AGILE, ADEPT, AND AHEAD OF THE GAME
The construction industry is evolving rapidly, bringing exciting new opportunities alongside the economic challenges faced recently.
Now contractors, developers and tenants must also be prepared to align with a whole host of new requirements, legislation and guidance.

The shifting landscape may feel a little turbulent at times for some, but we’re here to help them embrace these changes with confidence. In our industry leading position, we work hard to understand the ins and outs, adapt swiftly and transparently and support our client and subcontractor partners on every step of the journey. We talk about the hot topics in construction below, including the new Building Safety Act 2022, which came in to force in April 2024 and establishes more stringent regulations on the design and construction of higher-risk buildings.
subcontractors in our Green Supply Chain
On the sustainability side, we have continued to help our Green Supply Chain learn about new requirements through regular communications and in-person Forums. We’ve onboarded another cohort of subcontractors, taking the number to 80. Discussions with clients about sustainability and social value are customary from Early Contractor Involvement and Pre-Construction phases, but in October 2024 we arranged our first Client Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and Sustainability Workshop for those in the Industrial and Logistics sectors. Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics led proceedings and members of our Sustainability and Social Value teams presented on a number of key topics – which we explain below and the afternoon ended with an insightful panel discussion and Q&A session. Approximately 50 people attended, and the day was a resounding success. Thank you to all of our clients for their engagement and positive feedback from the day.
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ANOTHER STRATEGIC YEAR IN SUSTAINABILITY
Also in November, we refreshed our Sustainability Strategy and we were happy to announce that Winvic will operate as a carbon neutral business from 2025. We have taken an honest, tenacious and robust approach to sustainability since the first Strategy was published in 2020. That’s enabled us to excel in a multitude of areas, exceed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and push the business further by setting new benchmarks.
Naturally, we’re maintaining our transparent approach and following our ethos of Doing it Right against the backdrop of ever-evolving standards and guidance which can be challenging to meet. The business focus is on reducing operational carbon emissions by 90% as outlined by Science Based Initiatives (SBTis) to be defined as Net Zero, which we are still proactively pursuing.

We targeted 40 per cent of our projects to be awarded with a BREEAM rating, but we delivered 62 per cent, and we aimed for 73 per cent of industrial buildings constructed to achieve an EPC A rating and successfully reached a total of 93 per cent.
Plus, we’ve rolled out many carbon reduction initiatives last year, including solar panels and hydrogen on offices and temporary site accommodation, and the AmpD Enertainer that you can read about below, saving hundreds of tonnes of carbon. This year, we’re proud to have gained even more sustainability credentials, and now have PAS 2080 for Buildings and Infrastructure, EcoVadis Silver Standard and the globally recognised Achilles Carbon Reduce Programme in line with ISO 14064-1. Our sustainability reporting now includes the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting, in addition to Streamlined Energy Carbon Reporting (SECR) and Energy Savings and Opportunities Scheme (ESOS).
of projects attained EPC A

Neave Thompson, Senior Sustainability Manager
“Any developer, contractor or tenant who has some understanding of sustainable construction will understand when I explain the last few years has been an ever-evolving landscape of standards and guidance. If there’s one thing that most people know about Winvic is that we do things right, and make the best decisions, not the easiest. We are working towards the reduction criteria outlined in the SBTis, over the last four years we have moved the dial, and we are proud that we will operate as a carbon neutral business from 2025.”
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THE UK NET ZERO CARBON BUILDING STANDARD (NZCBS)
September 2024 marked the culmination of the collaborative work of 12 organisations active in the UK built environment and over 300 sector experts, and the Pilot Version of the NZCBS was released.
This standard has been created using a top down and bottom-up approach by leading industry bodies and a vast array of data, to align the different sectors of the construction industry. It’s something a lot of people have been waiting for, for a long time, and our sustainability team has been exploring its contents and applying the new guidance to our projects since the Standard was published.

It contains sector-specific guidance on how a building should meet the Standard, including setting limits for upfront carbon and operational energy, as well setting targets for onsite renewable electricity generation. The Standard will require a more rigorous verification process, including mandatory third-party audits at two stages; first, after the building has been operating at 80% occupancy for at least 12 months, capturing all necessary operational and embodied carbon data; and subsequently, through annual ongoing verification. Read below to learn how Winvic is partnering with the UKGBC to align its update to the ‘Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition’ with the new UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.
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BREEAM VERSION 7
Our in-house Sustainability Team, BREEAM Team and Assessors and Social Value Team have been working hard to prepare for the many BREEAM Version 7 changes, which come in to effect from 2025.
The conditions that a building has to meet to attain a specific rating are more demanding and there is an increased focus on social value aspects, from safety to wellbeing, community engagement to local investment. Social Value will play a more significant role in this version, which our clients are well informed as it was on the agenda at our recent Client Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and Sustainability Workshop. Metrics across the BREEAM suite of standards have been aligned to UKNZCBS and RICS v2 enable consistent carbon measurement and comparability throughout a building’s lifecycle and metrics will also align with other reporting frameworks.
BREEAM V7 includes requirements for benchmarking of upfront and embodied carbon and operational carbon through the emphasis is on the performance of the building rather than the specific processes and metrics used to create it.

