With construction works coming to an end as part of the process to limit the spread of Covid-19, all of us in the demolition and construction sectors have a duty and obligation to the communities that we serve. While the Government is mobilising resources, there are significant shortages for frontline
Milton Keynes Council has selected a contractor to take forward plans for a new £29 million school in Wavendon. Morgan Sindall Construction has been named as preferred bidder to build a new 1,530 place school under a pre-construction services agreement. Located at Glebe Farm, this ‘all-through’ school will be open
Costain has appointed a new boss for its transportation division. Sue Kershaw joins the firm from KPMG where she held the role of managing director, Infrastructure Advisory Group. She brings a strong track record for driving complex, high profile transport and construction programmes to delivery. Before her leading position at
Today marks the beginning of a new streamlined structure of governance at RICS. In a world where trust is being eroded, our new boards will further enhance public trust by introducing more diverse and global expertise, alongside increased independent-led oversight of our standards and their enforcement. We believe these changes
It has been proven that you and your family’s living arrangements have a direct affect on your well-being. Many of us wish to one day own our dream home. If you’ve saved up enough money and are considering custom building your home, then you have to carefully pick a builder.
As global warming threatens the planet, consumers are starting to pay more attention to the brands they buy from. Governments across the world are trying to prevent a global crisis by forcing businesses to lower their emissions. Sustainability has become increasingly important and it’s something consumers are focusing more on
Choosing the right venue for your corporate event, training, conference or meeting is vital to your success as much as choosing the speakers and deciding the schedule of sessions. The right venue can make a massive difference to the entire experience. From deciding on the number of guests you want
With construction works coming to an end as part of the process to limit the spread of Covid-19, all of us in the demolition and construction sectors have a duty and obligation to the communities that we serve. While the Government is mobilising resources, there are significant shortages for frontline staff in the NHS, GP practices and social care sectors. We are therefore encouraging the demolition and wider construction sector to retain a base stock of PPE, and make the rest available to those frontline services who need it far more than we do. You have the ability to save lives by doing so, no donation is too small! Cantillon and DeGroup are pulling together their resources to reach out to our competitors, peers and partners to seek quantities of excess masks, overalls, glasses and gloves. We have contacts within the NHS and Emergency Services who have already said this equipment would be gratefully received. They may use it themselves or indeed direct us to the Vulnerable Groups. The fact is, it can do a lot of good, but not while it sits on our shelves gathering dust. This is a free-of-charge donation, it’s giving back in an hour of real need. We can manage collection and distribution and your contribution will make a huge difference and potentially save many lives. – Paul Cluskey, Managing Director, Cantillon Please visit our Contractors Appeal Website for more information. You can also donate money via our JustGiving page
Milton Keynes Council has selected a contractor to take forward plans for a new £29 million school in Wavendon. Morgan Sindall Construction has been named as preferred bidder to build a new 1,530 place school under a pre-construction services agreement. Located at Glebe Farm, this ‘all-through’ school will be open to pupils aged five to 16 and will also include a nursery with the equivalent of 39 full time places. Development of the school will be located on a 95,000 square metre site off Burney Drive, where hundreds of new houses have been built. The development is being funded from a combination of Basic Need Government funding, Section 106 grant funding and Milton Keynes Council borrowing. The investment is part of a drive to support the growing population in Milton Keynes, which is expected to rise by 40,000 to almost 300,000 by 2026. David Rowsell, Northern Home Counties area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “This development marks a significant investment in the education provisions available to families in south east Milton Keynes and is a testament to the council’s ambition to develop its network of high quality schools across the area. “Glebe Farm’s new school will be transformational for the community, providing hundreds of children with a school building that they can call home throughout their journey in full-time education. “Morgan Sindall Construction is incredibly proud to have been appointed as preferred bidder for this project by Milton Keynes Council and we’re looking forward to working with our Client closely with our project partners as the first phase of delivery gets underway. As a company, we are keen to continue to further develop our existing relationship with Milton Keynes having successfully collaborated with them in recent years. We have a wealth of experience in delivering major education projects and we’re thrilled to be able to offer our specialist expertise to support the council’s vision for the future of Glebe Farm.” Councillor Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families added: “This school will provide places for many children throughout their full-time education. They will not have to make the transition from primary into secondary school. They will be able to stay put and that will help them to focus on doing their best. We are delighted that the design process will be underway soon and look forward to sharing those plans. As Milton Keynes continues to grow, we will continue to invest in and prioritise our network of high quality schools.”
