Fortis Vision is setting new standards in the UK for high quality refurbishment and development projects that focus on efficiency and sustainability
As a nationwide full-service refurbishment and development contractor, Fortis Vision brings unparalleled expertise to every project. Founded in 2018, the company has four offices in Essex, County Durham, Bristol, and Bedfordshire, but completes projects across the UK, working closely with clients to add value every step of the way, from pre-project analysis to final delivery and aftercare.
In the UK, demand for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) has grown significantly in recent years, and as a market leader in this sector, the company has built strong relationships with its clients, completing more than 1000 bedrooms per annum and delivering even the most complex projects, that other contractors may deem ‘impossible’.
“Our ability to complete PBSA refurbishments is market leading, considering our proven record for in-occupation works (when the building remains occupied throughout a project) turning around a four-to-six-bedroom student flat complete with new ventilation, communal kitchen, en-suite, fixed and loose furniture, flooring, and decoration in around ten hours,” opens Ricky Simmonds, Construction Director.
“Our first client was Unite Students (a FTSE 100 company and one of the largest landlords in the UK with more than 68,000 bedrooms in their portfolio) who we have a relationship with built on reputation, demonstrating we can deliver time and time again to the highest standards. As well as Unite Students, this year we are proud to work with other leading private client operators in this sector including iQ Student Accommodation, Now Students, Homes for Students, and Hello Students, on buildings in London, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Southampton, Leeds, Cardiff, and Sheffield. Further to this we are developing direct relationships with universities, including a trial with Cambridge University this summer”.
Transforming accommodation
With industry expertise and a strong reputation for PBSA projects, it’s no surprise that Fortis Vision has a portfolio bursting with exciting projects. “We’ve recently completed phase one of a two-year project in London, where we’ve created brand-new amenity spaces before turning our attention to phase two – refurbishing the apartments in a 26-storey, higher risk building (HRB),” Ricky shares. “In phase one, we concentrated on the amenity space, delivering a new café and study space on the ground floor, which will be managed by an external co-working company. Phase two focuses on refurbishing the apartments, including replacing flooring, kitchens, and bathrooms, installing a new sprinkler system, and upgrades to communal areas and multiple fire protection works.
“Another notable project is in Bristol, where we have carried out extensive works to a Grade II listed student accommodation building in the heart of the city,” he adds. “Carried out in phases, works include extensive internal alterations to amenity spaces and accommodation spaces including refurbishment of 257 bedrooms, roofing works, as well as the replacement of skylight and AOV windows, with all works being completed while the building was fully occupied.
“Headrow Court in Leeds is a project that demonstrates our capability to extend beyond traditional commercial refurbishment projects, converting and developing four former office buildings into a modern, sustainable living space for students, comprising 108 studios and multiple amenity spaces including reception, private dining area, study, and laundry room. We’re aiming to complete Headrow Court in Leeds by early August, with two blocks complete and the other two now being finalised, bringing a new lease of life and completely transforming the buildings.”
Fortis Vision’s work in the hotel sector boasts a longstanding relationship with Travelodge through its partnership with main contractor, IH Group. “We are leaders at in-occupation work, and this extends further than PBSA buildings as the model is also needed in the hotel and leisure sector. We typically complete one floor at a time for our Travelodge projects,” Ricky explains. “This enables the hotel to remain open and operational while we complete the required refurbishment work, meaning minimal disruption for both guests and the business.”
It’s clear to see that Fortis Vision has seen significant growth across all sectors as it approaches its seventh year of operating. The business has expanded rapidly from £9 million to £50 million in turnover, expanding its workforce significantly to ensure that it has the right people with the right skills to deliver projects for clients. “We’re extremely proud of the teams that we have in place. From design and planning to post completion, we care about the work undertaken, consistently delivering to a high standard at pace.”
Complex project delivery
For any player in the UK’s construction industry, sustainability is perhaps the biggest topic on anyone’s mind. “We’re very proud of our ongoing partnership with Alphacello, a B-Corp certified consultancy with expertise in sustainable construction processes and practices,” Ricky states. “Internally, we’re adding more EVs to our fleet, procuring sustainable office items and we’re committed to recycling 98 per cent of all waste generated from sites.
“In terms of projects, although we’re primarily governed by our clients, we work collaboratively and operate an internal sustainability policy and carbon verification. We offer air source heat pump (ASHP) installations and the associated pipework retrofits, hot water cylinders, smart heater and smart water tank upgrades, which have built-in sensors to learn occupants’ schedules and provide efficient heating and water when it’s needed.”
As our conversation continues, Ricky turns his attention to another key topic in the construction sector – technology. “We’ve recently transitioned to Procore, a centralised project management system, which will transform how we manage information, communication, and compliance across our sites,” he reveals. “With the requirements of the 2022 Building Safety Act now in place, Procore will help us deliver the golden thread of information for our clients, with all documents, drawings, and site visits documented through the platform.”
Commenting on what’s next for Fortis Vision, Ricky concludes: “We’re now focused well into 2026 and we’re engaging with clients about upcoming projects to ensure our workstreams align with their schedules. We have a number of projects currently undergoing Gateway 2 applications with the Building Safety Regulator, and like the whole industry, we’re experiencing challenges with timeframes for these approvals”.
Given the company’s ability to deliver complex and challenging projects at pace, Fortis Vision has clearly established a trusted partnership with some of the UK’s largest PBSA providers. With strong commitments to sustainability, technology, and client collaboration, Fortis Vision will remain at the forefront of the UK’s ever-evolving refurbishment and development sector.