With the end of the year nigh, many are relieved to see the back of 2018 – the renowned year of ‘uncertainty’, arduous negotiations and back and forth deal or no-deals. However, three months into the fresh, new year of 2019 lies ‘D-day’ for Brexit. Here, FC&A talks to two representatives from top law firm Womble Bond Dickinson about what they believe is on the horizon for the industry prior to and after March’s predicted events. Kathrine Eddon, Head of the Public Procurement Unit, and Michelle Essen, Managing Associate in Construction, take it from here...

In this article, Richard Tonkinson, Executive Director of Offsite Solutions, a UK-leading bathroom pod manufacturer, looks at the impact of Brexit on the construction industry and how taking an off-site approach can mitigate some of the economic uncertainty.

Hard or soft, Brexit will have wide-ranging impacts throughout the construction industry, many already flagged up and others which have yet to be seen. Given that innovation in construction products often outpaces the development of corresponding standards and regulations, the lead up to – and post- – Brexit has the potential to throw curve balls when it comes to accepted product standards for new ideas. Lack of guidance on the performance of new solutions could be an issue for all throughout the build process, from architects to building control.

In recent years, the world of construction has seen significant growth in the number of Special Purchase Vehicles (SPV) set up by a number of large businesses to deal with one-off projects.

John Dunnington, Head of Marketing at architectural cladding specialist Booth Muirie, provides insight into the fire performance of rainscreen cladding systems on buildings over 18m, following the most extensive fire testing the cladding industry has witnessed.