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SEPTEMBER 2026

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SWISS AIR PAPR: BREATHING WITHOUT LIMITS

Capture Expense Founder James Rowell explains the hidden cost of construction work

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Contents September 2026 Farrans appointed to construct

London Stansted skylink 06 new walkways

Giant hogweed can pose health

safety risk, says Property 14 and Care Association

Strong order book allows Welsh

firm to plan ahead 18 construction with confidence

18 23

Northumberland College

lead Ashington 23 alumni Campus development

Sam Blacknell, Head of Skills

24 Partnerships at British Gypsum,

talks plastering and the skills gap

Tru Earthworks has reduced site survey times thanks to Smart Construction

Railpen secures planning consent

30 for major redevelopment project at 12 Smithfield

The Next Phase of SuDS: Three

40 Challenges for Construction Teams, by Pete Tamblin

The Construction Reset: UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus

Kent Construction EXPO

54 returns, Thursday 1 October, Kent Event Centre, Detling

Front Cover Image by Miko Koski

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Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 03

Latest News Construction. Dudleys have been involved on the scheme from very early stages, providing initial design input directly to the North York Moors Council, before being novated to OGL to take the scheme through to completion, providing all of the necessary civil engineering requirements to enable and service the site. It is also advising on all structural engineering requirements for a steel-frame, 2 storey building. Paul Brownlow, Director at Dudleys Consulting Engineers, said: “We are pleased to see work begin on site for this important project, which has taken several years to reach this stage. Having delivered the adjacent housing development a few years ago, we know the site well and can help accelerate the groundworks to keep the structural programme on track.

DUDLEYS COMMENCES NEW HQ FOR NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Dudleys Consulting Engineers has commenced work on site to deliver a new £3.3 million headquarters office and rangers’ depot for the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA). Designed by Bowman Riley Architects and located in the village of Helmsley, the new facility will bring the Authority’s existing premises together in one more efficient base for the team serving local communities and helping to protect the North York Moors.

The building will provide high-quality office space for modern hybrid working, with open-plan workstations, meeting rooms, breakout areas and a large committee room for public meetings. It will also include welfare and storage for the operational NYM rangers, along with parking for overflow use, electric vehicle charging, fleet vehicles and bicycles. Preparation works have already completed with foundations now ongoing by the main contractor OGL

“The structure will use around 55 tonnes of hot-rolled steelwork to support a firstfloor composite concrete deck, founded on traditional pad and strip foundations bearing on shallow natural ground. “Locally sourced Witton Fell sandstone will also be used for the external façade, providing a modern HQ Building, with traditional stone elevations in keeping with the locality.

Externally, we have designed a combination of permeable paving with a traditional drainage system, passing through a below ground attenuation tank before discharge into the local sewer network. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

75 CONTRACTORS APPOINTED TO £725M REACTIVE REPAIRS FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL LANDLORDS Procurement for Housing (PfH) has selected 75 firms for its latest responsive housing repairs and void property services framework for housing associations and local authorities, which is worth £725m over three years. Allerton Damp Proofing, Axis Europe, Bell Group, Cardo Group, Orbis Protect and Rentokil are among the contractors appointed to the third generation of this UK wide reactive maintenance framework, which spans roofing,

plumbing, gas and electrical, windows and doors, fencing repairs and more. Contractors will either support a social landlord’s direct labour organisation or deliver a fully outsourced responsive repairs service. A new lot has been introduced for time sensitive disrepair works, including damp and mould, water ingress and structural defects, giving these specialist services a dedicated area of the framework. A new pest control lot has also been added.

04 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

The framework retender comes at a time when housing providers are facing mounting disrepair cases, significant backlogs of routine repairs, heightened regulatory pressure following Awaab’s Law and the countdown to the new Decent Homes Standard which will start in 2035. Procurement for Housing (PfH) has redesigned the framework to help housing associations and councils to meet these obligations while supporting a higher standard, more accountable

Latest News

FARRANS APPOINTED TO CONSTRUCT NEW LONDON STANSTED SKYLINKS “We now move to the construction phase of the work, where Farran’s expertise and experience of delivering airport projects in busy operational environments will be invaluable. The airport continues to welcome record numbers of passengers so together with our delivery partners we are really building momentum on our transformation programme that will deliver new passenger facilities, support growth and unlock capacity on our existing single runway.”

London Stansted has confirmed Farrans as its partner for the construction of the airport’s new skylink walkways. The new skylinks are an integral feature of the airport’s transformation programme, creating new walkways to directly connect the terminal to existing satellite buildings that are home to the departure and arrival gates.

Work will begin later this summer with pre-assembly of skylink sections taking place ‘offsite’ in a vacant airport hangar on the northside of the airfield. This method of construction will save time, and by reducing working at height, creates a safer working environment, as well as reducing congestion in busy airport operational areas

The addition of the skylinks will enable Stansted’s track transit people mover system to be decommissioned, creating the space for the terminal building to be extended towards the airfield in later phases of the transformation work.

Once each section is completed, they will be transported overnight from the construction hangar across the airfield on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to minimise disruption to the airport’s operation.

The centrepiece of the programme is a three-bay extension to the existing terminal that will transform the customer experience. It adds 16,500m2 of space, creating a bright spacious environment with new shops, bars and restaurants, making Stansted the biggest single terminal airport in Europe.

Rob Stewart, MAG’s Capital Delivery Programme Director, said: “We’re delighted to continue our strong and successful partnership with Farrans at London Stansted having successfully worked with the team through the design, planning and enabling phases of the skylinks project, a vital component in our overall transformation programme.

The skylinks will feature passenger travelators and allow for assistance buggies to take passengers with reduced mobility on the full journey between the terminal and the arrival and departure gates.

06 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

Glenn Gilmore, Regional Director at Farrans, said: “Passengers arriving to London Stansted will already be able to see that we are mobilising our site in preparation for main works to begin during this exciting period of transformation for the airport.

Construction in aviation environments comes with many unique challenges including making sure that our clients’ business operations can continue 24/7 with minimal disruption every day. We are specialists in managing these tricky interfaces with our extensive experience on site at numerous other UK airports. “We will be collaborating closely with our clients and their operations team as we deliver this important project to support passenger number growth at London Stansted.”

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Case Study

PREPARING FOR MANDATORY DIGITAL WASTE TRACKING: HOW ORGANISATIONS CAN TURN COMPLIANCE INTO SUSTAINABILITY, EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY GAINS By Emma Cooke, Operations Manager at tech-specialist firm Envirovue The way businesses across the UK manage waste is set to change as the UK government moves towards heightened environmental responsibility and transparency.

professionals can prepare for the mandatory rollout of digital waste tracking in October and the impact of digitisation on sustainability, compliance, profitability and efficiency.

In October 2026, the UK government will begin rolling out its mandatory digital waste tracking initiative, requiring companies to record their waste movements throughout the supply chain.

The sustainability challenge facing modern operations

Recycling and sustainability can no longer be approached as an optional extra. Growing environmental scrutiny and tightening regulation is forcing businesses in the construction industry to take a more proactive approach. Against a backdrop of increasing waste crime and illegal dumping, mandatory waste tracking will replace an outdated method of waste management that can be easily manipulated with a system that gives real time updates and leaves a digital trail. Emma Cooke, Operations Manager at tech-specialist firm Envirovue, discusses how construction

The UK generates around 40 million tonnes of waste, accounting for more than 13 percent of national emissions, meaning that the need for smarter and more circular waste strategies is urgent. Many organisations across construction generate significant volumes of waste, but those that can demonstrate strong environmental credentials are better positioned to secure high-value contracts and maintain long-term competitiveness. Yet sustainability initiatives are often perceived as costly and complex to implement, with unclear returns. In reality, some of the most effective gains come from better visibility and incremental change. In a 2026 report the UK government recorded that there was a nine percent increase in fly-tipping incidents in England in 2024/25, rising from 1.15 million incidents in 2023/24 to 1.26 million incidents. This legislation has the potential to address illegal dumping and waste crimes by creating greater transparency for waste management. All businesses handling waste, from the producer to sorting facilities will have clear roles and responsibilities streamlining the waste management process and making it easier to track.

Implementing waste tracking

Emma Cooke

The UK Government’s digital waste tracking initiative represents a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability.

08 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

By capturing accurate, real-time data on where waste originates, how it is transported and where it ends up, how it is recycled, organisations can identify inefficiencies, reduce environmental impact and optimise resource use. Envirovue’s cloud-based portal enables businesses to bring together all waste data and management routes into a single, central system. This ensures waste is handled appropriately and disposed of in full compliance with regulations. By accurately identifying and segregating different waste types, each stream can be managed and processed in line with its specific requirements. One example is Oadby Plastics, one of the UK’s largest independent plastics suppliers, which has significantly strengthened its sustainability performance through a targeted waste tracking strategy. Working in partnership with Envirovue since August 2024, the company has implemented a robust system to monitor, manage and minimise waste across its production processes and facilities. The results have been substantial, with Oadby Plastics having achieved 99 percent landfill diversion and reached carbon neutral waste status, while also putting more than 1,100 tonnes of production waste back into the supply chain since the start of 2023. Crucially, the introduction of detailed waste visibility has enabled the business to identify inefficiencies within its CNC manufacturing processes, a traditionally waste-intensive area, and take targeted action to improve material yield and reduce unnecessary loss. Beyond waste, the company is also addressing its wider environmental impact by investing in renewable energy systems to power operations, further lowering its overall carbon footprint.

Case Study

Envirovue’s cloud-based portal enables businesses to bring together all waste data and management routes into a single, central system. This ensures waste is handled appropriately and disposed of in full compliance with regulations. By accurately identifying and segregating different waste types, each stream can be managed and processed in line with its specific requirements. This example demonstrates how combining digital waste tracking can not only assist business with complying with the digital waste tracking mandate but also with practical operational changes can turn sustainability from a perceived cost into improved efficiency, supporting wider compliance and strengthening environmental credentials at the same time.

Prioritising people and process Technology alone cannot deliver meaningful change without engagement from employees, supported by clear processes and shared accountability. Education plays a critical role and teams must understand the importance of correct waste segregation and be equipped with the knowledge to identify and handle different materials appropriately. Training in waste identification, handling procedures and compliance requirements is essential. Access to transparent data also allows organisations to benchmark performance, identify inefficiencies and embed continuous improvement. Over time, this fosters better decision-making and strengthens the link between day-today operations and environmental outcomes.

Looking ahead As regulatory expectations increase, waste tracking and targeted digital tools offer a scalable pathway for construction companies to more sustainable operations. By starting small, focusing on high-impact areas and using data intelligently, organisations can demonstrate measurable progress without significant upfront investment — turning sustainability from a challenge into a strategic advantage. To find out more about Envirovue, please visit: envirovue.io

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 09

Technology & Software

MOST CONSTRUCTION FIRMS ARE GETTING AI WRONG. DON’T BE ONE OF THEM. At a recent panel discussion at Bluebeam’s Unbound London, industry experts agreed: AI won’t replace construction professionals – it’ll amplify the talent. They shared practical advice: start small, focus on the problems in front of you, and use AI-powered tools like Bluebeam Max to reduce risk, automate busy work and build towards better project delivery.

construction depends on. These kinds of tools don’t just save time – they take risks off the table.

Reducing risk, improving confidence The question isn’t whether AI is changing the construction industry. It’s already reshaping project delivery across the sector. The real question is how to make it work in your favour – a topic that dominated conversation at Bluebeam’s recent AI panel discussion at Unbound London. For construction teams, that means adopting AI where it can make an immediate difference: inside the review, markup and takeoff workflows they already rely on. “A lot of people are scared,” admitted Parm Bhangal, Managing Director of Bhangal Construction Consultants. “Is it going to take my job?” But the same people asking that question are working in an industry where finding the right talent is harder than ever. AI’s greatest opportunity isn’t replacement – it’s amplification. Making the talent you already have sharper, faster and more productive.

The tools that make the difference

The panel kept coming back to this. Whether you’re automating takeoffs on the front end or auditing costs on the back end, AI’s greatest value is catching human error before it becomes a costly problem downstream. In construction, that’s not a small thing. That’s the ROI. With Bluebeam Max, teams can bring that same thinking into everyday document review, using SmartReview to check work faster, surface inconsistencies and give project teams more confidence before decisions move forward.

Start small. Win big. “Bite-size it,” said Parm Bhangal, when asked for advice on AI adoption. “Look at the bits you actually need to solve right now.” And Shan Chaudri, Managing Director of Brighter Graphics, added a note of reassurance for anyone feeling the pressure to keep up: “You must do it on your own journey, at your own pace. But the benefits for your business will be tangible for you. Small wins equal a greater result for your organisation.” In other words, FOMO is not a strategy.

That’s the philosophy behind Bluebeam Max, the AI-powered evolution of Revu that is already trusted by 4 million users worldwide. Bluebeam Max brings smarter markups, automated takeoffs and natural language commands into the workflows your teams already use, helping them work faster without losing the control and judgement that

10 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

Bluebeam Max gives teams a practical place to start: one workflow, one process, one measurable improvement at a time – from takeoffs and markups to faster document review. Start with what Bluebeam Max can do for your team today and let the wins build from there.

Invest in your people The final word went to the people. As Dai David, Group Chief Technology Officer at Arup put it: “If you combine decades of engineering subject matter expertise with young, energetic people who know how to make a difference, they both learn off each other.” The firms not investing in apprentices and graduates right now are making serious mistakes. They’re the people who’ll help solve future problems. The distance between firms using AI well and those still waiting for the perfect moment is growing. Bluebeam Max is how you make sure you’re on the right side of it, giving teams a practical way to start applying AI now without disrupting the way they already work.

