City house price growth sees “marked slowdown” in Q2 There has been a “marked slowdown” in house price growth over the last three months, led by a deceleration in London and other high value cities across the south of England, according to the latest Hometrack UK Cities House Price Index.
Image: Gloucester Services by Glenn Howells Architects and AFL Architects © Paul Miller The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (Thursday 6 October 2016) announced Westmorland Limited as winner of the 2016 RIBA Client of the Year award. The annual award, supported by The Bloxham Charitable Trust, recognises
According to Savills, Chinese investment into UK commercial real estate this year will exceed 2015 levels as the market remains buoyed by the Chinese Presidents state visit in October 2015, Britain’s status as an investment safe haven and, in particular, London’s continued attractiveness. In the year to date (1 January
McAleer & Rushe has secured planning approval from Belfast City Council for the second phase of its Bedford Square scheme. Above: A 17-storey office block will be built behind the old Ewart Building, which itself will be refurbished Planning approval paves the way for more than 215,000 sq ft of
LIVERPOOL City Council has appointed a fab team to produce a landmark vision and investment strategy for the epicentre of Liverpool’s musical heritage. A team led by P-IE (Planit Intelligent Environments) has been chosen to deliver a Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the area around Mathew Street – home of
A breakthrough in fire protection from Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings is offering a combination of durability and ultra-fast curing not previously possible. In most environments 20 years durability can be achieved with FIRETEX FX6002 intumescent coating, even without the need to apply a top coat. The most significant benefit
A new study into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators has shown that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study, conducted by force drying specialist, ForceDry, was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two and
The Christie in Manchester has seen the UK’s first NHS high-energy Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) Centre. The state of the art technology uses an advanced form of radiotherapy for the treatment of complex and hard-to-treat cancers in children and adults. Selected by the Department of Health as one of the
A new 138-bedroom Holiday Inn Express is rapidly take shape just outside Bridgwater, Somerset, hitting its milestone topping out in just six months thanks to innovative construction techniques being used by Midas. The £10 million project is being built by Midas Construction, part of the Midas Group, on behalf of
12 trainees have started their professional training in a M&E Consultancy in Solihull. Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) has welcomed the trainees, who will specialise in an array of areas, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, lighting, public health and finance. Moreover, they will also have the opportunity to complete industry-recognised qualifications,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
City house price growth sees “marked slowdown” in Q2 There has been a “marked slowdown” in house price growth over the last three months, led by a deceleration in London and other high value cities across the south of England, according to the latest Hometrack UK Cities House Price Index. The annual rate of city house price inflation slowed to 9.5% in July. In the three months to July house prices in London rose by just 2.1%, the lowest quarterly rate since February 2015. Bristol, which is the fastest growing city over the last 12 months, saw growth over the last three months slow to 2.6% from a recent high of 5.0% in May 2016. Conversely, house price inflation in many large regional cities in the north of England and Scotland “shows no signs of slowing”, with Hometrack saying that the rate of growth in North and Scotland is now set to outpace London and the South. The rate of annual house price growth in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottingham continues to rise by between 7% and 8%. Focusing on activity in the last quarter, the highest rates of growth have been registered in lower value, high yielding cities where prices are rising of a lower base – Glasgow (5.2%), Liverpool (4.4%), Manchester and Nottingham (3.4%). Richard Donnell, Insight Director at Hometrack, said: “In the absence of adverse economic trends impacting employment and mortgage rates, the near term outlook is for a continued slowdown in London towards mid-single digit growth. The slowdown in London is being seen across the market is not accounted for by seasonal factors with weaker demand from home owners and investors as supply grows. This analysis suggests London house price growth will continue to slow over the rest of the year. In contrast, northern regional cities will continue to register stable growth rates as households’ benefit from record low mortgages rates and affordability remains attractive. “We continue to believe that turnover will register the brunt of the slowdown in London. In the face of lower sales volumes agents will look to re-price stock in line with what buyers are prepared, and can afford to pay. Past experience shows that this process can run for as long as 6 months and relies, in part, in how quickly sellers are willing to adjust to what buyers are prepared to pay.” Source link
