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Clean power ambition in UK relies on supply chain collaboration

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The success of the UK’s energy transition will rely on collaboration between businesses to maintain a robust supply chain, a global energy specialist has warned following the launch of its latest research.

Aggreko has revealed in its latest report Rebalancing the Energy Transition that CEOs in the UK cite supply chain main risk to the energy transition, followed by lack of investment and access to technology.

This concern over the impact of supply chain comes as the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to renewable energy production and infrastructure through the establishment of Clean Power 2030. The new initiative is aimed at overcoming barriers and accelerating progress on energy projects, including the recent plans to give approval power for onshore wind projects over 100MW to government ministers[1] over local authorities.

Clearly, successful rollout of infrastructure for renewable energy production and transmission, along with the energy transition of businesses across the UK, will require innovative ways of thinking within the energy supply chain.

Aggreko’s research showed that ambition around the energy transition among energy intensive businesses is also strong, with eight in 10 UK CEOs stating they will increase investment in the energy transition over the next 12 months. Though nine in ten (or 9 in 10) UK respondents cited they have adjusted timescales around energy transition targets, the UK has the highest proportion of CEOs (52%) across the countries surveyed that stated they have only adjusted short term goals and remain on track for net zero targets.

With ambition from businesses matching that of the government in terms of sustainability targets, Aggreko is highlighting how the entire supply chain must work together to ensure a successful energy transition.

Alan Dunne, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Aggreko, said: “With continued uncertainty around energy cost and resilience, businesses in the UK are facing the challenge of balancing profitability and sustainability. Much like the government and its Clean Energy 2030, UK businesses remain ambitious in making their energy transitions. However, our research has found that barriers and challenges still remain, even though the ambition to fund the energy transition is there.

“High energy costs and fluctuating energy security and resilience has continued to be a challenge for businesses, however, supply chain issues are clearly the biggest risk posed to energy transitions in the eyes of leaders. To overcome all of these challenges at once, it is imperative that businesses engage with expert partners across the supply chain to identify practical ways to reach ESG goals while keeping operations efficient and profitable.”

As the UK continues to develop renewable energy production and infrastructure, the report highlights the challenges around striking the right balance between commercial and ESG ambitions with energy procurement. A key part of this is working closely within the energy supply chain to assess requirements and challenges to choose the most practical solution to deliver efficiency and environmental benefits. Providing the latest efficient technologies through its Greener Upgrades portfolio, such as battery energy storage solutions and Stage V generators, is a central part of Aggreko’s sustainability framework Energising Change

Dunne continued: “Making a success of the energy transition relies heavily on businesses having the right technologies and solutions for their requirements, along with the expertise to implement it correctly. While reliable energy supply and stable costs remain in the balance for the UK, working with expert energy supply partners can provide businesses with this to provide resilience and cost efficiency throughout the energy transition.”

For more information and to read Rebalancing the Energy Transition, click here.

Francesca Vianello Joins SANIPEX GROUP as Showroom Design and Specification Assistant

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SANIPEX GROUP is delighted to announce the appointment of Francesca Vianello as Showroom Design and Specification Assistant at its BAGNODESIGN A&D Gallery in Clerkenwell, London’s design capital.

With over 20 years of experience in the interiors industry, including expertise in lighting, mosaics, tiles, furniture, and, crucially, bathrooms, Francesca brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her new role.

Francesca’s appointment strengthens the team at the Clerkenwell showroom, which is at the heart of London’s thriving architectural and design community. The BAGNODESIGN A&D Gallery is an inspirational space, showcasing a curated selection of premium products, from innovative bathroom solutions to sophisticated outdoor furniture and lighting collections.

Commenting on her new role, Francesca said:
“I am genuinely excited to explore the amazing potential of the SANIPEX brands, and to inspire the A&D community with our vast choice of products – not only for bathrooms! Our lighting and outdoor furniture are also superb.”

