Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK), has announced changes to its UK board including the appointment of Andrew Reynolds as Chief Executive and Dean Sheehy as Operations Director as it sets out its ambitious long-term growth plans following on from another successful year where
Stephen George + Partners (SGP), one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, is celebrating the start on site of its first airside project to be under construction. A ground breaking ceremony marked the official construction start of the £7million 54,000 sq ft maintenance hangar and 15,500 sqft workshop facility at
Interserve Group’s Chief Executive Officer Debbie White is set to leave the company at the end of the year. Debbie will step down from her role as of 31 December 2019. During her time at Interserve, she led the company through one of the most challenging periods of corporate restructuring
A recent study has found that males are more likely to be victims of household crime. Data uncovered shows that during the first quarter of 2019, males experienced more household crime, with over 20,000 reported cases, as opposed to females, who reported just over 13,000. The research, found by More4Doors,
Before we go into the specifics, there are a number of key points that you need to acknowledge when it comes to dealing with undeclared rental income: It is now more important than ever to ensure your tax affairs are up to date. Government systems are much improved and offer
Warehouses can be a common target for criminals – if they are not properly secured, they represent an opportunity for someone to get in and steal stock, equipment, or even sensitive data such as financial information. Thankfully, however, with warehouse security there are many small changes that you can make
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK), has announced changes to its UK board including the appointment of Andrew Reynolds as Chief Executive and Dean Sheehy as Operations Director as it sets out its ambitious long-term growth plans following on from another successful year where it has seen gross turnover increase by 40% from 2017/18 to 2018/19. The new structure reflects the changing shape of the industry and ensures the longevity of RLB’s leading and sustainable position within it. Andrew Reynolds, Chief Executive of RLB UK and Global Board Director, said: “RLB UK today is a completely different size and scale to where we were five years ago, and we continue to evolve to remain future fit. We have always prided ourselves on being an independent, employee-owned business– offering independent advice to our clients and at the same time offering an opportunity for every member of our staff to become an owner in our company. We believe it is this autonomous structure that has underpinned our success combined with a passion to deliver the best outcomes for our clients and a commitment to driving best practice in everything we do.” Dean Sheehy, Operations Director, added: “With the amazing talent we have nurtured and attracted at RLB, over the last five years we have grown our turnover from £42m to £80m, increased our profit fivefold and doubled our team in the UK to 675. I am extremely proud of what our business has achieved. Our industry is ever-evolving and we have made changes to our structure to ensure we will make the most of the opportunities the next decade brings, setting ourselves ambitious targets to secure the longevity of our business.” Over the next ten years RLB UK’s targets include growing turnover to £150m (2019 £80m) and achieving sustainable profit margins whilst remaining an independent employee owned organisation. Andrew Reynolds added: “Building a business for the future is one thing. However, growing a business that is focussed on delivering success for clients in a shifting industry whilst upholding our cultural ethos, of devolved ownership for staff and opportunity for people to thrive in tomorrow’s industry, is something quite different. Being independent has enabled us to build a ten year plan to achieve this ambition.” As part of the changes, RLB UK has announced the following appointments to its main board: Andrew Reynolds, Chief Executive; Dean Sheehy, Operations Director; Mark Weaver, Commercial and Technical Director; Stuart Stables, Finance Director; Ann Bentley, Non-Executive Director. These changes will come into place with immediate effect.
Stephen George + Partners (SGP), one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, is celebrating the start on site of its first airside project to be under construction. A ground breaking ceremony marked the official construction start of the £7million 54,000 sq ft maintenance hangar and 15,500 sqft workshop facility at Norwich International Airport for Rigby Group plc, owners of Regional City Airports. The new hangar facility, which is designed to service two Boeing 737 aircraft, will accommodate the expansion of KLM UK engineering group, providing additional capacity to offer aircraft maintenance and repair services to customers worldwide. Ian Yallop, Chairman of SGP: “We have been able to apply our extensive experience of large and small-scale industrial units to the project at Norwich Airport, to create a facility that meets KLM UK’s engineering needs as well as reinforcing Norwich Airport’s position as a leader in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.” “The design of this type of project is very technical and requires a detailed knowledge of airport operations. CAA requirements are focused on safeguarding flights and we had to think in a new way – working from the sky downwards and taking into account a range of variables including radar requirements, wind shear and navigation systems. The workshop is 7.5m to its haunch and the hangar 13.0m and will be constructed using a Twin-Therm wall system, with Euroclad cladding, profiled to break up radar bounce back. This is an important milestone for SGP and although we have worked on several masterplans and designs for other regional and national airports, this is the first that has reached construction stage. We are looking forward to expanding this new and fascinating sector.”
