At Wallace Whittle, we are committed to delivering excellence in both our products and our services, ensuring the highest quality.

Our BIM certification process is one of the many ways we demonstrate our in-house capability to successfully deliver BIM Stage 2 projects, which fully align with the RIBA stages and industry best practices.

We’re proud to share that we’ve successfully completed our BIM Stage 2 Re-Certification Audit, conducted by BSI (British Standards Institution), for our ninth consecutive year! 

This latest audit, carried out in April, reinforces our ongoing commitment to quality assurance, standardisation, and the effective implementation of our information management processes. It serves as a vital benchmark of our ability to meet industry standards and deliver high-quality outcomes through virtual construction. 

The audit reviewed multiple projects across Wallace Whittle, confirming our compliance with BIM protocols and the strength of our internal standards. Our skilled digital engineers are able to apply BIM from the earliest concept stages, enabling us to visualise design intent and make data-driven decisions. Using a robust suite of in-house standards alongside advanced BIM authoring tools, we develop our designs in a 3D environment, facilitating seamless collaboration with our design partners and ensuring efficient information exchange. 

This integrated approach allows our designs to transition smoothly into the construction phase, reducing on-site rework, and minimising material waste. By embedding data into our models from the outset, we empower our clients with the tools to build progressive operational datasets, laying the groundwork for comprehensive digital asset management and a full project audit trail. 

Over the two-day audit, the auditor demonstrated meticulous attention to detail, thoroughly reviewing evidence to confirm the consistent implementation of our BIM processes across multiple projects. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, particularly highlighting the strength of our BIM Standards, and the clarity of our process documentation. 

Paul Hargreaves, Associate Director & Academy Manager, Paul Underhill, Associate BIM Technician, and Andrew Masson, Senior BIM Technician, were instrumental in the success of the audit, which also involved Raymond Kelly, our Quality and Standardisation Manager & Associate Director. Their deep understanding of our systems and processes, along with their ability to efficiently guide the auditor to relevant evidence, played a key role in achieving such a positive outcome. 

“Our processes are the principles on which the successful delivery of our projects is based. For an external auditor to review our documentation & project delivery and pass us for this accreditation is testament to the hard work of our project teams in operating in line with the ISO19650 industry standard.” Paul Underhill shared. 

Wallace Whittle has once again achieved BIM Stage 2 re-certification, marking another successful year of upholding our commitment to quality. 

This accomplishment reflects the collective effort of our entire team and underscores our commitment to maintaining high standards, delivering quality outcomes, and consistently applying BIM processes with precision across all projects. 

“Achieving BIM Re-Certification following the 2-day Audit by BSI once again demonstrates our commitment to delivering quality of product, quality of service, standardisation, and consistency across all aspects of the business. A lot of credit must go to our BIM leads, Andrew and Paul, who demonstrated to the auditor how effectively we’re applying these processes in practice.” shared Raymond Kelly.

To learn more about our BIM processes or industry accreditations, reach out to Raymond Kelly our Quality & Standardisation Manager at [email protected]

In April 2021, Wallace Whittle went through a management buy-out. As we celebrate the five-year milestone this year, we look to our Belfast office, which has grown in size, strength and turnover.

We sat down with Location Director, Gavin and Associate, Aidan to discuss the timeline and process of this growth.

Foundations

Wallace Whittle Belfast has existed in various forms since 2006. In 2017, we made a deliberate move to re-establish a stronger Belfast office – this time with a very different ambition.

The earlier presence was perhaps best known for projects like IKEA, but this wasn’t about putting the same pieces back together. With new leadership, a new team and a broader scope of expertise, the focus quickly shifted toward more complex projects and a stronger, more consistent presence in the Northern Ireland market.

That approach has taken the office from a single desk to a well-oiled team of twelve, with turnover doubling in the past year alone.

Building the Team

The re-build began with the appointment of Gavin McCausland as Location Director and Board member in 2017. For that first year, he was the Belfast office. Maurice McAnearney, Director, joined the following year, followed by Aidan Keown, Associate – forming a core team that remains in place today.

Having worked together for many years previously, they didn’t need time to find their rhythm. The trust was already there, which meant the focus could stay on getting the work right from day one.

“At the start, it was just about getting something up and running again. There wasn’t a big masterplan, it was more a case of building it properly, bringing the right people in, and making sure the work we delivered spoke for itself.” Gavin shared

There was a conscious shift early on. Rather than continuing with smaller, fragmented projects, the team set its sights on work of a different scale. Securing Dublin Airport marked a step forward – one of those jobs that signals a change, both internally and in the market. From there, framework appointments, including Department of Education projects, helped build momentum and strengthen long-term relationships.

