Key Points
- Core Group has secured authorised signatory status at London Gatwick Airport, strengthening its ability to supply skilled workers for construction, mechanical and electrical (M&E), and building services projects.
- The new status will enable the specialist workforce solutions provider to support contractors working across both airside and landside airport projects.
- Gatwick is progressing a £1.9 billion capital investment programme, covering terminal facilities, airfield infrastructure, energy efficiency and airport building modernisation.
- One of the major developments is the £140 million Pier 6 extension, which will provide eight additional aircraft gates.
- Gatwick is also advancing its separately funded £2.2 billion Northern Runway Programme, following government approval in September 2025 and the rejection of remaining legal challenges in August 2026.
- The Northern Runway expansion is expected to create approximately 14,000 jobs across the region.
- Core Group will be able to support contractors with electricians, electrical improvers, mechanical engineers, pipefitters, ductwork specialists, carpenters, groundworkers, labourers and site supervisors.
- Phil Ridgwell, Chief Executive Officer of Core Group, described the development as an important milestone in the company’s continued growth.
- Ridgwell highlighted the importance of safety, security and workforce planning when delivering projects within an operational airport environment.
- Core Group supplies temporary, contract and permanent personnel across construction, M&E, rail and specialist technical sectors.
Core Group has secured authorised signatory status at London Gatwick Airport, marking an important development in the specialist workforce solutions provider’s expansion across major UK infrastructure projects. The new status strengthens the company’s ability to supply skilled construction, mechanical and electrical (M&E), and building services personnel to contractors undertaking work across Gatwick’s airside and landside operations. The development comes as the airport advances a £1.9 billion capital investment programme and a separately funded £2.2 billion Northern Runway expansion, creating substantial requirements for specialist construction skills and technical personnel. Phil Ridgwell, Chief Executive Officer of Core Group, said the milestone would strengthen the company’s position in supporting contractors during a significant period of infrastructure development at the airport.
What Does Core Group’s New Signatory Status at Gatwick Airport Mean?
According to The Global Recruiter Newsdesk, which published the announcement on 6 November 2026, Core Group has secured authorised signatory status at London Gatwick Airport. The development strengthens the company’s ability to provide specialist personnel for construction, M&E and building services projects taking place within the airport.
The status represents a business development opportunity for Core Group as Gatwick continues to invest in its infrastructure and operational facilities. The airport’s expansion programme requires a broad range of specialist contractors and skilled workers to support construction, engineering, maintenance and building services activities.
The distinction between airside and landside operations is particularly relevant to the announcement. Airside projects take place within the operational areas of an airport, while landside activities cover facilities and infrastructure outside those restricted operational areas. Both environments require coordinated workforce planning, with airside projects involving additional operational, safety and security considerations.
Core Group’s newly secured status will enable its team to support contractors requiring personnel across these environments. This includes skilled tradespeople, technical specialists and site supervisors who can contribute to different stages of construction and building services projects.
The development also reflects the company’s ambition to increase its involvement in major UK infrastructure projects. Rather than being limited to supplying personnel for conventional construction assignments, Core Group is strengthening its position in a specialist environment where workforce availability, technical capabilities and operational requirements are closely connected.
Why Is Gatwick Airport’s Infrastructure Investment Important for Core Group?
The timing of Core Group’s new status coincides with a significant period of investment at London Gatwick Airport.
As reported by The Global Recruiter Newsdesk, Gatwick is progressing a £1.9 billion capital investment programme covering several areas of airport infrastructure. These include improvements to terminal facilities, airfield infrastructure and energy efficiency, alongside the modernisation of airport buildings and systems.
The investment programme provides a broader context for the increased demand for specialist construction and engineering personnel. Large airport infrastructure projects involve multiple workstreams, requiring contractors to coordinate different trades, technical services and construction activities.
The programme includes improvements to passenger facilities, airfield assets and operational infrastructure. These developments require workers with different levels of technical expertise, from general construction operatives to specialist mechanical and electrical engineers.
For Core Group, the opportunity is to support contractors involved in this investment through its workforce supply capabilities.
