Business Update September 2026
Lancashire Mind Hub Transformed
What’s Inside: Construction handover second Passivhaus development
Amounderness House progresses and welcomes Mr Wright to site
Civils transform Mayfield, Manchester
First residents move in at Brookdale
Welcome
Welcome to our September Business Update Autumn feels like it has certainly arrived - luckily this change in weather and shorter days follows on from our Water Park Family Day in August, and as it arrives, so does an increase in our focus towards 2027. Each business unit has now begun developing their plans for the year ahead, building on what is looking to be another strong year for the Group demonstrating the continued strength of our diversified business model and the effectiveness of our long-term strategies in navigating complex and challenging market conditions. Our forward order books continue to grow, providing a stable foundation and giving growing confidence that the coming year will prove to be another successful one for our business. Since our last update, teams across the business have continued to deliver significant milestones and achievements. In Civil Engineering, the team at Earlestown has reached another significant milestone in the town’s regeneration programme, with major public realm works now underway on Market Street. Meanwhile, in Leicestershire, the team at Zouch Bridge marked the successful completion of the new traffic crossing with a ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the achievement alongside key stakeholders and members of the local community. Elsewhere in the Group, our Construction team has handed over two major residential schemes in Manchester and Salford, Dovecoat House (Laystall Street) for Great Places Housing and our second Passivhaus development, Willohaus for ECF and Salix Homes. Across the city of Manchester, the team has started on site at their largest value project, Phoenix Ironworks for long-standing client, Manchester Life. Closer to home, our Maple Grove Developments and Construction teams are working to refurbish the Grade ll listed Amounderness House in Preston and recently welcomed Mr Wright for a tour to see the newly installed mezzanine deck and restored original prison cell doors. The Maple Grove team is also progressing forward with lettings at their Hattersley Trade Park, following the recent handover. Lancashire Mind’s community hub in Leyland has also been modernised to better support the charity’s growing mental health services. The project demonstrates the importance to us of the wider impact we can have on our communities with Facilities Management leading the transformation, Construction delivering elements of the refurbishment, alongside other businesses and organisations, contributing materials, expertise, time and funding. Collectively, these contributions amounted to more than £100,000, helping to create an enhanced space for the charity to expand its support for the local community. The Charitable Trust continued to expand the reach of its support helping older people live well with a further five charities to receive funding. Employees from across the Group have also enjoyed another successful day at Water Park, fully embracing the experience alongside family and colleagues. Nominations are also underway for the Charity of the Year initiative and The Charitable Trust are pleased to announce that each division’s chosen charity will receive an increased donation of £30,000. Lastly, the Group has continued to have well deserved recognition across a number of recent awards events. Among the highlights, we were named Outstanding Employer and Construction Employer of the Year at the Employer’s Excellence awards, while Applethwaite achieved outstanding recognition with two wins at the UK Property Awards and Water won at the CECA Yorkshire and Humber Awards. Our ongoing success at these events is a credit to the hard work and dedication of teams across all our businesses and we look forward to celebrating further successes across a wide range of industry awards in the coming months.
Jeremy Hartley CEO Eric Wright Group
Thank you, Jeremy
Business
Second Passivhaus development hands over to ECF and Salix Construction has proudly handed over their second Passivhaus residential development, Willohaus, to clients ECF and Salix Homes. Willohaus is a collection of 100 affordable, Passivhaus Classic certified homes and are the first to be completed in Adelphi Village project under the Salford Crescent masterplan. John Hartnett, Managing Director, said: “We are proud to have handed over our second Passivhaus residential development, in the heart of Salford, for our long-standing client ECF. “Delivering a Passivhaus project is more than just meeting the stringent standards, it’s about creating homes that perform better for the resident every day and our team has built on their already extensive Passivhaus knowledge to achieve outstanding results. This project demonstrates what can be achieved when sustainability, precision and collaboration are integrated from the early stages and continued throughout the construction processes." Read more here.
Laystall Street’s Dovecoat House, a celebration of 89 new affordable homes Our Construction team celebrated the completion of Dovecote House, a new £29m affordable residential development in Manchester city centre with client Great Places. Jeremy Hartley, CEO, who represented Eric Wright Construction at the event said: "The completion of Dovecote House is a significant milestone for Eric Wright Construction and a testament to the strong partnership we have built with Great Places. “Together, we share a commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable homes that create lasting benefits for the local Manchester community. While this was a technically complex project, in a highly constrained city centre location, the collaboration, innovation and dedication shown by everyone involved has delivered an outstanding development that we can all be proud of.” Read more here.
Roof works steam ahead at Grimsargh Our construction team at Grimsargh is working hard on our second care home for client, Wrightcare. The roof works are currently underway, with our team of in-house joiners having already installed over 60% of the roof trusses across site. The first section of the roof is now complete, including the fascias and soffit boards, ready for our roofing contractor to begin with their first phase of the work and we’re expecting to move onto the second phase in the coming weeks.
Business
Project Highlight: Introducing Phoenix Ironworks, Manchester With works starting on site, this project will see our construction team deliver a mix of 256 new affordable apartments, townhouses and duplexes, along with residential spaces including a lounge, gym, quiet working areas, a private courtyard and 14,500 sq ft of commercial space. This project is being delivered in collaboration with valued client. Manchester Life.