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Opinion Piece

THE HIDDEN COST OF CONSTRUCTION WORK By James Rowell, Founder, Capture Expense Construction margins are under pressure from every direction. Material prices remain volatile, labour availability is tight, and programmes are being delivered against increasingly compressed timelines. In that environment, cost control depends on understanding how money moves through a project while work is still underway. One category of spend consistently escapes that scrutiny: out-ofpocket expenses. Fuel, mileage, accommodation, subsistence and small equipment purchases are routine in construction. Capture Expense data shows these costs are being covered upfront by workers at scale. In 2025, construction workers submitted 22,556 expense claims through the platform,

reclaiming £1.5 million they had already paid themselves. They average claim value was £66.19, indicating frequent, low-value transactions rather than exceptional purchases. These costs are operationally necessary, but they rarely sit within formal procurement or cost-planning processes. As a result, they often reach finance teams late and with limited context.

Paper-based capture slows cost recognition Our data shows that construction expense capture remains heavily paper-led. In 2025, construction workers submitted 11,503 paper

receipts, compared with 3,977 digital receipts. Physical receipts accounted for almost three quarters of all receipt submissions across the sector. Paper receipts are typically submitted after the event, often in batches. When claims reach review, the spend may be days or weeks old. The transaction is visible, but the circumstances around it are not. Approval data further reflects this delay. While the median time to full approval is 1.8 days, the average approval time stretches to 8.2 days, indicating that a large proportion of claims sit in the systems for more than a working week. During that period, costs remain absent from living project reporting. Forecasts rely on partial information and expense cost adjustments often arrive after commercial decisions have already been made. This timing gap affects how projects look while they are underway. Expense spend does not surface gradually alongside delivery. It appears later, often in clusters, once claims near approval. For construction businesses operating across multiple sites, that lag reduces the usefulness of expense data during active projects and shifts cost control into retrospective explanation rather than real-time management.

What expense claims show about pressure on site Expense claims capture how projects behave when timelines tighten. Our data from 2025 shows that the most common construction expense categories are mileage and transportation, subsistence, hotel and overnight stays, and equipment and hardware. These claims track activity during delivery rather than planning and tend to increase when programmes compress or resourcing stretches.

James Rowell

12 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

Mileage claims reflect movement between sites and changes to site allocation. Subsistence claims rise

Opinion Piece with extended shifts. Overnight stays increase where work overruns or travel becomes unavoidable. Equipment purchases submitted through expenses point to gaps between what was planned and what was needed in practice. The same conditions that generate these claims also explain why they later become difficult to process. Claims created during live work are rarely submitted immediately. The data shows that construction expenses are frequently submitted with paper receipts and reach approval days after the spend occurred. By the time claims enter review, operational detail has often been lost. This shows up clearly in rejection data. Hotel and overnight stays claims have a 9.8% rejection rate, while subsistence claims are rejected 6% of the time. Mileage claims account for the highest volume of rejections, despite a comparatively low rejection rate of 1.87%. The primary causes behind the rejections are consistent too: vague descriptions, missing information, and unclear audit trails.

The result? A feedback loop. Site pressure generates expense activity. Delayed capture weakens data quality and weaker data increases handling time. Cost visibility moves further away from the point of decision-making.

The impact on margins Construction margins rarely fail because of a single cost overrun. They erode through accumulated, tolerated spend that sits outside formal controls. Expenses sit squarely in that category. Our data shows a steady flow of lowvalue, high-frequency claims moving through construction firms every week. When visibility is delayed, commercial teams manage projects using partial information. Corrections arrive late, often in clusters, rather than informing decisions as work progresses. Expense visibility does not eliminate these costs, rather, it determines whether they are understood early or explained later. Expense management reflects how construction work actually gets done. The data shows workers regularly bridging gaps between planning and

delivery with their own money. Those transactions carry useful information about pressure points on site, but only if they are captured and reviewed in time.

In an industry where margins are tight and programmes are unforgiving, delayed cost visibility creates avoidable risk. Expense data will always exist, but the question is whether it informs delivery or simply documents it after the fact.

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Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 13

Health & Safety

GIANT HOGWEED CAN POSE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK, SAYS PCA A large invasive plant that can cause a painful skin reaction is in full flowering season, and experts at national trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) are urging site managers, developers and landscapers to be aware of the risks it can pose. Giant hogweed can grow as tall as a residential streetlight, with large flower spikes that appear from mid-June onwards

and leaves that can span more than a metre. Contact with the plant causes a severe skin reaction that is antagonised by sunlight and can result in painful blisters which emerge between 24 and 48 hours after exposure. Daniel Docking is Technical Manager at the PCA. He said: “The distribution

and frequency of Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is increasing, causing significant problems for developers, site managers and landscapers due to the harmful nature of the leaves. “It is a health and safety risk for both anyone working on a site as well as for any members of the public that may come into contact with it and biosecurity measures will need to be put in place, ensuring it is sectioned off. “The plant is also a concern from an ecological standpoint, as it prevents sunlight from reaching the soil and can cause major changes to native plants and the invertebrates that depend on them.

Daniel Docking

“Often seen with Himalayan balsam it favours similar habitats by the side of waterways such as rivers and canals, where the water will carry the seeds, and also at roadsides, where the breeze created by passing cars can spread thousands of seeds along the way.” Under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement & Permitting) Order 2019 it is an offence in England and Wales to allow Giant hogweed to grow in the wild without a licence or permit, and to do so could result in strict enforcement action by the Invasive Non-Native Species Inspectorate.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FACE THE HIGHEST RISK OF FATALITY, WITH 1 IN 2 BRITS SAYING HSE TRAINING IS SKIPPED DUE TO TIME PRESSURE New data from Astutis has revealed that a growing number of UK employees are funding their own health and safety training from their own pockets, according to the Learner Report.

The report revealed that 1 in every 10 employees funded their own training, raising serious concerns about underinvestment and culture gaps across industries such as construction.

Half of Brits (50%) also say that health and safety training is skipped due to a lack of time at work, showing that it isn’t treated as a priority.

The report, which surveyed 920 workers, also found that nearly a third (31%) of UK workers said that their employer’s training budget was insufficient for their role or risk level.

It has also been revealed that 28% of fatalities last year in a workplace were from the construction industry, followed by 18.5% from agriculture, foresting and fishing.

One of the Learner Report’s biggest findings was that over half (51%) of employees said that a safer workplace is down to colleague behaviour, not rules or lack of knowledge.

14 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

This shows that employers need to be more aware of cultural issues as well as compliance, and need to invest in accountability and team-wide behavioural change. Last month, the government released statistics on workplace safety and fatalities in the workplace. The report revealed that in March 20242025, there were 124 deaths in the workplace. The most common cause of fatality was a fall from a height (35), while the most common industries to experience a fatality in the workplace were construction (35) and agriculture, forestry and fishing (23). There were also a total of 33.7m days lost in this period due to a work-related illness and workplace injury - a huge cost to both the government and to employers. Visit: www.astutis.com/astutis-hub/ news/learner-report-2025

Health & Safety Daniel added:

A stand of Giant hogweed tends to be a large, distinctive feature as it can grow up to five metres tall, with huge rhubarb-like leaves that have earned it the common name ‘wild rhubarb. In June and July, it produces large clusters of umbrella-shaped white flower spikes on stems up to five centimetres thick. PCA members have the knowledge and tools to undertake Giant hogweed removal safely, efficiently and in compliance with relevant legislation. “We recommend seeking advice from a PCA member who specialises in invasive weeds before taking any action and if there is any doubt, stay away from the plant and use the PCA Plant Risk App to help identify it.” The free PCA Plant Risk App will help confirm plant species using the Pl@ntNet database – simply upload a photograph ideally including leaves, stems, flowers and overall growth habit. A short series of scenario-based questions follow, which will produce a hazard-rating indication along with advice that sets out what action should be taken, what to avoid and whether specialist help is needed. In instances where a survey or management plan is strongly recommended, professionals can enter the site postcode to search for PCA members who specialise in invasive weed control. The app is available at pca-innp.org and more information about Giant hogweed is at: www.property-care.org.

NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING MITIGATES EVER TIGHTENING INSURANCE LIABILITY WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Carney Consultancy, which operates across the north of England, has launched an accredited health and safety training course for the construction sector. Rowlands Gill-based, STP Construction, is the first company to engage Carney Consultancy to deliver the IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Buried Services training course, so demonstrating its commitment to worker safety. Carney Consultancy wrote the IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Buried Services course to address increasing industry demand, as insurance companies increasingly require proof that operatives have the appropriate skills and knowledge gained through accredited training. This follows a rise in insurance claims caused by strikes on underground cables, with insurers moving away from non-accredited training provision. Established in 2002, Carney Consultancy specialises in construction and engineering sectors, providing health and safety consultancy and training. Team members come from a main contracting and subcontracting background and have worked, as consultants, with some of the North East’s main companies. The firm works on an on-going basis with a variety of small to medium sized builders, specialist sub-contractors and management companies.

Martin Crammond, director, said: “We are the only provider in the North of England accredited to deliver the IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Buried Services course. By expanding our training and compliance services, we ensure our clients have access to practical, recognised solutions that reflect the risks they face. “With the rising number of claims caused by strikes on underground cables, insurers are moving away from accepting in-house or nonaccredited courses. Our IOSH Buried Services training provides accredited certification recognised by insurers and industry bodies, next-level competence beyond CAT & Genny training, reduced risk of costly incidents and claims and confidence that operatives meet compliance standards. “The benefit to firms like STP Construction, is that the training course is not mandatory but demonstrates their commitment to health and safety within the workplace.” Anthony Day, operations director at STP Construction, said: “STP Construction Limited undertake Groundworks and Civils projects inhouse with their own operatives and plant, to assist and increase awareness, we looked to Carney Consultancy to deliver specific training to our staff on buried services and hazards in the ground, this was an exceptionally ran course and has benefited STP operations greatly.”

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 15

Health & Safety

SWISS AIR PAPR

– BREATHING WITHOUT LIMITS Various hazards lurk on construction sites. For the lungs, these include dust, smoke, toxic gases and vapours. That is why respiratory protection is as indispensable for construction workers as the hard hat. The Optrel swiss air makes a significant contribution to the long-term health of workers. As versatile as the challenges in construction, so flexible is the swiss air in use. Whether in dusty environments, during welding work or in areas with chemical fumes, it always provides optimal protection. Thanks to the particle filter, even the finest particles, such as sharp-edged quartz dust, are removed from the breathing air. This protects the lungs and reduces the risk of respiratory diseases and long-term health damage. Chronic coughing, shortness of breath, bronchitis and even pulmonary fibrosis or silicosis are avoidable when using the swiss air continuously. A major advantage of the swiss air is its wearing comfort. The flexible fabric half-

mask with a protection factor of 500 for TH3 protection adapts perfectly to any face shape, even if someone is not cleanshaven. The fabric half-mask completely covers the mouth and nose. If needed, the mask can be switched to a tightly fitting silicone mask with a protection factor of 2000. Both mask types can be cleaned with little effort. The swiss air supports breathing with a slight overpressure, eliminating the tiring breathing resistance known from passive masks and allowing higher worker performance even during long usage durations. The ultra-light blower unit of the swiss air is ergonomically shaped and comfortably worn on the back with an adjustable shoulder strap for maximum freedom of movement. The high wearing comfort makes you forget the respiratory protection is even there and wearing it becomes a permanent state. This continuous protection helps to prevent health-related consequential damage caused by exposure to contaminants during active work or by traversing the working environment. To ensure that the innovative swiss air can also be used in exposed and humid working environments, Optrel offers an IP 54 certified protective cover. It provides effective protection for the swiss air against malfunctions caused by conductive dirt or water.

swiss air control panel

To check the capacity of the battery or filter, a quick glance at the user-friendly control panel is sufficient. If the battery is empty or the filter is full, an alarm will be displayed in good time. The fan can

16 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

swiss air is the revolutionary PAPR from Optrel and represents everything the company stands for.

also be switched on or off via the panel and the air volume can be adjusted to the users liking. Overall, the respiratory protection system is well accepted thanks to its high level of comfort. This helps ensure compliance with respiratory protection guidelines while improving working conditions and long-term health protection. Curious to see the swiss air in action? The Optrel sales team will be happy to arrange a demonstration of the swiss air and its features.

Welcome to the Swiss Alps – Welcome to optrel swiss air swiss air is the revolutionary PAPR from Optrel and represents everything the company stands for. As a Swiss manufacturer of innovative PPE, Optrel is committed to continuously delivering useful products to make workdays easier and safer. Read more about swiss air on the Optrel website.

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Breath the purest air thanks to the revolutionary swiss air PAPR! · Eliminates 99.8% of particles, including quartz dust, from the air · No face shaving and no fit test required

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Company News Chris Wynne, David Wynne & Richard Wynne

“Many of these schemes are also being delivered in partnership with long-standing clients and supply chain partners. These relationships are extremely important to us and are central to the successful delivery of our work. “A strong forward order book is important not only in financial terms, but also because it gives confidence to our workforce and supply chain. We are able to plan resources, develop our teams, and invest in skills, training, and employment opportunities.” The secured work reflects Wynne Construction’s continued presence across public sector frameworks and its experience delivering technically complex and flagship projects.

STRONG ORDER BOOK ALLOWS WELSH CONSTRUCTION FIRM TO PLAN AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE A Denbighshire-based construction company is celebrating its centenary year with an order book in excess of £325m. Wynne Construction currently has £228m of work on site, alongside a further £99m of secured schemes progressing through pre-construction stages, providing long-term visibility across a diverse programme of major projects.

£26m Leisure and Wellbeing Centre in Newport, the £13m Ty Haverfordia scheme building apartments for over 55s in Pembrokeshire, the £31m Aethwy Care scheme to provide a residential care home and integrated health and social care facilities in Anglesey, and the £11m new build archive centre for Denbighshire and Flintshire councils. Other significant schemes progressing under Wynne Construction’s expertise include the £4m Maggie’s Centre in Liverpool, which will provide dedicated facilities for people affected by cancer. Chris Wynne, managing director at Wynne Construction, said: “We are proud to be delivering such a diverse range of projects in Wales and the North West of England. “While the individual buildings are very different, they are being designed and built to provide long-term benefits for the people and communities that will use them.

