RLB: where people make progress
Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) is a global, independent construction, property and management consultancy with more than 4,500 specialists worldwide. Across 13 UK offices, we bring together over 1000 professionals delivering cost management, project management, programme advisory, building surveying, health and safety, sustainability, digital and strategic estates consultancy. Together, we help our clients make value-based, confident decisions that deliver long-term, sustainable outcomes for their built assets.
Shaping the Next‑Generation University Estate
We bring deep sector insight and global innovation to help universities create right-sized, future-focused estates. Drawing on decades of sector expertise developed across the UK and overseas, we help institutions plan, manage and deliver estates strategies that enable long-term success.
We are an active partner in helping universities to create environments that attract new students, engage academic staff and connect industry partners. We’ve worked with over 50 universities, delivering £2bn+ of projects and more than 1 million m² of new or refurbished teaching, research and accommodation space.
School of Architecture and Built Environment (SoABE) - University of Wolverhampton
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Health & Life Sciences Building - University of Reading
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How we can help
Through our collaborative approach, we support estates directors and teams by providing clarity in decision-making and confidence in delivery. Our independence ensures we remain free from conflicts of interest, committed to adding measurable value across every project and programme.
We focus on delivering effective estate management, robust capital planning, achievable sustainability targets, and lifecycle asset optimisation across portfolios.
Estates intelligence and data
- Capture and assess whole-estate data, including condition, performance and lifestyle needs
- Manage information systems, BIM workflows and common data environments, including data migration
- Analyse estate data to generate actionable insight, strategic asset intelligence and lifecycle modelling
- Guide long-term asset strategy through evidence-based recommendations that support optimisation and future planning
Estates Planning
- Assisting with stakeholder engagement to develop a clear, prioritised estates brief
- Providing comprehensive estate appraisal covering condition, functional suitability, utilisation, compliance, quality and carbon performance
- performing holistic baseline cost modelling to assess and prioritise investment needs
- Optioneering and appraisal, including space modelling, phasing, cost planning, carbon reduction assessment, risks and constraints
Estates delivery
- Providing project and complex programme management, from feasibility to completion
- Managing design teams and contractors for assured delivery on time and on budget
- Support with project management office (PMO) operations, with in-person and digital solutions
- Tailored project support via our project management, cost management, building surveying, health & safety, fire advisory and sustainability teams
Sustainability and net zero strategies
- Support with leading global certification and reporting frameworks, including BREEAM, Fitwel, LEED and WELL
- Best‑practice sustainability strategies tailored to the HE sector, including costed optioneering, action planning, funding applications, delivery management and sustainability reporting
- Multi-disciplinary, costed decarbonisation assessments and delivery pathways at asset, campus or estate-wide levels
- Practical guidance on whole‑life and embodied carbon, climate risk and adaptation, sustainable procurement, renewable energy, green skills, social value and biodiversity
- Support to embed circular‑economy principles, low‑waste construction processes and resource‑efficient approaches across estate planning and delivery.
Library Refurbishment - University of Reading
Contact our UK regional higher education team:
- Stephen Scott, Partner and UK/Europe Head of Education
- Diane Mckinley, Senior Associate (England North West)
- Chris Shaw, Senior Associate (England Yorkshire and North East)
- Katie Byrne, Associate , (England London and South East)
- William Fretton, Associate (England London and South East)
- Martin McConnell, Partner (Scotland)
- Noel Devine, Partner (Northern Ireland)
- Jon Barlow, Partner (Wales and England Central and South West)
