Date: 26 April 2016 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced Martin Temple as the new Chair of HSE. Details of the announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martin-temple-appointed-as-the-new-chair-of-hse Press enquiries All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Mar 16th 2016 A precast concrete holding tank from Kijlstra’s Vario range has helped contractors knock weeks off a programme to upgrade a waste transfer station on Merseyside. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Sep 14th 2016 Sword Dynamic Services is using Ctrack’s vehicle tracking system to drive down costs, improve customer service and operate more responsibly Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Sword Dynamic Services, a Bristol-based
The slump in the price of oil is having far-reaching consequences for business and politics. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, was trading at $115 a barrel in June 2014, but it fell as low as $27 in January this year. It is now trading at about $40, but few
Thousands of citizens in the UK die each year due to the prolonged inhalation of dangerous dust as well as fumes. This most often occurs at a workplace where proper control systems are not used. These deaths could be prevented if the employer were to utilise local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
September 22nd sees people from around the world taking part in ‘World Car Free Day[1]’ as a reminder that we don’t have to accept a car-dominated society. For many this has already become a way of life, as savvy citizens have removed the costly expense of running a car and
The primary reason for running a renovation project is usually to add value. Whether that’s by rectifying a problem, updating your offering or optimising the space, renovation can improve both the function and aesthetics of a business. Here Connie Johnson, vice president of marketing at surface preparation expert National Flooring
Airdrie family business, Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, one of the most innovative players in the Scottish construction sector, has recently acquired a state-of-the-art stonecrushing rig which can radically reduce the environmental impact of resurfacing and ground stabilisation works. It is the only machine of its kind in use in
Architecture and construction consultancy YMD Boon has announced that it has completed improvement works on more than 200 school projects in the Midlands area through the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). CIF, an annual bidding round to which academies and sixth-form colleges can apply for funding to keep school buildings in
Independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) has announced the strengthening of its healthcare expertise with the appointment of three senior healthcare appointments. Stewart Binns joins RLB UK as a Partner from Turner & Townsend where he spent the last 14 years as a Director in
Date: 26 April 2016 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced Martin Temple as the new Chair of HSE. Details of the announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martin-temple-appointed-as-the-new-chair-of-hse Press enquiries All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Mar 16th 2016 A precast concrete holding tank from Kijlstra’s Vario range has helped contractors knock weeks off a programme to upgrade a waste transfer station on Merseyside. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A precast concrete holding tank from Kijlstra’s Vario range has helped contractors knock weeks off a programme to upgrade a waste transfer station on Merseyside. Local contractor LCM Group was employed by waste firm Biffa to install a new underground liquid waste storage tank at the site in St Helens. The tank receives and stores liquid run-off from food waste delivered to the transfer station. When the tank is full, it is pumped out and tankered away for disposal. “The client’s signature idea was to install a lightweight glass-reinforced plastic [GRP] holding tank,” says Kijlstra contracts manager Steve Gainsley. In theory, a GRP tank is light, easy to handle and requires no special lifting equipment to install. “The problem is, the specification required the tank to be supported and contained within concrete poured in-situ,” explains Steve. This required formwork and reinforcing steel to be assembled within the excavation before the GRP tank was installed and the concrete poured. LCM maintenance manager David Scott said: “We brought the idea of using a Kijlstra precast concrete tank to Biffa as a more efficient alternative. We already knew some of the people working at Kijlstra although we’d never used their products before. We looked at the precast option and quickly realised this was a much better alternative for this project.” The Kijlstra tank, from the company’s Vario range, is a simple cube measuring 3m x 3m x 3m with openings for pipework and a level sensor to indicate when the tank needs emptying. The one potential disadvantage, compared with the GRP tank, was that a mobile crane was required to lift the concrete tank, which was installed in one piece. “But the crane was only on site for four hours so it was hardly expensive,” says David. LCM having dug the excavation and levelled the bottom with sand, it was then just a simple matter of trucking the tank in and lifting it into position. “The tank was in position within an hour of it arriving on site,” says Steve. “And they were already back-filling the excavation by the time I left the site.” LCM’s David Scott says the excavation was dug, the tank installed and the hole back-filled all within 36 hours. Had a plastic tank been installed, the task of assembling formwork and reinforcement, plus the time taken for the concrete to cure, would have resulted in the excavation remaining open for several days – or even weeks. “Basically it saved us about four weeks,” says David. “It was late November and at that time of year you don’t want to leave an excavation open a minute longer than you need to.” The rapid installation of the tank impressed both LCM and Biffa, with the result that David Scott is hopeful of repeating the exercise for the same client on other sites. “We’re already talking to them about two more jobs and there could be more after that, too,” he says. Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Sep 14th 2016 Sword Dynamic Services is using Ctrack’s vehicle tracking system to drive down costs, improve customer service and operate more responsibly Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Sword Dynamic Services, a Bristol-based construction company, is using Ctrack’s vehicle tracking system to drive down costs, improve customer service and operate more responsibly. Since adopting Ctrack Online across a fleet of 10 vehicles in January – made up of vans and a JCB digger – the company has reduced staff costs by 12 per cent and increased productivity by almost 10 per cent. As a result, Sword Dynamic Services is targeting a return of investment of more than £10,000 in the first year. Sword Dynamic Services took the decision to install a vehicle tracking system following a strong period of growth. The company needed greater visibility and control over its mobile resources and workforce to ensure construction teams arrived onsite on-time and were meeting customer requirements. Using the Ctrack Online web portal and Ctrack Mobi2 mobile tracking app, senior managers can now monitor the exact whereabouts of vehicles in real-time from both the office and on the move. Ctrack Online’s reporting tool is enabling Sword Dynamic Services to verify timesheets and overtime claims by capturing and collating accurate working hours. This is not only streamlining financial management processes and reducing administration, but also helping the company to make payroll savings of 15 per cent. Meanwhile, historical vehicle usage data is being used to monitor operational performance, which to date has helped achieve productivity improvements of almost 10 per cent. Sword Dynamic Services is also using Ctrack Online to identify any incidents of harsh or poor driving as part of its Duty of Care initiative. In particular, the company operates a zero tolerance policy to speeding, so the tracking system is allowing it to quickly address any problem areas and better engage with employees about road safety. By encouraging responsible driving and targeting a reduction in collisions, Sword Dynamic Services is minimising fleet risks and reducing associated insurance costs. Steve Lillis, Director of Sword Dynamic Services commented: “Ctrack Online is proving to be a valuable fleet technology solution that is improving our performance and helping us achieve significant efficiencies. The system is highly-functional and easy to use, while the Ctrack team is always on hand to ensure we can make the most of our investment. Moving forward, it will also support the expansion of the business as we open a depot in Manchester, employ new staff and grow our fleet.” John Wisdom, European Managing Director of Ctrack said: “Ctrack offers a wide range of vehicle tracking, satellite navigation, workflow, mobile job planning and security tools that deliver a unique combination of flexibility, reliability and functionality. By providing cost effective and scalable solutions, we are suitable for fleets of all sizes, meeting their exact needs now and in the future as they grow. This is why we are telematics partner to an increasing number of business in the UK, mainland Europe and worldwide.” Ctrack Online is a web-based vehicle tracking system providing visibility and control over mobile assets. Designed to be intuitive and simple-to-use, this solution enables businesses to better manage their fleet operation and deliver real benefits by driving down costs, boosting productivity and improving customer service. Contact information Source link
The slump in the price of oil is having far-reaching consequences for business and politics. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, was trading at $115 a barrel in June 2014, but it fell as low as $27 in January this year. It is now trading at about $40, but few who follow the energy industry expect it to go back above $100 soon. As the Financial Times publishes a new series about the wide-ranging implications of the oil crash, below is a selection of the best writing on this subject in the FT during the past 18 months. US shale under pressure © Bloomberg November 12 2014: If there is “price war” in the oil market, as Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq’s oil minister, has suggested, the US shale industry is refusing to take flight at the first sound of gunfire . . . “[But] activity is already starting to slow. There were 1,568 rigs drilling for oil onshore in the US last week, 41 fewer than in mid-October … Debt has fuelled the shale boom … As prices fell, the companies that borrowed too much have started to find themselves under strain. The bond markets have already started to reflect some nervousness, with yields on junk bonds in the energy sector rising to their highest level in more than a year.” See full story Saudi Arabia fights back Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi © Barry Falls March 9 2015: During periods of instability, the Saudis adjusted their production to restore balance. But [in 2014], as concerns about oversupply escalated, the kingdom changed tack and refused to act as the oil market’s safety net. Cutting output, Saudi Arabia believed, would only help its rivals — and it was time to take a stand . . . Some suspected [the shift in Saudi oil policy] was rooted in geopolitics … But a close examination of Saudi actions suggests an unexpected series of global political events and — crucially — a misreading of the market were the driving forces behind Riyadh’s gamble. See full story Perfect storm in the North Sea February 25 2015: Ageing North Sea fields, already seen as a marginal bet from which the biggest