London Constructing Excellence Club upcoming events

From Sleepless Nights to a Good Night’s Sleep (8 Sep 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

From Sleepless Nights to a Good Night’s Sleep
The Story of Hub by Premier Inn Old Bailey

TUESDAY 8th September 2026, 1800 for an 1830 start
The Institution of Structural Engineers,
47-58 Bastwick Street, London EC1V 3PS

The nearest tube stations = Barbican [8 mins walk] and Old Street [10 mins walk]

We are delighted to welcome Luke Bray and Aidan McGrath, of Axiom Architects LLP, to introduce us to the regeneration and conservation challenges of the conversion of a cherished City of London building into a bustling central hotel. The project was the outstanding winner of the Regeneration and Conservation Award at the Constructing Excellence London and South-East Awards 2026, on 9^th July.

This conservation-led adaptive reuse project transformed a Grade II-listed former police station into a 212-bed Hub hotel, balancing heritage protection with modern requirements on a challenging city centre site. The project preserved key elements such as the original Snow Hill building, rear façade and historic reading room, adding innovative anti-vibration and acoustic measures without compromising the original structure. The design aligns with the City of London’s Cultural Mile, creating a curated route featuring artworks that interpret the site’s history. This regeneration enhances public value through sensitive conservation and technical ingenuity.

Our Speakers

LUKE BRAY
Partner, Axiom Architects

Luke studied Architecture at the University of Wales, Cardiff, and has over 20 years' experience in Architectural practice, with extensive work across residential, educational, hospitality, and heritage projects. Schemes include works to Grade I Listed buildings and many adaptive re-use projects bringing neglected buildings a new lease of life.

AIDAN McGRATH
Associate Partner, Axiom Architects

Aidan is an experienced designer who has worked on a diverse range of projects since achieving his degree in Architectural Technology, including both new build and conversion projects. His recent projects feature notable hotels and mixed-use schemes in Canary Wharf and the RIBA Shortlisted hotel and residential scheme on Camden High Street.

LinkedIn: @axiom-architects-llp
Web: axiomarchitects.co.uk
Instagram: @axiomarchitects

References

Catch background information at:

Whitbread PLC

https://www.whitbread.co.uk/whitbread-opens-the-doors-to-flagship-hub-by-premier-inn-hotel/

The UK’s Poshest Premier Inn; Metro

https://metro.co.uk/2026/02/11/uks-poshest-premier-inn-opens-inside-historic-former-london-police-station-26830858/

Constructing Excellence London and South East Awards 2026

https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/constructing-excellence-london-south-east-awards-2026/

Social Media

Please post about the event using:
#lcecHH #lcecAWARDS #CELSEAwards2026 #ConstructingExcellence

LI:    @london-constructing-excellence-club
X/T:   @LondonConExClub
IG:      @londonconstructingexcellence
BS: @londonceclub.bsky.social

LCEC members and non-members are all welcome

LCEC Networking Breakfast (22 Sep 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LCEC Networking Breakfast
... a bustling and convivial start to your business day

Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 0800 to 0930
The Happenstance, 10 Paternoster Row, London EC4M 7DX
The nearest tube station = St Pauls

We are delighted to invite you, once again, to join fellow built environment professionals for a delicious buffet breakfast in the heart of the City.

As always, there are no long presentations and speeches, just the opportunity to build your connections with the Constructing Excellence community and to find out what is happening in the vibrant London market.

This event is free to members of LCEC; non-member registrations are charged £25 upon booking.

Outline Programme

08:00 - Registration & Networking
08:30 - Breakfast arrives
09:00 - Thank you and brief update on London Constructing Excellence Club
09:30 - Event closes.

Social Media

Please post about the event using: #lcecNB #lNetworkingBreakfast #ConstructingExcellence

X/T: @LondonConExClub
LI: @london-constructing-excellence-club

IG: @londonconstructingexcellence

BS: @LondonCEClub

Registrations and Cancellations

Please book early, at least 3 days in advance of the breakfast, to allow us to make catering arrangements. Cancellations and refunds will not be allowed less than 3 days before the event, but substitutions may be made at any time.

LCEC Networking Breakfast (27 Oct 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT

LCEC Networking Breakfast
... a bustling and convivial start to your business day

Tuesday 27th October 2026, 0800 to 0930
The Happenstance, 10 Paternoster Row, London EC4M 7DX
The nearest tube station = St Pauls

We are delighted to invite you, once again, to join fellow built environment professionals for a delicious buffet breakfast in the heart of the City.

