The Torquay- headquartered homebuilder Cavanna Homes has strengthened its senior build team with the strategic appointment of Andy Sykes as Head of Construction. Formerly a Build Manager with the firm, Andy’s promotion follows the retirement of Fred Sureshkumar after 18 years with the company, eight of which were at the
In an effort to halt the growing numbers of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases, one of the UK’s leading authorities on asbestos training is urging employers to deliver asbestos awareness training to all apprentices. Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are
The Torbay-headquartered construction company The Cavanna Group has announced three new appointments to its Board of Directors, completing a ten year succession plan for the family business which was established in 1923 in Torquay. The Cavanna Group’s business operations, which include Cavanna Homes developments across the West Country, are overseen
Leading energy and services group, ENGIE, in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, has launched the ‘ACT 2020 – Action on Climate Together’, campaign, driven by a programme of high-profile events that aims to outline realistic action to curb climate change locally. ACT 2020 will champion sustainable growth across North Lanarkshire,
It’s no secret that the construction industry is currently facing an increasingly large skills shortage. The industry has long suffered from a lack of skilled workers, making it more difficult than ever to hit deadlines due to the shrinking talent pool. This is a big problem for the government, whose
An element can be describes as a certain key aspect or essential characteristic of something abstract, and while many interior designers use the 7 elements of interior design to managing any home makeover project, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t adopt the elements into your home for a
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you will already know all about how serious an issue climate change has become in recent years. With sea levels on the rise, atmospheric carbon dioxide at its highest ever level, and polar ice caps shrinking on a daily
Building a business from the ground up is tough work. It seems that everyone is depending on you to get the job done, and you certainly do not want to let them down. Being an entrepreneur means that you are taking on the responsibility of growing the business into something
The Torquay- headquartered homebuilder Cavanna Homes has strengthened its senior build team with the strategic appointment of Andy Sykes as Head of Construction. Formerly a Build Manager with the firm, Andy’s promotion follows the retirement of Fred Sureshkumar after 18 years with the company, eight of which were at the helm of the construction operation. Andy leads a team of three newly appointed Build Managers; Markus Micklewright, Mark Wyatt and Kurt Henson who will be actively involved in all development projects across the South West. Commenting on the new build team, Andy said: “Our three Build Managers have real pedigree in the homebuilding sector, clocking-up almost nine decades of experience between them. This experience will enable us to deliver new homes to the highest specification, on time, on budget and within a safe and healthy working environment.” Andy continued: “My focus for the next six months is to develop and implement new ideas and productive systems across our sites and to secure the NHBC five-star status for the quality of our new homes, which is awarded for receiving the highest levels of customer satisfaction.” Markus Micklewright has joined Cavanna Homes from the Coyne Group and, with over 20 years’ experience in construction, he will oversee completion of the firm’s developments in Stoke Gabriel near Totnes, Newton Abbot, Tavistock and Bodmin in Cornwall. Mark Wyatt was previously with McCarthy and Stone and takes responsibility for Cavanna sites in Holcombe and neighbouring Dawlish as well as Barnstaple in North Devon. Kurt Henson has joined from Barratt David Wilson and is managing schemes in Wincanton in Somerset, Seaton in East Devon and two new developments in Exeter. Mark Wyatt said: “Our role is to ensure all site teams are meeting their targets in terms of quality and performance and by being within a two-hour drive of company headquarters we are able to have a very hands-on approach. “As homebuilders we need to operate at an optimum level at all times; making sure that we are considerate homebuilders by being good neighbours in the communities where we’re building, exceeding health and safety expectations for on-site teams and visitors alike and delivering a high-quality product.” Managing Director Keith Miller said: “Fred Sureshkumar has helped Cavanna Homes achieve so much in his 18 years with the company, culminating in national recognition as the UK’s Housebuilder of the Year 2019. His retirement has left a big pair of boots to fill and we are very proud and excited to have secured a senior build team of this calibre. “These strategic appointments are a great start to the new year and will be key in supporting the company’s aim to achieving excellence in construction.” For more information about Cavanna Homes, visit: www.cavannahomes.co.uk.
