Building services engineering practice, Tate Consulting, has appointed Aaron Willis as an associate to work on the company’s growing portfolio of global projects, which coincides with the company expanding into new offices in Leeds city centre.

Aaron brings more than 20 years’ experience designing and overseeing the installation of all types of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, predominantly specialising in the retail sector, spanning shop fitouts through to new shopping centres.

He is now part of the senior leadership and management team at Tate Consulting, overseeing a wide range of projects which include industrial, distribution and manufacturing developments, as well as large scale city centre apartment schemes, throughout the UK, Europe and North America.

He will also develop new business opportunities and work with existing clients to help them achieve their energy efficiency and ESG ambitions within their existing property estates.

Aaron’s appointment coincides with Tate Consulting relocating its Leeds office into a newly refurbished office suite within Bruntwood Works’ 14 King Street development, in the heart of Leeds city centre’s financial district, which will further support the growth of its team. The company, which also has offices in Belfast, London and Harrogate, was previously based near Elland Road.

Aaron said: “Over the past decade there has been a seismic change in the types of large-scale distribution centres and automated warehouses that are being developed, largely in response to the growth of online shopping. In addition, city centre residential markets are now being driven by high-rise, energy efficient, build to rent developments with high quality amenities.

“Tate Consulting is at the forefront of both these sectors and is currently working on an impressive range of projects, on behalf of national and international clients, throughout the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic and North America. The opportunity to work on and manage these types of career defining projects, within a growing team, makes this a very exciting move.”

Ray Cavanagh, Leeds office director at Tate Consulting, added: “Aaron has a wealth of experience across the building services and MEP sectors, as well as excellent sustainability and energy saving credentials, which will further enhance the services that we offer our clients. Crucially, his appointment will also help to shape the next generation of our senior leadership team in Leeds.

“We now plan to continue growing our Leeds team and will recruit more mechanical and electrical engineers at all levels this year, and relocating into Leeds city centre will support this. As well as giving us space to grow, 14 King Street offers meeting rooms, break out areas, showers, cycle storage and an impressive reception area, in a prime central location with the railway station and all the city’s bars, restaurants and shops on the doorstep, which makes it a fantastic place to work.

“The move also gives our colleagues and customers better access to the office via the public transport network, thus supporting our growth strategy to attract and retain the very best talent, as well as our environmental commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.”

This latest expansion follows Tate Consulting expanding into Northern Ireland last year.

York Minster has hailed the positive effects of its groundbreaking Neighbourhood Plan as it plans the delivery of its first low carbon retrofit project.

The Neighbourhood Plan sets out a 15-year policy led approach to create a sustainable future for York Minster and its seven-hectare estate.

In the latest positive development for its delivery, plans to sustainably convert and refurbish 1 Deangate in the Minster Precinct have been given the go ahead by City of York Council.

The building will become offices and welfare facilities for the Minster’s Visitor Experience staff and volunteers.

It is the third recent major planning consent for renewable energy projects linked to York Minster’s decarbonisation strategy, following permissions for photovoltaic and solar panels on the roofs of the cathedral’s South Quire Aisle and soon-to-be-launched Refectory restaurant.

With these and the forthcoming Centre of Excellence project, the Minster is set to generate an average of 170,000 kilowatt-hours of power annually, the equivalent of over half of the Minster’s overall use.

The 1 Deangate retrofit project will see the addition of new technology to an older building and include the latest in sustainable design and performance, including real-time energy use, water efficiency equipment and air-source heat pumps.

It will be fully insulated and include a warm room and double-glazed wooden sliding sash windows in keeping with the building’s original architecture.

The Dean of York, the Very Revd Dominic Barrington, said: “The redevelopment of 1 Deangate is another major milestone in our journey towards net zero, with other similar projects set to follow as funding allows.

“Retrofitting our historical buildings is supported by a recent report commissioned by the National Trust, Historic England and other leading property organisations which found that improving the energy efficiency of aged properties could reduce carbon emissions from the UK’s buildings by 5% each year, whilst making them cheaper to run.”

Commenting on the wider Neighbourhood Plan, Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, added: “Our Neighbourhood Plan has set a trailblazing approach, not only for planning matters, but crucially for enabling us to safeguard the Minster and to create a sustainable future for both the cathedral building and its surrounding Precinct.

“We are extremely proud of the leading role we are playing in challenging the established narrative around the conservation of historic buildings. Our approach is a shining example of best practice in managing complex heritage estates and how to secure their long-term environmental, financial and heritage sustainability for future generations to enjoy.”

York Minster’s Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management is the pioneer project in the Neighbourhood Plan. Expected to be completed by mid-2024, it will establish the York Minster Precinct as a world class campus facility for research, education and training in ancient craft skills.

It will bring benefits including continuing the craft of stonemasonry through upskilling its heritage estates team and extending the number of apprenticeship placements the Minster offers. And by forging international partnerships with a network of cathedrals worldwide, it will ensure the specialist skills required to implement necessary and urgent change are in place whilst respecting and protecting the Minster’s history and heritage.

Lincoln-based Stirlin Construction, part of Stirlin Group, has completed a new £1.8 million headquarters in Louth, Lincolnshire, for accounting and business adviser Duncan & Toplis. 

Oxley House is located on the Fairfield Industrial Estate on Lincoln Way and brings 10,000 sq ft of premium office space to the town. 

The two-storey building includes open-plan office spaces, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and a reception area. Sustainable elements of the project include EV charging points and a renewable energy solar system to the roof. 

The ground floor is now the home of the Louth team of Duncan & Toplis and the first floor is occupied by Wilkin Chapman Solicitors. 

After reaching capacity at its previous office, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire-based Duncan & Toplis appointed Stirlin as principal contractor, to develop a contemporary headquarters with sustainability and accessibility at the forefront of its design. 

Howard Griffith, head of construction at Stirlin, said: “Oxley House is a fantastic example of Stirlin Construction delivering the design, and build, of a fit-for-purpose new facility, on time and on budget – and we are thrilled with the result. 

“We worked closely with our long-standing client at Duncan & Toplis to design a premises that would provide a contemporary workspace to accommodate its growing team.  

“This project was a pleasure to deliver alongside local construction delivery partners, and we’re really pleased to see the building complete and now being enjoyed by two flourishing businesses.  

“Thank you to all involved who worked hard to deliver this brilliant facility.” 

Speaking upon completion of the project, Duncan & Toplis Managing Director, Adrian Reynolds said: “The opening of our new premises in Louth is a landmark moment for Duncan & Toplis.  

“The new office is a major investment, underlining our dedication to the region, adding real, lasting value to our communities, by creating a future-fit working environment designed in collaboration with and for our team members.  

“I am absolutely delighted with how the office is looking and we can’t wait to welcome colleagues and clients.”  

Other partners on the project include Lincoln-based CRM advisors Hunt & Sykes, John Roberts Architects and structural engineer Steve Gilman Design, and Newark-based civil engineer William Saunders.