When delivering a successful construction project there are some fundamentals to follow to ensure the smooth running of the project, that is no different when using Modular Construction. Stelling Properties believe there are three core principles that will deliver smooth modular projects. Early engagement of the design team Bring factory
Hoardings have been erected and enabling works begun on the NewcastleGateshead Quays arena, conference and exhibition centre scheme. Developer Ask:PATRIZIA has instructed contractor BAM Construction to work on the initial preparation works to the site between the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the Sage Gateshead and Gateshead College on Hawks
AECOM director David Ross said: “AECOM provided strategic and technical support to DLUHC in its development of the changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations and the introduction of Part O (overheating). Our work supported policy development in areas such
Leading paving and building manufacturer AG has ramped up its production capacity by 50% following increased demand for facing brick and paving products from throughout the UK and Ireland. The family-run business has been at the leading edge of hard landscaping and building solutions for more than 60 years, providing world class
Anderson, one of the UK’s leading property development and construction companies, has secured more than £16m of new contracts as part of the recent building boom. The most recent contracts involve two separate projects in Essex and one in Suffolk, which have all started in the last few weeks. Andrew Nowosad, Associate Commercial Director of Construction at Anderson, said: “The securing of
A contract to install back-up power for a major new project in Saudi Arabia has taken York-based family business Enrogen ‘into the Premier League’ of UK manufacturing. The firm, established in 2005, has been selected to install 12 diesel back-up generators at a huge new data centre being built by
What’s happening with the prime London rental market? Rob Pratt, Director of Lettings at central London estate agency Bective’s Notting Hill Branch, has shared his thoughts on the current prime rental landscape and what we can expect to see going forward. Rob Pratt – Lettings Director, Bective Notting Hill –
Award-winning housebuilder Shanly Homes has had a successful year for property sales, with the housebuilder preparing to launch a number of stylish homes in 2022. Following a successful year for property sales in 2021, properties at Clock Field in Turners Hill, Old Halliford Place in Shepperton, Tilbury Lodge in South
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has unveiled a new COVID Workplace Champion scheme, which seeks to recognise those who have continually gone above and beyond to keep their colleagues safe during the pandemic. Nominations are being sought to recognise those individuals who have not only made
Project management is an essential process for many organisations and, for anyone working in the property sector, the management side can be especially complex. Managing property development on all scales often brings together architects, developers, designers, sales & marketing professionals and more. In order to keep projects running smoothly, however,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
When delivering a successful construction project there are some fundamentals to follow to ensure the smooth running of the project, that is no different when using Modular Construction. Stelling Properties believe there are three core principles that will deliver smooth modular projects. Early engagement of the design team Bring factory precision to onsite works Greater collaboration and communication across the project team 1. Early engagement of the design team. When using volumetric construction, the need for the early engagement of the design team cannot be over emphasized, due to the method of manufacture and construction there are important considerations regarding the scheme that require the expertise of design team and need to be decided early in the project. The key considerations for design are: Ensuring the design delivers standardisation to maximise manufacturing performance and minimise waste whilst achieving the architectural ambitions. Performance specification Interfaces between foundations, central cores, existing buildings. Structural loadings Fire compliance Installation prioritisation Thermal performance of the modules Façade and air permeability Services and connections Ventilation Overheating 2. Bringing Factory Precision to Onsite Works The manufacturing process for the volumetric modules will work to tolerances that are not normally achieved in the traditional construction industry, in many cases the modules are built to a +/- 2mm tolerance, as a result attention needs to be given to the interfaces with the modules and any structures that are a part of the project, for example foundations, central building cores, connections to existing buildings or large communal areas. Investing time and effort in setting out to ensure that the interface surfaces meet the same exacting standards is key to preventing construction issues later in the project as the volumetric modules are installed. The key considerations in the construction stage of a volumetric construction project are: The precision required at the interfaces between the modules and the elements constructed onsite The logistics of transporting, unloading, and installing the modules on site, to maximise the efficiency of construction the modules should be lifted straight from the transport lorry to the final location. Crane lifting capacity, site location and jibbing configuration. 3. Communication We all know communication is essential to every phase of any construction project. However, with over 80% of modular construction projects completed offsite the need for communication takes on greater importance. Therefore, it is important to establish a flow of communication with everyone on the ground — and every stakeholder and supplier in the plan. This transparency will make the process smoother and will reduce the number of emails, phone calls and project delays whenever a problem arises. So, what are the best ways of ensuring a good communication flow amongst the stakeholders. Establish Clear Lines of Communication Early on in a construction project it is important to establish a clear line of communication and determine a chain of command. Choose an Appropriate Method of Communication There are numerous methods of communicating whether it be by phone, video, texting, or email. A method of communication for specific tasks and information sharing should be established between all parties, it is then important that the chosen method of communication is then always used by all the stakeholders. Listen One of the key skills of good communication is the ability to listen, whether communicating verbally, face to face or by phone. Be Clear and Concise Understand the audience, and what the information they need, as when communicating in construction, it is important to make sure a message can be understood prior to sending it to the intended recipients. Get these three important elements right and you will go a long way to delivering a successful modular construction project.