A New Home on Hill Street

From that small founding team, Belfast has grown into a well-established office of twelve people, supported by a move into a new city centre space in May 2025.

Now based on Hill Street, the office sits in one of Belfast’s most vibrant areas. It’s a setting that suits the team – busy, connected, and with plenty going on around it.

Like our other offices across the UK, the Belfast space reflects a consistent Wallace Whittle approach – creating a high-quality, flexible environment that supports collaboration and day-to-day working. It’s part of a wider investment in how we operate as a business.

That investment has already made a difference. Since relocating, both headcount and turnover have increased significantly. The growth has been steady rather than rushed, built on reputation, relationships and repeat work.

Sustainability is part of that shift as well. The city-centre location has improved access to public transport, and the building incorporates features such as photovoltaic panels and aerothermal heat pump systems. More widely, sustainability is shaping the work itself, with net zero requirements now embedded in many design briefs and driving demand for decarbonisation and retrofit projects.

Project-led Change

The change in the Belfast office is probably easiest to see in the work being delivered.

Cambridge Halls is a good example of how things have moved on – it’s a different scale of project to what the team was dealing with in the early days. The high-rise nature of this Building Safety Act high-risk, multi-building, 2400-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation, complete with a full BSR gateway submission, changed the scale of major projects the team was able to deliver. At the same time, developments like the award-winning Paradise SE11 commercial office development in London show where things are heading, particularly around low-carbon design and timber construction.

“Dublin Airport was probably the point where it felt like things were moving in the right direction. Since then, the work’s changed, the scale’s changed, but the approach hasn’t – we just focus on doing a good job and build from there.” Gavin shared.

Since that early milestone, the portfolio has broadened across sectors. Projects such as DVA Headquarters, the new benchmark MOT Test Centre, Wolverhampton Learning Quarter and Rapid7 Belfast reflect a team that’s comfortable working across different types of work, adapting to different challenges as they come.

That approach has naturally opened up new opportunities. The team has expanded its presence in sectors such as student accommodation, commercial development, particularly retrofit and decarbonisation, alongside further and higher education and urban realm projects.

Some projects lean more technical, particularly where Passivhaus or tighter sustainability targets are involved. Others are more about the relationships behind them. There’s a core group of architects and contractors the team continues to work with, and that consistency says a lot about how the Belfast office operates, reflecting the wider Wallace Whittle ethos.

Working in the Belfast Market

Operating in Northern Ireland comes with its own dynamics. The talent pool is smaller, and at times political uncertainty has had an impact on project pipelines. But those challenges have helped shape a more focused and considered approach.

However, being part of a wider business is a clear advantage. The Belfast team draws on experience from across the UK and Ireland, bringing added depth to what it can offer locally. Access to Wallace Whittle’s UK-wide Sustainability team supports that further, combining specialist expertise with the agility of a regional office.

There’s also a particular way of working that suits the market. In an environment where contractors are known for being pragmatic and delivery-focused, the Belfast team operates in much the same way – responsive, straightforward, and focused on getting things done.

That carries through internally as well Gavin shared,

“It’s a small team, so everyone has to pull together. There’s no real ‘that’s not my job’ attitude – if something needs to be done, people just get on with it. That’s probably been one of the biggest strengths as we’ve grown.”

It’s not something that’s enforced – it’s just how the team works. That approach creates a collaborative environment where workloads are shared, and support is readily available. No one is left carrying too much on their own, and that balance has been a key factor in sustaining growth without compromising quality.

Developing Talent for the Future

With a limited recruitment pool, developing talent has become a key focus – not just for Belfast, but across Wallace Whittle.

That’s reflected in how the team is growing. Aidan Keown has recently been promoted to Associate, alongside Nick Hawthorne, showing the progression that’s possible within a developing office.

Apprentices play an important role. Through the Wallace Whittle Academy, the team is supporting early-career engineers as they build their experience, helping to create a pipeline for the future. A wider business initiative supports this, making it easier for offices to bring in apprentices and invest in long-term development through a ‘buy one, get two free’ approach where Head Office covers apprentice costs.

The Belfast team is also building stronger links with schools and universities, including Methodist College Belfast, Ulster University and Queen’s University – helping to raise awareness of engineering careers and connect with emerging talent.

Looking Ahead

The next phase for Belfast is about continuing what’s already working – quality of product & quality of service.

