The Scottish Affairs Committee is “disappointed” the UK government “has not recognised the uncertainty felt in the renewable sector”, or provided “meaningful support and reassurance”. The committee has published the UK government’s response to the renewable energy in Scotland report, which came out in July. Committee chair
©Reuters Elon Musk SolarCity, the solar power company that has received a takeover approach from Tesla Motors, sought to deal with a tortuous web of potential conflicts of interest on Monday by announcing a special committee of directors to consider the proposal. Despite being made up of only two of
Browser does not support script. Contact us The President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Jane Duncan, has given the following comment to The Architects’ Journal regarding the procurement of the Garden Bridge. Mrs Duncan has also written directly to the Mayor regarding this issue. RIBA President Jane
The £1.35bn Queensferry Crossing across the Forth river remains on budget and on schedule to open to traffic by the end of the year after completion of the 5,600-tonne north approach viaduct’s launch. Above: The north viaduct was pushed 230 metres Unlike the south viaduct which was constructed in sections,
Wessex Water Services has announced the appointment of Andy Pymer as managing director and James Rider as chief operating officer. Andy Pymer and James Rider Pymer is currently director of Regulation and Customer Services, while Rider is director of operations, The appointments follow a recruitment process led by
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (MET) held the official opening of the Construction and Trades Centre at the Brighton East Campus with a special ceremony that local businesses, staff, and students attended. The ribbon of the £9 million building was cut by Tim Wates, Chair of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise
BeA Fastening Systems is helping to set new standards in gas powered nailer reliability. The business, which ranks as one of Europe’s largest manufacturer of fastening technology, tools and consumables for construction and industrial-focused applications, has revamped and relaunched its existing range of fuel cells for first and second fix
More than half of companies interviewed will spend less time working from a traditional company office space in the future as corporates look to flexible options. Four out of five flexible office space users reported that they have benefitted from the enhanced work environment, with workers agreeing that their workspace has had a
Jet Aire Services, the Leeds-based drainage and civil engineering contractor, has appointed a new Contract Manager. Mark Walker will coordinate the efficient delivery of projects throughout the UK. Mark had previously worked as Senior Area Agent at Ringway Infrastructure Services, a role that equipped him with outstanding experience in civil
Starting with the 1st of April, important legislative changes will happen in the property market and property develops and UK construction companies need to be prepared for it. Privately rented properties need to reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating E before being able to grant a new
The Scottish Affairs Committee is “disappointed” the UK government “has not recognised the uncertainty felt in the renewable sector”, or provided “meaningful support and reassurance”. The committee has published the UK government’s response to the renewable energy in Scotland report, which came out in July. Committee chair Pete Wishart said: “The government’s response to our report shows a worrying complacency. They are right to recognise the strong performance of Scotland’s renewable sector, but they have not responded to the voices of those in the industry who have told us that they are facing an uncertain future.” In the report, published earlier this year, the committee noted that the removal of subsidies had affected confidence in the long-term viability of plants and technological development. The removal of subsidies for onshore wind, one of cheapest renewable sources, without consultation with the industry or Scottish government was “particularly troubling”. Wishart said: “We are told that everything is fine, but where are the reassurances to the renewable sector that the support will be there to encourage the development of new plants and new technologies? Where is the investment in infrastructure? “They have provided us with a tacit admission that they think onshore wind has reached its limit, let us hope that is not their view of the industry as a whole. “Scotland has been way ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom when it comes to renewable energy. The government should be celebrating this and doing everything it can to ensure this success continues into the future, not cutting support and reducing confidence. “We urge them to do more to work with representatives of the industry and the Scottish government as they develop future plans.” Source link