oil companies have been retreating, look very vulnerable. Oil & Gas UK, which represents offshore operators, says a fifth of production, or a third of fields, is now unprofitable. Cash losses, or the deficit after subtracting costs from revenues, topped £5bn in 2014, the biggest shortfall since the 1970s. This loss follows a long-term decline in production. Output on the UK continental shelf, despite record investment in recent years, has been sliding since 2000. See full story Shell-BG mega deal April 8 2015: There is no arguing that Shell’s move is bold. By acquiring [BG] its smaller rival, it will become the largest foreign oil company in Brazil, one of the world’s most highly prized oil provinces, and cement its position as the global leader in liquefied natural gas, the increasingly popular clean-burning fuel . . . BG may have been on Shell’s radar screen for decades, but was long seen as too expensive a target. That all changed when the oil price started to slide [in 2014], dragging down the valuations of all the world’s energy companies, including BG. See full story US shale in crisis April 24 2015: [Juan] Ramos was brought to Williston, North Dakota, by perhaps the most important innovation of the 21st century: the technology for extracting oil from unyielding shale rocks. The Bakken formation, which runs underneath North Dakota and into Montana and southern Canada, is one of the largest oilfields opened up by that revolution. Along with similar oil-producing areas in Texas, it has transformed the outlook for US energy security, created hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs and rattled the leaders of rival oil-producing countries from Riyadh to Caracas … While the new oil industry is still in its infancy, though, it is facing its first real test. American producers have become victims of their own success. In the past nine months, the flood of new oil supply they created has caused a collapse in the price of crude … See full story Canadian oil sands marginalised June 16 2015: With the collapse in crude prices, energy companies have suspended or cancelled billions of dollars in new projects, thousands of workers have lost their jobs and voters ousted the party that ran the [Alberta] provincial government for 44 years … The effects of cost cuts are starting to bite in the Fort McMurray region. At the airport, which opened a new C$258m terminal in June 2014, charter flights are discharging 30 per cent fewer passengers. More families are visiting the community food bank. And as a sympathetic gesture the Wood Buffalo Brewing Company reduced its price for pale ale to a tenth of the cost of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude. See full story Petrobras reels from scandal, oil plunge December 30 2015: Few large oil companies globally have disappointed investor expectations in recent years as badly as Petrobras. The company’s 2007 discoveries of “pre-salt” offshore oil reserves kicked off a flurry of industry excitement. [Run] by officials handpicked by Workers’ party-led governments, Petrobras moved to exploit the discoveries by embarking on the largest corporate capital expenditure programme in the world. The company also began a huge refinery building project. But things went awry in 2014 when police launched the Lava Jato (Car Wash) investigation into allegations that former Petrobras directors collaborated with politicians and contractors to extract bribes from the company. See full story Gazprom eyes gas price war © Bloomberg February 3 2016: With the prospect of a wave of US liquefied natural gas supplies starting to hit the market later this year, energy investors fear Gazprom may adopt the same strategy in the gas market that Saudi Arabia has done in oil. It may seem like … the last thing that Russia, reeling from the impact of low oil prices, needs. But analysts say that such a strategy may be
Thousands of citizens in the UK die each year due to the prolonged inhalation of dangerous dust as well as fumes. This most often occurs at a workplace where proper control systems are not used. These deaths could be prevented if the employer were to utilise local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems. A LEV is a specifically designed system that will reduce a worker’s exposure to dust, vapour, fumes, gas, or mist. Each LEV is unique and designed specifically for the task at hand. For example, a LEV designed to extract sawdust from a circular saw is not going to be the same as a LEV that is designed to extract fumes from a spray gun. In each situation, a LEV system must be designed by an engineer for the particular work environment. Legal Requirements For A LEV Employees are now legally required to install LEV systems to protect their workers from potential hazards. Furthermore, the LEV must meet certain quality and safety standards. Legislature requires that each individual LEV system in a business be tested at least once every 14 months. However, there are some cases where the legislature demands testing at different intervals, such as every month or every six months. Any process where blasting is carried out incidental to the cleaning metal castings will require a LEV inspection once a month. The same applies to any process relating to the manufacturing of jute cloth. Six-month testing intervals are for processes that give off fumes or dust where a non-ferrous metal casting is being produced. Finally, non-wet processes where certain metals are ground and polished for more than 12 hours in a week will require LEV testing every six months. It is the employer’s obligation to ensure that these tests occur as scheduled. The machine operator’s exposure to fumes and dust must be controlled and limited to a reasonable amount. These requirements are outlined in HSG258, which pertains to controlling airborne contaminants in a place of work. Employers must remain up to date with all standards outlined in HSG258. What Types Of LEV Systems Are There? As previously mentioned, different LEV systems will be