The projects, which span education, healthcare, housing, leisure and wellbeing, heritage, and low-carbon innovation, are across Wales and the North West of England. With schemes extending into 2030, the family-owned firm says the strong pipeline is enabling the business to plan confidently for the years ahead, providing continuity for its workforce and supply chain, while supporting continued investment in skills, training, and employment. Among the projects currently being delivered, and those located across the four corners of Wales, are the

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During this year, the company has continued to add to its pipeline with the announcement of a series of significant design and build projects. This includes an affordable homes scheme in Bodelwyddan, the redevelopment of Ysgol Pendref primary school and Denbigh High School in Denbighshire, and the Egni project at the Bangor University-led Menai Science Park (M-SParc) in Anglesey. Chris added: “Reaching our centenary is an important milestone for us. The construction industry continues to face challenging market conditions, including cost pressures and wider economic uncertainty, so to enter our 100th year with a strong and diverse order book is particularly positive. “We are extremely grateful to our clients, consultants, supply chain, and particularly our employees, who continue to place their trust in us. We are looking forward to delivering this exciting programme of projects.”

Health & Safety

“WORKERS ARE DYING FROM A PREVENTABLE DISEASE” WESTMINSTER DEBATE REVEALS “SYSTEMIC FAILURES” CAUSING NATIONAL CRISIS – WITH EXPERTS ARCO CHAMPIONING CHANGE Occupational health experts have warned the UK could be significantly underestimating the true scale of a deadly occupational lung disease killing tradespeople across the country – with the youngest person reported to have died aged just 28. Clinical specialists have issued a stark warning that the true number of tradespeople affected by silicosis, and those likely to die as a result, could be far higher than previously anticipated. The warning follows a recent landmark roundtable at Westminster, led by Ian Lavery MP, and supported by Arco, the UK’s leading health and safety experts. This ‘invisible’ national health crisis has been driven by widespread underreporting, missed diagnoses and a lack of routine health surveillance for those working in high-risk industries, according to various specialists. Bringing together Members of Parliament, clinicians, regulators and industry leaders, the roundtable shone a necessary spotlight on the growing threat of silicosis, an entirely preventable but incurable disease that is linked to the cutting of engineered stone.

Silicosis is a devastating yet entirely preventable occupational health issue affecting workers throughout the UK, across construction, mining, tunnelling and other silica-related industries. Despite there being just 52 confirmed cases of silicosis in the UK today, clinical leaders warned that the true number is likely to be far higher, with many workers avoiding reporting risks and red flags due to employer loyalty, and through fear of losing their income altogether. Dr Johanna Feary, an Academic Consultant in Occupational Lung

Disease at Royal Brompton Hospital, told attendees that the disease is often invisible in its early stages, meaning many workers are not diagnosed until irreversible damage has already been done. Among those most commonly affected, she explained, are men in their 20s and 30s, with deaths from silicosis reported as young as 28. She said: “These are people who have no access to health surveillance. They’re working where exposure is incredibly high, and they are a vulnerable population. A high proportion of them, I suspect, will die from their disease. “To date, 9% of the people that I’ve seen have died, and there are a number being assessed for a lung transplant. Silicosis is asymptomatic in the early stages, so waiting for symptoms to appear before testing people means we’re going to miss cases. This harrowing evidence from Dr Feary has prompted growing calls for a national screening programme for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), to enable earlier detection and intervention. According to industry and clinical leads, much of the risk is concentrated in smaller workshops and ‘microbusinesses’, where workers are frequently exposed to hazardous silica dust with little or no health monitoring. Evidence shared during the roundtable revealed only a small minority of affected workers had ever undergone any form of workplace health surveillance, with some missing out on any form of monitoring for several decades. Roundtable speakers described a fragmented system where occupational health data is poorly integrated with NHS records, depriving clinicians of the true picture of a patient’s working life and silica dust exposure history. As a result, silicosis is often misdiagnosed or overlooked entirely.

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Health & Safety and apply pressure on necessary government departments. The roundtable concluded with a clear message: silicosis is entirely preventable, but without immediate and coordinated action across government, healthcare and industry, the UK risks a sharp rise in cases in the coming years.

Dr Feary added: “We have a real problem in that silicosis looks like other lung conditions; it looks like TB and it looks like sarcoidosis, and so unless people get asked about what they do for a job, their silicosis will get misdiagnosed as other conditions. “I really think we need a national screening programme which is properly funded, and properly rolled out, to ensure that these workers get the checks that they deserve. I think that’s the only way that we’re going to get people early and save lives.” Arco, the UK’s leading health and safety supplier, and a key driving force behind the facilitation of yesterday’s roundtable, emphasised that while the risks are well understood, the real challenge lies in translating policy into practical action on the ground. Christian Halford, Technical Quality Director at Arco, highlighted the need for a solutions-led approach focused on improving diagnosis, strengthening occupational health and ensuring workers are better protected through training, appropriate PPE and real-time monitoring. He stressed that while measures such as water suppression can significantly reduce exposure, there is no single fix for the nationwide crisis.

suppression, but warned that greater awareness of exposure risks and more robust regulation would be needed to ensure workers are adequately protected across high-risk industries. He also identified several priority areas, including making silicosis a notifiable disease through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), strengthening the integration of occupational health within wider healthcare systems, and improving training, education and early detection. He said: “I think from what I’ve heard today, and excuse me for saying this, but these are serious issues. It’s all mismatched. You’ve got all the jigsaw pieces in the box, but nobody put them together. You might have the four corners, but that’s what this is.” The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Respiratory Health will now take these proposals forward, with Ian Lavery in particular signalling his intention to raise the issue in Parliament

Jim Shannon MP, Chair of the APPG for Respiratory Health, said: “Silicosis is a devastating yet entirely preventable occupational health issue affecting workers throughout the UK, across construction, mining, tunnelling and other silica-related industries. The true scale of the problem is not yet fully understood. Silicosis is a serious, progressive and incurable disease and despite its increasing prevalence, challenges around diagnosis, reporting and prevention persist. “This roundtable provided an invaluable opportunity to review the current landscape, consider the barriers to effective prevention, and crucially, explore both practical and policy solutions that could effectively reduce exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust and, importantly, improve patient outcomes. “I am delighted that Arco has partnered with the APPG on this initiative and contributed their expertise in workplace risk measurement and prevention. Insights gathered from the roundtable will inform a follow-up report, with the ambition to support improvements to worker protection, regulatory approaches and critically, improved patient outcomes. “We hope to support a more coordinated, collaborative and effective response to reducing the unnecessary risks associated with silicosis and protecting the health and wellbeing of the UK workforce by uniting those working in key roles across policy, healthcare and industry.”

Visit: www.arco.co.uk/pr/what-issilicosis

“Exposure can be reduced, but only if the right controls are properly implemented,” he said. “The focus needs to be on practical solutions that reduce exposure on the ground.” Ian Lavery, MP, emphasised the importance of clear government direction and stronger regulatory oversight to address the growing silicosis crisis. He welcomed recent HSE guidance banning dry cutting, and mandating water

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 21

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Training & Education

NORTHUMBERLAND COLLEGE ALUMNI LEAD ASHINGTON CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT Four former Northumberland College students have come full circle to play a key role in building the new Ashington Campus. The quartet, who are all part of Bowmer + Kirkland’s (B+K) construction team, studied at the current campus on College Road in the town between the 1980s and early 1990s. Now, they are using their skills and experience to help create a state-of-the art learning environment for future generations. Among them is Senior Site Manager Jerry Saint, who studied a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship before completing an Advanced Craft Certificate in 1988, says working on the new campus has particular significance for him. He said: “The college enabled me to learn my joinery skills within a workshop environment with one-to-one tuition and hone my skills on site with my new employer. “This project above all others means much more to me because it is where I started all those years ago and I owe so much to the College for giving me the grounding for success. The new campus will also give so many career options for the next generation no matter what background students come from. Fellow Senior Site Manager Neil Rutherford, who completed his NVQ in Carpentry and Joinery in 1992 after previously achieving City & Guilds qualifications, believes college learning and his apprenticeship was the perfect

combination to prepare him for a career in construction. Reflecting on his time at Ashington Campus, he said: “I feel the skills learned at college gave me a good base knowledge of the trade while also serving my apprenticeship as bench-hand joiner.

I’ve found it both interesting and rewarding to be involved in the development of the new campus and visiting the existing College has brought back memories of my time there. Senior Engineer Steve Hamilton studied Building Studies before leaving in 1991 and credits Northumberland College for providing a solid grounding for a career which has seen him work on major civil engineering and construction projects. He said: “The course provided me with the technical knowledge and practical understanding that formed the foundation of my career and helped set me on a path I’ve enjoyed ever since. It gave me the confidence to progress through the industry.” Steve describes coming back and working on the new campus has been a proud moment and that creating a modern learning environment that will inspire and support people in the town for years to come is incredibly rewarding. “The new campus will be a fantastic asset for Ashington. It represents investment in

the town’s future, creating opportunities for local people to develop skills, gain qualifications and build successful careers. “I hope it gives young people the same opportunities that I had and plays an important role in supporting the continued regeneration and growth of the town.” Site Manager David Twizell, who is originally from Newbiggin-by-theSea, is also proud to be playing a part in delivering the new campus for the community where he grew up. He said: “I feel very privileged to be part of delivering the new campus. I think it’s vital for the younger generation, particularly with its focus on construction, motor vehicle and other technical trades that will help address the significant skills shortages across the industry.

Given Ashington’s strong industrial heritage and work ethic, this campus will help provide the skills, prosperity and infrastructure needed for the future. The trailblazing Ashington Campus, due to open in October 2026, will provide state-of-the-art learning environments, specialist facilities and inclusive spaces designed to meet the needs of learners, employers and the wider community. Part of a new generation of Governmentled educational buildings being developed by the Department for Education, the campus will offer study routes and qualifications for 16-19-year-olds and adults, supporting future skills, drive regeneration and create new opportunities across Northumberland.

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Training & Education

PLASTERING AND THE SKILLS GAP: WHY COLLABORATION IS THE SOLUTION As the skills gap comes into greater focus across the construction sector, Sam Blacknell, Head of Skills Partnerships at British Gypsum, explores how the future of skilled trades such as plastering can be strengthened through collaboration. The construction industry has been grappling with the challenges posed by the skills gap for many years, but as pressure mounts to meet ambitious targets – including the need to build 1.5 million net new homes – the skills gap is now coming into sharper focus. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the industry will need almost one million new workers over the next six years if it is to meet demand, with plastering being a key trade contributing to those numbers. Today,

Spray application eases the physical aspects of plastering, supporting professionals to complete jobs to high standards.

there are around 40,000 plasterers in the UK, but as a greater number of them get closer to retirement age or choose to leave the industry, that number continues to shrink with fewer new entrants pursuing careers in the trade. In recent weeks, we’ve seen the Government make significant commitments to support new entrants into construction jobs through dedicated funding for apprenticeships, including £600m to create 60,000 new apprenticeship opportunities. Apprenticeships have long been seen as a solution to the skills gap, but with recent reports suggesting they are now harder to secure than a place at some of the UK’s top universities, barriers to entry remain. At the same time, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that around one million young people are not in education, employment or training, making this investment particularly welcome. To ensure the most in-demand trades have a bright future, and utilise the talent, skill and ambition of the younger

Sam Blacknell, Head of Skills Partnerships at British Gypsum

generation, a collaborative effort is required. Together, we can overcome the pressures of an ageing workforce, change perceptions of careers in construction, and increase opportunities for new entrants with clearer and more accessible pathways.

How the skills gap looks today The skills gap isn’t a new challenge for the construction industry, but its impact continues to be felt across projects of every size – from refurbishment jobs through to large-scale commercial projects and new build developments. On these jobs, labour shortages are putting pressure on timelines, driving competition for skilled workers and creating challenges around achieving consistent quality. Behind the skills gap, we see several drivers: 1. CITB has highlighted the sector’s ageing workforce, noting that by the end of 2017 around 47% of construction workers were over 45 and one in five were over 55, reinforcing the retirement challenge facing the industry. 2. While we’re seeing skilled tradespeople – and their decades of expertise – leave the sector, there’s also not enough people coming through to replace them. 3. Fewer young people today are seeing the construction sector as an appealing career choice, despite the industry offering strong opportunities for career progression and innovation. Changing these perceptions remains a key challenge if we are to attract more people into skilled trades such as plastering. This sees the construction sector, including plastering, face an important question: how do we reposition ourselves to be seen as an attractive career for the next generation? While recruitment is one part of the challenge in tackling perceptions, so too are the roles of innovation, skills and training.

Supporting the future of plastering through innovation Innovation plays a huge role in moving our sector forward, and it’s something manufacturers like us are increasingly focused on in order to enhance product offerings and services for our customers. When it comes to plastering, innovation is also playing a role in the craft itself, with new application methods emerging that help professionals to work more flexibly while retaining the art of their trade.

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Training & Education

Spray-applied plaster is one example of this, and, in the context of the skills gap, it has the potential to support new entrants and skilled plasterers alike. The benefits of spray-applied plaster extend far beyond application, tackling some of the key factors that sit behind the huge numbers of professionals leaving the trade, as well as those which put off young people from becoming plasterers. We know plastering can be a physically demanding job. On projects big and small, plasterers will be handling materials and working quickly to get plaster on the walls before it dries. While this can take its toll day-to-day – a factor which can put young people off entering the trade – it’s also one of the reasons behind some professionals leaving the industry early in their careers. Spray application eases the physical aspects of plastering, supporting professionals to complete jobs to high standards. The use of spray machines also means new entrants can get involved in projects sooner, often while they’re still training. As apprentices can start spray-applying plaster almost immediately, they are able to become productive on-site quicker, providing employers with a strong incentive to recruit and develop the next generation of plasterers. British Gypsum’s Thistle MultiFinish is now suitable for spray application, having been tested on machines from four manufacturers so far. Providing plasterers with an alternative method of getting plaster onto walls and ceilings, spraying can speed up jobs while still delivering the same trusted finish and performance professionals strive to deliver.

training remains essential in building the skills that underpin future workforces. Colleges naturally play a key role here, delivering courses that provide the opportunity for young people to combine classroom learning with practical, hands-on training. Recognising the value of this, British Gypsum also offers a site-ready skimming course which is designed to bridge the gap between learning environments and real-world applications. Through this we’re helping new plasterers build confidence as they lay the foundations of their career. Over a six-week period, the course is delivered through training partners around the country, with skilled plasterers tutoring the next generation. Working in a dedicated training bay, participants learn how to skim ceilings and walls, alongside more challenging tasks like plastering around windows or chimney breasts, where angles require greater skill. Spray-application techniques are now being added to this course, as well as being introduced into colleges to ensure new plasterers are familiar with the technology from the start of their journeys in the trade.

