Value & Community Impact – a clear commitment to doing the right thing and making a positive difference in the communities we serve
Talent, Growth & Opportunity – investing in people, progression and the next generation
Partnerships & Market Strength – strong, trusted relationships with clients, partners and stakeholders
Accessibility & Empowerment – the ability to make decisions quickly, empowered by trust.
The discussions reinforced that our business strategies for the year ahead align well with what plays a huge part in making us successful: our people, our culture and our purpose
By staying aligned to these strengths and protecting them as core to our identity, we will remain very well placed to continue to deliver sustainable growth, meaningful social value and long term impact for our regions and communities
So a big thank you to everyone across the Group who play a part in bringing these strengths to work each and every day.
Business Procurement-newGroupsupplier arrangements
A number of new Group Supplier Agreements have recently been introduced.
Representatives from across each business have been part of working groups relevant to each procurement process helping assess our existing supply arrangements across key supply areas.
Waste Management Services (skips,
bins)
Following a rigorous tender selection process, Panda (formerly Bagnall & Morris) has been selected as our primary framework supplier for the provision of waste skips, containers and bins across the Group. This arrangement replaces the previous waste management agreement with Kenny Waste.
Key elements of this new partnership with Panda, include.
Ensuring that we continue to remain legally compliant with all waste regulations
Efficient and reliable service levels
Maximising levels of recycling (diverting 99% of waste from landfill)
Favourable commercial terms and competitive prices
Supporting our Social Value strategy
John Hartnett, Managing Director for Eric Wright Construction, who was the project sponsor said “Working collaboratively throughout the procurement exercise, following a structured and documented process, with a group of representatives from across the business, has delivered a positive outcome both for individual divisions and the wider Group”
A separate agreement for Washroom services (sanitary bins, etc) has been put in place with specialist provider Shorrock Trichem
We have communicated, to all site teams across the business, with details of actions needed to be taken to prepare for a full transition by 1 May.
Added employee benefits to Crown Paints preferred Paint Supplier Agreement
Recently Crown Paints has been appointed as our preferred paint supplier and are now being used across all construction, housebuilding and Facilities Management sites. As part of the agreement, Crown is providing their “Can-Back” recycling scheme, offering free paint can recycling across our sites and to our subcontractors supporting our broader environmental commitments.
Redecorating project on the radar at home?
As part of our Crown Paints Supplier Agreement, all Eric Wright Group employees’ can now benefit from the same preferential rates secured for our Group work.
All you need to do is reference our account number (7016146) when purchasing from any Crown Decorating Centre – locations can be found here.
If you have any questions or require further information regarding any of these arrangements, please contact Dave West Group Procurement Manager or Ewan Charnley Assistant Buyer
Fundingupdate
The Trust had substantial interest in its latest round of open funding, which was focussed on initiatives supporting young people, with particular emphasis on youth employment, child and family support, young carers and care-experienced young people.
Applications for the funding round closed mid-February and, throughout the rest of February and March, applications that were received were assessed against a core set of criteria.
The Trust’s three-year open funding grants are designed to provide targeted support and interventions on both a broad scale and a bespoke level across the sector. This allows the Trust to extend meaningful assistance tailored to specific needs, addressing everything from early-years grassroots initiatives to larger scale programmes, and ultimately ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.
Through this process, the Trust has gained invaluable knowledge of a wide range of initiatives delivered by charities within the focus areas that are new to the Trust. Those insights and learnings enable the Trust team to continuously develop their approach and relationships.
Building relationships remains central to the Trust’s ethos and, as part of the application process, all shortlisted charities were visited in person at their organisation. These conversations were overwhelmingly positive and provided a valuable opportunity to connect with new organisations and deepen the Trust’s understanding of initiatives beyond those already supported through existing grants
EricWrightCharitableTrust
Through this open funding round, the Trust is delighted to be working with 10 new charities who are aligned to the priority areas. The Trust are looking forward to partnering with these organisations over the next three years and exploring opportunities to connect their work with wider Group initiatives. There is a strong geographical spread across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, among the charities that have been awarded grants as part of this open funding round. While applications from South Cumbria were limited, the Trust sees this as a valuable opportunity to proactively explore ways to increase engagement from this region in future funding rounds.
