In an effort to offer greater flexibility to contractors in the supply and installation of district heating networks, polymer pipework specialist REHAU is launching a new range of modular tee fittings. With government figures projecting heat demand to rise by 11% between now and 2050, both expanding and decarbonising the
Lee Marley Brickwork (LMB) is one of the UK’s leading integrated brickwork, scaffolding and stone sub-contractors. With premises already in Reading, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Nottingham, the company are delighted to announce the opening of their new London Head Office conveniently located in Notting Hill. Easily accessible with good transport links,
FireAngel’s Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Nick Rutter, shares his expert predictions for the year ahead Residents will need alternative strategies to the Waking Watch Relief Fund The Government has boosted the Waking Watch Relief Fund with an additional £27m to cover the cost of installing alarm systems in high-rise buildings with dangerous cladding, removing or reducing the need for waking watches. The
You have finished a specific course and have an undergraduate degree in interior design, you have also gained some work experience in an office – but now what? Some people are so passionate about their field that they soon want to start a business of their own. Indeed, it isn’t
Dealing with a complaint towards your employer can be an intimidating process. as you will not know necessarily how your employer will respond. However, regardless of how difficult it may be, it is vital that you make your complaint known, as otherwise there is little chance it will be resolved.
Chinese billionaire, Cheung Chung-Kiu, has been given planning permission to build an eight-storey, 5,760-sq meter private palace overlooking the iconic Hyde Park in central London. Chung-Kiu, a Hong Kong-based property tycoon, plans to partially-demolish and reconstruct the mansion at 2-8A Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge (just south of Kensington Gardens). Property experts estimate the project
In an effort to offer greater flexibility to contractors in the supply and installation of district heating networks, polymer pipework specialist REHAU is launching a new range of modular tee fittings. With government figures projecting heat demand to rise by 11% between now and 2050, both expanding and decarbonising the UK’s existing infrastructure will be necessary to meet future needs and net zero goals. In order to address these challenges effectively, the Government has targeted a growth in district heating from 2% to 17% of the UK’s total supply, highlighting the role that this technology will play in future. In support of this, REHAU has developed a new range of soft-soldered brass fittings to help simplify the ordering process for contractors undertaking new district heating projects. Available in any configuration of pre-fabricated 25mm-110mm outlets, over 600 modular tee combinations have been set up in advance, with larger sizes up to 160mm also available in the future. Each modular fitting is pre-assembled in the factory, then individually pressure tested, meaning there is no need for any modular tee assembly on site. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU, said: “The Government’s recent Heat and Buildings Strategy has detailed a number of upcoming decarbonisation measures, such as the Heat Network Transformation Strategy between 2022 and 2025. This initiative will provide ample scope for uptake of district heating networks, which we have long viewed as a key technology in achieving a low-carbon UK. “For this reason, we’ll be launching our new range of modular tees in 2022, in an effort to offer greater flexibility to the contractor when sourcing components for district heating networks. By integrating measures such as these, we can help streamline the rollout of low-carbon heating and effectively meet the net zero targets set out in legislation.” In an effort to facilitate faster installation of new networks, REHAU’s modular fittings make use of the company’s trademark EVERLOC compression sleeve technology jointing system, used over 850,000,000 times globally. Unlike other alternative pipe fittings, this technology has been developed without need for an O-ring – a mechanical gasket used to form a watertight seal between the pipe and the fitting. The EVERLOC system allows for simple visual inspection on site, meaning contractors can be assured of the reliability of the joint before it is insulated and backfilled. REHAU’s modular fittings are compatible with the company’s market-leading RAUVITHERM and RAUTHERMEX PE-Xa pre-insulated pipes, which are available cut-to-length from the largest UK stock of district heating pipe. Steve concluded: “Ensuring straightforward rollout of district heating networks will be key to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. With the support of REHAU’s modular fittings, we can ensure that new installations remain streamlined in order to assist our journey to net zero.” For more information on REHAU’s modular fittings, visit: www.rehau.uk/districtheating
