Belvoir’s first franchise owner celebrates 20 years in business Belvoir is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the company’s very first franchise owner, Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray. Dorian Gonsalves, Belvoir Managing Director, had this to say: “It is a fantastic achievement for Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray to be celebrating
23 April 2016 – by Alexander Peace Setting the scene in his keynote address, Savills’ head of residential research Lucian Cook said that increased regulation and the threat of interest rate rises would curtail house price growth over the next five years, especially in London. But in the meantime, EG’s
New figures published by Skills Development Scotland show the number of Modern Apprentices (MA) in training in 2015/16 has increased to 25,818, exceeding the Scottish Government’s annual target for the fifth year in a row. The data show that Construction was the biggest contributor to the MA programme with 4,894
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Mar 15th 2016 A former apprentice who is now a director of multi-million pound turnover business J Tomlinson is backing National Apprenticeship Week. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A former apprentice who
Belvoir’s first franchise owner celebrates 20 years in business Belvoir is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the company’s very first franchise owner, Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray. Dorian Gonsalves, Belvoir Managing Director, had this to say: “It is a fantastic achievement for Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray to be celebrating 20 years with the company. Andy was Belvoir’s very first franchise owner, launching in July 1996. It is fabulous that our very first franchise owner is still in business after 20 years, and is still as passionate and enthusiastic about the business as he was on the day that he first opened. Our business and industry has changed so much over the last 20 years, and it is testament to Andy’s dedication to his clients that he has changed and evolved so much over the years to become such a significant business in Elgin. We wish him every success for the next 20 years!” Andy recalls, “When I started Belvoir Moray, I had just retired from the RAF and I built my business up from nothing. I initially worked from a spare room in my own home, with only a chair, a desk, computer and a filing cabinet. How times have changed! Today we are one of the biggest agents in Moray. We now have five full-time employees and one part-time member of staff, so we are quite a large team, and they are all fantastic. Many of the staff have been with me for years, including my office manager Lynn Roger, who has worked here for 15 years. I joined Belvoir after a 16-year career in the RAF and was attracted to the franchising route because of the back up and support I would receive from the franchisor, which has proved extremely valuable over the years. Being part of a franchise gives me the support and back up of a national organisation, but with the freedom of being self employed. It is also fantastic to have the help and support of our fellow franchisees within the network. Over the years I have seen many changes, particularly with new regulations, Internet advertising and social media. I believe that is very important to keep pace with all the changes and to embrace new technology, so that we continue to provide a robust and trustworthy service to all our clients. I may have been in this business for 20 years, but I can honestly say that I still love the job and have no regrets at all. The business continues to expand and we now offer an estate agency service in addition to lettings. We are looking forward to continuing to work with our existing clients – some of whom have been with us from the very beginning – and to welcoming new clients on board. Belvoir Moray is proof that franchising works. We are a great advertisement for anyone who is considering going down the route of buying into a franchise!” Source link
23 April 2016 – by Alexander Peace Setting the scene in his keynote address, Savills’ head of residential research Lucian Cook said that increased regulation and the threat of interest rate rises would curtail house price growth over the next five years, especially in London. But in the meantime, EG’s head of London residential research Nigel Evans says that housing provision in the capital is at an all-time high. He said a record 47,000 homes are under construction in London, nearly double the last peak of 26,000 recorded in 2007, though this masked serious issues of affordability. “We may be on the cusp of a paradigm shift,” he said, “away from an owner-occupied market to a rental dominated one. This is a market increasingly polarised, with homes at the one end and investments at the other.” All the content from this weekís magazine, including this article, is available in the new app. Neither of the mainstream mayoral candidates, according to panelists and the prevailing mood in the room, were the ones to fix the crisis, with the view that pledges were not only populist, but far too similar. “What is remarkable is there is such little difference in reality between the two leading candidates,” said Steve Norris, former government minister. “At base, they are preaching the same message, and they face the same challenge: how to turn the rhetoric into reality… and I am not sure I have heard a convincing argument from either of them,” he said. Professor Tony Travers from the London School of Economics said: “There is a risk of disappointment in relation to the housing bids made in this election. Candidates are offering simple-to-understand commitments, but these are pretty steep commitments.” The pair said that one of the few meaningful powers the London mayor held was the ability to change the threshold for mayoral call-ins, allowing higher density housebuilding, though there was acceptance of the kick-back this would create from the boroughs. Click here to read the full story Source link
