Our directors from across the UK recently participated in the 2024 UKREiiF conference in Leeds. Organised by the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, this three-day event serves as a platform where industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders meet, exchange insights, and investigate collaborative opportunities that shape the future of Real Estate and Infrastructure across the entire country. Over three days, our delegates had ample opportunities to contribute to thought leadership and into ongoing projects across the UK and engage with industry speakers. 

The annual gathering featured a compelling agenda, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions and some great guest speakers. With a strong emphasis on exploring the latest trends, innovations, and investment strategies, our objective was to gather valuable insights and cultivate strategic partnerships within the industry. 

“My main takeaway was how Energy Performance and ESG was mentioned as a factor in almost every session I attended, especially now from funders who require well performing assets going forward. Buildings and their occupant’s wellbeing are going to be smarter and more integrated and ever more efficient.” Craig Robertson – Director, England  

Craig also shared his experience attending the session hosted by JLL on Day Two, which outlined the development plans for West Edinburgh. We are currently part of the team on the incredible West Town project, a development by Drum Property Group, which is set to deliver 7,000 New Homes and an array of amenities.  

“The plans for West Edinburgh, including the West Town development was a highlight for me, especially since its in my home city. On the back of delivering St James Quarter, Wallace Whittle are Building Services Consultants, providing MEPH services engineering and energy performance expertise, on two of the biggest developments in Edinburgh this century so far.” 

With our recent expansion into Birmingham and Manchester, our Regional Leads, Darren Wright and Paul Dean, found immense value in exploring up-and-coming projects and attending sessions focused on the region’s infrastructural growth and development. The West Midlands UKREiiF sessions highlighted the transformative power of the West Midlands as a driving force for real estate and regeneration opportunities. These discussions underscored how the region is poised to become a central hub for innovation and economic growth. 

The session “Devolution: Where does the UK go?” chaired by Phil Laycock, provided diverse regional perspectives and crucial updates following the 2023 trailblazer deals impacting Manchester and the West Midlands. Our projects in Birmingham and Manchester are directly influenced by these trailblazer deals, which aim to decentralise power and to provide more autonomy to local authorities.  

For instance, our ongoing project High Street in Digbeth exemplifies this approach. This development includes 481 residential units across two cores, ranging from 8 to 34 storeys, with a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom dwellings. This project not only reflects our commitment to sustainable and innovative design but also aligns perfectly with the opportunities highlighted by the 2023 trailblazer deals. 

“We are once again delighted to work with a valued client and trusted partner to provide not only a much-needed affordable housing led scheme but also modern energy efficient homes for Digbeth and its community. Sharing our expertise, we hope to create and contribute to a vibrant neighbourhood.”  Darren Wright – Director, Birmingham 

As we continue to contribute to projects within this region, we are excited to be part of the positive changes and opportunities these deals bring to the West Midlands and Manchester.  

Another key takeaway was the focus on securing viable and sustainable funding and the promising future of the funding landscape over the next few years. The conference highlighted particularly promising prospects for projects related to PBSA, Co-Living spaces, and hotels. These sectors are expected to present significant investment opportunities over the next 18 months. 

“My first time at UKREiiF was a hugely positive experience. The event programming, content, and particularly the delegates that made the time to be available across the various days was truly first class.” Steven Dunn – Director, Scotland  

“Whilst acknowledging and discussing some of the key issues our industry faces right now and in the coming years with funding and the availability of capital, there was also a great deal of positivity and opportunity.

It was reflected in many conversations had during the debate sessions and casual conversations across my two days in Leeds – the future is looking bright.”

Our UK & Ireland Healthcare Leads Paul Cooper and Jonathan Blackhurst joined our regional Director for Ireland, Gavin McCausland to represent Wallace Whittle as we grow our presence in the healthcare sector within Northern Ireland.

The conference served as a platform to exchange ideas and insights with fellow industry professionals. Discussions on topics like the journey to net zero were particularly impactful. Chris Matthew from the Department of Health for Northern Ireland delivered a talk titled “Unlocking the Potential, the Passion, and the Commitment,” which covered the decarbonisation of the estate. This resonated deeply with our commitment to sustainable healthcare infrastructure and our ongoing projects with health trusts across the NHS estate.

