Over the past two weeks, I have undertaken a secondment with Henry Boot Construction (HBC), working on the ARK, Markham Vale Project. The experience gave me a front-row seat to the realities of delivering a major industrial and logistics development, from technical execution to people management.
ARK is a brand-new industrial and logistics hub located at the Markham Vale development in Derbyshire and is being delivered by Origin, a joint venture platform between HBD and Feldberg Capital. The scheme comprises 107,250sq ft of Grade-A space across four high-specification units, ranging from 17,050 to 35,950sq ft. Designed with sustainability and modern operational needs in mind, each unit includes fully fitted office accommodation, robust warehouse loading capacities, and access to up to 500kva of allocated power. Strategically positioned just 1.2 miles from Junction 29A of the M1, ARK offers excellent connectivity to Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, and beyond – making it an ideal location for both local and international occupiers.
During my time on site, I attended regular coordination sessions between HBC and HBD – including Design Team Meetings involving the HBD Project Manager, HBC Project Manager, and Site Manager – which provided valuable insight into how programme, technical, and commercial priorities are aligned across both organisations. I was also able to get hands-on, assisting the site engineer in setting out the island in the car park using a total station. This involved installing stakes with accurate level markings so the civil engineering subcontractor could excavate and install kerb lines to specification.
A key takeaway was the relentless focus on health and safety – not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a constant, non-negotiable standard that underpins HBC’s reputation. Walkways were maintained to a high standard at all times, permits rigorously checked, and subcontractors held accountable to site rules. The discipline required to maintain that standard across a live, complex site was a learning point in itself.
Beyond the technical, I saw the reality of managing people from all walks of life across multiple trades, each working through different processes and timelines. It reinforced the importance of clear, two-way communication with the main contractor, and of understanding challenges from their perspective — something I will carry back into my work at HBD.
What stood out most was the site and project management team’s relentless pursuit of quality workmanship, exemplary site standards, and staying ahead of the programme. It also confirmed that cross-subsidiary working can be highly effective when the right people, processes, and culture are in place.
I am grateful to the team at HBC for their time, expertise, and openness. This secondment has strengthened my technical knowledge, broadened my perspective, and reinforced the value of collaboration in delivering best-in-class developments.