The UK’s digital revolution in energy markets will lead to significant and additional demand for physical services, according to Jon Parr, Managing Director of Lowri Beck, one of the country’s largest independent meter installers and data collection specialists. He predicts that digitalisation will quicken product innovation for energy technology, such
The Momentum Group, a leading UK Tax Credit Advisory firm, based in Northern Ireland, has welcomed newly published statistics from HMRC that show the UK construction industry claimed a total of £80m in R&D Tax Credits. Focused solely on R&D Tax Credits, the company works across most sectors of industry
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have stated that the Chancellor of the exchequer is right to make the Apprenticeship Levy more flexible, in a bid to ensure it works for strategic industries such as the construction sector. That being said, they aren’t convinced his reforms have gone far enough.
Tansun, the infrared heating manufacturer and expert, has pioneered infrared heaters capable of completely heating an outdoor area, encouraging diners to eat outside all year round. This range is designed to enable outdoor areas to become an extension of an indoor area and consequently provides extra revenue for the bar
Graven Hill is the UK’s most exciting custom build community, designed for those who want a home that is extraordinary. Self-build becomes possible through Graven Hill, who focus on the bespoke and the unique, creating communities that are suited to the needs of the individual, their lifestyle and their taste.
The UK’s digital revolution in energy markets will lead to significant and additional demand for physical services, according to Jon Parr, Managing Director of Lowri Beck, one of the country’s largest independent meter installers and data collection specialists. He predicts that digitalisation will quicken product innovation for energy technology, such as smart meters, and lead to new opportunities for physical services providers. Lowri Beck currently installs and exchanges around 500,000 domestic meters annually, collects data from another 5million for Big 6 and Tier 2 suppliers, and is heavily involved in the nationwide smart meter roll-out. “Some might question the value of physical services in an increasingly digital era, but I believe that digitalisation will actually increase demand way beyond the current smart meter programme,” says Jon Parr, who is leading a strategy for growth focused on the next 20 years. “Energy suppliers, in common with every area of business, are investing heavily in the digital systems that will drive operational efficiency and enhanced customer engagement, but digital will also accelerate innovation in product development – as with smart meters – and in emerging markets, such as EV charging and home energy storage. In 10 years’ time, meters could be 100 times more sophisticated than they are today, working in real time to the minute, and at the same time facilitating load switching. “All these developments require skilled installation and maintenance people, and when you add in regulation such as the incoming 24/7 commitment to restore power when vulnerable households go off-supply, demand for accredited technical support from providers such as Lowri Beck is set to increase significantly.” Based in Wigan, with additional offices in London, East Kilbride, Wrexham, Dunstable and a dedicated training centre in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lowri Beck was formed by Bob Vernon over 20 years ago and today employs 2,000 people across Britain. Jon Parr, who joined Lowri Beck in October last year, believes that the fast evolving mix of conventional and renewable power generation, and innovations in areas such as home power generation and battery storage, will inevitably lead to technology churn and create new infrastructure requirements. “Take the electric vehicle market, for example, which will grow rapidly in the years to come, driven in part by environmental concerns but also by the much-heralded government ambition to phase out of conventional combustion engine vehicles by 2040. “Not only will EV demand more power capacity, charging technology and payment systems, it will need network infrastructure. Lots of people talk about software and data management but at the end of the day, it still needs screwdrivers, cable clips, skilled resources and capacity to make it happen. “At Lowri Beck, we have over 1,000 flexible, trained and accredited engineers and technical people operating in the field every day, providing vital technical support and management services. It’s our USP and it will be even more relevant in the future.” www.lowribeck.co.uk
The Momentum Group, a leading UK Tax Credit Advisory firm, based in Northern Ireland, has welcomed newly published statistics from HMRC that show the UK construction industry claimed a total of £80m in R&D Tax Credits. Focused solely on R&D Tax Credits, the company works across most sectors of industry with expertise gained in the last decade working with over 500 companies throughout the UK. The latest annual statistics from HMRC show there has been a slight decrease in companies from all regions of the UK claiming R&D Tax Credits, which are designed to drive innovation. Across the UK, London had the most claims with Northern Ireland businesses still significantly behind other regions. The construction industry accounted for only 3% of all claims submitted, highlighting that the industry hasn’t tapped into the potential of the initiative. The average received per R&D tax claim by construction companies was £58,000. This is slightly lower than the £85,000 average overall