Construction Update - September 2024 by Update Media Group

1.5 million new homes to be Why fire safety must be a

The Labour government has emphasised its commitment to boost housebuilding in areas of the UK most in need over the next five years, setting out a plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2029.

By implementing mandatory housing targets, the agenda of the new government is clear, with ambitions laid out to help more people buy their own homes and drive economic growth.

However, there is a lack of attention being given to the materials going into new build houses, and more importantly, to the safety of their residents. New build housing is notorious for utilising cheap and low-quality materials that are prone to fast wear and tear – so how can we ensure the safety of homeowners in the future?

Fire safety in new build homes

Housebuilders today often use plastic fittings in construction, for applications such as pipes, seals, windows, doors, floor coverings, cables and insulation, due to the lower cost of the material.

This is despite growing evidence to show the adverse environmental and health effects of plastic, particularly following on from the Grenfell disaster in 2017.

Due to its cheaper cost, the fire safety credentials of plastics are often overlooked. Most plastics are flammable and will burn when exposed to an open flame, releasing flammable gases that can fuel a fire even further.

Polyvinyl chloride, used widely in pipes, cables, roofing and flooring, will ignite in the event of a fire despite being less flammable than other plastics. Polyethylene and polypropylene have low melting points and catch fire at temperatures of 400 degrees Celsius or less – a lower ignition point than the temperature of an average building fire.

be built in the next 5 years: priority

The role of copper in building a safer future

While progress has been made by the previous government to ban flammable cladding and insulation materials in buildings, due to the Building Safety Act 2022, there is still a lack of control over the materials used in construction – as well as a lack of checks in place to determine their safety credentials.

Attention must now be turned to non-flammable materials and their benefits over unsafe materials in homes, to prevent future disasters from taking place. With a very high melting point of over 1000 degrees Celsius, copper can withstand extreme temperatures, UV and pressure without altering its natural state. It isn’t flammable and will not melt or leak.

By choosing metals such as copper over plastic for pipes in construction, progress can be made to build a more sustainable and safe future for all.

To find out more, please visit: www.cuspuk.com/fire-safety/

Enjoy Peace of Mind with a

JCT Home Owner Contract

Designed for home owners like you doing building or renovation work

• JCT’s Home Owner Contracts are designed specifically for people looking for the benefits and protection of a contract when appointing consultants or contractors to carry out their building work.

Enjoy

Enjoy Peace of Mind with a JCT Home Owner Contract

• Employing experienced building professionals ensures that your home building or renovation works are properly managed and completed to a high standard.

Peace of Mind with a JCT Home Owner Contract

Enjoy Peace of Mind with a JCT Home Owner Contract

• The advantage of using the JCT Home Owner Contract means that you get peace of mind in knowing that the obligations of all the parties you employ – contractors, architects, surveyors, etc. are clearly set out and defined.

Designed for home owners like you doing building or renovation

work

Designed for home owners like you doing building or renovation work

JCT Home Owner Contracts provide all parties with peace of mind should any difficulties arise

• Employing experienced building professionals ensures that your home building or renovation works are properly managed and completed to a high standard.

Designed for home owners like you doing building or renovation work

JCT Home Owner Contracts have the advantage of being written in plain English with no technical or legal jargon. They enable you to successfully project manage your building work by recording costs and scheduling all in one easy to use document. You are fully in control and can set out the work to be done, the price of the work and payment schedule, which party will be applying for planning permission along with the access contractors will have on site.

JCT

JCT Home Owner Contracts provide all parties with peace of mind should any difficulties arise

Home Owner Contracts provide all parties with peace of mind should any difficulties arise

• Employing experienced building professionals ensures that your home building or renovation works are properly managed and completed to a high standard.

Written

JCT

plain English with no technical or legal jargon

Written in plain English with no technical or legal jargon

Home Owner Contracts provide all parties with peace of mind should any difficulties arise

Suitable for England and Wales, JCT Home Owner Contracts are easy to fill in and two copies- one for each party- are included as part of the form. They are available in hard copy and online, and can be purchased at: Home Owner Contracts (jctltd.co.uk)

Suitable for England and Wales, JCT Home Owner Contracts are easy to fill in and two copies - one for each party - are included as part of the form. They are available in hard copy and online, and can be purchased at: Home Owner Contracts (jctltd.co.uk).