Growth is very much part of the plan, with the team expected to expand alongside a steady pipeline of work across healthcare, life sciences and decarbonisation. At the same time, being part of a wider business provides a strong platform, with access to experience across the UK and Ireland as projects continue to grow in scale and complexity.

That connection works both ways. Strong relationships with Irish contractors, many of whom operate across the UK, mean Belfast is well placed to support opportunities beyond Northern Ireland, particularly as we continue to grow our presence in England.

“The aim now is to keep growing, but not for the sake of it. It’s about bringing the right people in, doing the right projects, and making sure we don’t lose what’s worked well so far.” Gavin said.

There are still challenges, particularly around access to talent, but the approach is already in place: invest in people, build long-term relationships, and grow at a pace that doesn’t compromise quality.

From a single desk in 2017 to a well-established team less than a decade later, the progress is clear. Just as important is that the mindset hasn’t changed.

The focus is still on doing good work, working well together, and building something that’s going somewhere.

This marks another exciting step in Wallace Whittle’s growth journey as we continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen our presence across the UK.

Reach out to Gavin at [email protected] to discuss your next project.

Careers in Belfast

Wallace Whittle Degree Apprentice Selected for Scotland Men’s Hockey Squad at FIH Hockey Nations Cup.

We are proud to congratulate Degree Apprentice Engineer, Jedd Campbell, on his selection for the Scotland Men’s National Hockey Squad ahead of this summer’s FIH Nations Cup tournament in South Africa, 11th to 20th June 2026.

Balancing the demands of international sport alongside a professional engineering career is no small achievement, and Jedd’s selection reflects the commitment, discipline, and work ethic he brings both on and off the pitch.

As part of Wallace Whittle’s ongoing commitment to developing talented young professionals, the business has supported Jedd throughout his progression as both an engineer and international athlete. Through a flexible and supportive working environment, we have helped him continue pursuing elite-level sport while developing his engineering career within the business.

His degree apprenticeship has allowed him to balance his international career with a full-time job that also provides him with a degree in engineering via a day-release University programme that aligns well with his summer international programme.

Jedd shared:

“The business has been incredibly supportive throughout my international hockey commitments with Scotland. They have generously sponsored me to assist with the costs associated with attending tournaments, which has significantly eased the financial pressure of competing at an international level. Their support has played a huge role in enabling me to continue representing Scotland while maintaining my role at work.”

Paul Cooper, Director, Glasgow said:

“It’s fantastic to see Jedd recognised at international level with his selection for Scotland. His commitment and attitude set a great example across our team, and we’re proud to support him as he represents at the highest level. Everyone at Wallace Whittle will be cheering him on.”

Wallace Whittle recognises the value that high-performing individuals bring to the workplace, particularly those who demonstrate the resilience, teamwork and dedication required to compete at elite sporting levels.

We’ll be cheering him on and wish him all the luck in competing!

We would be pleased to hear from other aspiring international athletes interested in combining high-level sport with a rewarding engineering career through opportunities like Jedd’s. Existing students are also welcome to apply; with the view they can convert to a day release degree apprenticeship.

To apply visit our Degree Apprenticeships page and please ensure when you are applying, you reference ‘Athlete’.

UKREiiF 2026 brought the industry together for three packed days in Leeds.

Our Wallace Whittle team was out in full force throughout the week, contributing to key conversations around housing, planning, infrastructure, and sustainability, while reconnecting with clients, collaborators, and colleagues from across the UK.

UKREiiF, organised by the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, is an event which 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.

We caught up with our delegates to hear their take on the key themes and standout conversations from the week.

As host city to UKREiiF, Leeds once again proved itself as a vibrant backdrop for the event, with the city’s ongoing regeneration and development activity on full display throughout the week.

For our Leeds Director, Andrew Smith, being at UKREiiF on home turf brought a slightly different perspective, offering not only the opportunity to engage with industry-wide conversations, but also to showcase the progress happening locally.

Reflecting on the event, he said:

“It’s always great to see UKREiiF return to Leeds, there’s a real energy across the city when the event is on. Being based here, it’s particularly rewarding to see the spotlight on the scale of development and investment happening regionally, and to hear the conversations taking place around the future of our cities.

Overall, there was a strong sense of optimism despite the geopolitical challenges we currently face, with open and constructive dialogue and a clear level of momentum, exactly what these events are intended to foster.”

Craig Robertson, Director, England, captured a prevailing mood across the event: that the time for talking has passed, and delivery is what matters.