Hoardings have been erected and enabling works begun on the NewcastleGateshead Quays arena, conference and exhibition centre scheme. Developer Ask:PATRIZIA has instructed contractor BAM Construction to work on the initial preparation works to the site between the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the Sage Gateshead and Gateshead College on Hawks Road. Gateshead Council has led the development of the site which involves some £300m of regeneration investment. The enabling works package is a significant step forward for developing the arena and conference centre scheme which is expected to create some 2,000 new jobs (during construction and to operate the complex on completion) and provide around a £70 million annual boost to the local economy. BAM is working with several key partners, suppliers and sub-contractors to ensure a smooth start to the work and to minimise disruption to roads and footpaths around the development site. Appropriate traffic management measures will be in place to keep all road users and pedestrians safe. Full construction work will begin next year under a separate contract. NewcastleGateshead Quays will feature a world class arena, purpose-built conference and exhibition centre, restaurants, a dual-branded hotel and large areas of outdoor realm and performance space. It is anticipated the site will attract over 1million additional visitors each year and it is due to complete in 2024. The development will connect directly to Gateshead’s district energy network, including cycle provision across the site and capacity for electric vehicle charging points. BAM and Ask:PATRIZIA are examining a range of sustainability enhancements and a plan for significant social value measures. Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said: “We are delighted to see work beginning on what is a vital site for Gateshead and the wider region. We will work closely with our partners and local stakeholders to ensure the development progresses smoothly, and we deliver a project that creates good quality jobs and provides a huge boost to our economy.” John Phillips, Regional Director for BAM Construction North East, said: “Gateshead and the North East are very significant to us, because our people and our hearts are there and we know the local companies and suppliers so well. It’s a transformational scheme which everybody will benefit from and we have a wonderful opportunity to use our time here to enhance lives and give something back to Gateshead and its people. I’m very grateful that trust and confidence in BAM has allowed us to become involved at this stage. We continue to work hard on what is a large, complex scheme in tough market conditions.” BAM has premises and a long-term presence across the North East of England. It is presently at work on Home Group’s headquarters in Newcastle city centre. Accor, the leading hospitality group, is bringing its internationally renowned Novotel and Ibis Red hotel brands to the scheme and the 12,500 capacity arena, exhibition centre and conference space will be managed and operated by ASM Global. Speaking on behalf of the Ask:PATRIZIA partnership, John Hughes, managing director of Ask Real Estate, said: “Having worked with BAM on numerous previous schemes we know that they have the expertise and skills to deliver this world-class facility for us on behalf of Gateshead Council.” The North East Local Enterprise Partnership provided £5m from its Local Growth Fund to support designs and site investigations for the Newcastle Gateshead Quays scheme, and a further £7m from government’s Getting Building Fund to support the establishment of infrastructure locally, to create a new link road connecting Baltic Quarter with the A184 and Felling Bypass, and build a new multi-storey car park. Both the Local Growth Fund and Getting Building Fund are managed by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership. Read more about the development here: https://www.ngquays.com/
AECOM director David Ross said: “AECOM provided strategic and technical support to DLUHC in its development of the changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations and the introduction of Part O (overheating). Our work supported policy development in areas such as assessing the technical viability and the cost benefit of proposals. “New buildings have been set an improved performance standard which will make them more energy efficient through better insulation, better performing windows and more efficient building services. The new regulations should also encourage the early adoption of low carbon heat by presenting a roadmap for its implementation in new buildings and they are also more favourable to low carbon heat sources such as heat pumps. Standards have also been raised to reduce energy use and carbon emissions when carrying out works to existing properties such as retrofitting or extending the building. “These new regulations will have significant impact on the industry and the day-to-day decisions developers make about building design and specification. They should be seen as a stepping stone to the 2025 Future Homes and Buildings Standard and are an important milestone in the built environment sector’s journey to net zero emissions.”