In an effort to halt the growing numbers of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases, one of the UK’s leading authorities on asbestos training is urging employers to deliver asbestos awareness training to all apprentices. Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing deadly asbestos related diseases than older workers. Providing apprentices with key information about asbestos at an early stage will enable them to challenge poor work practices and protect themselves. Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), urged: “With the death toll from occupational exposure reaching crisis levels in the UK, UKATA is calling on all employers of apprentices working in trades, to receive asbestos awareness training as soon as possible, whether that’s through a college or with their employer.” Apprentice electricians, plumbers, carpenters. joiners, heating and ventilation engineers, painters and decorators are just some of the 1.3 million tradespeople that are at risk from exposure to the killer building material. And the facts are startling: Asbestos kills around 20 tradespeople in the UK every week, making it the single biggest cause of work-related deaths (www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/tradesperson.htm) Electricians are almost 16 times more likely than the general population to develop the killer lung disease mesothelioma in their lifetime. (Occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in the British population: a case-control study.) Asbestos exposure kills 4 plumbers every week (Health & Safety Executive) 598 carpenters and joiners died between 1991-2000 as a result of an asbestos disease 1 in 17 British carpenters born in the 1940s will die of mesothelioma (Cancer Research UK and Health & Safety Executive) The UK has the highest death rate from mesothelioma in the world. The risk is highest in people who were exposed to asbestos before age 30. (Institute of Cancer Research) Despite the well-publicised health risks posed by asbestos, a 2017 survey conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of 500 tradespeople showed that less than a third were aware of the correct ways to deal with and handle asbestos in the workplace. Craig explained: “It’s never too early to deliver asbestos awareness training to your workforce. The statistics show that the earlier in a person’s career they receive the appropriate training, then the better protected they are against developing asbestos related cancers in later life. “A simple half day awareness course could prevent them from contracting a deadly disease and also ensure they don’t expose others to the dangers of asbestos.” To ensure young people have access to asbestos awareness training before entering the workplace, UKATA is supporting the Learning Occupational Health by Experiencing Risks (LOcHER) project. The LOcHER project idea originated within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and aims to support colleges to help students develop valuable employment and life skills, so they feel equipped to lead change in their careers and the industries into which they progress. For employers whose apprentices are yet to receive asbestos awareness training, UKATA advises that they access UKATA approved asbestos awareness training, either with a local provider or online. “Asbestos awareness training is low cost and readily available. I urge all employers to book their apprentices on these half-day courses and provide them with a safe foundation for a long and safe career within the construction industry,” added Craig. UKATA approved asbestos awareness courses are available both online and in training centres throughout the UK. Alternatively, the training provider may deliver on site. To find a UKATA approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk or for free advice call our team on 01246 824437.
