Just over 10% of the Government’s promised Levelling Up funds has actually been spent and is making a difference on the ground. Watchdog MPs on the Public Accounts Committee also found the Government was unable to provide any compelling examples of what Levelling Up funding has delivered so far. In a report published today, the
Willmott Dixon has appointed James Mackenzie as new chief financial officer, replacing Graham Dundas who has become group chief executive. The changes follow former chief executive Rick Willmott’s decision to step into the role of executive chairman. Mackenzie was previously CFO at Willmott Dixon’s joint venture partnership with Malasian-backed developer EcoWorld International, a position he
Staff at North East building contractor Surgo Construction have started looking for new jobs. The Enquirer understands that workers were told yesterday that the company is heading for administration. Surgo has been hit financially recently by a protracted payment dispute with house builder Bellway. According to insiders Bellway brought problems to a head for Surgo
Vistry has revealed that complying with the Government’s second staircase rule on high-rise projects has already cost the business £19m. Announcing improved annual results this morning, chief executive said a combination of loss of planned units and extra costs in building extra staircases had already impacted the business last year. Despite this Fitzgerald said that
A new company is promoting the Ilke Homes name nine months after the modular house builder collapsed owing £320m. Ilke Homes went into administration last June with massive debts including £68m to Homes England and £17m to subcontractors and suppliers. The Ilke Homes website has now been updated including a new brand called Homespace. The
National Highway’s head of the Smart Motorway Programme Alliance is stepping down to take up a new job elsewhere in the industry. Tony Slater, managing director of the SMP Alliance, announced he would be moving on to take up a fresh career challenge in an email to suppliers. His decision to leave has raised speculation
Consultant Turner & Townsend is urging its clients to start proactively planning for a resurgence in construction activity after revising up its inflation forecasts. It argues for investment decisions to be ‘made not delayed’, and for project teams to secure their supply chains to help tackle stubbornly high inflation. Despite continued headwinds, the cost consultant
Around 150 M25 maintenance workers employed by Balfour Beatty have voted for strike action following a pay dispute. Unite organised the strike ballot for the workers who provide vital maintenance across the entire M25. Balfour has offered them a 3.4% pay rise which has been dismissed as “meagre”. Unite confirmed the strike vote on the
Skanska has appointed Andrew English as Managing Director of its infrastructure business. He returns next week to Skanska UK to lead the infrastructure business having previously worked at the company for almost a decade including two managing director positions. English left Skanska in 2020 to lead Australian firm John Holland Group’s national infrastructure business and
Construction enjoyed a surprise return to growth at the start of 2024 with monthly construction output in January rising 1.1% in volume terms. The uplift follows three consecutive monthly falls, with green shoots of growth fed by increases in both new work (1.1%) and repair and maintenance (1.2%). At the sector level, six out of