VIDEO TO GO HERE
Amounderness House progresses ahead and welcomes Mr Wright Our Construction and Maple Grove Developments teams are working in partnership with Preston City Council to transform Amounderness House into modern office spaces for Wrk_Space. The transformative works are progressing at pace with the mezzanine deck being installed and a new spiral staircase set to be introduced to provide a focal point and second access to the mezzanine level. Works will also see the team deliver a new three floor extension with the ground level offering a main entrance and reception area with access from the courtyard whilst the first and second floors offer office space and facilities. Key features of the Grade II listed building are being retained and carefully restored, including the former prison cells and their cell doors, together with much of the original bare brickwork. The team also recently welcomed Mr Wright to Amounderness House, taking him on a tour of the building, showing him the upcoming restoration works and hiding out in the former prison cells. Read more here.
Business
Work starts to transform Preston’s city centre Civil Engineering has begun work on a major public realm improvement scheme in Preston city centre, delivering enhancements across Friargate South, Cheapside, Market Place and Orchard Street. Working in partnership with Preston City Council, the team will deliver new paving, resurfaced roads, improved pedestrian spaces, cycle infrastructure, planting and new street furniture. The works form part of the council’s Active Preston programme and will be delivered in phases over approximately 12 months. Gavin Hulme, Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Preston City Council, once again, to deliver these important improvement works. We recognise that it is a busy and vibrant part of the city and we will be working alongside the Council to minimise any disruptions.” Read more here.
Zouch Bridge opens a new chapter Our Civil Engineering team has celebrated a major milestone on the £19.6m Zouch Bridge project, with a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the new crossing to local traffic. The project is being delivered for Leicestershire County Council, the new bridge replaces the deteriorating 90year-old structure over the River Soar and restores an important link between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The project has involved some significant engineering challenges, including installing the 36 metre bridge deck beneath high voltage overhead cables. With traffic now using the new bridge, the team have turned their attention to demolishing the old structure and are now completing the remaining works. Gavin Hulme, Managing Director, said: “We’re proud to have delivered this important project milestone and reach this key stage of the scheme. “This has been a complex build with a number of challenges, and we’d like to thank the local community for their understanding throughout. It’s great to see the bridge reopen and reconnect the area and we will now move forward with the next phase of works to safely demolish the old bridge.” Read more here.
Contract win We’re working in collaboration with Leeds City Council to deliver highways improvements to enhance crossing facilities and address junction safety concerns – these works are valued at £1.8m.
Business
Market Street works mark major Earlestown milestone
Improving a key Liverpool route: Walton Breck Road starts on site
Civil Engineering has reached an exciting milestone in the Earlestown Regeneration Programme, with major public realm works now underway on Market Street.
Civil Engineering has begun work on a £4m improvement scheme on Walton Breck Road in Liverpool.
The scheme will transform the town centre with improved pavements, high-quality street finishes, upgraded lighting, signage and street furniture, new landscaping and enhanced vehicle access controls. Following the completion of the new Market Canopy and improvements to the Market Square, the work represents another important step in Earlestown’s £28m regeneration programme. Paul Connor, Project Manager, said: “The team was proud to help create safer, more attractive spaces that will deliver a lasting benefit for residents, businesses and visitors.”
The scheme will deliver a range of improvements to the busy route, helping to create a safer, more accessible and attractive environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The works will also support the wider regeneration of the area and improve connectivity around one of the city’s key sporting and leisure destinations. Working closely with the client and local stakeholders, the team will carefully manage construction activities and minimise disruption to local residents and visitors, while delivering the improvements. The project is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete. Des Donnelly, Project Manager, said: “Breaking the ground here at Walton Breck Road marks the start of this key phase in the project. We are committed to delivering a high quality transformation along with continuing to work closely with the community as we progress through the project stages.” Read more here.
Business
Helping transform Mayfield, Manchester Our Civil Engineering team has played a key role in the transformation of Manchester’s Mayfield, delivering major infrastructure improvements as part of the area’s regeneration. The team has worked alongside project partners to deliver essential highways and infrastructure works, helping create the foundations for a vibrant new neighbourhood while improving connectivity and accessibility. The project forms part of the wider Mayfield regeneration programme, which is transforming the former industrial area into a thriving destination for businesses, residents and visitors. A major milestone within the project has been the transformation of Pigeon Triangle. Through a combination of hard and soft landscaping works, the area has been reimagined as a vibrant new public space that complements the wider ambitions of the Mayfield regeneration programme. At the heart of this transformation is the Intelligent Garden, an awardwinning installation donated to Mayfield following its appearance at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show. The garden combines innovative planting, smart technology and sustainable landscape design to create a unique and engaging environment for visitors, while showcasing how nature and technology can work together within urban spaces. The team joined the Mayfield Development Partnership to celebrate the completion of the Intelligent Garden with a special unveiling event, which provided an opportunity for stakeholders and the local community to experience the transformed space and see first-hand the progress being made across the wider Mayfield development. Des Donnelly, Project Manager, said: “It has been fantastic to see this project evolve from the initial remediation and infrastructure works through to the creation of these exciting new public spaces. The scale and variety of works have presented a few challenges, but through close collaboration with our partners, we have successfully delivered significant improvements across the scheme.”
