London South Bank University (LSBU) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2021 by celebrating coming second out of all leading higher education apprenticeship providers in England. LSBU has retained second place overall for the past three years as one of the leading higher education apprenticeship providers in England according to apprenticeship
Luxury housebuilder Harron Homes has welcomed a new Sales and Marketing Director, Alison Taylor-Shaw, to its Yorkshire division based in Leeds. Alison, who lives in Wakefield and is originally from Barnsley, joined the company in November 2020. The appointment marks the conclusion of a successful year for Harron Homes despite
Industrial asset management specialist NSM has signed another two tenants for Vector 31 Networkcentre, with only one unit remaining on the popular SME site near Sheffield. Dalton Designs UK which specialises in printing and producing promotional merchandise, is relocating its team from Worksop into Unit 7, a 1,715 space on
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes has completed the purchase of the former Firbeck Colliery site from developer and regeneration specialist Network Space. Following planning permission being granted by Bassetlaw District Council at the end of last year, the sale of the 32-acre land on Doncaster Road in Costhorpe cements Keepmoat’s plans
Estate planning is a matter that many people would feel a little bit squeamish about. However, it’s something that should be done, especially if you have several properties and children that would be left behind in the event of your demise. It’s also a good way of protecting your properties
While some of you are finding that you are spending more and more time at home, you might be looking around your home and seeing things that need a little fixing up. “Do it yourself” projects are a great way to pass time, and also make you feel accomplished taking
You’re a new residential construction business. You have the manpower, the expertise and some prospective clients, but you need to win contracts. What you’re looking for are the tools and services that could give you an edge in the market, and help your business succeed. Luckily for you, there is
The concept of insurance has been around for millennia, and yet the industry continues to evolve and grow as it responds to changes in society as well as the technological revolutions that shape our modern world. Here is a look at what significant shifts are occurring at the moment, and
London South Bank University (LSBU) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2021 by celebrating coming second out of all leading higher education apprenticeship providers in England. LSBU has retained second place overall for the past three years as one of the leading higher education apprenticeship providers in England according to apprenticeship provider data collated by the Department for Education. The University is expanding its apprenticeship offering further this year. South Bank Colleges, part of the LSBU Group of local educational institutions, will offer apprenticeships in engineering and healthcare, from September 2021. These apprenticeships will focus on delivering levels 2 and 3 to young applicants. As the sponsor University, LSBU’s role will be to ensure these apprenticeships are high quality and meet the needs of both employers and apprentices; LSBU currently offers a variety of apprenticeships with employer sponsors, across a range of sectors – from building services, engineering and chartered planning to nursing, screen skills, rail engineering, technical acoustics and digital marketing. The University’s top six apprenticeship categories in 2020 were: Surveying (Building and Quantity Surveying) – 543 apprentices; Health and Social Care – 484 apprentices (including 200 Nursing Associates); Building Services- 314 apprentices; Planning- 139 apprentices; Architecture – 116 apprentices; Digital Marketing – 49 apprentices. In 2020 LSBU introduced six construction standards at levels 4 and 6. LSBU became the first English university to launch levels 5 and 6 apprenticeships in Rail and Rail Systems Engineering, working with employers such as Network Rail, Transport for London, WSP and Siemens. Lauren Smithers, 22 years-old, currently a second-year (BA) Digital Marketing trainee in LSBU’s Business School, on a Digital Marketer apprenticeship with Pearson Plc, said: “I was searching for jobs online and came across an apprenticeship. Once I started to look into it further, I knew it was the route for me as I struggled with being in education full-time.. “I needed more hands-on experience, as I tend to learn best while doing something practical. I applied for the job online, then had a phone and face to face interview with a recruitment company, before an assessment day with the hiring company. “During lockdown LSBU made themselves available to help out at all hours, which has been fantastic for me due to an increased workload. They work really closely with my employer to make sure I have everything I need to complete this apprenticeship successfully.” Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at LSBU, said: “In spite of immense challenges posed to UK employers by the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, LSBU has succeeded in holding onto a position in the top three higher education apprenticeship providers in England. The University is also on track to have over 2000 apprentices enrolled by early 2021. “As LSBU Group embarks on its strategy for next year we look forward to working with employers, local communities and stakeholders to have 10,000 apprentices enrolled with the Group by 2025. “LSBU is proud to be supporting apprentices from all backgrounds with over half identifying as BAME, 11% having declared a disability and around 10% from the most deprived parts of the country. Our apprentices distinguished themselves last year by winning numerous awards in the fields of Civil Engineering, Construction and Architecture.”