New figures published by Skills Development Scotland show the number of Modern Apprentices (MA) in training in 2015/16 has increased to 25,818, exceeding the Scottish Government’s annual target for the fifth year in a row. The data show that Construction was the biggest contributor to the MA programme with 4,894 (19%) starts. CITB directly supported 1876 Modern Apprentices last year, up 32% since 2011, and is the single largest provider of Modern Apprentices in Scotland. CITB, in partnership with industry, has developed the new industry careers website, GoConstruct, to inspire more people of all backgrounds to consider a career in construction. It shows the full range of careers available in the sector, both on and off-site. Responding to the report, Ian Hughes, Strategic Partnerships Director at CITB Scotland, said: “These figures are very encouraging. To see construction and CITB leading the way in the Modern Apprenticeship programme in Scotland is excellent news and a tribute to the industry and our teams on the ground. “But we want to do even more todemonstrate what a vibrant and rewarding career construction can offer to candidates of all backgrounds. Go Construct is an excellent place to start for anyone considering a career in the industry. “We will continue working hard with our partners in industry and government to ensure that all young people know the benefits an apprenticeship can bring.” The figures were welcomed by Stephen Sheridan, Skills Planning Manager for Construction at Skills Development Scotland (SDS). He said: “It’s encouraging to see the number of construction apprentices continuing to grow at a time when skills are in great demand. “Attracting future talent is one of the main themes of the Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Construction sector, and it is vital if employers are to capitalise on growth opportunities. “Improving equality and diversity within Modern Apprenticeships is also one of our key aims, and we will continue working with a range of partners including CITB in helping more people find pathways into the industry.” The full report can be found here. Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Mar 15th 2016 A former apprentice who is now a director of multi-million pound turnover business J Tomlinson is backing National Apprenticeship Week. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A former apprentice who is now a director of a multi-million pound turnover business is backing this year’s National Apprenticeship Week. Pete Woods, operations director at contractor J Tomlinson, began his career in construction in 1994 as an apprentice joiner. Twenty years later he was appointed as a director at the Nottingham-based company, having worked for J Tomlinson since 2000. He now has the responsibility for the regeneration division at the company and the delivery of its contracts, at a time when the firm is experiencing unprecedented growth. During National Apprenticeship Week 2016 – which has the theme of ‘rising to the top’ – Pete and J Tomlinson are shining a spotlight on the opportunities that apprenticeships can create. “I left school with no GCSEs. The training and support I received as part of my apprenticeship gave me the skills, confidence and building blocks for a career that has taken me from an apprentice joiner at a small design and build company in Nottingham to a senior position at J Tomlinson, now one of the most successful, growing contractors in the East Midlands,” said Pete. “Just like me, there are many people who prefer a more hands-on approach to learning and skills development that doesn’t involve sitting in a classroom all the time. Undertaking an apprenticeship can benefit them greatly.”Running from 14th to 18th March, National Apprenticeship Week is coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. “J Tomlinson is currently supporting more than 20 apprentices and trainees within our company, providing the funding and support to help them work towards professional qualifications,” said Pete.“We are continually looking for new talent to develop and therefore are open to supporting many more apprenticeships and training schemes in the future.” Nineteen-year-old customer liaison officer at J Tomlinson Faz Hussain, from Beeston, has recently secured a permanent job at the company following the completion of her apprenticeship this month (March).She has ambitions to be a senior CLO with a few years more experience and progress up, potentially to management level. “There is always the opportunity to progress here, and I have a passion for success,” she said. “Lots of line managers have given me time and I always get plenty of help from other guys who have lots of experience in the job.”IT and telecommunications apprentice Lewis Jones, 17, from Stapleford, is also enjoying his training at J Tomlinson. He needed back surgery early in his apprenticeship, which he mentioned during his interview for the position, and has been delighted with the support he has received before, during and after his operation. “I had to have back surgery, which meant I was out of work for eight weeks. I get loads of support. The atmosphere in the office is awesome,” said Lewis, who left school after taking GCSEs. “Everyone here is so nice, even the directors are awesome, they make you feel welcome and say hello in the yard.” Long term, Lewis aims to get qualified in IT, learn all aspects of his trade, complete more training in telecoms, and has ambitions to become an IT manager. Group systems manager at J Tomlinson Tracy Price is another firm supporter of apprenticeships and trainee schemes. She began working at the company straight from school in 1997 and has progressed up the ranks from administration assistant to her current role of group systems manager, which she took on in May 2014. In this role Tracy is responsible for the entire group systems, delivering appropriate training to the business, and coordinating all operations delivered through IT. “Apprenticeships and trainee schemes, along with continuous development, are a very important part of helping individuals and companies to grow, and I’ve welcomed the training and development opportunities that I’ve received since I left school and joined J Tomlinson almost 20 years ago, which has enabled me to continually develop my career,” she said. J Tomlinson, which has its headquarters at Lilac Grove, Beeston, operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, employs more than 380 people, and has been named in Deloitte’s Businesses Leading Britain 2014 report, which provides insights into the UK’s 1,000 fastest-growing businesses with annual revenues between £30 million and £1 billion. The firm offers services in construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical engineering, and facilities management, and works across a range of sectors including social housing, emergency services, health and care, education, retail and commercial property. A privately owned company, the business has recently introduced a ‘people strategy’ to ensure that employees benefit from training, development and career progression opportunities. Source link