The Torbay-headquartered construction company The Cavanna Group has announced three new appointments to its Board of Directors, completing a ten year succession plan for the family business which was established in 1923 in Torquay. The Cavanna Group’s business operations, which include Cavanna Homes developments across the West Country, are overseen by Managing Director Keith Miller who joined the company in October 2017. Alongside Keith on the Board are Andrew Addison who has been promoted to Operations Director, having previously served 12 months as Head of Operations. David Green who has been with Cavanna Homes since 2001 is promoted to Development Director and Scott Murray joins the firm as Group Finance Director, replacing Brian Bargent. Brothers Jeremy and Jonathan Cavanna and their cousin Martin Cavanna, who are third generation members of the family business will remain on the Board but have moved to non-executive roles within the Cavanna Group which remains entirely family-owned. Keith Miller said: “2020 marks a significant milestone in Cavanna’s history as we complete the transition from a family owned and managed business to one that is now managed and directed by non-family members. While the Board of Directors are responsible for driving-forward this very successful company, we are answerable to the Cavanna shareholders, for whom the way in which we do business “the Cavanna Way”, embedding the family ethos in everything we do, is paramount. “We are also pleased to have fourth generation Cavanna family members in the business and look forward to supporting their growth and success in the company.” Paying tribute to the Cavanna family, Keith said; “Cavanna Homes charts a remarkable story of business success from humble beginnings when PD Cavanna arrived in Torquay with the tools of his trade and £200 of his family’s life savings, to a multi-million pound business which achieved national recognition as winner at the Housebuilder Awards 2019. “Over the past three decades, Jeremy, Jonathan and Martin Cavanna have laid solid foundations for the future, having grown the company by a factor of one hundred under their leadership. Their legacy is a strong family ethos, professional standards and a commitment to achieving the highest level of customer and staff satisfaction. “It is an honour and a privilege for me and my fellow directors to take this company to its centenary year and beyond. With the excellent team here at Cavanna Homes we will keep the company safe and profitable well into the future.” Cavanna Homes employs 139 staff from its Torquay headquarters and around 250 contractors working on development sites across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. In 2019 Cavanna Homes produced a turnover of £50.9million on 169 open market sales and 59 affordable homes. This year the firm will be building new homes in 14 locations including city, coast and countryside developments. In addition to the day to day business, Cavanna staff raised over £15,000 in 2019 for Children’s Hospice South West and have nominated the same charity for their fundraising efforts in 2020. The company was recently named the UK’s Housebuilder of the Year 2019 at the national Housebuilder Awards in the medium category for housebuilders building between 200 and 1,500 homes a year.
Leading energy and services group, ENGIE, in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, has launched the ‘ACT 2020 – Action on Climate Together’, campaign, driven by a programme of high-profile events that aims to outline realistic action to curb climate change locally. ACT 2020 will champion sustainable growth across North Lanarkshire, and create a roadmap for councils, businesses and communities to take realistic action, ahead of the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP26) event in Glasgow in November 2020. COP26 is the most important global diplomatic conference on climate change since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2016. The unique programme of events will address key crisis issues around climate change including: the local government as a system leader in the transition to net zero, the role of schools, education and young people in promoting sustainable lifestyles, how communities can activate change through volunteering, managing a transition to a zero carbon economic model, as well as subsequent events focussing on the future of health, housing and technology. A series of five events will engage with businesses, communities, public sector, voluntary organisations and children and young people. ENGIE will draw on its expertise in sustainability and commitment to zero carbon measures, to emphasise how positive leadership roles in the public sector, large and small businesses and local communities can play in helping to achieve the transition to a zero carbon world. ENGIE’s Divisional CEO Places & Communities, Colin Macpherson said of the programme, “ENGIE is committed to supporting businesses and local authorities on their journey towards zero carbon. We are very pleased to be partnering with North Lanarkshire Council on this extremely important and valuable programme of events in the run-up to November’s high-profile COP26 conference, which will be a great opportunity to connect with those deciding the direction and effectiveness of the climate change debate.” Convener of the Environment and Transportation Committee at North Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Michael McPake, said, “The council declared a climate emergency last year and this has acted as a trigger to take realistic action to curb climate change at a local level. “Working with our partners at ENGIE, these exciting events aim to mobilise local authorities, businesses, communities and individuals to discuss measures that can affect real action and to make concrete efforts to stop the disastrous consequences of climate change.” Although North Lanarkshire Council is the first to partner with ENGIE on this programme, similar events are currently being planned across the UK.
