Supported by a consortium of WSP, Turner & Townsend and McLaughlin & Harvey, the NextGen Healthcare Network is a 400-strong forum for young professionals in healthcare construction, development and estate management. It provides seminars, workshops and informal networking opportunities. 

Delivering more than 30 events each year across London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol, the network brings together professionals to share knowledge, build skills, and develop solutions to address the growing challenges facing NHS estates and healthcare infrastructure. 

Pete Sellars, CEO at IHEEM, commented on the announcement: 

“I am delighted for the Institute to be embarking on this invaluable partnership with the NextGen Healthcare Network, strengthening our shared commitment to providing enhanced career development and industry engagement opportunities to young professionals across the healthcare sector.

“The Institute offers professional registration support, critical knowledge sharing and CPD, as well as extensive regional delivery of in-person events. We look forward to welcoming future healthcare leaders into our community and offering members access to IHEEM activities across a wide range of healthcare initiatives. Establishing this dynamic collaboration and encouraging open, cross-generational discourse between IHEEM and NextGen members is a fantastic asset to all involved, as well as the broader healthcare landscape.

“It is imperative we protect the longevity of our healthcare estate and continue to drive excellence in patient care. This venture, supported by industry leaders and innovators in WSP, Turner & Townsend, and McLaughlin & Harvey, is uniquely placed to nurture, inspire, and empower a resilient future workforce of talented healthcare professionals.”

Josephine Neill, NextGen Healthcare Network Lead, added: 

“This exciting partnership between the NextGen Healthcare Network and IHEEM is an unprecedented opportunity for cross-disciplinary, cross-generational innovation within the sector. 

“The network’s growth over the past three years, in reach, influence and popularity, is a source of immense pride for Sam and me (Sam Venn, Turner & Townsend, Co-Network Lead).

“Much like IHEEM, the NGHN is a hotbed of ideas, debate and authentic conversation. It is a celebration of the relentless energy and brilliance of our members and dedicated working groups, regional teams and supporting committee.”

Through the new partnership, IHEEM and NGHN will deliver joint events, collaborative thought leadership, capability‑building initiatives, and opportunities for productive intergenerational conversations. 

The combined platform will provide early‑career professionals with enhanced access to IHEEM’s technical resources and communities of practice, while offering IHEEM members fresh insights from a new generation of leaders committed to driving positive change in healthcare infrastructure and throughout the Estates profession.

About the NextGen Healthcare Network (NextGen)

NextGen is a multidisciplinary forum for young professionals with 5-15 years of experience working in healthcare construction, development, and estate management. With more than 400 members representing both public and private sector organisations, the network brings together individuals across the full project lifecycle, from strategic planning through to onsite delivery and long‑term maintenance of healthcare estates.

www.nextgenhealthcarenetwork.co.uk 

About IHEEM

Founded over 80 years ago, IHEEM is the UK’s only Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management Institute, serving a membership of more than 2000 multi-disciplinary professionals working internationally across the healthcare estate. 

Driving patient safety is at the heart of all Institute activity. Members spanning IHEEM platforms and committees, regional branches, as well as academic partners and affiliate organisations collaboratively advise on policy, regulation, and best practice to ensure the delivery of exceptional patient care and an effective, sustainable estates infrastructure.

www.iheem.org.uk 

About WSP

WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. With over 10,000 experts in the UK and Ireland and 75,000 globally, known as Visioneers, we pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, resources and industrial sectors. WSP is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:WSP).

www.wsp.com/en-gb 

Anisha Mayor, UK Head of Healthcare at WSP, comments:

“This partnership marks an important step in strengthening the future of healthcare engineering and estates management across the public and private sectors. At WSP, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of professionals who will shape how the NHS evolves to meet rising demand, decarbonisation goals and technological change. As founding members of the NextGen healthcare network, we are delighted to be partnering with IHEEM to help create the space and capability that early‑career specialists need to make a meaningful impact across the healthcare system, while also forging the connections between the clients and colleagues of tomorrow.”

About Turner & Townsend

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.

Working with clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, Turner & Townsend specialises in major programmes, project, cost and commercial management, project controls and performance, net zero and digital solutions, in markets around the world.

Turner & Townsend is majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with its partners holding a significant non-controlling interest.

www.turnerandtownsend.com 

Darren Laybourn, healthcare sector lead at Turner & Townsend, comments: 

“Strengthening the future of our healthcare system depends on our ability to attract new talent while continuously upskilling the dedicated professionals already working across existing NHS estates. This partnership between IHEEM and NextGen creates exactly the kind of environment we need, one that opens doors for early‑career specialists and provides practical, relevant development for those already delivering vital projects. By bringing generations together, we’re not only sharing knowledge but shaping a more capable, resilient and innovative workforce. It’s an essential step toward meeting the growing complexity and demand facing healthcare infrastructure.”

About McLaughlin & Harvey

McLaughlin & Harvey is a privately owned construction and civil engineering business with over 170 years of experience. Founded in 1853, it employs more than 800 people and operates throughout the UK and Ireland, with offices in Belfast, Glasgow, Barrow-in-Furness, London, Birmingham and Bristol.

With a focus on its three core values of collaboration, commitment and care, the business delivers construction, civil engineering and fit-out projects and provides facilities management services to public and private clients across various sectors.

www.mclh.co.uk 

Paula McCloskey, Healthcare Bid Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, comments: 

“This partnership marks a really exciting step forward for the future of our industry. Bringing together IHEEM and the Next Gen Healthcare Network creates a powerful platform to nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals and leaders. At McLaughlin & Harvey, we’re passionate about supporting collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the sector, and it’s inspiring to see colleagues like Josephine Neill helping to drive that vision forward through her leadership and commitment to developing emerging talent through the Next Gen Healthcare Network.”