A joined-up approach to navigating the skills challenge

Building skills for the next generation

The construction industry has been tackling the skills challenge for years and, while it’s a problem that is likely to persist, there are actions that we can take to strengthen the industry and ensure a skilled workforce for the future.

While innovations like spray-application can make some aspects of the job more accessible and less strenuous, practical

Collaboration is at the heart of the solution. Government funding plays an essential part in making apprenticeship

opportunities more accessible, and learning providers and manufacturers can support in ensuring the skills being learned today are practical for where our industry is heading. For plastering, that means continuing to prioritise traditional skills and techniques, which are an essential part of the trade. Alongside this, introducing new innovations can make the industry more accessible, while allowing skills and capabilities to evolve as the demands placed on essential trades grow. National ambitions around housebuilding and infrastructure in the coming years reinforce the need for essential trades right across the construction industry. To make sure that’s the case, a collaborative approach – between government, learning providers and manufacturers – is the key to strengthening the industry for the future, making it accessible to new entrants while supporting professionals at every stage of their careers.

Find out more about British Gypsum and how we are supporting the industry through innovation and training, here: www.british-gypsum.com/ spraying-thistle-plasters

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 25

Case Study conducting up to five full site surveys a week. Prior to the adoption of the Edge technology from Smart Construction, the digital arm of manufacturing giant Komatsu, surveys were conducted manually and briefly by drone. A full progress measurement took approximately up to four hours, without even including the time needed to process and stitch the data into usable surveying outputs.

TRU EARTHWORKS HAS REDUCED SITE SURVEY TIMES THANKS TO SMART CONSTRUCTION The UK Government’s rollout of AIpowered planning tools to support its 1.5 million homes target highlights the growing role of technology in overcoming housing delivery challenges. As policymakers focus on removing planning bottlenecks, experts at Smart Construction say innovation must be applied on-site if the UK is to increase the pace of housebuilding. Experts at the digital arm of Komatsu point out that automation and technological integration are key factors in unlocking productivity and speeding up the delivery of new homes. Forward-thinking earthworks company, Tru Earthworks, has transformed site efficiency and reduced housing delivery

Through the use of drone-led technology and the Smart Construction Edge software, site managers can now complete surveys in just an hourspeeding up delivery significantly across housing projects.

timelines through the adoption of Smart Construction’s technology across 27 varied UK projects.

Tristan Rumsby, Earthworks Engineer at Tru Earthworks, explains: “By adopting new technologies, the team can save days of work and accelerate the delivery of homes across multiple sites at once. Although not the sole blocker or delay in the construction process, the application of Edge and the significant time I can save means prioritising business critical output tasks - slashing unproductive hours and increasing delivery.

By deploying Smart Construction Edge, Tru Earthworks enhanced its drone surveying as the software enables realtime processing. Instead of waiting to return to the office, data is processed immediately, even while travelling between sites, saving valuable time for the engineers. Alongside timesaving, the software reduces the need for manual point cloud clean-up, while also helping surveyors and engineers avoid hazardous on-foot surveys.

“As a team, we find the automated object removal capabilities to be a great time saver. Manual editing of point clouds requires a significant amount of time, but through the Edge, we can automatically remove machinery and non-terrain elements, providing an accurate overview of the ground. As well as positively impacting productivity, coupling the Edge software with the Dashboard solution from Smart Construction creates seamless collaboration across the business.”

From large-scale development projects to housing sites, Tru Earthworks operates nationwide on mixed earthworks projects, with individuals

The efficiency gained through the technology allows for less time to be spent on manual tasks and more time focusing on achieving key priorities. Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Smart Construction, added: “At Smart Construction, we’re committed to speeding up delivery options for the UK. Each product in our solution suite is designed to create better efficiencies for those in the industry and the work from Tru7 is a fantastic example of its application. We’re proud to support customers across the UK and Europe with identifying potential inefficiencies and offering technology solutions to overcome these challenges.” For more information please visit: smartconstruction.io.

26 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

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Opinion Piece

THE VISA DEADLINE EVERY CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYER NEEDS ON THEIR RADAR By Parvez Khan, Senior Immigration Associate and Compliance Officer, A Y & J Solicitors There is a date approaching that could quietly close off overseas recruitment for many of the trades construction depends on, and most employers are not yet planning for it. It is 31 December 2026, and it deserves a place on your radar now. At A Y & J Solicitors, an SRA regulated, Legal 500 ranked UK immigration law firm, my colleagues and I advise employers on sponsor licences, Skilled Worker sponsorship and compliance duties. A growing share of the questions now reaching us come from construction firms trying to understand what this deadline means for their hiring. Since 22 July 2025, the skill threshold for a Skilled Worker visa returned to degree level, or RQF Level 6, for new applicants. Roles below that level can no longer be sponsored unless the occupation appears on one of two temporary lists: the Immigration Salary List or the newer Temporary Shortage List. Many of the medium-skilled trades that keep sites moving depend on those lists for sponsorship. The tightening is already showing in the numbers. Home Office statistics for the year ending June 2026 recorded 30,400 Skilled Worker applications from main applicants, down 39 per cent on the year before. Construction is heavily exposed to what comes next: the interim Temporary Shortage List covers 52 medium-skilled occupation codes, and in the twelve months to September 2025 construction employers recruited into 32 of them. That is the scale of the sector’s reliance on a list now under review.

The mistake we see employers make is assuming that a role which is sponsorable today will still be sponsorable next year.

Both lists are set to expire on 31 December 2026. Unless an occupation is carried onto the revised framework, it loses access to the Skilled Worker route from 1 January 2027. For an industry already wrestling with an ageing workforce and persistent skills gaps, that is a hard deadline with real consequences.

role which is sponsorable today will still be sponsorable next year,” he says. “That assumption no longer holds. The system has moved from managing shortages indefinitely to actively transitioning employers off overseas recruitment for medium-skilled roles. If a trade you rely on is on a temporary list, plan as though it may not be there after 31 December.”

Which construction roles are most at risk

What the move from one list to another actually means

The Migration Advisory Committee, the independent body advising the government on these lists, has shortlisted 82 occupations for assessment and signalled the final list is likely to be shorter. Its recommendations are due in July 2026, with revised Immigration Rules to follow before the year closes.

It is tempting to treat the two lists as interchangeable safety nets. They are not.

A clear split is emerging. Professional roles look set for firmer footing: the MAC has recommended that construction project managers and related professionals be treated as a degreelevel occupation in their own right, sponsorable through the standard route without relying on any temporary list. The hands-on trades are more exposed. Their access is time-limited and under active review, with no guarantee of survival beyond 2026. Roles currently appearing on the lists for construction include bricklayers, stonemasons, roofers and roof tilers, and carpenters and joiners, alongside technical roles such as construction and building technicians, all carrying a removal date of 31 December 2026. Because the detail can change at short notice, always confirm a specific occupation against the live list on GOV.UK rather than assume a role is covered. The further a role sits from a professional or managerial classification, the more exposed it is. Yash Dubal, Director of A Y & J Solicitors, puts the shift bluntly. “The mistake we see employers make is assuming that a

28 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

Inclusion on the Temporary Shortage List does not, by itself, provide the salary discount attached to the Immigration Salary List. Under the standard salary option, the worker will normally need to be paid at least £41,700, or the going rate if higher. Lower thresholds may apply where the applicant qualifies under another permitted option, such as certain new-entrant, PhD or transitional provisions, so check the option available to the specific applicant rather than applying one figure in every case. The dependant position is just as important, and just as easily misread. Most workers newly sponsored in RQF Level 3 to 5 occupations on either list from 22 July 2025 cannot bring a partner or children as Skilled Worker dependants, though transitional protections and limited exceptions may apply for some who already held continuous Skilled Worker permission before that date. For a business trying to attract and retain overseas tradespeople, the inability to bring family is a serious factor in whether a candidate accepts an offer and how long they stay. In our practice we receive a steady stream of sponsor licence and compliance enquiries from construction employers, and the ones who navigate change well share a single habit. They treat their sponsor licence not

Opinion Piece Yash Dubal, Director of A Y & J Solicitors

as a one-off permission granted and forgotten, but as an ongoing compliance responsibility that has to be actively managed.

The compliance pitfalls that surface when the rules change Periods of rule change are exactly when sponsor licence problems surface, because the duties behind a licence do not pause while the lists are redrawn. Three are worth flagging. The first is assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship against an occupation or salary option that is no longer valid on the date of assignment. Sponsors are responsible for checking the role, occupation code and salary option meet the Immigration Rules in force when the certificate is assigned. An error here can lead to refusal and, in some cases, compliance action against the licence itself. The second is failing to keep pace with the record-keeping and reporting duties for each sponsored worker. When the ground is shifting, the temptation is to focus on getting people in and treat compliance as something to tidy up later. That is precisely the wrong order. The third is assuming a worker already sponsored is unaffected. Transitional protections exist for some workers

sponsored before 22 July 2025, but they are specific and conditional, and should be checked rather than assumed. Yash Dubal makes the same point from the enforcement side. “When a licence is suspended or revoked, it is rarely because an employer set out to break the rules,” he says. “It is usually because the compliance duties slipped during a busy period, or a change was missed. The cost of that, losing the ability to sponsor at all, is far higher than the cost of getting the detail right in the first place.”

What construction firms can do in the months ahead There is a clear window between now and December 2026, and the employers who use it will be in a far stronger position than those who wait. Start by mapping your workforce against the current lists. Identify which sponsored or prospective roles sit below degree level and rely on either list, because those are most exposed if the revised list is shorter. Review any genuine, already-planned recruitment for potentially affected roles now, though not by restructuring a vacancy solely to obtain sponsorship before the list changes: every role must still satisfy the genuine vacancy, occupation-code, skill and salary

requirements in force when the certificate is assigned. Review your sponsor licence compliance while there is time to correct gaps, rather than during a Home Office visit. And build alternatives into your planning, including domestic recruitment and training, so a shorter list in 2027 does not leave a hole in your workforce. None of this requires panic. It requires planning. The deadline is fixed and the direction of travel is clear, and the employers who prepare will protect their ability to hire the skilled people the industry cannot function without.

Parvez Khan is a Senior Immigration Associate and Compliance Officer at A Y & J Solicitors, and has advised businesses on sponsor licences and compliance since the firm’s inception. A Y & J Solicitors is an SRA regulated, Legal 500 ranked UK immigration law firm advising employers on sponsor licences, Skilled Worker sponsorship, compliance and Global Business Mobility routes. Visit: ayjsolicitors.com

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 29

Project News than 122,000 sq ft of high-quality office and amenity space. The project has been designed in line with Railpen’s core vision of creating future-ready workspaces that meet the evolving needs of modern occupiers, and will contribute to the regeneration of the Smithfield area, which is undergoing £400m of investment. This includes the planned opening of the new London Museum in 2028 at the historic Smithfield Market site, which will sit at the centre of a dynamic new cultural quarter.

RAILPEN SECURES PLANNING CONSENT FOR MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 12 SMITHFIELD Railpen, manager of the £34bn Railways Pension Scheme, has secured planning consent for the comprehensive redevelopment of 12 Smithfield, a significant project that will deliver a next-generation office headquarters in the heart of the

rapidly transforming Smithfield district in the City of London. Due to complete in Q4 2028, the consented scheme will reposition the existing building as a best-in-class, sustainable workspace, delivering more

Designed by architect Henley Halebrown, the scheme will retain and upgrade the existing structure while introducing a new façade, expanded public realm, and enhanced environmental performance, targeting BREEAM Outstanding, EPC A, WELL Core Platinum, NABERS UK 5*, and Net Zero Carbon in operation. The development will feature office floorplates of up to 20,000 sq ft across five levels, and include more than 9,400 sq ft of private terraces and a rooftop garden, alongside 11,400 sq ft of multifunctional retail, café and amenity space. Overlooking the Smithfield Market site and located less than 5 minutes from Farringdon and the Elizabeth Line, the building will offer excellent connectivity across London and the wider South East.

MODULEK COMPLETES PRIVATE AVIATION TERMINAL FOR SIGNATURE AVIATION AT GLASGOW AIRPORT Modulek has successfully completed the design and delivery of a new stateof-the-art private aviation terminal for Signature Aviation at Glasgow Airport. The terminal provides an updated gateway experience for general aviation passengers travelling through Scotland.

Signature Aviation Terminal Glasgow, Image by Robert Quarrelle

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Appointed following a competitive design-and-build tender process against three other organisations, Modulek’s in-house design team developed a concept that combined premium hospitality, and the strict security requirements associated with a live airport environment.

Project News

MORGAN SINDALL HANDS OVER THE KEYS FOR NEW COMMUNITY HUB TO CORNWALL COUNCIL Morgan Sindall Construction’s South West business has officially handed over Liskeard Integrated Services Hub to Cornwall Council, marking the completion of the £11.4M project to deliver a modern facility for multiple council departments. Procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), the new build brings together a range of essential council services under one roof. These include the Family Hub, Registrars, Adult Education, Safe and Wellbeing, and the Department for Work and Pensions, creating an integrated, more accessible offering.

