Headquarters to the VolkerFitzpatrick and VolkerHighways businesses, and housing VolkerWessels UK’s support services, the extension also comprises a new training academy facility, supporting learning and development for the wider business.

VolkerWessels UK has had its head office in Hoddesdon since 2007, and the VolkerFitzpatrick business (formerly Fitzpatrick Contractors) has been on the site since 1972. The extension to the building has enabled employees working in smaller annexes to move into the main office building and the creation of the expanded training facility.

The new building has been rated ‘excellent’ by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), a measure by which the sustainability of buildings is assessed and certified. The building incorporates solar panels generating energy for the new building and minimising carbon emissions. All waste wood from the project has been recycled by St Albans based Community Wood Recycling charity.

The building project offered a number of local work opportunities, with many of the operatives on site being drawn from within a five mile radius. It also supported the training of two university industrial training placement students and a visiting apprentice on day release from college.

As a local business, VolkerWessels UK is involved with schools, charities and organisations in the area in a number of ways, and during the office construction the site was opened up to schools via the construction industry’s annual Open Doors event, which aims to encourage students to consider careers in the sector. Members of the site team also took part in a ‘Get Work Ready’ workshop event at the local Simon Balle school in Hertford, helping to prepare students for future job applications and interviews.

At the opening event, which included a tour of the new building and an unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the Mayor was joined by colleagues from the Borough of Broxbourne Council and other guests.

Broxbourne’s Mayor, Steve Wortley said: “It was a pleasure to officially open the impressive extension to VolkerWessels UK’s Hoddesdon office. The company has a long history in the local area, offering local employment opportunities and supporting the community in a number of ways. It’s therefore very good news that its headquarters are expanding and that it looks set to retain its presence in the Borough for the long term.”

Managing Director, VolkerFitzpatrick Building, Stuart Deverill, said: “We are very proud of our new extension building, which brings our teams together under one roof and provides an extensive training facility. The build team has done an excellent job on this project – not easy when you are working directly under the gaze of your colleagues in the existing part of the building. I’d like to thank everyone who had a part in making this project possible, from Broxbourne Borough Council, to the consultants, the architects, our colleagues and of course the build team.”