The airport’s investment programme also demonstrates the importance of maintaining infrastructure while continuing to operate as a major international transport hub. Construction activities at an operational airport must be planned around existing services, passenger movements and aviation operations.
London Gatwick’s published infrastructure plans provide further detail about the scale of this work. Its investment programme includes projects designed to improve airport capacity, operational resilience and passenger facilities. The airport has also highlighted its intention to improve energy efficiency and progress towards its environmental objectives.
These requirements create a varied construction environment in which specialist workforce providers can play a supporting role.
For businesses operating in this environment, Constructions and Civil Engineering expertise is relevant to understanding infrastructure delivery, technical coordination and the management of complex construction activities.
What Is Included in Gatwick Airport’s £140 Million Pier 6 Extension?
One of the major projects within Gatwick’s infrastructure investment programme is the £140 million extension of Pier 6.
According to London Gatwick’s published project information, the extension will provide eight additional aircraft gates adjacent to the airport’s runways. The development is intended to improve passenger facilities and reduce the need to transport passengers to remote aircraft stands.
The project forms part of the airport’s wider programme to improve capacity and operational efficiency.
The Pier 6 extension is particularly significant because construction is taking place within an operating airport environment. This creates additional requirements for planning, coordination and the management of construction activities around existing airport operations.
The project involves more than simply adding physical infrastructure. Its delivery requires the integration of building services, engineering systems and facilities that support airport operations.
London Gatwick has also identified sustainability considerations within the project’s design and construction approach. Its published information states that the extension is targeting high BREEAM performance ratings, including an overall rating of Excellent and an Outstanding rating for energy and water.
The development illustrates the range of technical disciplines involved in modern airport construction.
Mechanical and electrical specialists, building services operatives and construction professionals all contribute to the delivery and functionality of major infrastructure projects. Their work supports the installation, improvement and maintenance of systems that enable airport buildings and facilities to operate effectively.
For Core Group, the Pier 6 extension represents part of the wider infrastructure environment in which its workforce services may be relevant.
The company has not identified specific project contracts or confirmed that it has been appointed to supply personnel directly to the Pier 6 extension. Its newly secured signatory status instead strengthens its ability to support contractors working across the airport.
How Will Gatwick’s £2.2 Billion Northern Runway Programme Affect Employment?
Alongside its £1.9 billion capital investment programme, London Gatwick is progressing a separately funded £2.2 billion Northern Runway Programme.
The project is a major part of the airport’s longer-term expansion strategy and is intended to increase its operational capacity by bringing the existing Northern Runway into routine use alongside the Main Runway.
According to London Gatwick’s published information, the Secretary of State for Transport granted development consent for the programme on 21 September 2025.
The project subsequently faced legal challenges concerning the Government’s approval decision. However, the Court of Appeal rejected the remaining legal challenge in August 2026, allowing the airport to move forward with the development.
The Department for Transport’s announcement on 4 August 2026 also highlighted the potential economic and employment benefits associated with the expansion.
The programme is expected to create approximately 14,000 jobs across the region and generate an additional £1 billion in economic benefits annually.
These figures demonstrate the potential scale of the development beyond the airport itself. Large infrastructure programmes can generate employment opportunities across construction, engineering, transport, technical services and supporting supply chains.
The expansion is also expected to increase Gatwick’s capacity, with the airport’s plans aiming to serve up to 80 million passengers annually.
For specialist workforce providers, developments of this scale create a wider environment in which contractors may require additional personnel with relevant construction and engineering capabilities.
Core Group’s authorised signatory status places the company in a stronger position to support contractors seeking skilled personnel for work at Gatwick. However, the announcement does not confirm that Core Group has secured a specific contract for the Northern Runway Programme or that it will supply all the workforce requirements associated with the expansion.
The distinction is important because the programme involves multiple contractors, suppliers and delivery partners.
Nevertheless, the anticipated employment requirements underline why access to qualified construction and technical personnel is an important consideration for major infrastructure developments.
Which Skilled Workers Can Core Group Supply for Gatwick Projects?
Core Group’s announcement identifies a broad range of construction and building services personnel that its team can supply to contractors working at Gatwick Airport.
