Bell Ingram Utilities at Work: Supporting the UK’s Infrastructure Development

By Neal Salomon, Head of Bell Ingram Utilities, Infrastructure and Renewables

As Bell Ingram celebrates its 125th anniversary, it’s important to highlight one of the company’s most significant contributions to the UK’s growth and development: Bell Ingram Utilities. In the midst of a major national push towards net zero, Bell Ingram Utilities has played a crucial role in supporting the country’s evolving infrastructure, working closely with clients to deliver complex and essential utility projects across the country.

The UK is undergoing a dramatic increase in utility and infrastructure investment in response to climate change, and Bell Ingram Utilities has been at the forefront of these developments. With demand for infrastructure projects such as new electricity installations, strategic water resource options, and gas network transformation rising sharply, Bell Ingram’s expertise has become more critical than ever. According to the ESO’s ‘Beyond 2030’ report, electricity demand is expected to increase by 64% by 2035, necessitating a complete overhaul of the energy grid – a challenge Bell Ingram is well-prepared to help its clients meet.

For more than five decades, Bell Ingram has been assisting clients with the delivery of vital work across the utilities and infrastructure sectors. Established in 1985 by Director Graham Lumby who later became Managing Director and eventually Chairman of Bell Ingram, Bell Ingram Utilities was created to meet the growing demands of industries including oil, gas, water, telecommunications, and renewables. Today, it serves a wide range of corporate clients, helping them navigate the challenges of operating in the rural environment.

Under the leadership of Partner Neal Salomon, who joined the company in 2011 and is based in Northwich, the Utilities Service has grown into a key element of Bell Ingram’s professional service offering. Supported by Partners Geoff Brown, Derek Tyson and Senior Associate Rhona Sharp (Perth) our Utilities professionals operate from key locations across the UK, including Northwich, Thirsk, Morpeth, Kendal, Ayr, Aberdeen and Perth.

A Long-Standing Legacy of Expertise and Innovation

Bell Ingram Utilities is known for providing a comprehensive range of services that has evolved over the years to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. The company’s work in cross-country pipelines exemplifies this adaptability and expertise. For nearly 50 years, Bell Ingram has provided specialist land agency services to the promoters of oil and gas pipelines across the UK. Its extensive experience in property-related activities, from initial routing and referencing to land acquisition and maintenance, ensures that these large-scale projects are completed successfully and efficiently.

In addition, Bell Ingram has built a strong track record in the water industry, having delivered land agency services to water companies since the 1990s. By collaborating closely with clients and stakeholders, Bell Ingram ensures that projects stay on time and within budget, helping to maintain the critical water infrastructure that supports the UK’s population and supporting the huge investment planned across the network for the next five year period.

The company’s work in the electricity sector is equally impressive. For over 30 years, Bell Ingram has provided wayleaving services to the electricity industry throughout the UK, offering solutions for new build cables, overhead lines, and land acquisition. As the UK’s electricity needs continue to grow, Bell Ingram’s role in supporting the development and maintenance of this essential infrastructure has only increased in importance.

To complete the set of utilities, Bell Ingram acts for all gas companies operating across Scotland and the north of England, supporting in all aspects of the work our clients undertake from smaller scale refurbishment projects to acquiring sites for new installations and securing land rights for major new cross-country pipelines.

Bell Ingram’s expertise extends to telecommunications as well. For more than 26 years, the company has assisted telecom operators with securing wayleaves for telecom cables and leasing sites for telecom masts and tree clearance to improve the line of sight. From initial site inspection to landowner liaison, Bell Ingram’s comprehensive approach ensures that clients can efficiently deploy and maintain their telecom infrastructure.

Renewables and the Future of Energy

As the UK strives towards a greener future, Bell Ingram’s role in the renewables sector has become increasingly valuable. For over two decades, the company has provided land agency advice to developers of wind farms, solar energy projects, hydrogen plants and battery storage facilities. Bell Ingram’s specialist teams understand the importance of renewable energy and are committed to helping developers harness these resources to meet the UK’s growing energy demands. With the country’s renewable energy sector set to play a central role in the transition to net zero, Bell Ingram is well-placed to support the continued growth of this vital industry.

Compulsory Purchase

Our specialist surveyors can support our clients’ compulsory purchase and DCO projects across the country. We work closely and collaboratively with our clients and their legal advisors, providing specialist knowledge and advice through the project definition and land referencing phase and onwards to the preparation of detailed GIS plans and associated CPO schedules, service of notices and expert support at Inquiry. Our understanding and experience also ensures that we are best-placed to settle all compensation claims promptly at a reasonable level in accordance with the compensation code.

Strategic Growth and Recruitment

To ensure that Bell Ingram continues to meet the increasing demands of the utilities and infrastructure sectors, the company has adopted a bold recruitment strategy. By attracting talent from a diverse range of backgrounds, including apprenticeships, graduate programs, and leadership roles, Bell Ingram is positioning itself for long-term growth. This strategy not only strengthens the company’s existing service offering but also ensures that Bell Ingram remains at the forefront of innovation in the utilities sector.