Luxury housebuilder Harron Homes has welcomed a new Sales and Marketing Director, Alison Taylor-Shaw, to its Yorkshire division based in Leeds. Alison, who lives in Wakefield and is originally from Barnsley, joined the company in November 2020. The appointment marks the conclusion of a successful year for Harron Homes despite the challenging backdrop of the pandemic, having launched a new website, several new developments, secured new land opportunities, moved offices and become a member of the National House Building Council (NHBC). Having started out as a Sales Executive, Alison climbed through the ranks, becoming Area Sales Manager then Head of Sales for other leading housebuilders. During her accomplished career, Alison was even involved in the creation of a brand new development company, Derbyshire-based Cameron Homes. In 2017, Alison joined Harron Homes as Sales Director for the North Midlands business, helping to set up the then new region. “Helping to establish the new region for Harron Homes was definitely a career highlight. It was an exciting challenge, a new team with new directors and team. We started on day one in an empty office and we grew the business into the success it is today,” said Alison. Her return to the company sees her take over sales and marketing for the Yorkshire division from its base in Morley, Leeds. In her spare time Alison likes to explore her local area with her fiancé and three dogs. “Yorkshire is a fantastic county to live in,” she said. “Harron Homes is actively buying land in beautiful locations here in Yorkshire, which are perfect for people to live and bring up their families.” “I am very pleased to be back with Harron Homes,” she concludes. “I think we’re one of the most aspirational yet traditional housebuilders – the homes are stylish, they have plenty of space for flexible living for the ideal life in the current climate and beyond. We build in exceptional locations and I really do believe they’re the perfect balance of luxury and practicality.” “We’re delighted to welcome Alison back to Harron Homes,” said Tony Lee, Managing Director for Harron Homes Yorkshire. “The team is gelling together as a driving force, building on the foundations that are already there.” “We’re a successful luxury housebuilder and we’re looking forward to seeing more growth – our aim is 500 homes a year by 2022. There’s a strong indication that the property market will continue to be robust and I don’t see why we should see anything to the contrary.” Harron Homes works closely with local stakeholders to develop thoughtfully planned sites that really give something back, helping to support the local economy and its people.
Industrial asset management specialist NSM has signed another two tenants for Vector 31 Networkcentre, with only one unit remaining on the popular SME site near Sheffield. Dalton Designs UK which specialises in printing and producing promotional merchandise, is relocating its team from Worksop into Unit 7, a 1,715 space on a three-year lease with a separate unit of 3,580 sq. ft being taken by Pay Smart Carpets Limited. Vector 31 Networkcentre consists of 9 workspace units totalling 22,613 sq. ft with fully fitted offices ranging from 1,715 to 3,580 sq. ft. The site benefits from CCTV & 24hr access. All the units have 5m eaves height and heating & lighting to the warehouse spaces. The estate is secure and gated, and is a fully modern specification and build. Helen Gordon, Associate Director for Doncaster-based NSM said: “The Vector 31 Networkcentre has always been as a popular SME hub due to its modern setting and accessible location within easy reach of the M1 and M18. The two new tenants are a welcome addition to the Centre and signals the strong interest of SMEs looking to relocate to this region.” The Vector 31 Networkcentre, built on a former colliery site, was sold in 2018 in a £91million deal to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited as part of a 1 million sq. ft portfolio of 25 industrial sites and two development sites. As an industrial asset management specialist NSM manages more than 4 million sq. ft of industrial property across the north. It currently looks after 460 units nationally with a rent roll in excess of £15.4m. The Vector 31 site is located off the A618 Mansfield Road, less than 2 miles from Junction 31 of the M1.