Image: Gloucester Services by Glenn Howells Architects and AFL Architects © Paul Miller The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (Thursday 6 October 2016) announced Westmorland Limited as winner of the 2016 RIBA Client of the Year award. The annual award, supported by The Bloxham Charitable Trust, recognises the key role that a good client plays in the creation of fine architecture. Westmorland Limited – the first and only family run motorway service station operator in the UK – was nominated by Glenn Howells Architects for the RIBA National Award-winning Gloucester Services. RIBA Client of the Year judge Tom Bloxham said: “The best buildings result from successful partnerships of highly ambitious clients working with equally demanding architects. With Gloucester Services, Westmorland have not only commissioned a brilliant service station – a type of site not necessarily known for its architectural qualities – but they have contributed much more, creating a successful business model that has its local community at its heart. I am delighted that Westmorland have been recognised with the RIBA’s Client of the Year award for their incredible achievement.” ENDS Notes to editors: 1. For further press information please contact Callum Reilly in the RIBA press office callum.reilly@riba.org or 020 7307 3757 2. Citation: “Gloucester Service Station is on the stretch of the M5 Motorway that serves the Cotswolds. Not a building type known for breaking architectural boundaries, but in architecture, procurement of food and the experience they like to offer their customers, breaking boundaries and doing things a little bit differently is exactly what the Dunnings, the family behind Westmorland, like to do. With Glenn Howells Architects on board Westmorland have created a southern sister to Tebay Sevices in Cumbria, and in Gloucester have helped redefine and reimagine the maligned British Motorway Service Station by placing good design at the heart of what they do.” 3. Nomination summary by Glenn Howells Architects: “In 1972, Cumbrian farmers John and Barbara Dunning set up Westmorland and Tebay Services in partnership with local producers when the new M6 expanded through the Lune Gorge, making it the first and only family run motorway service station operator in the UK. “Gloucester Services builds upon the success of Tebay in its use of local materials, innovation, construction and vernacular design. It exceeds all expectations of what a motorway service area can be. Working with Glenn Howells Architects, Westmorland had a clear brief. They were professional from the outset, allowing the architectural team to come up with the most appropriate design for the site whilst also challenging and testing the design down to the last detail. Over 28 million vehicles a year carry over 40 million people through Gloucestershire via the M5 – previously without any community benefit. Now, through the vision of Westmorland, the M5 has been turned into a community asset rather than a problem bringing pollution, congestion and noise. Gloucester Services champions its locality through its commitment to locally sourced and homemade food. The business works with around 130 local (within 30 miles) and over 70 regional producers. A notable feature of Westmorland is its partnership with the Gloucester Gateway Trust, which works with disadvantaged local communities. Westmorland have successfully employed over 30% of its workforce from the long-term unemployed, those with learning disabilities and mental illness, substance abuse sufferers and ex-offenders. This business charity partnership is not just a charitable donation; it’s an investment in the local community.” 4. Tom Bloxham MBE of Urban Splash supports the RIBA Client of the Year award through his charity The Bloxham Charitable Trust. 5. Previous winners of RIBA Client of the Year award include The Royal Shakespeare Company (2011), Olympic Delivery Authority (2012), the National Trust (2013), Manchester Metropolitan University (2014) and National Theatre (2015). 6. The Architects’ Journal is media partner for the RIBA Awards, including RIBA Client of the Year. For more information visit www.architectsjournal.co.uk 7. The Royal Institute of British Architects (@RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. www.architecture.com Posted on Thursday 6th October 2016 Source link
According to Savills, Chinese investment into UK commercial real estate this year will exceed 2015 levels as the market remains buoyed by the Chinese Presidents state visit in October 2015, Britain’s status as an investment safe haven and, in particular, London’s continued attractiveness. In the year to date (1 January – 29 February 2016), £560.3 million of Chinese deals were transacted in the London market, putting volumes on track to exceed 2015’s total annual turnover of £1.2 billion, says Savills. Highlights include Chinese state-owned real estate investor, Poly Real Estate, completing its first purchase in London in January with the £145 million acquisition of Ludgate West, 5 Fleet Place and China Overseas Land and Investment’s purchase of the Helicon Building, South Place, from Deutsche AWM for £145 million in February. Chinese investors continue to be driven to invest internationally by their Government’s various capital liberalisation initiatives and long-term national strategy to invest globally in order to ensure its financial stability. Savills says London is a top destination for capital due to the diversity of opportunities available, swift transaction times, and liquidity of the market. “Although there is a significant amount of capital chasing London real estate, with a finite level of supply, there are still a number of assets available which offer an attractive yield profile. Long term income streams, redevelopment opportunities and mixed-used schemes entering the market provide a variety of return profiles, which in turn attract an array of investors”, says Rasheed Hassan, head of Savills cross border investment. “In addition, the profile of the investors we’re seeing enter the market includes Chinese developers who are seeking higher returning development opportunities, targeting mixed-use and residential led schemes, rather than core assets within London.” Source link