“The informative presentations on Procure 23 and the New Hospitals Programme were a couple of favourites that gave a great insight into the progress of the NHP and the toolkits procure 23 provides for project success.” Jonathan Blackhurst, England Healthcare Lead.

Helen Sturdy, from NHS England, delivered a thought-provoking talk on the first day, focusing on the new NHS Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Toolkit. She emphasised that “the new NHS Modern Methods of Construction Toolkit and accompanying User Guide are intended to provide a framework and key themes to create a coherent Modern Methods of Construction strategy.” At Wallace Whittle, we have extensive experience with MMC with the imminent handover of the new Surgical Centre for NHS Golden Jubilee, a facility designed from the ground up to fully utilise Modern Methods of Construction.

“It was a great couple of days in Belfast seeing the importance that is being placed on healthcare by IHEEM NI and the local Trusts and delivery partners.  I was particularly impressed with the talks that were put on looking to receive knowledge and lessons learned from other parts of the UK on their healthcare programmes.” Paul Cooper, Scotland & Ireland Healthcare Lead.

Eamon Sullivan and Alpa Patel, from the New Hospital Programme, delivered a fantastic presentation on the first morning, with a particularly compelling discussion. They explained that “Hospital 2.0” is a standardised design for future hospitals, which will benefit patients and staff through digital solutions and optimised hospital layouts. This approach aims to decrease the average time required to develop and build hospitals while also reducing costs through economies of scale. 

While there are challenges in implementing repeatability and standardisation for MEP services in a healthcare environment, Wallace Whittle has extensive experience in this area. Our ongoing design for the Monklands Replacement Project is a prime example of how we effectively utilise repeatability to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. To find out more about some of our processes, read our piece on Ceiling Coordination.

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At Wallace Whittle, our dedication to healthcare engineering excellence is unwavering. With 20+ years experience within the industry, we specialise in designing and optimising HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure, water management, and all crucial components for the efficient operation of healthcare facilities.

Moreover, sustainability is at the forefront of our approach. We prioritise green energy solutions and employ innovative practices to minimise environmental impact.

“We had a great time meeting with different healthcare clients and introducing them to Wallace Whittle’s healthcare knowledge and experience in Scotland, England, and Ireland. We are looking forward to strengthening these relationships in the healthcare industry as we expand our Belfast office!” Gavin McCausland, Ireland Director.

As we continue our commitment to supporting trusts and projects across the UK and Ireland, especially towards sustainability, Wallace Whittle remains dedicated to driving positive change in the healthcare industry.

We are expanding our presence in England with the opening of not one, but two new offices, and the appointment of a new Director. This strategic expansion of our operations in the North West and West Midlands mark a significant milestone in our growth trajectory, bolstering our national presence and allowing us to better serve our clients across the UK.

Having focused on organic growth in Scotland and Ireland, we are now venturing into new territory in Birmingham, alongside expanding our already well-established Warrington office with a new city centre space in Manchester. 

“We are proud to launch our new offices in Birmingham and Manchester,” said Allan McGill, Managing Director at Wallace Whittle. “These expansions signify a pivotal juncture for our company as we execute our growth strategies and extend our reach across the UK.” 

“Growth in England is pivotal to our Next Level aspirations for the company,” Allan added. “We are steadfast in our commitment to becoming a prominent player in the region, building upon our strong foundations in Scotland, Ireland and London.” 

Heading up the Manchester office is experienced Director, Paul Dean, whose wealth of experience and leadership will guide operations across both the Warrington and Manchester offices. Under his stewardship, Wallace Whittle aims to provide comprehensive regional coverage and deliver tailored solutions to clients in the Northwest of England. 

Paul said: “Having seen our success in the north-west grow during recent years thanks to our well deserved reputation for quality, innovation and delivery, opening an office in the centre of Manchester is a logical next step for our expansion as a business. With nearly 150 team members across Wallace Whittle, we’re perfectly placed to deliver quality on a wide range of project types, and this new office solidifies our recent growth.”

