Scottish civils contractor Akela Group is moving into the English market with the opening of a new division in Leeds.

The new North of England hub will lead expansion plans outside of Akela’s traditional Scottish base.

The firm expects its business to grow by 10% over the next two years as a result of the move.

The new Leeds team will be led by Construction Manager, Martin Leahy, who brings over 15 years industry experience having previously worked with the Robertson Group and Laing O’Rourke.

Group company Akela Ground Engineering has secured its first contract at Knaresborough in the North of Yorkshire and is currently tendering for a variety of new housing and commercial build contracts throughout the county.

Across Scotland the Akela Group currently employs 300 staff providing civil engineering, construction, piling and training services.

Mark Markey, Akela Group Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to see our long term ambition to expand and grow the company in front of a UK audience come to fruition. We are seeing increased levels of demand for the wide range of ground engineering and civil engineering services, particularly in the North of England and we are well placed to meet that growing demand.

“The opening of the Leeds hub presents an excellent growth opportunity for the Akela Group and it will bring an abundance of employment opportunities and economic benefits to the region and beyond.”

Leahy said: “It’s an exciting time for the Akela Group and there is a huge opportunity to grow the business in the North and I am delighted to be leading the team at the new Leeds hub.

“I am passionate about collaboration and delivering insightful solutions for clients and l look forward to working on a wide range of projects as we realise the growth ambitions in the North of England.”

Grant & Stone Group and Independent Builders Merchant Group have merged to create a 123-branch chain across southern England.

The expanded IBMG will now boast revenues of over £500m and employ over 1,700 staff.

The latest deal comes after a spate of major merger and acquisition activity in the construction distribution sector.

The expanded group now covers Cornwall to Kent and comprises builders’ merchants, electrical wholesalers, plumbers’ merchants, kitchen and bathroom showrooms, roofing merchants, a timber processing site, and a dedicated ecommerce business.

With the support and investment from their strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, both businesses have scaled-up in recent years.

IBMG has grown from 15 branches and revenues of £67m just over three years ago to 39 branches and revenues of over £200m.

In parallel, Grant & Stone has grown from 29 branches in the Thames Valley and revenues of £100m two years ago to 84 branches between London and Cornwall, and revenues in excess of £300m.

The merger creates the largest independent builders’ merchant group in southern England.

At a group level, the new combined company will be known as Independent Builders Merchant Group although existing trading names and brands will continue to be used for all customer-facing activity.

IBMG’s 12 brands

Buildit, Chandlers Building Supplies, Chandlers Roofing, CRS Building Supplies, Devondale Electrical, Fairalls Builders Merchants, Grant & Stone, Parkers Building Supplies, RGB Building Supplies, Stamco Timber, Total Plumbing Supplies, and Trading Depot.

Nick House, Group Chief Executive of Grant & Stone, will lead the new combined IBMG business, with Peter Cudd (Group Managing Director).

Nick House, group chief executive of IBMG, said: “This merger is the natural progression for both companies. Our branch networks and product ranges are highly complementary and our values, vision and commitment to customers are completely aligned, which creates exciting opportunities for us all.”

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Steelwork specialist Bourne Group has appointed Denis McNelis as group engineering director to spread its reach into new projects.

Before joining Bourne, McNelis operated at a director and technical engineering manager level on significant projects across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the UAE.

With over 16 years of experience working in design consultancy and a further 17 years in construction, he has worked on projects ranging from sports stadiums to bridges, to large scale industrial buildings and refurbishment projects including his two most recent projects, the new Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Terminal and the iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai.

Denis brings a passion for construction across all forms of projects, while leveraging his strength in design and BIM.

Steve Govier, CEO for Bourne Group, said: “Denis has built a well-earned reputation and his appointment is aimed at ensuring that all of the Bourne Group companies remain at the forefront of the latest engineering and technology practices and are well placed to support future growth and diversification into new products and markets.”

McNelis said: “I am looking forward to working with the very experienced team at Bourne, to help expand the areas of work that the Bourne Group operates within

Plans have been submitted for a major new prison in Lancashire adjacent to HMP Garth and HMP Wymott near the town Leyland.

The prison is one of four planned as part of the Ministry of Justice’s £1bn New Prisons Programme.