VIDEO TO GO HERE
Business
Maple Grove Developments taken handover of Hattersley Trade Park Maple Grove Developments has taken handover of the new £13m Hattersley Trade Park from contractor, Britcon. The completed development provides over 57,000 sq ft of modern and sustainable mixed-use space, including eight modern trade counter units ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 sq ft, alongside a new Aldi food store and Costa Coffee café and drive-through. These key occupiers will play a central role in supporting the local community, providing convenient access to everyday goods and services while increasing footfall and interest in the wider development. The site also includes 179 customer parking spaces and an ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging hub delivered in partnership with Be.EV, ensuring the development is accessible and fit for the future. Nick Hague, Project Director, said: “We’re delighted to have taken handover of Hattersley Trade Park from our contractor, Britcon. Working alongside them on the delivery of this scheme has been an extremely positive experience. “Their site team has been exceptional throughout, demonstrating professionalism, expertise and a genuine commitment. Their collaborative approach and willingness to work closely with the entire project team has been instrumental in the successful delivery of the scheme.” Read more here.
New advanced industrial scheme to be developed in South Wales The Maple Grove Developments team, in a joint venture with Hillwood, have agreed terms with Welsh Government to develop a 57,000 sq ft industrial unit at Brocastle Employment Park. Andrew Dewhurst, Director, said: “We are pleased to have secured the development plot for the upcoming business unit on Brocastle Business Park. Planning works are continuing to progress well with a view of being on site in early 2027. Bringing forward our third JV in Wales is a proud moment for Maple Grove and we’re delighted to be working with our partners at Hillwood.” Read more here.
Business
Woodgate Hill: Ultraviolet Improvement Scheme Our Water team are upgrading the existing ultraviolet system at Woodgate Hill Wastewater Treatment Works. The team are delivering a major upgrade to the UV treatment system at Woodgate Hill Water Treatment Works. The current phase includes the installation of a new 32 metre bypass pipeline and fast-acting valve designed to improve operational resilience and protect the network from pressure surges. To help maintain programme momentum, the team was engaged early to modify the Haweswater Aqueduct line and install two largediameter valves. Looking ahead, design work is already underway for the next phase of the project, with the team exploring more advanced, energy-efficient UV technology that could reduce power requirements and deliver long-term operational benefits for United Utilities
Business
Lancashire Mind’s new community hub transformed Led by our Facilities Management team, businesses across Group have been involved in the delivery of a ‘DIY SOS style’ makeover of Lancashire Mind’s new home in Leyland, creating a modern community hub to support the charity’s growing mental health services. Spearheaded by the Group, other businesses and organisations came together to donate materials, expertise, time and funds worth more than £100,000. The transformation has turned a blank canvas office at Balfour Court into a welcoming space with dedicated areas for one-to-one support, group sessions, training and therapy. The project enabled Lancashire Mind to move from its former premises in Chorley, which had become too small as demand for its services increased. The Group’s contribution builds on a long-standing relationship with Lancashire Mind, including support for its Bounce Forward resilience programme in schools and workplace wellbeing initiatives. In recognition of our contribution, we have been named as an official Founder Patron of the charity. In early July, members of the team were invited down to the official opening of the new community hub, where they were able to see the finished product, meet members of the Lancashire Mind team and also a number of those who have used the charity’s services. Barry Kilby, Head of Projects, said: “Across the Eric Wright Group, our teams have worked closely together to deliver this scheme. Eric Wright Construction supported the project through engagement with our supply chain, playing a key role in reaching out to subcontractors and sourcing materials, including the solid wall partitions and securing additional funding for the glass doors. “Our Facilities Management team then took on the project management and coordination of the works, alongside directly delivering elements such as the joinery package. Their efforts ensured everything came together seamlessly.” Lancashire Mind’s CEO, David Dunwell, said: “Because of the overwhelming kindness of our business community, we’ve been able to move from an outdated office into one which has meeting rooms, training rooms and space for therapy. “It represents Lancashire Mind and our vision as a charity; a place where we can connect, support and change minds. We’ll be forever in debt to our Patron partners who made this possible with their generosity, skills and hard work. We're excited to begin this new era for Lancashire Mind, which will enable us to change lives for even more people across Lancashire.” Read more here. [
Business
Facilities Management secures place on major national framework Facilities Management has been appointed to the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Facilities Management and Security Services Framework, securing positions across all three key lots: Total Facilities Management, Hard Facilities Management and Soft Facilities Management. The £120 billion framework runs until June 2034 and provides central government departments and public sector organisations across the UK with access to trusted service providers. The appointment strengthens our ability to support a wide range of public sector clients, including local authorities, healthcare, emergency services and education providers. Managing Director, Ryan Pearce, described the achievement as recognition of the teams expertise and an opportunity to expand its delivery of high quality, innovative facilities management services nationwide.
New University of Lancashire contract win worth up to £10m Facilities Management has secured a significant new contract with the University of Lancashire, valued at up to £10m over an initial term of up to five years. Under the agreement, the team will deliver Total Facilities Management services across the University’s estate, further strengthening our presence within the education sector and creating valuable opportunities for growth across the business. The contract award is a testament to the dedication, expertise and collaborative approach demonstrated by teams. As part of the mobilisation process, we will also welcome new colleagues into the business.
Shaping the future of FM Our Facilities Management team recently joined industry colleagues at the National Facilities Management in the Public Sector Show in London. The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with industry colleagues, share insights and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping public sector estates and facilities management. The team enjoyed meeting attendees, discussing the latest sector developments and highlighting how effective facilities management can help create safe, sustainable and highperforming environments.