Located on the site of the former Liskeard Cattle Market, Morgan Sindall led all aspects of technical planning and construction, transforming the site into a vibrant, future-ready hub. Designed as a two and three-storey linked building, the facility provides flexible, high-quality space that’s capable of adapting to Cornwall’s evolving needs. The hub combines functionality with striking architectural features which include natural stone walls up to the first floor contrasted by timber and aluminium cladding above. The north and south facing dormers within the pitched roofs

along with expansive glazed curtain walls maximises natural light internally. Working closely with project partners, the tier one contractor incorporated innovative engineering solutions to ensure both durability and performance. These include pad foundations with strip footings for stability, a steel frame combined with composite metal decking and in-situ concrete to the upper floors, delivering a high-quality, bespoke finish. Sustainability was a key priority throughout the project. Built to meet CarbonLite standards, the development reduces embodied carbon while improving long-term energy efficiency, this has been achieved through the installation of solar panels, air source heat pumps, and high spec insulation, all aligned with Morgan Sindall’s commitment to sustainable construction.

Throughout works, the team has participated in six 10 Tonne Carbon Challenges, saving a total of 256.13 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The completed terminal delivers approximately 433 square metres [almost 5000 sq ft] of premium passenger and operational space and forms part of Signature Aviation’s continued global investment programme across key international aviation hubs.

requirements throughout the design and construction process.

Designed to elevate the passenger experience from the moment of arrival, the new facility includes a covered passenger drop-off zone, luxury lounges, meeting space, passenger shower facility and dedicated screening area.

Dan Pester, Sales, Director, Modulek commented: “This was a hugely important project for Modulek and a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what can be achieved through highquality modular construction in a highly regulated operational environment. From the outset, Signature Aviation challenged us to create a building that truly elevated the gateway experience into Scotland for private aviation passengers. Our design team embraced that challenge and delivered a facility that combines architectural quality and a premium customer experience. We are extremely proud of the finished building and the collaborative approach taken by everyone involved throughout the project.”

One of the key architectural features of the building is the impressive doubleheight vaulted reception space, designed to create a spacious and welcoming arrival experience for passengers entering the terminal. As part of the airport boundary, the project required careful coordination between architectural design, airport operations and aviation security

Modulek delivered architectural design, off-site modular manufacturing, installation, internal fit-out and external works.

Savings were achieved through the use of Westok Cellular Beams which reduced the weight of the structural steel frame while allowing services to pass through the beam openings. This also enabled a reduction in building height of approximately 1,000mm, further reducing steel requirements. In addition, the use of the GAIA Automate system saved 22,479 kWh of electricity across welfare and site facilities, while more than 600 timber pallets were recycled through Pallet Loop. Scrap metal from the project was recycled through EMR Metal Recycling. All structural steel was produced using the lower-carbon Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) process, and existing stone from the site was reused to rebuild the perimeter boundary wall, reducing the need for new materials. Additional stone was sourced locally from Trebarwith Quarry in line with planning requirements. In line with Morgan Sindall’s commitment to delivering meaningful social value in the communities in which it operates, the team has welcomed 23 weeks’ worth of work placement students on site, as well as 69 apprenticeship weeks.

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Insurance

UNDER PRESSURE: THE RISKS SHAPING THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR TODAY The construction sector has long been a cornerstone of economic growth and development. However, construction firms are now navigating an increasingly complex and challenging risk environment. Drawing on findings from Gallagher’s latest Business Risk Index – based on insights from 1,000 UK business leaders – Tracy Keep, Managing Director of Gallagher’s National Construction Practice Group, explores the challenges currently facing the construction sector and what organisations can do to strengthen resilience in an uncertain environment. The research highlights the unique pressures reshaping today’s commercial landscape, with the high cost of materials emerging as the most pressing concern for construction firms, cited by 80% of respondents. From raw materials and stock to essential components, rising costs are placing immense strain on profitability. For construction companies operating on tight margins, these increases are particularly difficult to absorb, often forcing tough decisions around pricing, project timelines, and investment.

Following this is the high cost of operations, highlighted by 68% of respondents. Energy, rent, logistics, and other overheads are creating sustained financial pressures. For many construction firms, these operational challenges are not just short-term hurdles but ongoing issues that require careful management to maintain competitiveness. Adding to these pressures is the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on customer spending, with 61% of respondents identifying reduced demand as a key concern. Whether driven by tighter budgets, delayed projects, or shifting priorities, this trend is prompting organisations to reassess their strategies and adapt to changing market conditions. Overlaying these challenges is the burden of imposed costs, such as National Insurance increases, which 59% of respondents flagged as a significant issue. These additional financial commitments, often outside of a business’s control, can influence hiring decisions, investment plans, and overall growth ambitions.

Tracy Keep

Beyond these immediate cost and demand pressures, construction firms are also grappling with supply chain disruptions, including delays, shortages, and logistics failures. These challenges not only impact day-to-day operations but also influence long-term strategic decisions, from project planning to supplier relationships. Taken together, these findings paint a picture of a sector balancing immediate financial pressures with longer-term strategic imperatives. For many construction firms, the challenge lies not just in identifying these risks but in understanding how they interact and what steps can be taken to manage them effectively. “Taking a structured approach to risk is becoming increasingly important. It’s not just about protecting against what might go wrong, it’s about giving construction firms the confidence to move forward, even in uncertain conditions,” says Tracy. This is where working with an experienced insurance broker can make a tangible difference. By helping construction firms assess their risk landscape holistically—from operational exposures and supply chain vulnerabilities to emerging risks— brokers can support more informed decision-making. With pressures coming from all directions, having a broader perspective can help construction firms not only respond to today’s challenges but prepare more confidently for the future.

To download Gallagher’s full 2026 Business Risk Index report, scan the QR code.

Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.

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Construction Insurance Built for You Construction is complex. Managing risk shouldn’t be. Gallagher supports construction businesses across the UK with specialist insurance and risk management solutions. Our teams work with contractors, developers and consultants to help identify and manage risks across the construction lifecycle, from planning and procurement through to completion. Discover how we can support your business.

The Gallagher Way. Since 1927. Connect with us Scan the QR code to connect with a specialist today.

Drainage & Plumbing

BURIED BENEATH OUR STREETS: 300 BATHTUBS OF CONCRETE DUMPED INTO THE SEWER Thames Water spends an estimated £1.6 million each year clearing hardened concrete, linked to building companies failing to dispose of waste correctly, from its pipes.

concrete into small pieces so it can be safely extracted without damaging the pipes. The pressure is equivalent to placing the weight of a large SUV onto an area the size of a thumbnail.

Concrete can permanently damage the sewer network, disrupt services for customers and poses a significant environmental risk.

Concrete build-ups in pipes are identified using ultra-sensitive sewer sensors, which alert engineers tqo obstructions in the network or are detected when blockages lead to sewer flooding. If left untreated concrete down the sewer network restricts wastewater flow that can then cause wastewater to back up on to streets, homes, schools and businesses. It can also cause significant damage to the pipework, with repairs costing millions.

Concrete should never be poured down drains or left where it can wash into the sewer system. However, the company is seeing repeated incidents where building firms are disposing of commercial construction waste directly into the sewer network. Over the past 12 months, engineers have spent thousands of hours removing solidified concrete from pipes across London and the Thames Valley region. The process requires specialist high-power water jets to break down the

Thames Water has over 60 concrete abstraction jobs running at any one time with big jobs taking thousands of engineer hours to remove.

Tim Davies, Head of Waste for North London, said: “We are urging construction companies to be more vigilant in their disposal of concrete, to prevent damage to our sewer network, as it takes valuable time and resource away from essential infrastructure upgrades. “The concrete removal process can be extremely complex. In many cases, we use high-pressure cutting units to break down concrete within the sewer before it can be safely removed. This work requires significant investment with expensive equipment, a large team of skilled engineers, and a considerable amount of time to complete.” “Our teams are working closely with construction companies across our communities to raise awareness of the

RECORD SUMMER HEATWAVE AND INCREASED WATER DEMAND HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR FURTHER COPPER PIPING INFRASTRUCTURE Oliver Lawton

Water infrastructure must be prepared for a hotter future following continued pressure on Britian’s water networks during recent heatwaves, says the Copper Sustainability Partnership. British utility companies, including Severn Trent and South East Water, have reported some of their highest ever levels of customer demand during 2026’s summer of prolonged periods of hot weather. Now with the Met Office repeatedly saying that heatwaves are expected to increase in both frequency and intensity over the coming decades, CuSP are spotlighting the importance of a long-term approach to material selection in our water systems to cope

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with the increasingly challenging climate conditions. Copper has been used successfully in plumbing and water infrastructure for generations and remains one of the most durable and resilient materials available. It offers exceptional thermal stability, durability and recyclability, making it a resilient choice in hotter temperatures. However, in recent years, plastic pipework has become increasingly common choice for many councils and independent bodies due to its lower upfront installation cost. To combat this, CuSP is making a call to action to the plumbing industry to

Drainage & Plumbing

serious damage and disruption caused by improper disposal. “My message to businesses and contractors is simple: please ensure concrete is disposed of correctly. Preventing this issue in the first place is far more effective than dealing with the consequences later.”

ensure that infrastructure is future proofed, with plastic piping running the risk of thermal expansion, softening and deformation in hotter climates. Oliver Lawton, Co-Founder of CuSP, said: “Too often, infrastructure decisions are driven by short-term considerations. “With climate pressures increasing, asset owners and developers should be focusing on lifetime performance, resilience and environmental impact.

Discharging concrete into the sewer network is illegal and can result in enforcement action, with companies liable for the cost of repairs and potential prosecution. Thames Water’s network protection teams investigate incidents and trace concrete back to construction companies who are then asked to contribute to the cost.

“Futureproofing our water infrastructure will require a combination of copper materials, smart water management and essential collaboration between the plumbing industry, trade associations and public sector bodies.” Founded by Lawton Tubes and Mueller Europe (Wednesbury Tube),

Our teams are working closely with construction companies across our communities to raise awareness of the serious damage and disruption caused by improper disposal. My message to businesses and contractors is simple: please ensure concrete is disposed of correctly. Preventing this issue in the first place is far more effective than dealing with the consequences later. CuSP comprises of two competing copper tube manufacturers who have joined forces to promote the environmental benefits of copper and speak out against the plastic greenwash. Visit: www.cuspuk.com. PICTURED LEFT: Oliver Lawton

“The materials selected today will still be in service decades from now, when hotter summers may be the norm rather than the exception.” CuSP’s rallying cry also comes shortly after the Environment Agency’s National Framework for Water Resources warning that public water supply could be short by 5 billion litres a day by 2055 without urgent action to futureproof resources. Oliver continued: “As industries invest further in the infrastructure that is built to last, we believe copper should play a central role in delivering systems that are robust, sustainable and fit for a hotter Britain.

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Drainage & Plumbing

BRITAIN MUST BELIEVE THAT WATER IS NOT A LIMITLESS RESOURCE Cold, wet summers are becoming a distant memory. The recent run of UK summer hot, dry spells means that water usage restrictions, such as hose pipe bans and requests from water companies to minimise usage are becoming an annual occurrence. Despite this there is still a perception by many that as a natural resource, water should be freely available. ‘Behaviour change’ campaigns have limited success beyond immediate response to crises – but regular water usage must be cut if the UK is not to enter a water crisis. Compared to 1990 summers are hotter and up to 60% drier. The reality is that with the growing population, increasing daily consumption and changing climate the UK will experience significant water shortfalls. In England this is predicted to be 5 billion litres per day by 2055. Without the threat of an immediate crisis, behaviour change is hard, and water usage is not understood. In the UK average daily usage is 142L, but 46% of people believe that their household uses under 20L per day. Water meters, especially smart meters, can help understanding of water usage and has been shown to reduce consumption.

management system and smart water meter. This locates the meter above ground, providing a better environment for smart technology over traditional underground boundary boxes, extends signal transmission and allows easy meter exchange. The unique location of the Groundbreaker water management system future proofs the network and minimises the risk of developing future leaks. The position of the meter allows for an unjointed water supply, hence maintaining the integrity of the supply. The use of an uninterrupted supply has been recognised as best practice by Water UK and the Home Builders Federation.

Saving water, without behaviour change Water meters are a start. However, to significantly reduce UK consumption of water further, savings need to be built in. With Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo, we can reduce our water usage every time we use a tap, without even noticing.

Groundbreaker – the best location for smart meters Groundbreaker is an insulated, surface mounted enclosure for a secure water

Water companies are regulated to provide a minimum standard of pressure and flow of water, but in many areas due to network structure and gravity fed systems supply is much greater. So, run a hose for five minutes at the bottom of the hill, and your lawn will be greener than the gardener that does the same at the top. These ‘time controlled’ uses, e.g. teeth cleaning, taking a shower, running a tap to rinse dishes could be standardised down if all households received the same acceptable, ‘standardised’ supply. Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo regulates the level of flow entering customer premises – regardless of network pressure, meaning a reduction in the level of water used by customers when ‘variable use’ appliances are used. As the flow of water into the premises is limited, then the amount used by the customer is also limited – but without providing a degradation of service, and more importantly not requiring any intervention or behavioural change on the part of the customer, leading to ‘natural’ reduction in per capital consumption.

Saving water, saving money Designing water efficient homes can be a financial benefit as well as protecting the environment and water supplies. In all new properties, developers will be given financial rewards for designing in basic water conservation measures, including low volume dual flush toilets, low flow taps and showers and water efficient washing machines and dishwashers. Known as the Common Environmental Incentive, developers will receive a rebate of £172 per property for achieving these standards. In addition, some water companies offer extra financial incentives for the installation of a whole site flow regulator. Meeting the enhanced incentive standard, can mean receiving an additional rebate of £100 for an outlay of a maximum of £30.

Groundbreaker – smart solutions for water management & connectivity www.groundbreaker.co.uk

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Drainage & Plumbing

WHEN WATER VOLUMES INCREASE, DRAINAGE CAPACITY MATTERS Why hydraulic performance is becoming critical in heavy-duty infrastructure projects Across infrastructure and civil engineering projects, drainage systems are being placed under increasing pressure. Heavier rainfall events, larger impermeable surfaces and continuous heavy traffic are forcing engineers and contractors to rethink how surface water is managed in demanding operational environments. In locations such as logistics platforms, ports, airports and industrial sites, drainage is no longer simply about collecting water — it is about moving large volumes quickly, reliably and safely, without affecting operations. And in many cases, hydraulic capacity becomes the critical factor.