Leading paving and building manufacturer AG has ramped up its production capacity by 50% following increased demand for facing brick and paving products from throughout the UK and Ireland. The family-run business has been at the leading edge of hard landscaping and building solutions for more than 60 years, providing world class products and services to architects, specifiers, contractors and homeowners across the UK and Ireland. The past 12 months has seen unprecedent challenges hit the construction industry with firms across the sector facing supply chain interruptions, increased lead times and significant skills shortages. CEO, Stephen Acheson said: Covid-19’s impact on our business was instant, but innovation and resourcefulness – two key components of our corporate DNA – have enabled us to not only survive but thrive. By continuing to invest in research and development and harnessing technology we have been able to embrace these new challenges by adopting new processes and capabilities throughout the business.” The third-generation family business has also created a number of new jobs across its manufacturing plants in response to the heightened demand across the domestic and commercial sectors. Acheson said “AG employs more than 230 people across eight locations meaning we were well placed to react quickly when the pandemic caused a nationwide shortage of building products, subsequently increasing lead times to unprecedented levels. In response, we introduced additional shift patterns into our plants as well as adding even more talent to our fantastic team, enabling us to increase stocks of Country Cobble, Facing Brick and paving products. “The past year has seen us achieve some record-breaking sales in both the domestic and commercial sectors which is testament to the resilience and outstanding work of our team”. Acheson said that the company expects demand for building products to continue to grow in the coming months: “We predict this exceptional demand will continue to grow over the next 12 months, placing considerable pressure on building merchants. In response, we have introduced new processes enabling us to significantly increase production input and massively reducing our lead times. We have greater stock levels of some of our most popular products which can be easily called off at short notice and lead times on some made to order items is as little as four weeks, which will be satisfying news to our customers.” AG – which has built a solid reputation for innovation – launched its ground-breaking Enduur advanced concrete technology earlier this year, a factory-installed enhancement process that improves the environmental performance of its products. It also launched its new revolutionary Fiamma range – a reconstituted flagstone resembling flamed granite – that the firm regards as its most advanced product ever. Stephen Acheson commented “2021 has been a big year for us and as we look towards the new year, we remain committed to delivering the best products to our customers”.
Anderson, one of the UK’s leading property development and construction companies, has secured more than £16m of new contracts as part of the recent building boom. The most recent contracts involve two separate projects in Essex and one in Suffolk, which have all started in the last few weeks. Andrew Nowosad, Associate Commercial Director of Construction at Anderson, said: “The securing of these works is a fantastic achievement by all involved, and further demonstrates the strong working relationships we have collectively developed with our valued clients. “Well done and thank-you to all involved and may our successes continue as we move further onwards and upwards.” The first project to be awarded is the next phase of groundworks on-site at The Mulberries, in Witham, Essex, a 750-home development from Redrow Homes. Anderson has previously completed the first two phases including site infrastructure and off-site works which included relocating a roundabout as part of the technically-challenging Section 278 public highways package. This latest contract win is the 12th contract award at the Mulberries. Andrew said: “This amount is a mightily impressive achievement from all the team, to not only continually secure this work but, to also deliver the works consistently to such a high quality and safe standard.” The second contract win is securing the second phase on-site at River Reach, Mistley, Essex – a Hopkins Homes development. The contract involves delivery of all on-site infrastructure and groundworks to 100 units. “This is another job secured for Hopkins Homes and another continuation phase, further marking the importance of winning multi-phase projects,” said Andrew. “The team, working closely with Hopkins Homes commercial team, were able to ensure the tendering process was quick and efficient ensuring a timely start on-site.” Finally, the third contract involves first phase infrastructure and groundworks to 130 units at Henley Gate, Ipswich, Suffolk, which is a development by Crest Nicholson. Andrew said: “The importance of securing the first phase on a 1100-unit development can never be undersold. Having gone through a rigorous tendering process and multiple re-tenders, successfully securing the first phase at Henley Gate is excellent work from all the team and stands us in great stead for future works on such a strategically important site.” Steve Howe, Managing Director – Construction, said: ‘Our strong order book for the year ahead is testament to the team and the professional way everyone has gone about their work to help secure and futureproof the growth of the business. “Business relationship management is all about building trust, communication, and loyalty for mutually beneficial results. “And this culture – in our case ‘The Anderson Way’ – is what has led to us become a contractor of choice for many large housebuilders.”
