Balfour Beatty has achieved final sign-off at £209m to build the HMP Highland prison in Inverness. Once completed in 2026, it will be Scotland’s first net-zero prison, with improved education and health facilities to help with rehabilitation. It will be able to accommodate 200 prisoners, over 100 more than the design capacity of Inverness Prison
Expanding building maintenance specialist Cardo Group has signed off its fourth acquisition in a year putting it on track to report £170m turnover in 2024/25. The acquisition of refurbishment and decorating specialist A&N Lewis solidifies Gardo Group’s position as the largest building maintenance contractor in Wales. It joins LCB Group, Cardo (South) – previously known
The Competition and Mergers Authority has cleared materials giant Heidelberg Materials’ takeover dealto buy earthmoving and demolition waste recycling contractor Mick George Group. Heidelberg announced the acquisition move on the £220m turnover Mick George business last year to strengthen its circular materials offering while complementing its existing aggregates and ready-mixed concrete businesses. Mick George operates
Lendlease Construction Europe saw pre-tax profits fall by around 37% to £11.9m after a challenging year and losing a claim against its consultant on a Leeds hospital project. Simon Gorski, managing director of Construction for Lendlease Europe, said revenue had also slipped by around 8% to £509m in the year to June 2023, due to
Bath-based building contractor Halsall Construction has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator. The family-owned contractor started out in 1974 as a local builder growing into a multi-disciplinary regional contractor operating across the south west, employing around 60 staff. It forms part of Bath-based Shepperton Group and delivers new build and refurbishment projects
Homes England and Network Rail Property have signed a development agreement with McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate to be strategic development partners for the York Central £1.1bn scheme. The vast 45-hectare scheme will transform of one of the largest brownfield sites in England alongside other partners the City of York Council and the National
Construction buyers saw a return to industry growth for the first time in six months in March. The bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index rose from 49.7 in February to 50.2 in March. Crucially it was above the 50 growth mark for the first time since August 2023. Adding to signs of a
Bouygues development arm Linkcity and Crosstree Real Estate have secured financial close to start a major purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Canning Town, East London Phase 4 of the £600m Hallsville Quarter regeneration has been designed by PRP Architects and involves building 375 purpose-built student accommodation rooms. As with the previous phases, Bouygues UK will
Swanley-based United Living Group has bought water, marine and energy sector specialist EcoGenR8 in a push on the MEICA work sector. The business, which trades as AFECO and employs around 30 staff, has been operating for 10 years. AFECO develops and delivers mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation services and solutions related to water, wastewater
Jittery insurers are pulling trade credit insurance cover on some of the country’s leading contractors. The Enquirer has been contacted by several subcontractors and suppliers in recent weeks warning they are unable to obtain cover on some of the industry’s biggest names. The spectre of further insolvencies following recent main contractor failures is disrupting the