Business
Triple celebration takes place at St Peter’s Health Centre St Peter’s Health Centre, in Burnley, has celebrated 20 years at the heart of its local community, alongside the opening of newly refurbished facilities and the 25th anniversary of the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme. Partners, staff and local representatives gathered on to mark the milestone and celebrate the completion of the improvement works delivered through collaboration between Eric Wright Group, One Partnership, NHS Partners and Community Health Partnerships (CHP). The refurbishment has transformed existing space to create a modern, flexible facilities, including a new mental health suite and improved accommodation for musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services. The new mental health facilities are expected to support up to 200 additional patients each week, helping bring services closer to home. Businesses across the Group played a key role in delivering the works, working closely with partners to transform the centre while maintaining day-to-day operations. Lesley McGregor, Managing Director, said: “It was fantastic to celebrate St Peter's and mark such an important milestone for the centre, its staff and the local community. “Twenty years is a significant achievement, and the opening of these new facilities demonstrates how the centre continues to evolve to meet the needs of the people it serves. The improvements will help provide greater access to services, create a better experience for patients and support healthcare teams in delivering high-quality care. For us, it has been a privilege to work alongside CHP, NHS partners and the wider project team to deliver this transformation.” Read more here.
New X-ray facility opens at Accrington Acorn Partnerships has helped deliver a new state-of-the-art X-ray facility at Accrington Acorn Primary Care Centre, supporting improved access to diagnostic services for the local community. The project forms part of the wider £2m investment by Community Health Partnerships (CHP) to transform and modernise existing healthcare estate. Working collaboratively with CHP, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and One Partnership, the team has repurposed existing space to create a high quality clinical environment. The first X-ray room opened in July and is expected to provide around 100 scans each day. Lesley McGregor, Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to be playing a key role in shaping the future of Neighbourhood Health Centres and delivering real benefits for the local community. Working collaboratively with CHP, the ICB and our delivery partners, we’ve been able to transform space within Accrington Acorn into a high-quality clinical environment that supports community-based diagnostic services. This reworked space demonstrates how existing NHS LIFT facilities can be adapted creatively to meet the changing needs of those in the area.” Read more here.
25 years of LIFT and supporting health in our communities This year marks 25 years of the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme – a quarter of a century of investment in modern healthcare facilities and the communities they serve. Since its launch, the programme has helped transform the way primary and community healthcare is delivered, creating high-quality, accessible facilities that bring a range of services closer to local people. Our Partnerships team have played an important role in this journey, working alongside partners to deliver and support facilities that contribute to healthier, more connected communities. Read more here.
Business
Castlewood Care Home Raises £1,400 for East Lancashire Hospice at the Late Summer Sizzle Event Castlewood Care Home welcomed residents, families and members of the local community to its Late Summer Sizzle Event on Saturday 5 September, delivering an afternoon filled with fun, entertainment and fundraising. Guests enjoyed a delicious BBQ, homemade cakes, face painting, a raffle, tombola and a range of community stalls showcasing local products and services. The event also featured live entertainment from talented local singer Arthur Geldard, whose performance provided the perfect soundtrack to the afternoon and had many guests singing along. A particular highlight was the visit from Nancy and Nora, two friendly alpacas from Emily’s Mini Farm, who proved a huge hit with residents and guests alike. Their gentle nature and playful personalities brought smiles to faces of all ages and created some memorable moments throughout the day. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for residents, families and friends to come together, with multiple generations enjoying quality time, good food and great company. The strong turnout once again demonstrated the importance of community connections and the warm, welcoming environment that Castlewood continues to foster. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, volunteers and prize donors, the event raised approximately £1,400 for East Lancashire Hospice. The success of the Late Summer Sizzle Event is a testament to the support of the local community and reflects Castlewood Care Home’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful experiences for residents while supporting important local charities.
Business
Development Update Reservations and sales are strong across all the Applethwaite developments with the team on track to meet their year-end targets. This reflects the teams hard work and the strength of both the quality of homes and brand reputation.
Brookdale, Grimsargh
Meadow View, Burnley
Brookdale continues to perform really well, we’ve continued to promote the development through events, featured homes and targeted incentives, alongside our Signature Move scheme to help customers who still have a property to sell. The team have recently dressed a Loughrigg, 1 bed and a Whinfell, 2 bed bungalow to show customers the different styles we have available and to allow them to visualise the space.
Meadow View has had a particularly strong year for sales, exceeding the number of homes originally targeted. The development continues to progress well, with customers moving into their new homes and only 9 plots left on the whole development to sell.
Residents have started to move into their new homes, one of the first buyers to move in was married couple Dr and Mrs Desai, their new back garden backs onto their sons home. Speaking about his new home, Dr Desai, retired NHS consultant said: “We have been very happy with the bungalow. It is modern, comfortable and easy to manage, and we particularly enjoy the garden. It has given us a lovely home in a quieter setting, while allowing us to be close to our family, which was the most important thing for us.” Read more here.
Lunesdale, Lancaster There has been lots happening at Lunesdale over recent months. The show home opened in June, giving customers the opportunity to see the quality, specification and lifestyle on offer. A new choices suite allows customers to review the kitchen and bathroom choices and look at upgrades available. The kitchen configurator also allows customers to visualise their choices in a CGI on a touch screen.