Written

BRIDGING THE SKILLS SHORTAGE IN CONSTRUCTION

The construction sector’s ever-widening skills shortage is well documented and is a key constraint to a UK industry that provides the country with the homes, buildings and infrastructure that we desperately need. With construction output continuing to grow, how can the construction industry put in place measures that might put an end to the skills’ crisis?

According to the latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, around 251,000 new construction workers are needed by 2028 to fill the demand. The reasons for the skills shortage are varied but one of the main causes is the ageing workforce downing tools and retiring from the industry and not being replaced by a new younger generation. This is down to a recruitment and image problem with many young people not seeing the construction sector as an attractive and viable option.

Inspiring the next generation to take up a career in construction is fundamental to filling the skills gap over time. The construction sector is multi-faceted and incredibly diverse when it comes to the types of jobs on offer. We therefore need to teach young people that the construction industry is much more than just bricklaying. We need to engage with young people early in their education to show them that this is an exciting and constantly evolving industry that requires a huge range of skill sets.

Companies that can promote a career in construction to students from a young age will always be ahead of the skills game. Supporting young people through work experience and tasters, apprenticeships and providing funding to support the cost of training will be key to these new entrants. At McCoy Contractors, we have consistently demonstrated our commitment towards the creation of a skilled and sustainable workforce. It’s why we developed our apprenticeship scheme which has gone from strength-to-strength offering entrants each year first rate technical training and professional coaching on many specialist projects.

We currently employ a number of apprentices both on site and at our office in Knowle. These young recruits have an opportunity to gain a vocational qualification that stands them in good stead for their future, whilst at the same time being provided with a raft of training and developmental opportunities within an office environment and on site in the construction industry.

Our company ethos is to take talented and ambitious young people, and through our apprenticeship programme, guide and nurture them by providing access to valuable expertise and skills from experienced workers. This helps shape their careers, whilst supporting the growth and future success of the business.

In an industry plagued by skills shortages, there may not be an easy solution, but we are delighted to play our part in developing the construction workers of tomorrow. At McCoy Contractors, we understand the value of our people and are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential. As we continue to put people first, we look forward to an exciting future ahead.

If you are interested in learning more about employment opportunities or apprenticeships at McCoy Contractors contact amy.fullaway@mccoycontractors.co.uk

Snickers Workwear’s Energising New Technical Midlayers.

Perfect Workwear – for less than perfect days.

Snickers Workwear’s new range of lightweight Mid-layers are a Fusion of style and performance - built for active work in the Autumn.

Crafted for full flexibility on site and optimal comfort and built for active work, they’re fully flexible and can be worn as an outer layer when it’s warmer or a mid-layer when it’s a bit cooler.

They’re full of handy technical features and innovative fabrics to tame the wind, plus brand new energising colours to brighten your spring-time workday.

Choose from new street-smart styles such as the Windblocker Half-zip Hoodie or the Lightweight Flexiwork Mid-layer Jacket –creative workwear solutions designed to make your job easier.

Whatever Snickers Workwear Mid-layer you choose, you can be sure that they all have body-mapping designs for a great fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear clothing range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

HID Signo™ Readers Deliver Secure Path to GovPass Compliance for UK Government Facilities

Industry-Leading Readers Provide Seamless Integration, Security and Compliance with UK Regulations

HID, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, announces that its Signo™ Readers seamlessly integrate with the UK government’s GovPass standard, built on open standards for enhanced security and flexibility.

GovPass, the most secure government pass to date according to the UK government’s website, leverages open standards to ensure interoperability across different suppliers. Leveraging the UK government’s standard for card encryption and HID’s pioneering expertise in Open Supervised Device Protocols, Signo Readers underwent rigorous evaluation, testing and certification to deliver enhanced security and compliance for government facilities.

As more government departments adopt the GovPass standard, HID Signo readers offer a reliable and efficient path to compliance.

“HID is committed to providing innovative solutions that support the UK government’s open standards approach to secure identity management,” said Spencer Marshal, Head of Europe at HID. “Our Signo Readers offer a

compelling option for organizations seeking to achieve GovPass compliance while enhancing overall security.”

