The Wates Group is set to expand its facilities management offering with the launch of Wates Facilities Management (‘Wates FM’) – a new business with expanded nationwide capabilities. Formerly operating as Wates Smartspace FM, Wates FM will build on its existing nationwide portfolio of total facilities management services across a
Willmott Dixon has created a unique programme to help the construction industry tackle its skills shortages by setting up the first of what it hopes will be a series of academies within prison environments that help former offenders find jobs on their release Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy has
BELFAST fit-out specialist Portview is bathing in glory after completing a major contract in Liverpool on what is the world’s biggest Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics store. Five times bigger than the previous store and spread over three customer-facing floors, the new 1,380 sq metres Lush Liverpool – which is big
A key milestone has been reached by Vinci on the construction of the new King’s School in Macclesfield, which was celebrated at an event to mark completion of steelwork erection. “I am very pleased that it blends into the surrounding landscape nicely and it will be a fantastic addition to
Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) has acquired, with the support of its strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco). Parker said that the move is a “key step” in their strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth.
The Wates Group is set to expand its facilities management offering with the launch of Wates Facilities Management (‘Wates FM’) – a new business with expanded nationwide capabilities. Formerly operating as Wates Smartspace FM, Wates FM will build on its existing nationwide portfolio of total facilities management services across a range of environments, including banking, retail and healthcare, and will seek opportunities to provide FM support to both private and public sector clients. Wates FM will become part of Wates Property Services division alongside the group’s Living Space business, which provides planned and responsive repairs for more than 500,000 social housing properties and more than 350 buildings nationwide. This restructure will allow the two businesses to combine their expertise. The group has 85 key customers across 14 sectors, including 60 social housing providers and it has a combined annual turnover of c.£400 million with a £1 billion forward order book. David Morgan, managing director of Wates Living Space, said: “Wates’s continued success is built on the breadth of our in-house capabilities and our agility in identifying and maximising complementary areas of our business. There is a great deal of synergy between Wates Living Space and Wates FM and aligning the two businesses will enable us to significantly enhance our service to clients. “Operational efficiency is essential when working with the public sector and this is something that underpins Wates Living Space’s position as a leading UK provider of housing repairs and maintenance.” Wates FM currently manages at least 350 commercial properties, delivering services including statutory compliance, cleaning, security, catering, porterage, front-of-house, helpdesks and computer-aided facilities management (CAFM), as well as mechanical and electrical and building fabric maintenance through a mix of site-based and mobile teams.
Willmott Dixon has created a unique programme to help the construction industry tackle its skills shortages by setting up the first of what it hopes will be a series of academies within prison environments that help former offenders find jobs on their release Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy has teamed up with HMP Elmley to provide offenders with drylining skills and a CSCS card to help them move straight into employment when back in the community. It comes after the CITB’s annual Construction Skills Network report recently predicted approximately 168,500 jobs will be created in construction over the next five years to meet demand. The launch was made possible after Willmott Dixon and its supply chain converted a warehouse inside the prison into a drylining academy facility. They have also equipped prison officers with accredited skills necessary to deliver six week long in-house courses for prison residents, a sustainable and replicable training model believed to be a UK first. The academy aims to upskill over 100 HMP Elmley residents each year so they are ‘job ready’ on release and ready to find careers in construction. Willmott Dixon’s supply chain partners and local job agencies are part of the process to help them find work, which is important as it is estimated that only 17% of former offenders quickly get work on release, with re-offending more likely for those who are unemployed. This is the third Building Lives Academy launched by Willmott Dixon within the last 12 months. Its academies in Croydon and Kingston, based adjacent to construction projects being delivered in these two London boroughs, have already equipped over 150 young unemployed people with key construction skills. Candidates who attend at Croydon and Kingston get a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Operations, Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work, plus a CSCS card. Afterwards, candidates are supported to apply for work with Willmott Dixon, supply chain partners or other construction opportunities advertised by a local employment service. The academies are part of Willmott Dixon’s ‘purpose beyond profit’ ethos to play an active role in strengthening the well-being of society through the contribution of its people. Last year, four out of five Willmott Dixon people undertook a community-related project as part of the company’s volunteering policy. Willmott Dixon’s regional head of legacy, Richard Pickett, said: “It’s a logical step to tap into the potential of people who are in prison but keen to find a sustainable and rewarding job on release. Our industry needs to constantly think of imaginative new ideas if we are to attract the people we need and this is a very replicable model that’s easy to migrate to other UK prisons.” Andy Davy, HMP Elmley deputy governor, said: “HMP Elmley and the Reducing ReOffending team are excited to be working in partnership with Willmott Dixon. Being able to better prepare our residents with the appropriate skills to transition straight into employment upon release is a priority for the Prison. Employment is a definite contributor to the reduction in offending behaviour and helps to build stronger family stability.”
