Construction National

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Thu29102026

Farewell to a year of increasing optimism, with a better one in prospect

Construction National blog logo It’s the end of another year and it seems an appropriate time to reflect on what has happened in the construction industry over the past 12 months – like those endless series of TV programmes doing exactly that instead of going to the trouble of making some new ones.

The answer to the question posed, however, is “a lot”. The year began with the industry cautiously welcoming a few tidbits of optimism in the housing market in particular. The NHBC published the most promising set of figures for a long time, echoed by the RICS.

• On the infrastructure front, Crossrail has consistently entertained throughout the year, beginning with the construction of a whole new station under the Thames at Canary Wharf and ending with the discovery of a whole Roman cemetery.

• One of the most unsavoury running sores in the industry this year has been the scandal of the so-called blacklist run by the now-defunct Consulting Association. The first victim to be compensated was informed of the fact in October and the industry has set up a compensation scheme, while denying they did anything wrong.

• The big story of 2012 has, unfortunately, so far failed to be carried through to fulfil its promise. I’m referring, of course, to the Olympic legacy and the promised transformation of the site into housing and community resources for Londoners.

As recently as November, Lord Harris of Haringey, the chair of the House of Lords committee tasked with overseeing the issue, said: “…we are recommending that one Government minister should be given overall responsibility for all strands of legacy across the UK. We also believe that the Mayor of London should be given the necessary power and lead responsibility to take forward the legacy vision for East London and the development of the Olympic Park.”

There we are, then; Boris’s airport site problem solved.

• Looking forward, Glasgow will get its own chance to shine with staging of the Commonwealth Games. There has been some new build, but the organisers have achieved their main objective (getting all the venues and the village ready on time and on budget) by revamping existing venues – possibly the ultimate in retrofit!

• January will see the NHBC announcing its Supreme Winners in its Pride in the Job awards. The race to the tape in London began in the summer with the announcement of the first-round winners. Now the winners have been whittled down to the Regional Winners in the various categories based on size of builder plus the new, single plot winners. As always, the final stage of the competition will be covered in detail by the paper version of Construction National.

Chris Stokes

Clegg Construction to bring new life to city landmark

Clegg Construction has started work on a £3.1 million project to transform a derelict city centre landmark.

The major refurbishment project in Derby will give a new lease of life to the city’s former magistrates’ court. The work is being carried out on behalf of Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd for Derby City Council.

G F Tomlinson completes state-of-the-art £15M school

Construction firm G F Tomlinson has completed a new £15 million school building project.

The new Tibshelf Community School in Tibshelf, Derbyshire has been designed and constructed to accommodate more than 750 students from the local community.

R&M shifts gear in the UK with new MD, product range and WARP technology

Swiss cabling specialist Reichle & De Massari (R&M) welcomes Pete Gough as new Managing Director for the United Kingdom. In recent years, Pete has successfully raised the profile and market share of his previous employer. “We’re delighted to have Pete on board,” states Managing Director Western Europe Edgar van Essen. “R&M are currently rolling out ambitious growth plans across Europe and the UK is an important focal point. Our new Managing Director for the UK brings in-depth knowledge and experience of UK markets on board. We look forward to building our brand together and taking our ‘Swiss precision’ to new markets.”

Wolseley UK Welcomes New Finance Director

Marc Ronchetti has been appointed Finance Director of Wolseley UK.

Marc joins the business from Inchcape plc, a leading international automotive distributor and retailer, and will be responsible for developing and implementing the financial strategy of Wolseley UK.

BESCA achieves Installer Product Certification Body Accreditation

The Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment body (BESCA), a leading independent certification body for installers who wish to self-certify or notify work under the Building Regulations, has been granted Green Deal and CPS UKAS Accreditation.

Linden Homes smooth operators boost cancer charity coffers by £2,000

In a smooth move from Movember to December, a fund-razing ‘tache’ force from Linden has raised £2,000 for cancer charity coffers.

The smooth operating team of company directors, senior managers and employees signed up for the popular charity stunt at the start of last month, joining the growing Mo Bros movement raising money for research into prostate cancer.

TPS appoints Peter Hurry as Head of Security and M&E Services

Engineering and construction specialist TPS, has appointed security and blast engineering expert Peter Hurry as head of its security and explosion effects division.

Formerly of Buro Happold and Kroll Associates, Peter Hurry has an MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management and is a Fellow of the Security Institute.

Vehicle mounted platforms boost cross-sector solutions

Access leader Nationwide Platforms has taken delivery of a range of new vehicle mounted platforms to support the cross-sector work of its customers.

More than 25 van mounted platforms were recently introduced to the UK fleet, including 12.5 and 14 metre models which are popularly deployed for telecoms and utilities applications.

Funded CISRS Systems Scaffolding Training

More than 90 NASC member company employees from over 30 NASC firms will complete the CISRS SSPTS (Systems Scaffold Product Training Scheme) training in the final quarter of this year – fully funded, thanks to additional financial support obtained by the ASITO (Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation via CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), in conjunction with CISRS.

A sum of £25,000 has been obtained for the Systems Scaffold Product Training Scheme, run by the CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme). This budget has been split over the five NASC regions – Scotland and Northern Ireland, Northern and North Wales, Midlands, South West and South Wales and London and South East – boosting training numbers for System scaffolding across the UK.

Travis Perkins provides self-built support to ex-marine

Leading builder’s merchant Travis Perkins has provided support to a state-of-the-art self build project completed by an ex-marine who sustained life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.

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