In Birmingham, we welcome Darren Wright as the new Director, leveraging his profound knowledge of the region to spearhead the establishment and growth of the office. Darren and his local team are primed to expand Wallace Whittle’s presence in the West Midlands and contribute to the company’s ambitious growth objectives. 

Darren, who previously served as Associate and Birmingham team leader at chapmanbdsp, expressed his enthusiasm about joining Wallace Whittle: “It’s a privilege to be joining an established brand in Wallace Whittle at such an exciting time and playing a key role in the expansion and growth plans within Birmingham and the wider central UK region. Promoting the company’s proud history of delivering quality of product and service is fundamental to maintaining our local existing client base and shaping relationships with new clients alike.”

The new offices in Birmingham and Manchester underscore Wallace Whittle’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to clients nationwide. With a current team of over 30 staff across central England, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities ahead as we continue to expand our numbers and presence, and make a positive impact across the UK. 

We have a strong track record of supporting and developing new offices from zero to £1-2m in just a couple of years -if you are looking for a new challenge, like Darren, get in touch in confidence with our Managing Director, Allan McGill – [email protected]

If you would like to have a chat about joining the teams either of our new offices, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or check out the roles below.

In an industry where convention often dominates, Greg Smart is a testament to the different pathways that can exist into the world of engineering.

Settled within our Aberdeen Office, Greg, now one of our brilliant Mechanical Engineers, brings a unique perspective shaped by over a decade of hands-on experience with Wallace Whittle. We recently spoke to him to delve deeper into his story, exploring the path to his apprenticeship and the insights he has gained along the way.

Having embarked on his engineering journey at 16, Greg is now a fully-fledged Mechanical Engineer with over a decade of work experience and his Honours Degree in Building Services Engineering, all before the age of 26.

“I joined Wallace Whittle in 2014 as a 16-year-old straight out of school. I always had an interest in technical work, but I knew I did not want to continue in full-time education, so the potential to gain a degree, whilst working full time was a big appeal.”

Coming straight from school, Greg spent time shadowing senior staff members, getting a grasp of the ropes, and leaning as much as possible. Gradually getting involved in larger projects and utilising tech.

“I was given proper responsibility on real tasks which was great, I began using IES (Integrated Environmental Solutions) a lot, and over time, I got more involved in design work, helping with interesting projects.”

We prioritise the continuous professional growth of our apprentices. We offer various avenues for development, including weekly CPDs and fully funded further education opportunities. In Greg’s case, he embarked on a journey to obtain his HNC by attending college one day a week for two years, all while maintaining his employment with Wallace Whittle, before moving on to University.

“In 2019, I began working towards my degree in building services engineering on a part time basis at Glasgow Caledonian University, graduating in 2023. During that time, I worked on a variety of projects for our Aberdeen office.”

At Wallace Whittle, we provide a supportive environment for our staff to thrive and further develop, and with our apprenticeship schemes, our junior staff have room to learn, question and make mistakes.

“The company is more than happy to enroll you in college and university, while exposing you to a variety of projects to help you develop as an engineer. They also have an Academy development program which offers in house training and a clear route to progress within the company.”

Our Academy is our internal training initiative designed to foster growth across four levels, each tailored to address specific areas of development within our workforce. At level three, Greg aspires to move towards level four soon. Levels three and four are dedicated to mentoring and cultivating our mid-level engineers and managers, nurturing them into future leaders in both management and business.

Our dedicated staff also play an integral role in guiding our apprentices along their journey, offering support both professionally and personally. With a team of 130 professionals spanning across the UK, we are fully devoted to embracing and assisting our apprentices as they navigate their path to growth and success! As Greg reflects on his decade-long tenure, he highlights the invaluable support he received from fellow Wallace Whittle staff, particularly his colleagues in the Aberdeen office.

