Loughborough University welcomed Peter Hansford, Chief Construction Adviser to the UK Government onto campus earlier this week.

During his visit Mr Hansford met staff at the University's School of Civil and Building Engineering and was shown how well construction of the new National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine building is progressing, on the East Park of campus.

Mr Hansford also met a number of academic staff who took time to discuss a range of recent research projects and were able to demonstrate novel 3D printing robots and vital new research on urban sanitation.

Publication of the new industrial strategy for construction, led by Mr Hansford was a particular talking point during the visit.

Professor Tony Thorpe, Dean of the School of Civil and Building Engineering comments:  "Innovation and research has an underpinning role in Peter Hansford's vision for UK construction and we were pleased to be able to show him how Loughborough is responding."

Loughborough’s School of Civil and Building Engineering is well known for its links with industry and it has many partnerships across the construction sector. The School is committed to developing collaborations and it is anticipated that the visit from Peter Hansford will act as a catalyst for further successful industry links, particularly in research.

Mr Hansford said: “I was particularly impressed by the range and the significance of the University’s links with industry in its teaching programmes and research.”

He then followed his visit to Loughborough with a tour of one of the largest UK granite quarries, hosted by local company Aggregate industries, which has longstanding links with the University.

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