Costain has appointed a new boss for its transportation division. Sue Kershaw joins the firm from KPMG where she held the role of managing director, Infrastructure Advisory Group. She brings a strong track record for driving complex, high profile transport and construction programmes to delivery. Before her leading position at KPMG, Sue was UK infrastructure head of programme management for KPMG Major Projects Advisory. Previous positions include director of rail, Europe at CH2M and deputy director of transport for the Olympic Delivery Authority. The civil engineer is currently president of the Association for Project Management, a member of the Mayor of London’s Infrastructure Advisory Panel and a Royal Academy of Engineering visiting professor at the Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, University College London. At Costain, Sue will be responsible for the highways, rail and aviation sectors. She will also join the Group’s Executive Board and report to Alex Vaughan, chief executive officer.
Today marks the beginning of a new streamlined structure of governance at RICS. In a world where trust is being eroded, our new boards will further enhance public trust by introducing more diverse and global expertise, alongside increased independent-led oversight of our standards and their enforcement. We believe these changes are further evidence that RICS and the profession is doing everything it can to live up to its 150-year-old Royal Charter to advance the public interest in all that it does. The governance changes are part of a package of reforms voted on by the profession in 2018 which aim to advance societal trust, positioning the body to draw more effectively on the leadership and strategic oversight required to shape a forward-looking agenda for the profession. A new Governing Council is announced today, and RICS welcomes the new professionals who have been elected with record turnout across 12 regions globally. Governing Council, RICS’ highest level governance body, also includes individuals bringing expertise from six strategic areas of the profession as well as the ambassadorial positions of RICS President, President-Elect and Senior Vice-President. The governance modernisation has also established a new Standards and Regulation Board, with its Chair and the majority of its members being independent from the profession to provider greater confidence in our assurance regime. This Board will provide assurance across all RICS standards and how they are enforced globally. Under the reforms, the previous Conduct and Appeals Committee has been renamed the RICS Regulatory Tribunal to better reflect its important role in holding the profession to account for operating to the highest standards that society would expect. Sean Tompkins, Chief Executive Officer at RICS commented: “These reforms, endorsed by the profession, directly respond to the need for us to evolve our governance structures to continue to retain high levels of public trust and confidence in our profession and in RICS as a global professional body. “Our profession is at the forefront of some of the biggest challenges facing the world and our next generations – from the need to consider climate change in all that we do, through to embracing digitisation, and responding to a rising population and the pressures this brings for our cities and natural resources. “The strategic oversight our governance bodies provide is critical to ensuring RICS can continue to deliver confidence and lead positive change in the built and natural environment. “I welcome all the new board members to our governance bodies from both within and outside of our profession. Their experience and leadership will be invaluable – both to the way we continue to qualify professionals, in ensuring we set and enforce the highest standards, as well as offering the thought leadership needed to tackle the major challenges that our next generations will face.”