©Reuters Elon Musk SolarCity, the solar power company that has received a takeover approach from Tesla Motors, sought to deal with a tortuous web of potential conflicts of interest on Monday by announcing a special committee of directors to consider the proposal. Despite being made up of only two of SolarCity’s eight board directors, however, the committee still includes one who was also once on the board of Tesla. More On this topic IN Utilities The overlap highlights the difficulties the solar company faces in persuading shareholders that it will evaluate the Tesla bid approach objectively. It will also have to lay the ground for what legal experts said would be an inevitable challenge in court if a deal is ever completed. Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is also chairman of SolarCity and owns slightly more than 20 per cent of both companies, prompting questions about potential conflicts when his takeover approach was announced last Wednesday. Mr Musk and Antonias Gracias, an investor who also sits on both boards, said at the time that they would not vote their shares in either company in any future shareholder vote on a deal. However, the ties between the two companies’ boards go much further, and only one of SolarCity’s eight-person board has no present or past connection to Tesla. On Monday, the solar company set up a special committee with “exclusive authority” to weigh the company’s “long-term business plan and standalone opportunities for value creation against a broad range of strategic alternatives”. One member, venture capital investor Nancy Pfund, was a board member of Tesla before its 2010 initial public offering, while Donald Kendall, chair of the committee, has no previous ties. The committee will be advised by Skadden Arps and Lazard. “The situation is highly unusual” given how many links there are between the two companies’ boards, said Brian Quinn, a professor at Boston College Law School. The overlaps meant that shareholder lawsuits were likely, with the onus falling on SolarCity’s board to show it acted in the best interests of shareholders, he added. Among the directors to have recused themselves from voting on a Tesla takeover are Mr Musk’s cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive. JB Straubel, Tesla’s chief technology officer and another SolarCity director, has also been forced to count himself out. That has left only three directors able to vote on any future offer — Mr Kendall, Ms Pfund and John Fisher, a partner at venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson, which was also an early backer of Tesla. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2016. You may share using our article tools. Please don’t cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. Source link
Browser does not support script. Contact us The President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Jane Duncan, has given the following comment to The Architects’ Journal regarding the procurement of the Garden Bridge. Mrs Duncan has also written directly to the Mayor regarding this issue. RIBA President Jane Duncan said: “The allegations relating to the procurement of the Garden Bridge are extremely concerning. All those who bid for work have a right to expect that their submissions will be judged fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law. “Given the high profile nature of this project, the amount of public money at stake and the seriousness of the allegations, we would urge that the project is put on hold and the whole procurement process is then opened up to detailed scrutiny. “This is by no means a comment on the work of the immensely talented Heatherwick Studio and Arup teams. Our concerns are about the fairness and transparency of the procurement process.” ENDS Posted on Tuesday 9th February 2016 Source link
The £1.35bn Queensferry Crossing across the Forth river remains on budget and on schedule to open to traffic by the end of the year after completion of the 5,600-tonne north approach viaduct’s launch. Above: The north viaduct was pushed 230 metres Unlike the south viaduct which was constructed in sections, the north viaduct was fully assembled on site and pushed out over static temporary supports as a single operation. It is more than 220-metres long and has travelled more than 230 metres. Adding the temporary equipment needed for the launch increases the total weight pushed to over 6,000 tonnes. A distance of only 64 metres now remains between making the connection from the north viaduct to the north deck fan. Michael Martin, project director for the consortium building the new bridge, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, said: “The launch of the north approach viaduct into its final position has been one of the most technically challenging operations of its type ever performed. “A massive total of 6,300 tonnes of steel and concrete was launched out 230 metres, in itself a significant feat of engineering. But what makes this operation really special is the fact that we had to slide the trailing edge of the moving structure down two ramp walls in order to raise the front edge by two metres. This allowed us to pivot the entire structure over the top of one of the two support piers as it moved forwards, resulting in the viaduct structure being at the correct geometry to match the emerging deck coming from the north tower.” He added: “This operation was extremely technically challenging. It required the ingenuity of some of the best engineers in the world, to design and build the structure and devise the method of safely and successfully launching it out into position. This is the kind of work being delivered on a daily basis right across this amazing project.” The 2.7km bridge is being built by the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) consortium, comprising Hochtief, Dragados, American Bridge and Morrison Construction under a £790m contract. This article was published on 21 Mar 2016 (last updated on 21 Mar 2016). Source link