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes has completed the purchase of the former Firbeck Colliery site from developer and regeneration specialist Network Space. Following planning permission being granted by Bassetlaw District Council at the end of last year, the sale of the 32-acre land on Doncaster Road in Costhorpe cements Keepmoat’s plans to transform the site into a development of 400 new homes, bringing much-needed housing to the area. The development, which will be known as Osprey View, will comprise of a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and has been designed to reflect the demand in the local area. All the houses will be energy-efficient, and homebuyers will also benefit from access to the picturesque Langold Country Park. “We are very excited to progress with our plans and breathe new life into the disused site. The new energy-efficient homes are designed to support the demand in the local area including first-time buyers who are eager to get their foot onto the property ladder, as well as those looking to up-size. We are committed to transforming the site into a brand new and inclusive community which will have access to the beautiful country park and lake, and we envisage the development to be popular with both families and walkers alike. We have a strong track record of delivering new homes across the country, particularly on brownfield land such as this and this acquisition is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our presence in the area,” commented Dan Crew, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. Network Space acquired the site in 1997 as part of the Yorkshire British Coal portfolio. The former Firbeck Colliery, which ceased operation in the late 1960s, became Costhorpe Industrial Estate along with a variety of industrial uses but has since laid vacant for several years. Network Space has worked closely with Bassetlaw District Council over several years, using its regeneration expertise to advance a planning application, assemble all necessary land interests and establish a strategy to deal with the technical constraints resulting from the site’s former use. “It will be fantastic to see this brownfield site remediated and brought back into positive use. In addition to delivering much-needed housing, it will remove blight and derelict buildings and enhance the area, providing linkages to Langold Country Park and the recreation grounds,” said Joe Burnett, Development Director at Network Space. “We have worked hard over many years with Bassetlaw District Council to bring forward the regeneration of this complex site and now feels like an appropriate time to pass the baton to the very capable hands of Keepmoat Homes. I look forward to seeing a dramatic improvement in the site’s immediate local environment as well as a positive impact on the wider community as this attractive residential scheme develops over the coming years.” Construction on the former Firbeck Colliery site is due to commence imminently, with the first homeowners expected to move in from January 2022. The development will take around eight years to complete.
Estate planning is a matter that many people would feel a little bit squeamish about. However, it’s something that should be done, especially if you have several properties and children that would be left behind in the event of your demise. It’s also a good way of protecting your properties and the interests of your heirs or beneficiaries—especially after your death. When you prepare your property before the end of life, you can secure any remaining responsibilities and even make sure that your last wishes would be followed down to the last detail. Here’s how you can prepare for it: Make An Inventory Of Your Properties This is the very first thing you have to do. After all, how can you protect and fully prepare your properties if you don’t know what and how much you really own? You can start by making a list of your assets. This should include personal and real properties, bank accounts, digital assets (if any), and even a life insurance policy. You might also want to include listing your liabilities so that you can have a rough estimate of the current net worth of your estate. If you have multiple properties across different states, it might be difficult to make an inventory on your own. For that, you may seek the help of an accountant and an asset protection firm like Mile High Estate Planning to make the process easier. Once you know exactly what you own and their respective values, consider which to keep and which to dispose of before you go. For instance, real properties that have eventually become poor investments must be recovered by selling them. Your heirs will thank you for it, having been saved from inheriting a property of decreasing or stagnant value. You can get agents to help you strategize on the disposal of the property. Hence, don’t just get any real estate agent. Find someone who is familiar with the area where your property is located. That will make it easier for him to use his knowledge on the property and the locality to find the right buyer. Write A Last Will And Testament Once you know the worth and extent of your remaining properties, it’s time to think about how to distribute them. Succession takes place at the moment of death. In other words, your existing properties will pass to your children and surviving spouse once you die. If you want to control how your estate is going to be divided among your heirs, creating a last will and testament is the only way. Through a will, you can allocate specific properties and portions of your estate to specific heirs. You can also appoint an executor who’ll make sure that your will is truly followed after your death. The executor can also be tasked to keep your properties in good condition as your heirs await the inheritance process. States, however, have varying rules and requisites in the making of a valid will, so make sure to consult a lawyer about this. Have Your Will Probated Yes, you can have your will probated while you’re still alive. Along with a probate attorney, you can file a petition in your local court and submit your last will and testament to be probated. In a probate proceeding, a judge will determine the validity of your will. The court will consider these two main things: Whether or not the will was executed with the formal requisites prescribed by law. Whether or not you, the testator, is of sound mind and was free from undue influence when you made the will. A will is easier to validate through a living probate as you’ll be there to prove the validity yourself. In fact, it’s harder for anyone to contest the will as you’re still around to disprove unlawful claims. However, not a lot of states allow living probate procedures. Therefore, you still need to check the laws of your state regarding this one. Conclusion Preparing your properties before life ends may not be as exciting as getting your dream car or buying your first house. However, it’s how you can ensure that your heirs and beneficiaries can get their rightful share of your estate. It’s also a good way to prevent unwarranted claims against your property. After all, you have worked hard to earn your assets. The least you could do is to make sure that the properties you leave behind will be enjoyed by the people you love.
