Former Keller Group chief executive Michael Speakman has died, with the ground engineering contractor announcing his death on 9 April following his passing last week. Speakman led Keller, one of the world’s largest specialist geotechnical contractors with operations across piling, ground improvement and grouting, through a period of major infrastructure delivery in transport, energy and urban development. His death removes a senior industry figure with deep experience in large-diameter piling, complex ground stabilisation and international project delivery.

Groundforce Shorco has installed nine modular hydraulic props to brace a 4m-deep, 50m by 40m basement excavation for a new six-storey, 108-bed Clore Manor care home with underground parking in Hendon, north London. A secant-piled retaining wall is supported by six MP150 raking props (7.3–10.3m) along the northern edge and three high-stiffness MP375 props on the eastern side, adjacent to the Great North Way and a deeper attenuation-tank excavation. Deflection was limited to ±10mm, driving the choice of MP375s for stiffness rather than their 375t (3,677kN) axial capacity.

Strabag UK has agreed to acquire Van Elle Holdings, one of the UK’s largest specialist geotechnical contractors, in a deal valuing the business at £58.8M. The takeover brings Van Elle’s piling, ground improvement and rail geotechnics capability into the Austrian Strabag Group’s UK portfolio, strengthening its in-house delivery for major infrastructure such as HS2 and National Highways schemes. Contractors and consultants can expect a better-integrated design-and-build offer on complex foundations, retaining structures and track-bed works, but also increased competition in the UK ground engineering market.