Kier has signed a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) with Haleon to deliver a state-of-the-art global Oral Health Innovation hub in Weybridge, Surrey.
Named by the UK Government as part of its International Investment Summit, it’s a key space to support research and development for the global health provider, with brands including Sensodyne, Centrum and Panadol. The four-storey building is set to be a centre of global excellence for oral health life sciences research and innovation when complete.
Representatives from Kier joined Haleon today for a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the UK Minister for Technology.
The new space will incorporate state-of-the-art and digitally enabled laboratories, alongside contemporary office workspaces and a dedicated consumer behavioural research facility. Equipped with the latest technology, the centre will feature a cutting-edge digital immersive room that will bridge the gap between ideas and reality, connecting the hub to Haleon’s manufacturing site in Levice, Slovakia.
The scheme will also feature a new car park building with 50% allocation for EV charging spaces, and site-wide landscaping and living roofs to enhance biodiversity.
"We are delighted to be part of a project that is so important to the UK economy and will provide a world-leading global hub for oral health life sciences, R&D and innovation which is central to the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
The scheme further reinforces our private sector experience and showcases our design and build expertise in delivering large-scale and innovation-led science and technology environments in the London and Thames Valley region."
David Rowsell, managing director for Kier Construction, London & Thames Valley
"This exciting milestone is another demonstration of the strength of the UK life sciences sector, a key pillar to our Industrial Strategy. Under this government Britain is open for business, and through our Plan for Change we’re delivering more investment, more jobs and more money in people’s pockets."
Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
"Haleon is breaking ground on a new centre that will place the UK at the forefront of innovation to improve everyone’s oral health - which we know is important to our wider health, and to children’s development. This centre, and the substantial investment behind it, is proof that the UK’s world-leading life sciences sector is the place to be to grow businesses and work on fresh ideas to transform healthcare. Leveraging these strengths will lead to the long-term economic growth that will help us deliver on our Plan for Change."
Baroness Jones, UK Minister for Technology
"We are excited to break ground on our Global Oral Health Innovation Centre - a major investment reflecting our commitment to advancing science and innovation. This powerhouse for oral health research will strengthen Haleon’s R&D capabilities and accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving oral health needs of consumers around the world."
Franck Riot, Chief R&D Officer, Haleon
The project reinforces Kier’s extensive public and private sector expertise supporting the UK’s leading position for R&D, science and technology. It comes after Kier handed over a new state-of-the-art home for life science organisations in the UK at the Advanced Research Clusters (ARC) West London Refinery Building development in Hammersmith.