As SANIPEX GROUP continues to push the boundaries of design excellence, Francesca’s expertise and enthusiasm will help position the brand as a leading destination for architects and designers seeking high-quality, versatile solutions for both residential and commercial projects.

For more information about SANIPEX GROUP UK, please visit www.sanipexgroup.com/uk.

When the cost of doing nothing is too high – how can we approach the retrofit skills gap?

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New research from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BRSIA) found that there is a low sector-wide understanding of retrofit technologies and approaches – stalling the UK’s plans to decarbonise. For context,  4 out of 10 professionals stated that the level of retrofit training available was insufficient, coupled with a serious lack of industry knowledge and understanding in retrofit techniques.

Jake Dowling, Head of Decarbonisation at Seddon Property Services responds to these findings and outlines the urgent need for industry-wide reform:

“Addressing the retrofit skills gap is essential in achieving our ambitious net zero goals, but current training frameworks are outdated and unfit for purpose. With 350,000 new construction workers needed by 2028 if the government is to fulfil its Net Zero Strategy – the cost of doing nothing is just too high.

Effective retrofitting demands collaboration amongst training providers, government bodies, manufacturers, and contractors. Each stakeholder plays a pivotal role in equipping the workforce with the skills needed to meet sustainability targets.

The BSRIA survey found that 62% believe that retrofit projects provide greater benefits for achieving net zero than new-build homes, but without proper data collection and analysis, the effectiveness of these projects is severely undermined.

The journey to Net Zero demands a workforce equipped with future-ready skills and policies need to shift from guidance to regulation. Current training programs, which are rooted in legacy systems, must evolve to include emerging technologies such as heat pumps, smart energy solutions, and digital twin modelling. Standardised education initiatives focused on sustainability and energy efficiency will not only bridge the skills gap but also deliver long-term community benefits through aligned social value programs.”

The New Stone Age: Launch of First Ever Reference Book for Stone Wool Sandwich Panels

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  • ‘Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels’,authored by Prof. Marco Imperadori of the Politecnico di Milano, draws together extensive case studies, industry expertise, and cutting-edge science
  • Released in 2024, the 300-plus-page reference book is the first of its kind, and the go-to source of information for sandwich panels featuring non-combustible stone wool insulation technology

Prof. Marco Imperadori, Chair of Design & Technological Innovation at the Politecnico di Milano, has published the world’s first definitive guide to the design and use of sandwich panels incorporating stone wool insulation. The development of the book, ‘Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels’, has been sponsored by ROCKWOOL Core Solutions, part of the ROCKWOOL Group — the leading manufacturer in stone wool insulation.

The first of its kind, the book is aimed at designers and construction engineers involved in the development of commercial and residential buildings worldwide. It provides a scientific review of the physical properties and real-world applications of stone wool insulated sandwich panels, with practical details, data, and guidance on usage. The book establishes the technology’s mature market position and ability to meet the current challenges faced by the construction, architecture, and related industries.

It focuses on the implementation of stone wool sandwich panels in the built environment, such as industrial facilities, warehouses, logistic centres, schools and more. Further, it highlights the significant benefits of the solution, such as its improved energy consumption, recyclability, aesthetic versatility, and ability to repel or absorb water as required.

The aim of the book is to examine the technology from an objective scientific perspective. Through case studies, it demonstrates how stone wool sandwich panels offer a highly robust, sound-absorbent, and non-combustible insulation solution in practice.

Prof. Imperadori said: “With the release of this book, we hope not just to inform but to inspire both industry leaders and young professionals. Investors, building owners, construction professionals, and architects — it has something in store for each of them. The variety of case studies we delve into shows a breadth of elements to consider when implementing insulation: building types, design and utilisation objectives, aesthetic finishes, sustainability, waste minimisation, and more. The stone wool sandwich panel stands up to scrutiny on every point and proves itself an excellent form of insulation.”