It’s no secret that the construction industry is currently facing an increasingly large skills shortage. The industry has long suffered from a lack of skilled workers, making it more difficult than ever to hit deadlines due to the shrinking talent pool. This is a big problem for the government, whose plans to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s is becoming more of a pipe dream. In fact, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the lack of skilled construction workers is at its highest point since 2007. In order to get back on track, the industry needs to recruit over 200,000 more workers by 2020. Below, industry experts at Vizwear explore what problems the skills shortage in construction is causing for the government’s homebuilding targets — and what companies can do to help fill key positions. What’s causing the skills shortage? The main problem that’s contributing towards the skills shortage is that as a whole, the construction industry is still battling with an image problem. “The industry needs to attract a fresh workforce to keep up with demands”, says Daniel Ure from online PPE retailer Vizwear. “But for many on the outside, the thought of working in construction still conjures up images of wolf-whistling workmen on building sites. To attract a new stream of workers, the industry needs to shake this negative image and show how the industry has developed.” It’s not just the difficulties of attracting new employees that are causing a skills shortage, though: it’s also due to the current workers. Data from the 2011 census showed that in the construction industry, one in five employees were aged over 55. This means that by the early 2020s, when the industry should be hitting its homebuilding targets, most will have reached or be close to retirement age. An ageing workforce and an uphill recruitment battle are a combination that could have a detrimental effect on the industry. What steps can be taken to close the gap? The biggest barrier facing the construction industry is presenting itself as a desirable career path to potential employees. Although often seen in a bad light, there are fantastic opportunities to be had in construction, including mechanics, engineering and electronics. There are a number of ways that construction companies can reach out to the right candidates and ensure them that a career in construction is exactly what they’re looking for. 1. Increase education To ensure that the future workforce in construction is vibrant and engaged, young people need to be re-educated about what construction is really like A survey created by L&Q Group discovered that only one in ten children between the ages of 16 and 18 would consider a career in construction, fearing that the industry would be ‘challenging and unexciting’. Although around 50% said that they were interested in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) career, the construction industry simply wasn’t appealing enough. Interestingly, though, the students who said they would consider a construction career said that their reasoning was due to the excitement of the role. Working closely with schools and colleges to promote the industry is a great way to show young people that there are a number of avenues their career path can take in construction. By setting up a formal work experience programme, you can attract future workers with real, hands-on experience to give students the chance to experience the industry for themselves. 2. Don’t neglect training By offering proper training programmes, construction companies have the opportunity to help close the skills gap with new talent. It’s not just labour-intensive roles that are suffering from the skills shortage — there is also a demand for tech and digital skills. But rather than looking externally for these roles, use it as an opportunity to upskill your current staff. Nurturing talent within your business is great for morale; plus, you’ll help to develop your team’s careers, skill sets and better utilise ambitious and forward-thinking workers. The training involved with upskilling current workers can be as simple as one-on-one mentoring, or you can make use of the wide range of online and practical courses available for skill development. There are also government-funded schemes available to help train future construction workers. For instance, we are currently in the middle of an 18-month fund set up by the government, launched with a budget of £22 million. This scheme launched 20 on-site hubs, of which people looking to join the industry, as well as people switching careers, can apply their knowledge in a real-world environment. 3. Look for skilled workers in the right places Ensuring that next-generation workers are knowledgeable about the industry is vital, but there are other skilled groups that are waiting to be snapped up by the industry. For example, over 14,000 leave the military every year, meaning the construction industry has a pool of highly trained individuals with transferable skills at their disposal. There are a number of companies that have already reaped the benefits of military leavers, and even provide specialist training and learning credits to get them fully trained as soon as possible. Military leavers offer the unique opportunity for construction firms to hire workers that can effectively follow instructions, work well as a team and can keep calm under pressure. It’s a unique opportunity that is too good to pass up. 4. Address the gender imbalance Part of the problem is that construction is a historically male-dominated industry. Between 2007 and 2016, reports found that the number of women workers in construction only rose by 0.7%, resulting in an incredibly low 12.8% total. But it’s not just workers in the industry, nearly half of construction workers claimed that they have never had a female manager. Whatever the role, women in construction are being overlooked. As women make up half of the population, it seems crazy that the industry is ignoring so much potential talent that it sorely needs to help fill the skills gap. Educating female students is a crucial