A contract to install back-up power for a major new project in Saudi Arabia has taken York-based family business Enrogen ‘into the Premier League’ of UK manufacturing. The firm, established in 2005, has been selected to install 12 diesel back-up generators at a huge new data centre being built by a global computer company in Saudi Arabia’s north-eastern region, representing Enrogen’s biggest-ever deal. As a vote of confidence in what the contract win means for its future, Enrogen is creating further capacity by building a state-of-the-art fabrication plant at its Pocklington Plant near York. It has also launched a recruitment drive to employ more skilled and unskilled roles to boost its workforce, and actively encouraging applications. Enrogen specialises in the manufacture, fitting and ongoing and emergency maintenance of diesel back-up generators. Its generator sets help ensure critical systems can be maintained in the event of power outages at high-risk facilities including super-prisons and hospitals. This latest deal will help ensure the integrity of significant amounts of data, stored in the Cloud by the computer firm that has commissioned the installation at a new business park which is so big, it will be serviced by a new road and rail network in the middle of the desert. While Enrogen has seen consistent year-on-year growth since it was established by brothers-in-law James Brown and Gavin Wilkinson in 2005, and has remained buoyant despite the recent challenges caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, this latest commission has taken it truly global, according to Sales Director Kevin Griffiths. It could open the door to further Middle-Eastern projects which would cement its place on the world stage and potentially double the size of the firm over the next four years and beyond. “It’s already won us the ‘Exporter of the Year’ 2021 award from the Association of Manufacturing Power Systems,” explained Kevin, “and there’s no doubt this deal will get us noticed in this industry. “Doing a good job of this install, which represents our biggest project ever, will hopefully pave the way for further commissions out in other parts of the Middle East, which is a real growth centre at the moment, particularly for areas like computing and data housing, and financial services, because – as well as undergoing significant growth itself – it is ideally placed to act as a conduit for supplying key infrastructure services to developing economies nearby. For the current Saudi project, Enrogen bespoke-designed a back-up power system made up of 12, 2.5 MVA (megavault amperes), 16-cylinder (60 litre), 2700hp engines housed in acoustic containers. Enrogen was one of the smaller companies to pitch for the Saudi job, which is being handled by a UK intermediary, and won based on its unique bespoke manufacturing expertise. The project requires generators running on 60-hertz power, which are more common in the US and Saudi Arabia, rather than the 50-hertz systems that are more common across the world, and Enrogen had to source special Mitsubishi engines from Japan which can meet these alternative power requirements. Enrogen will build and test the systems in the UK and then disassemble them for transporting to Saudi, before rebuilding them on-site at the new business park. “It’s a specialist job that not many companies in the UK can actually do,” explained Kevin, “Certainly very few independent manufacturers. There are a lot of generator manufacturers that supply basic, off-the-shelf solutions, whereas we build our generator sets to suit what each client wants, which is outside many other firms’ comfort zones.” Back-up generator sets like those manufactured by Enrogen are designed to ‘keep the lights on’ at critical sites if they experience power outages that last beyond what their battery back-up systems are designed to cope with, and represent crucial kit in a world where so many functions are controlled by sophisticated computer systems. Members of the Enrogen team, including owner James, have been out to Saudi to meet fellow contractors and assess the requirements. “The site is basically in the middle of the desert but we’ve seen computer-generated images of what it will look like in the future and it’s going to be a huge business park featuring all sorts of companies and even served by its own railway network,” explained Kevin. And the scale of the project is taking Enrogen into new territory, in a multitude of ways. “It’s clearly an important project to Saudi Arabia and that makes it a big thing for us too,” he continued. “Dealing with global exporting to the other side of the world has represented new territory and a learning curve for us, albeit facilitated by a UK-based logistics company with representatives who speak Arabic, which is helping us to transport the generators ready for our team to commission on-site.” The company also prides itself on employing local people and offering the best of UK engineering on the world stage, representing the culmination of years spent building outstanding experience and expertise. “Securing the Saudi job has generated a strong sense of pride within our business and its workforce. It’s already doubled our turnover and we all feel a real sense of excitement and drive in terms of the opportunity for future work this could bring,” added Kevin. “The UK used to be one of the biggest generator manufacturers in the world and that has slowly declined as companies have gradually moved their production to China or Eastern Europe. However, we hope to play our part in putting UK back on the map and champion British manufacturing, and hopefully this project win is just the start of that.”
