Robertson breaks ground on Sir Bobby Robson Institute
The £30m cancer treatment and research centre is located at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital and is on track to open in 2028.
Construction is being funded by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, with the Trust overseeing its operation. So far, £26.5m has been raised, including a £2m donation from the Barbour Foundation.
Robertson was appointed through the ProCure23 framework and has been working with project partners since January, providing pre-construction and design services from RIBA Stage 1 through to Stage 4.
P+HS Architects led on the design, which was inspired by the molecular structure of a hexagon – a key feature of Rubraca, the first ‘Geordie cancer drug’.
The rest of the project team includes Pegasus, One-Environments, Shed, WG Consulting, and Turner & Townsend.
The three-storey Sir Bobby Robson Institute will bring together the current Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre and the hospital’s cancer and blood disorders (oncology and haematology) research teams.
The institute will provide more space and specialist facilities for cancer research, allowing 50% more R&D to be carried out by the teams that work there and a home for cancer trials.
The institute will support NHS patients from the North East, North Cumbria, and North Yorkshire.
Elliot Robertson, chief executive officer, Robertson Group, said: “As a trusted delivery partner, we are honoured to play our part in creating a cutting-edge facility to advance vital cancer research, benefit communities across the region and honour Sir Bobby Robson’s legacy.
“Drawing on our extensive healthcare experience and strong local supply chain, we will work closely with the Trust and the Foundation to bring their shared vision to life.”
Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son and chair of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation said: “This is a momentous day and I can only imagine what my dad would be feeling if he was here.
“We’re so proud that his legacy in setting up the Foundation has brought us to this point and I know he’d be incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us.”
Professor Ruth Plummer, consultant medical oncologist at Newcastle Hospitals said: “When Sir Bobby first set up his foundation it was initially to help us raise half a million to equip our current cancer drug trials unit.
“Since then, demand for cancer clinical trials has continued to increase both locally and internationally.
“We have the specialist expertise and experience in Newcastle to do even more trials and the new institute will make a huge difference in allowing us to provide more access for patients, giving people a chance to try an innovative treatment that could work for them while also being part of something bigger in terms of developing new cancer treatments.
“Quite simply, more research means we move forward with more options and better outcomes for patients, improving what we can provide now and in the future.”
Mark Robson continued: “Dad called the foundation his last and greatest team for good reason, and we welcome any support that people can give.”