Wreacroft, Wrea Green Our newest development at Wrea Green is already generating a really positive response. We began selling the first homes from Brookdale ahead of having an on-site sales presence, allowing us to start converting the early interest in the development. We have already secured sales and early bird interest, with a strong database of prospective customers. Preparations are underway for us to open the sales cabin on site in October, with the show home to follow in December.
Hillside, Rossendale With only a small number of homes now remaining we have been running regular ‘House of the Week’ campaigns and targeted incentives as we move towards the final phase of sales.
Business
Celebrating employee achievements We are delighted to recognise the outstanding achievement of both Aysa Hardy and Reece Lakey, who, through considerable hard work, commitment and dedication, have successfully completed their NVQ Level 7 in Construction Management and achieved MCIOB (Member of the Chartered Institute of Building) accreditation. The NVQ Level 7 is a prestigious work-based qualification aligned to degree level learning and is designed for experienced construction professionals operating in senior leadership roles. Achieving this qualification demonstrates proven competence in construction management, strategic decision making, leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to successfully manage complex projects, people and business functions. These accomplishments not only represent a major personal milestone for Aysa and Reece, but also bring considerable value to our business and clients. Their enhanced knowledge, professionalism and leadership capabilities strengthen our ability to deliver high quality developments, maintain industry best practice and provide confidence to customers, stakeholders and project partners. We are incredibly proud of Aysa and Reece for their dedication and perseverance in achieving these important qualifications. Their commitment to professional development is evident in the quality of their work, the leadership they demonstrate across our developments and the positive impact they have on colleagues, partners and customers alike. They should be extremely proud of their achievements and we congratulate them both on reaching this significant career milestone.
We are excellent on Trustpilot We’ve put a real focus on customer feedback and our online reputation over recent months. Trustpilot is now embedded at several stages of the customer journey, with automated review requests alongside QR codes, posters, leaflets and prompts from our sales and site teams. This has already had a significant positive impact on our rating and gives us much better visibility of what our customers think about their experience with Applethwaite.
Customer initiatives The Stanza Effect room-design service gives purchasers another way to have their very own interior designer help them personalise their new home. Customers can choose to have one room or the whole house professionally designed. Signature Move provides customers with support to market and sell their existing property, to help remove one of the biggest barriers to purchasing a new home. Signature Move includes multi-agency marketing, professional photography and dedicated support throughout the sale.
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Older People Open Funding: Building New Connections and Supporting Later Life This summer, the Eric Wright Charitable Trust launched an Open Funding programme focused on helping older people live well. The programme was designed to introduce the Trust to new organisations, expand our understanding of the sector and support initiatives that improve the quality of life of older people across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and South Cumbria. The funding round generated significant interest, attracting 105 expressions of interest following its launch in June 2026. From these, 15 full applications were submitted and assessed, with five organisations shortlisted for faceto-face visits. The process provided the Trust team with valuable insight into a diverse range of community-based services addressing isolation, wellbeing, independence and support for older carers. The organisations that were successful represent a strong geographical spread and a variety of approaches to supporting older people. Here are some of the new charities that are now receiving funding:
Advantage! Barrow Raiders Community Foundation delivering health, wellbeing, exercise and reminiscence activities for people aged 65+
Inspired Taskforce, activities that reduce isolation and improve wellbeing for people aged 50+
Wigan Athletic Community Trust, creating weekly social groups that combine companionship, digital support and wellbeing services for adults over 60 A common theme across the applications was the need to tackle loneliness and social isolation while helping older people remain active, connected and independent. Many organisations are also responding to emerging challenges including digital exclusion, financial pressures, caring responsibilities and declining health. The programme highlighted how preventative support from age 50 onwards can help people stay resilient and reduce more acute needs later in life. The visits undertaken by the team also strengthened relationships with charities new to the Trust, broadening our understanding of the charitable landscape and identifying opportunities for future collaboration. The response has demonstrated both the scale of need and the innovation of local charities working to ensure older people can live healthier, more connected and fulfilling lives. With strong interest and encouraging applications, the programme has provided an excellent foundation for future learning, partnership building and community impact.
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Charity of the Year 2026/2027 As many of you know, each year we operate our Charity of the Year initiative, where employees across the Group have a chance to nominate a charity that is close to them to receive funding from the Eric Wright Charitable Trust. Each division, plus Group Central Services will nominate a charity for Trustee approval. We are pleased to announce that following another successful year across Group, each division’s chosen charity will receive a £30,000 donation. This is a great opportunity for our staff to put forward a charity that is close to their hearts and help us choose organisations that we can support and make a meaningful difference to over the year ahead. You’ll hear from your divisional/Group lead, about how to nominate a charity, which will include all the relevant criteria. When nominating, if there is a reason for the nomination and you’re happy to share, please tell us why this charity is important to you and why you are putting it forward for a nomination. We’d love to hear your suggestions — whether it’s a charity you’ve personally supported, one that has made an impact in our local community, or a cause that you feel deserves greater awareness and support. As part of the process, we’re looking for each division and central services to nominate a lead point of contact with the chosen charity (following approval of the donation), to maximise the relationship over the 12 months of the partnership. The relationship with each chosen charity can stretch beyond the initial Charitable Trust donation. As the lead, you can find out more about volunteer day opportunities, team building days and how you can raise further funds as a team (remember, these can be match funded by Charitable Trust too). Below is an example of how the Eric Wright Partnerships team maximised their impact on their chosen charity over the last year.