payment per claim across the industries surveyed. Tom Verner, Group Managing Director, Momentum R&D commented: “While HMRC statistics show many industries in the UK are wakening up to the benefits of R&D Tax Credits, the potential is far greater. In our experience, there are still so many construction businesses that are either not aware of R&D Tax Credits, incorrectly think they do not qualify or feel they lack the necessary experience to submit a claim. In fact, many companies are not claiming their full legitimate entitlement. “At Momentum, we helped a record number of companies with R&D Tax Credit claims in 2017. These are often highly innovative companies, who can reinvest these savings into technological innovation that bolsters their businesses, exports, employment and the local economy in the wake of Brexit.” Momentum is calling on more construction businesses to act now on R&D Tax Credits, highlighting that the regional statistics could be much higher given the increasing investment in export here, with Verner adding: “It is vital that the construction industry recognises the potential of this very accessible UK government incentive. While seeking in-depth advice is vital, with an increasing number of accountancy practices availing of our R&D expertise, we assist businesses every day that have benefitted from tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of pounds. Given the potential, we find it startling that more companies aren’t claiming, and we have made it our mission to highlight the incentive particularly on occasions like today when regional results show improvement from companies to claim their optimum benefit.” Momentum has helped hundreds of highly competitive companies, from manufacturing to construction, food & drink to technology, to claim this UK government incentive. The multi award-winning company assists in a range of areas, investing in understanding and optimising R&D expenditure. The team includes accountancy, business, commercial and ex-HMRC technical experts to ensure every claim gets the necessary expert scrutiny and is thoroughly investigated. Founded in 2009, Momentum is one of the longest established R&D advisory companies in the UK. It is also the only R&D tax practice that focuses on providing advice on long-term R&D strategies, offering a complimentary annual review to its client enabling them to assess current and forward-plan future research and development projects. Ron Gibson, Momentum’s Operations and Technical Director, who sits on HMRC’s R&D Consultative Committee, added: “In an unregulated area, involving often complex financial review, we find increasingly that owners, managing directors, financial controllers and their accountants are turning to the experts to navigate through this intricate R&D tax area.” Momentum works with an increasing number of accountancy practices, business and financial consultants across the UK who partner with the specialist tax credit advisory firm to enhance their service to clients, reduce workload and grow their businesses. For more information on Momentum visit www.momentumgroupni.com
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have stated that the Chancellor of the exchequer is right to make the Apprenticeship Levy more flexible, in a bid to ensure it works for strategic industries such as the construction sector. That being said, they aren’t convinced his reforms have gone far enough. “The Chancellor has, in part, listened to the concerns of businesses by making the Apprenticeship Levy more flexible. However, he needs to go much further,” said Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, and former Head of Uk Public Policy for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as a response to the Chancellor’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference. As it stands 10% of Levy vouchers can currently be passed down through the supply chain from larger firms to smaller ones, but now Chancellor Philip Hammond, has stated that figure should instead be 25%. “This is important, in construction its the small firms that do the bulk of the training while the large firms don’t tend to directly employ or train tradespeople. Since the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced last year, apprenticeships stats have fallen in the construction trades by more than 10%,” added Brian Berry. Given that the construction industry is already suffering from an acute shortage of skills, Brian Berry called this, “very worrying indeed.” He went on to say: “If the Chancellor is serious about ensuing the Levy has the desired effect, and increases meaningful training across all sectors, it should go further and make 100% of the vouchers transferable from large to small companies.” The FMB is non-profit making and independent, it works as a lobbying for members’ interests at both a local and national level. It stands as a source of knowledge, support and advice for members, while offering a range of modern and innovative building services to help members succeed and achieve. Committed to continuously keeping quality high and forever raising the bar on standards, they even offer a free service to consumers titled: “Find a builder.” Operating by constantly lobbying the Government to boost output and raise standards of both safety and professionalism in conduct at all levels, the FMB strive for a fair, safe and well structured construction sector at all times. The FMB is the largest trade association in the United Kingdom construction industry, and represents thousand of firms across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941, the aim of the FMB is to protect the interest of both medium and small sized construction firms.
