15 October 2016 – by Emily Wright “The idea that property never innovates, never adopts and never embraces new tech is entirely false. You want to know the real reason the industry has this reputation? No one has developed technology that really inspires the real estate sector yet. Now that’s
A total of 15 industry-led projects have secured a total of £5m in funding in the latest round of CITB tie-ups. The new list includes four federations made up of a number of firms, from major contractors to small specialist SMEs. In April Construction News revealed the first tranche of
22 July 2016 | Martin Read The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Unite trade union have agreed new hourly rates of pay for operatives working across the sector. The 2 per cent wage increase has been agreed from October this year, and will rise to 2.5 per cent
The number of young people signing up to learn advanced skills on higher apprenticeships have increased, new data has revealed. According to the latest government figures, more than 30,000 youngsters decided to embark on the training schemes between August 2015 and January 2016. Apprenticeships have also seen a rise in
Savills, on behalf of Standard Life Investments, has secured Wallacespace for the entire office space at 15 Artillery Lane, London E1. Wallacespace, the provider of off-site meeting and thinking space, has agreed to a new 15-year lease on 12,000 sq ft (1,114 sq m) situated across the upper floors, paying
A Midlands-based property group has made two strategic appointments as it plans for significant growth. The Deeley Group, which is based at the Coventry Business Park, has drafted in Anthony Holt as the company’s new Group Development Director and Jane Fradgley as Senior Development Manager. It marks a step-change in
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is inviting facilities management specialists to a bid for £2.9 billion worth of work. The Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contracts will provide FM services across the UK defence estate. “DIO is not only one of the largest providers of housing in the UK, with
Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, the Airdrie-based family firm which has been servicing building and engineering companies large and small across Scotland since 1985, has taken on two young local men as apprentice mechanics. Euan Wilson, 16 from Greengairs and Andrew Peden, 17, from Plains, both Airdrie, have secured apprentice
Gilbert-Ash, the leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, has announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2017, which confirm a 50% increase in pre-tax profits, reaching over £2 million, up from £1.4 million in 2016. Additionally, the contractor reported an overall turnover of £165.5 million,
Newby, the North Yorkshire developer, has submitted an outline planning application to Newcastle City Council for a new £250 million sustainable urban village on the former Calders site, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle, following extensive public consultation. The proposal is known as Quayside West and it includes up to 1,500 high-quality residential
15 October 2016 – by Emily Wright “The idea that property never innovates, never adopts and never embraces new tech is entirely false. You want to know the real reason the industry has this reputation? No one has developed technology that really inspires the real estate sector yet. Now that’s finally changing.” Brandon Weber is everything you might expect of an American tech star in London. Fast-talking, razor-sharp and with an insatiable commitment to all things software – we are talking about a man sporting a pair of cloud computing branded socks. But the 35-year-old chief executive of Hightower, a cloud-based leasing portfolio management company, has no intention of expanding his three-year-old business “facelessly” across the globe. “We are not some bodiless vendor selling technology from somewhere in the US,” says Weber, sitting in his WeWork Soho offices following the Hightower UK launch last month. Subscribe to Estates to read great articles like this every week. See options below. Source link
A total of 15 industry-led projects have secured a total of £5m in funding in the latest round of CITB tie-ups. The new list includes four federations made up of a number of firms, from major contractors to small specialist SMEs. In April Construction News revealed the first tranche of specialist industry partnerships as part of the CITB’s shake-up of its approach to skills funding. That first tranche included more than 22 partnerships, totalling £7.6m. Altogether there is £60m available between 2016 and 2018, with around £20m allocated per year. CITB head of economic analysis Geeta Nathan said: “These high-calibre applicants have the potential to transform the industry and change the lives of many individuals, and we are pleased to be supporting them with industry investment. “It’s inspiring to think of the impact these projects may have not only in the near future but also in years to come.” Successful projects Kier This project, led by Kier, working in partnership with Midas Construction, ISG and their supply chains and supported by South Devon College in Plymouth, will develop and deliver a comprehensive programme intended to promote the construction sector to career changers and under-represented groups. Total value: £298,000CITB contribution: £208,000 Mitie Property Services A bespoke training and work experience programme designed, supported and delivered for workers with autism. Total value: £800,000Funds: £482,000 Civil Engineering Contractors Association Design specialist infrastructure training provision, creating a structure framework for core infrastructure skills Total value: £1.6mCITB contribution: £1.1m Roofing Industry Alliance Roofing Industry Alliance is bringing together the main roofing industry stakeholders, 12 regional training groups and 11 major roofing trade association to collectively come up with a skills plan. Total value: £2.6mCITB contribution: £1.8m Neighbourhood Services Company A project to improve the knowledge and capacity of school teachers and post-16 tutors in built environment subjects and building information modelling. Total value: £640,000CITB contribution: £454,000 Matthews & Leigh Civil Engineering Ltd A project to increase the uptake of training at the firm through incentives to help workers engage in an in-house training facility, and to set up an apprenticeship programme for 10 new apprentices. Total value: £50,000CITB contribution: £35,000 Telford Homes A mentor-led trainee scheme at the housebuilder that supports and complements degree education and study in the workplace. Total value: £81,605CITB contribution: £50,000 Utilities Contractors Group This application is for the development of high-quality training resource focusing on working conditions, safety and risk assessment while excavating. Total value: £127,000CITB contribution: £66,000 Willmott Dixon 4 Life Academy A programme to assess and to train more than 900 engineers nationwide. Total value: £102,000CITB contribution: £50,000 Dry Lining & Plastering Training Forum The project will focus on and engage 100 plastering companies to access training grants, more than 25 per cent of which will be hard-to-reach companies that have not received CITB grant funding in the last three years. Total value: £327,000CITB contribution: £180,000 GMG Contractors The project will see the development of a bespoke skills academy at GMG’s base in east Glasgow. Total value: £229,000CITB contribution: £67,000 Source link
22 July 2016 | Martin Read The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Unite trade union have agreed new hourly rates of pay for operatives working across the sector. The 2 per cent wage increase has been agreed from October this year, and will rise to 2.5 per cent from October 2017. Further negotiations are planned to take place later this year to agree wage levels that will apply for the two years from September 2018 under the terms of the BESA National Agreement for operatives in building engineering services trades. Unite had initially requested a four-year agreement from October 2016 as well as significant increases to wages and benefits, but BESA argued that a two-stage agreement and a stepped increase were more appropriate “in the current economic climate”. “We enjoyed our usual robust but constructive negotiations with Unite this year,” said Peter Rimmer, BESA director of employment and skills. “Needless to say, the union argued hard for a considerably higher hourly rate, but accepted that the compromise reached was fair and in the long-term interests of both employers and operatives. “As we enter a period of economic uncertainty following the EU referendum, it is important that businesses can plan for the future safe in the knowledge that labour costs will be maintained at a sustainable level, while also providing operatives with a fair return for the vital skills they provide to the industry and its clients.” Source link
The number of young people signing up to learn advanced skills on higher apprenticeships have increased, new data has revealed. According to the latest government figures, more than 30,000 youngsters decided to embark on the training schemes between August 2015 and January 2016. Apprenticeships have also seen a rise in popularity, the statistics show, with over 84,000 starts by people under the age of 19 over the same period. These findings mean that since May 2010, some 2.7 million apprenticeships of all levels have been started up and down the country, helping workers to boost their careers. In addition, between August 2015 and January 2016, there were 12,400 starts in traineeships, which prepare young people for jobs and further training. Launched in 2015, higher apprenticeships allow participants to learn vital skills on the job at the same time as studying for qualifications such as a Foundation Degree or BTEC. The programmes give learners the opportunity to develop the high-tech expertise that employers in a range of sectors need, including construction. They can also bring a range of benefits to businesses of all sizes, improving productivity and boosting levels of staff retention as loyalty increases. In the building sector, higher apprenticeships can help firms to train up their employees for top-level jobs, such as construction operations managers. They can also prepare workers for positions in architecture, surveying, planning, maintenance, building maintenance and civil engineering, among others. It is hoped the schemes will play a significant role in helping to plug the skills gap currently affecting the construction industry. Figures from the CITB show that 232,000 jobs are set to be created over the next five years on the back of an annual average growth rate of 2.5%. Source link