Eric Wright Partnerships and Muscular Dystrophy (MD) UK Our businesses can create a much greater impact by looking beyond the big cheque and finding opportunities for our people, supply chain and wider network to get involved. The team came together to raise an additional £13,000 for MDUK which together with the Charitable Trust donation of £25,000 saw the charity receive a whopping £38,000 in total over the year. The team really brought the relationship and partnership to life showing how employee engagement and fundraising activity can turn a charitable partnership into a wider opportunity for participation and impact. Creating multiple ways for the team to contribute was a key factor, enabling the team to participate in things that interests them, from sponsored challenges to sporting events to and social activities, workplace initiatives and individual fundraising. Over the last year, the team have fundraised through cake sales, charity events, creative workshops and sporting challenges, with colleagues going above and beyond to contribute to the final total. The value of this approach goes beyond the amount of money raised. Creating opportunities for fundraising: Increases our charitable impact by combining corporate support and individual contributions Engages employees by giving people an active role in fundraising for their chosen charity Demonstrates our commitment to social value across the business.
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Water Park Family Day Families from across the Group attended the Water Park Family day in August and the feedback, as always, has been very positive. One family said: “This year was our first time at Water Park, I waited a few years until my sons were a bit older, as I wanted them to be confident enough to have a go, turns out they were both much braver than me! We all really enjoyed the different activities, especially paddleboarding which we’d wanted to try for ages. My youngest also made a new friend while we were there, which was a lovely bonus! We had a great time and would love to go back again”
Water Park and Eric Wright Charitable Trust funded charities By working alongside Water Park and the Trust’s beneficiaries, the Trust is opening doors for young people who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities. Through outdoor activities, personal development experiences and new challenges, participants gain confidence, develop key life skills and expand their aspirations for the future. This is one of the approaches we are taking to offering ‘more than just funding’ to the charities we support.
Eric Wright Learning CharitableFoundation Trust
Ambassador Training Eric Wright Learning Foundation’s mission statement is "To inspire young people to discover their full potential, empowering them to build successful futures and contribute to positive and lasting change in their communities." Across the business, we have a large number of ambassadors who engage closely with young people at an early age to raise their aspirations and showcase the wide range of opportunities available across our industry sectors. By providing positive experiences and real world insights, the ambassadors encourage individuals to explore career pathways they may never have previously be considered. Recently, new and existing ambassadors came together for an ambassador induction session. The ambassadors were given an insight into the full breadth of activities provided by the team. Getting hands on with some of the STEM workshops provided through the Learning Foundation such as the giant tetrahedron, bridge the gap and the Da Vinci bridge provided real insight for the ambassadors about how we can engage young people in real world lessons and themes. Ambassadors are now empowered to deliver and run the full range of activities designed to inform, inspire and prepare individuals for the world of work. Activities can include career fairs and exhibitions, mock interviews, speed networking events, career talks and STEM activities. We're still looking to increase our reach across young people and maximise the number of activities we can deliver. If you're interested in becoming a learning ambassador or want to find out more, contact Catherine Ashcroft or Emma Gardner.
Business
Award wins continue across the Group: A true reflection of how we demonstrate excellence in everything we do At the national Employer’s Excellence Awards ceremony which took place in early September, Eric Wright Group were named Outstanding Employer and Construction Employer of the Year. The Employer’s Excellence Awards celebrates Britain’s most exceptional employers and puts a spotlight on the innovative people and organisations leading the way in workplace excellence and showcases the remarkable achievements of the nation’s leading business pioneers.
Speaking about being named Outstanding Employer, Jeremy Hartley, CEO, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as an Outstanding Employer. It recognises the culture our colleagues have created together, built on mutual support, opportunity and a genuine commitment to helping people succeed. From investing in wellbeing and early careers to supporting communities across the region, our people consistently go above and beyond, and this achievement is theirs.”
John Hartnett, Managing Director, Eric Wright Construction, commented on winning Construction Employer of the Year and said: “It is a testament to the skill, commitment and professionalism of our people, who consistently deliver complex, high-quality projects while supporting one another and creating opportunities for the next generation. Our success is built on investing in our colleagues, maintaining an excellent workplace culture and delivering lasting value for the communities in which we work.”
Alongside the award wins, Applethwaite Homes were shortlisted for Small Employer of the Year and Eric Wright Charitable Trust were shortlisted for Charity or Not-For-Profit Initiative of the Year. Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted companies and individuals.
Business
Double awards win for the Applethwaite team We are thrilled to announce that our Applethwaite Homes team are double winners at the prestigious UK Property Awards. The awards celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property & real estate industry. The winning entries celebrate our Lunesdale development in the Residential Development 20+ Units category and the Yewdale Show Home at Brookdale in the Residential Interior Show Home category. This is fantastic recognition for both developments and, across the whole team, is something we are incredibly proud of.
Water win ‘Going the Extra Mile’ award at the CECA Yorkshire and Humber Annual Awards This award recognises the Water team's commitment to challenging conventional solutions and delivering greater value through engineering innovation. By proactively reviewing the wider wastewater network, the team developed an alternative solution that reduced costs, simplified operations and eliminated unnecessary infrastructure. The team were also shortlisted for the Project of the Year award for their South Elmsall Wastewater Treatment Works.