Tansun, the infrared heating manufacturer and expert, has pioneered infrared heaters capable of completely heating an outdoor area, encouraging diners to eat outside all year round. This range is designed to enable outdoor areas to become an extension of an indoor area and consequently provides extra revenue for the bar or restaurant. When an outdoor area is equipped with adequate heat coverage, customers prefer to sit outdoors, found Tansun. However, more than 90% of outside areas are not being heated effectively, resulting in areas now only being unused, but also a wasted investment for bars and restaurants. The Merchant House or the ‘Museum Brasserie’ in Jersey installed Tansun’s Sorrento heaters on its terrace to create a better and more profitable outdoor dining experience. Installing a more effective heating solution resulted in the restaurant receiving more bookings and seeing a noticeable increase in its sales. “With a large outside space and with British weather being as it is, it was clear to us that adequate heating was crucial to our business model. While they added a certain ambiance with the flames, the gas heaters we were using were ineffective, unreliable, expensive to run and bad for the environment. Having looked across the market at both local and international suppliers, the sleek look, anti-glare properties, range of products from Tansun and the reasonable prices seemed like the obvious option for us,” said Alex Dolan, Business Development Manager, Dolan Hotels Jersey. “We saw Tansun at the Restaurant Technology and Restaurant Design Expo in ExCel London, liked their products and chose to install six Sorrento heaters. We are so pleased that we will definitely be choosing them when we eventually refurbish our other restaurants. Our clients regularly comment on how they like the new found warmth of our terrace and this can be seen in the sales. As a matter of fact I posted a picture on Facebook and got a call for a table of eight under the heaters five minutes later,” Alex added. Tansun’s range includes a selection of energy-saving switches and heater controls designed to suit almost any situation or need. All of its products are made in the UK and are designed using premium components. The company has been established for 35 years and pioneered the concept of infrared electric heaters alongside Philips technology.
Graven Hill is the UK’s most exciting custom build community, designed for those who want a home that is extraordinary. Self-build becomes possible through Graven Hill, who focus on the bespoke and the unique, creating communities that are suited to the needs of the individual, their lifestyle and their taste. The minister of housing, Kit Malthouse MP, paid Graven Hill at visit on the 18th of September to get a first hand look at how the largest self-build community in the country is progressing. “It has been marvellous to be here and wonderful to see the energy at Graven Hill. This is an infectious, ambitious project providing the housing needed for growth and success of the town.” “We are extremely proud of this development; we’re creating a place to live, delivering the homes that people need and helping them to see their grand designs become a reality,” commented Cllr Barry Wood from Cherwell District Council, which hosted the visit, showcasing the exciting and innovative Garden Town project. Standing proudly as pioneers of self and custom build, Graven Hill enable individuals to design inspiring homes on pre-prepared plots that offer the chance for the house of dreams to be created across a range of budgets. Each house can be as imaginative as the buyer chooses and fit their requirements perfectly. Up to 1,900 unique homes will be build over a ten year period, surrounded by open, green spaces inclusive of woodland, allotments and a network of footpaths and cycleways. Alongside planning consent for the new builds, a new primary school will be created, a new pre-school nursery and a new community centre. The Garden Town project will also feature cafes, shops and a local pub. “The development could revolutionize the future of home building,” concluded Managing Director of the Graven Hill, Karen Curtin.