Integrated engineering and environmental consultancy BWB is aiming to double the size of the business over the next five years.
The Nottingham-headquartered company has delivered a series of landmark projects during the past year, including continuing work at East Midlands Gateway and the 800-bed build-to-rent Barnum development near Nottingham Railway Station.
Led by CEO Graham Sant, BWB now employs more than 370 people, with offices in Birmingham, Leeds, London and Manchester alongside its headquarters at Waterfront House, Nottingham.
It has just embarked on a five-year growth strategy driven by a series of major changes
affecting every aspect of the bult environment.
Graham explained: “We enjoyed another strong year of performance in 2024, and this has given us a springboard to focus on long-term horizons so that the business is well positioned to take continuing advantage of its strengths in the strategic trends driving change.
“The whole of the built environment industry is confronting challenges related to climate
change and scarce resources, increasing urbanisation, technology advances, and the
shifting dynamics of globalisation and demographic change.
“As a business that is focused relentlessly on client needs, we continue to invest heavily in the skills, insights and solutions which meet those needs so that we can remain agile, innovative and responsive.”
Graham added: “The critical component is people and our commitment to supporting and developing the next generation of expert professionals is why we are the only business in our sector that has achieved the Investors in People Platinum standard.”
BWB’s expertise spans urban development, public infrastructure and future mobility, with its sustainable growth solutions applied to city centre regeneration, shaping transport hubs and driving the transition to low carbon energy.
Recent projects include the Tea Factory – the BBC’s new headquarters in Birmingham – the
Broadmarsh Bus Station and upcoming works at the Guildhall redevelopment.
BWB has also developed its annual Healthy Places Snapshot, based on insights from 50 industry leaders in local government, development, architecture, urban design and planning.
Anthony Hart, BWB’s Regional Director for the East Midlands, said: “What these insights tell us is that healthy placemaking has got to play a part in unlocking the growth that we’re all looking for, particularly here in the East Midlands.
“We’re really encouraged to see the new East Midlands Combined County Authority and Mayor Claire Ward launch an Inclusive Growth Commission. That tells us that the approach to unlocking the region’s potential is going to be informed by concepts like healthy placemaking – which we’re passionate about – and an understanding of the role this plays in inclusive and sustainable progress.
“There are numerous opportunities to fire-up the East Midlands economy – we have global leaders in advanced manufacturing, expertise in clean energy, one of the biggest trade gateways in the UK at East Midlands Airport, incentivised sites at the Freeport and EMCCA’s own Investment Zones.
“There are also landmark opportunities such as the South Derby Growth Zone, where we have supported Infinity Park. With the right approach and a more progressive planning system there’s no reason why we can’t shift the dial of regional growth.”