Lee Marley Brickwork (LMB) is one of the UK’s leading integrated brickwork, scaffolding and stone sub-contractors. With premises already in Reading, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Nottingham, the company are delighted to announce the opening of their new London Head Office conveniently located in Notting Hill. Easily accessible with good transport links, Notting Hill is one of London’s most vibrant and iconic neighbourhoods. The new headquarters operates as the ideal professional space for visiting clients and suppliers, as an effective working & training environment for graduates, and as a head office for key staff. The 3500 square foot premises offer a modern, personable environment with ample space for visiting clients and suppliers to meet with the team and where any problems can be dealt with quickly and efficiently, face to face. The business continues to grow nationally and over the last five years has tripled in size. Director Lee Marley comments: “With much of the company’s business based in London and the Southeast, Notting Hill is an ideal location not just for managers and graduates, but also for visiting customers and suppliers. We’ve created a professional base and the response from clients so far has been glowing. I am also proud that we are an accredited Investors in People business and firmly believe in the ethos of putting our staff first. I want all of our workforce to believe in a future with Lee Marley and the opening of our new graduate hub is a part of that investment in our team.” Tim McKenna, Managing Director at Dorsey Construction Materials Ltd. says: “I recently visited Lee Marley’s new offices in Notting Hill, and I immediately thought, this is a great location. I was really impressed with how light and airy the whole place was with many workstations around the central area. The conference room was very well equipped and spacious – ideal for CPD presentations etc. Then beyond that there was a chill zone for light refreshment. I am in and out of lots of offices and this recently refurbished office is easily the best I’ve been to. This office is certainly a breath of fresh air and is most definitely the way forward”. The state-of-the-art office is ideal for showcasing the company’s work and achievements with a large proportion of the space being made up of glass, brick, and stone, reflective of the very work the company is renowned for. The building has a large boardroom, several informal meeting areas, and plenty of workstations ideal for hot desking or for when graduates and apprentices are office based for inductions and training. Training Manager Christian Hatherall-Good operates the Graduate and Apprenticeship Schemes, organising the rotation and managing the courses. The new London office is used by by students for theory training with small groups of 3-4 students visiting weekly. Graduate Estimator Ben Spyvee comments: “Since joining LMB, I have gained valuable experience from working on live construction jobs and within the estimating department. This has allowed me to build valuable skills and become an important member of the team. Over the 18-month period I have worked for the company I have witnessed a large amount of investment and growth in key areas that have created an improved working environment, most notably being the opening of the new office in Notting Hill. This has provided a more enjoyable and efficient working environment for all involved. The large open spaces, meeting spots and a host of other features has formed a great hub for the company, opening opportunities to host important meetings with clients, colleagues, and suppliers. I am looking forward to the future and hopefully building on all the positives that have already been introduced.” Michael Tame MRICS, Commercial Director at Lee Marley Brickwork says: “As we see natural growth within our business operation it was important to us to create an environment that allows our employees to achieve their full potential. A key passion of ours is our Graduate and Apprenticeship Schemes which promote young talent. The opening of our Notting Hill office will promote a friendly hub for our graduates to base themselves from. The office provides collaborative workspaces, offices and a large boardroom with state-of-the-art conference and presentation software, ideal for online and in-person training. Our clients are key to the strength of our business, and it is our intention to use this new workspace to invite our clients to and display some of our work, of which we are extremely proud of. We are excited to enter 2022 in such a fortunate position.” For more information, please visit: www.leemarley.com. Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd, currently offers both brickwork and scaffolding apprenticeships and are investing in the next generation of tradesmen into the construction industry.