This is being delivered by a framework of preselected contractors: ISG, Kier, Laing O’Rourke and Wates.

HMP Wymott 2 will be located between two existing prisons

The new prison to be known as HMP Wymott 2 will be a category C prison with over 1,700 inmates.

They will be held in seven new house blocks rising to four storeys, each and containing around 245 prisoners.

The 74,500 sq m prison will be delivered in several phases. The site will initially need

demolition of existing buildings and structures, together with associated engineering works.

Due to the new prison’s proposed location, the relocation of an existing energy centre and bowling club form part of the overall scheme.

Phase 2 and 3 will require construction of the replacement bowling green and club house, a new boiler house and car park for the new prison.

The main prison blocks will be constructed in the fourth phase.

MoJ designer Perfect Circle is to develop site-specific design proposals for Garth Wymott 2 to RIBA Stage 3.

The prison is targeting net-zero carbon operation, a minimum 20% biodiversity net gain. and at least BREEAM Excellent with the possibility of achieving an Outstanding rating.

Other prisons in the pipeline include Full Sutton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, another new category c prison planned on land adjacent to HMP Grendon and HMP Springhill in Buckinghamshire.

Mace has conducted the feasibility studies for the prison programme and locations.

Henry Construction is set to start work shortly on a £32m residential scheme in Ealing, North-West London.

The move follows a £19m funding deal with specialist real estate development finance provider Maslow Capital to support Henry who are acting as developer and contractor.

The scheme on Greenford Road will comprise a part 14- storey, part 5-storey and part 3-storey residential building that will accommodate 83 flats.

Redevelopment of the site will involve the demolition of an existing petrol station.

Charles Leigh, Development Director at Henry Construction said: “We are delighted to have closed  this transaction with Maslow, which will enable us to build and deliver much needed high-quality  housing for the London Borough of Ealing.

“I look forward to continuing our relationship with  Maslow throughout the construction period, and on future projects.”

National Highways has selected 50 supply chain partners to carry out up to £3.6bn worth of renewals to keep England’s motorways and major A roads running safely and smoothly.

Award values vary between £1m and £144m, highlighting how the framework enables SMEs to operate side by side with larger companies.

The new Scheme Delivery Framework replaces the soon to expire existing contract mechanisms, known as the Construction Works Framework (CWF), Design Services Contracts (DSC) and Asset Support Contract (ASC).

The framework is split into four bands:

Band A – Civil Engineering and DrainageBand B – Temporary Traffic Management and Road Restraint SystemsBand C – Specialist worksBand D – Design

