From thriving partnerships, new planning applications and new projects, 2025 ended on a high with a lot of existing project updates, a visit from the His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk and much more. As we reflect on December, read more about what we have been up to in the final round up for 2025.

New School Expansion in Ipswich
We are pleased to share that planning has now been submitted to expand Ormiston Endeavour Academy in Ipswich. The proposed plans include the construction of a new two-storey teaching block to the east of the main building. This addition aims to increase the school’s capacity from 900 to 1,200 students. The new facility will feature 13 classrooms, including two ICT classrooms, a new library, a new dining hall, and additional toilet facilities.

A new courtyard will be developed between the two proposed buildings, creating an informal space for socialising and learning. The landscaping design is intended to enhance connectivity between the buildings, with carefully arranged sight lines to improve both visual and physical links across the site. Additionally, the expansion will double the existing external canopy area, providing twice the amount of covered dining space for students.

A contractor is due to be appointed to the scheme in Spring 2026, with the new building scheduled to open for the September 2027 term. We are pleased to be working on this project for Suffolk County Council and look forward to sharing updates on our progress in the coming months.

Library Relocation for University of Suffolk
We are excited to be working with the University of Suffolk on the relocation and transformation of its Library spaces. This new facility will consolidate the University’s complete collections and provide modern, collaborative workspaces that fully support both students and staff.

In partnership with Barnes Construction, Concertus is delivering a comprehensive turnkey solution. This involves extensive refurbishment work and will include a complete furniture fit-out with brand-new shelving designed specifically for the University of Suffolk’s collections.

This refurbishment injects new energy into the environment with vibrant accent walls, zoned floor finishes, and a carefully curated colour palette that is integrated into the furniture, creating a welcoming and inspiring space for study, collaboration, and learning. The new Library will be prominently located on the Second Floor of the Waterfront Building, placing it at the heart of the campus and making it more accessible and central to university life.

New Boundary Wall for Abbey View Clinic
We recently completed a 10-week project at Abbey View Clinic in Bury St Edmunds, collaborating with Cadman Construction on behalf of Suffolk County Council for boundary wall remedial works.

Throughout the project, we worked closely with archaeologists to ensure that our work met the standards set by the Scheduled Monument Consent as outlined by Historic England. As the boundary wall is situated within the confines of the St Edmundsbury Cathedral, we liaised with the members and neighbours to ensure the rebuild was to their satisfaction. Our goal was to create a like-for-like replacement that maintains the character of the existing medieval wall.

To achieve this goal, we reused some of the salvaged materials from the old wall in the remedial work. Most importantly, we incorporated key stones identified by Historic England that needed to be strategically placed in the new wall to highlight its historic value.

Phased Approach for School Roofing Repairs
We worked with contractor RT Roofing to complete a phased roofing project at Ranelagh Primary School in Ipswich. The school had closed earlier in the year due to water ingress in the kitchen and classrooms. Suffolk County Council appointed us to design priority roof replacement works as part of a phased programme, allowing the school to reopen and resume operations.

We ensured a quick turnaround from our appointment to the commencement of the Phase One works. This phase involved replacing the felt flat roof over the central kitchen and early years classrooms, as well as installing a new suspended ceiling system in the school kitchen.

During the construction of Phase One, we designed and planned for the delivery of Phase Two, which involved replacing the pitched roof sections of the school. This required the removal and replacement of the internal lath and plaster ceilings. Due to the intrusive ceiling work, Phase Two was conducted during the school holiday period. We are pleased to share that, thanks to the incredible teamwork of those involved, we completed the project ahead of schedule.

University of Suffolk – Esports Completion
This year we successfully completed a brand-new £1.65 million Esports facility for the University of Suffolk. Located on the Ipswich Campus, the project involved repurposing a long-neglected building, thereby minimising the environmental impact of new construction. The site underwent a comprehensive refurbishment, which included architectural and interior design enhancements, a complete overhaul of building services, and external landscape work.

We collaborated with Barnes Construction to complete a full fit-out that featured new wayfinding and room signage, as well as immersive LED lighting, to create an engaging Esports environment for prospective students.

Now serving as a hub for the Esports society, this facility offers a space for gaming, competition, and social connection. Our team is proud to have delivered one of the first dedicated university Esports facilities in the region. You can read our case study here.

Staveley Regeneration School Heads Towards Completion
We are excited to collaborate with Stepnell on the Staveley 21 Regeneration Scheme for Chesterfield Borough Council. As we approach completion, work on the external façade is nearly complete. The team is making good progress on the internal finishes and has begun installing paving in the new Market Square.

It’s fantastic to be part of such a transformative project that will provide long-lasting benefits to the local community. We look forward to sharing more updates on this project this year.

Sharing Expertise With the Next Generation
Thank you to Sean Jeffries, one of our Principal Architects, for representing us at the Eastern Education Group’s Green Careers Week at West Suffolk College.

Sean delivered two insightful sessions on Structural & Architecture, which received fantastic feedback from both students and tutors. They described the talks as engaging, informative, and highly valuable, a true testament to Sean’s ability to inspire and share knowledge.

These initiatives play a vital role in shaping future talent and encouraging sustainable career paths. We’re proud to support events that make a difference and grateful to Sean for taking time out of a busy schedule to contribute.

Royal Visit for Vertas Group
In December, Clare, Countess of Euston, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, visited our head office in Ipswich. As the King’s official representative in the county, she was present to formally award Vertas Group Limited the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the category of Sustainable Development, the UK’s highest business honour.

The award was presented during a ceremony attended by colleagues, partners, local dignitaries, and civic leaders. The event showcased Vertas Group’s innovation, including demonstrations of cutting-edge technology such as robotics and virtual reality. Following the presentations, Group Chief Executive Officer Ian Surtees and Non-Executive Chair Duncan Johnson received the King’s Award crystal and certificate.

Over the past three years, we have completed more than 130 decarbonisation projects, along with numerous designs for Net Zero schools. Notably, the first operational Net Zero school in Suffolk is currently under construction. Concertus is proud to have contributed to the Group’s achievement in receiving this award.

This recognition highlights Vertas Group’s outstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Thank you to our team for their essential role in making this event a success. Read more here.

To read our full 2025 round up, click here.