Bernard Plancade, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL Core Solutions, added: “We are committed to advancing safer and more sustainable building practices. The launch of this reference book marks a pivotal step in informing the industry about the benefits of stone wool insulation. This resource showcases the exceptional qualities of the technology and supports our goal to steer our target sectors towards sandwich panels that deliver safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.”

MCCOY CONTRACTORS DELIVERS GROUNDBREAKING WORK ON COUNDON COURT SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT

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McCoy Contractors, a leading groundworks and civil engineering contractor, is playing a vital role in the major redevelopment of Coundon Court School in Coventry as part of the Department for Education’s 10-year Schools Rebuilding Programme.

Appointed by main contractor Wates Construction, McCoy Contractors has completed the extensive groundworks package for Block 1 and Block 2.

The £40 million project aims to create a modern, net-zero carbon campus while preserving the school’s heritage buildings and respecting nearby green belt areas. It involves demolishing six existing blocks and replacing them with three new state-of-the-art teaching facilities, with four teaching blocks and two locally listed buildings retained.

McCoy’s scope of works across the 3,500m2 site includes earthworks, site drainage, concrete floor slabs, installation of new services, and hard landscaping. A key challenge has been maintaining a safe learning environment while the school remains operational, requiring temporary classrooms, fencing, barriers and access routes.

“We are delighted to contribute our groundworks expertise to this transformative educational project,” said Chris Haughey, Managing Director at  McCoy Contractors. “Our team has worked above and beyond to deliver high-quality groundworks while ensuring minimal disruption to the school’s daily activities, and a safe environment for students and staff.”

The Coundon Court School redevelopment is part of the government’s ambition to rebuild and refurbish schools across England, creating modern environments that support excellent teaching and allow students to gain the knowledge and skills for success.

McCoy Contractors was founded by Chris Haughey in 2016 and has grown to become one of the leading Groundwork and Civil Engineering contractors in the Midlands. The company consistently sets the highest standards in the groundworks industry and ensures every project is completed efficiently, safely and within the required timescale.

CBRE Group completes Turner & Townsend/project management combination; Vincent Clancy joins CBRE Board of Directors

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CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) today announced that it has completed its plan to combine its project management business with Turner & Townsend, its majority-owned subsidiary, and that Vincent Clancy, Board chair and chief executive officer of Turner & Townsend, has joined CBRE’s Board of Directors.  

Turner & Townsend provides programme management, cost consultancy and project management services globally, and has been a majority-owned subsidiary of CBRE since 2021. 

Clancy, a 35-year veteran of Turner & Townsend, has served as its chief executive officer since 2008 and its Board chair since 2015. Under Clancy’s leadership, Turner & Townsend’s revenue has increased from about US$225 million in 2008 to more than US$1.9 billion in 2023. 

Our unified project management business represents an offering that is unmatched for its scale and breadth of capabilities. 

“Under Vincent’s exemplary leadership, it is poised to benefit from powerful secular trends in areas like infrastructure, green energy transition and employee experience,” said Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s chair and chief executive officer.  

“Our Board will benefit greatly from the insights Vincent has developed from running a highly successful global business and his deep knowledge of key growth sectors for CBRE,” Sulentic added.

Clancy said: “The strong momentum we’ve built over the past three years will continue to grow now that we’ve combined two great businesses into one integrated, pure play project management capability. Our combined depth of talent and resources, global footprint, sector expertise and commitment to excellence is unparalleled in programme and project management.”  

I’m also energised to join CBRE’s Board and look forward to working with my fellow Directors as we build a resilient, highly diversified business that is second to none in our industry.

Clancy joined Turner & Townsend in 1989, after earning a degree in construction economics from South Bank University. He assumed responsibility for Turner & Townsend’s United Kingdomcost and commercial management business in 2000 and for its international business in 2005, prior to his elevation to chief executive officer in 2008.

Clancy was named Building magazine’s CEO of the Year in both 2014 and 2017. He is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of Surveyors and serves as an industry advisor to the Construction Leadership Council.

