Pharmaceutical construction represents only a small fraction of the global construction market, but it depends on an exceptionally thin layer of GMP-ready expertise. That layer is shrinking. 

At Wade, we know that our people are the driving force behind every successful project. For Women in Construction Week, we spoke with Clare Davidson - CTA about her journey in a male-dominated industry and the challenges, the highs, and the lessons learned along the way.

Delivering GMP facilities in pharmaceutical and life sciences is fundamentally different from delivering standard construction projects. It requires precision, discipline, and a level of expertise and competency that is diminishing in our industry.

Over the past seven years, Wade CMC has grown rapidly, building a reputation for delivering high-quality pharmaceutical and life sciences projects while fostering a collaborative, people-first culture. But the journey is just beginning. Danny Wade’s ambition is to transform the traditional construction model, improving not just project performance, but the experience of the people delivering them.

The UK’s new zero-tariff agreement with the United States marks a strategic shift in pharmaceutical trade - removing tariffs on medicines, ingredients, and med-tech exports for the first time. While the deal strengthens the UK’s position as a life-sciences hub, its impact on construction will unfold gradually.

Earlier this year we spoke about Navigating the UK Construction Landscape in 2025 and what to expect. As part of that we discussed an economic outlook and growth projections which led to prioritising your strategy for construction.
This has then led to the question, is your strategy for construction actually what you require as a business?

At Wade, our ambition has never been confined by borders. What began in Teesside has grown into something far greater, a construction management firm with a truly global reach, operating across the USA, Italy, Singapore, Belgium, France, Germany, the UK, the Middle East and North Africa. This international presence it is the outcome of a delivery model that is fundamentally transforming how construction is managed on a global scale.

The construction industry is at a critical juncture. Traditional methods continue to deliver traditional results, leading to KMPG reporting up to 69% of projects failing on original budget or schedule

The construction industry’s approach to tendering has become a significant obstacle to progress. It’s inefficient, wasteful, and overly focused on cost rather than long-term value. Contractors invest time, money, and expertise into bids for projects that often don’t even materialise, while clients repeatedly sacrifice quality in favour of the cheapest price.

At Wade, we believe it’s time to do things differently.