Lord Adonis, Labour peer and former National Infrastructure Commission chair, is to deliver the keynote address at the 2018 NEC annual seminar on Wednesday, 20 June, where finding a better approach to delivering high-performing infrastructure across the UK will take centre stage. A year on from the launch of the
As part of their continuous support towards the training and development of future roofers, Midland Lead has been supplying thousands of pounds of raw materials and tools to colleges, all for free. Now, the independent lead manufacturer has added five new institutions to the portfolio of colleges they support across
Manchester based Nikal Group has welcomed Darren Jones, previously Managing Director of Himor Group and Director of Economic Development at Oldham Council, as Development Director. “We are delighted that Darren has joined us. He brings to the team 30 years’ of private and public sector experience in regeneration, development and
Lord Adonis, Labour peer and former National Infrastructure Commission chair, is to deliver the keynote address at the 2018 NEC annual seminar on Wednesday, 20 June, where finding a better approach to delivering high-performing infrastructure across the UK will take centre stage. A year on from the launch of the NEC4 suite of contracts at last year’s seminar, Lord Adonis is set to discuss priorities for national infrastructure, building a digital society and achieving success through collaboration in front of an audience of public and private sector industry experts at County Hall, London He joins an outstanding programme of expert speakers from across industry and Government, to include opening remarks by Dr David Hancock, Construction Director for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Cabinet Office, and a talk from David Ferrousatt, Development Procurement Director at Heathrow Airport. Using case studies of Terminal 5 and Terminal 2, Mr Ferrousatt will discuss how NEC has helped shape Heathrow’s contracting journey and inspired greater collaboration and leadership as the airport looks ahead to future expansion. Kevin Murray, Deputy Director, Crown Commercial Service (CCS), then asks whether amendments to standard forms of contracts are ‘a Cure or Curse’? Discussing findings from a review of contract amendments by central government departments and wider public sector clients, Mr Murray will cover the impact of contract amendments and explain how Crown Commercial Service (CCS) will deal with contract amendments in their new commercial agreements. Held in the iconic County Hall, overlooking Westminster and the River Thames, the event, which has sold out for the past three years, will also allow NEC’s international community to engage directly with a variety of experts and industry leaders from infrastructure and facilities management. The ICE’s Project 13 intends to inspire a new long-term, value driven approach to infrastructure as Dale Evans, Director of the @one Alliance and Emma-Jane Houghton, associate director at KPMG, will explain. Ian Heaphy of the NEC4 Contract Board will then introduce the new NEC4 Alliance Contract (ALC), providing advice on when and why to use it, key aspects of the contract and an insight into NEC’s approach to alliancing. Linda Hausmannis, CEO of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) will outline the opportunities and challenges faced by the FM sector, provide a guide to choosing the right procurement strategy and discuss the memorandum of understanding signed between NEC and the BIFM. This is a valuable opportunity for NEC users to hear about NEC4, share best practice, get the latest insights from case studies and strengthen relationships through networking with other delegates. During the afternoon sessions of the event, attendees will also take part in one of three practical NEC workshops, allowing them to get involved in sharing their own experiences and improving their own knowledge of NEC contracts. Rekha Thawrani, NEC Global Head, said: “Following ICE’S Project 13 launch, its commitment to driving better value driven infrastructure projects in the UK, I’m sure Lord Adonis’s outstanding insight will be of tremendous interest. “We’ve been delighted with the industry’s response to NEC4 one year on, and the quality of this year’s seminar speakers demonstrates the significance of NEC Contracts in the future of UK infrastructure.” The seminar will conclude with a celebration of users who have successfully delivered projects using the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation encouraged by NEC contracts at the NEC Awards. For more information on the seminar or the NEC suite of contracts, visit www.neccontract.com
As part of their continuous support towards the training and development of future roofers, Midland Lead has been supplying thousands of pounds of raw materials and tools to colleges, all for free. Now, the independent lead manufacturer has added five new institutions to the portfolio of colleges they support across the country. Over the last six year, Midland Lead has built a successful rapport with Leeds College of Building (LCB) and realised it was time to create more relationships. As of March, the company has committed to supporting six colleges across the country, including Leeds College of Building, Newcastle College, South Devon College, Eastern Region Roof Training Group, Dudley College and the South Coast Roof Training Group. Midland Lead will be supplying colleges with up to a metric tonne of rolled lead, at the current market value of £2,200. On top of that, the company provides lead working tools, tool belts and other ancillary products, such as sealant and patination oil, all free of charge. “Without the support we receive from Midland Lead our apprentice students wouldn’t be able to work with lead itself,” said Chris Messenger, tutor at LCB. To keep costs at a minimum, many colleges tend to use plastic alternative-lead products, but this has its downsides. “It is only by using the actual material that apprentices can learn best practice when it comes to working with lead itself,” added Chris. Moreover, at the end of the term, Midland Lead collects and recycles the lead that has been used, making sure that nothing goes to waste. Since its successful relationship with LCB, the manufacturer has been welcoming student groups to their site for factory tours; an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about the various processes behind lead manufacture. “As a national supplier of lead it is vital that companies like Midland Lead are doing their bit to bridge the skills gap and help the construction industry as a whole. Making these links between companies and institutions helps to do just that. As the future buyers of construction materials, forming relationships with the prospective workforce, and making them aware of lead as a sustainable and durable product, is so worthwhile for the future of our trade,” concluded Lynn Street, marketing and sales manager, as well as the person behind the initiative since the start of the year.
Manchester based Nikal Group has welcomed Darren Jones, previously Managing Director of Himor Group and Director of Economic Development at Oldham Council, as Development Director. “We are delighted that Darren has joined us. He brings to the team 30 years’ of private and public sector experience in regeneration, development and management. He will provide strategic advice, help deliver complex brownfield projects where we work in partnership with landowners, Local Planning Authorities and community groups across the UK and help us focus on expanding the activities of our home builder brand, Hillcrest Homes,” said Nick Payne, Nikal co-founder and Managing Director. Darren Jones managed a number of public and private joint ventures, capital programmes, residential developments, asset, FM, marketing and sales functions, as part of his role within Oldham Council. He also implemented and delivered the Town’s strategic investment framework, its regeneration strategy and major placemaking projects, including the award winning Old Town Hall and The Independent Quarter. Moreover, Jones ran his own development company, called Reflect Developments, for five years and spent 18 successful years at Orbit Developments. Talking about his new role, Jones said: “I have known Nick for 35 years and greatly admired the achievements of the Nikal Group so was delighted when he asked me to come on board. I look forward to working closely with Nick and the Nikal and Hillcrest Homes teams to deliver some fantastic new projects.” The Nikal Group is a dynamic and progressive force within the property industry that specialises in both the imaginative redevelopment and regeneration of strategic sites across the UK, such as Masshouse in Birmingham and Altair in Altrincham. Within the group is leading luxury homebuilder Hillcrest Homes which recently expanded into the Ribble Valley with a development of 30 new homes in Hurst Green, near Whalley.