Scheme Delivery Framework

SOUTH EAST
Band
Sublot
Name
Location
1st Place Supplier
2nd Place SupplierA1.1/SGeneral Civil Engineering Super RegionSouthEurovia InfrastructureMJ Church PlantA1.2/SEGeneral Civil EngineeringSouth EastJackson Civil Engineering GroupA2/SEDrainageSouth EastInterserve ConstructionB3.1/STraffic Management Super RegionSouthH W Martin (Traffic Management)Chevron Traffic ManagementB3.2/SETraffic ManagementSouth EastKier HighwaysB4.1/SRoad Restraint Systems Super RegionSouthForest Traffic ServicesH W Martin (Traffic Management)B4.2/SERoad Restraint SystemsSouth EastR&W Civil EngineeringC5/3Landscape & EcologyArea 3A ConesPJ ChaffinC5/4Landscape & EcologyArea 4A ConesPJ ChaffinC6/SERoad MarkingsSouth EastWJ NorthWilson & Scott (Highways)C7/3Road Lighting & ElectricalArea 3Mway CommunicationsMason Street FurnitureC7/4Road Lighting & ElectricalArea 4Mway CommunicationsMason Street FurnitureC8/3Structures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsArea 3Route One InfrastructureMetrail constructionC8/4Structures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsArea 4Winvic ConstructionUniversal SealantsC9/3Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 3J. McCann & Co (Nottm)VVB EngineeringC9/4Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 4Mway CommunicationsVVB EngineeringC10/3Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 3VolkerLaserWinvic ConstructionC10/4Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 4VolkerLaserFreyssinetC11/4Cathodic ProtectionArea 4VolkerLaserD12.1/SEDesign ServicesSouth EastJacobs Engineering UKD12.2/SDesign Services Super RegionSouthWSP UK
MIDLANDS
Band
Sublot
Name
Location
1st Place Supplier
2nd Place SupplierA1.1/CGeneral Civil Engineering Super RegionCentralMorgan SindallCarnell Support ServiceA1.2/MGeneral Civil EngineeringMidlandsNorth Midland ConstructionA2/MDrainageMidlandsGalliford Try HighwaysB3.1/CTraffic Management Super RegionCentralChevron Traffic ManagementNo Supplier – Contingency in placeB3.2/MTraffic ManagementMidlandsKier HighwaysB4.1/CRoad Restraint Systems Super RegionCentralAmalgamated ConstructionColasB4.2/MRoad Restraint SystemsMidlandsJoe Roocroft and sonsC5/MLandscape & EcologyMidlandsAconesAC Landscapes & Treeworks UKC6/MRoad MarkingsMidlandsWJ NorthWilson & Scott (Highways)C7/7Road Lighting & ElectricalArea 7J. McCann & Co (Nottm)Crown HighwaysC7/9Road Lighting & ElectricalArea 9J. McCann & Co (Nottm)Crown HighwaysC8/7Structures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsArea 7Route One Infrastructuremetrail constructionC8/9Structures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsArea 9Route One InfrastructureVolkerLaserC9/7Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 7Crown HighwaysMason Street FurnitureC9/9Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 9J. McCann & Co (Nottm)Mway CommunicationsC10/7Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 7BalvacVolkerLaserC10/9Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 9Concrete RepairsVolkerLaserC11/7Cathodic ProtectionArea 7Concrete RepairsC11/9Cathodic ProtectionArea 9Concrete RepairsVolkerLaserD12.1/MDesign ServicesMidlandsAmey OWD12.2/CDesign Services Super RegionCentralJacobs Engineering UK
SOUTH WEST
Band
Sublot
Name
Location
1st Place Supplier
2nd Place SupplierA1.1/SGeneral Civil Engineering Super RegionSouthEurovia InfrastructureMJ Church PlantA1.2/SWGeneral Civil EngineeringSouth WestDyer & ButlerA2/SWDrainageSouth WestNorth Midland ConstructionB3.1/STraffic Management Super RegionSouthH W Martin (Traffic Management)Chevron Traffic ManagementB3.2/SWTraffic ManagementSouth WestForest Traffic ServicesB4.1/SRoad Restraint Systems Super RegionSouthForest Traffic ServicesH W Martin (Traffic Management)B4.2/SWRoad Restraint SystemsSouth WestR&W Civil EngineeringC5/SWLandscape & EcologySouth WestA ConesAC Landscapes & Treeworks UKC6/SWRoad MarkingsSouth WestWJ NorthWilson & Scott (Highways)C7/SWRoad Lighting & ElectricalSouth WestMway CommunicationsSSE Enterprise ContractingC8/SWStructures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsSouth WestMetrail constructionUniversal SealantsC9/SWTechnology (inc Traffic Signals)South WestMway CommunicationsNo Supplier – Contingency in placeC10/SWStructures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsSouth WestConcrete RepairsFreyssinetD12.1/SWDesign ServicesSouth WestAmey OWD12.2/SDesign Services Super RegionSouthWSP UK
EAST
Band
Sublot
Name
Location
1st Place Supplier