Designed for High-Flow Infrastructure Applications Developed by ULMA Architectural Solutions, the new F500 drainage channel range has been engineered specifically for projects exposed to extreme flow conditions and continuous heavy loading. Available in depths of 560 mm and 700 mm, the 500 mm-wide F500 system delivers one of the highest hydraulic capacities currently available for surface drainage applications. The channels provide:

• Water intake area of 2,032 cm² per linear metre

• Hydraulic cross-section up to 3,140 cm²

• Load classes up to F900 according to EN 1433

As infrastructure projects continue to increase in scale and operational intensity, drainage systems are expected to do more than ever before.

This combination allows the rapid evacuation of large water volumes during peak flow conditions and heavy rainfall events.

When Durability Is Just As Important As Capacity In high-demand environments, hydraulic performance alone is not enough. Drainage systems must also withstand repeated heavy loading, axial stresses and long-term operational wear.

In high-demand environments, hydraulic performance alone is not enough. For this reason, the F500 range incorporates reinforced steel edge profiles designed specifically for heavyduty infrastructure applications. The result is a drainage solution developed not only to meet specification requirements, but to maintain reliable performance over time in challenging site conditions. Typical applications include:

• Logistics hubs • Industrial sites • Ports and airports • Major transport infrastructure projects Supporting Reliable Surface Water Management As infrastructure projects continue to increase in scale and operational intensity, drainage systems are expected to do more than ever before. For contractors, engineers and specifiers, selecting the right drainage solution increasingly means balancing hydraulic performance, durability and long-term reliability. The new F500 range from ULMA Architectural Solutions has been developed with exactly these requirements in mind.

ULMA’s new F500 drainage channel range is designed for infrastructure projects requiring high hydraulic capacity and long-term durability.

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DOWNLOAD THE F500 TECHNICAL DATASHEET For full technical specifications and hydraulic data, download the ULMA F500 technical datasheet. www.ulmaarchitectural.co.uk

Drainage & Plumbing

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Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 39

Drainage & Plumbing

THE NEXT PHASE OF SUDS: THREE CHALLENGES FOR CONSTRUCTION TEAMS By Pete Tamblin, Head of Design & Engineering, Marshalls Civils & Drainage Over the years, I’ve watched Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) move from being a planning requirement to a fundamental part of how developments are designed and delivered. That evolution raises new challenges that I see in many of today’s projects. Teams are having to deliver drainage solutions that manage surface water effectively, respond to complex site conditions, support sustainability objectives and contribute positively to the environment.

From my perspective, that’s where some opportunities are missed. The strongest SuDS strategies are rarely built around one component. They’re built around how a range of features interact to manage runoff, improve water quality and cope with changing weather patterns over time. Pete Tamblin

One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is how drainage is now viewed within a development. A few years ago, many discussions focused primarily on compliance and hydraulic performance. Today, designers, planners and local authorities are often looking for much more: how SuDS contribute to biodiversity; how it can improve placemaking.

Across many of the projects we support, the same issues regularly surface.

Challenge #1: Complex Brownfield Sites If there’s one key takeaway I’ve learnt from working on brownfield developments, it’s to expect the unexpected. Something might look straightforward on a drawing, but once investigations begin it can quickly become anything but. Unknown services, legacy infrastructure, contaminated ground and limited infiltration potential can all have a major impact on drainage design. I’ve seen plenty of cases where an approach looked perfectly viable at concept stage yet needed a redesign once the site reality became clear. It’s all about flexibility. On brownfield sites, successful surface water management often comes from combining different SuDS elements rather than trying to force a single solution to fit.

Challenge #3: Delivering More Than Compliance

Just as importantly though, all this reinforces the benefit of having the right people around the table early. The sooner designers, contractors and drainage specialists start working through the possibilities, the easier it becomes to avoid costly surprises later.

Challenge #2: Understanding the Treatment Train SuDS is now a familiar industry concept. What is less understood is the treatment train. At its core, the treatment train is simply about managing surface water in stages. Different features perform different functions, from source control and filtration through to attenuation, with each contributing to the overall outcome. Yet conversations can often become centred on individual products rather than how the wider system works together.

Features like permeable paving, rain gardens and swales are driving that change. They’re visible, valued parts of developments and bringing drainage into conversations that were once dominated by landscape and urban design. For project teams, that’s both an opportunity and a responsibility. The challenge is creating schemes that perform as intended while fitting into the wider vision. The successful projects? They tend to be the ones where engineers, landscape architects, ecologists and contractors have worked closely together from the outset rather than treating drainage as a separate discipline.

Delivering Better Outcomes SuDS schemes are being asked to do a lot today. They need to respond to challenging site conditions, manage water effectively, support environmental ambitions and remain practical to build and maintain for decades to come. The projects that stand out are rarely those with the most complex solutions. They’re the ones where technical performance, buildability, maintenance requirements and the wider aims of the development have been considered together from day one. For construction teams, that’s where the next phase of SuDS delivery really begins.

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Company News

NEW GROUND SURVEY SPECIALIST LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION SECTOR SD TEAM LAUNCHES UK-WIDE RECRUITMENT DRIVE TO SUPPORT AMBITIOUS GROWTH PLANS SD Team, the UK’s leading finishing group, has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to support the next stage of its ambitious growth plans, creating opportunities for cosmetic finishers and sealant applicators throughout the UK.

The building and construction sector can now benefit from a range of high-tech powered surveys of underground tunnels, pipes and drainage systems, provided by start-up firm, Survey X (UK). The Yorkshire-based company delivers a range of cost effective, value-added professional surveying techniques and equipment, which include topographical surveys, ground penetrating radar, utility surveys and CCTV surveys, designed to help to locate, map and inspect drainage systems and underground tunnels for defects and affect repair work.

The business is recruiting 20 cosmetic finishers and 25 sealant applicators UKwide to support increasing demand across its construction, insurance, commercial and marine divisions. The company also operates its own in-house training facility, the SD Academy, to help recruits earn specific construction and finishing NVQs.

Also offering map and inspect drainage and underground services for repair or future use, the firm provides highly accurate 3D scanning methods used to capture the exact spatial dimensions of a building and specialist building surveys to capture highly accurate spatial data, dimensions, and structural details of an existing building.

The recruitment campaign comes as SD Team continues to strengthen its nationwide presence by expanding its capacity to deliver specialist cosmetic repairs and sealant services to customers across the UK.

Using this information allows users to more effectively plan, design and construct properties as well as improve land management and utilisation.

Alongside its newly-opened headquarters in Cwmbran, Wales, SD Team has nine offices nationwide and has recently expanded overseas with the opening of its first European offering in the Netherlands.

Through the use of multidisciplinary services, the company

collects and processes data more quickly and accurately, speeding up inspection times and helping customers to also reduce designto-build costs. Headed by project manager Joe Walshaw, the operation plans to use its expertise to rapidly grow its business footprint and develop its presence UK wide in the next two years - it has already secured contracts in Kent with other potential national work in the pipeline. Joe Walshaw, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the survey and ground engineering sector, said:

With today’s AI and internet powered technologies, we see a huge opportunity to transform ground exploration and survey work – making it easier, faster, and more precise than ever before. Our team will focus on developing techniques and applications that can identify rapid solutions, helping companies, consultants and sub-contractors plan and build more safely.

The new recruits will work on a diverse range of projects, from new-build homes and commercial properties to hospitals, hotels, schools, retail premises and insurance repair work. SD Team also carries out specialist cosmetic repairs and interior finishing on some of the world’s leading cruise ships through its marine division. Successful applicants will receive ongoing training, development opportunities and the chance to work for one of the UK’s leading cosmetic repair specialists as the business continues to expand.

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 41

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Latest News

CONSTRUCTION IS PROGRESSING ON THE MIDDLEGATE RESERVOIR SCHEME TO STRENGTHEN WATER RESILIENCE ACROSS THE EAST OF ENGLAND Construction is progressing on the new Middlegate Reservoir in Lincolnshire, a major infrastructure project that will play a key role in strengthening water supply resilience across the East of England. Delivered by Anglian Water’s @one Alliance in collaboration with the Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA), the scheme forms part of Anglian Water’s wider Strategic Pipeline Programme, one of the largest water infrastructure investments currently underway in the UK. Located at the head of the 52km Eastto-Lincolnshire (E2L) Strategic Pipeline, Middlegate Reservoir will help enable treated water to be conditioned, stored and transferred into the wider strategic network, improving resilience and supporting future demand across the region. The East of England is one of the driest parts of the UK while also being one of the fastest growing. With climate change increasing pressure on existing water resources and demand continuing to rise, significant investment is needed to ensure water supplies remain resilient for future generations. The Strategic Pipeline Programme has been developed to address these challenges by creating a more connected water network,

reducing environmental impact wherever possible. Prefabricated concrete elements are being incorporated into the reservoir construction, helping improve consistency and reduce onsite activity. And concrete mixes incorporating increased levels of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) are also being used to reduce embodied carbon compared with traditional concrete construction. allowing water to be transferred from areas of greater availability to those experiencing higher demand.

The Middlegate Reservoir Scheme is a key part of that investment. Alongside the new reservoir, the project includes the construction of a conditioning plant, a high-capacity pumping station, lagoon infrastructure and almost 1.6km of cross-site pipelines and associated control systems. Together, these assets will enable treated water arriving from East Lincolnshire to be conditioned before entering the strategic pipeline network. The conditioning plant will use controlled dosing systems, including chlorine and orthophosphoric acid, to maintain drinking water quality and support compliance with regulatory standards, while the new pumping station will provide the hydraulic capacity needed to transfer water efficiently across the wider network. The storage reservoir itself will provide valuable operational flexibility, allowing water to be stored and released as demand changes while improving the resilience of the overall system. By creating additional storage capacity, the scheme will help maintain reliable supplies during periods of maintenance, operational change or increased demand. Construction has been carefully planned to improve efficiency while

Digital innovation is another important feature of the scheme. Middlegate is being developed as part of Anglian Water’s Digital Twin Programme, creating a digital replica of the completed asset that will support future operation and maintenance. The digital model will enable improved monitoring, more informed operational decision-making and more efficient long-term asset management throughout the life of the infrastructure. The project is being delivered through the collaborative @one Alliance model, bringing together eight delivery partners and specialist suppliers from the earliest stages of the project. This integrated approach enables challenges to be resolved early, improves coordination between disciplines and supports safer, more efficient delivery across complex infrastructure programmes. As work continues on site, Middlegate Reservoir is becoming a key building block in Anglian Water’s future water network. Once operational, it will help improve the resilience of water supplies, support more flexible management of water resources and reduce pressure on existing sources during periods of increased demand. The scheme demonstrates how collaborative delivery, modern construction techniques and sustainable engineering can come together to create infrastructure that will continue supporting communities across the East of England for decades to come.

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 43

Concrete

BUILDING BETTER OFF-SITE WITH CONCRETE ACCESSORIES FOR THE PRECAST BOOM Off-site and precast construction continues to gain momentum across the UK and Europe as contractors look for faster, safer and more predictable ways to deliver buildings and infrastructure. From residential developments and hotels to transport and large energy projects, precast concrete elements are increasingly being used to reduce programme times, improve quality control and address persistent skills shortages on site. While much of the conversation around precast construction focuses on concrete mixes, structural frames or digital manufacturing processes, the embedded systems and accessories inside those elements often receive far less attention. Yet these components play a critical role in determining how safely and efficiently precast units can be manufactured, lifted, transported and installed.

Precast growth driven by speed and labour pressures The continued growth of off-site manufacturing reflects broader changes across the construction industry. Developers and contractors are under increasing pressure to shorten build timelines while maintaining the same high standards of safety and quality. At the same time, many sites continue to face shortages of skilled site labour, particularly in traditional trades.

Engineered embedded systems such as profiled construction joint formers, anchor systems and reinforcement accessories are helping precast manufacturers achieve greater consistency and structural performance at scale.

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Factory-controlled production offers several advantages in response to these pressures. Precast manufacturing allows repetitive processes to be standardised, monitored and refined in ways that are difficult to achieve on busy construction sites. Production can continue largely independent of weather conditions, while improved logistics planning helps reduce congestion and programme delays on site. For major infrastructure projects, the ability to manufacture large volumes of concrete components to repeatable tolerances is particularly valuable. Tunnel segments, retaining walls, bridge elements and structural panels all depend on consistent dimensional accuracy and predictable structural performance. However, achieving this consistency relies heavily on the quality and reliability of the embedded systems within each element.

Why embedded accessory performance matters In precast manufacturing, concrete accessories are subjected to far more than static structural loading.

Concrete Components must withstand the pressures of casting, vibration and curing before being exposed to lifting forces, transportation stresses and installation demands. This means embedded systems must perform reliably at every stage of the process chain. Construction joint systems provide a good example. Traditional flat mesh reinforcement approaches can create limitations in load transfer performance between pours or panels, particularly where higher shear forces or demanding installation conditions are involved. Flat sheet systems may also provide less effective mechanical interlock within the concrete section. Engineered profiled systems address these challenges by introducing a threedimensional key geometry into the joint. RECOSTAL® 2000 GT/GTF by DWYIDAG, for example, uses trapezoidally profiled expanded metal combined with welded lattice supports to create a selfsupporting shuttering unit with twodirectional axial load-bearing capability. The profiled geometry complies with Eurocode 2 requirements for keyprofiled joints and is designed to achieve higher load-bearing performance than conventional alternatives. The structural benefit of the trapezoidal profile is particularly important in demanding applications where concrete joints are required to transfer loads effectively while maintaining durability over the long term. Single-rib profiles can increase the risk of gaping cracks, while trapezoidal geometries provide improved load distribution and mechanical interlock. In practice, this translates into stronger construction joints, improved reliability and greater confidence during both manufacture and installation.

safe transportation and installation underground. DYWIDAG has supplied concrete technology products into these applications, supporting the safe handling of heavy precast elements throughout the installation process. The wider importance of accessory quality has also become more prominent following several well-publicised formwork and temporary works failures across the construction sector in past years. In many cases, relatively small accessory components can have a disproportionate impact on overall site safety and structural stability. For manufacturers, this places increasing emphasis on proven performance, certification and quality assurance. Products that have undergone rigorous testing and are manufactured to recognised engineering standards provide greater predictability in both production and installation environments.

