Director from Derry oversees largest construction project in Plymouth

At 28 years old, Ed Allingham is the UK Construction Director for the EHA Group. The Irish branch of the Group is well known for its social housing projects here, currently building over 400 houses across Northern Ireland, but the UK arm is just as busy. The group is constructing two schemes in London as well as a major redevelopment project in Plymouth.

Responsible for EHA Group’s UK division, Ed admits that he didn’t originally plan a career in construction even though the company was started by his father, Edward, back in 1990.
From building sheds on the family farm to his first scheme in London in his early twenties, he had to prove his worth, getting involved from the foundations and learning every aspect of the build.

Ed has recently spent a few years getting projects in the London area. Then two years ago he pulled in the biggest job of his career in Plymouth; the remodelling, extension and refurbishment of a 75,000 sq. ft. former department store and adjacent building in Plymouth City Centre, which Ed is overseeing.

‘Derry’s Cross’ Department Store closed its doors for the final time in July 2010. Then early last year (2017) EHA signed a construction contract to the value of £32.5m for the Plymouth Cross Project.

The two buildings will be refurbished with more retail and leisure space, a 110 bed Premier Inn Hotel and a 500-bed student accommodation block.

“London has possibly gone off the boil,” comments Ed, “but there is still plenty of work around in places like Leicester and Plymouth. We are now well established with the big trust funds in London and have our sights on continued growth.”

EHA Group take the lead in Contracting, Design and Build and Specialist Joinery projects across the UK. The group pride themselves in the great working relationships they have built with their partners and clients, having developed multi-project relationships over the past 28 years.
EHA’s 22,800 sq. ft head office and joinery manufacturing is located at Campsie Business Park, Derry with additional offices in Belfast and London.