What’s happening with the prime London rental market? Rob Pratt, Director of Lettings at central London estate agency Bective’s Notting Hill Branch, has shared his thoughts on the current prime rental landscape and what we can expect to see going forward. Rob Pratt – Lettings Director, Bective Notting Hill – has worked in Prime Central Lettings for over 10 years and has intricate knowledge of the market in W11, W2 and W14. He is passionate about building long-lasting relationships and prides himself on offering the best possible customer service, whilst delivering excellent results for clients. Pandemic Impact What we saw last year across much of the prime market was like-for-like activity when compared to 2019. Whilst we did endure six weeks of lockdown restrictions, a handful of essential moves were able to take place and the rest of 2020 performed relatively well considering the disruption, making up for the lower volume of transactions during the six weeks of lockdown. It’s fair to say that actually, the pandemic impact on the prime rental market in 2020 was fairly muted both in terms of the number of rental applicants and the level of stock reaching the market. However, particular price brackets that normally perform very well, underperformed; house sharers were bailing on the market with jobs being furloughed, meaning the two-bed circa £450 per week apartments suffered. Studio flats fell out of fashion with not many people interested in being locked down in small spaces. The best performers were the houses, scarcely coming onto the market and being snapped up pretty quickly when they did. The first half of 2021 was a little more sluggish with the balance between supply and demand weighting slightly more towards oversupply. While domestic applicant numbers were reasonable, travel restrictions continued to prove problematic for foreign renters. Nevertheless, this did improve on a monthly basis throughout the year. The pandemic was always going to interfere with market activity and the immediate impact was predictably a drop in applicant levels. By late summer last year the lettings market had improved but still wasn’t operating at pre-pandemic levels. Even in spring this year the market had been challenging to navigate creating a mixed picture with pricing. Who is pushing the market forward? Over the last quarter (Sept-Dec 21), the market has undoubtedly returned to pre-pandemic levels. There has been a dramatic increase in enquiry levels from those relocating from abroad which has had a positive impact on pricing. Of course, the latest development of the Omicron variant is expected to dampen this in the short term, though in spite of this we’re now seeing supply squeezed to the point of stock scarcity. So much so that there is little to offer those already committing to the market. It’s a certainty that international movers will continue to be the deciding factor behind the rental market health in prime London and the virus has only reaffirmed that they are essential for the performance of the market. Throughout autumn 21, we saw an influx of American families looking to secure rental homes ahead of the school year. There was a limited level of high-end housing available and many of these families were securing properties after only just seeing it on a video. That’s not to say they are the only ones influencing the market. Domestic movers from outside of London have made a return, there’s a returning degree of student demand and there has also been activity from those already in the area looking to upsize or downsize. What’s more, heavy flooding throughout autumn has left the Notting Hill and Kensington areas suffering heavily, particularly the lower ground flats. This has resulted in an even higher number of applicants as insurance companies scrambled to secure temporary homes for them. Biggest challenges facing the market? We definitely don’t want another pandemic and we are hoping/anticipating that this latest variant doesn’t cause the nation to move backwards rather than forwards. However, as we all know unforeseen events can upset the stability of the rental market at any point and Covid will no doubt be a lingering consideration for some time to come. The more immediate issues facing the market are inadequate stock levels. Looking ahead, we have to wonder what the solution is if more tenants are choosing long term renting as a lifestyle whilst buy-to-let stock is dwindling. Is buy-to-let now out of fashion because yields are lower and long term landlords have felt the government have failed to support them? With the introduction of the tenant fee ban, changes to stamp duty and tax thresholds for buy-to-let purchases, is the appetite for buy-to-let no longer there? Build-to-Rent is becoming more popular and it may fill the gaps but space for such developments is limited within the prime market. Rental Hotspots in 2022 There have been huge infrastructure investments made across London with Nine Elms being the largest regeneration zone in Central London at 227 hectares. Fulham’s Imperial Wharf is the last section to be redeveloped within the South Fulham Riverside Regeneration Area which spans over 40 hectares and more than £4bn is being invested into the regeneration of Elephant & Castle creating and reinstating over 5,000 homes in the area. Modern-day tenants are looking for more than just an apartment, with new build homes offering on-site amenities, resident’s facilities and even close proximity to workplaces. Apple’s new campus at Battersea Power station will become home to 1,400 corporate employees in its half a million sqft. office space, making it inevitable that a vast number of these workers will settle in the Nine Elms area. The Tech industry in London is flourishing in other areas too, Hackney and Shoreditch are going to continue being major beneficiaries of this in my opinion. The Tech industry is only set to grow over the coming years with the likes of Meta’s digital world, which is likely to lead more tenants flocking to the areas that surround their workplaces, either relocating from abroad, outside of London