needed for different work environments. However, there are certain design features that are present in the majority of these systems. Furthermore, a LEV system in one workplace may not differ much from the LEV in another workplace if they are used for similar machines, though their size and complexity may vary. The components present in most of these systems include a hood, duct system, fan, a discharge area, and an air cleaner. Each of these components performs an important function that is very similar whether it is meant for dust extraction or fume extraction. The first part of the LEV system is the hood. This is the component that captures the contaminants that will make their way through the system. A capture hood is a type of hood located very close to the source of the contaminants. It uses some means of pulling the contaminants into the system. A receiving hood is often located further away from the contaminants because the process of producing the contaminants is enough to cause them to move into the hood. An example of a receiving hood would be a canopy located above a furnace or an oven. The contaminants produced by the oven or furnace will naturally rise and enter the hood. In either of these cases, fans are typically used to expedite the process and increase efficiency. The fans help pull the contaminants into the hood and then through the duct system. At the end of the duct system is the discharge bay where the contaminated air is safely released. A LEV may have an air cleaning system that will filter the air prior to discharge. Two major types of LEV systems are full enclosures and partial enclosures. As the name implies, a full enclosure system is completely enclosed on all sides. The process is completely contained inside the LEV system. A machine with a glove box would be considered a full enclosure. It is also used frequently with CNC machines and blasting cabinets. Partial enclosures are more common because it is easier for the operator to perform their duties. There will usually be walls on either side of the operator and in the front, but they are free to step away from the machine. The hood and fans pull the contaminants past the operator and into the machine. Of course, some LEV systems have no form of enclosure. The oven with a hood above is an example of such a system. These only require that a hood and extracting fan be located in a close enough proximity to extract the contaminants. Whether to use a full enclosure, partial enclosure, or no enclosure at all will depend entirely on the work being performed. But in all of these cases, the systems must meet HSG258 regulations and must be tested for safety and efficiency on a regular schedule.
September 22nd sees people from around the world taking part in ‘World Car Free Day[1]’ as a reminder that we don’t have to accept a car-dominated society. For many this has already become a way of life, as savvy citizens have removed the costly expense of running a car and joined a car club. At Marconi Evolution, Bellway’s development set in the heart of Chelmsford, residents can make the positive decision to live car free. Based at Marconi, residents can join Co-wheels car club, with its easy online booking system where members only pay for what they use and insurance in included. Co-wheels takes its environmental responsibility seriously and only provides low emission, hybrid and electric cars. For members, the only costs are a one off joining fee of £25 and then a pay as you use cost, removing the expensive annual charges involved in car ownership such as road tax, insurance, and servicing, not to mention funding the vehicle. Marconi is located just a four-minute walk to the nearest supermarket, the train station and indeed the heart of Chelmsford’s city centre, removing any need for a car, that according to statistics is likely to remain stationary for 95% of time. At Marconi the final phase of contemporary apartments is already 50% sold out. The homes offer prospective buyers the perfect opportunity to purchase a new home in an enviable location in Chelmsford. Each is finished to a high specification with the added advantage of an on-site residents’ gym and a concierge service. Paul Timson, Sales Manager at Bellway Essex, comments: “Many of the buyers at Marconi have been first time buyers, taking advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. Generally, there isn’t a pot of money left over for running a car so the car club has been immensely popular with residents and we envisage that as people get more used to this way of life we envisage that the fleet size could increase on site . “Chelmsford city centre is so close to the development that popping out to buy a pint of milk would take longer in a car than by foot.” Chelmsford city centre has a wealth of activities, retailers and restaurants on offer. Bond Street shopping centre has transformed the city, with sought-after brands and wide pedestrianised walk ways, including Essex’s first John Lewis, 25 luxury shops and seven riverside restaurants. In addition to the on-site residents’ gym, active residents are only a short distance from several leisure centres and private health clubs – and with football, rugby and tennis facilities available in the local area, there is ample opportunity to take up a number of sports and fitness activities. Central Park and Admirals Park are only a short distance from the development, with Hylands Park accessible too, providing ample green space within the vicinity of Marconi Evolution. These new homes in Chelmsford are ideally situated for commuting into the capital with rail journeys into London Liverpool Street taking around 35 minutes from Chelmsford train station, which is less than five minutes’ walk from the development. The last remaining homes at Marconi Evolution are priced from £255,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and £299,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information please visit www.bellway.co.uk or call the sales team on 01245 269208.