BELFAST fit-out specialist Portview is bathing in glory after completing a major contract in Liverpool on what is the world’s biggest Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics store. Five times bigger than the previous store and spread over three customer-facing floors, the new 1,380 sq metres Lush Liverpool – which is big enough to hold nine million of its famous bath bombs – has opened its doors after a nine-month transformation. The scheme by Lush’s in-house design team and international architecture firm Hyphen was executed by Portview with an emphasis on enhancing the building’s original features. Portview managing director Simon Campbell said: “We’ve a fantastic relationship with Lush and share their passion for protecting the planet. “We worked in close collaboration with both the client team and Hyphen to ensure Lush’s high environmental standards were upheld at each stage of the process, from the sustainable design choices through to the responsible sourcing, restoring and repurposing of recycled materials to help reduce our carbon footprint significantly. “This has been one of our most iconic retail projects to date and it’s a proud moment for us to see it come to life.” Materials include reclaimed timbers, brick and silver tiles, which complement the injection of fresh, citrus colours from the 300 new products on display. Lush says that a time when revitalisation is needed more than ever, the new destination shop aims to bring more innovation and creative personal experiences than ever before to the high street. The chain’s co-founder & managing director Mark Constantine said: “Liverpool is full of opportunities. We’ve had a lot of experience in this city for a long time and the new shop is geared up to what customers here need. We look forward to encouraging people to use our products before they go to work or out that night.”
A key milestone has been reached by Vinci on the construction of the new King’s School in Macclesfield, which was celebrated at an event to mark completion of steelwork erection. “I am very pleased that it blends into the surrounding landscape nicely and it will be a fantastic addition to Macclesfield’s facilities,” said Councillor Adam Schofield, Mayor of Macclesfield. On track for completion in May 2020, the project, which comprises 1350 tonnes of steel, is currently halfway through construction. The project will boast an impressive six lane, 25-metre swimming pool, central library, café, art studios, rugby pitches, all-weather hockey pitches and a 400-metre athletics track. Head Master, Dr Simon Hyde attended the ceremony along with Councillor Adam Schofield, Mayor of Macclesfield, The County’s Lord Lieutenant David Briggs and some of the current pupils were also witness to the special occasion. “We are delighted with progress and we will be proudly handing over what is going to be a magnificent site, on time. It is a really exciting project for us to work on and it has been a pleasure today to welcome a group of pupils, parents and Governors to show them the progress on their new school,” said VINCI Construction UK’s Project Manager Martin Horton. “The completion of the steel frame is a major milestone and we will now bring in a range of different trades to complete the concrete flooring, underfloor heating, brickwork, blockwork and drainage, before we start the landscaping,” he added.
Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) has acquired, with the support of its strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco). Parker said that the move is a “key step” in their strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth. Parkers aims to become the market-leading independent builders’ merchant in the South East of England. The acquisition was prompted by the retirement of owners, Mike Cullis and Roger Brightiff, who will remain in the business short-term, to ensure an effective handover and a smooth transition. Managing Director, John Cornelius, will join the Parkers senior management team to contribute to the combined company’s growth strategy. “Once Mike and I had taken the decision to retire, our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help Stamco to fulfil its potential. Both companies have common heritage, outstanding product quality and commitment to the highest standards of customer service, which makes this partnership a very good fit. We are confident that Stamco is in very capable hands and that it will continue to thrive and prosper,” commented Roger Brightiff, owner of Stamco. The acquisition offers Parkers the opportunity for geographic expansion and to extend its product range. The new enlarged business will continue to be headquarted in Polegate, Sussex, has 20 branches across Sussex and Kent, with combined revenues of more than £100 million and over 450 employees. “Our goal is to become the leader in the independent builders’ merchant sector in the South East. To do this we have been working to build a customer-focused business, with great products, outstanding customer service and a strong, expanding branch network. Stamco has very similar values and ambitions to us and a skilled and committed workforce, so this partnership offers the potential for exciting opportunities going forward,” said Chris Maityard, Parkers’ Managing Director.
