A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place as construction begins on a state-of-the-art extension for Lancaster University Management School (LUMS).

The £18.8m contract has been awarded to North West contractor, John Turner Construction Group, who will complete the new five storey building for the start of the 2020/21 academic year.

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith said: “Our globally-leading Management School is home to a thriving international community – one that continues to grow year on year. This significant investment will provide state of the art facilities to complement the first class teaching and world-renowned research that we are proud to offer our students.”

The new building, which will cover a total of 5,667m2, will offer cutting-edge facilities and significantly more space for students, staff and partners. Offering the space equivalent to around four tennis courts per floor, the building will boast three new lecture theatres, collaboration space, a new reception, multiple offices and an executive teaching suite.

The Dean of Lancaster University Management School, Professor Angus Laing, said: “As one of the first business schools established in the UK, we have a proud history of pushing boundaries and conventions to challenge our students and prepare them to become our future leaders. This building marks the start of the next exciting phase of LUMS’ development as the School prepares to deliver outstanding research and education which transforms individuals and organisations. The new building will be followed by an extensive refurbishment of our existing facilities to provide innovative study space and a unique all-round experience for our students, staff, business partners and visitors.”

Nigel Sharp, Operations Director at John Turner Construction Group said: “As a leading regional contractor, we are delighted to be awarded this high profile LUMS project and to be working with one of the highest ranking universities of the north.”

The new building will be located next to the Management School and Gillow Avenue on Lancaster University’s Bailrigg campus.

Lancaster University Management School is quadruple accredited by the AACSB, EQUIS, the Association of MBAs and the Small Business Charter.

Lancaster University was announced the highest ranking university in the North of England in the Times and Sunday Times League Table 2019, and was named University of the Year 2018 by the Times and Sunday Times. It is ranked in the top ten in all major national league tables and also holds a TEF Gold award for outstanding teaching, an outstanding learning environment and delivering excellent employment outcomes for its students. This is the highest possible rating a university can achieve.

John Turner Construction is a North West construction company based in Preston with offices in Liverpool and Manchester. Established in 1907, with a current turnover of £76m, the company has divisions covering Construction, Maintenance, Joinery Manufacturing and Electrical Services.

The University is supported by a professional team to deliver the project. This includes; Identity Consult (Project Manager/Employer’s Agent), SDA Consulting (Cost Manager), Hoare Lea (Mechanical and Electrical Advisors).

Pictured (L-R): Nigel Sharp, Operations Director at John Turner Construction Group, Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School and Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University