“Over the last 10 years, I have been fortunate enough to work with several highly skilled engineers within the company who have helped me massively. Particularly, my colleagues in the Aberdeen office have been incredibly supportive during my time here, particularly Derek Andrew, Brian Doyle, Kevin Milne, Scott Paterson and of course, Andy Forbes our Director.“

With 10 years at Wallace Whittle under his belt, we wanted to know what Greg sees for himself next in his career, from leaving school to now having a degree and a chosen discipline in mechanical engineering.

“There have been numerous people who have been supported through university by Wallace Whittle who have gone on to have very successful careers, and I hope to continue my progress within our Aberdeen Office.”

As our conversation ended, we asked Greg’s for his tips for those contemplating an apprenticeship or a career at Wallace Whittle:

“For anyone who does not see themselves staying in school or going straight into further education, joining Wallace Whittle is a fantastic opportunity to pursue a challenging, but rewarding career, all whilst still having the chance to go gain a degree through the company sponsored trainee/apprenticeship scheme.

It was the best decision I could have made! Also ask as many questions as you can, you can never ask too many questions”

Aspiring engineers, like Greg, are welcomed to join our dynamic team and embark on their own fulfilling careers through our apprenticeship programs.

If you’re ready to take the next step towards a rewarding career in engineering, we invite you to apply for our apprenticeship opportunities today! Applications are accepted year-round, with our primary intake window occurring during the summer months.

Visit: Apprenticeships at Wallace Whittle

Or get in touch to discuss your experience and let’s see how we can bring you on board, email [email protected]

Section 6 of the Scottish Building Standards Technical Handbooks is set to be updated from April 2024. The change is being named ‘The New Build Heat Standard’ (NBHS) and will affect the type of heating system that new build homes and buildings will be allowed to use. Any project where a building warrant is submitted from 1st April 2024 will be subject to the new regulations. So what does this mean for us, and what does it mean for you?

Heating Scotland’s homes and buildings is one of the biggest contributors of Scotland’s carbon emissions, with around 22%* of greenhouse gas emissions coming from our homes and workplaces, and the equivalent of 73.9% of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions are associated with energy (i.e. the electricity, heat, transport and industry sectors)** The NBHS will help ensure new buildings will not contribute to emissions. Meaning people who buy new homes will know its future-proofed against the need to switch heating systems in the future. 

NBHS is part of the Scottish Government’s wider Heat in Buildings Strategy, which aims for zero emissions buildings by 2045

The use of direct emission (or polluting) heating systems such as gas/oil boilers and biofuels will be banned, and alternative systems such as heat pumps and heat networks will be required instead. However, it is important to note the Build Heat Standard (NBHS) will not apply to emergency heating systems, or systems solely for frost protection. At Wallace Whittle we see this as a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability and a positive step forward industry wide. 

The Future Homes Building Standard has been created with the aim of decarbonising new residential buildings through enhancements in heating and hot water systems. This goal can be achieved by replacing current technologies with low-carbon alternatives.

Notably, the replacement of outdated and less efficient counterparts with high-quality building fabric and the adoption of low-carbon heating via heat pumps. The implementation of these changes, combined with supplementary regulations addressing existing homes, is expected to play a significant role in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions, contributing to the achievement of our 2050 net zero target. 

The landscape of sustainability is constantly evolving, and we see each challenge as an opportunity for growth and innovation. At Wallace Whittle we are used to navigating the complexities of change, but we take pride in actively shaping a future where our commitment to sustainability is not just a professional obligation but a shared ethos that drives positive impact. 

Sustainability is central to everything we do. We have been strongly advocating for these measures for years and we are delighted that the rest of the industry is moving in the right direction. We will continue to work with our clients to deliver the exemplary quality of service they have come to expect from us. We have a proven track record of delivering buildings which are best in class with respect to energy performance. Creating sustainable environments is crucial to our approach as a business. We know that we can only fulfill our purpose as designers if we can deliver sustainable and environmentally conscious buildings that support the wellbeing of all its occupants.  

At Wallace Whittle, we’re prepared for the New Build Heat Standard to come in in April in Scotland – We’d love to bring our expertise to your next project, get in touch with our Sustainability team today by emailing [email protected] or head to our LinkedIn to find out more about what we do.