An award-winning construction company has been appointed to deliver a £31million building project at a school which was founded more than 157 years before the Great Fire of London in 1666. St Paul’s School, which is located on a 45-acre site adjacent to the River Thames in Barnes, West London,
Plans have been submitted by Allsee Technologies to build an 80,000 sq ft landmark office headquarters and digital technology centre at St. Modwen’s Longbridge Business Park. After a £20m investment, the new building will support the creation of over 150 skilled jobs. Allsee Technologies is a global leader in Digital
McLaren Construction Midlands and North has delivered phase one of Konect 62 – a speculative industrial and logistics development located in Knottingley, West Yorkshire. Comprising three sustainable units across the 60-acre first phase which are now available to let, the contractor worked together with C4 architects to complete the first
ScottishPower today marks reaching a special £40million fundraising milestone for its long-standing charity partner Cancer Research UK as employees share their stories and call for more to be done to help beat cancer. The green energy company, its customers and staff have supported Cancer Research UK since 2012 in its
Veriforce CHAS, the supply chain risk management and compliance specialist, has consolidated its position as the accreditation provider of choice after being awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for an impressive fifth consecutive year. The award is a testament to Veriforce CHAS’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its
The last few years have seen significant changes in legislation and regulations within the FM space such as the Fire Safety Act 2021, The Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Regulations (England) 2022, to name a few. These changes in the industry have forced a shift in priorities
An award-winning construction company has been appointed to deliver a £31million building project at a school which was founded more than 157 years before the Great Fire of London in 1666. St Paul’s School, which is located on a 45-acre site adjacent to the River Thames in Barnes, West London, has awarded Gilbert-Ash the contract to construct a new junior school along with playgrounds and associated landscaping works. The project will consist of two new buildings. Junior School West will be a three-storey building housing a teaching block and changing facilities while Junior School East will be a two-storey facility comprising a teaching block and double height hall. The Junior School West building forms the central ‘heart’ space of the school. It will provide generous multi-functional exhibition space, surrounded by teaching spaces to encourage high levels of social interaction between pupils and staff. The Junior School East building will be linked to the West building by a covered external play space named ‘The Barn’. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company is delighted to be taking on such a prestigious project and to be teaming up once again with Hawkins\Brown Architects. He said: “St Paul’s School is steeped in history and has been providing first class education for boys for hundreds of years. This project will ensure this legacy continues in Barnes for generations to come. “Gilbert-Ash has a growing reputation for delivering excellent projects in the education sector, with many of these in partnership with the team at Hawkins\Brown. “Together we have delivered stand-out projects at both City of London Freemen’s School, Central Foundation Boys’ School and The Bartlett School of Architecture. “We are looking forward to once again working in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown, St Paul’s School and of course the other teams on this exciting project.” Targeting a BREEAM rating of excellent, the new buildings will be heated with air source heat pumps with photovoltaic panels on the roof which will also house a green roof system. External drainage incorporates storm and foul water diversion, porous surface overflow pipework and a rain garden. Interior fit-out plans include acoustic wall panels and slatted timber acoustic panels and lining, while flooring will vary from engineered hard wood flooring, linoleum and carpeted areas. Soft landscaping will include shrub herbaceous planting, hedge planting and grassland meadow, in addition to a rain garden. Hard landscaping will include linear concrete block paving, permeable black and coloured tarmac, permeable resin bound aggregate, play bark and a hybrid turf system, in addition to insitu rubber safety surfaces. School life will continue during the construction period, which is due to complete in autumn 2025, with pupils and staff decanted to temporary accommodation. The school was founded in 1509 by John Colet, the Dean of St Paul’s. Its governance was entrusted to the fellowship of the Mercers of London, the Premier Guild of the City of London, to act as governors of the new school. Following the great fire of London in 1666, St Paul’s School moved location four times before settling in 1968 at the present site at Barnes where it provides education for around 1,000 boys from the ages of 4-18 years old. Its initial renewal campaign was successfully achieved with the redevelopment of on-site buildings between 2011-2019. In 2014, the construction of the new drama centre and Samuel Pepys Theatre was completed, in addition to a general teaching building, dining hall and library build completed in 2020. The majority of previous work has been focused on the senior school, with current works seeking to redevelop and provide new facilities for the junior school. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted by Allsee Technologies to build an 80,000 sq ft landmark office headquarters and digital technology centre at St. Modwen’s Longbridge Business Park. After a £20m investment, the new building will support the creation of over 150 skilled jobs. Allsee Technologies is a global leader in Digital Advertising Display Manufacturingwith an impressive Blue Chip client portfolio. They already have offices in the UK, Europe, China, the US and Africa and the move will bring another industry-leading manufacturer to the region, across 2.3 acres on Longbridge Business Park. As St. Modwen continues the £300m regeneration of the former West Works site, the area is rapidly gaining recognition for being a specialist centre for science, technology, medicine, precision engineering and R&D. The arrival of Allsee Technologies further enhances this burgeoning reputation. A growing number of businesses are helping to support and strengthen the local economy and enhance Longbridge’s reputation as a destination for market-leading companies. These leading companies include the recently completed IVC Evidensia veterinary hospital, Blaise Referrals, Waters Corporation’s precision manufacturing centre, plus new investment from Sterling Pharmaceuticals and more. Subject to the planning permission being granted, construction work is due to start in summer 2024 with an opening scheduled for late 2025. When complete, the new Allsee headquarters will provide a world-class centre developing high-value digital display technologies and offering its reseller partners industry-leading signage expertise. Speaking of the project, Baoli Zhao, Managing Director at