The listed occupations include:
- Electricians: Professionals responsible for electrical installations, systems and related construction activities.
- Electrical improvers: Workers supporting electrical teams with installation and associated technical tasks.
- Mechanical engineers: Specialists contributing to mechanical systems and engineering requirements.
- Pipefitters: Skilled tradespeople involved in the installation and maintenance of pipework systems.
- Ductwork specialists: Operatives working on ventilation and air distribution systems within buildings.
- Carpenters: Tradespeople undertaking construction and building-related carpentry work.
- Groundworkers: Workers supporting site preparation, groundworks and associated infrastructure activities.
- Labourers: Personnel providing general construction and site support.
- Site supervisors: Professionals responsible for overseeing site activities and coordinating workers.
This range of occupations reflects the different technical requirements associated with airport construction and building services projects.
Electrical and mechanical specialists, for example, contribute to the systems required for the operation of modern airport facilities. Pipefitters and ductwork specialists support essential building services, while carpenters, groundworkers and labourers contribute to construction activities at different stages of project delivery.
Site supervisors also play an important role in coordinating activities and supporting the implementation of project requirements.
The availability of personnel across these disciplines can help contractors address workforce requirements as projects progress from initial mobilisation through to completion.
Core Group’s workforce model covers temporary, contract and permanent recruitment. This gives the business the ability to provide different employment arrangements depending on the requirements of contractors and project partners.
However, the specific number of workers available, individual deployment arrangements and the timing of future assignments have not been disclosed in the announcement.
What Did Core Group CEO Phil Ridgwell Say About the Development?
Phil Ridgwell, Chief Executive Officer of Core Group, described the achievement as a significant milestone in the company’s continued business growth.
As quoted by The Global Recruiter Newsdesk, Ridgwell said:
“Securing signatory status at Gatwick is a fantastic milestone for Core Group and a significant step forward in the continued growth of our business.”
He connected the development with the airport’s forthcoming infrastructure investment and the demand for skilled personnel across construction, M&E and building services.
Ridgwell said:
“Gatwick is entering an exciting period of investment, with major infrastructure projects creating demand for skilled people across construction, M&E and building services. These are exactly the areas where Core Group has built its expertise, and we’re delighted to be in a position to support contractors working across the airport.”
His comments highlight the relationship between the company’s existing workforce specialisms and the requirements associated with Gatwick’s investment programme.
The CEO also addressed the particular challenges of delivering projects within an operational airport.
According to Ridgwell, working in a live airport environment requires attention to safety, security and workforce planning. These considerations influence how contractors organise their activities and ensure that appropriate personnel are available for their assignments.
He said:
“Delivering projects in a live airport environment brings particular challenges around safety, security and workforce planning. Our focus is on helping clients navigate those requirements while ensuring they have access to the right people, at the right time.”
The comments underline the importance of workforce coordination in environments where construction activities take place alongside ongoing transport operations.
Unlike projects in locations without continuous public or operational activity, airport construction requires contractors to consider the wider operating environment when planning their work.
Ridgwell concluded by linking the development to Core Group’s broader expansion ambitions.
He said:
“This is another important step in our ambition to expand our presence across major UK infrastructure projects, and we’re looking forward to developing new relationships and opportunities at Gatwick.”
His statement indicates that the company views the achievement as part of a wider effort to establish relationships and pursue opportunities across the UK’s infrastructure sector.
Why Are Safety, Security and Workforce Planning Important at a Live Airport?
The operational environment at London Gatwick is an important aspect of Core Group’s announcement.
Airport infrastructure projects differ from many conventional construction assignments because work must take place alongside continuing airport operations. Construction teams may need to coordinate their activities with contractors, airport personnel and other operational stakeholders.
Safety and security are particularly important considerations when working within restricted airport environments.
Workforce planning also has a significant role. Contractors must consider the availability of appropriately skilled personnel, the requirements of individual assignments and the coordination of different trades.
The range of workers identified by Core Group reflects the variety of responsibilities involved in construction and building services delivery.
