• MA Free CPD Morning
• Building Stronger Communities Through our Partnership with CACT
• Project Case Study: Vincent Road
• Tender Price Index Update
• Project Case Study: Flaxyard Redevelopment
• Sidcup Library Dulverton Primary School Artwork Reveal
• Celebrating the Women Driving Change at MA
• MA Half Marathon Fundraising

Martin Arnold Free CPD Morning

Join us for our first CPD event of the year! On Wednesday June 11th, we are hosting the Martin Arnold CPD Morning, taking place from 8.30am to 12.30pm. This free event will feature two informative CPD sessions, followed by a panel discussion with industry experts.

This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with others in the built environment and engage in insightful discussions.

If you are interested in attending the CPD Morning, please contact Laetitia Kasongo at LKasongo@martinarnold.co.uk.

Building Stronger Communities Through our Partnership with Charlton Athletic Community Trust

At Martin Arnold, we are committed to creating positive change in the communities we live and work in. Our partnership with Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) is a great example of how we use our resources, expertise and energy to make a meaningful difference in the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG).

As part of RBG’s five-year Capital Works Programme, which focuses on building new council homes and refurbishing existing ones with essential upgrades, we are proud to be delivering a programme of social value which will provide improvements to the local community. We have teamed up with Potter Raper and FFT to deliver an estimated £700,000 worth of social value within our first year. This pilot initiative, running until March 2025, is focussing on projects that improve health, education, youth services and social inclusion across the local community.

One of the programmes we support is the Extra Time Hub, which encourages active ageing for retired and semi-retired individuals. Held every Wednesday at The Valley in Charlton, the Hub offers a wide array of activities, from dancing and singing classes to curling, all designed to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

We are also supporting a range of important programmes that make a real impact in the community. These include initiatives such as Food Poverty (Young Greenwich), which addresses food insecurity among young people, and the Post-16 Academy, which provides educational support for students after school. We are also involved in Young Greenwich, a tutoring programme which helps students reach their academic potential, as well as the Employability Project (NEETs), focused on helping young people who are not in education, employment or training to build skills and find work. We have provided in-kind support to these vital initiatives, offering resources and expertise to improve educational outcomes and give young people in Greenwich the tools they need to thrive.

In addition to our ongoing initiatives, our team recently participated in a successful Employability Workshop on the 6th of February 2025 as part of the CACT “Training Ground” Programme. The workshop focused on health and safety in construction and was led by Martin Arnold  in collaboration with United Living Group. Attendees also benefited from a panel discussion with our Director, Tom Hopkins, and industry professionals, sharing their experiences in the construction sector. The event was a fantastic success, with a strong turnout from attendees eager to explore the wide range of opportunities available in the sector.

Our collaboration with CACT and the Royal Borough of Greenwich demonstrates how, together, we can make a lasting impact. By continuing to work with CACT and other local organisations, we hope to inspire others to take action and support the causes that matter most.

To learn more about the incredible work being done by Charlton Athletic Community Trust, visit their website here.

Project Case Study: Vincent Road

Appointed by Meridian Home Start, Martin Arnold supported on the successful delivery of 46 Affordable Rent flats in Woolwich through a Design and Build contract. The homes benefit from access to the nearby Woolwich Arsenal DLR station and have several sustainability features to improve the carbon footprint of the building and reduce fuel poverty. These include PV panels, air source heat pumps and MVHR systems.

Our team provided comprehensive support as Employer’s Agent and Clerk of Works, including leading the snagging process to ensure smooth handover. Weekly site visits enabled our Clerk of Works to capture issues in real-time using a tablet, streamlining reporting and keeping the project on track.

Key challenges included adapting units to meet Part M4 (3) regulations for wheelchair accessibility, which we expedited by engaging an Occupational Therapist… As a result of our careful planning and the development of a snagging programme which balanced speed and quality, we ensured the contractor finished construction a month early.

Additionally, we ensured compliance with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 by advising the installation of Premises Information Boxes (PIBs) and working with the contractor to enhance fire safety measures.

For more details about how we delivered this project, read the full case study here: https://www.martinarnold.co.uk/project/vincent-road/

Tender Price Index Update

Although the UK construction industry continues to experience growth, the pace has been slower in comparison to previous years because of economic uncertainty, Government policies and supply chain issues.