Award-winning housebuilder Shanly Homes has had a successful year for property sales, with the housebuilder preparing to launch a number of stylish homes in 2022. Following a successful year for property sales in 2021, properties at Clock Field in Turners Hill, Old Halliford Place in Shepperton, Tilbury Lodge in South Croydon and Kingfisher Place in Bracknell are all now sold out. Additionally, homes at Potters Place in Haywards Heath and at the award-winning Amber Lodge development in Godalming, are now fully reserved. Now, the Shanly Homes Southern team are preparing for the launch of three new developments across Surrey and Kent in early 2022. Designed to meet the needs of modern buyers, homes at Hillcross Place in Sidcup, The Gables in Beckenham and Broadleaf Place in Caterham will be launching next year. “With all of the challenges the year brought, we are still delighted to have sold out several sites including Amber Lodge in Godalming, Tilbury Lodge in South Croydon, Kingfisher Place in Bracknell, Old Halliford Place in Shepperton and Clock Field in Turners Hill. We are looking forward to launching some new sites next year and continuing to build on this year’s successes,” commented Greg Kaye, Sales Director at Shanly Homes. Due to launch in January, Hillcross Place is a collection of 36 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments and 6 one-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments situated in Sidcup, Kent. Homes at Hillcross Place will encapsulate the best of open plan living. Contemporary kitchens will come complete with a range of integrated appliances, and all apartments will benefit from the added luxury of a balcony or terrace. Located just a short stroll away from Sidcup High Street, buyers at Hillcross Place will enjoy close proximity to beautiful green spaces at Foots Cray Meadows and a plethora of popular stores at Bluewater Shopping Centre. Shared Ownership properties will be available at Hillcross Place and first-time buyers can take advantage of a 40% Help to Buy loan. Situated in the charming Kent town of Beckenham, The Gables is a collection of 24 one and two-bedroom apartments set to launch in March. Each property will benefit from a spacious kitchen, complete with sleek, granite work surfaces. Bathrooms feature stunning white porcelain sanitaryware alongside contemporary chrome brassware. Ideal for commuters hoping to relocate to a tranquil neighbourhood, Clock House train station is just a four-minute walk away, from which Charing Cross can be reached in as little as 29 minutes. Set to launch in April 2022, Broadleaf Place is an exclusive collection of 34 two, three and four-bedroom stylish homes in Caterham, Surrey. All homes feature modern living spaces that are crafted to meet the needs of today’s homebuyers. Primary bedrooms benefit from spacious fitted wardrobes and en-suite bathrooms. Turfed rear gardens come complete with Indian sandstone patios. Ideal for families, Broadleaf Place is located within easy walking distance of seven schools and nurseries, including Audley Primary School for younger children and de Stafford School for older children. For those hoping to enjoy a selection of restaurants, bars and popular high-street stores, Croydon is only a 20-minute drive away, ideal for a leisurely weekend.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has unveiled a new COVID Workplace Champion scheme, which seeks to recognise those who have continually gone above and beyond to keep their colleagues safe during the pandemic. Nominations are being sought to recognise those individuals who have not only made their workplaces safe, but in doing so indirectly protected hundreds of thousands of people and their families. RoSPA, known for its prestigious health and safety awards which impact on the working lives of more than seven million employees, is now seeking to highlight the contributions of those who have used their expertise, passion and unwavering commitment to help limit the transmission of COVID in workplaces. “We know only too well the huge effort that has been required to keep workplaces functioning over the past 18 months. We also realise that this vital work must continue for the foreseeable future. Importantly, for each and every one of us, there are COVID Workplace Champions out there and this recognition scheme is for them. We simply want to say thank you, and keep up the great work!,” said Errol Taylor, RoSPA’s Chief Executive. “All businesses and organisations, big or small, have people who are working tirelessly to keep us safe – and often do so in the background and with little or no recognition. This is why we want to say to them: we see you; and we want to celebrate you. “Making a nomination is free and anyone from a CEO to a caretaker can be put forward as a COVID Workplace Champion. We would like to see nominations from all sectors, irrespective of whether they are small businesses or large multinationals, from the public or the private sector, it’s time to show our gratitude to the people who are keeping us safe every day.” Through the RoSPA Champion scheme, anyone can nominate a colleague or someone in their professional network, who they think deserves praise for keeping employees COVID safe during the pandemic. It is completely free of charge to nominate someone and RoSPA welcomes submissions from anywhere in the world. Successful nominees will receive a certificate and will be invited to attend a celebratory event in 2022.