The Trust has also continued to build relationships with several charities that were not successful, on this occasion, recognising their strengths and potential for meaningful collaboration in the future. Across all the Eric Wright Charitable Trust grant programmes, the Trust is now supporting 87 charities with live funding, ranging from small grants to multi-year commitments. Looking ahead, a new open funding round will be launched in autumn, focused on supporting charities that help older people to live well.
The Trust is now supporting a total of 87 charities
Find out more about four of the charities supported through these grants:
As a reminder, the Match Funding Scheme recognises and rewards employees’ dedication to fundraising
Applications for match funding will be considered on their individual merits and are capped at £1,500 per employee for each event or £5,000 where more than one employee is involved in the same event
If you need guidance or support in making an application please contact Rebecca May, Grants Coordinator for the Eric Wright Charitable Trust
SalfordRisecontinues socialvaluecommitments
As part of our social value commitments on the Salford Rise project, the team has made a financial donation to support ‘Start Inspiring Minds’, Salforda mental health charity dedicated to improving lives through creativity, connection and recovery-focused initiatives.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our workforce, the charity also partnered with local mental health practitioners ‘Talk About It Mate’ to deliver an engaging “lunch and talk” session at the site. The session brought colleagues together over freshly made pizzas, from a local business, creating a relaxed environment that encouraged open and meaningful conversations around mental health.
In March, we delivered a social value activity at a primary school within our Cheshire PFI Schools contract.
Led by Group Social Value Manager, Scott Latta, sessions were held with pupils from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to explore the importance of biodiversity and how small actions can support the environment. Pupils then took part in a practical activity, creating wildflower seed bombs to plant in the school’s sensory garden.
The activity provided a lasting environmental benefit whilst helping pupils to develop a deeper understanding of biodiversity We look forward to seeing the garden grow! Read more here
Circulareconomy onour Applethwaiteand Construction sites
In support of the circular economy, Applethwaite continue to champion the community wood partnership
So far in 2026, 21.9 tonnes of wood has been rescued from the waste stream, 21.6 tonnes of which has been reused by the community for DIY/building projects or made into a range of beautiful products from bird boxes to dining tables
This partnership has also seen a saving of 10 6 tonnes of CO2 due to less fuel being needed for the collection and the reuse of the wood Finally, due to Community Wood Recycling being a social enterprise, the profits gained from the commercial agreement with Applethwaite has gone to funding 2 9 weeks of training and 11 weeks of paid work for local people facing barriers to employment.
Also, upon the completion of the enabling works at Construction’s, Phoenix Ironworks site in Manchester, the perimeter fencing has been donated to a Greater Manchester amateur football team.
SocialValue
Over£10,000raisedfor MuscularDystrophyUK
Colleagues have raised an outstanding £10,169.50, this year, in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK.
As Partnership’s Charity of the Year, the team has placed significant effort to enhance the donation made by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust and has been raising money across a wide range of activities
The total includes £8,463 raised via the JustGiving page (including Gift Aid), alongside match funding and additional events Contributions came from:
£236.00 from a cake sale (approved)
£1,165.00 from Lesley smashing the Great North Run (approved)
£305.00 from a wreath-making workshop (approved)
£158.00 from our March cake sale (pending approval)
£2,705.00 from Welsh events (pending approval)
These efforts have made a meaningful impact already, with the funds raised enabling Muscular Dystrophy UK to host their “MD Big Day” event at Barnstondale, Wirral (9-10 May 2026). The event is already fully subscribed and promises to be a fantastic experience for those attending.
The charity has also recognised our contribution, highlighting our commitment shown and noting that our support will help create “a truly unforgettable weekend” for families, offering both fun activities and the chance to relax in a supportive environment.
Well done everyone who raised money and thank you if you donated!
TrinityStreet
As part of our public realm improvement works on Trinity Street in Huddersfield, we are delivering enhancements to walking and cycling infrastructure aimed at improving accessibility, safety and connectivity for the local community.