Wessex Water Services has announced the appointment of Andy Pymer as managing director and James Rider as chief operating officer. Andy Pymer and James Rider Pymer is currently director of Regulation and Customer Services, while Rider is director of operations, The appointments follow a recruitment process led by the independent directors of Wessex Water Services. Gillian Camm, who chaired the interview panel, said: “We were very impressed with the calibre of the applicants we interviewed for the managing director role. It is encouraging that the business has such outstanding candidates that measure up very well to the external world.” Colin Skellett, chief executive of the Wessex and YTL UK group of companies, said: “The appointment of Andy and James demonstrates the strength and depth of management capability within Wessex Water. I am delighted with these appointments and am confident they will maintain Wessex Water Services at the forefront of the UK water industry.” The appointments take effect from 1 August 2016. Source link
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (MET) held the official opening of the Construction and Trades Centre at the Brighton East Campus with a special ceremony that local businesses, staff, and students attended. The ribbon of the £9 million building was cut by Tim Wates, Chair of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. After the ceremony, those present there toured around the new facilities, which will be used to train bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, painters and decorators, plasterers, and plumbers. The plans for this construction were supported financially by local growth deal funding, through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, as part of a deal to boost skills in the wider area. The construction industry is expected to see the biggest percentage growth across the UK, with 21.9% and Sussex with 44% over the next five years. “We were delighted to provide Local Growth Fund investment for the Construction and Trades Centre and it is fantastic to see all the hard work by partners come to fruition,” said Tim Wates. He continues: “A tremendous effort has been made to improve Greater Brighton Metropolitan College’s infrastructure and throughout the process we have been impressed with their plans to address the skills deficit of the region. This centre will be a beacon for a city that has ambitions to be world class in construction and we are excited about the future development and growth at the college.” The MET was created from the merger of City College Brighton and Northbrook College Sussex. It offers a comprehensive range of qualifications for 16 year olds leaving school, full and part time courses for adults, apprenticeships, professional qualifications and university degrees. The MET operates across five campuses in Brighton, Shoreham, and Worthing and teaches around 3,500 16-18 year olds, 7,500 adult learners, 1,000 undergraduates and 800 apprentices.
BeA Fastening Systems is helping to set new standards in gas powered nailer reliability. The business, which ranks as one of Europe’s largest manufacturer of fastening technology, tools and consumables for construction and industrial-focused applications, has revamped and relaunched its existing range of fuel cells for first and second fix tools. Paul Shepherd, national sales manager at BeA, explains: “Modern construction businesses and contractors demand gas powered nailers that work as hard as they do. “Frequently, gas fuel cells can be a weak link in an otherwise robust chain and our new products aim to overcome that. We have gone to great lengths to develop cells that users can count on for optimum reliability, time after time after time.” Offering exceptional levels of compatibility and suitable for use in gas powered nail guns from most well-known manufacturers, the new BeA fuel cells employ a unique propane and butane mix alongside an enhanced cell design. This enables them to deliver consistent, dependable performance – driving up to 1200 fasteners, cleanly and efficiently, from every cell. Their long lifespan also helps to reduce stoppages for fuel cell changes, enabling users to save time and maximise productivity. Plus, the new cells perform better in the cold whilst the gas formula employed helps to minimise exhaust gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner and more comfortable working environment. As a further benefit, the new BeA fuel cells also incorporate a synthetic oil. This enables them to lubricate the tool in which they are used and to reduce carbon deposits. This again contributes to reduced misfires and helps to increase the tool’s effectiveness and overall working life. Concluding Paul Shepherd adds: “BeA has an active programme of new product research and development and our next generation gas fuel cells have been created as a result of that and following feedback from our stockists and end-users. “We’ve listened to the market’s needs, understood its expectations and developed a product which we believe exceeds them by setting new standards in performance and reliability.”