Interserve Group’s Chief Executive Officer Debbie White is set to leave the company at the end of the year. Debbie will step down from her role as of 31 December 2019. During her time at Interserve, she led the company through one of the most challenging periods of corporate restructuring in its history. During this period, she was instrumental in maintaining strong relationships with the Group’s customers, from private enterprises to the UK Government. Debbie led the delivery of the Group-wide transformation programme and ‘Fit for Growth’ initiative, which delivered material cost savings of £20m in 2018 and improvements in operating margin performance. Since March 2019, she has worked in partnership with Interserve Group Limited’s new shareholders to strengthen the leadership across the Group and ensure it has the right mix of experience across the Board and Executive Team to continue its growth as a privately held company. Alan Lovell, Chairman of Interserve Group Limited, said: “Debbie leaves Interserve with the greatest respect of the Board. In her time here, she has worked tirelessly to turn the business around and has steered the Group through a period of unprecedented uncertainty, which included securing a critical refinancing. She led the Group’s ‘Fit for Growth’ initiative, transforming Interserve into a more agile business, with reduced costs and a more competitive value proposition. On behalf of the Board and all at Interserve, I would like to thank her for the huge contribution that she has made through such a critical and challenging period for the business.” Debbie White, Chief Executive Officer of Interserve Group Limited added: “The past two years at Interserve have been the most demanding of my professional career. As a management team, we fought to deliver a stronger financial platform for the business from which it can move forward. Whilst we were ultimately unable to secure sufficient shareholder support for the proposed deleveraging plan, under new ownership, we were able to reduce the Group’s debt which alongside the successful delivery of the company wide transformation programme, was critical to securing the future of the Group. “I am grateful for the support of our customers, suppliers and the UK Government during this period. Most importantly, I am grateful to the many fantastic people I have worked alongside at Interserve, and I wish them every success in the future.” Interserve also announced it will be strengthening its leadership capabilities in each of its three business divisions. As a result, the key operational responsibilities of the Chief Executive’s Office will in part be devolved to the business divisions, with Mark Morris, currently Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, assuming the role overseeing all Group functions.
A recent study has found that males are more likely to be victims of household crime. Data uncovered shows that during the first quarter of 2019, males experienced more household crime, with over 20,000 reported cases, as opposed to females, who reported just over 13,000. The research, found by More4Doors, also discovered the areas which saw the most crime in Q1 of 2019. The South East of England was the worst, with over 4,400 reported crimes, while the North East only had 2,008 reported household crimes during the same period. When studying victims of household crime, those who were employed experienced the most, with over 21,000 cases reported by those in full or part-time work, while students were the least likely to be burgled, with just 368 reports during the first quarter of the year. When looking at age ranges, those who were aged between 45 to 54 experienced the most crime, with those aged between 16 and 24 experiencing the least. The study has also revealed that those who live in a semi-detached house are the most likely to experience household crime. It was found that over 10,000 semi-detached homes were victims of crime, compared to flats which saw just 5,000 reported crimes in the first three months of 2019. Terraced houses also saw a high number of household crimes, as did detached residential properties. The study also looked at homeowners versus renters and found that those who own their property experienced the most household crime (over 21,000 reports) while renting tenants experienced just over 11,000 cases. These alarming statistics come just weeks before Christmas, the time of year when both homeowners and renters should be a lot more vigilant when it comes to crime. Ensuring your home is properly secure during this time is essential. Burglars are well aware that while you are out enjoying the season’s festivities, there are plenty of expensive Christmas presents nestled under your tree. Leaving doors or windows unlocked are prime opportunities for those who prey on homeowners or renters leaving their home security to chance. More4Doors, a door handle and door locks retailer, has a number of tips on ensuring the security of your home this festive season. Keep doors locked at all times, even when you are in the house. If you are upstairs, burglars can easily sneak in unnoticed, so make sure you keep exterior doors locked at all times. This should also apply to large windows which can be climbed through, especially any which are just above extensions or conservatories. Make sure all your household locks are working properly. Any fault on a door lock can be an opportunity for a burglar. Even if it just needs a small fix, it’s worth sorting. If possible, add more than one lock to your exterior doors for added security. Check all windows are locked shut before leaving the house. It can be easy to miss an open window and leave it open. Don’t leave mail or flyers hanging out the letterbox. This can be a signal to burglars that you aren’t home. Don’t forget to check the locks on your garage are working properly. These are prime targets for burglars as many homeowners generally don’t have good working locks on garage doors or side doors. Try not to leave boxes out near your bins. An empty TV box or games console packaging is a clear indication to burglars that you have items in the home worth stealing, so make sure you dispose of these a little more discreetly.