Overall, construction output has decreased by 0.2%, but new work output has seen a positive rise of 1.1%. In contrast, repair and maintenance have fallen by 1.8% compared to the previous month. Despite these challenges, the Construction Products Association (CPA) remains optimistic about the sector’s future, forecasting a 2.1% increase in overall output for 2025, with an even stronger 4% growth projected for 2026.

Whilst new construction projects have fallen by 2.4% in Q4 2024, public and commercial projects are on the rise. Public work is predicted to experience significant growth, with an expected rise of 8.7%, driven by Government initiatives and infrastructure development. On the commercial side, projects are forecasted to grow by 15.1%, reflecting a strong demand for commercial spaces and ongoing investments in the sector. This shift highlights a positive outlook for certain areas of the construction industry, even in the face of broader challenges.

Looking ahead, tender prices are expected to continue rising. Forecasts indicate that in the first quarter of 2025, tender prices will reach 2.75%, compared to 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024—an increase of 0.25%. Between the third and fourth quarters of 2024, the industry recorded a 0.8% rise, contributing to an overall annual increase of 2.3%.

While this marks a positive trend, it remains significantly lower than the peak growth rate of 10.3% observed in the second quarter of 2022.

Tender prices are reported to increase exponentially from 2025 to 2029, with a percentage increase of 15%. This upward trajectory reflects ongoing pressures from labour shortages, regulatory changes and persistent inflation, which continue to drive up construction costs. If inflationary pressures and economic conditions persist, tender price growth may accelerate beyond current forecasts, reinforcing the need for strategic cost management within the industry.

Positively, material costs have still been stable since peaking in 2022. The BCIS reports that this index is expected to grow by 15%, while construction forecast data suggests that overall building costs will rise by 17% over the next five years.

Recent changes in Building Regulations and ongoing labour shortages are contributing to rising tender prices, adding further pressure on project costs. The BCIS Labour Cost Index forecasts that the BCIS All-in TPI will increase by 19%.

In April 2025, employees’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and the National Living Wage (NLW) are set to rise, severely affecting labour costs. Whilst multiple factors contribute to rising labour costs, a key driver is the increasing demand for skilled labour.

With the industry taking on more complex projects, highly skilled workers are required. However, a shortage in skilled labour is intensifying competition, creating an upward shift in demand whilst supply constricts. This demand-supply imbalance is causing a significant rise in labour cost inflation, with firms needing to offer higher wages to attract and retain talent in an increasingly constrained labour market.

In addition, the Bank of England (BoE) has indicated that a combination of hyperinflation, rising labour costs and higher interest rates could push the UK economy into a technical recession. Despite these concerns, the BoE has still forecasted a growth rate of 0.75% for this year, a decline from the 1.5% recorded in Q4 2024. Additionally, total new work is expected to grow by 21% between 2024 and 2029. This suggests that while the economy is slowing, it continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of economic pressures.

Project Case Study: Flaxyard Redevelopment

Located on an area of disused land behind Peckham High Street, Flaxyard is a new build residential development for LB Southwark, which benefits from high quality architecture and a well-designed landscaped courtyard and communal gardens. Now complete, the scheme offers 22 Shared Ownership/Intermediate Rent apartments, 98 Affordable Rent apartments and 182 sqm of commercial space, external and ancillary works in connection therewith. Each apartment also benefits from a balcony or terrace.

Martin Arnold provided Employer’s Agent, Clerk of Works and Cost Consultancy services throughout the project. Our involvement included producing key documents including the Employer’s Requirements and the JCT Building Contract, managing project finances and conducting quality inspections to ensure the development met the client’s expectations.

There were a number of challenges on this project. Initially, the project faced supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. We worked closely with the contractor to manage material shortages and delays, including sourcing alternative materials to keep the project on track. Additionally, we supported the client with Adjoining Owners and resolved complex Neighbourly Matters. We also facilitated two major design changes whilst ensuring the project was completed within budget and on time.

For more details on the project and how we overcame the challenges, read the full case study here: https://www.martinarnold.co.uk/project/flaxyard-redevelopment/

Sidcup Library Dulverton Primary School Artwork Reveal

Martin Arnold and Skillcrown Homes are proud to share an exciting initiative we were involved in with Dulverton Primary School, as part of our work at Sidcup Library, a new build 32-unit development for Bexley Co. Homes where we are providing multidisciplinary services.

On 27th February, mosaic artwork was revealed at the school, highlighting the different parts of the world the students’ families come from and celebrating the diverse cultures that make up the school.