An element can be describes as a certain key aspect or essential characteristic of something abstract, and while many interior designers use the 7 elements of interior design to managing any home makeover project, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t adopt the elements into your home for a more appealing outcome. Whether you are opting for a complete home makeover or you will be taking the slower route and modifying your home as your budget allows, the following elements should be taken into consideration while creating your home improvement plan. Space The first and most important element of interior design is space, and while the other elements are just as important, you should always start your plan by assessing just how much space you have at your disposal. The space in your home is defined by structural barriers, such as ceilings, walls, floors, and even your doors. Therefore, knowing how much space you have will help you begin your planning and determine whether a large centrepiece would be appropriate or a vertical decor item would be more suitable. For example, if your living room area is somewhat small, you could consider water walls for the home as this enchanting masterpiece would not take up much space. Overcrowding the space you have will result in a cluttered look. Lines And Form Lines and form are also important elements to consider. While form explains the general shape of structures and items, lines are the basis of forms, and therefore, many could consider these two elements as co-existing elements. As your bedroom is an open form, understanding which forms work well together is crucial. You should avoid using too many rectangular forms in rooms that appear notably stiff and square as you should merge these forms to enhance the appeal of softer form rooms. Light And Colour Light and colour are the next two elements of interior design that also work as a pair. When creating your lighting plan for each room, you should consider the colour coordination of your furnishing choices as well as your wall paint. However, your lighting plan should include at least 3 light sources for most rooms to ensure each room is able to showcase its content as best as possible. Colour may be every interior designers favourite element as this is generally where the fun begins. If you are after a modern home design, you should stray from matching too much of one colour and rather opt for one main colour throughout your home while complementing the main colour with at least 3-4 additional colour pops. Patterns And Textures Patterns and textures are important to bring vibrancy into a home. You can add textures with fabrics, plants, and even your choice of furnishings while patterns are usually most appropriate for fabrics. Most modern home interiors boast texture as accent pieces as designers make use of textures scatter cushions and even rugs. Patterns can also be included in your home with the help of enchanting abstract art.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you will already know all about how serious an issue climate change has become in recent years. With sea levels on the rise, atmospheric carbon dioxide at its highest ever level, and polar ice caps shrinking on a daily basis, even the strongest climate change denier will have difficulty denying it isn’t happening. With this in mind, there is now a need for everyone, everywhere to improve their personal level of eco-friendliness and sustainability. Businesses need to do the same as well, in order to ensure their buildings and employees aren’t contributing any more to the already high levels of pollution and waste. Fortunately, many businesses have started to do this already, working alongside specialist energy consultants to design new low energy, high performance buildings. But which companies are leading the way, setting the standard for other businesses to aspire to? Join us as we take a look at some of the eco-friendliest buildings the planet has to offer. Bloomberg Headquarters. London. Considered the world’s most sustainable office building, Bloomberg’s headquarters achieved the highest-ever Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) score back in 2018. After working with the architecture firm Foster + Partners, Bloomberg – the news and financial tech giant – decided to build a new European headquarters which featured more of an environmental focus. The ambitious seven-year project resulted in a truly stunning ten-storey building set on the 3.2 acres between London’s Bank of England and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The headquarters was designed to incorporate an abundance of eco-friendly features, including a grey water collection system on the roof to recycle water, and vacuum-drainage toilets to dramatically reduce water usage. However, the building’s crème de la crème is its ceiling, which integrates almost 4,000 specially-designed panels. Each of these panels help control the building’s heating, cooling, lighting and acoustic functions, reducing the overall energy usage by more than 40%. The eco-friendly features don’t stop there though. The building also features living walls, a unique desk set-up for its staff members, and its very own natural ventilation system. It was also constructed in an eco-friendly way, using specialist suppliers who abided by strict environmental policies. Now that’s sustainable. Revolving Tower. Dubai. From