HID Signo Readers with GovPass compliance offer:

• Security by design: The readers were designed with the UK Governments standard for card encryption and HID’s Secure Access Module for storing keys, providing the best-in-class security for government premises.

• Certified reliability: HID Signo readers have undergone rigorous evaluation, testing and certification to meet all required GovPass standards.

• Agnostic protocol: Seamlessly integration with existing infrastructure, regardless of Wiegand or OSDP communications.

• Path to migration: Users can smoothly transition to HID’s multi-technology Signo Readers, supporting custom profiles that meet GovPass Standards.

For more information, please visit the website.

Your

Hiding in plain sight

Putting Hygiene First

Protect your food against hidden contamination risks

Hiding in plain sight

Protect your food against hidden contamination risks

Our ACO HygieneFirst drainage systems’ hygienic design minimises harmful bacteria and pathogen contamination.

Prioritising hygiene from the floor up

Teknomek have partnered with ACO to provide the HygieneFirst drainage system as channel and gully kits. Tackling two of the food industry’s biggest concerns, these kits reduce the risk of food contamination and listeria while optimising cleaning costs.

Small items, bigger risks.

Our BST J800 pens are designed to keep your food production safe.

Helping ensure food safety throughout the food production process:

Designed according to BS EN 1672, BS ISO 14159 and EHEDG, which includes internal 3mm radii for easy and effective cleaning and elininating crevices for bacteria residence.

• Metal detectable and x-ray visible

• Silver ion anti-bacterial technology

• Shatter resistant

• HACCP colour coded

• EU & FDA food regulation approved

• Made in Britain.

IDEAL HEATING COMMERCIAL APPRENTICE WINS ICOM

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Ideal Heating Commercial is delighted to announced that one its apprentices, Emily Wright, has won the prestigious Industrial & Commercial Heating Equipment Association ICOM Apprentice of the Year Award 2024. This is the second consecutive year the award has been handed to an Ideal Heating apprentice.

Emily is currently three years in to an Engineering Design and Draughtsperson Apprenticeship Standard (NVQ), which she is undertaking alongside a Higher National Certificate (HNC) Level 4 in Mechanical Engineering.

Like many young people, especially women, engineering had never been put forward as a career option for Emily at school. Ironically, deferring university for a year and taking a job as a PE Teaching Assistant in a secondary school, the school’s career advisor introduced her to the idea of working in engineering. “Engineering had never been a suggested option to me” says Emily, “and I had no idea how broad the industry was. After researching into different

engineering job roles and the variety of engineering fields, I developed an interest in the innovative and ever-evolving nature of Design Engineering.”

Emily makes no bones about the challenges involved: “With completing my apprenticeship qualification and completing work for Ideal Heating, it’s intense – managing deadlines and balancing the workload can be challenging. But I am able to effectively manage my own workload and my managers trust me to set my own deadlines with the confidence that I will deliver on-time.”

Commenting on Emily’s award win, Ideal Heating Senior Design Engineer Chris Roberts said: “Emily thoroughly deserves this award not only due to her work ethic and her inquisitive attitude towards engineering and learning, but she has been a true pleasure to mentor. I have never had to chase Emily for any work deadlines, and she listens with open ears and an open mind.

“Having not come from an engineering background she has worked very hard to learn her craft and has grown, not only as a Design Engineer, but also as a person. I have always

pushed her boundaries of learning and fears, she has responded to this by stepping up to the challenges set and exceeding them.

As part of her learning experience Emily has spent time in other departments within the business from procurement, engineering changes and industrial engineering. Emily has thrived in each department with many compliments following her as she leaves. She is now using knowledge gained in these areas in her everyday work and passing some of this knowledge on to her colleagues. Emily has become an integral part of the Design team and will be able utilise her skills in both the combustion and heat pump sides of the business.”

Ideal Heating delivers commercial heating solutions that are at the forefront of technology and developed in line with the latest market trends and legislation.

For more information visit idealcommercialboilers.com

The Welsh Government Leads the UK in Sustainable Office Fitouts

Three Welsh Government buildings lead the UK in sustainable office fitouts, delivering on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, while saving taxpayer funds.