FireAngel’s Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Nick Rutter, shares his expert predictions for the year ahead Residents will need alternative strategies to the Waking Watch Relief Fund The Government has boosted the Waking Watch Relief Fund with an additional £27m to cover the cost of installing alarm systems in high-rise buildings with dangerous cladding, removing or reducing the need for waking watches. The additional funding, taking the total budget to £57m, will bring some relief to leaseholders living with the financial burden of waking watches and the emotional toll of waiting months, or years, for their buildings to be made safe. Questions remain, however, on whether the extended fund will stretch far enough and provide help to all those who need it. Currently, £24.1m from the Waking Watch Relief Fund has been approved for applications, covering 281 buildings across England.1 However, nearly 800 blocks of flats in England and Wales have waking watches in place, an 85% increase in less than a year, meaning the number of buildings failing safety inspections is growing faster than owners can make them safe.2 With limited waking watch relief funding available, thousands may be left paying for fire marshals to patrol blocks 24 hours a day, costing over £11,000 on average per building every month.3 In addition, those who fall outside of the fund may continue to face excessive costs. A waking watch is required when buildings have dangerous cladding or fire safety issues change the evacuation policy from stay put to simultaneous evacuation. However, the Government fund generally only covers the upfront capital costs of installing a fire safety system in buildings with unsafe cladding. Therefore, leaseholders impacted by non-cladding issues which render their buildings unsafe may continue to face ongoing waking watch costs and remediation bills. As it becomes clear that a change in fire safety strategy is essential, industry experts will continue to look at alternative strategies that can maximise fire safety while minimising costs. At FireAngel, this means ongoing development of connected technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help cut fire risks within the parameters of an existing budget, offering residents, building safety managers and landlords more intelligent ways to manage their properties. Looking to the future, a combination of IoT, robust fire detection and alert systems and evacuation plans could replace the need for waking watches completely, helping tenants who fall outside of the relief fund feel safe in their own homes. There will be a greater understanding of how connected data can improve residents’ quality of life Industry experts such as the Fire Industry Association (FIA) have started a productive and necessary dialogue around IoT in the fire industry. This year, its IoT report highlighted how IoT can and will impact us all – with estimates that 87% of businesses might be working with IoT in the future.4 Cutting-edge technology that remotely monitors the home environment 24/7 has the potential to prevent life-threatening events. Using remote alarm monitoring, IoT and predictive data analysis, connected safety technology has the potential to identify a fire risk before it escalates to a 999 call. Not only can the data monitored in real-time alert social landlords to the status of alarms in the property when they are triggered but also when they are removed or when they need to be replaced. Connection to the IoT could enable landlords to monitor important features such as the building’s age and condition and the wear and tear of electrical appliances. Being able to combine this information with data on individuals’ physical or mental status is also important. If a person has dementia, is partially sighted or uses a wheelchair, their ability to respond to a fire event may be limited. Beyond fire safety, we now have the technology to look at temperature and humidity within a property. As we look to the year ahead, there is the potential for integration of other care and protection technologies to look after the more vulnerable people in society and, ultimately, keep more people safe. Fire safety guidance will continue to evolve at a rapid pace, making future-proofing properties more important than ever before Following the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities’ response to the Government consultation on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, people living in the social rented sector will soon be safer in their homes. Housing providers will be required by law to install smoke alarms in all social housing, and carbon monoxide alarms will have to be fitted in social and private rented properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. The regulation changes will also require carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted when new appliances such as gas boilers or fires are installed in any home. Additionally, the response to the consultation indicates that landlords, and housing providers in social and private rented sectors, will need to repair or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms once they are told they are faulty. The guidance on the positioning of alarms and the type of carbon monoxide alarms installed will also be reviewed and may be brought in line with BS EN 50292 and BS EN 50291. These standards show that the alarms have been extensively tested to ensure their quality including sensor reaction times, minimum alarm sound levels and stability over their working life. However, as fire safety guidance continues to evolve at a rapid pace, housing providers should not wait for further guidance changes to reinforce their duty of care. They can demonstrate best practice through the installation of alarms that meet an LD1 category, the highest level of domestic protection available. LD1 alarms can future-proof properties from regulatory changes and avoid an average £100 fee per callout to update devices to meet any further new standards. Housing providers should also ensure that any carbon monoxide alarms they purchase are fully certified to the European standard EN 50291-1 and carry a third-party approval mark, such as the BSI Kitemark, to ensure compliance with the latest safety standard. England may look to adopt similar legalisation to Scotland The February 2022 deadline for the new Scottish Tolerable Standard is upon us. The updated standard requires all properties to have an interlinked fire and smoke alarm system. By deploying interlinking alarms with wireless technology, if one alarm is triggered, the remaining alarms and ancillary devices are immediately activated, alerting a person in the property to the unfolding fire as quickly as possible. Under
