The April 2026 issue is out now! Read your copy here

Editors letter

Like many of you, I was glued to and inspired by the performances at the Winter Olympics. What stood out to me most were the mixed team events. In the snowboard cross, Huw Nightingale delivered increasingly strong runs, improving in every round, while Charlotte Banks produced an outstanding performance to ultimately secure gold. In the skeleton mixed team event, the gender roles were reversed. Tabitha Stoecker sat in fourth place after her run before Matt Weston worked his magic, and together they claimed gold.

What these moments reinforced for me was the power of collaboration. Success in team events is rarely about one flawless performance from start to finish. It is about partnership, trust, and collective resilience. At times, the excellence of one individual lifts the entire team. At other times, when someone is not at their best, they are supported by those around them and brought back on track, excuse the pun.

True collaboration creates an environment where strengths are amplified, weaknesses are steadied, and shared belief turns potential into success.
This issue is filled with examples of individuals supporting one another and collaborations that stand strong and make a meaningful difference. On page 10, we hear about two training facilities, reinforcing their businesses commitment to skills development and sustainable careers in the fit-out sector.

I spoke to Louisa and Olivia Priestley who are leading DSP (Interiors), carrying Andy Priestley’s legacy forward with skill, values, pride and next generation leadership. You can read the full story on page 14.

On page 18 Dr Noble Francis, the widely respected Economics Director at the CPA, shares his thoughts on construction output, which is forecast to grow by 1.7% in 2026, with housing weakness offset by growth elsewhere despite ongoing cost and skills pressures.

David Crowson, Editor

January 2026

October 2025