Improving productivity in factorycontrolled environments One of the key operational advantages of engineered accessory systems is their ability to improve production efficiency while reducing variability. Self-supporting systems, for example, can significantly reduce the amount of temporary support work required during casting. RECOSTAL® units are designed to be fully self-supporting across a range of heights, allowing manufacturers to streamline setup processes and reduce manual intervention during formwork preparation. Prefabricated accessory systems can also reduce installation time compared with traditional site-built methods. In

repetitive manufacturing environments, even relatively small reductions in setup time can create substantial productivity gains across large production volumes. This becomes particularly important in sectors such as residential construction, where manufacturers are increasingly looking to industrialised building methods to meet housing demand while reducing dependence on scarce specialist labour. Factory-controlled environments also allow manufacturers to integrate more robust inspection and quality assurance procedures into the production cycle. Because embedded accessories are installed before casting, consistency in positioning, fixing and reinforcement detailing is critical. Engineered systems designed specifically for precast applications can help reduce variability and improve repeatability across production runs. As precast construction continues to scale up, this focus on embedded engineering is likely to become even more significant. Manufacturers are being asked to deliver larger volumes of factory-finished concrete elements while maintaining strict safety, productivity and quality standards. The accessories hidden within concrete structures are becoming increasingly important to how modern buildings and infrastructure are delivered. Systems that improve load-bearing performance, handling efficiency and construction reliability are helping precast producers meet growing demand while supporting safer and more efficient off-site construction methods. In many cases, the success of modern precast construction depends as much on these engineered details as it does on the concrete elements themselves.

Supporting safer handling and installation Handling and lifting are among the most critical stages in precast production. Concrete elements often need to be moved multiple times between casting beds, storage yards, transport vehicles and final installation points. Each movement introduces potential risks if embedded systems are not properly engineered or tested. This is particularly relevant on infrastructure projects involving large or complex precast components. On HS2, for example, precast tunnel segments manufactured off site have relied on integrated lifting systems to enable

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 45

Tool, Plant & Equipment Hire

CUSTOMER PRAISE PROMPTS NU-HIRE SWITCH TO OIL&STEEL OCTOPLUS SPIDER LIFTS Leading powered access hire specialist Nu-Hire is investing in Tadano Oil&Steel platforms supplied by Hird Sales to rapidly grow its spider lift rental fleet. The company, based in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland, has based its decision on customer praise for the performance of Oil&Steel Octoplus platforms, and the quality of the service provided by Hird Sales.

“Our customers really like them. Also, the service from Hird Sales is excellent. We’re always treated like a valued customer and every member of their team is always happy to help.”

Nu-Hire Director Leigh Baker says: “We bought our first Oil&Steel spider cherry picker in April 2024 and received such good feedback from customers that we’ve continued to invest in them. Octoplus platforms have performance advantages across the board compared with other tracked platforms. They’re more compact, have a better working envelope and more features that make using them easier.

Hird Sales Area Sales Manager Dan Holgate said: “It’s great that the very positive customer reaction to Octoplus platforms is confirming the confidence Leigh and his team have in both them and Hird Sales. They’re designed from the bottom up to give operatives a clear edge when facing big working at height challenges, while delivering reliable and safe service.

In the latest tranche of platforms to be added to the fleet, Nu-Hire has taken in an additional Octoplus 21 spider lift and two extra Octoplus 17 spider lifts.

RELIABILITY TRUMPS PRICE: 86% OF UK CONTRACTORS WOULD PAY A PREMIUM FOR RELIABLE EQUIPMENT HIRE, AND 6 IN 10 ARE READY TO SWITCH TO GET IT UK construction firms would be willing to pay 13% more, on average, for an access equipment hire supplier they can rely on, as reliability overtakes price as the deciding factor in winning their business. Asked how much more they would pay for a supplier that delivered a consistent, reliable service and was easy to deal with, 86% of construction professionals said they would pay a premium, with the average contractor willing to pay 13% more on hire rates. Just one in seven (13%) would pay nothing extra. At the same time, nearly six in ten (58%) said they are likely to switch their primary or sole access hire supplier in the next 12 months because of service issues. Reliability, in short, has become the thing that wins and loses customers. That is the headline finding from new Censuswide research commissioned by Horizon Platforms, the powered access hire specialist, which surveyed 300 UK construction planning and management

professionals in May 2026 on the true cost of equipment hire failures. Kelly Burgess, Head of Hire at Horizon Platforms: “For years this industry has competed almost entirely on price, on the assumption that contractors will always take the cheapest quote. This research says this is changing. Contractors have been burned too many times and just want to know they will get kit on time and in good working order. They are telling us, clearly, that they will pay a bit more to guarantee a reliable supplier that delivers and focuses on their needs.”

Why reliability has become a dealbreaker The appetite for a supplier that simply turns up and works is being driven by how much unreliable hire now costs. According to the research:

• The average access equipment hire failure costs a contractor £6,343

46 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

once idle labour, re-hire, overtime, rebooked subcontractors and penalties are added up

• 95% of construction managers had

at least one project knocked off schedule by a hire failure in the last 12 months, with an average of 2.3 projects each

• Over the last three years, 72% of

firms have been hit with contractual penalties because of a hire failure, 71% have faced cost-recovery claims and 57% have paid liquidated damages

With one in six MEWP hires failing on a typical site, the cost of getting it wrong is exactly what contractors are now willing to pay to avoid.

Buying on reliability, not just price To help contractors weigh suppliers on more than headline rate, Horizon Platforms has launched a free Cost of

Tool, Plant & Equipment Hire At Hird Sales, we make sure our service complements Oil&Steel’s high performance characteristics, with fast and smooth order fulfilment and the very best after-sales support. Both the Octoplus 17 and Octoplus 21 platforms are designed to provide highly flexible options for one or two operatives to complete a wide range of indoor or outdoor working at height tasks, including:

• Building inspection and maintenance • Tree management • Digital systems installation and maintenance

• Signage and lighting installation and maintenance

Crucially, their relatively low weights – the Octoplus 17 weighs 2330kg and the Octoplus 21 2850kg – allows them to be transported on a standard 3.5t plant trailer, towed by a van or pick-up truck.

This makes delivery and collection of the platforms more flexible, including in constrained spaces and off-road areas. Both spider booms are exceptionally compact when stowed for tracking, allowing them to be moved through very narrow gaps, including garden gates and doors into and through buildings. Nu-Hire’s customers have said they particularly like the way the platforms are tracked with a wireless remote control unit, rather than a cabled unit, says Leigh Baker. This gives the operator complete freedom to position themselves where they get the optimum view when moving the platforms through tight spaces and then setting them up. Customers comment favourably on the safely information on the digital display panels, like the weight in basket and reach distances, which is very useful to identify platform parameters. Arborists, in particular, also like the way power tracks, cables and pipework are enclosed in the top boom, preventing snagging on tree branches as they work. Other Octoplus spider cherry picker features valued by rental companies and their customers include:

• Robust, all-steel build quality • One-touch button outrigger autolevelling and stowing

• One-touch button automatic basket lowering or return to a previous working position

• Variable outrigger placement for

working in particularly confined or irregular spaces.

• Industry-leading working ground

clearance for working over uneven ground

• Hydraulic track widening and

withdrawal to optimise stability during tracking

Nu-Hire is a full service powered access hire specialist, able to supply scissor lifts, cherry pickers and low-level platforms of all types and size across Scotland. The company has invested in flexible bienergy versions of Octoplus platforms, with low-emission diesel engines and powerful 220v electric motors. This allows its customers to switch to cabled electric operation for indoor work or where low-noise operation is required. Other power options available are:

• Bi-energy petrol engines plus electric motors

• Diesel or petrol engine power only • All-electric power from lithium electric batteries

Hird Sales can also supply the Oil&Steel Octoplus 30 spider cherry picker. This has a maximum working height of 29.6m and a maximum outreach of 16.3m, yet is just 900mm wide when stowed for tracking. Hird Sales also provide excellent access platform service, maintenance and fast repair support through our fleet of mobile engineers. For more information visit: www.hird.co.uk. PICTURED BELOW: Leigh Baker and Dan Holgate at ScotPlant 2026

Poor Hire Calculator, letting construction managers compare two access equipment suppliers side by side on hire rates, breakdowns, downtime and rehires, at calculator.horizonplatforms.co.uk. Kelly continues: “The lesson from this data is to look at the total cost of hire, not the day rate. The cheapest hire is almost never the cheapest job. Unfortunately for contractors, cheap rates tend to come with poor service. Contractors clearly already know that. That’s why they are ready to pay for reliability and certainty. The question is which suppliers are ready to deliver it. We certainly are!” PICTURED ABOVE: Kelly Burgess, Head of Hire at Horizon Platforms

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 47

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People On The Move

ADSA WELCOMES FAMILIAR FACE IN NEW MEMBER-FOCUSED ROLE The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has appointed experienced industry professional Steve Rutherford as its new Membership Development Officer, reinforcing the association’s commitment to supporting members,

strengthening engagement and helping businesses maximise the value of their membership. Steve brings more than 20 years’ experience within the automatic

door industry to the role, alongside a strong track record in training and skills development. Most recently, he played a key role in delivering the industry’s pioneering Powered Pedestrian Door Technician apprenticeship programme, helping to develop training content and support more than 70 apprentices through the qualification. In his new role, Steve will act as a dedicated point of contact for ADSA members, working closely with businesses across the UK to understand their challenges, identify opportunities for support and ensure they are fully benefiting from the association’s extensive range of services, resources and training opportunities. The newly created position reflects ADSA’s continued growth and the increasing diversity of its membership base. With more than 600 member organisations, ADSA is investing in stronger member engagement and ensuring businesses of all sizes have access to consistent support, guidance and opportunities for professional development. Said Steve: “One of the most important aspects of this role is listening to members and understanding what they need from ADSA. Whether that’s training, professional development, technical support or simply helping them navigate their membership, I want to make sure businesses are getting real value from being part of the association.”

Steve Rutherford

NEW TECHNICAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED AT ETEX BUILDING PERFORMANCE Etex Building Performance has appointed a new Technical Director to head up specialist construction brands Siniat and Promat. In his new role Si Gibson, who joins from civil engineering access solution firm Wrekin, will work to expand the extensive testing portfolio of both passive fire protection specialist Promat and drywall manufacturer Siniat. Bringing a wealth of experience in construction manufacturing, Si will build on the schedule of enhanced testing and competency now established at Etex.

Having served as Technical Director at Wrekin, Si brings demonstrated technical leadership along with extensive construction product knowledge, and research and development experience. Siniat and Promat have been positioned as market leaders in fire test data following an intensive testing programme, that included a commitment to testing to the EN standard ahead of it coming into force. This has latterly seen a focus on the need to provide more comprehensive data for material interfacing, and to expand the field of application. This has been supported by a commitment to drive up standards within Promat and Siniat with all technical and sales staff required to undertake the IFE Level 3 in Passive Fire Protection to demonstrate a depth of knowledge. Siniat was also one of the first companies to sign up to the Construction Code of Product

Information (CCPI), to demonstrate a commitment to clarity in product information to support better standards and transparency in the construction industry. These are foundations that Si aims to build on as he supports Etex Building Performance in solidifying its commitment to upholding the highest technical and operational standards in construction manufacturing. He said: “The construction industry has undergone a considerable shift in the last few years and the increased focus on standards in testing and competency is welcome. “Siniat and Promat are in a strong position to support major players in the construction industry in delivering safer, compliant and fully evidenced internal wall and passive fire protection systems. I’m looking forward to working with partners across the industry to see how together we can make it easier to build safer buildings that support longevity and efficiency.”

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 49

UK Construction Week Birmingham

THE CONSTRUCTION RESET: UKCW BIRMINGHAM RETURNS WITH BOLD NEW THEME AND FOCUS Ahead of its return to the NEC this September, UKCW Birmingham has unveiled The Construction Reset - a new theme designed to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the built environment, from improving productivity and scaling industrialised construction to accelerating digital transformation and delivering more sustainable outcomes.

The three-day event will feature:

Structured around three key pillars – Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly – this year’s event (NEC, 29 September - 1 October) features a packed programme designed to encourage fresh thinking, showcase innovation and support the industry’s drive towards a more productive, sustainable future.

• Digitalisation & AI - See how

Central to The Construction Reset is a refreshed Main Stage programme, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, clients, contractors, manufacturers and innovators to showcase what’s already working, where real progress is being made and the practical actions that can accelerate delivery, improve productivity, drive sustainability and unlock growth.

● Built-for-purpose sections:

• Roofing, Cladding & Insulation - A

dedicated destination for contractors, installers, specifiers and designers who want to explore the latest innovations in durability, efficiency and weather protection and architectural impact technology, automation, and AI are redefining the way we plan and build

• Futurebuild Innovation Showcase

- New for 2026, bringing together the most innovative products, technologies, materials and solutions transforming the built environment

• Building & Onsite Safety - Featuring

product and systems supporting safer buildings and safer sites

• Equipment, Tools & Hire - Explore the newest tools and equipment driving productivity

• Construction Training & Services

- Connect with experts in project delivery, compliance, training, and professional support

Five theatres offering a varied programme of talks and workshops from industry experts and thought leaders:

• Main Stage • Building and Occupational Safety Stage

• Building Envelope Stage • Digitalisation & AI Stage • Futurebuild Innovation Stage

The Build Connect Lounge will be a chance to join focused partner-led conversations, workshops and clinics, The Build Connect Lounge will be more than a networking area. It will act as a live event hub where key partners can host their own roundtables, workshops and clinics aligned to the Construction Reset themes. Another key UKCW feature will be the Client & Buyer Exchange, where visitors will be able meet buyers, specifiers and project teams, and turn conversations into commercial opportunities. It will be a more focused and purposeful evolution of traditional meet-the-buyer activity. Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham Editorial Director, said: “As the construction sector faces growing challenges around skills, sustainability, productivity and delivery, UKCW Birmingham has been set to reflect the needs of today’s industry. Moving beyond the traditional exhibition format, the show is designed to create meaningful opportunities for businesses and professionals to connect and collaborate.” Sponsored by Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over 250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections. Architect, TV presenter and UKCW ambassador, George Clarke will officially open the show and host the Main Stage discussions on Day One.

