Welcome to this month’s round-up! Last month we celebrated key milestones, including the steel signing at Lakenheath Primary School, Suffolk’s first net-zero operational school, and our appointment to Fusion21’s consultancy framework. We progressed major projects such as Kesgrave High School and Spire Lodge, spotlighted Eumir Barreiros’ MCIAT achievement, and saw our Managing Director, Matthew Self and the team conquer the Whole Hog challenge in Woodbridge.

Suffolk’s First Net Zero School Reaches Significant Milestone
We celebrated a significant milestone in the development of Suffolk County Council’s first net-zero operational school, Lakenheath Primary School. A steel signing ceremony was held on site, where we joined members of the Council, representatives from the school, and the main contractor, Pentaco Construction Ltd.

We are proud to be delivering this project in partnership with Suffolk County Council and Pentaco Construction, and we look forward to sharing the progress in the coming months. To learn more about the project, click here.

Concertus Wins Place on National Framework
We were excited to announce our appointment to Fusion21’s Construction Consultancy Services Framework. This four-year framework supports projects across the housing, education, health, local authority, and blue light sectors, and is the second iteration that Concertus has been involved in.

We are thrilled to continue this partnership and look forward to delivering projects that make a real difference to communities. Find out more here.

Project Enhances Facilities at Kesgrave High School
We were happy to share that we are working with Suffolk County Council to deliver the expansion of Kesgrave High School in Suffolk.

The project involves the construction of a standalone two-storey building, increasing the school places by 150, introducing seven classrooms, including IT, Drama and Graphics studios.

These improvements will enhance the existing facilities, provide the space needed for the additional places and consider the impact of more students more widely across the site, whilst also addressing the limitations of current facilities. We look forward to sharing updates on this project with you.

Derbyshire Children’s Home Picks Up Pace
We shared the exciting progress photographs showcasing the development of the new £5 million children’s home, Spire Lodge in Chesterfield.

Construction is progressing well, with roof finishes currently being installed, underfloor heating progressing, and internal first-fix works underway. Works scheduled to take place in the coming weeks include the installation of the mechanical plant, first-fix mechanical and electrical works, window installation, and the installation of the plant room wall.

Spire Lodge is designed to provide tailored support and a nurturing environment for children. This project reflects Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to enhancing services for children with special needs and disabilities (SEND). As the internal and external walls continue to rise, the building’s footprint is becoming more defined, bringing our clients’ vision to life. We look forward to sharing more updates as this important project continues to take shape.

New Case Study!
We shared our new case study, celebrating the completion of the £32 million Household Waste Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station in Aldridge, Walsall, a transformative project that sets a new benchmark for sustainable waste management.

Designed to support Walsall Council’s current waste targets and Net Zero goals, the facility will process up to 40,000 tonnes of waste annually across 19 bays, helping residents recycle more and reduce landfill. It also features a reuse shop where items are refurbished and sold at a low cost, thereby extending product life and benefiting the community.

This project is more than infrastructure – it’s an investment in Walsall’s future. We were thrilled to be appointed to this Design and Build contract, supporting Morgan Sindall Construction in making this vision a reality. Read the full case study here.

Introducing Concertus: Your Partner for CIF Bids
Now that the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2026-27 is live, Matthew Smith, Associate Building Surveyor for Concertus, and his team can assist you in securing vital funding for building improvements through this programme.

Concertus has a proven track record of successfully securing funding through the CIF application process, maximising your chances of success this year. Open to eligible academies, sixth-form colleges, and schools, our team is here to provide expertise and guidance to ensure your institution can achieve its goals. Get in touch today to find out more here.

Colleague Spotlight
We are pleased to have shared a colleague spotlight that featured Eumir Barreiros, one of our Building Surveyors. After a year and a half of preparing a written application and building evidence, Eumir has recently passed and is now a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT).

Talking about his achievement, Eumir said: “I have always been motivated and supported to achieve this qualification, and I’ve worked really hard throughout my professional career to get to this point. I have a lot more that I want to achieve, but this will allow me to continue learning and developing as a professional, whilst also contributing to the community by sharing my knowledge and experience”. Congratulations Eumir. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

Final Exec Experience for CRUK Took Place
Our Managing Director, Matthew Self, took part in the highly anticipated Whole Hog event in Woodbridge as part of his Exec Experience for Vertas Group this year.

As the sixth and final Exec Experience, this event brought together colleagues from across Vertas Group Limited to conquer over 30 muddy obstacles, showcasing incredible teamwork and determination.

Together, the Vertas Group Exec Experiences have now raised over £19,000 (including Gift Aid) for Cancer Research UK (CRUK), but there’s still time to support this amazing cause. You can donate here.

Concertus Sponsor Our Derbyshire Awards 2025
Alongside Vertas, we recently sponsored the Our Derbyshire Awards for a third consecutive year, celebrating the incredible people who make a difference across Derbyshire County Council.

We believe in recognising those who go above and beyond, so supporting these awards is our way of saying thank you to the individuals whose dedication and passion help shape stronger communities. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, your achievements continue to inspire.