CBRE now owns 70 percent of the combined Turner & Townsend/CBRE Project Management business. Since becoming a majority-owned subsidiary of CBRE in November 2021, Turner & Townsend’s revenue has increased at a compound annual rate of more than 20 percent. 

Beginning this year, CBRE will report Project Management results in its own standalone business segment, providing increased transparency for investors.

MCHALE PLANT SALES UK & IRELAND IS FIRST ‘GOLD LEVEL DISTRIBUTOR’ AWARDED UNDER METSO PARTNER EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME

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McHale Plant Sales, distributors in the UK and Ireland of Metso crushers and screening equipment, has been chosen as ‘the first Gold level distributor certified by Metso under the Finnish manufacturer’s Partner Excellence Programme.’

Believing that their customers deserve ‘the best support in finding crushing and screening solutions that fit their specific needs,’ Metso created their Partner Excellence Programme, committing themselves to helping their partners achieve that service level.

According to Metso, the purpose of the Partner Excellence Programme is ‘to build a network of trusted Metso distributors’ who can help deliver Tier-1 service that the company says ‘will ensure a thriving customer success and satisfaction.’

In certifying McHale Plant Sales in the UK and Ireland as their first Gold level distributor, Metso praised the Tamworth, Edinburgh, Birdhill, and Rathcoole-based firm for their ‘exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment,’ which, their citation says, ‘has set a new standard of excellence.’

Staffed and dedicated to the business of crushing, McHale has represented Metso in the years since 2015 in Ireland and Northern Ireland markets, and in England, Scotland, and Wales markets since early-2023. This latest commendation follows a ‘Best in Marketing’ award presented to them by Metso at a recent distributor conference held in Tampere, Finland, in conjunction with their launch of the new electric-powered Lokotrack EC range.

Chosen for having ‘successfully met criteria for Gold level success following a comprehensive audit of the distributor’s operation conducted by Metso’s Aggregates Distribution Leadership Team,’ McHale After Sales Director, Anthony Ryan, attributed it to “a lot of hard work, good systems, investment in field service, parts inventories and equipment, and to that all-important factor of having lots of good people in place.”

FIRST NEW JCB MINI EXCAVATOR LANDS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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A leading drainage contractor has bought the first of the brand-new JCB 2.5 tonne mini excavator models to reach Northern Ireland.

Crumlin-based Philip Wilson Land Drainage has taken delivery of the new zero tailswing 25Z-1 model, which will be put to work on a range of agricultural, domestic, and commercial contracting jobs across the country.

Supplied by dealer Dennison JCB, the brand-new JCB 25Z-1 joins a JCB 56Z-2 compact excavator, 8008 micro excavator, CT160-100 vibratory tandem roller, and a 531-70 Loadall telescopic handler already in Philip Wilson Land Drainage’s fleet.

The 25Z-1 is the latest addition to JCB’s range of compact excavators. Powered by an EU Stage V engine, the zero tailswing model boasts a redesigned cab, improved dig-end geometry, and electro-proportional auxiliary, swing, and dozer controls.

Philip Wilson Land Drainage Owner, Jeff Wilson, said:
“We buy JCB because they are reliable and the back-up and service from Dennison JCB is excellent. This latest machine is ideal – it will be perfect for what we’re doing. We wanted to put a rotating grab on an excavator of this size, which we couldn’t do with our previous machine, so it was time for a change as we needed that capability.

“We’re keen to invest in zero tailswing machines as a lot of the work we do is in very compact areas, so this was a key feature for us. We also needed a machine which we could tow behind a pick-up which again the JCB can do, so it’s the perfect machine for our requirements.”

With an overall width of 1,500mm, the 25Z-1 tips the scales at just 2,550kg. The machine can be towed behind a van or a 4×4, making it easy to move the excavator between job sites. It is equipped with nine tie-down points, for secure transportation without chains or straps cutting into rubber tracks.