More than half of companies interviewed will spend less time working from a traditional company office space in the future as corporates look to flexible options. Four out of five flexible office space users reported that they have benefitted from the enhanced work environment, with workers agreeing that their workspace has had a positive effect on engagement with their roles, resulting in much higher productivity levels. The ‘Marketplace for flexible work’ report has been conducted by The Instant Group, the flexible workspace specialist and workplace strategy firm HLW. The research found that users of co-working and flexible space are rapidly growing in numbers across a larger range of companies. And those using it are reaping further benefits in the form of greater work flexibility, growing professional networks, more business opportunities, higher levels of energy at work, and innovation. Tim Rodber, CEO, The Instant Group, said: “The trend towards flexible working has dominated the headlines for some time now and operators of this space have been driving take up in the global cities for the past two years. More than half of our respondents envision spending less time going forward working from a traditional company office space, this confirms our view that corporate occupiers in particular want far more flexibility and choice nowadays over how and where they work.” The report analysed the co-working and flexible workspace sector to gather a 360-degree perspective of the industry to determine where perspectives align and diverge among stakeholders. The research also found that location and the ability to assign or reassign employees to workspace on short notice were also important influencers when choosing flexible workspace over conventional office space. Looking forward, the research found that more than half of the companies interviewed envisage spending less time working from a traditional company office space with an increase in the number of corporates looking for more flexible options. Flexible benefits Eighty-three per cent of users of co-working and other types of flex space claim to have benefited from this growing form of work environment over the last five to ten years. The majority (71%) of end-user’s report that their workspaces positively affect the ways they engage in their work. Greater work flexibility, expanding professional networks, business opportunities, higher levels of energy at work, innovation, and a generally improved working environment were cited as some of the key benefits of working in this type of environment. A vast majority of users stated that by being surrounded by a more diverse mix of individuals they allowed themselves a greater opportunity to ‘learn often’ and that they ‘continue to learn more and more as time goes by’. Long-term satisfaction Amenity provision such as decent coffee shops, showers and wireless connectivity are key considerations when it comes to possible improvements in flexible workspaces, with nearly all respondents (89%) citing that this would improve satisfaction, alongside innovations in workplace design and the quality of the social experience. These areas of focus are at the point where the “new” market for workspace is challenging previous perceptions of the of co-working model – namely, a radical shift in the approach to design, providing more (and better) amenities, and curating the space to create atmosphere and interaction. Corporates are ‘flexing’ Corporate clients are reaping the benefits of a more engaged workforce and the associated benefits of working in flexible workspaces. The ability to choose where and when you work would appear not only to give management and workers a variety of environments that suit different working modes but also positively impact user engagement levels. The key finding for corporates was the general flexibility around work, and the ability to reduce or increase real estate costs as the business required. Tellingly, some corporate respondents even quote reduced real estate costs and greater employee productivity as being among the critical and tangible business benefits. John Duckworth, MD of UK & EMEA, The Instant Group, said: “With lease lengths on average now down to as low as 5.2 years and with the average tenancy stay around 36 months for operators such as The Office Group, the gap is closing between a ‘flex’ or ‘conventional’ approach. Increasingly the choice is becoming based more upon cashflow and strategic approach to space than the length of stay. For access to the full report, please CLICK HERE www.theinstantgroup.com Methodology The Instant Group partnered with HLW to conduct a study of over 300 respondents from the co-working and flexible work industry. Respondents completed a comprehensive questionnaire about their current perspectives of the market, the value they get from it, and how they see the market benefiting them in the future. About The Instant Group Founded in 1999, The Instant Group is a workspace innovation company that rethinks workspace on behalf of its clients injecting flexibility, reducing cost and driving enterprise performance. Instant places more than 6,000 companies a year in flexible workspace such as