Welcome to this month’s round-up. As we close out the year, we’re excited to share some fantastic progress and achievements across our projects and teams. From pioneering educational facilities to sustainability milestones and industry insights, November has been a month of innovation, collaboration, and celebration.

New Pharmacy Facility for University of Suffolk
We are pleased to be working with the University of Suffolk on the creation of a new Pharmacy facility, located within the James Hehir Building on the Ipswich campus.

The project includes the refurbishment of floors 3-5, and will consist of two new specialist labs, complementing the new clinical skills suite and mock dispensary within the Health and Wellbeing Building.

As part of efforts to address the skills shortage in the industry, students are set to experience a forward-facing curriculum, prioritising real-world experience, patient-centred care and professional excellence. The University will welcome its first cohort in September 2026, when the course goes live. We look forward to updating you about the progress in the new year.

Progress at Lakenheath Primary School
Exciting progress continues at Lakenheath Primary School, Suffolk County Council’s first net-zero-in-operation school.

The steel frame is complete, and construction of blockwork walls is underway, shaping future learning spaces for pupils and staff. The car park is prepared for tarmac surfacing, and the newly seeded football pitches are establishing. All concrete work is now complete, and the site team is preparing to install the roof coverings. The next phase will include the first fix of mechanical and electrical systems, crucial for the building’s sustainable technologies.

We look forward to sharing more updates soon. You can read more about the project here.

Melton Primary School to Expand Its Early Years Provision
We are thrilled to announce the development of a new early years building at Melton Primary School. The new state-of-the-art nursery will accommodate 30 children and provide a nurturing environment that expands the school’s current offerings.

This new facility supports the growing number of nursery-aged children and strengthens the relationship between the current school community and its youngest members. The design includes quiet spaces, dedicated pupil toilets, and a staff workspace, ensuring the building’s functionality.

We look forward to working with Suffolk County Council and local contractor Seamans Building on the project. Read more about the project here.

COP30 – What It Means for Design and Construction
November saw COP30, the world’s largest international climate conference, officially take place in Brazil. We shared insights from our in-house experts, as well as the investments we are making in our people to ensure they are in the best possible position to support our clients’ needs for the future.

With a focus on fabric-first design and energy efficiency, this ensures Concertus not only meet but exceeds standards. With buildings accounting for 39% of global carbon emissions, we advocate for retrofitting existing structures to maximise potential.

Speaking with our expert, Associate (Building Services) Energy & Sustainability, Karen Settle, we highlight the efforts needed to ensure a sustainably built future and our dedication to investing in our people. Read the full article here.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is transforming planning policy in the UK, requiring developments to leave habitats in a measurably better state than before. Read how our teams are integrating BNG from the earliest design stages here.

Local School Share Gratitude with Thank You Card
Our team recently completed an 8-week programme of works for Derbyshire County Council to rebuild a boundary wall at Belper Long Row Primary School in Derbyshire.

The old wall was deemed unsafe, which led to a portion of the playground being cordoned off to ensure the children’s safety.

Following the completion of the project, the students at the school expressed their gratitude by creating a special thank you card. It was great to see the children enjoying their playground once again.

Concertus Away Day 2025
We hosted a fantastic away day at The Hold in Ipswich. Our Managing Director, Matthew Self, and the senior leadership team summarised business performance, highlighted the exciting service, sector and geographic growth planned for the future, and hosted collaborative workshops to gather colleagues’ feedback and ideas on the future of Concertus.

‘Customer Delight’ was a huge talking point as we welcomed the CEO and Principal of Suffolk New College, Alan Pease, who spoke about the growth of Further Education and his diverse customer base. Alan also emphasised the importance of Industry Partnerships in supporting our future professionals, not only with qualifications but also with the skills needed for students to thrive in their careers.

We would like to thank our team for their ongoing hard work, support, and valuable feedback as we look forward to an exciting journey ahead.

Vertas Group Making the Difference Awards 2025
This year’s Making the Difference Awards saw our University of Suffolk Project Delivery Team win the Customer 1st Award for exceeding client expectations.

Sponsored by one of our framework contractors, Brooks & Wood Ltd, the team won the award for providing exceptional customer service and advising the client of refurbishment over new construction, saving costs and supporting sustainability goals. Our partnership with the University of Suffolk has led to the establishment of East Anglia’s first Esports facility, allowing Concertus to enhance other advanced teaching facilities in Suffolk.

Congratulations to all the deserving finalists and winners at last month’s award ceremony. We had a fantastic evening celebrating colleagues from across the Vertas Group. You can see more of the photos from the evening here.

Work Experience in our Matlock Office
Having recently completed her Master’s in Expanded Spatial Practice at Leeds Beckett University, Anushka joined our team in the Matlock office at the start of November for a 4-week work experience placement.

Anushka sought to gain insight into working with a multidisciplinary team and worked with our Architecture team, learning to use Archicad and completing design work on live projects for our clients, including reviewing feasibility reports and drawings.

Anushka then continued her last week with us working in our Interior Architecture team. She reviewed both recently completed and live projects to gain a real insight into day-to-day practice. She also researched relevant Building Regulations guidance to inform the design of a new photography suite for a university project, carefully developing her own brief with particular attention to the internal layout and functionality. Anushka was an asset to our team during her placement, and we wish her well for the future.

Concertus Attend Careers Fair at Highfields School
Our team recently attended a Careers Fair at Highfields School in Derbyshire. We had a fantastic time interacting with over 300 students who attended. Many showed interest in all the services that Concertus provides, with a particular focus on architecture, structural, and civil engineering.

It was also great to see such a strong turnout from younger students. The school provided excellent feedback, and we look forward to continuing our support for the next generation of professionals.