Hartley Locks, Lightbody Street named Residential Development of the Year At the 2026 Insider Liverpool City Region Property Awards, Torus took home Residential Development of the Year for their new Hartley Locks, Lightbody Street, development. Eric Wright Construction successfully delivered the new high-quality residential development, for Torus, within one of Liverpool’s most constrained and historically sensitive locations.
Business
Full suite of shortlists at the prestigious Insider’s Lancashire Property Awards 2026
Partnerships is shortlisted at IHEEM Eric Wright Partnerships and Community Health Partnerships have been shortlisted for Refurbishment Project of the Year at the 2026 Healthcare Estates Awards for their work on St Peter's Health Centre. Congratulations to the team, who will attend the awards in October!
The Lancashire Property Awards are a standout moment in the regional property calendar as they spotlight achievement and celebrate the success of developers, housebuilders and partners right across Lancashire. We are thrilled that, across the Group, we have been shortlisted in a wide array of awards, demonstrating our impact across the region across a range of projects.
One Partnership Celebrates Triple Awards Shortlist
Read the shortlist below: Property Deal of the Year: Land Sale at Lancashire Central to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Maple Grove Developments and Lancashire County Council) Construction Business of the Year: Eric Wright Construction Commercial Developer of the Year: Maple Grove Developments Residential Developer/Housebuilder of the Year: Applethwaite Commercial Development of the Year: Farington Cricket Facility (Eric Wright Construction) Residential Development of the Year: Briarwood, Applethwaite Social Impact Award: Lancashire Mind – New Community Hub, Leyland (Eric Wright Group)
One Partnership has been shortlisted for three awards at the Operational Public Private Partnerships Summit and Awards 2026: Managed Service Provider of the Year, The Public and Private Sector Collaboration Award (Healthcare), and Operational PPP Project of the Year for St Peter's Health Centre, Burnley. We wish the team the best of luck ahead of the awards ceremony in November.
IWFM Awards Finalists Willohaus shortlisted at the Manchester Property Awards Working with client ECF, Willohaus has been shortlisted for Residential Project of the Year and Affordable Housing Project of the Year at the Manchester Property Awards in November. Willohaus is Construction’s second Passivhaus development for ECF and we are currently building their third Passivhaus development at Regent Trading Estate.
Congratulations to Facilities Management Managing Director Ryan Pearce and Head of Projects Barry Kilby, who have been shortlisted for IWFM Leader of the Year and IWFM Armed Forces Veteran in FM respectively at the IWFM Impact Awards.
Social Value Maple Grove volunteering Colleagues from Maple Grove and across the Group recently spent their volunteer day supporting Cuerden Valley Park Trust with preparations for the upcoming Cuerden Clubland Event. The team rolled up their sleeves to assist with a variety of tasks, including preparing the bar areas, moving and positioning the dancefloor, stock counting, and supporting other event activities. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and community spirit helped ensure the venue was ready to welcome guests for what proved to be a fantastic event.
Manchester Street Viaduct At Manchester Street Viaduct, the project made a financial donation to Mahdlo (Oldham Youth Zone) towards the funding of their ‘scran van’ throughout the school summer holidays. The Scran Van, a mobile engagement vehicle, is designed to reach young people in community spaces, parks, and estates throughout the borough. The Eric Wright Charitable Trust also provide an annual donation to Mahdlo.
VIDEO TO GO HERE
A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and made a valuable contribution to the local community.
Work experience to full time job at Leyland Sam has started a work placement with us on our Leyland Town Deal project. He gained this placement through the youth guarantee scheme with Leyland Job Centre. Sam's been out of work for some time and was keen to gain work experience after gaining his CSCS card, he will now spend the next few weeks gaining experience with our Construction team.
Supporting care leavers across Group As a business, we have been working with Lancashire County Council to see how we can support care leavers within the county. In support of this, we hosted two events at the start of the summer, one at head office and one at Moor Park. Our Civils team hosted a site visit for 8 young people looking to get into construction. They undertook a site induction, site tour, operated a remote-control roller and had the opportunity to[ network with our team.
Walton Breck Road As part of our social value commitments for the Walton Breck Road project, we donated equipment and materials to Community Basket, a local community interest company. Community Basket aims to tackle long-term poverty in the L4 and L5 postcode areas by providing access to affordable food. Through its allotment growing activities, the organisation brings together socially isolated residents and people facing barriers to employment to grow food, which is then distributed within the local community.
Social Value
Life-saving support for Chuckles Nursery A new life-saving defibrillator and cabinet has been installed at Chuckles Nursery in Warton, thanks to a £1,500 donation from our Applethwaite team. The equipment is now available on site, providing an important emergency resource for children, families, staff and the wider local community. This donation forms part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities near our developments, including Wreacroft. By investing in local facilities, we aim to make a meaningful difference to residents. Read more here.
Applethwaite supports Derian House Children’s Hospice The Applethwaite team are delighted to have supported Derian House Children’s Hospice with a charitable donation raised through the sale of furniture from one of our show homes. The sale generated £355, with all proceeds donated to Derian House, helping to support its vital work caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions across the North West. Alongside the financial contribution, we also donated a collection of art sets for children and families receiving care at the hospice. Samantha Palin, Director of Sales, said: “We know the team at Derian House makes a remarkable difference to so many families, and we’re honoured to play a small part in supporting their work.” Read more here.