This event is free to members of LCEC; non-member registrations are charged £25 upon booking.

Outline Programme

08:00 - Registration & Networking
08:30 - Breakfast arrives
09:00 - Thank you and brief update on London Constructing Excellence Club
09:30 - Event closes.

Social Media

Please post about the event using: #lcecNB #lNetworkingBreakfast #ConstructingExcellence

X/T: @LondonConExClub
LI: @london-constructing-excellence-club

IG: @londonconstructingexcellence

BS: @LondonCEClub

Registrations and Cancellations

Tunnels, Tracks & Technology (10 Nov 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Tunnels, Tracks & Technology
The Story of the Helen Keen Building
at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls

TUESDAY 10th November 2026, 1800 for an 1830 start
The Institution of Structural Engineers,
47-58 Bastwick Street, London EC1V 3PS

The nearest tube stations = Barbican [8 mins walk] and Old Street [10 mins walk]

We are delighted to welcome Alan Leigh, Ian Spink and Jenine SaAndrade, to introduce us to the design and construction of a new teaching facility at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS). Whilst any construction project has its 'issues', this project was awarded 'Building Project of the Year, at the Constructing Excellence Awards 2026, not only for the excellence of the building, but for the manner in which the project team engaged with their client, community and the challenging context.

The £9m Helen Keen Building for Maidstone Grammar School for Girls was constructed on behalf of Kent County Council. The 2,104m², three-storey facility provides teaching spaces, science laboratories, music classrooms, and a visitor centre for access to the site's WWII tunnels, located beneath the building. Despite significant challenges, including construction above historic tunnels, proximity to an active railway line, constrained access alongside two live schools and working within an operational campus, with engineering excellence and innovation this future-proofed learning facility was delivered safely and five weeks ahead of schedule.

Our Speakers

ALAN LEIGH, FCIOB, MCABE, CEnv
Contracts Director & Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing - Baxall Construction

Alan has over 40 years' experience across education, heritage, civil engineering and rail, and provides strategic leadership on Baxall's most complex projects. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the CIOB, and is a strong advocate for sustainable construction, collaborative working and industry best practice.

IAN SPINK, MCIOB, BSc (Hons)
Contracts Manager - Baxall Construction

Ian has over 20 years’ construction experience and is adept in delivering complex projects in live operational environments. His expertise spans programme management, logistics planning and stakeholder engagement, ensuring efficient delivery with minimal disruption to staff, students and local communities.

JENINE SA ANDRADE, MCIOB, BSc (Hons)
Senior Design Manager - Baxall Construction

Jenine has over 20 years' experience leading design development on the most complex projects in the private and public sectors. She has a background in Architectural Technology and Spatial Design, and specialises in translating complex project requirements into buildable solutions, championing innovation, sustainability and quality.

LinkedIn: @baxall-construction-ltd
Web: baxallconstruction.co.uk
Instagram: @baxallc

References

Catch background information at:

Kent CC News

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/new-music,-science-and-history-block-opens-at-maidstone-grammar-school-for-girls

Baxall Construction Projects

https://www.baxallconstruction.co.uk/project/maidstone-girls-grammar-school-live-project/

Constructing Excellence London and South East Awards 2026

https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/constructing-excellence-london-south-east-awards-2026/

Social Media

Please post about the event using:
#lcecMGGC #lcecAWARDS #CELSEAwards2026 #ConstructingExcellence

LI:    @london-constructing-excellence-club
X/T:   @LondonConExClub
IG:      @londonconstructingexcellence
BS: @londonceclub.bsky.social

LCEC members and non-members are all welcome

LCEC Networking Breakfast (24 Nov 2026)

Tue, 24 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT

LCEC Networking Breakfast
... a bustling and convivial start to your business day

Tuesday 24th November 2026, 0800 to 0930
The Happenstance, 10 Paternoster Row, London EC4M 7DX
The nearest tube station = St Pauls

We are delighted to invite you, once again, to join fellow built environment professionals for a delicious buffet breakfast in the heart of the City.

This event is free to members of LCEC; non-member registrations are charged £25 upon booking.

Outline Programme

08:00 - Registration & Networking
08:30 - Breakfast arrives
09:00 - Thank you and brief update on London Constructing Excellence Club
09:30 - Event closes.

Social Media

Please post about the event using: #lcecNB #lNetworkingBreakfast #ConstructingExcellence

X/T: @LondonConExClub
LI: @london-constructing-excellence-club

IG: @londonconstructingexcellence

BS: @LondonCEClub

Registrations and Cancellations