McAleer & Rushe has secured planning approval from Belfast City Council for the second phase of its Bedford Square scheme. Above: A 17-storey office block will be built behind the old Ewart Building, which itself will be refurbished Planning approval paves the way for more than 215,000 sq ft of new grade A office space for the city. Phase two of the city centre development consists of a new 17-storey office building providing 182,598 sq ft of grade A office accommodation, as well as the refurbishment of the listed William Ewart building to create a further 34,942 sq ft of space. The Ewart building a former linen warehouse, has been vacant for more than 25 years. Work is expected to start on site in the coming months. McAleer & Rushe is in talks with potential office occupiers. The first phase of the project was completed in 2006 and is home to the headquarters of Invest Northern Ireland. The latest buildings are on adjacent sites and arranged around a new public piazza in Belfast city centre. McAleer & Rushe property director Stephen Surphlis said: “This planning approval is a welcome boost to the Belfast office market, with the second phase of Bedford Square bringing a landmark building back into active use after many years of vacancy and helping to alleviate the shortage of grade A space in the city. “The first phase of Bedford Square has been a great success and we now have the opportunity to complete the vision with the creation of much-needed business space and new public realm which, together with our Maldron Hotel and QUB student accommodation developments on the adjoining Brunswick Street site, will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of Belfast’s Linen Quarter and this part of the city.” This article was published on 28 Jul 2016 (last updated on 28 Jul 2016). Source link
LIVERPOOL City Council has appointed a fab team to produce a landmark vision and investment strategy for the epicentre of Liverpool’s musical heritage. A team led by P-IE (Planit Intelligent Environments) has been chosen to deliver a Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the area around Mathew Street – home of the world famous music venues the Cavern Club and Eric’s. Also encompassing the adjacent Williamson Square area, the framework will enable the council to steer the future use of existing buildings and identify opportunities to attract new investment. P-IE, which has more than two decades experience working on some of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, will deploy their team – comprising urban designers; music historians; destination economists; space-programmers and Planners – to devise a spatial plan which will also embody a new vision document aimed at enhancing the quality of attractions in the area and expanding on the city’s £90m a year music heritage industry – focused around the Beatles – which currently supports over 2,000 jobs. P-IE’s previous work includes the Anfield SRF alongside the design and delivery of the restoration of Stanley Park and the public spaces surrounding Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium. Outside of Liverpool they were design lead for the award-winning Manchester Residential Quality Guidance and the city’s newest public square – Sadler’s Yard – at the heart of the Cooperative Group’s historic NOMA estate. They are currently involved in strategic and delivery projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The SRF masterplan, which will include consultation with stakeholders, local businesses and residents will explore: A more diverse mix of complimentary building uses that could operate throughout the day and evening An enhanced and more coordinated music tourism offer, focused on Liverpool’s recently awarded UNESCO World City of Music status, with enhanced visitor attractions and interpretation The redevelopment of derelict, under-used and undesirable buildings and sites A diverse and inclusive programme for Williamson Square and the Playhouse Theatre A comprehensive public art strategy, building upon the significant investment LCC has made in the public realm over the last decade A way-finding strategy to make the neighbourhood more legible and permeable Active ground floor uses to create a more vibrant and inviting environment – with an equitable focus on the citizens of Liverpool alongside our international visitors Defining a clearer network of streets and squares – focused on the pedestrian experience The report comes as figures show Liverpool’s hotel sector is also booming, with occupancy levels at record breaking levels, and the number of hotel rooms across the city set to grow by 14% to more than 9,300 over the next two years. A recent economic impact report found that the city’s Beatles related industry has been growing at 5-15% a year following the city’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 with Cavern City Tours and the Cavern Club alone now attracting 800,000 visitors per annum and 80% of the Hard Day’s Night Hotel guests classed as international. But a tourism report has found visitors are increasingly looking for a quality experiential visit and there is a clear need to curate not just a Beatles Heritage offer, but a clearer proposition around Liverpool’s status as a city with a pivotal role in the story of popular and contemporary music. Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, who has also created a Beatles Legacy group, said: “Liverpool’s musical heritage is known around the world but we can and must do more to showcase it to visitors who travel thousands of miles from all corners of the globe because of it. “This is about enhancing and expanding what we already have, particularly around Mathew Street which has been at the heart of the city’s music scene for decades, with venues such as Eric’s and the Iron Door being as influential as the Cavern Club. “This is a unique opportunity to establish an experience no other city can offer, with high quality design which will sustain thousands of jobs in the hotel, retail and hospitality sectors for generations to come. “P-IE have a first class track record in delivering quality design and I am delighted that we have been able to secure their services to carry out this crucial piece of work.” Peter Hooton, Chair of The Beatles Legacy Group, said: “Carl Jung famously said that Liverpool is the pool of life, and it is fitting that he is immortalized on Mathew Street, which has been the beating heart of the city’s music scene for generations. “There is a huge amount of untapped potential around the city’s pivotal role in music, which is why it is vital we seize this opportunity to make the most of it.” Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, which represents 1,500 businesses in Liverpool city centre, added: “Mathew Street is one of the city’s key assets and without doubt one of the world’s most iconic music heritage sites. “The Cavern Quarter sits within the Retail & Leisure BID. Our levy payers located there are determined to improve the visitor offer in the area and I know there has been a concerted effort over the years by the private sector to invest in projects and initiatives to achieve this. “We welcome the SRF and the opportunity it presents in working together to maximise the area’s potential for the good of businesses and visitors alike.” Pete Swift, Managing Director at P-IE, added: “We picked our team not just on their experience in producing design and planning guidance but on their knowledge and passion for Liverpool and its wider musical heritage. “We are local and global – as is the appeal of the Beatles and the immense cannon of Liverpool bands, singers and their music. For us then, this is no ordinary planning project, where we might focus on what a place will look like at the end, but rather how to control the journey along which Liverpool will showcase its rightful status as the most influential music city on the planet.
A breakthrough in fire protection from Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings is offering a combination of durability and ultra-fast curing not previously possible. In most environments 20 years durability can be achieved with FIRETEX FX6002 intumescent coating, even without the need to apply a top coat. The most significant benefit of this new product however is the speed of curing – hard dry and handling times may be as fast as one hour. Bob Glendenning, global fire engineering manager for Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, said: “With the substantial advances we have made in intumescent coating technology, we can offer a broader range of benefits and options than ever before whether you’re an architect, a developer or an applicator. In modern construction, speed of build is critical and this product contributes to that goal. “This is game-changing technology and allows for transport of steelwork within hours as compared to days currently for conventional water-based, solvent-based and epoxy-based products. “Projects carried out using the original FX6000 product found vastly reduced damage on shop-painted steelwork once erected. The new FX6002 retains this mechanical durability while at the same reducing the required film thickness, again reducing holistic project cost due to lower material requirements and greatly reduced site touch-up requirements.” For in-shop applicators of intumescent fire protection, FX6002 has Volatile Organic Content (VOC) levels comparable with many of today’s water based intumescent products, it also dries to leave a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finish, worlds apart from that typically achieved with some other exterior durable products. Additionally, when looking to optimise project costs, in many scenarios FX6002 may be specified with or without both primer and top coat depending on the project and applicator’s requirements. Rigorously fire tested under the requirements of British Standards BS476 parts 20 and 21, and the ASFP Yellow Book (Edition 5), FX6002 can offer up to 120 minutes fire protection to traditional rolled steel elements and cell beams. When coupled with the expertise of the Fire Engineering & Estimation Team in prescriptive and fire engineered solutions, and Sherwin-Williams’ independently accredited FDE software, FIRETEX FX6002 can be fully integrated into a project’s design model and BIM operations, offering customers a safe and cost-optimised fire protection solution. FIRETEX FX6000 technology was recently applied to Whitechapel Station in London, bringing benefits in time and cost, and proving its worth for on-site application. Trials of FX6002 have already proved successful, and environmental approvals are being sought from leading organisations including building and sustainability body BREEAM. Sherwin-Williams has supplied its diverse range of fire protection coatings to a number of landmark construction and engineering projects including London’s The Shard, the Leadenhall Building and Azerbaijan’s Flame Towers. The fire protection performance of the patented FIRETEX FX6000 and FX6002 technologies are independently certified under Exova Warringtonfire’s Certifire scheme and in durability testing under ETAG 18 Part 2 it meets the requirements for Type X, internal, semi-exposed and exposed locations.