Established in 1969 by Jeff’s father Philip, Philip Wilson Land Drainage undertakes land drainage contracting work for the agricultural industry, as well as commercial and domestic work across Northern Ireland.

VIVID appoints Director of Property Services

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Darren Mealings has been appointed as Director of Property Services at leading south of England housing association VIVID. Darren brings with him extensive experience of property repairs and maintenance service delivery, having previously served in key roles at Sovereign Network Group.

In this role, Darren will oversee all property services operations, including maintenance, repairs, and compliance. A major focus is to continue improving the service to customers, specifically in reducing the time waiting for repairs to be completed.

“I am pleased to welcome Darren to VIVID,” said Margaret Dodwell, Chief Operating Officer. “He brings a track record of excellence in property services, a deep understanding of our commitment to building trust in our homes and services, and a dedication to ensuring customers feel proud of their homes and communities.”

Darren said, “I’m excited to join VIVID and to work with the talented team here to implement solutions and improve our property services for the benefit of all our customers.”

To continue driving improvements to services and support for customers, VIVID has made some additional appointments in its senior management. Beth Holmyard has been appointed Head of Neighbourhoods, Robyn Allen as Head of Operations and Natalia Hadfield as Head of Customer Experience. These significant roles will provide the strategic insight and strength to ensure that customers are central to everything.

Belfast City Council appoints GRAHAM as delivery partner for £630m housing-led regeneration programme

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In a major move forward to accelerate city centre living and housing regeneration across the city, Belfast City Council has selected GRAHAM as its long-term private sector partner to work alongside Council to deliver residential-led, mixed-use, sustainable developments across multiple sites.

With an overall development potential of c£630m, this initial partnership phase leverages strategic Council-owned city centre sites with a development value of £280m, which will deliver mixed tenure homes to help meet the needs of those wishing to live in the city.

This innovative approach will help drive forward city centre living and housing-led regeneration across the city. It follows a period of active engagement with the private sector and investment market through a public procurement process.

Appointing GRAHAM will allow Belfast City Council to bring forward development at scale with placemaking, people and connectivity at its heart to help meet the city’s growth ambitions.

Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Ryan Murphy said:
“Belfast has seen significant regeneration in recent years and there is high demand to live, work, socialise, study, and invest here. In response to a clear imperative to accelerate city centre living, and to address sustained housing stress across the city, the Council has brought forward this game-changing opportunity to deliver transformative change in our city centre and beyond.

“Securing GRAHAM as our delivery partner signals our intent and ambition to deliver quality new homes across a range of tenures. At the core of this partnership is a strong commitment to community and stakeholder engagement and to delivering long lasting social, economic and environment impacts for communities. This bold, innovative approach to bringing forward housing-led, mixed-use regeneration will help us build an inclusive city that works for everyone.”

Councillor Sam Nelson, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee said:
“Accelerating city centre living and delivering quality homes across the wider city is one of Belfast’s most pressing priorities. As well as providing new homes, this opportunity will provide social value, create employment opportunities, deliver quality outdoor spaces, and support a vibrant, inclusive, and liveable city. GRAHAM has the relevant experience, capability, and resources to match the scale of our ambition for the city.”

John McDonald, Investment Projects Managing Director at GRAHAM said:
“GRAHAM is delighted to have been selected by Belfast City Council as its delivery partner for this housing-led regeneration partnership. We look forward to building a meaningful, long-term collaborative relationship with the Council, and other stakeholders, to expeditiously unlock Belfast’s regeneration potential.

“This partnership is a unique development vehicle that can make an important contribution to the Council’s strategic aspiration to deliver thousands of much-needed new homes for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“GRAHAM is rooted in Belfast. Together with the Council, we will be ambitious and build momentum across the portfolio of sites to accelerate development. Our firm commitment is to create homes that contribute to vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities in the city centre and across the city.”

For more information on Belfast City Council’s regeneration initiatives, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/regeneration

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