The primary reason for running a renovation project is usually to add value. Whether that’s by rectifying a problem, updating your offering or optimising the space, renovation can improve both the function and aesthetics of a business. Here Connie Johnson, vice president of marketing at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, explains how technology can help improve a renovation project’s return on investment. The starting point for a renovation project is to establish what the end goal is for the organisation. In most cases, the project is not just to replace the floor, but actually to meet a business objective. The objective could be something as critical as to bring in more customers or improve a building’s efficiency. For example, in a café or restaurant, it is important to install flooring that feels and looks good under a customer’s feet, is easy to clean if a drink is spilt and is slip resistant for safety. In a casino, a busy carpet may encourage visitors to look up, resulting in an increase in spending – helping the business to increase its profits. A patterned carpet will also conceal any spills, making the carpet cheaper and easier to maintain. A floor covering can even impact the energy efficiency of a business. In large warehouses or supermarkets, a reflective polished concrete floor can cut energy bills. For a project to have any real return on investment, it must be clear what problem the renovation is trying to solve and what environment the business is trying to create. Once the goals and objectives of the project are defined, there are several ways that a business can maximise the return on investment of their floor. The first stage is during the renovation itself. On the job When renovating a business, it’s critical that the work does not disrupt day-to-day activities. Many companies remain open during renovation or refurbishments, which means business owners must be conscious of noise, dust and debris. The contractor can choose a battery or electric powered machine, use dust collection equipment and regularly remove any debris or rubble to help keep the business in operation during the project. Technology can help a contractor to perform the renovation more quickly. A commonly overlooked factor is ergonomics – the more comfortable the contractor is, the more quickly the job can be performed. For this reason, surface preparation equipment that can be adjusted can help improve the speed of renovation is ideal. Versatile equipment on the job site will also improve ROI. For example, with the right tooling, National Flooring Equipment’s Helix grinder can grind, polish, edge grind and scarify a surface – offering four capabilities in one machine. Whether you own equipment or hire a contractor, the use of one machine can improve the speed and ease of which a renovation can be completed. Advances in coating technology can impact the floor’s return on investment, both in terms of meeting a business objective and in the floor’s lifespan. Consider this example, your business is flooded your floor is mouldy and ruined. Do you want to lay the same covering again and risk a repeat occurrence? Of course not. The best option is to address the issue underneath the floor by laying a moisture barrier and safeguarding the floor against future water damage. Renovation return on investment is about more than the cost of the project. True ROI is achieved by a project that helps a company to meet a business objective, either saving energy costs or increasing customer spend. Ensuring the floor will last the test of time so the business can continue to reap the rewards of the renovated floor is another important factor. Surface preparation is critical for improving lifespan, keep this at the forefront of your mind when you next consider adding value to your business. For more information visit https://www.nationalequipment.com/.