Each student created a self-portrait, reflecting their unique identity and heritage. These self-portraits were transformed into a beautiful mosaic and then placed across a world map, symbolising the students’ diverse backgrounds. The word “Welcome” was featured in all the languages spoken by the children and their families, creating a warm and inclusive message that was both personal and universal.

Furthermore, Martin Arnold were pleased to donate a selection of much-needed art supplies to the school, ensuring the children had a refresh of their resources to bring their creative ideas to life.

“Martin Arnold are incredibly proud to be involved in this project alongside Bexley Co. Homes and Skillcrown Homes, which not only supports local education but also celebrates diversity. This initiative will hopefully leave a small, but lasting, impact on a local primary school in the borough”, said Joe Evans, Associate at Martin Arnold.

Celebrating the Women Driving Change at MA

This March, we proudly celebrated Women in Construction Week (2nd-8th March) and International Women’s Day (8th March), taking the opportunity to highlight the incredible contributions of women in the construction industry and within Martin Arnold.

Women continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of construction, with the number of women employed in the industry increasing. However, they still represent only a small portion of the workforce, highlighting the need to promote inclusivity and create more opportunities for women in the sector.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) from 2024, around 15% of the UK construction workforce identify as female, totalling approximately 340,000 women. At Martin Arnold, we are proud to support diversity, equality and inclusion in every aspect of our work. Currently, 28 out of our 138 employees are women, making up 20.29% of our team.

In celebration of this important week, we are shining the spotlight on four of our incredible team members – Lauren, Hannah, Yeliz and Bhavna – who bring diverse skills and experience to the practice. Here’s a glimpse into their roles, what inspires them and their thoughts on the industry.

Lauren, a Senior Associate, leads a talented team and enjoys the variety in her work—from managing projects to problem-solving. “It’s rewarding to watch a project come to life,” she says.

Hannah, a Project Manager, is particularly inspired by the increasing presence of women in leadership roles within construction and finds this empowering. “It’s a supportive environment where women are making a real impact,” she shares.

Yeliz, a Part II Architectural Assistant, values the growth she’s experienced in the industry since starting at Martin Arnold at a young age. “The industry is vast and challenging and I love the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from different fields,” she reflects.

Bhavna, who has 18 years of experience, works as one of our Clerk of Works, bringing her engineering background and love of building to every project. “I never wanted to work in an office – I love being out on-site and connecting with the team,” she says.

While the industry has come a long way, each of these women has faced challenges, whether in being overlooked or needing to prove themselves in male-dominated environments. Yet, they’ve all found ways to persevere and succeed. Hannah emphasises the importance of finding trusted allies, while Yeliz appreciates the support at Martin Arnold, particularly in balancing her disability with her professional duties. Bhavna shares her experience of constantly needing to justify her expertise but continues to break barriers as she proves herself time and again.

When asked about advice for young people considering a career in construction, Lauren encourages them to explore the vast opportunities within the sector, beyond just building, including roles in design, planning, health and safety and project management. Yeliz advises staying positive and flexible as the industry evolves, while Bhavna encourages young women to enter the field, highlighting the growing support for women in construction.

As for attracting and retaining more women in the industry, the group agrees on the importance of inclusive environments. Lauren believes having more female role models and mentors is key, while Hannah advocates for policies that support work-life balance, such as equal family leave. Yeliz emphasises team-building activities, and Bhavna calls for early outreach to inspire young girls.

At Martin Arnold, we’re committed to supporting and empowering women in construction and we’re proud to have team members like Lauren, Hannah, Yeliz and Bhavna leading the way for future generations of women in construction.

Let’s continue to champion diversity and support more women to build successful careers in construction.

Martin Arnold Half Marathon Fundraising

We are excited to share that a team of 12 runners from Martin Arnold, including our Directors Martin Lock, Tom Hopkins, Ben Davis and Stephen Mitchell, will be taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2025 to support the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).

RBLI have been transforming the lives of injured veterans and individuals with disabilities since 1919, providing essential services such as accommodation, welfare and employment support. Every day, RBLI empowers those who have served our country to live independent, fulfilling lives.

There’s still time to donate and support our team as we run for this incredible cause. Your contribution will directly support RBLI’s vital work, helping those who face daily challenges due to injury or disability. Martin Arnold is proud to be part of this mission and with your help, we can make a real difference.

Please consider donating to our fundraising page today. Together, we can ensure no veteran or person with a disability faces these challenges alone. Your generosity truly matters. Thank you for your support!