To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/ survey/0hcnqiudc1lrv?actionco de=2068

50 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

29 Sept - 1 Oct 2026

NEC, Birmingham

THE CONSTRUCTION

BEGINS HERE Building Better. Building Smarter. Building Responsibly.

Construction is resetting Join the people, products and ideas driving The Construction RESET at UK Construction Week Birmingham. As the industry responds to growing demands on productivity, delivery, technology and sustainability, UK Construction Week is where construction comes together to understand what’s changing, discover practical solutions and do business with the people driving progress. Explore the innovations shaping construction, connect with leading suppliers and partners, and leave with ideas, technologies and relationships to help you build better, build smarter and build more responsibility.

BUILDING SMARTER

BUILDING BETTER • • • • •

• • • • •

Delivery Productivity Performance Skills Project outcomes

Technology Digitalisation AI Innovation Next-generation construction

BE PART OF THE RESET. REGISTER TODAY

ukconstructionweek.com #UKCW

@ukconstructionweek

#uk_cw

#UKCWBirmingham2026

@UK_CW

UKConstructionWeek

BUILDING RESPONSIBLY • • • • •

Sustainability Safety Regulation Retrofit Future-ready construction

Events & Awards News

DURA COMPOSITES SCOOPS RAILWAY INNOVATION AWARD Dura Composites has been named the winner of the Environment and Sustainability Award at the prestigious Railway Innovation Awards, recognising the company’s pioneering work in reducing the environmental impact of rail infrastructure through world-first circular manufacturing innovation. The award celebrates Dura’s progress in carbon reduction innovations, which are redefining how composite infrastructure materials are designed, manufactured and managed throughout their lifecycle. The achievement places the Essexbased manufacturer alongside some of the rail industry’s most forward-thinking organisations and reinforces its position as one of the UK’s leading innovators in sustainable infrastructure. For more than 30 years, Dura has supplied high-performance Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) walkway systems, platforms and access structures to the rail sector. Today, those products are helping shape a new chapter for the industry through Dura’s pioneering closed-loop approach to composite materials.

embodied carbon and reducing reliance on virgin raw materials without compromising the performance, safety or longevity demanded by the rail industry. As rail operators and infrastructure owners face increasing pressure to reduce Scope 3 emissions and demonstrate responsible material stewardship, circular infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important part of future asset management. Dura’s innovation provides a practical, scalable solution that enables organisations to meet sustainability ambitions while maintaining the engineering standards required across the network. The Railway Innovation Awards celebrate the organisations and technologies shaping the future of Britain’s railway, recognising innovations that improve safety, performance, customer experience and environmental sustainability.

Dura’s success highlights the growing importance of circular manufacturing as the rail industry works towards achieving its net-zero ambitions. It has been a year of success for Dura with the company also receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability in May, completing a unique achievement of being recognised in three separate King’s Award categories - International Trade, Innovation and Sustainability. The business has also recently unveiled a new brand identity reflecting its ambition to manufacture the world’s lowest-carbon composite walkway systems and lead the transition towards circular infrastructure.

Historically, GRP has delivered exceptional durability, strength and low maintenance requirements, but once it reached the end of its service life it was typically treated as waste. Dura has challenged that assumption by developing a world-first process that enables GRP materials to be recovered, repurposed into feedstock and reintroduced directly back into the manufacturing process. The innovation creates a continuous lifecycle for composite materials, significantly reducing landfill, lowering

CADMAN CRANES BECOMES A CERTIFIED B CORPORATION Cadman Cranes has announced its certification as a B Corporation™ (B Corp™), joining a growing movement of companies that are redefining what it means to do business for the benefit of people and the planet. Verified by

B Lab, the not-for-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, the certification recognises that Cadman Cranes has met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

52 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

More importantly, B Corp Certification reflects a legally binding commitment to consider the impact of every business decision on its people, communities, customers and the planet, alongside delivering long-term value for shareholders. As the B Corp movement continues to grow, certification remains relatively rare across construction, plant hire and heavy

Events & Awards News

compliance based on rigorous national and European standards, validating a construction product’s specialist formulation, capability, and uniqueness.

RESIN INJECTION SPECIALIST ACHIEVES IRISH BBA CERTIFICATION Geobear Ireland becomes first ground engineering firm to receive Irish building regulation compliance Non-invasive ground engineering company Geobear has become the first and only resin injection company to achieve verified compliance with the Irish Building Regulation through its British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification. A benchmark for product quality and fitness-for-purpose, Geobear UK has held the BBA certification since 2021 and remains the only geopolymer injection company in the world to have earned the achievement. The milestone follows the BBA’s recent launch of an Irish building regulations compliance add-on for its Agrément certification holders, enabling Geobear to extend its existing certification to cover its Irish operations. Following updates from the Irish government

industry. At Cadman Cranes, we believe businesses like ours have an important role to play in helping shape a more sustainable future for our industry. Our certification reinforces our commitment to Leading Sustainable Lifting, and we hope it encourages others across construction and heavy industry to join the movement, demonstrating that responsible business and operational excellence can go hand in hand.

post-Brexit, third-party certificates used in Ireland must confirm coverage for use in the Republic of Ireland, demonstrating compliance with Parts A-M, of which Geobear now fulfils completely. The updated certification gives Irish specifiers, engineers, architects, building control bodies, and property owners, reliable third-party verification that Geobear’s geopolymer injections comply with Irish Building Regulations, removing a key barrier for professionals seeking to utilise advanced ground engineering solutions. The British Board of Agrément is an independent, regulated body for the UK construction industry that helps to create accountability and mitigate risk. The BBA certification is a mark of

The news comes as the ongoing climate crisis and widening social inequality continue to pose urgent challenges to our economy. B Corp Certification assesses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers impact areas related to practices around governance, workers, community, the environment and customers. The certification process is rigorous, with companies required to provide evidence on performance while

“This is a significant moment for Geobear in Ireland,” said Richard Dee, Director of Geobear Ireland. “Our customers and their advisors can now have complete confidence that our solutions meet Irish Building Regulations, verified independently by a respected certification body in the construction industry. “As the first and only geopolymer injection company to achieve this certification, we are proud to be setting a new benchmark for quality, transparency and technical assurance. At a time when regulatory certainty is increasingly important, being the only geopolymer injection company with this certification demonstrates our commitment to quality, transparency and delivering the highest standards for our customers,” Dee continued. The certification also covers Geobear’s advanced geopolymer injection technology, which strengthens weak soils, fills voids, and lifts sunken structures, without the need for excavation. The certification process includes independent laboratory testing of materials, assessment of structural characteristics and durability, evaluation of design and installation practices, and ongoing surveillance of production. Certification holders also undergo a formal three-year review, to ensure continued compliance with the BBA.

legally embedding their commitment to purpose as well as profit in their company articles. Cadman Cranes is now part of a growing community of over 10,700 businesses globally that have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK is the largest and fastest-growing in the world, with over 2,700 companies spanning a range of different industries and sizes.

Construction UK Magazine - September 2026 53

Kent Construction EXPO

sessions covering many of the issues shaping construction today, including AI in project management, winning work through frameworks and bid strategy, biodiversity net gain, building safety, sustainability, digital innovation and workforce development.

KENT CONSTRUCTION EXPO RETURNS THIS OCTOBER Produced by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Kent Construction EXPO returns to the Kent Event Centre, Detling, on Thursday 1 October, bringing together professionals from across the construction, property and built environment sectors for a day of networking, learning and business development. The event welcomes contractors, developers, consultants, local authorities, housing providers, manufacturers, suppliers and industry professionals from across Kent and the South East. With more than 200 exhibitors, over 20 conference sessions and a range of networking opportunities, it provides a platform to explore the latest products, share knowledge and build new business relationships.

Breakfast, delivered in partnership with the South East Consortium and Kent LSIP as Headline Skills & Workforce Partners. Bringing together more than 200 construction professionals, this year’s breakfast will focus on the skills, workforce and training initiatives needed to support the future of the industry, while offering delegates the opportunity to make new connections before the exhibition opens. Running throughout the day, the conference programme features practical

The day begins with the Kent Construction Focus Group Networking

Meet the Buyer also returns, giving suppliers the opportunity to take part in pre-arranged one-to-one meetings with leading contractors, developers and procurement organisations. Confirmed participants include Hill Group, Skanska (Lower Thames Crossing), South East Consortium, Riglift UK Ltd, BMJV (Lower Thames Crossing) and JT Mackley & Co Ltd, with further organisations to be announced. The exhibition itself will feature more than 200 companies showcasing products, services and innovations from across the construction supply chain, giving visitors the opportunity to discover new solutions and connect with organisations from every corner of the industry. The day concludes with a drinks reception and Gala Dinner. Guests will enjoy a three-course meal accompanied by live music from Ebonie G, performing in an intimate trio version of the acclaimed Black Bird Entertainment Band, before comedian James Dowdeswell takes to the stage as the evening’s headline act. Whether you’re looking to keep up to date with industry developments, discover new suppliers, meet potential clients or strengthen existing relationships, Kent Construction EXPO brings the industry together for a full day of insight, collaboration and opportunity.

Registration for the exhibition and conference and Meet the Buyer is free. To find out more and secure your place, visit the event website. KentConstructionEXPO.com

54 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

Produced by:

Thursday 1 October 2026 Kent Event Centre, Detling Produced by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

200+ Exhibitors 20+Semnar sessions Meet the Buyer Networking Breakfast Gala Dinner

On the Agenda

Platinum Sponsor

Skills and Workforce Partners

Kent Construction Focus Group Networking Breakfast Construction Skills Briefing: Building the Workforce of the Future Supported by Skills and Workforce Partners the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and the South East Consortium.

2026 confirmed buyers include:

This interactive breakfast briefing brings together industry, education and skills leaders to explore apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, student engagement and workforce development. Through a facilitated Q&A, delegates will gain practical insight into current skills challenges, future workforce trends and the support available to help build the next generation of construction professionals, before networking with more than 200 industry peers.

Conference Session Highlights Winning Work in 2026: Frameworks & Bid Strategy Women Shaping Construction Biodiversity Net Gain: Lessons from Year One Plus sessions covering building safety, sustainability, skills and digital innovation

Meet the Buyer Meet the Buyer connects construction contractors, developers and procurement teams with pre-matched suppliers through a series of pre-arranged one-to-one meetings. Register for free to receive further information.

People On The Move

WENDY DALTON APPOINTED CEO TO LEAD NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH AT JOBMATE Business software developer jobmate has appointed co-founder Wendy Dalton as Chief Executive Officer as the company accelerates product innovation, expands its AI capabilities and targets growth in the UK and overseas markets, including the United States. The appointment formally recognises Wendy’s leadership of the Wolverhampton-based software developer and comes as the business builds on the successful launch of its new jobsafe mobile safety reporting app while preparing to introduce further cloud-based products, including jobwin. Wendy brings extensive senior management experience gained from leading businesses at executive level, including within a subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Her background in business transformation, operational management and technology strategy has helped shape jobmate’s vision of delivering powerful, affordable cloud software that enables organisations to digitise operations without the cost and complexity traditionally associated with enterprise systems. As CEO, Wendy will lead the company’s strategic direction, product roadmap and continued investment in artificial intelligence to help customers improve efficiency, compliance and decision-making through smarter automation.

“Our ambition has always been to make enterprise-class operational software accessible to businesses of all sizes,” says Wendy Dalton. “Cloud technology has transformed what is possible, and AI is creating another major shift in how organisations manage their operations. We are investing heavily in intelligent features that will help customers automate routine tasks, gain better business insights and make faster, more informed decisions.

LUC APPOINTS ANITA HOGAN AS DIRECTOR OF ECOLOGY

The launch of jobsafe is just the beginning. We have an exciting product roadmap, including the forthcoming launch of jobwin, and we’re looking beyond the UK to international markets, particularly the United States, where we believe there is significant demand for simple, powerful cloud solutions.

Environment consultancy LUC has appointed Anita Hogan as Director of Ecology to join its Scottish Ecology Team’s leadership.

Founded in 2018, jobmate develops cloud-native business software for organisations operating in sectors including transport, logistics, construction, engineering, manufacturing and field service. Its software is designed to simplify business processes, improve productivity and reduce operating costs by replacing traditional serverbased systems with flexible, scalable cloud applications.

Prior to joining LUC in June 2026, Anita was a regional director at WSP, leading the Scotland and Ireland nature services teams across four offices in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Before this, she spent 10 years at Wood plc where she had a strong focus on onshore wind and large-scale linear projects.

The recent introduction of jobsafe extends the company’s portfolio by enabling incidents, hazards and near misses to be reported instantly from a smartphone, providing managers with accurate, time and locationstamped information to improve safety, compliance and operational performance.

Wendy Dalton

Anita Hogan

Future product development will continue to focus on integrating AI across the jobmate platform, enabling customers to streamline workflows, automate manual processes and gain greater value from their operational data as the business continues its expansion into new markets.

56 Construction UK Magazine - September 2026

Anita has over 22 years’ project and team management experience in ecological consultancy across Scotland, Ireland and England. In that time, she has utilised skills in ecological surveying, ecoprotection planning, and project, team and habitat management.

Anita is a chartered ecologist and a chartered environmentalist and holds several protected species licences from NatureScot and Natural England. In 2025, Anita was named in the ENDS Power List – an annual ranking of the 100 most influential environmental professionals – as an ‘unsung hero’, citing her depth of knowledge, technical accuracy and enabling environmental professionals to flourish. In her new role at LUC, Anita and the wider Ecology team will collaborate closely with the organisation’s landscape, planning and historic environment teams on a wide range of projects.

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