2nd Place SupplierA1.1/CGeneral Civil Engineering Super RegionCentralMorgan SindallCarnell Support ServiceA1.2/EGeneral Civil EngineeringEastJohn Graham ConstructionA2/EDrainageEastVolkerfitzpatrickB3.1/CTraffic Management Super RegionCentralChevron Traffic ManagementNo Supplier – Contingency in placeB3.2/ETraffic ManagementEastForest Traffic ServicesB4.1/CRoad Restraint Systems Super RegionCentralAmalgamated ConstructionColasB4.2/ERoad Restraint SystemsEastJoe Roocroft and sonsC5/ELandscape & EcologyEastPJ ChaffinGround ControlC6/ERoad MarkingsEastWilson & Scott (Highways)No Supplier – Contingency in placeC7/ERoad Lighting & ElectricalEastMason Street FurnitureVVB EngineeringC8/EStructures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsEastWinvic ConstructionUniversal SealantsC9/ETechnology (inc Traffic Signals)EastCrown HighwaysMason Street FurnitureC10/EStructures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsEastBalvacWinvic ConstructionD12.1/EDesign ServicesEastWSP UKD12.2/CDesign Services Super RegionCentralJacobs Engineering UK
NORTH WEST
Band
Sublot
Name
Location
1st Place Supplier
2nd Place SupplierA1.1/NGeneral Civil Engineering Super RegionNorthOsborne InfrastructureGalliford Try HighwaysA1.2/NWGeneral Civil EngineeringNorth WestA E YatesA2/NWDrainageNorth WestDyer & ButlerB3.1/NTraffic Management Super RegionNorthTarmac TradingH W Martin (Traffic Management)B3.2/NWTraffic ManagementNorth WestPremier Traffic ManagementB4.1/NRoad Restraint Systems Super RegionNorthColasJoe Roocroft and sonsB4.2/NWRoad Restraint SystemsNorth WestAmalgmated ConstructionC5/10Landscape & EcologyArea 10Green Valley ArboristsGround ControlC5/13Landscape & EcologyArea 13AC Landscapes & Treeworks UKGreen Valley ArboristsC6/NWRoad MarkingsNorth WestWJ NorthPremier RoadmarkingsC7/NWRoad Lighting & ElectricalNorth WestJ. McCann & Co (Nottm)Crown HighwaysC8/10Structures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsArea 10Winvic ConstructionVolkerLaserC8/13Structures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsArea 13Route One InfrastructureVolkerLaserC9/10Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 10J. McCann & Co (Nottm)Mason Street FurnitureC9/13Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 13Crown HighwaysTelent Technology ServicesC10/10Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 10Concrete RepairsWinvic ConstructionC10/13Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 13BalvacFreyssinetD12.1/NWDesign ServicesNorth WestWSP UKD12.2/NDesign Services Super RegionNorthKier HighwaysNORTH EAST
Band
Sublot
Name
Location
1st Place Supplier
2nd Place SupplierA1.1/NGeneral Civil Engineering Super RegionNorthOsborne InfrastructureGalliford Try HighwaysA1.2/NEGeneral Civil EngineeringNorth EastInterserve ConstructionA2/NEDrainageNorth EastCarnell Support ServiceB3.1/NTraffic Management Super RegionNorthTarmac TradingH W Martin (Traffic Management)B3.2/NETraffic ManagementNorth EastPremier Traffic ManagementB4.1/NRoad Restraint Systems Super RegionNorthColasJoe Roocroft and sonsB4.2/NERoad Restraint SystemsNorth EastAmalgamated ConstructionC5/12Landscape & EcologyArea 12Green Valley ArboristsGround ControlC5/14Landscape & EcologyArea 14AC Landscapes & TreeworksGreen Valley ArboristsC6/NERoad MarkingsNorth EastPremier RoadmarkingsJointlineC7/12Road Lighting & ElectricalArea 12J. McCann & Co (Nottm)Crown HighwaysC7/14Road Lighting & ElectricalArea 14Mway CommunicationsMason Street FurnitureC8/NEStructures, Waterproofing & Expansion JointsNorth EastWinvic ConstructionMetrail constructionC9/12Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 12J. McCann & Co (Nottm)Mway CommunicationsC9/14Technology (inc Traffic Signals)Area 14Crown HighwaysMason Street FurnitureC10/12Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 12Concrete RepairsWinvic ConstructionC10/14Structures, Structural Services & Concrete RepairsArea 14BalvacFreyssinetD12.1/NEDesign ServicesNorth EastJacobs Engineering UKD12.2/NDesign Services Super RegionNorthKier Highways

Around 23% of the overall framework value has been awarded to SMEs, so creating a secure pipeline of work and increasing innovation across the board.

Redrow is happy for its 2,300 staff to continue working “where they are most efficient.”

The house building giant confirmed an extension of flexible working practices in its latest annual results.

Group Chief Executive Matthew Pratt said:  “We have also introduced flexible working and many colleagues have been working from home during the pandemic.

“This has proved to be very effective and, going forward; colleagues will be able to work from where they are most efficient, whether that be at home, site or within divisional offices.”

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