Construction UK Magazine

Leading asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, has announced the appointment of a new Commercial Manager. Ben James, who has joined the Northampton-based team with almost a decade of experience in the asbestos industry, will head up Acorn’s sales team, support existing key accounts and help the company secure new commercial work.

Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) has formally opened a development of 28 new affordable properties for families in the north of the city. The construction of 14 two-bed and 12 three-bed homes, a two-bed apartment and a one-bed adapted ground floor apartment on the Queenshill estate marks the completion of the second phase of a two-part Leeds LJHA scheme part-funded by Homes England.

Leading construction and real estate consultancy deepens its commitment to the South West with a landmark new office location at Queen Square. Construction, real estate and infrastructure consultancy Drees & Sommer UK has opened a permanent office in Bristol to reinforce its presence in the South West and respond to a growing investment and development pipeline. The new office operates in partnership with flexible workspace provider Runway East.

Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading boiling water taps, kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps and showering solutions has developed a multi-tasking hero for today’s kitchen with the launch of Arkitect Flex Pro.

The guidance highlights the Real Green Jobs Accelerator (pictured), a Leeds-based skills programme created by Efficiency North that brings together recruitment, work experience, training and employment. NEW guidance to help housing associations and local authorities use retrofit procurement to create local jobs, tackle green skills shortages, strengthen supply chains and diversify the workforce has been unveiled.

Humanity in AI Award celebrates Bellrock’s investment in workforce skills, leadership and practical AI adoption As businesses across every sector look to turn AI investment into practical results, Bellrock is taking a people-first approach: investing in the skills, confidence and leadership to make AI work in practice.

The latest research from UK Property Development has found that the average price of a new-build home in England is on course to exceed £400,000 by 2027, having risen steadily over the last decade alongside sustained growth across the wider British market. The research analysed average new-build house price data across Great Britain and its individual nations between 2015 and 2025. By using the past 24 months of price data, the research has also produced forecast growth rates for 2026 and 2027.

Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, Harley Haddow, has launched in Birmingham, marking the firm’s third new office in four years. In-line with ambitious growth plans, Harley Haddow’s new operation is situated at Birmingham’s Runway East and is the company’s eighth location in the UK. The 11-strong team will be led by director, Scott Lydon, supported by regional director, Jeremy Silvester.

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to deliver the new Thornbury Health Centre, a £16.9 million facility on the former Thornbury hospital site that will provide modern, purpose-built healthcare for the local community. Appointed by South Gloucestershire Council through the Southern Construction Framework, the health centre will provide a new home for Severn View Family Practice and Streamside Surgery.

By Phil Sutton, Founder, Duraproducts Health and safety have always been important to the construction industry, but the conversation around safety is changing. Projects are becoming more complex with growing pressure to deliver infrastructure faster and more sustainably. Today, protecting workers is no longer about procedures and personal protective equipment, increasingly it is about the materials we choose and the way they influence every stage of construction.