It has been proven that you and your family’s living arrangements have a direct affect on your well-being. Many of us wish to one day own our dream home. If you’ve saved up enough money and are considering custom building your home, then you have to carefully pick a builder. Contracting the right builder will give you great results. Hire the wrong one and you might end up with a home from your nightmares. To help you choose the perfect custom builder, you can follow these 6 expert tips: 1. Quality Your home should be built in a such a way that it doesn’t need any repairs or rebuilds in the future. It’s important that the structure is stable and built to a high standard. Therefore, it’s vital that you check the quality of the builder first. Ask for a list of their previous projects and have a look at the quality. It should have a solid foundation and be filled with durable fixtures – from windows to countertops. Do some research on materials and make sure that the builder will be using quality building materials for your home. Click here to learn more about long-lasting building materials. 2. Communication and Reporting Throughout the building process, there will be a few kinks in the road. This is a very common occurrence. Whether it’s too rainy to work, or if the contractor has to wait for supplies, there will be unforeseen events happening. It’s important that your builder is transparent from the start. You need to know exactly what’s going on throughout the project. Find a builder that is honest and open – this is usually a character trait that can’t be missed. Also, one that doesn’t wait weeks before replying to your questions. You are likely to disagree on a few things in the future, so find someone who shares the same communication style as you. 3. Following your Vision Especially when you want the contractor to bring your vision to life, you need someone experienced who will be able to do that. Adding special features to the walls or building unique structural displays should be something that the builder can do. Experienced contractors are hard to find, so its worth checking out Auckland Builders for professional advice. In the end you’d like to see the dream home you’ve envisioned standing in front of you. A great builder can interpret your vision and turn it into a reality. 4. Experience in Custom Building There are many builders who are exceptionally well in building regular house structures, but not many can build homes with special features. It’s important that you find a builder that have experience in following uncommon building techniques. Not only will they be able to turn your dream into reality, they will be able to give you great advice and even suggest much better alternatives. You need someone who knows where to get special materials, as well as how to plan building a custom house. Check out this website for examples of excellent custom-built homes: https://silvertoncustomhomes.com 5. Willingness to Go the Extra Mile It’s evident in a builder’s attitude towards your project whether they are passionate about their work, or just sees it as easy money. You need a builder that will go the extra mile in answering your most ridiculous questions, and really dedicate themselves to the custom built. When they respond promptly, come up with great solutions, and suggest extra building options. Then you’ll know you’ve found the right one. 6. Recommendations and Reviews It’s worth checking out the builder’s online presence. Whether they have an active website with lots of feedback from previous clients, or whether they have no online trail at all. There are many scammers out there, so be wary when choosing a builder that has no paper trail. Look for a variety of online reviews and recommendations from different sources. That being said, not all builders will have a 100% rating, but at least most of the reviews should be positive. There’s no short cut in finding the right builder for your project. Avoid choosing the first one that pop up on an online search, and do some research. By following these expert tips you’ll track down the perfect builder that is dedicated while delivering quality work.
As global warming threatens the planet, consumers are starting to pay more attention to the brands they buy from. Governments across the world are trying to prevent a global crisis by forcing businesses to lower their emissions. Sustainability has become increasingly important and it’s something consumers are focusing more on too. This is especially true when it comes to product packaging. Here, we’ll look at what eco-friendly packaging is and why it’s becoming increasingly important to consumers. What is eco-friendly packaging? Eco-friendly packaging is described as a material which reduces its eco footprint over time. It could be made from 100% raw and recyclable materials, or it may be reusable packaging. It could also refer to packaging which has been made by a minimised production and supply chain process. In terms of what types of packaging businesses can use, cardboard and paperboard are great options. As well as focusing on recyclable materials, consumers also expect less packaging to be used. This means not sending goods in boxes that are far bigger than they need to be for example. Why is it important to consumers? So, why is sustainable packaging important to consumers? Well, they are much more aware of their own impact on the environment. Ensuring they buy from businesses who use sustainable packaging, therefore helps them to reduce their own carbon footprint. Another reason it’s important is because it shows consumers what a business truly cares about. They would much rather buy from companies who are dedicated to having the environment, than those who are simply looking out for their profits. The business benefits it provides It isn’t just the environment and the consumers which benefit from eco friendly packaging. It can also have great benefits to businesses too. By using sustainable packaging, it’s going to help drive profits and save the business money. When you order parcel delivery through Parcel2Go, you’ll find it’s much cheaper to send parcels with minimal packaging. As it’s important to consumers, you’ll also find focusing on sustainability helps you to attract more customers. This is turn boosts your profits. Of course, you’ll also feel good in the knowledge that you’re doing your part in saving the planet. If you really want to stand out from your competitors and make the biggest difference in terms of packaging, switching to plant based solutions is a good idea. These types of packaging are made from organic compounds which easily and safely decompose over time. As you can see, there are lots of reasons for businesses to start using more eco-friendly packaging. It plays an important role in reducing the effects of global warming, while also keeping consumers happier.
