5th Apr 2024

Sir Robert McAlpine to deliver North East Space Skills Centre

We have been appointed by Northumbria University under a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) to deliver the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST).

The £26m contract value scheme comprises the partial demolition, refurbishment and extension of the existing Wynne Jones building to form the NESST Centre for Northumbria University.

The works will include new ground floor and six upper levels with a footprint area of circa 900m2. The building will provide satellite manufacturing clean rooms, advanced prototyping laboratories, a Mission Operations Centre teaching laboratories and collaborative spaces for work with companies in the space manufacturing supply chain.

This ground-breaking project, backed by substantial investment from the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin Space, represents a significant milestone in advancing the UK's space industry. 

NESST is expected to directly support the creation of over 350 jobs. The project will inject over £260 million into the North East economy over the next 30 years, playing a critical role in the government’s levelling-up agenda and becoming a catalyst for the wider development of the UK space sector in the North East region.

This award builds on our long-standing successful relationship with Northumbria University and was awarded via the North East Procurement Organisation framework for council and public body projects.

Located in the heart of Northumbria University’s Newcastle city campus, the centre will be a new national space asset that brings together industry and academia to collaborate on internationally significant space research and technological developments.

NESST will put the UK at the forefront of research and innovation in areas including optical satellite communications, space weather and space-based energy, and will lead the way in providing specialist education and training to ensure the UK space sector has the highly skilled workers it needs in the future.

Professor John Woodward, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) at Northumbria University, said:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine to carry out the next phase of the development of NESST. Their expertise and track-record for delivering some of the UK’s most iconic buildings will prove invaluable in realising our vision to create a state-of-the-art facility that will house world-leading space experts and unite industry with academia, to transform the UK space economy.”

Latest Education news

  1. SRM to Deliver NESST at Northumbria University

    14 Apr 2025

    Sir Robert McAlpine appointed to build NESST, a new £30m space tech hub in Newcastle.

    Read more about
  2. Reducing carbon emissions at TQA1

    17 Mar 2025

    Early collaboration in the design stage and engagement with supply chain enable Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus to achieve a 25% reduction in embodied carbon.

    Read more about
  3. Kingsmeadow Community School completion

    14 Nov 2024

    Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures (SRMCV), through its subsidiary Pinnacle Schools (Gateshead) Limited, is proud to announce the practical completion of the new 6th Form building at Kingsmeadow Community School.

    Read more about

Latest news

  1. Unique HS2 tunnel portal completed

    25 Apr 2025

    Our Align JV builds tunnel extensions for HS2 to stop sonic booms from 200mph trains entering the 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel.

    Read more about
  2. Annual Report and Accounts 2024

    24 Apr 2025

    Download the Annual Report and Accounts that accompany our financial results 2023-24.

    Read more about
  3. SRMCV and Buccleuch acquire 101 Centre Street, Glasgow

    16 Apr 2025

    Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures and Buccleuch Property acquire 101 Centre Street, securing income and unlocking major redevelopment potential in Glasgow's southbank.

    Read more about
View all news