“In reality, and being brutally honest, my main takeaway is that the construction & property industry is in a difficult place. Schemes are just not as viable due to many reasons, and unless the Government are willing to make funding available to bridge the gap in the short-term at least – it will continue to stall.

There are still opportunities that exist, they are just harder to find. No point in greetin’ about it – everyone is going to have to work harder to make them work..” 

For Stephen Osborne, Location Director, Edinburgh, looked to the positives of Scottish representation and shared:

“UKREiiF delivered again this year as an excellent opportunity to network and take stock of the market and our industry. Development continues to face challenges but there appears to be universal determination to adapt to the new normal.

It was also positive to see the public sector well represented with Scottish Local Authorities working together and open to investment opportunities and initiatives to support development.”

Colin Preston, our Business Development Director in South England, was focused on discussions around different sectors and their challenges. 

There still appears to be a strong sense of activity across the industry, particularly within the public sector, including healthcare, DfE education and defence. The residential and co-living sectors also remain active, although clients are understandably cautious as viability becomes increasingly challenging, mainly due to rising build costs.

The life sciences sector appears to have picked up again, with demand for these developments holding up better than expected. Meanwhile, the workplace sector was described by one client as “a little sticky”, in the sense that developments are taking longer to gain approval to proceed. Nevertheless, there remains a clear appetite to design and build new office space.

UKREiiF 2026 reminded us what’s possible when the industry comes together with shared purpose and an ability to candidly speak whether that be on a panel or with a pint. Across the three days, our delegates engaged in some of the most pressing conversations shaping the future of our towns, cities and communities.  

We’d like to thank everyone who made UKREiiF such a productive event, and we look forward to continuing the conversation!  

Get in touch with our attendees below:

Craig Robertson, Director, England – [email protected]

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn.

Carl Saxon, Director, South England – [email protected]

Connect with Carl on LinkedIn.

Paul Dean, Director, Manchester – [email protected]

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn.

Colin Preston, Director, London- [email protected]

Connect with Colin on LinkedIn.

Andrew Smith, Director, Leeds- [email protected]

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Barry McKeane, Director Glasgow – [email protected]

Connect with Barry on LinkedIn.

Stephen Osborne, Director Edinburgh- [email protected]

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn.

WWe’re pleased to announce that utilities infrastructure specialist Petrie Buchanan has joined the Wallace Whittle group as part of our continued growth strategy.

Founded in 2002, Petrie Buchanan is well established across the UK, providing multi-utility infrastructure design and management to housebuilders and developers from planning through to completion.

The acquisition strengthens our service offering and allows us to provide clients with even greater support across the full lifecycle of a project. By bringing utilities expertise into the group, we can help streamline delivery, reduce delays and improve coordination across services.

Petrie Buchanan will continue to operate under its existing brand, with all current employees and directors remaining in place following the acquisition.

Allan McGill, Managing Director at Wallace Whittle said:

“This is a strategic move to ensure our current and future clients have an increased level of efficiency and quality when it comes to accessing the services they need throughout a project. Petrie Buchanan’s experience and relationships within the utilities sector will help our clients access expertise more quickly while improving cohesion across services.

We’ve been actively pursuing our growth plans, particularly in England, and through the acquisition both businesses will be growing together and progressing towards our goals. Petrie Buchanan has a fantastic existing reputation and we’re eager to start working closely with the team. Energy is the thorn in everyone’s side currently and with each project needing to consider it we’re looking to join up to ease those pressures.”

John Petrie, Director at Petrie Buchanan said:

“After 25 years delivering expertise for our clients in the utilities sector, becoming part of the Wallace Whittle group is a significant milestone to support our growth and succession planning as well as theirs. I feel we’ve found the perfect culture fit for our team in joining forces with Wallace Whittle, and I’m looking forward to working with the management team, as I retain my role as company lead, to create a stronger and more comprehensive offering for the marketplace.

With demand high for our service offering, it’s a new and exciting challenge to maximise this with the backing of an established group.”

We already have a strong, long-term, working relationship with the Petrie Buchanan team, making this a natural fit for both businesses. Cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing will allow us to continue enhancing the support and expertise we provide to clients across the UK.

This marks another exciting step in Wallace Whittle’s growth journey as we continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen our presence across the UK.

Wallace Whittle are looking for partnership or acquisition opportunities across the UK, with a focus in Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham, so if you are interested in a non-committal discussion please contact Allan.

Allan McGill, Managing Director – [email protected]

At Wallace Whittle, our growing leisure portfolio demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform communities. From large-scale leisure centres to boutique wellness spaces, our projects combine high-quality architecture with sustainability, functionality, and inclusivity.