You have finished a specific course and have an undergraduate degree in interior design, you have also gained some work experience in an office – but now what? Some people are so passionate about their field that they soon want to start a business of their own. Indeed, it isn’t advisable to jump into launching a business when you have little to no work experience, no matter the field or industry of your focus. It is of the utmost importance – and highly recommended – to have extensive experience and build a solid network of connections before starting a business. This increases the chances of success in your future business. Suppose you are an interior designer, passionate about this career. In that case, it is understandable you want to create something yours where you can steer the ship in whichever direction you want, focusing on your strengths and using this potential to the fullest in your company. But where do you start? What should you consider before opening an interior design company? These are pertinent questions to ask yourself, even if you have vast experience. Starting a business is another challenge altogether, and it isn’t uncommon to feel a bit intimidated and anxious about this. However, excitement, motivation and drive are also there. So, use them to start planning. The following article may be able to help you get organised with valuable tips on how and where to begin organising your interior design business. Determine The Business Focus and Type of Services You may be passionate about interior design, but there are certain areas of this field where you perform better or attract you more. This is your chance to choose the type of services you want to offer and determine what the focus of your business will be. Luckily, there are a multitude of options to choose from, and you can even decide to focus on particular types of rooms, such as kitchen and living rooms. Now that you have the chance of doing what you truly want to – while considering current trends and consumer and industry demands – you need to make sure you do it well. Some of the services you can choose from include: As you can see, these are some of the most relevant services an interior design business can offer nowadays. Chances are, you know where your strengths lie. So, this is a decision you need to make by yourself. Plus, it is crucial you do this before you get the ball rolling planning the business. Develop A Style and Create a Brand Identity As is the case with any business, no matter its focus or size, developing a style and accurately conveying it through everything you do – from the type of services to logo and all the aesthetics visible online and offline – is vital. Therefore, you should take the time to carefully develop your own style and apply it in your business endeavours. Based on this, your interior design brand identity will begin to take form. Whether you want to focus on room-specific interior design or home staging, you will need to have a clear vision of how you want to portray your business. It is crucial that your future clients understand perfectly what you do and see this clearly through consistent and cohesive online and offline content. Understand Your Business Finances Well Even before you have an up and running business, it is of the utmost importance to understand the finance part of it really well. Only this way can you plan a budget, develop a business plan and understand your future expenses so that you can invest in equipment and human capital properly. This part of your business preparation process can include researching digital tools that will be able to help you once your company is launched. Doing this ahead of time can help you see what investments are worthwhile and which aren’t. For example, digital tools like QuickBooks, an accounting software that can streamline your accounting department’s tasks and operations, is an example of a good investment. Create A Well-Structured Business Plan Having a well-structured business plan is an imperative and indispensable part of starting a business. Without one, it is highly unlikely you will receive funding from investors or get a bank loan to get you started. And even if you don’t need financing, it is still crucial you develop a business plan for your interior design soon-to-be company. This document serves as a portfolio and attack plan consisting of every detail of the business, from your budget, brand identity and business focus, marketing strategies, how you want to invest in the company, to the business goal and objectives on how to get there. This way, you will be able to attract business partners and form valuable collaborations once the company is launched. Once the business is up and running, you can use the research you have conducted for the business plan and start applying it. And when it comes to business finances, using business accounting software from the beginning is recommended to see the company’s performance from day one. Register Your Business Name It may seem unnecessary to mention this as it is evident that your business needs a registered name. However, this is essential, and you should allocate enough time for this part, given that this is how your customers will recognise you. A company’s logo and name should be uncomplicated, easy to pronounce and remember and not used by another business. Choosing your business name can be challenging, mainly because selecting something catchy for an interior design firm is recommended. Once this is established, you must register it as soon as possible. With the name chosen, you can start the process of developing the brand image, from creating the logo to choosing the right aesthetic. Every element should be in harmony, as consistency is vital. Promote Your Business from Beginning Once you have all the details of your brand established, you can