Savills, on behalf of Standard Life Investments, has secured Wallacespace for the entire office space at 15 Artillery Lane, London E1. Wallacespace, the provider of off-site meeting and thinking space, has agreed to a new 15-year lease on 12,000 sq ft (1,114 sq m) situated across the upper floors, paying £67 per sq ft (£721 per sq m). The ground floor is occupied by restauranter Manicomio Group. James Gillett, director in the Central London team at Savills, comments: “The recently-refurbished 15 Artillery Lane offers new Grade A accommodation in a strong location. The top floor has the benefit of several roof terraces with views across Spitalfields and the City skyline, and the property has excellent transport connections with Liverpool Street Station and Shoreditch High Street Station within a few minutes walk.” The self contained property totals 12,767 sq ft (1,186 sq m) over four floors, with a manned reception and bicycle storage. Wallacespace was advised by Hanlon Bennett. Source link
A Midlands-based property group has made two strategic appointments as it plans for significant growth. The Deeley Group, which is based at the Coventry Business Park, has drafted in Anthony Holt as the company’s new Group Development Director and Jane Fradgley as Senior Development Manager. It marks a step-change in the company’s ambitions to grow its Construction, Homes, Development and Investment divisions as well as introducing a new Affordable Living division where it works in partnership with social housing companies. Peter Deeley, Managing Director of the Deeley Group, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Anthony Holt and Jane Fradgley to the Group as two very senior appointments. It’s part of our plan to grow the Group over the coming years. “The Deeley Group has a very strong reputation across the region as a company that people want to do business with and wants to work in partnership with because of our integrity and agility in delivering projects that bring lasting benefits to their communities. “Our aim, now, is to build on that and invest in our future growth. “Our individual divisions will work even closer together on projects, which will enhance how we operate as a company on developments of all sizes and all types as well as bringing added value to the work we do. “We believe there is a fantastic opportunity for the business to grow even further and that these are exciting times for our region.” Anthony has more than 25 years of experience in the property industry in the Midlands taking in land purchase, the planning process, development, sales and leading multi-disciplined teams. He said: “I am delighted to join the Deeley Group at such an exciting time for the business. I have been involved with sourcing, obtaining planning and developing out residential development and mixed use opportunities in the Midlands for over 25 years. “I worked at Crosby Homes, part of the Berkeley Group, when they first ventured into city centre living in the Midlands, developing out schemes including Symphony Court in Birmingham. “I went on to work with other housing developers in the retirement and open market sectors. Latterly, I was the Regional Development Director for Orbit Homes in the Midlands, overseeing land, build and sales for the region. “I believe that experience can help support the growth ambitions of the Deeley Group.” Jane has joined from Orbit Homes and has 20 years of experience in property. She said: “This is a great time to join the company as it looks to grow at a fast pace. “I started working with a housing association on the management side but quickly moved into housing development where I have stayed, and have since gained an MBA which I studied for while working full time. “To date, I have worked mainly for housing associations, both local and national, although I also worked for a consultancy firm for a period, which involved many major plc developers. “Throughout my career, I’ve delivered various complex schemes that have required working with a range of parties to help bring developments forward and I believe that will help me in this exciting new role.”
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is inviting facilities management specialists to a bid for £2.9 billion worth of work. The Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contracts will provide FM services across the UK defence estate. “DIO is not only one of the largest providers of housing in the UK, with a stock of nearly 50,000 homes, it is also responsible for managing land and buildings across hundreds of diverse MOD sites,” said DIO’s Commercial Director, Jacqui Rock. “We are pleased to be working with CCS to procure these contracts. We wants to make DIO easier to do business with and adopting this route to market is one of the ways that we hope to achieve this, while enabling us access to a wider, more diverse and increasingly resilient supply base,” he added. This phase of the FDIS programme includes the procurement of new Hard FM arrangements for four Regional Prime contracts and five contracts that will replace the current National Housing Prime. With a collective value of £2.9 billion, excluding additional works, a later stage of the process will procure a National Training Management contract to replace the current National Training Estate Prime. “This procurement is a part of the FM Marketplace, which is changing the way in which central government and the wider public sector procure their FM deals, delivering great value for the taxpayer. We are proud to be working in partnership with DIO and supporting delivery against their commercial strategy for common goods and services,” commented CCS Strategic Category Director – Buildings, Sam Ulyatt. The award of places to suppliers on each of the framework lots is expected to be completed by the end of February 2019, with call off competitions starting soon afterwards.
Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, the Airdrie-based family firm which has been servicing building and engineering companies large and small across Scotland since 1985, has taken on two young local men as apprentice mechanics. Euan Wilson, 16 from Greengairs and Andrew Peden, 17, from Plains, both Airdrie, have secured apprentice mechanic roles with one of Scotland’s most successful and forward-looking plant and tool hire companies. Amy Monaghan, Administrative Director at Arvill, said: “We are looking to expand our business and hiring apprentices like Euan and Andrew assists that process. By developing their enthusiasm and hard work into highly-regarded skills we secure both their careers and our company’s future success.” Both apprentices left school this summer; Euan approached Arvill through his father, Andrew, who is one of the company’s customers. Having developed his interest in mechanics and motorbikes doing casual work for a local garage, he is now putting those skills to good use in the Arvill workshops. Andrew, the youngest of six siblings, wanted to learn more about the operation of large plant and had been doing volunteer work with a local waste management company. He approached Arvill directly and has been supplementing his operating experience with training in Health and Safety procedures taught by the company. Amy said: “Good apprentices are hard to find, and I’m very impressed with the eagerness to learn both Euan and Andrew are showing. Unlike most teenagers, Andrew was eager to start work earlier than our opening time of 8.00 am.” “Both young men are hard-working, enthusiastic, and diligent. I can see them having a long and successful career within our growing Arvill family. They’ll finish their training programme with qualifications, experience and a good job ahead of them.” Euan and Andrew are participants in a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) programme and are undergoing a 3-year Modern Apprenticeship course with three 6-week attachments to the National Construction College in Glasgow, with the first due to get under way in October. For further information, contact Hayley Shevill, Arvill Plant & Tool Hire, 48-60 Flowerhill Street, Flowerhill Industrial Estate, Airdrie ML6 6BH. T: 01236 760070. M: 01236 760070. E: hayley.shevill@arvill.co.uk. W: www.arvillplantandtoolhire.co.uk
Gilbert-Ash, the leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, has announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2017, which confirm a 50% increase in pre-tax profits, reaching over £2 million, up from £1.4 million in 2016. Additionally, the contractor reported an overall turnover of £165.5 million, an increase from £148 million in the previous year. Having worked on several landmark buildings in the UK across a range of niche sectors, Gilbert-Ash managed to drive financial turnover and growth. Some of the company’s prestigious work includes the £19.5 million Cambridge Mosque project, the £21.5 million build of the AC Marriott Hotel in Belfast, as well as the award-winning City of London Freemen’s School swimming pool and the £20.5 million new build of the renowned Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with Dame Judi Dench at the helm as President. “Whilst market conditions remain highly competitive, the results emphasise the continued success of our strategy to focus on our strengths and invest in national and international markets to deliver landmark buildings. Gilbert-Ash is an employee owned company which certainly leads to a unique working culture and family environment, and the results are in no small part down to this environment and ‘can do’ attitude of our dedicated team. We have had the privilege of working with excellent clients, partners and suppliers, and we really do work as one to deliver innovative, bespoke buildings across the landscape,” commented Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director, Gilbert-Ash. The company is a trusted partner and strong client relationships have led to significant repeat business, including a relationship with Foreign and Commonwealth Office spanning over 20 years and 43 countries, including work in France, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Hungary in 2017. Another one of Gilbert-Ash’s achievements for the year is being recognised within the industry by winning the coveted ‘Contractor of the Year’ title in the UK Construction News Awards.
Newby, the North Yorkshire developer, has submitted an outline planning application to Newcastle City Council for a new £250 million sustainable urban village on the former Calders site, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle, following extensive public consultation. The proposal is known as Quayside West and it includes up to 1,500 high-quality residential properties, along with a hotel and up to 10,605 sq m of commercial, community and leisure space. Access to the site will be provided by a new east/west spine road for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Significant new landscaping and public realm, including public open spaces, viewpoints and walkways will also make Quayside West an attractive destination for visitors. Likely to be constructed over a ten-year period, this major regeneration project will create more than 600 construction and supply chain jobs in the process and once fully operational, Quayside West could support up to 575 full-time equivalent permanent jobs. “Our development team has worked hard to devise proposals which will make Quayside West an attractive place to live, work and visit. The site is well-located and our design will ensure that it connects to the city centre, the River Tyne and wider area. As a result, Quayside West could act as the catalyst for the Council’s exciting plans to redevelop the Forth Yards area,” said Nick Moody, Director at Newby. “We are delighted with the response we have had from the community since we announced the proposals in June. Our public exhibition event was well attended and the public consultation feedback has been really positive. It is clear that people want to see this derelict site brought back into use. An outline planning application has now been submitted to Newcastle City Council and we look forward to continuing our dialogue with the local authority,” Nick added. Quayside West has been identified for development within the planning policy and forms a major part of Newcastle City Council’s Forth Yards Opportunity Site, which has been earmarked for regeneration.