Water Volunteering Day at Shenley Court Hall As part of our works in the Midlands, our Water team recently volunteered with Selwood and Siltbuster at Shenley Court Hall to tidy up a community garden, complete with an accessible food growing area. Once completed, weekly sessions will be run to provide health and wellbeing benefits to participants in addition to building confidence and tackling isolation.
Regent Trading Estate host Macmillan Coffee Morning Our Construction team at Regent Trading Estate hosted a cake and coffee morning for local businesses within Islington Mill and surrounding Construction sites to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The team have donated a fantastic £450 to the charity following their coffee morning and match funding from the Charitable Trust.
VIDEO TO GO HERE
People
Eric Wright Group Legal team spotlights! In conjunction with the impending retirement of Deborah Rawlinson, the Legal department warmly welcomes Nicola Beneduce, who joined us as Group Property Solicitor on 7 September. Nicola is an experienced commercial property solicitor and a former partner at Harrison Drury Solicitors. Nicola will manage the property function within the team, supported by Olivia Hepworth and our secretaries, to provide dedicated legal support in relation to commercial property transactions across the Group.
Applethwaite appoints Sales Progressor Applethwaite have welcomed Marshall Lanhan as a Sales Progressor. Marshall provides customers with a dedicated point of contact from reservation through to legal completion, which helps to improve exchange times. Marshall expertly coordinates buyers, solicitors, mortgage advisers, estate agents and Applethwaite site teams.
Manisha Kumar, in her new role as Head of the Legal Team, will oversee all functions of the Group Legal Department. The Legal team would also like to congratulate Diane Simmons on her 30-year long service with the Group and her invaluable contribution over the years. This includes being Personal Assistant to now Trustee, Mike Collier and former Chairman, Jim Carter and also her exemplary administration of the sizeable LIFT tenders successfully procured by the Group.
Office Christmas Party Preparations are well underway for our annual office Christmas Party. The event will take place on Tuesday 22 December 2026 at 1842 Restaurant & Bar, Preston from 2pm onwards. If you would like to attend please ensure you have registered your name using the following link here.
People
Service celebrations Congratulations and thank you to our colleagues who are celebrating service anniversaries. 10 Years Service Tony Leach, Group Health & Safety Manager - EWG Danielle Hopkins, L&D Administrator - EWG Paul O'Brien, Operative - EWC James Craig, Office Administrator - EWW Joanne Carpenter, Cleaning Operative - EWFM Aggie Siudyla, Cleaning Operative - EWFM Kerry Garside, Cleaning Operative - EWFM 20 Years Service Dave Bagley, Project Manager - EWCE Anthony Fletcher, Advanced Operative - EWC Reece Roberts, Head of Operations - EWFM
30 Years Service Diane Simmons, Legal Secretary - EWG
Diane Simmons
Reece Roberts
A huge welcome to our new colleagues across the Group Eric Wright Group Milana Holosova - Accounts Assistant Jody Kerner - Group Procurement Manager Nicola Beneduce - Group Solicitor Eric Wright Water Eoin Donohoe - Operative Lucas Pill-Fairbrother - Commercial Assistant Brad Halliday - Electrical Engineer Alan Stitt - Fabricator Eric Wright Civil Engineering Grace Butterfield-Williamson - Apprentice Estimator Henry Bullen - Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Gareth Cavanagh - Apprentice Trainee Site Engineer Thomas Moville - Bid Writer Nathan McGranaghan - Operative Tawonga Chikombe - Project Manager Wrightcare Barbara Flynn - Domestic Jaime Garcia - Senior Care Worker Debbie Mirza - Care Worker Lilly Smalley - Care Worker Courtney Schofield - Care Worker Keelan Cawtherley - Care Worker Anabelle Pilling - Hospitality Support Julie Dickinson - Domestic Dauad Asghar - Senior Care Worker Alison Cooke - Hospitality Support Neve Harper - Lifestyle Christopher Hayton - Care Worker Sally Conlan - Deputy Manager
Eric Wright Construction Henry Baguley - Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Jacob Hartley - Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Oliver Bate - Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Jake Thompson - Apprentice Site Manager Oscar Howells - Apprentice Site Manager Harry Waldron - Apprentice Site Manager Simon Blakey - Design Manager James Fanning - Project Manager Isabelle May - Quantity Surveyor Eric Wright Facilities Management Joshua Watkins - Cleaning Operative Jack Saunders - Cleaning Operative Kelly Hockenhull - Cleaning Operative Sonja Kelly - Cleaning Operative Katie Breakell - Cleaning Operative Christopher Schofield - Cleaning Operative Rebecca Lea - Cleaning Operative Jacinta Jones - Cleaning Operative William Buckley - Cleaning Operative McKenzie Palin-Alldred - Coffee Shop Assistant Nick Marshall - Commercial Manager Jessica Raymode - Customer Service Advisor Aaron Barlow - Customer Service Advisor Simon McGreavy - Mobile Site Supervisor Jensen Dugdale - Plumber Applethwaite Chloe Sprules - Business Trainee
Follow us on Linkedin Please contact us with any news you’d like to see in the next update: ewgcomms@ericwright.co.uk
Written and designed by Amy , Eleisha and Michelle
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