For example, electrical and mechanical specialists may be required for building systems, while groundworkers and labourers support site activities. Supervisors coordinate workers and contribute to the organisation of construction operations.
The company’s announcement does not provide specific details about its internal airport compliance procedures, individual worker accreditation arrangements or the precise responsibilities associated with its authorised signatory status. It does, however, directly identify safety, security and workforce planning as important considerations when supporting clients at Gatwick.
These operational requirements also demonstrate the relevance of professional knowledge in Safety and Security, particularly for organisations involved in complex infrastructure environments.
What Services Does Core Group Provide Across the UK Infrastructure Sector?
Core Group operates as a specialist workforce solutions provider, supplying temporary, contract and permanent personnel across several technical and infrastructure-related sectors.
According to The Global Recruiter Newsdesk, the company’s activities cover construction, mechanical and electrical services, rail and specialist technical sectors.
Its services are designed to support contractors and project partners with workforce requirements throughout different stages of project delivery.
This includes support from initial mobilisation through to project completion.
The company’s operating model is relevant to projects that require different types of personnel at different stages. Construction and engineering assignments may involve several specialist trades, with workforce requirements changing as projects progress.
Temporary personnel can help address shorter-term requirements, while contract and permanent recruitment arrangements can support longer-term workforce planning.
The company’s new status at Gatwick strengthens its ability to work with contractors within the airport’s infrastructure environment.
It also provides a potential platform for developing new business relationships as the airport progresses its investment and expansion plans.
However, Core Group has not disclosed the names of specific contractors it will support under the new arrangement, the value of any resulting contracts or the anticipated revenue contribution from its Gatwick activities.
The announcement therefore represents confirmation of an expanded operational opportunity rather than the disclosure of a completed major project contract.
What Does the Development Mean for the UK Construction and Engineering Workforce?
Gatwick’s infrastructure plans highlight the importance of skilled labour in delivering major transport infrastructure projects.
The combination of terminal improvements, airfield upgrades, building modernisation and runway expansion requires a range of construction and technical capabilities.
The anticipated creation of approximately 14,000 jobs through the Northern Runway Programme further demonstrates the potential employment implications of the airport’s expansion.
Although this figure relates to the wider regional employment impact of the programme rather than confirmed vacancies at Core Group, it provides context for the scale of workforce demand associated with the development.
Specialist workforce providers can support this environment by helping contractors identify and access personnel with the required technical skills and experience.
Core Group’s achievement is therefore relevant to the wider relationship between infrastructure investment and workforce supply.
The company’s existing activities across construction, M&E, rail and specialist technical sectors provide the foundation for its involvement in different types of infrastructure assignments.
Its authorised signatory status at Gatwick represents an additional development in that business activity.
As the airport progresses its capital investment programme and Northern Runway expansion, the availability of suitably skilled workers will remain an important consideration for contractors responsible for delivering the associated construction and engineering activities.
What Are Core Group’s Next Steps Following Its Gatwick Achievement?
Core Group has described securing authorised signatory status as part of its ambition to expand its presence across major UK infrastructure projects.
Phil Ridgwell’s comments indicate that the business intends to develop new relationships and opportunities at Gatwick while supporting contractors with specialist workforce requirements.
The company’s immediate opportunity is linked to its ability to provide personnel across construction, M&E and building services.
The airport’s investment programme offers a substantial infrastructure context for this development, although the precise scale of Core Group’s future involvement remains undisclosed.
No specific contract awards, project commencement dates, recruitment targets or financial forecasts were included in the announcement.
The company’s wider workforce solutions model, which covers temporary, contract and permanent personnel, will remain relevant to its approach to supporting contractors and project partners.
For the wider construction and engineering sector, the development illustrates how specialist workforce providers can strengthen their position by obtaining the necessary status to support activities in major infrastructure environments.
As Gatwick moves forward with its infrastructure improvements and expansion plans, Core Group will be seeking to translate its newly secured status into contractor relationships and further opportunities.
The development marks another step in the company’s stated growth ambitions, while highlighting the continuing importance of skilled construction, mechanical and electrical personnel in supporting the UK’s major infrastructure projects.