Author Archives: CN Contributor

Vijay Merchant is a partner at consultancy BTG Advisory When construction firms face tough times, the founders or families that own them often deliberate on whether they should use their own funds to prop the business up. But before investing, they must consider what strategic and leadership changes are needed…

Sarah Dodd is the founder and chief executive of legal firm Tree Law  Subsidence work rarely arrives clean. By the time a contractor is involved, the argument has usually been half-fought already. The insurer has accepted liability; the tree is staying; and a substructure solution is needed. The question is…

Contractors and project teams now have until Friday 27 February to enter this year’s Construction News Awards.

The deadline for entries to this year’s Life Sciences Awards is now less than two weeks away. Hosted by Construction News and sister title Property Week, the awards recognise the people, projects and organisations contributing to the development of science and technology estates across the UK. The deadline to enter…

Delays to gateway three approvals for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) may trigger financial “instability” among contractors, according to industry analysts. Their warnings came as a Freedom of Information (FOI) request showed 44 schemes are still awaiting a gateway three decision more than three months after those applications were submitted to the…

Hayley Steel (above left) is a partner and head of non-contentious construction, and Simone Protheroe is managing associate in the projects, infrastructure and construction team at law firm Foot Anstey Construction projects often include parties with differing interests entering into agreements with a developer. Examples of third party agreements (TPAs)…

The construction of a mass transit system between Bristol’s city centre and airport could begin within five years, according to the body tasked with driving the region’s growth. The exact type of transport system has yet to be decided by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which has suggested…

Tim Balcon is chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board This National Apprenticeship Week, let’s make an effort as an industry to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships and skills make to individuals, construction employers and the wider construction industry. “As employers, educators and industry experts,…

Tom O’Brien is director at O’Brien Contractors Fittingly announced during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, the government has unveiled new plans to help tackle the rising construction skills gap across the UK. As part of the new Education Estates Strategy, the plans are set to create 13,000 apprenticeships and T-level placement…

Ryan Paterson is managing director at Dart Tool Group The British trade sector is facing a crisis. On one hand, demand for skilled labour is at an all-time high, driven by a national push for new homes and a massive transition towards green infrastructure. On the other hand, there aren’t…