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THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT 2022
These new regulations became Law in April 2022, and it is a momentous update for the industry. In simple terms, all building regulation approvals on Higher Risk Buildings (HRB) must be secured before construction commences – which is now after the new 12-week statutory period following Gateway 2 submission – and the regulatory regime is more stringent. The term HRB refers to a building that is at least 18m in height or has at least seven storeys and contains at least two residential units or is a care home or hospital.
Since details were released, we’ve been conducting internal training sessions to ensure that our whole Multi-room team and supply chain partners understand the new guidance. The new processes that we’ve established support design and procurement and the whole Gateway 2 submission. Plus, with a heightened emphasis for contractors and consultants to provide substantial evidence of their competencies, we’ve focused on documenting everyone’s qualifications to ensure we will meet the prequalification compliance criteria for future schemes. As the new Building Safety Regulator will be run by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have streamlined our procedures and increased awareness about the fire risks associated with high-rise developments through training.
While some complex transitional provisions have been allowed, the 6 April 2024 marked the end of this period and the new regime is now fully in force, and we’re now working with clients under Preconstruction Service Agreements (PCSA) to ensure all regulations are satisfied.

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THE PROCUREMENT ACT 2023
This new public sector procurement regime was due to begin in October 2024, but the Government transition to Labour has meant a delay to 24 February 2025 while a new National Procurement Policy Statement is re-written.
The Procurement Act 2023 aims to create a simpler and more transparent regime for public sector procurement to deliver greater value for money and improved social value. It hopes to raise standards, drive economic growth and open up opportunities to new entrants.

Our Social Value Team has been meeting and exceeding ambitious targets on projects for many years, we have a baseline target for us delivering social value activity on all projects – regardless of client or planning requirements – and we regularly win awards for our social value delivery on projects as well as individual initiatives such as our five-day on-site Enrichment Programme for construction students. Therefore, public sector clients procuring construction and civil engineering services from us, can be assured our social value activities are firmly embedded within our business and not just a new bolt on to satisfy the Procurement Act 2023. You can read about our public sector projects and partnerships on pages 8 and 9.
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TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE
Behind the scenes, we’re always in search of ways to elevate our offering – whether that’s innovative social value activities, using up-to-the-minute sustainable materials or trialling the latest technological advancements. We already told you about our UK-first utilising Skyline Cockpit at Crown Place Birmingham on page 3, but the innovation doesn’t stop there.
We’re making the most out of HP SitePrint, which is a BIM linked setting-out robot that prints a fully coordinated floorplan on the floor slab for 10 different subcontractors. The project was also selected as a test centre by HP, so we were the first to use the next generation robot. We’ve also been using an Augmented Reality tool called GAMMA AR in Birmingham, which blends virtual designs with the physical as-built environment, making quality assurance faster. Plus, the AmpD Enertainer and its up-to-the-minute Lithium-Ion battery technology is providing an uninterrupted power supply to the whole site. AmpD Enertainer negates the use of circa 3,000 to 6,000 litres of diesel per week at Crown Place Birmingham, plus it’s almost silent, it removes the risk of fuel spillages, and is better for air quality, meaning the workforce and local communities directly benefit.
sq m of coordinated floorplans set out with a robot
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SHARING SKILLS AND EXPERTISE CROSS-SECTOR
As a multi-disciplinary business operating across three key areas, you might be under the impression that our Industrial, Multi-room and Civils and Infrastructure sectors operate separately, or even that they are three separate companies within the Winvic Group.
However, that’s not at all the case and we are fortunate that we can leverage and utilise our Winvic employees’ and subcontractor partners’ expertise on whichever project there’s a requirement for the specific skills or expertise.

We have designed a flexible architecture within the business to be able to serve clients, to suit the project’s specifications, no matter the complexity, or how much the design detail deviates from what would be considered the sector norm. For example, if an industrial facility demanded a concrete frame or a complex façade system, we’re able to draw on the experience of people more often found on Multi-room projects. And while we sometimes utilise Civils and Infrastructure specialists on the enabling and Section 278 works of Industrial and Multi-room projects, often a single delivery team manages the whole array of works from start to finish. We’re very proud to be able to operate as One Winvic and that most of our team members have expert knowledge of ‘construction’ and ‘civil engineering’, rather than being bound to a single sector.
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TRUE COLLABORATION
Not only were we invited to join the cross-party, Westminster Advisory Board of the Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) – which we talk about on page 4 – we’ve been involved in a number of collaborative partnerships and events this year, sharing our knowledge and expertise to benefit the property, development and construction industries. You can read about some of these on page 9.
UKREiiF 2024
On the second day of UKREiiF in May – the UK's Biggest Real Estate & Investment & Infrastructure showcase – Winvic hosted a panel discussion on arguably the hottest topic in construction right now; How to Achieve a Net Zero Built Environment: The Challenges with Embodied Carbon Data and Accurate Whole Life Cycle Assessments. In the one-hour session, the six panellists, including Arun Thaneja, our Technical Services and Sustainability Director and developers delved into the complexities and challenges around accurately assessing and mitigating carbon emissions in buildings and infrastructure. Head here to read the transcription Q&A article. As a knowledgeable sustainability expert, Neave Thompson, our Senior Sustainability Manager was also a member of Turley’s Net Zero Carbon Standards and Impact on Organisations panel at the event. The event was so successful that we’ve already started planning for 2025. We’re excited to have a pavilion space that will act a central hub for thought leadership and industry collaboration, featuring panel discussions, expert insights, and interactive sessions that address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry. We will be focusing on emerging trends in industrial, build-to-rent, student accommodation and infrastructure sectors, while continuing to champion ESG best practices.



Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF
“We are thrilled to have Winvic on board as a pavilion partner for our 2025 event. Their expertise and reputation in the construction industry make them a perfect fit for UKREiiF, where we aim to showcase the best of the UK’s real estate, infrastructure, and investment sectors. Winvic’s participation underscores the importance of innovation and sustainability in the built environment, and we look forward to the insights and contributions they will bring to the forum.”

Arun Thaneja, Winvic’s Technical Services and Sustainability Director
"We’re thrilled to become a Pavilion partner at UKREiiF 2025. We will host sessions that bring together experts to explore key topics and insights into the latest industry standards and trends shaping the future of construction and the built environment. What was clear from the panel session we hosted last year, on Whole Life Cycle Assessments, is that taking inspiration from others and collaborative ideas will help the construction and property sectors reach its environmental, sustainability and social value goals more efficiently. Winvic is delighted to be recognised as an ESG leader, but we are continually learning and striving to achieve greater things for our clients and the industry as a whole. Having recently joined the Advisory Board of the Westminster Policy Liaison Group on ESG as the Voice of Construction, we are eager to share our expertise and help advance the industry’s ESG journey."
UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition Update
Neave Thompson, Senior Sustainability Manager, is also joining her sustainability team colleagues Arun Thaneja and Senior Sustainability Coordinator Robbie Seal on the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) task group for the work to update the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition. Winvic is delighted to have been appointed as one of three Project Partners and our three experts will be sharing their best practice insights to help collaboratively shape the refreshed forward-thinking guidance on designing, delivering and operating a Net Zero Carbon building in the UK.

We’re looking forward to seeing the conclusion of the task group’s work early 2025, with the project's output expected to follow in the first half of the year.
ESG Edge Conference 2024
Recognised as a pioneer in the built environment sustainability space, Arun has been in demand and in November he also sat on a panel at the inaugural ESG Edge Conference entitled Zero-Carbon Buildings & Developments – Achieving the UK’s 2050 Target. Arun shared insights with the conference attendees, exploring the UK's current and future policies aimed at promoting zero-carbon buildings, discussing innovations in construction technologies and analysing the economic benefits of zero-carbon buildings.


Furthermore, as an official conference Partner, our sustainability and social value teams were busy at our exhibition stand engaging with attendees, discussing the evolving ESG landscape and sharing insights into our industry-leading practices. Following the conference, an awards ceremony celebrated those who are implementing effective ESG strategies in their daily business operations. As a finalist in two categories - Plot 5 at SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway (SLPEMG) for ESG New-Build Project of the Year (Large) and Winvic’s Green Supply Chain (GSC) for the Education & Awareness Initiative award - we were proud to be recognised for our remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to driving ESG.

Arun Thaneja, Technical Services and Sustainability Director
“Winvic’s focus on the reduction of embodied and operational carbon in buildings began many years ago and while we’re proud to have led the way in many areas, there’s always more to be done. The development of our unique Green Supply Chain illustrates that we can make large scale carbon reductions through collaboration and engagement with multiple stakeholders. It’s events like this new ESG Edge Conference which support that ethos, and I applaud that. I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge on standards and guidance and explaining some of the innovative technologies that Winvic is using, such as a Li-Ion battery storage centre which provides diesel-free power to a construction site.”
UKGBC Advancing Net Zero Workstream: Supply Chain Decarbonisation
Supply chain decarbonisation has been a passion and priority for us for a long time and our Green Supply Chain Forum was founded almost four years ago. It therefore seemed fitting for Winvic to become a Partner on another of the UKGBC’s ambitious projects and Neave, Arun and Tyra Newman, Senior Sustainability Coordinator, are once again sharing their insights, achievements and lessons learned to date. The newest Advancing Net Zero workstream seeks to facilitate an accelerated pathway to decarbonisation by identifying the practical initiatives, actions and solutions needed to achieve Net Zero targets.

The workstream outputs will initially look at supplier and SME engagement and procurement methods and we’re looking forward to contributing to driving meaningful progress with the UKGBC and other group members. Through collaboration we can continue to empower supply chain partners to embrace decarbonisation and build a more sustainable future.