Project management is an essential process for many organisations and, for anyone working in the property sector, the management side can be especially complex. Managing property development on all scales often brings together architects, developers, designers, sales & marketing professionals and more. In order to keep projects running smoothly, however, it’s vital that teams have a tool to organise their work and for many property developers, Jira is the ideal solution to this need. But, what is Jira and how can businesses use it effectively? What is Jira? Jira is a project management software that was initially created to enable software developers to track issues. There are now three different packages with this software: a basic project management platform project management with Agile functionality, and a service desk solution which is designed for IT professionals. With so many teams involved in large-scale property projects, many of which may be planned and discussed remotely, being able to collaborate effectively and track projects from start to finish is essential. Jira is a tool that can help with this and bring projects to fruition more efficiently through iterative development (or repetition of a process). What can it be used for? Jira has evolved over the years to encompass a range of tasks and types of project management, from software development and bug tracking to content management and marketing. It can be used for flexible Kanban boards to give users complete visibility of projects so that staff can prioritise work for greater productivity, as well as Scrum software development. Over 65,000 companies globally now rely on Jira in some capacity to manage their projects, in no small part because of the flexibility it delivers. For project management teams, software developers and DevOp teams alike, Jira provides a host of integrations and capabilities. Jira cloud deployment is also used by thousands of teams around the world to handle various aspects of running a business, with a range of diverse roles. Cloud migration provides numerous business benefits, from lower costs and greater security to scalability and the ability to work on the go, so it’s no surprise that so many companies are choosing to adopt this technology. How can property businesses benefit from Jira? Customisable Property businesses can benefit from using Jira in a number of ways, starting with its customisability for integrating different teams and site requirements. It’s an industry leader in agile software and the ease with which users can set up, share and customise dashboards and workflows is a key reason for this. Jira is quick to install and configure, and it’s entirely browser-based which makes it a convenient and flexible option. Scalable Jira is also incredibly scalable and has virtually no limits in terms of number of users or projects, making it suitable for everyone from small two-person teams through to global businesses. One of the biggest advantages for businesses is that the system doesn’t depend on SQL knowledge – it has a simple ‘What You See Is What You Get’ or WYSIWYG interface for querying tickets which results in a user-friendly platform that doesn’t require intensive training or specialist skills. Easy collaboration For collaboration, Jira is an industry-leading software that enables teams to work efficiently together. It’s one of the primary benefits of using Jira for businesses. This permission-based tool provides joint-editing tools and monitoring capabilities to enable colleagues to see progress and updates for each task. Tasks can be arranged in priority order so that employees can tackle tasks in terms of necessity and productivity, to deliver the best result for customers or clients. Cloud integration Cloud technology has completely transformed how businesses operate and share data, streamlining workflows and helping teams to adapt more quickly. Cloud software offers several benefits – it reduces IT costs, improves productivity and makes teams more efficient, but it also boosts security and reduces the risks of a data breach. The ability to integrate these two tools, along with many other apps, makes for a central solution that can be tailored to your needs. Jira is one of the best tools for issue and project tracking, making it ideal for overseeing large-scale building designs or construction projects. It provides incredible agile support for teams, bringing together professionals from across the property business who may have merged together on one specific build. There are countless plugins to extend the capabilities of Jira and the ability for cloud migration makes it a versatile solution for property businesses looking to manage projects and track issues more efficiently.
