HS2 chief executive quits as soaring costs and delays continue to mount July 12, 2023 HS2 Ltd’s longest serving chief executive has announced his resignation from the project amid ongoing criticism over soaring costs and delay. 56-year old Mark Thurston – who was paid a salary of £617,300 in 2021/22 – will depart at the end of September after six and a half years at the helm. In a statement [...]
UK construction sector rebounds as uptick in commercial projects offsets housebuilding decline August 4, 2023 The UK’s construction sector rebounded in July as an uptick in commercial building and civil engineering work offset sharp falls in residential housebuilding. The latest S&P Global/CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index scored 51.7 in July, up from 48.9 in June and the highest level for five months. Any score above 50 indicates the sector is [...]
Summer of sport helps provide respite but insolvency trend continues September 20, 2024 A summer of sport and warmer weather helped provide some respite to the retail and hospitality industries in England and Wales helped the number of insolvencies dip last month compared to July, according to new figures. Around 10,000 individuals entered insolvency in August 2024, five per cent lower than July’s total but 16 per cent [...]
Building materials supplier SIG warns of tough conditions as headwinds buffet construction market January 9, 2024 Housing supplier SIG rode out sluggish market conditions and expects to post profits at the upper end of its guidance, as investors hope for an upturn in fortunes this year. The firm said it expects revenues of almost £3bn in an update published this morning, with profit being between £50-55m, at the upper end of [...]
HS2: ‘No let-up’ in building high-speed railway next year, says chief December 27, 2023 There will be “no let-up” in HS2’s progress next year, according to the boss of the high-speed rail project.
EDF swings to profit on back of high electricity prices but notes £11bn Hinkley hit February 16, 2024 French nuclear power giant EDF swung to profit in 2023, despite booking a large impairment on the struggling Hinkley Point C project.
Housebuilder: Truss mini-budget bruised consumer confidence – and cost us sales June 8, 2023 Property developer Crest Nicholson has reported shrinking sales amid “rapidly” falling consumer confidence and rising borrowing costs, following the September mini-budget. The firm said its revenue fell by more than a fifth to £282.7 million in the six months to the end of April, from £364.3 million the prior year. The decline reflected economic uncertainty [...]
Costain chief: Super sewer-style PFIs would power up UK infrastructure August 22, 2024 The approach at the Thames Tideway Tunnel echoes the old Labour government's private finance initiatives (PFIs).
Inland Homes welcomes second CEO in under 12 months July 24, 2023 Inland Homes has revealed its new chief executive alongside plans for a £4m acquisition of rival North Country Homes. The London-listed real estate development firm has appointed Jolyon Harrison as head of the company. This is the company’s third CEO in a short period of time, as former chief Stephen Wicks stepped down last September [...]
A burden or a blessing? PFIs look set for a return under Labour August 13, 2024 Reports that Rachel Reeves is mooting the use of private finance to fund the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing has fuelled chatter that Private Finance Initiatives could be set for a return.