A new study into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators has shown that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study, conducted by force drying specialist, ForceDry, was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two and three bedroom property. Three specifications were included: traditional radiators and 75mm sand & cement screed, traditional radiators with a 50mm flowing screed, and a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating. The findings showed that, for an 80m2 dwelling, installation costs for the sand and cement approach range from £3,003.72 to £3,483.10; for a 50mm flowing screed with radiators costs start at £3,163.72 to £3,563.10 and for a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating costs range from £3,464.63 and £4,082.30. The costs for the underfloor heating approach also includes force drying, which facilitates fast, safe drying of liquid screed floors. This approach reduces drying time typically from around 90 days to as little as 28 days, representing a significant time saving and additional cost saving in the construction process. Ross Verity, managing director of ForceDry, said: “There is a perception that underfloor heating is expensive and only practical in commercial terms for installation in higher end properties. However, our study shows that the underfloor heating method is only marginally more expensive to install than radiators, but when combined with force drying with the considerable cost benefits of the time saved factored in, the overall costs could actually be less. This means underfloor heating with a flowing screed can be a viable solution for all kinds of housing, including social and affordable.” Verity also points to the environmental benefits of using liquid gypsum screed flooring, which comprise 98% recycled waste material, require less energy to produce and, because it is thinner, uses less material. These factors result in a carbon footprint over 70% lower than that of sand and cement screeds. Verity said: “This approach is economical to install, environmentally friendly and performs very efficiently. It can save developers and property owners time and money during build and allows them to offer a superior product specification. Home owners and tenants then benefit from the comfort, economy and low maintenance this kind of system offers.”
The Christie in Manchester has seen the UK’s first NHS high-energy Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) Centre. The state of the art technology uses an advanced form of radiotherapy for the treatment of complex and hard-to-treat cancers in children and adults. Selected by the Department of Health as one of the two providers of the service, together with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie chose to deliver the construction phase through the Procure 21 framework. It worked in partnership with Interserve. “We are delighted to be able to offer this life changing treatment to patients. The delivery of this facility has been one of the most complex and precise projects within the NHS. We identified very early in the project that we needed a construction partner that could work alongside our team. The partnership approach integrated with Interserve’s technical expertise and energy to solve problems is one of the key reasons we completed on time,” said Jason Dawson, Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Providing 4 treatment rooms, a patient reception, consultation rooms and public space, the five storey building is designed to be future proof with additional space for the Trust to grow into. As PBT uses a high-energy beam of protons rather than high-energy X-rays to deliver a dose of radiotherapy, the building’s concrete walls had to be up to six metres thick. The building incorporates 20,000 m³ of concrete and 1,700 tonnes of reinforcement, including steel bars up to 100mm diameter. Through this, 10 km of services pipework has been carefully threaded. The concrete itself weighs 48,000 tonnes, the equivalent of two aircraft carriers. In order to meet the building’s demanding energy needs, a new substation has been built, providing an equivalent amount of power to that needed to run the nearby Trafford Industrial Park. Starting with this autumn, the building will begin treating patients and, once fully operational, it will treat around 750 people a year.