serviced, managed or co-working offices including Amazon, American Express, Sky, Network Rail, Serco, Teleperformance, Worldpay, and TMF making it the market leader in flexible workspace. Its listings’ platform Instant Offices hosts more than 12,000 flexible workspace centers across the world and is the only site of its kind to represent the global market, providing a service to FTSE 100, Fortune 500, and SME clients. With offices in London, Newcastle, Berlin, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, The Instant Group employs 200 experts and has clients in more than 150 countries. About HLW HLW is a leading international full-service planning, architecture and design firm. HLW is building the future, from skyscrapers, to the workplaces of today’s most cutting-edge companies. Sustaining a successful practice for over 125 years, HLW remains a strong, innovative and progressive organization with a diverse portfolio of projects from broadcast and media, financial corporations, technology, academic institutions, and multi-family and mixed-use buildings. The multi-disciplinary firm’s mission is to create inspiring and enriching spaces that enhance that way people work, meet and interact. HLW is headquartered in New York, with offices in Madison,
Jet Aire Services, the Leeds-based drainage and civil engineering contractor, has appointed a new Contract Manager. Mark Walker will coordinate the efficient delivery of projects throughout the UK. Mark had previously worked as Senior Area Agent at Ringway Infrastructure Services, a role that equipped him with outstanding experience in civil engineering operations. He was responsible for producing and maintaining accurate programmes of work, including method statements, risk assessments, Health & Safety plans, communication and company procedures, cost and resource analysis, performance and productivity review, and training. Prior to this role, Mark was a Site Agent responsible for the planning, programming, and resourcing of highway construction schemes valued up to £5 million. As a Contract Manager at Jet Aire Services, Mark will make sure that projects are completed on time and within budget on behalf of clients in a range of key sectors, including chemical, commercial, environmental, industrial, residential, retail, and transport. “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Jet Aire management team. He has the ideal combination of site experience and comprehensive programme management expertise required for this key position. Mark will play a vital role in driving efficiency and performance levels to help Jet Aire to maintain our consistent record of client satisfaction,” aid Jet Aire Services Director, Keith Ferris. The professional drainage and groundworks solutions provided by Jet Aire include CCTV surveys, high-pressure water jetting, drain/sewer cleansing and clearance, tankering, waste disposal, CIPP patching/lining, UV lining, infiltration sealing, robotic cutting, root cutting, epoxy spray Ultra Coating, surfacing, block paving, fencing and civil engineering works on behalf housebuilders, highways operators and local authorities. The company has been accredited and approved by many of the environmental and drainage industry’s leading bodies, holding both ISO9001 and ISO14001 internationally recognised standards for Quality Management, as well as OHSAS 18001 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Starting with the 1st of April, important legislative changes will happen in the property market and property develops and UK construction companies need to be prepared for it. Privately rented properties need to reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating E before being able to grant a new tenancy to new or existing tenants. If a property will fail to meet this standard, then the owner will face fines up to £4,000. If you are reading this and you are a landlord then you need to make sure you’re not at risk and the first step towards that is acquiring an EPC from an accredited EPC Register assessor. Most landlords are familiar with the colourful diagram that offers an overview of a building’s energy efficiency rating. The rating is given by a qualified assessor after he had surveyed the property. The score can be between 1 and 100 and it determines the energy efficiency rating. Starting with the 1st of April, a score lower than 39 means the property is not legally equipped to be rented. So what can you do to improve your property’s EPC rating? First of all, make sure that every cavity wall contains proper insulation. Then, replace inefficient lighting with energy saving CFL or LED light bulbs that can cut electricity bills by up to £100 over its lifetime. One of the quickest ways for your property to lose energy is through the windows. Double glazing can reduce heat loss by up to 75%. If your property still relies on an old boiler, then it is time for an upgrade. A more costly investment is installing solar panels, however, your property will benefit from this free energy source for years. The last advice would be to compare business energy providers and see the green options available. This could bring you an up to 40% saving on your business energy spend.