The institutions behind these award-winning projects are Transport for Wales, North Wales Police and Public Health Wales – all of whom were recognised for their exceptional sustainability performance in a recent study by the Office Furniture Remanufacturing Association (available at https://ofrauk.org/study1/).

All three buildings lead on the Welsh Government’s push for Net Zero by 2025. Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has stated “As I start my term as the new Commissioner, I have set out an ambition for Wales to feel different. I want people to arrive here in Wales and it feel like a breath of fresh air, feel that there’s something unique about this country. And that uniqueness is truly putting the well-being of our people and planet first. I want everyone in Wales to feel the benefits of the Act in their day-to-day and feel like the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act is working hard for them, and for everyone.”

Transport for Wales (TfW) Headquarters, Pontypridd

The 68,000ft² TfW headquarters in Pontypridd has been meticulously designed to promote

collaboration and innovation among the public, government, and private sectors. Achieving exceptional standards of sustainability and costefficiency, this building has earned the Prosperous Future Generations Award 2021 for its exemplary social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

The interior design, conceptualised by Rype Office in collaboration with the Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind (MTIB), exemplifies sustainable practices creating a highly productive, healthy, low carbon and cost-efficient spaces. The building boasts four innovation rooms, a library, town square, casual working zones, flexible public use/enquiry space, external and internal meeting rooms, bike storage, showers, and drying rooms. The Rype Intercept sofa and Rype RePlastic coffee tables, made from postconsumer waste plastic, exemplify the commitment to sustainability.

Biophilia was incorporated into the design from the outset, with plants throughout the building cleaning the air, balancing the humidity and emitting oxygen.

30% of the furniture was sourced from two preexisting TfW offices, 47% was remanufactured, and 16% was made by local manufacturers, reducing

Government Sustainable

greenhouse gas emissions by 90,000 kgCO2e and reusing 31.8 tonnes of furniture. MTIB played a crucial role in the project, manufacturing various furniture items and providing employment for four local longterm unemployed individuals with disabilities.

North Wales Police Eastern Command and Custody Centre, Llay

The 93,400 ft² North Wales Police centre in Llay is hailed as the UK’s greenest police station, reflecting the force’s commitment to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

88% of the furniture was refurbished or remanufactured, saving 58 tonnes of CO2e emissions and avoiding 26 tonnes of waste. Furniture was sourced from Wrexham Police Station, Flintshire County Council offices, and local suppliers, supporting local circular economy businesses. Dr Greg Lavery, Director of Rype Office, describes how this was done: “At the start of this project we put a pin in the map at the new building in Llay and worked outwards looking

for furniture sources, upholsterers, powder coaters and carpentry workshops. We found some wonderful suppliers and working with them we were able to keep much of the furniture spend in North Wales, supporting the growth of small local Circular Economy businesses. We will continue working with them on future projects.”

Four local long-term unemployed individuals with disabilities were engaged for the project, providing 1,773 hours of paid employment and training.

The project received multiple awards, including the Constructing Excellence Offsite Project of the Year Award 2018 and the Constructing Excellence Client of the Year Award 2018.

with disabilities from South Wales were engaged for the project.

Bringing together 550 staff from 10 offices into one sustainable building in Cardiff Bay, this project emphasises collaboration, sustainability and value for money.

94% of the over 2,500 items of furniture were either remanufactured or refurbished, saving around 134 tonnes of CO2e emissions and diverting 41 tonnes of waste from landfill. Some of the refurbished furniture came from PHW’s 10 old offices, integrated seamlessly into the design.

The 6% new furniture was made in South Wales by local furniture manufacturers including Orangebox, who provided the wingback chairs and team collaboration booths while 13% of the 5,200m2 of carpet tiles were reused. Eight unemployed individuals

The Public Health Wales Cardiff fitout received a flourish of national and international awards for its sustainable and innovative solutions. Awards include:

Green Apple International Silver Award for Environmental Best Practice, Constructing Excellence in Wales Award for Value, Sustain Wales Award for Innovation in Public Services, HSJ Value Award, ICLEI Procura+ International Award , NHS Sustainability Award for Leadership, and the NHS Sustainability Award for Procurement.

