GRAHAM, a UK-based construction company, has been awarded a £39m construction contract in Northern Ireland.
The contract comes from Queen’s University Belfast and is for the construction of two new state-of-the-art buildings beside the Belfast City Hospital.
These new buildings are part of the planned 8,500 sqm iREACH Health facility.
iREACH Health is a new £64m integrated clinical research innovation centre led by Queen’s University Belfast, which will be developed in partnership with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Health and Social Care Research and Development Division.
Regional Managing Director – Graham Building North, Gary Holmes, said: "We are delighted to be working with Queen’s on the new iREACH Health facility, which will help define the future of clinical research in Northern Ireland.
"With our team currently delivering Belfast’s first-ever Passivhaus-certified student accommodation on Dublin Road on behalf of Queen’s, we have a long-standing relationship with the University that we look forward to building on."
iREACH Health is a new £64m integrated clinical research innovation centre led by Queen’s University Belfast
The project is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government through the Belfast Region City Deal, and part funded by Queen’s University Belfast.
The innovation centre will provide major health, social, and economic benefits for Northern Ireland, making clinical trials more effective, efficient, and interconnected whilst supporting the improved health of the population.
Over the lifetime of the project, it is estimated iREACH Health will provide more than 1000 new, permanent jobs and over £750m additional GDP for the region.
Professor Judy Bradley, Director of iREACH Health, said: "The appointment of Graham marks a significant milestone in realising our vision for a revolutionary clinical trial research facility.
Planning permission for the facility was granted in March, with the main construction work at the site due to start in December 2024
"IREACH Health will harness Queen’s and Northern Ireland's research strengths and create a cutting-edge environment to improve patient outcomes, accelerate inclusive innovation, and support our health and life sciences sector in achieving local and global impact."
Planning permission for the facility was granted in March, with the main construction work at the site due to start in December 2024. iREACH plans to be operating from the new facilities by 2026, accommodating up to 360 staff, as it supports Northern Ireland’s life and health sciences sector."
Queen’s three regional innovation centres, focused on clinical research, advanced manufacturing, and advanced, digital technologies, will deliver up to 4,000 new jobs and provide positive impact across the region, increasing productivity, driving inclusive growth, and contributing towards Queen’s commitment to net zero by 2040.
Top image: From L to R: Orla Carew, Queen’s BRCD Estates Programme Manager; Kevin McNaull, Director at Turner and Townsend; David Quinn, Executive Director of the Belfast Region City Deal at Queen’s; Cormac Maguire, iREACH Health Estates Manager; Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director -Graham Building North; Professor Judy Bradley, Director of iREACH Health.