Lucion adds in-house AI to upgrade NexGen compliance

Lucion has upgraded its NexGen compliance and risk management platform, adding an in-house artificial intelligence tool and new automation features for organisations managing complex estates across the UK.

The group said the update reflects rising regulatory scrutiny, growing ESG requirements and increasing operational risk for estate owners and operators. It positions the platform as a shift away from periodic, reactive compliance activity and towards continuous oversight using data and analytics.

NexGen is already used across healthcare, construction, utilities, infrastructure and education. Lucion said the software is used by thousands of organisations and supports compliance work across large and complex property portfolios.

AI inside platform

The centrepiece of the release is NexGenAI, which Lucion describes as a secure AI function built and run in-house. It is designed for searching, summarising and interpreting compliance information held in the system.

Lucion said the AI operates within its protected Amazon Web Services infrastructure. The company said this keeps data control with clients and uses encrypted processing. It also said client data is not retained or reused.

Firms adopting AI tools in regulated environments have faced questions about how data is processed and where it is stored. In areas such as estates compliance, public sector governance and information assurance often sit alongside safety duties. Lucion is positioning the closed-infrastructure approach as a way to use AI functions without sending data to third-party AI services.

"Our goal has always been simple. Make compliance easier without compromising on standards," said Paul Hayball, Software Engineering Director, Lucion. "This evolution of NexGen is about helping organisations stay ahead of risk, not just respond to it. It changes how teams interact with data and how decisions are made across the organisation."

Interface redesign

The upgraded version also includes a redesigned interface based on client input and beta testing. Lucion said NHS Trusts, universities and large estates teams contributed feedback during testing.

The platform is intended for office and field-based use. Lucion said it has a mobile experience designed for access to compliance information away from a desk, which is a common requirement for estates and safety teams working across multiple sites.

New functions listed include AI-generated dashboard summaries, updated site and risk mapping, and visibility of surveys and contractor activity. The company also highlighted financial management tools and GIS-enabled tracking as part of the upgrade.

Rob Lowe, Capital Project Manager (RAAC, Asbestos & CDM), Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said, "The new NexGen portal represents a significant advancement in how we manage our compliance data. The modern, intuitive interface is a massive upgrade, and the dashboard layout provides exactly what we need for board-level reporting. The system's enhanced tracking and data intelligence give us clearer insight into our compliance journey and make reporting more efficient than ever."

Compliance pressures

The release comes as many organisations face increased attention on building safety and environmental risk management. Estate owners are also managing redevelopment and retrofit programmes alongside day-to-day compliance. These projects can introduce new hazards and add complexity where records, surveys and remediation work span years.

Lucion pointed to asbestos, legionella and hazardous materials as areas where organisations need reliable historical records and current visibility across sites. It also linked the wider shift to Net Zero plans, which can increase the volume of work on existing buildings and heighten the need for structured oversight.

Platforms such as NexGen sit within a market that has expanded as compliance teams try to consolidate data from surveys, audits, contractor work and internal reporting. The addition of AI search and summarisation tools reflects a broader trend in enterprise software, where suppliers are introducing generative and analytics features but face customer concerns around information governance and security.

"This next generation of NexGen reflects where compliance technology needs to be heading," said Phil Coles, Chief Executive Officer, Lucion. "Organisations need systems that evolve with them, support smarter decision making and stand up to scrutiny. With NexGen, we are setting a new benchmark for how technology can support safer, more efficient and more sustainable operations."

Lucion said it expects demand to continue from organisations that manage large, regulated estates and need consolidated oversight of compliance status, risk trends and reporting across multiple locations.