For more information, please contact: Anna King at anna@informare.co.uk

NHS Public Health Wales Cardiff

Duoflex: A New Window on Commercial Building Refurbishment

There’s a quiet revolution underway that is changing the landscape of our towns and cities. A demand for the refurbishment and reuse of commercial buildings – a surge driven by the need for smaller, flexible working spaces and alternative uses in a post-COVID era.

This poses landlords and developers with a challenge – the best way to adapt buildings to the needs of new inhabitants and different uses, while aligning original exteriors with new interior layouts.

Windows are a significant ‘tell’ which need careful consideration not only to maintain aesthetics but to ensure that they can be operated safely and effectively, especially when buildings are being subdivided for multiple occupancy.

Strand Hardware’s Duoflex range of window openers are ideally suited to this changing market -offering versatile, modern hardware for highlevel, or difficult to reach top hung opening out windows.

The range has variations for timber, aluminium, and PVC-u windows. Each one boasts an adjustable bottom foot bracket, to accommodate

different step configurations, avoiding the need for packers or shims, to ensure a seamless look across various window profiles.

“The beauty of our products is their modern design and unparalleled flexibility,” said Craig Fox, Sales Director at Strand Hardware. “Our adjustable bottom foot bracket allows for precise adjustments, making installation straightforward and efficient, regardless of the window material or profile.”

In addition to its functional excellence, the Duoflex range offers a variety of finishes to match any design aesthetic. There are a range of standard powder coated finishes, silver, black, white and plated finishes, satin stainless steel and polished brass. Special RAL finishes are available upon request.

“We offer the largest range of finishes within the market. This flexibility ensures that our products can seamlessly integrate with the existing ironmongery of any building, enhancing both functionality and visual appeal,” he added.

The Duoflex range also includes tandem bars, available in lengths from 300mm up to 2000mm allowing for tailored solutions based on window size and configuration. An optional centre ring can be added for windows that are particularly difficult to reach. This, coupled with a pole operator, enables effortless opening and closing of high-level windows, enhancing user convenience.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, these window openers are engineered to meet the highest standards of durability and performance – a practical choice for modern commercial spaces but also a stylish addition that complements the architectural integrity of any building. For more information, click here or call

Cordia launches flagship regeneration project in

Hungary’s leading residential developer, Cordia, has commenced work at its latest large-scale urban regeneration project in Budapest, Marina City.

flagship riverfront in Budapest, Marina City

The member of Futureal Group, and parent company of Birmingham based Cordia UK, will revitalise a 14-hectare, long neglected industrial area, transforming the space into a waterfront public realm spanning 1.2 kilometres of the Danube riverbank on the Pest side – including a multifunctional promenade and 90,000 sqm of car-free green space.

The £850 million project will create more than 2,500 apartments in several phases over the coming years, offering breathtaking views of the Danube and Buda hills.

The residential buildings take on an unprecedented architectural style for the capital city, with luxury penthouse apartments on the top floor and spacious homes on the upper floors, thanks to the buildings’ upward broadening and chalice-like massing.

The project will be served by direct underground connections and more than 100 shops, restaurants, full-service facilities, and sports amenities. Marina City also promises outstanding energy efficiency and zero local carbon emissions through unique architectural and engineering solutions.

Gábor Futó, co-founder of Futureal Group, said: “Since its foundation, Cordia and Futureal Group have been committed to revitalising neglected urban neighbourhoods. Over the past two decades, we have gained extensive experience in implementing long-term urban regeneration projects, through the iconic Corvin Promenade and the development of the South Buda City Centre, as well as many projects in Europe.

“It is our vision to make Budapest’s greatest asset, the Danube

riverbank, directly accessible to the people of the capital, creating a haven within the buzz of the city. Marina City will create unique homes where residents can wake up every day as if on holiday, rejuvenated by the wonderful riverfront views. We are looking forward to seeing our vision for a modern, smart and green city come to life.”

Marina City will extend the Pest Danube promenade by 1.2 kilometres, creating a direct, pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly connection between the river and the residents and visitors of the new neighbourhood. The waterfront public realm investment, worth £43 million, will triple the amount of green space in the area compared to its current state, thanks to its unique architectural design and landscaping, and offer numerous leisure and sporting activities.