While some of you are finding that you are spending more and more time at home, you might be looking around your home and seeing things that need a little fixing up. “Do it yourself” projects are a great way to pass time, and also make you feel accomplished taking care of business yourself. If you are new to DIY projects, then check out this list of products that can be useful to help get a variety of tasks done around the house. There is no need to run out and buy a whole hardware store. With an AliExpress discount code you can save money on everything you need. As you spend more time at home, you are bound to come across a leaking faucet, squeaky door hinges, and other small things around the house that need a little extra attention. There are certain tools you must have in your toolbox to complete general tasks at home. A set of screwdrivers can be used for so many different projects around the house. As a beginner to DIY projects, you may be asking yourself why you need more than one. Screwdrivers can tighten screws on hardware, light switches, open your kids’ favorite toys to replace the batteries, and many more everyday chores. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge, just make sure you use the screwdriver size that fits best with the screw. A tape measure is another tool that you should always have on hand. Are you looking to add some wall art to your living room? Make sure you measure the distance between frames, and keep everything nicely centered so that you don’t end up with distracting, off-centered pieces. Are you looking to upgrade your TV and wanting to make sure it fits with your entertainment center? Don’t let the eye fool you. Always measure first before you buy to save you a trip to the electronics store. A tool that can be used hand and hand with a tape measure is a stud finder. If you are hanging decorations or redoing some electrical work, you are going to need to know what’s behind the walls before you start doing any drilling. With such advanced technology these days, stud finders are even equipped with lasers so you can make sure the items you are hanging are level. A utility knife speaks for itself: useful, beneficial, and practical. From sharpening pencils when you can’t find the pencil sharpener, to cutting down electrical wires, and even simple tasks like opening boxes, you shouldn’t be without one. This next tool may seem basic, but can be handy when you least expect it. Having a flashlight at hand or in your tool box is convenient when unpredictable weather conditions cause your electricity to go out. A flashlight can help you find your way to the fuse box, or the stash of candles you have collected for emergencies. You can even purchase headlamps to help you in small places and keep you hands free such as when you are fixing the pipes under the kitchen sink or checking wires under your car. A repair tool kit such as wax chips is an excellent tool to have in your toolbox. From wooden floors, antique or vintage furniture, and even ceramic countertops, you can fill in those scratches, chips, and signs of wear. Bring your furniture back to life with this professional repair kit. When you find yourself completing more and more tasks at home, it may be useful to invest in a simple tool belt so that you can carry all the tools you need to get the job done.
You’re a new residential construction business. You have the manpower, the expertise and some prospective clients, but you need to win contracts. What you’re looking for are the tools and services that could give you an edge in the market, and help your business succeed. Luckily for you, there is a wealth of options available to new construction companies, many of which will be alien to your more entrenched competitors. By being open to new ideas and ways of working, you can adopt these tools successfully, and benefit from the efficiencies they provide. 1. Sustainability forecasting One area in which your business can overtake others is the adoption of sustainable practices. While sustainability has been a tenet of new builds for some time, the focus is often on the building itself, and not on the process of building it. With action against climate change, pollution and other environmental damage accelerating, many clients are likely to seek assurances about the impact of your projects, and the carbon footprints they accrue. With so many different aspects of a project to assess – including tools, labour, materials and transport – this can be an intensive and time-consuming endeavour. Yet without doing it, you will increasingly be missing out on business, and increase your own costs. The increasing urgency of climate change is likely to see a rise in audits for things like waste transfer, which could lead to expensive penalties. Thankfully, tech companies are beginning to step into the breach, and provide all-in-one solutions for sustainability forecasting. Apps such as Qflow allow you to automate the environmental data collection process, and predict how your actions on site may affect your environmental impact. As well as telling you what’s wrong, it also advises you on how to fix it, helping engineers to implement improvements. Using both an app and browser interface, Qflow gives you a holistic view of the sustainability of your project. While the data is being analysed on desktops, operatives on site can use the app to log information, and ensure that they comply with building and safety regulations. Other apps such as Fieldwire show promise in offering simple digitisation of worksites, and address the more fundamental issues of management and communication. Online estimating One of the biggest timesinks for new residential construction businesses – and one of the easiest ways to slip up – is planning your costs and build times. These aspects of construction are critical in order for you to deliver results on time for your clients, and not lose money in the process, or be caught short through a lack of resources. This planning isn’t for everyone, though, and can easily become muddled as a project develops. The other aspect of estimating and planning a build is communication with the client. You want to deliver on time for them, but you also