the iconic Burj Khalifa to the upcoming Museum of the Future, Dubai is widely known across the globe for its various feats of architecture. That trend looks set to carry on as well, following the approved plans to add what’s being referred to as ‘The Revolving Tower’ to the Dubai skyline. This yet-to-be-built engineering marvel will feature more than 60 independently rotating floors, giving its inhabitants a constantly shifting view of the world outside. As a result, the independent rotations will also give the building an ever-changing exterior, constantly bending and warping into different, highly complex designs. However, the rotations are not solely designed for aesthetic purposes – they’re designed to do good too. Each rotation will use the kinetic energy it releases to power the entire building. There will also be wind turbines integrated in between each floor, capable of powering the entire tower block both sustainably and independently. One Bryant Park. New York. Bryant Park in the centre of New York City is one of the world’s greenest skyscrapers and even includes the very first sustainable Broadway theatre. It was also the first building to receive LEED Platinum certification, producing clean energy from its own generation plant. However, the building’s pride and joy comes through the innovation of its cooling unit. Rather than pumping out tons of greenhouse gases using traditional energy-draining air conditioning systems, the architects involved with building One Bryant Park have installed a thermal ice storage system. This system produces ice overnight, ready to be melted the next day to provide a cooling effect for the workers. The building is also home to The Bank of America and incorporates LED lighting, carbon dioxide monitors and waterless urinals to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible. The Edge. Amsterdam. While ‘The Edge’ may make you immediately think of the backing vocalist from U2, it is also the name given to one of the world’s most innovative buildings. This architectural masterpiece is the home of Deloitte’s Amsterdam Headquarters, and again functions by using clean energy – this time taken from 30 metres below the Earth’s surface. The building also uses solar panels to collect energy and has been fitted with a specialist aquifer thermal energy storage system too. This system relies on two wells – one to provide heating during colder periods and another to provide cooling during warmer periods. However, in order to control these wells, the Edge has been fitted with a huge network of more than 30,000 sensors. These function by measuring pretty much every single energy output – lighting, humidity, carbon dioxide – via a range of apps, and can automatically open or close particular areas to minimise energy expenditure. Now that’s innovation.
Building a business from the ground up is tough work. It seems that everyone is depending on you to get the job done, and you certainly do not want to let them down. Being an entrepreneur means that you are taking on the responsibility of growing the business into something that you have long envisioned. At the same time, there are only so many hours in the day. It seems that far too many entrepreneurs today allow their sleep patterns to be severely interrupted so that they can focus on important business related tasks. This is a dangerous trap to fall into. We need our sleep. Your business will much better off if you are well rested. Here is what you need to do to make that happen. Leave Your Phone Out of the Bedroom Believe it or not, there was a time not too long ago when we got along just fine without smartphones. You can do so again. Choose to make your bedroom one of those places where your phone is simply not welcome. Over time, this will eliminate the temptation to check your email or take a look at the future stock price estimates. You should focus on creating good bedtime habits. Putting your smartphone well out of reach is one way to do just that. Become Unavailable at Night If you allow your clients and employees to call you at night, you can count on them doing so. This is something that you want to avoid. You need to protect your bedtime hours. Once you start doing this, others will begin to respect your wishes. If you use an instant messaging system, you can set a timer so that it does not disturb you between certain hours. Do this and you will be much better off in return. Your business will survive without while you are sleeping, so don’t worry. Develop an Evening Routine Just like you have a routine each morning to get ready to go to the office, so should you do the same when it comes time for bed. You should begin winding down so that your body knows it is about to get some rest. The suggestion is to stop working at least an hour before hitting the covers. Stop looking at any device the emits light and prepare your sleeping environment to be comfortable and conducive to getting hours of uninterrupted sleep. Outsource Important Tasks in the Evening Being an entrepreneur means that you are important. Many people will try to contact you at all hours of the night. We get that. However, most tasks you can delegate to an assistant that you outsource work to. This individual can check your emails and prioritize tasks so that they are waiting for you when you start work in the morning. This is a much more productive use of your time at the end of the day. This guide should help you to develop healthier sleeping habits that will also positively impact your business at the same time. Your business depends on you being healthy and well rested. It is important that you begin to take this seriously and aim for a minimum of seven quality hours of sleep each evening. Nine is even better, so try to build up to that point.