Future residents can enjoy living in the waterside

environment, without giving up the proximity of the city centre – with nearby Duna Plaza providing convenient shopping options, accessible through public transport, with nearby bus routes and stations of the M3 underground line. There will also be bicycle infrastructure and electric vehicle charging points on site.

Tibor Földi, Chairman of the Board, Cordia Group, added: “The launch of our pre-sale campaign targeting buyers of our previous developments has been extremely positive, with nearly 50 per cent of the first-phase apartments already sold. The exciting concept of Marina City, combined with Cordia’s proven track record, has generated such intense buyer interest that we will soon launch sales for phase two of the development.”

Marina City’s fundamentals, however, lie in its sustainability and outstanding energy efficiency. Cordia is using grid electricity from green sources during construction, and the buildings will be heated by air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps, eliminating the need for natural gas or district heating. Solar panels will also be installed on the roofs of the residential buildings, supplementing the grid electricity required to operate energy-producing equipment from green sources.

Each apartment in Marina City will be a smart home, including essential equipment such as heating-cooling intelligent control via a mobile application, automatic ventilation based on external and internal humidity sensing, and smart blind movement control. As a result, apartments’ heating, cooling, and hot water production energy costs are ranked A+ and A++ energy efficiency classes, corresponding to the A+2023 energy classification in Hungary.

András Kárpáti, CEO of Cordia UK, commented: “At Cordia UK, we are proud to be a member of Futureal Group, and share the same ethos – to bring underutilised urban neighbourhoods, like

Great Hampton Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, back to life. It is fantastic to see the plans for Marina City in Budapest come to life, and we take inspiration from successes in Central and Eastern Europe as we push forward with our redevelopment projects in Birmingham.

“We’re particularly excited to see Cordia leading by example in terms of the sustainability credentials of the new apartment buildings; this is an ambition we share in the UK. Our first build-to-rent project, The Lampworks, is set to be one of the most energy efficient projects in Birmingham, offering exclusively A and B+ EPC-rated dwellings.”

Cordia has enlisted the expertise of the internationally renowned architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group in the urban rehabilitation project.

Garten Studio is responsible for landscape design, TÉRTEAM engineering office is handling flood protection system design, and building design is being undertaken by Dyer Group, Közti, Radius B+S, and Puhl and Dajka Architectural Office.

To find out more about Cordia, visit: cordiahomes.com

BUILDING THE OFFICES OF TOMORROW: HYBRID WORKERS CALL FOR

INCREASED

INVESTMENT

IN CONNECTIVITY

• A lack of reliable mobile connectivity in the office is affecting seven in ten (70%) hybrid workers surveyed

• Many of today’s office buildings consist of thick concrete walls, steel structures and metallised glass, leaving over half (55%) of those surveyed to report that their mobile connection is better at home than the office

• The top three problem areas at work with weaker mobile signal include office stairwells, meeting rooms and communal spaces such as kitchens or break rooms. A new survey commissioned by Cellnex UK has uncovered that a lack of reliable mobile connectivity in the office is affecting seven in ten (70%) hybrid workers surveyed. This issue has forced the majority of employees to leave their office building simply to make a phone call (60%), with reports of decreased productivity (74%) and increased stress levels (72%) as a result.

With many of today’s office buildings consisting of thick concrete walls, brick and steel structures and an increased use of metallised-glass, over half (55%) of those surveyed report that their mobile connection is better at home than the office. According to the findings, the top three problem areas at work with weaker mobile signal include office stairwells, meeting rooms and communal spaces such as kitchens or break rooms.

Most of the UK has access to strong mobile signal in their home and local community, yet these latest findings indicate that buildings are proving a barrier to workers receiving this service in the office. Many hybrid workers are looking to their organisations to address this, with nearly two thirds of those surveyed (61%) calling on their employers to increase investment in office mobile connectivity.

The recent survey of 2,000 UK hybrid workers reveals

that slow internet speeds (40%), weak mobile network signal (39%) and dealing with areas in the office which have poor or no mobile coverage (36%) are the top connectivity issues faced. In fact, over a quarter (27%) of those experiencing connectivity issues experience this on average two to three days per week.