Choosing the right venue for your corporate event, training, conference or meeting is vital to your success as much as choosing the speakers and deciding the schedule of sessions. The right venue can make a massive difference to the entire experience. From deciding on the number of guests you want to invite to setting up budget constraints, there is a lot involved in hosting a professional corporate event. To make it easier for you, we have a checklist that you should consider while looking for corporate event venues in Long Island. Check what’s included Whenever you approach a venue for a quote and to discuss the activities, make sure to get a clear picture of all possible fees and costs. Ask what is covered in the fee being charged. Are any taxes included? Are there additional charges for tables, chairs, and linens? Are audiovisual equipment and Wi-Fi included? Some venues provide all-inclusive pricing. Make sure to confirm it. Layout and space Take a look at the space before to check if it meets your needs. Confirm the capacity limit once. Check if the floor space is flexible. Can you change the rooms later if required? Would you use the full venue or just a part of it? If you want to use outdoor space, check if the entire patio, garden, lawn or the deck are available. Also, check if the sponsors have any requirements. Have the sponsors requested a separate area? Is Wi-Fi connectivity available? Are there additional charges for using it? Discuss your plans with the operator in advance. Parking, accessibility, and location If your meeting is being held out of the town, then check if the delegates have easy access to the site. Check if the parking option is available. Are there any charges for arranging alternative transportation? If on-site parking is available, consider reserving the space for the attendees. If not, then it is best to book local taxis, Uber or a shuttle bus. Amenities and services You need to be careful and not just assume that all venues offer the same kind of inclusions and services. Do not assume that all amenities would be offered to you on demand. Confirm with the venue owner again if you are opting for additional services like floral arrangements, special catering, IT support, pens and pads, transportation and staging and lighting. Check this link to know about some awesome tips to host an awesome conference: https://www.inc.com/sangram-vajre/7-ways-to-host-an-awesome-conference.html Atmosphere The décor and ambiance of the venue can set the tone for your event. If it has a serious tone, then make sure to keep the professional image into consideration while choosing the venue. If you want to inspire creativity or want to host team activities, then opt for a place that can accommodate group activities and exude a fun vibe. If you are hosting a gala or an award ceremony, then an inspiring or elegant venue matters. Everything from the lighting to the furniture style adds to the atmosphere. Do not overlook the acoustics. Check the space for noise issues or for activities happening nearby that can interfere with your plans. Consider giveaways Find out if you can give away promotional freebies at the venue. If you’re hosting or sponsoring a business event or conference, giveaways are a great way to boost your branding. Imagine if you give out 1,000 pens with company branding, these are essentially 1,000 little adverts for your business. You could even look into some Knockout tech gift ideas, depending on your budget. Free stuff is a good incentive and the goodwill can do wonders for your reputation. Food and Beverage If you are hosting a lot of people for the event in Long Island, you will have to check what kind of meals and refreshments would be served. Do you want to plan a buffet-style dinner or a sit-down meal? Can the venue take special dietary requests? Check if the food is prepared using fresh ingredients. Also, find out what is the minimum food order and if alcohol would be served at the venue. You should always provide the service on table fabric runners for best results. Tech/audiovisual If you are hosting a corporate event, then you will obviously require Wi-Fi and AV for demonstrations, video presentations, and slide shows. Also, you will need special lighting, screens, projectors, and microphones. Discuss what is being offered for free and what you need to rent from a vendor. Further, find out if staff support is available. Ask whether charging stations would be provided to the attendees or not. Restrictions Certain venues may have restrictions pertaining to videography/photography, outside catering, alcohol use, and decorations. Some do not offer outside space at certain times. Make sure to be clear from the very beginning if you do not want to panic at the last minute. Staffing Would you require any staffing support? Find out what kind of support is provided. Do the staff have enough experience to manage your event? Is there enough security, concierge support and waiting staff available? Can they work overtime? Can they help managing tickets and registrations? Do they manage clean up and setup? Branding and signage Identify the kind of signage and branding opportunities available at the venue for your meeting or event. Identify your requirements. Check whether they are covered under the contract. Make sure to check specifications and sizing before the event. Check what kind of decoration options are available and permitted at the venue. Ask for recommendations. Cost While planning an event, consider the budget in mind. This is of the biggest concerns that businesses or planner have. Consider during what time of the year is the event being held. If it is not the peak season, then you can secure exclusive deals with the venue. Make sure to discuss the costs of additional services that you would be using. This will prevent discrepancies at a later stage. Click here to learn five amazing event planning strategies to make your