Airdrie family business, Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, one of the most innovative players in the Scottish construction sector, has recently acquired a state-of-the-art stonecrushing rig which can radically reduce the environmental impact of resurfacing and ground stabilisation works. It is the only machine of its kind in use in the UK and it is the latest acquisition in an investment spree totalling nearly £400,000 which maintains Arvill’s extensive hire fleet at the cutting edge of sustainable, eco-sensitive and safe construction methods. The stonecrusher, which cost £30,000, is designed and built for a new skid steer tracked unit which cost an additional £46,000. Its size makes it ideal for dirt and gravel roads, bike and horse trails, landscaping and difficult terrain. It has already been tried and tested on several projects and involved in a programme of upgrading towpaths along the canal network throughout Scotland. Hayley Shevill, Commercial Director at Arvill Plant and Tool Hire said: “The stonecrusher is ideal for challenging terrains such as the canal and cycle paths, which are narrow and can have fragile banks. The unit also helped reduce disruption to pedestrians and the paths remained open throughout operations.” The kit can work in conjunction with ground stabilisation materials, creating a strong load-bearing layer with a suitably flat surface. Ms Shevill said: “This solution meets a number of environmental criteria. It means no energy intensive excavation is needed in a quarry to provide material and it reduces pollution, time and costs on site. We are confident that our acquisition of this machine will open up new markets for us.” As part of their ongoing expansion strategy, Arvill Plant and Tool Hire has also added 10-tonne cab dumpers and six-tonne cab dumpers to their fleet of dumpers, diggers, rollers, compaction equipment, telehandlers and self-propelled access platforms up to 46ft. The larger dumpers are fitted with front and rear integrated cameras and the smaller with front cameras which will address many of the safety concerns around front tipping vehicles in which the skip obscures the driver’s vision. Moving forward Arvill Plant hire aim to help eliminate many of the major risks to health and safety by investing in dumpers that are fitted with rotational cabs to allow for maximum visibility whilst the machine is in use. For further information, contact Hayley Shevill, Arvill Plant & Tool Hire, 48-60 Flowerhill Street, Flowerhill Industrial Estate, Airdrie ML6 6BH. T: 01236 760070. E: hayley.shevill@arvill.co.uk. W: www.arvillplantandtoolhire.co.uk
Architecture and construction consultancy YMD Boon has announced that it has completed improvement works on more than 200 school projects in the Midlands area through the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). CIF, an annual bidding round to which academies and sixth-form colleges can apply for funding to keep school buildings in safe and good working order, funds projects that address issues such as water tightness, boiler failure, fire safety, safeguarding and mobile classroom replacement. In the latest bidding round (2018/19), more than 50% of all successful bids in both Derbyshire and Leicestershire were awarded to schools that had engaged YMD Boon to prepare and deliver their bids. The company has undertaken works on CIF projects ranging from window replacements and reroofing to extensions and major refurbishments over the course of the last five years. Notable projects this year include three new school halls, six new production kitchens, a half form entry expansion of an “outstanding school” and numerous boiler replacements, reroofing, window replacements, fire safety improvements works and safeguarding projects. Director at YMD Boon, Jonathan Warren, said: “Our continued success over the last few years through CIF bids demonstrates both YMD Boon’s knowledge and its commitment to the education sector. Delivering more than 200 projects through CIF is a fantastic milestone to celebrate and we are very proud of our team. “We have delivered both small scale projects ranging from £25k to large-scale refurbishment and expansion works in excess of a £1m. It’s great to see our work directly improve so many local schools and we very much look forward to delivering even more projects over the coming years through CIF.” YMD Boon, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, works on high-profile schemes throughout the Midlands, with specialist services including architecture, quantity surveying, building surveying, project management, employers’ agent, property management and maintenance, health and safety advisors and clerk of works.
Independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) has announced the strengthening of its healthcare expertise with the appointment of three senior healthcare appointments. Stewart Binns joins RLB UK as a Partner from Turner & Townsend where he spent the last 14 years as a Director in the Project Management team and was the National Health and Higher Education lead. Stewart had a major portfolio of projects across the public sector including clients such as the University of Leeds, University of Huddersfield, York NHS Trust and the Yorkshire & York PCT. He is nationally known for his work in risk management and structuring effective procurement solutions. Georgie Whitham joins RLB’s London team from Capita and brings an analytical skillset which includes activity modelling, simulation and strategic data mapping. Georgie has worked with a variety of healthcare organisations including commissioners, providers, regulators and social enterprises. Her expertise has been applied to a wide range of schemes from new build multi-speciality facilities to Trust-wide transformation strategies, new digital-based models of care and CCG strategic estates plans. Paul Dutton joins the Project Management team in Birmingham and has worked on a range of health and education projects. These include hospitals and specialist centres like The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, St George’s Hospital and Royal Berkshire Hospital amongst others. He has a background in IT & medical equipment bringing a new element to RLB client services in addition to his project management skillset. These appointments come at a time of phenomenal growth for the RLB healthcare team who brought healthcare management consultant Conor Ellis to the helm of the division in 2017. The sector has doubled in turnover in the past 12 months, is shortlisted for national awards and now has clients in every area of the NHS from acute & research to primary, mental health and community care. Conor Ellis, Partner and National Head of Healthcare at RLB comments, “RLB welcomes three more senior professionals to the RLB healthcare team. They bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the fold with outstanding track records within their healthcare field.” Andrew Reynolds, UK and Global Board Director for RLB UK continues, “It is an exciting time for the UK business. We are seeing opportunities open with the healthcare division as the needs change both of the NHS and within the private healthcare sector. Our high profile projects are enabling us to attract the best talent which in turn means we can offer a strategic, consultative approach to serve the market even better.”