Before we go into the specifics, there are a number of key points that you need to acknowledge when it comes to dealing with undeclared rental income: It is now more important than ever to ensure your tax affairs are up to date. Government systems are much improved and offer greater visibility on individuals who are not up to date. If you have only recently acquired a rental property, it may be possible to get things up to date by completing relevant tax returns. The Let Property Campaign is helping individuals with many years of undeclared income. A property tax specialist will help you to get things up to date whilst also minimising the tax, interest and penalties due. They will also reduce the potential stress or worry, acting as a barrier between the individual and HMRC. If you own one or more rental properties, then you need to ensure they’re all correctly dealing with their tax situation. HMRC have become stricter on landlords and government systems have been improved recently to cross reference Land Registry records with tax returns to identify those who aren’t up to date. Most mortgage lenders are also requiring the submission of tax returns to them prior to making a mortgage or re-mortgage offer. You must submit your tax return by the 31st January following the tax year. This means that it is often possible to deal with tax issues up to 18 months or more after an individual begins receiving rental income. HMRC will also often accept tax returns going back at least one further year, but this is by agreement in each case. HMRC had started a project called The Let Property Campaign, which aims to encourage individuals to rectify their tax affairs. It has been ongoing for a number of years and offers an easier way to rectify your tax affairs, particularly where there may be a number of years to deal with. Individuals that come forward under the scheme are promised a ‘lower penalty’ than if HMRC raise an enquiry. There is no deadline for the campaign but acting sooner prevents any risk that HMRC will raise an enquiry first and put the case on a track that will likely result in higher penalties. Many landlords have come forward over the last few years to declare their tax affairs and get them up to date. Understanding the best approach and the way to minimise penalties and other potential payments comes from experience and understanding the attitude and approach of HMRC. It is therefore best to work with a property tax expert that has experience dealing with undeclared rental income and property tax investigations. Source:
Warehouses can be a common target for criminals – if they are not properly secured, they represent an opportunity for someone to get in and steal stock, equipment, or even sensitive data such as financial information. Thankfully, however, with warehouse security there are many small changes that you can make that will constitute a huge difference. With a secure warehouse staff will feel safer, and you can have the peace of mind that your property has many deterrents against crime. Here we take a look at eight changes you can make to improve security at your warehouse. Install CCTV There is no doubt that CCTV is one of the most effective security measures for warehouses. Not only does having CCTV cameras ensure that you have a visual record of what happens in and around your premises in the event of a crime taking place. It also acts as a brilliant visual deterrent against vandalism, theft, and antisocial behaviour. Make sure that when you have your CCTV installed you also put up plenty of signs, alerting people to their presence. Use out-of-hours security patrols Of course, it is often the case that warehouses are most at risk when there are no staff on duty. This provides the opportunity for criminals to observe the property without being noticed by anyone, and means they can gain access to premises unopposed. This is why it can be a great idea to work with an external security provider to have out-of-hours security patrols. Add motion detecting lights Motion sensing lights might not sound like much of a boost to your warehouse security, but you might be surprised at the difference that they can make. Often it is more than enough for criminals skulking around your property to see a light come on – it stops them from being able to work in the dark. Additionally, these motion detectors can provide alerts to security personnel so that they can investigate the situation. Get security feedback from your team Perhaps one of the most important things that every warehouse owner could do to improve security is to get feedback from the people who are working there all day. It is your staff who will understand best the security challenges that the organisation faces, and areas of risk and vulnerability. It is a great idea to regularly speak to staff or even give them the opportunity to submit written ideas on what could be done to improve security at your warehouse. Limit access with fencing Sometimes it is the obvious things that make a difference to security. Fencing is visually striking and shows any member of the public where they are permitted to go and where they are not. This is another example of a security that acts a simple deterrent in the fact that it tells any potential criminal that your warehouse takes its security seriously. Fencing can be installed at obvious parts of your property to make it appear inaccessible to individuals. Introduce RFID-enabled ID badges Many warehouses utilise RFID (radio frequency identification) in order to track goods and items – and just as RFID can be used to track stock as it moves through your ware house, it can also be used to track staff. This can be a very effective way to maintain security at all times, as well as preventing theft and ensuring best practice. IDs also help you to understand if someone is in a part of the building that they shouldn’t be. Promote cyber security Remember that security is not just a physical matter. It is also important for your business to be secure from a cyber perspective. This means taking care of passwords, and providing staff with training on how to be secure when using internet-enabled devices in your warehouse. Hire a security specialist Of course, if you have specific concerns over security of you have experience a number of incidents, then it can actually be best to work with an external security specialist. They will be able to recommend a customised security operation that is suited to the exact needs of your business. This can be the way to ensure that your business premises are as secure as possible.