Dealing with a complaint towards your employer can be an intimidating process. as you will not know necessarily how your employer will respond. However, regardless of how difficult it may be, it is vital that you make your complaint known, as otherwise there is little chance it will be resolved. Here are 4 steps for dealing with a grievance at work. If your grievance is serious enough, you may benefit from discussing your issue with an employment attorney, who can help you evaluate your options. Looking up employee attorneys near me will give you a good idea of what expertise is available in your area. Speak Informally with a Superior Workplace grievances can arise for a multitude of reasons, such as if you feel you have been the victim of bullying, discrimination, or any other unfair treatment. Naturally, it can therefore be difficult to speak to your employer about such sensitive issues. Despite this, it is usually good practice to discuss any of these issues with your immediate superior informally first, before raising a formal complaint. This will give the company a fair chance to resolve the issue before it escalates. Conversely, if you feel uncomfortable speaking with your immediate manager or even if they are part of your issue, you can instead speak with a different superior. Raise a Formal Complaint If you feel that your complaint has not been sufficiently addressed after discussing it, you will next want to raise the issue formally. Most companies have a formal complaint procedure, outlined either on their website or in their employee handbook. It is generally a good idea to follow this procedure as closely as possible since this will demonstrate to your employer that you are trying to be as professional as possible throughout the process. When recounting your complaint, you should also try to supply as much evidence and precise information as possible, to support your version of events. Meet with Your Employer Following their notification of your complaint, your employer should then carry out a formal investigation to verify your claims. Upon the completion of the investigation, you should then be invited to attend a formal meeting with your employer to learn the outcomes of the meeting. It is important to maintain a cool head going into this meeting, as you will not know how your employer dealt with the issue. If you are particularly nervous, it may also be worth inviting a sympathetic colleague or even your attorney to attend the meeting with you. Contact a Lawyer If you were unsatisfied with the outcome of your employer’s management of your complaint, you will normally be given the chance to appeal it. However, given that they failed to correctly manage it the first time, you may understandably be disillusioned with your company’s internal procedure. In such instances, you may want to contact a labor attorney. Not only can this put more pressure on your employer to effectively resolve the issue, but in certain circumstances, such as when you have been discriminated against, you may also be entitled to compensation.
Chinese billionaire, Cheung Chung-Kiu, has been given planning permission to build an eight-storey, 5,760-sq meter private palace overlooking the iconic Hyde Park in central London. Chung-Kiu, a Hong Kong-based property tycoon, plans to partially-demolish and reconstruct the mansion at 2-8A Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge (just south of Kensington Gardens). Property experts estimate the project may easily cost £100 million and be worth £500 million upon completion. Super-size property construction ban doesn’t apply Westminster council’s unanimous approval came just months after a new ban on super-size, “Monopoly board-style” homes (over 200 square meters) constructed for overseas billionaires. The ban came into effect last year to improve housing affordability in wealthy areas of London, but doesn’t cover redeveloping existing houses. Since the Rutland Gate mansion is already classed as a single dwelling, Westminster council were unable to thwart the project as planning rules permit its redevelopment. And, unlike with the majority of large-scale private property developments, Chung-Kiu also won’t be required to help facilitate affordable home construction in the local area. Expensive undertaking Chung-Kiu purchased the property earlier this year for £520 million from the estate of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia (who passed away in 2011). In many cases, a jumbo loan (aka a non-conforming conventional mortage) is used to purchase such high-value properties. Jumbo home loans are typically used to finance investment properties, primary residences, and vacation loans too expensive for conventional conforming loans. In the building application, Chung-Kiu’s developers called the building “heavily dilapidated” and stated Chung-Kiu wants to “undertake works of repair, refurbishment and alteration to return the building into beneficial use as their London family home”. Originally constructed in the 1830s as a terrace of four family townhouses, the property has 45 bedrooms with 68 of its 166 bullet-proof windows boasting park views. The redeveloped property is set to feature several tonnes of marble, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a triple-height ballroom, and a multi-story basement to house Chung-Kiu’s luxury car collection. Keeping London homes affordable “We want Westminster to be home to thriving, mixed communities, not empty super-prime properties”, said Richard Beddoe, the counselor in charge of the planning. “That’s why we will be restricting the size of new luxury apartments and introducing a new extra-bedroom policy to make it easier for families to extend their homes so they have enough space to stay living in Westminster and are not forced to move out. Building the right type of homes for people to live in is a priority for the council and Westminster has delivered over 725 new affordable homes since 2017.” Chung-Kiu has an estimated net worth of between $1.7-$2.7 billion. He’s chairman of CC Land, a property development company, which purchased the City skyscraper (aka the Cheesegrater) for £1.15 billion in 2017. CC Land also previously funded the 2019 Pierre Bonnard exhibition at the Tate Modern and helped redevelop Whiteleys shopping center in Bayswater.