A new 138-bedroom Holiday Inn Express is rapidly take shape just outside Bridgwater, Somerset, hitting its milestone topping out in just six months thanks to innovative construction techniques being used by Midas. The £10 million project is being built by Midas Construction, part of the Midas Group, on behalf of customer Zeal Hotels, and is believed to be the first in the South West to use a highly-efficient form of offsite and modular construction, delivering high quality finishes combined with considerably shorter build times. The new Bridgwater Holiday Inn Express is situated on Junction 24 of the M5 motorway and will be one of the biggest hotels in the area, featuring a bar and restaurant, lounge area, meeting rooms and parking for more than 60 vehicles. Due for completion in spring 2019, the hotel is being built to Holiday Inn Express group’s Generation 4 specifications and will provide accommodation for visitors to the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and surrounding areas. The building features perimeter pre-cast, acid-etch external finished and sandwich-insulated concrete panels, which are manufactured off site. These are craned into place and fixed to the frame of the building – also constructed using pre-cast concrete – instantly delivering a high-quality external finish and providing an internal surface ready for decorative finishes. The windows, made by a specialist company in Bristol, are pre-glazed and installed into the pre-cast panels before being delivered to site. Bathroom pods are also manufactured locally, less than 10 miles from the construction site, before being delivered for installation. Neil Lewis, Senior Project Manager at Midas Construction, said: “Off-site manufacturing isn’t new but this particular method of construction, and the standard of finishes it achieves, is a first for Midas and, we believe, the South West. “We are subscribing to modern methods of construction and the innovative use of design and build techniques to deliver a more consistent product and finish for our customer. “We’re impressed by the results and delighted to be leading the way in developing a new approach to hotel construction in the South West, which we hope will see greater take-up in the future.” The scheme adds to a list of prominent construction projects recently completed by Midas in the region; including the award-winning National College for Nuclear Southern Hub for Bridgwater & Taunton College and Yeovil Innovation Centre for South Somerset District Council. Midas Group’s strategy is to become the contractor of choice in the areas in which it operates, by developing long-term relationships through the delivery of its vision to be leaders in customer service and performance. Midas Construction has worked closely with customer Zeal Hotels throughout the project, and representatives of both companies were on hand to celebrate topping out on 25th September as Midas marked reaching the high point of the build. Tim Wheeldon, Managing Director of Zeal Hotels, said: “I am pleased this project is proceeding well, both on time and on budget. This highly efficient form of offsite and modular construction ensures a high quality of finish and we will certainly be looking to replicate this with our pipeline of additional hotel developments. “Topping out is always a milestone and we are pleased to celebrate this today with Midas Construction along with several consultants on site.” Portfolio holder for Economic Growth at Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Anne Fraser, said: “It is exciting to see the progress being made on this important new asset for the District. It is particularly pleasing to see how many local businesses and people have already benefitted from the construction including the two apprentices taken on. We are now looking forward to the opening next year when Sedgemoor will be able to offer a wider range and choice of accommodation for people wanting to do business here or enjoy our wonderful countryside.”
12 trainees have started their professional training in a M&E Consultancy in Solihull. Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) has welcomed the trainees, who will specialise in an array of areas, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, lighting, public health and finance. Moreover, they will also have the opportunity to complete industry-recognised qualifications, as well as receive in-house mentoring from the firm’s experienced team. “I really enjoyed studying lighting within an interior design module as part of my course so I was particularly interested in the opportunity of a trainee role at CPW advertised through my university,” said Danielle Smith, the firm’s new trainee lighting designer, who recently graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in textiles design. “Lighting design takes my existing skillset one step further as you have to ensure the end product not only looks great but is also functional and viable. Bringing my creativity into an engineering world gives a fresh perspective which I think CPW really like. “We’ve learnt so much already on the training programme. I have been on site visiting projects and speaking to clients, which has been brilliant. Engineering isn’t very well promoted to women which needs to change as it’s definitely not just a man’s industry – so far I’ve loved every second,” she added. The Director at CPW, Wayne Eustace, also commented on the company’s commitment to supporting the youth in the industry. “”We pride ourselves in being ahead of the curve in supporting the next generation of engineers, offering traineeships, apprenticeships and vocational training as well as offering mentoring opportunities throughout colleges and universities across the country.” “Many of our past trainees have achieved high grades in their qualifications, which really highlights how much of an impact mentoring can have on young engineers throughout their academic studies,” Wayne concluded.