want them to be involved in the process, and to maintain full transparency about what you’re planning and what you build. This can be difficult to manage in the middle of a project, and presents a logistical and administrative burden, as you try to marry what happens on site with what happens in your offices. For residential construction businesses looking to outsource this process, online estimating may be the best option. Services such as ProQuant Estimating combine expertise with in-house software to deliver precise estimates, costing everything from materials to plant and labour. Each quote is timed and priced using regional rates, which are constantly updated to give you the best value for money. Such online estimating tools are extremely valuable for reducing your costs, allowing you to invest in other areas and grow more quickly. They will also increase the trust between you and your clients, and drive repeat business. The ability to accurately cost a project, provide a more competitive price and give an accurate completion date are all aspects that will improve your product, and help your business get a leg up on others. Safety training As much as you may want to get out there and get stuck in, modern construction gives you a lot of hoops to jump through. One of these is health & safety, and making sure that all operatives on site are kept safe, along with anyone else in proximity to the site. This means not only meeting the minimum standards for training (e.g. through the CSCS Green Card), but also instilling a positive safety culture in your organisation. Operatives on your site will likely have completed some site safety training as a basic prerequisite, but this is something you need to be mindful of when hiring. Taking safety seriously will also start your business off on the right foot, and ensure you have a safety culture at the heart of your business, which grows and adapts along with you. This is something you can then evidence to clients, and turn into a key part of your tenders. Safety training may not be at the top of many construction companies’ priorities, particularly given the lingering fears about the coronavirus. However, the training industry has gone to great strides to increase accessibility, and make training available remotely. In many cases, this has lowered the cost of delivering courses – making this a great time to improve your safety practices, and protect your business and your employees. Course providers including NEBOSH, IOSH, the CITB and Qualsafe have all made courses available for remote learning, which often takes place over Zoom calls. These are delivered live by qualified trainers, with materials emailed or physically sent out to accompany them, depending on the complexity of the course. In some cases, you can also then take the test or tests online, allowing your employees to qualify entirely from home. Bolstering your employees’ safety credentials has several benefits. By helping them spot risks and deal appropriately with hazards, you’ll improve your reporting and avoid any costly fines or injuries. You’ll also provide peace of mind to operatives, and a sense that you care
The concept of insurance has been around for millennia, and yet the industry continues to evolve and grow as it responds to changes in society as well as the technological revolutions that shape our modern world. Here is a look at what significant shifts are occurring at the moment, and why consumers and business owners alike should take note. Choice is fuelling competition The rise of online comparison tools has made it easier than ever for customers to weigh up the myriad insurance products that are available to them. In turn this has made the market far more competitive, allowing smaller brands and start-ups to flourish and take on the incumbent, established operators on more of a level playing field. Of course it is also possible for consumers to be overwhelmed by the amount of choice on offer, but according to Policy Scout it is possible to manage your expectations and identify the ideal insurance policy based on your needs and budget. Social media is improving customer service Insurance firms have had a slightly bad reputation when it comes to customer service quality, in part because traditional methods of communication hampered their ability to efficiently handle the sheer volume of correspondence from existing and prospective policy holders. Social media has changed this for the better, not only giving customers a place to find and engage with insurers, but also letting them get a response to queries and complaints in a jiffy. This is not only a short term advantage, but also leads to the building of trust between customer and brand that is especially important in the insurance industry. Data is taking the guesswork out of calculating risk Insurance is all about calculating risk, and the more accurately an insurer can do this, the better its products will be, as well as its profits. Manually crunching the numbers necessary to come up with appropriate cover costs is resource-intensive and time consuming, yet thanks to the rise of big data and machine learning, much of this can be automated as well as massively catalyzed. Furthermore as data becomes the driver for the entire market, fresh and previously overlooked insights will be gleaned, meaning that insurers will be able to spot correlations between different behaviors across varied customer groups, and use this to precisely predict risk without going too far in either direction. Smart devices are increasingly common A lot of the aforementioned data is being generated not just by more general studies and anonymized customer interactions over time, but also through the provision of information relating to a specific policy holder from moment to moment. This has manifested itself in a number of ways, from insurers being able to offer in-car monitoring that helps keep premiums low for young drivers, to companies offering to monitor weather conditions and provide buildings insurance customers with advice about how to prepare for changes to the climate. More than ever, the insurance industry is becoming tech-led, and the rewards stand to benefit everyone involved.