Alongside the physical upgrades to the site, the project has provided an opportunity to add meaningful social value outcomes by working in partnership with Kirklees Council and local employment support organisations
Through this collaboration, we have supported a temporary employment placement via the Council’s Local Support Employment (LSE) programme, delivered by REAL Employment. This enabled Damien, a local resident with a keen interest in civil engineering, to gain some hands-on experience within our project team.
The process was supported by the Council’s Employment and Skills team, who facilitated access to funding and provided ongoing in-work support.
Nick, Project Manager, commented: “It’s been great, we’d definitely hire again using this approach We’d encourage more employers in the district to give residents with disabilities or health conditions a chance, we know they have a great work ethic In this case the project is timelimited, but if it weren’t, we’d be looking to make the role permanent”
Damien also reflected positively on the opportunity, highlighting the welcoming environment on site, which has helped him build confidence, develop new skills and gain valuable work experience.
You told us in the Employee Engagement & Culture Survey that you wanted us to take another look at holidays and how we recognise people across the business.
You can find all the details that have previously been shared below
Longserviceholidays
We’re strengthening how we recognise long service by building on our existing approach of awarding one additional day for every five years of service.
From 1 April 2026, your long service holiday entitlement will look like this:
5 years: +1 day
10 years: +1 day
15 years: +1 day
20 years: +1 day (new)
25 years: +1 day (new)
This increases the total long service holiday entitlement to five days overall.
Longserviceawards
We’re refreshing our long service awards to make them more meaningful and better aligned to the milestones that matter most.
As part of this, we’re removing the small, nominal awards previously given at the 5 year intervals Instead, we’re focusing recognition at the more significant 10 year milestones, where the impact feels more substantial and better reflects your contribution
From 1 April 2026, long service awards will be:
10 years: £250 non‑cash voucher or gift (with the tax covered by the company)
20 years: £1,000 non cash voucher or gift
30 years: £1,500 non cash voucher or gift
The 20 and 30 year awards are tax free, so you receive the full value.
“Big”birthday recognition
We know that milestone birthdays are moments people remember, whether it’s turning 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or beyond.
To make these moments feel more special, we’re increasing our milestone birthday vouchers from £20 to £50
This uplift is designed to make the gesture genuinely meaningful, something you can use to treat yourself, celebrate with others, or simply enjoy a moment that feels personal to you It’s our way of recognising the life events that matter, not just the work ones
Buyingextraholidays
As asked, we also reviewed the core holiday allowance With a standard allowance of 26 days, already higher than many organisations, we felt the Group’s holiday allowance is strong and competitive.
That said, many of you suggested the option to buy additional holiday and we agree. We’re planning to introduce the ability to purchase up to 5 extra days per year (pro-rated).
To make this work smoothly, the scheme will be aligned with the January pay increase cycle, which means it will sit within the December benefits window each year This ensures payroll deductions and salary changes line up properly
Here’s what to expect:
The scheme will be available in the benefits window at the end of this year
If you’re hoping to buy extra holiday specifically for 2026 you’ll be able to express interest earlier, and we can arrange a payroll loan to spread the cost
A full policy and process will be shared nearer the time so everyone knows exactly how it works.
Noholiday‑sellingscheme
We also looked at whether we should introduce a scheme allowing employees to sell holiday back to the business.
After careful consideration, we’ve decided not to move forward with this.
As a business, we take wellbeing seriously. Encouraging people to give up rest time goes against what we’re trying to achieve, supporting balance, recovery and time away from work. We want everyone to use their holidays, not trade them in.
You said you wanted us to review holidays and recognition, and we did These changes reflect what matters to you: meaningful milestones, flexibility where it helps and gestures that feel relevant in the real world, not just on paper
There are also a small number of employees who are on a different standard holiday entitlement The changes above will still apply to them, but they will be adjusted proportionately to reflect your individual entitlement If you are unsure, please speak to your manager or a member of the people team.
With the exception of buying extra holidays, all of these changes took effect from 1 April 2026.
We’re proud of the progress we’re making together and we’ll continue to listen, evolve and build a workplace where people feel valued and supported.
Christmas2026closure
To help with your planning, here are our confirmed Christmas 2026 arrangements.
