HAD & Co: The female-led architecture business building a better Manchester
Launched by school friends Saira Hussein and Nixie Edwards in Burnley, HAD & Co is one of the most successful female-led industry firms in Britain - branching out to Manchester in 2018 after a decade which saw them scoop over 40 award nominations.
Construction is a man’s world. Or so the old cliche goes.
The arena of hard hats, hi-vis and heavy lifting has historically been recognised as a no-fly zone for females – with men accounting for over 89% of people working in the industry today.
But as it turns out, Mancs don’t have to look far to find an example of a firm that’s bucking the trend.
HAD & Co Property Consultants is a proud member of the 11%; a female-led construction industry business sat right on the doorstep of the city centre.
Launched by school friends Saira Hussain and Nixie Edwards, originally from Burnley, HAD & Co has morphed into one of Britain’s most successful women-steered consultancies – opening up in Manchester in 2018 after an enormously successful first decade of experience which saw the duo scoop 40 + award nominations.
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Manchester certainly likes its innovators – and HAD & Co fits that description in more ways than one.
“Things move so much faster here,” Saira tells us.
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“In a small town like Burnley, the work is very different. In Manchester there’s more projects, more development, more investment, more funding and more support from councils.
“It’s been an incredible experience for us.”
It didn’t take long for HAD & Co to became a sought-after name in the local scene for advice and guidance surrounding interior design, planning and architecture.
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But just 18 months after they’d settled in, the doors to the office were hastily locked due to the onset of the pandemic.
The world of construction has, in many people’s eyes, been ‘one of the lucky ones’ during the pandemic.
For the most part, the maze of towering cranes that permanently populate Manchester have largely stayed put as work continued through lockdown.
But even in this industry, the constantly-changing rules have proven troublesome.
The closure of local restaurants and cafes under Tier 3 has kicked off a domino effect that’s rippled through to the building sector – pausing development work and leading to cancelled deals with suppliers.
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The damage to hospitality has penetrated so deep it has hurt the wider economy – and HAD has felt the impact.
“We’d just got things moving, then COVID hits,” Saira tells us.
“It’s been an enormous challenge for us and we’ve faced some difficulties – but we’ve found a way to navigate it.”
According to Saira, the secret to HAD’s survival has been cementing strong relationships in the city and securing lengthy contracts.
In the two years since moving to Manchester, HAD & Co has commenced work on heritage projects for historic venues like the Royal Exchange and signed long-term deals that have given the company the necessary robustness to stand firm in the face of COVID.
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HAD & Co has also enjoyed huge success in HMO planning applications – securing as many as seven during the pandemic alone.
But whilst 70% of HAD & Co’s work is commercial, the rest is focused on residential development and interior design – one of the few markets that enjoyed high spending in COVID.
2020 was a year where most of us spent more time indoors than ever before – making us intimately familiar with every single surface, corner, nook and cranny in the building – and it proved to be a waking realisation.
After weeks looking at the same four walls for 24 hours a day, homeowners came to the conclusion that there was a lot about their properties and workplaces they wanted to change.
Demand for loft conversions and extensions went through the roof. Literally in some instances.
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“We’ve had such high demand for designing people’s houses,” Saira explains.
“One side of being a female-led practice is that clients are more comfortable with you when it comes to interior design work.
“They feel like you have a better understanding and are open to dealing with you.
“On the residential side of things, that’s definitely a benefit.”
In their spare time, Saira and Nixies are ambassadors for women in construction, encouraging young women to follow in the footsteps of firms like HAD & Co whilst endorsing sustainable design and clean technology.
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But her day job is all about keeping the momentum of the business going .
“We’ve got around 30 projects on the go right now,” Saira tells us.
“Some of them are long-term, others are faster turnarounds.
“It’s a real mix and it’s all really exciting.”
It’s true that the future remains uncertain for businesses for as long as coronavirus is around.
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But if we can rely on one thing, it’s that the city skyline will continue to change.
There’s simply no stopping construction in Manchester. And HAD & Co’s fingerprints will be all over it. Right the way through 2021.
Learn more about the great work HAD & Co are doing in Manchester by visiting the company website.
Business
Manchester Airport reveals multi-million-pound plans for much-maligned Terminal 3
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 has become a bit of a meme of itself in recent years, with Mancs dreading a holiday that starts in the travel hub’s smallest terminal.
But now Manchester Airport has unveiled a multi-million pound project to totally revamp the space with a new entrance, more seats, new shops, new food and drink outlets, and state-of-the-art security equipment.
Set to complete next year, it’s part of the airport’s wider decade-long £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen Terminal 2 extended and redeveloped.
And now Manchester Airport has announced that Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 will merge into a much bigger travel hub to improve the passenger experience.
Visitors will first come across a remodelled entrance, as well as new security halls and departure lounges, with loads more space.
There’ll be brand-new security equipment to speed up passenger journeys, and 40% more seating capacity in the departures lounge.
A new 500-seat bar area with airfield views will be included in the revamped Terminal 3, plus an expanded 200-extra-seat dining area.
As for Terminal 2, phase one completed in 2021, winning the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, with phase two set for completion later this year – that’ll bring the existing building up to the standard of the new extension and will include more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester AirportCGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
Terminal 2 will host more than 70% of Manchester Airport’s total passengers, with the rest travelling through this new and improved Terminal 3 building that will include some of the existing Terminal 1 footprint.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.
“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3.
“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more.
“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”
MediaCityUK makes huge pledge to Salford Youth Zone
Danny Jones
MediaCityUK has committed a sizeable new pledge to nearby Salford Youth Zone, becoming a key patron for the increasingly important community cornerstone.
Initial work on Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) only began back in 2023 but is already promising to become an important outlet for so many through the borough.
Set to open later this summer and now with backing from none other than the hugely influential entity that is MediaCityUK, SYZ’s inaugural year will hopefully get off to a wonderful start.
As its own city with the national media hub boasting a huge reputation of its own, its great to get more eyes on and profile behind the project.
Teaming up with Salford Council and Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER) – the youth work charity behind the already established HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton and the soon-to-open SYZ – MediaCity has become the latest and one of their most generous patrons yet.
Pledging a huge donation of £100,000, MediaCity will be supporting the charity at large with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years at the very least.
As a Landsec Futures employability partner and influential hub for the creative industries in the UK, MediaCity are looking to work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide greater access in creative spaces and with local businesses.
Landsec (who have recently acquired full ownership of the MediaCity brand) are equally committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.
As per an official announcement of the partnership, “It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.”
Salford Youth Zone – situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton – is set to open seven days a week, deliver more than 200 volunteering days each year, as well as offer completely free membership to support thousands of young people in the city and across Greater Manchester.
For those who have come across the exciting new ‘FRAMELESS’ exhibition over in Salford Quays, this comes not only in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery but SYZ itself in one of its first big activitations for 2025.
Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the £6.2 million youth centre and activities space.
Speaking in an official statement, MediaCity Managing Director Martin Chown said of the welcome new partnership: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of.
“Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while s upporting talented young people. MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city.
“It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”
Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower, went on to add: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit.
“Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”
With the recently unveiled ‘Content Studio’ to boot, it’s happening in Salford and another exciting event is also heading back to MediaCity this season.