Edmund Wilkinson, Head of Sales for In-Building solutions from Cellnex UK said: “As the demand for fully connected buildings intensifies, employers and building tenants face new challenges. However, these challenges also open up exciting opportunities for the construction sector. Seamless cellular connectivity not only facilitates basic and expected levels of mobile connectivity, but also have the potential to empower the workforce and significantly boost productivity. Whether addressing this during the design phase or retrofitting existing workplaces, construction professionals can enhance occupancy rates, maximize property value, and futureproof properties for years ahead.”

The majority of those surveyed (86%) also stated that they believe reliable mobile connectivity plays an important role in job performance. Poor mobile connectivity would also deter 68% of hybrid workers surveyed from coming into the office, and 40% stated they have even considered changing jobs due to persistent mobile connectivity issues.

About the research: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Censuswide. Total sample size was 2,000 hybrid workers in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25/04 – 02/05 2024.

For more information or interview requests, please contact the team on cellnexpr@grayling.com

About Cellnex UK

Cellnex is Europe, and the UK’s largest and fastest-growing independent owner and operator of wireless telecoms infrastructure and is integral to the successful roll-out of 5G. With the wireless infrastructure foundation that we deliver across rural and urban areas, Cellnex UK connects everyone, everywhere. Our networks and solutions are built to be fit for now and the future so that the UK can prosper. We are a business built on commercial and technical innovation, ambition and sustainable growth. We offer customers the commitment to neutrality and the economic benefits of shared infrastructure. For more information: www.cellnex.co.uk

NATIONAL HOMEBUILDER, TILIA HOMES, HAS SECURED £125M IN STRATEGIC SUSTAINABILITYLINKED DEBT FUNDING WITH HSBC UK AND HOMES ENGLAND.

The new loan facility will enable the homebuilder to expand its landbank to deliver more than 1,250 quality homes each year, while aligning with its long-term sustainability targets and reinforcing the developer’s commitment to reduce its carbon impact, create a better workplace for its people and make a positive difference in the communities in which it builds.

Specifically, the funding will support Tilia Homes’ pledge over the next five years to further reduce the operational emissions in its homes by more than 70%, lower the total tonnage of construction waste (per 100m2 built) by more than 30% and double the number of employees on training courses with an external qualification to address the skills shortage in the construction industry.

Commenting on the agreement, Philip Chapman, Chief Operating Officer for Tilia Homes, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and a proud and exciting milestone for Tilia Homes. Land remains the lifeblood of our business and this agreement with HSBC UK and Homes England will allow us to significantly enhance our already active land acquisition programme with greater focus, enabling our teams to continue to secure the right development opportunities in the right locations. This deal builds on the continued support of our committed shareholder and offers further stability and financial firepower.

“We strongly believe that sustainability is not just

a goal, but a necessity and we are embarking on a journey towards operational net zero, going beyond what is required by regulation. Within this we continue to explore new ways to incorporate innovative technology and materials into our designs to boost energy efficiency, working with industry partners through initiatives such as the Zero Bills homes powered by Octopus Energy at our flagship Landimore Park development, in Northampton.

“This funding agreement reinforces our commitment to put both people and the planet at the heart of our development and we are delighted to have the confidence of HSBC UK and Homes England as we continue on our sustainability journey.”

Marcus Ralling, Chief Investment Officer at Homes England, said: “This is a great example of how Homes England and the sector can work together to boost the delivery of affordable, quality homes that people want and need. Our resources are here to help support a diverse market where home builders of all sizes, including SMEs, can deliver for communities.

This funding will support Tilia to continue to build quality houses, up to 30% of which are expected to be affordable, with a muchneeded focus on sustainability.”

Joe Bailey, Relationship Director for Real Estate Finance at HSBC UK, said: “We are delighted to provide a new sustainability linked funding package to Tilia Homes via our partnership with Homes England, supporting their growth strategy to deliver over 1,250 homes each year.

“Tilia Homes has a strong pipeline of sites across the UK and the new funding package will help the company accelerate the delivery of high-quality housing across the communities it serves.”

Tilia Homes is owned by Terra Firma, the European investment firm.

Phil Chapman, Chief Operating Officer - Tilia Homes

Cappture