Our last working day will be Tuesday 22 December and the office will reopen on Monday 4 January 2027. This requires a total of five annual leave days to book from your holiday entitlement which we understand is a lot.
We have therefore agreed to gift everyone one day Wednesday 23 December, leaving four days to save for Christmas.
For those that are part-time or normally work over Christmas your leave will be adjusted accordingly.
OfficeChristmasParty
Save the Date!
Save the date for our annual office Christmas Party This will take place on Tuesday 22 December 2026. Further details will follow shortly.
Awards
Since our last edition, there has been plenty of activity and celebrations for both award wins and nominations to shortlists or finalists, demonstrating across the Group our breadth of talent and skills.
WiganandLeighApprenticeshipAwards
At the Wigan & Leigh College Apprenticeship Awards, Charles Evans won Apprentice of Year - Engineering Fitter Charles began his role with Eric Wright Water over two years ago, joining us as a shy young lad who needed to develop confidence in his own abilities Since then, he has thrived With support from colleagues across the business, including site teams and line managers, Charles now demonstrates a strong understanding of his role and what is required of him, forming an integral part of the team
Commenting on receiving the award, Charles said: “Choosing the apprenticeship route is the best thing I have ever done. The guidance and support I have received has been brilliant and I have been able to immerse myself in real work, learning key skills and knowledge that will help me shape my goals and career in the future”.
Hear what Charles’ line manager and support co-ordinator have to say about how he has developed, grown and thrived during his time with us.
LancashireApprenticeshipAwards
Our early talent, from across the business, continues to shine as this year’s finalists have been announced for the Lancashire Apprenticeship Awards Across the Group, we are building skills and creating futures; with apprentices across a wide variety of roles which are vital to both our company's success and growth
We thank all our apprentices for their hard work, commitment, and for the impact they make on every team - their achievements speak for themselves.
Shortlisted for Construction Apprentice:
Ben Saw, Eric Wright Construction - University of Salford
Harry Molyneux, Eric Wright Construction - University of Salford
Shortlisted for Engineering/Manufacturing Apprentice:
George Calvert, Eric Wright Water - Burnley College
Liam Pitt, Eric Wright Civil Engineering - Northumbria University
Eric Wright Group has been shortlisted for Large Employer of the Year and Emma Gardner, Early Talent Coordinator, has been shortlisted for Apprentice Ambassador of the Year
In addition, both Eric Wright Civil Engineering and Eric Wright Construction have been shortlisted for SME Employer of the Year Good luck to everyone at the awards night in May
NCEBridgesAwards2026
Eric Wright Civil Engineering has been shortlisted for Active Travel Project of the Year at the NCE Bridges Awards 2026 for the work on Preston's Old Tram Bridge
The awards will take place on 16 July and shine a spotlight on outstanding bridge projects, innovation and engineering excellence across the industry.
InsiderNorthWestPropertyAwards
Demonstrating the breadth of talent and ability across a wide range of projects, Eric Wright Construction has been shortlisted in the Construction Business of the Year category at the prestigious Insider North West Property Awards.
PartnershipsBulletinAwards
Eric Wright Group, which includes Eric Wright Partnerships, Eric Wright Facilities Management and Eric Wright Construction, have been shortlisted for Best Healthcare Project at the Partnerships Bulletin Awards 2026 for work on St Peter's Health Centre Reconfiguration
The awards celebrate excellence in public-private partnerships, recognising projects that deliver real impact through collaboration and innovation.
GreatBritishFleetAwards
Steve Openshaw, Group Fleet and Transport Manager, won Fleet Management Superstar at the Great British Fleet Awards Winning is a testament to Steve’s dedication in leading a small team delivering a fleet that is 83% fully electric
NorthernHousingAwards
Our Applethwaite division was shortlisted at the esteemed North West Residential Property Awards, their Briarwood development was shortlisted in the Small Housing Development of the Year category.
Up against strong competition, unfortunately there was no win on awards night. The team has also been shortlisted at the Northern Housing Awards 2026 for Home Builder of the Year, with the awards ceremony taking place in May.
Servicecelebrations
Congratulations and thank you to our colleagues who are celebrating service anniversaries.