Working alongside a variety of clients and partners, we’re creating community-focused spaces that promote health, wellbeing, and connection, providing much-needed “third spaces” where people can gather, exercise, and engage.

Some of our recent and ongoing projects include:

The new Larkhall Leisure Centre will deliver a modern and energy-efficient community facility, replacing the town’s existing leisure centre and offering a wide range of flexible spaces including a six-lane swimming pool, wellness suite, fitness studio, gym, and multi-purpose games hall.

The design also adopts a fabric-first approach, utilising Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) construction and high-performance building materials to minimise heat loss and enhance thermal efficiency.

Wallace Whittle were appointed to deliver full MEP and Sustainability design services for this major £57 million leisure and community facility in East Renfrewshire just outside of Glasgow.

This development will feature a wide range of facilities, including a 25-metre main swimming pool, 17-metre training pool, four-court sports hall, fitness suites, studios, and a dedicated spin studio. In addition to its sports and leisure offering, the building will also incorporate a 364-seat auditorium, studio theatre, café, and social spaces, creating a vibrant, all encompassing community hub. Sustainability is central to the design approach, with the building adopting an all-electric strategy supported by heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and EV charging infrastructure.

Delivered in just six weeks, this project was completed while the leisure centre remained fully operational throughout the works, requiring careful coordination and minimal disruption to staff and visitors. The new studio provides a dedicated home for the centre’s popular indoor cycling programme and supports the reinstatement of its full group cycling timetable for the first time since reopening after COVID-19 lockdowns. The studio also incorporates advanced lighting and sound systems designed to enhance the user experience and support high-energy classes.

Leisure centres and community spaces play a vital role in everyday life. Often undervalued, these facilities foster a sense of community, belonging, and wellbeing, offering spaces where people can connect, stay active, and enjoy shared experiences.

Sustainability is a key consideration from the outset of all our leisure projects. Many are designed with a net-zero future in mind, minimising environmental impact while ensuring long-term performance and resilience for generations to come. By embedding sustainability and wellbeing into the design approach, we create high-performing, future-ready environments, often incorporating technologies such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs), PV panels, and enhanced building fabric to reduce overall environmental impact.

We spoke to Associate Director, Martin Lorimer, about our current and expanding leisure portfolio:

“We’re proud to support the delivery of modern, sustainable leisure facilities that make a lasting difference to the local communities they serve. Working closely with partners like Alliance Leisure and councils such as East Renfrewshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council allows us to deliver high-quality leisure facilities that are both technically robust and genuinely tailored to the needs of local communities. It’s always rewarding to see these projects come to life, knowing the impact they’ll have for the people using them every day, and for many years to follow.”

Our specialists can help you create community-focused spaces that promote health, wellbeing, and connection. Get it touch with our team at [email protected]  

Hosted by the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREIIF), the upcoming event stands as a pivotal platform where industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders converge to exchange insights and explore collaborative opportunities shaping the future of renewable energy and infrastructure investment.

Set amidst the vibrant heart of Leeds, from Tuesday 19th May to Thursday 21st May, this annual gathering promises an engaging agenda. From keynote addresses to panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, it will encourage meaningful dialogue and drive actionable outcomes within the sector. With a keen focus on the latest trends, innovations, and investment strategies, we aim to gather invaluable knowledge and forge further strategic partnerships in this evolving landscape.

Our delegates, ready to contribute their expertise and perspectives, will engage in key discussions covering sustainability, market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies within renewable energy and infrastructure. But it’s more than just showcasing what we know – it’s about learning, collaborating, and growing together. Whether we’re sharing insights, brainstorming solutions, or simply swapping stories over coffee, we’re eager to meet with current and new connections.

We’re looking forward to the event, eager to catch up with many of our valued clients and collaborators, and explore new opportunities.

England

Craig Robertson, Director, England – [email protected]

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn.

Carl Saxon, Director, South England – [email protected]

Connect with Carl on LinkedIn.

Paul Dean, Director, Manchester – [email protected]

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn.

Colin Preston, Director, London- [email protected]

Connect with Colin on LinkedIn.

Andrew Smith, Director, Leeds- [email protected]

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Sustainability

Sarah Chipchase, Director Sustainability – [email protected]

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

Scotland

Barry McKeane, Director Glasgow – [email protected]

Connect with Barry on LinkedIn.

Stephen Osborne, Director Edinburgh- [email protected]

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn.

In 2021, a management buy-out marked the beginning of a new chapter. Not a new business, but a renewed one.

Since then, Wallace Whittle has grown from £8m to £20m turnover, and from 80 to over 200 people, expanding our reach, strengthening our capabilities, and continuing to deliver for clients across the UK and beyond.

April 2026 marks five years since that moment and we’re celebrating it in a way that reflects who we are today: by telling our story, recognising our people, and looking ahead.

The past five years have seen us reach far beyond our original home in Scotland and Ireland. While we’ve always had a presence in Warrington, our new offices in Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester and significant growth of the London office, has positioned us as a truly national consultancy. Major investments have also been made to upgrade our office infrastructure, enhance sustainability services, and a focus on in-house training through our Academy – all in the name of quality of product, quality of service and investment in our people.

“It’s an incredibly proud moment, celebrating five years of outstanding growth while marking our 62 years of history.

Our goal with the buy-out was to return to what Wallace Whittle is at its core, while evolving how we operate in a modern market. We took our decades-old foundation of quality and re-engineered the business in 2021 to support much larger ambitions through organic, investment-led and acquisitional growth. Today, we think like a major player, but we act with the agility and personal touch of a boutique consultancy.”

– Allan McGill, Managing Director

Allan added:  “A huge part of our success is down to the partnerships we have forged. We haven’t simply chased new clients – we’ve deepened our relationships with existing ones who have entrusted us with increasingly complex, high-value work.

“As we look towards 2030, our focus remains on staying a people-first, quality-driven business, while continuing to expand our UK-wide presence. With more expertise in-house, we are reducing outsourcing and positioning ourselves for the future, ensuring that as we scale, we never lose the excellence that the 1964 founders established.”

We’re proud to work with clients and collaborators who trust us time and again. Many of those relationships span years – even decades – and remain central to how we continue to grow.

We may technically be over 60 years old, but this is a business that continues to evolve.

The last five years have shown what’s possible when experience meets ambition. And as we look ahead, we’re focused on continuing that momentum – investing in our people, expanding our reach, and shaping the future of sustainable engineering.

If you’d like to be part of the next 5, 10 or 50 years of Wallace Whittle, whether by joining our growing team or bringing us onboard to deliver your next project – reach out to [email protected] or find us on LinkedIn.

Depending on your perspective, Scotland’s living sector is either mired in perpetual inertia or on the cusp of a resurgence.

With the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections on the horizon and the controversial Housing (Scotland) Bill stirring debate, Wallace Whittle convened a round table of leading voices from property development, funding, architecture, planning, Government and policymaking to ask: what’s holding us back – and how do we move forward?

We’re pleased to report that, despite the significant challenges there’s room for cautious optimism about what might be achieved in future.

The resulting report reveals candid insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s built environment. From the viability gap between planners and developers to the cultural shift needed to unlock private investment, the discussion was frank, constructive, and surprisingly optimistic.

Key themes include:

• Misalignment between planning policy and commercial realities
• The urgent need for education and collaboration across sectors
• Lessons from Manchester’s pro-development approach
• The impact of political narratives on investor confidence
• Radical ideas to streamline planning and accelerate delivery

Whether you’re a policymaker, developer, architect, or investor, this report offers actionable ideas and a rare glimpse into the real conversations shaping Scotland’s housing future.

A huge thanks goes to our guests, particularly Robin Blacklock of property consultancy Dowbrae Real Estate Consultancy, and Director of More Homes More Quickly, who chaired and facilitated the discussion.

Our Guests:

David Cooper – Commercial Development Manager, Edinburgh City Council

Kathryn Ferguson – Housing Strategy & Investment, Scottish Government

Murray Henderson – Director, HAUS, Glasgow

Andrew Munnis – Partner, Montagu Evans Edinburgh

Ross McNulty – Development Director Ediston, Edinburgh

Will Scarlett – Founder/Director, Scarlett Land & Development, Edinburgh

David Westwater – Managing Director, Artisan Real Estate Scotland

Our experience in the Living sector across the UK and Ireland is vast, from completed large scale developments such as Battersea Power Station and Elephant Park in London, Dyecoats in Leeds and Boddingtons in Manchester which are on site following BSR Gateway 2 Approvals with clients Latimer by Clarion Housing Group. As well as ongoing developments for PBSA and Co-Living and the recently completed BTR and The Social Hub for Drum Property and Candleriggs in Glasgow.

If you’d like to discuss our report further, or speak to us about your next project, please reach out to one of our Directors below or email [email protected]