Allsee, said: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to contribute to Longbridge Business Park’s growth story. With a deep appreciation for the area’s rich history in technology and manufacturing, we are thrilled to be part of Longbridge’s growing reputation as a hub for science, technology, precision engineering, and R&D. We also want to share a heartfelt commendation to St. Modwen for their dedication to the area’s regeneration. As we embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to fostering growth, collaboration, and creating more job opportunities within Birmingham and the wider West Midlands area. Here’s to the next chapter of prosperity and partnership!” Rob Flavell, Senior Director at St. Modwen, said: “Once again we are seeing that leading global companies want to have a base at Longbridge. This exciting new digital technology manufacturing facility for Allsee will bring yet more specialist expertise to the area. This is good news for the local and regional economies and will ensure that the work undertaken by St. Modwen in recent years will benefit the area for many years to come.” Longbridge Business Park has benefitted from infrastructure investment in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and will create up to 5,000 new jobs upon completion. Longbridge Business Park offers exceptional local, regional and national connectivity and is a sustainable addition to the wider £1bn Longbridge masterplan. In addition to the business park, the investment is delivering an attractive residential neighbourhood of 350 homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction Midlands and North has delivered phase one of Konect 62 – a speculative industrial and logistics development located in Knottingley, West Yorkshire. Comprising three sustainable units across the 60-acre first phase which are now available to let, the contractor worked together with C4 architects to complete the first phase for joint venture partners, Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse. With a capability of providing over 1,500 jobs, phase one units include 161,000, 151,000 and 61,000 sq. ft options alongside a 30-acre service plot, which was delivered with utilities and access to accommodate several Build-to-Suit options. The entire Konect 62 development, which will include multiple phases, will be adopting low carbon building design and technology to target a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. McLaren Construction Midlands and North inducted 1,350 people during the delivery of the first phase, and a combined total of 138,200 work hours were required for the build. The Konect 62 site is located on the previous site of Kellingley Colliery, the last deep mine in the UK which opened in 1959 and closed in 2015. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We’re pleased to have delivered phase one of this landmark industrial and logistics hub, for joint venture partners Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse, of which we’ve received excellent feedback. “Our dedicated team and subcontractors worked exceptionally hard to ensure the quality, sustainability and timeliness of the phase, which was completed in 12 months, using predominantly local labour from the surrounding community. The scheme will provide essential jobs and opportunities for the sector in a prime location.” David Nuttall, Managing Director of Industrial & Logistics at Cole Waterhouse, said: “McLaren has delivered an excellent first phase at Konect 62, exactly 12 months from signing the build contract. The three units and 30-acre plot set the tone for the remainder of the site and firmly establish Konect 62 as a genuine business location. A year ago, the site was featureless, and all traces of the former mine had been cleared. The change today is dramatic, and it is now a first-rate logistics park offering a variety of existing units and Build-to-Suit opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ScottishPower today marks reaching a special £40million fundraising milestone for its long-standing charity partner Cancer Research UK as employees share their stories and call for more to be done to help beat cancer. The green energy company, its customers and staff have supported Cancer Research UK since 2012 in its mission to help create a world where people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. Through a wide range of fundraising initiatives, it has been a key backer of the charity’s pioneering research and the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses in the UK. Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving lives through research. The charity’s work on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Recent events have shown that cancer can affect anyone. Almost 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetimes, and Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen cancer survival in the UK double in the last 50 years. One of those people to benefit from research is ScottishPower employee Mark McDowell. Mark’s life changed forever in 2018 when he was diagnosed with stage four cancer in his tonsil and liver. Mark McDowell, Head of IT Architecture at ScottishPower, said: “I was only 41 years old and I had been living a healthy life, so my chances of recovery from tonsil cancer were good. That was until I went for a PET scan and it showed things weren’t as positive as we first thought. The specialist’s face fell when they realised cancer had spread to my liver, and I was told my chance of survival was nearer 20% than 95%.” Mark was quickly referred to specialists in London and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. He was treated with a complex combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and keyhole surgery. He was in the Beatson for eight weeks supported by a brilliant team of specialist doctors, nurses and radiographers amongst other medical experts. Thanks to their care, in April Mark plans to celebrate his fifth year without cancer. “I felt lucky to be alive as I’ve seen so many people lose their lives to cancer – family, friends and colleagues. Cancer can affect anyone, with nearly one in two people in the UK diagnosed with it during their lifetime. “Cancer is a highly complex disease and in the past it was often a death sentence – that’s why fundraising for life-saving research is so important. The medical advances in radiotherapy, PET and keyhole surgery saved my life but they’re things you don’t think about until you need them. “We need charities like Cancer Research UK and their super star researchers to have the funding, investment and resources to find new treatments and cures.” Dr Claire Paterson is a clinical oncologist and radiotherapy researcher partly funded by Cancer Research UK. At the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow, she is working on ways to improve radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer like Mark’s. To date, Cancer Research UK has invested £42.3 million in RadNet – a network of seven research centres dedicated to radiotherapy research, including the RadNet Glasgow Centre which supports Claire’s research. She said: “We can target cancer far more precisely now, which makes treatment more effective and kinder for patients than it used to be decades ago. We hope that we can continue to make further improvements with more research. “Mark’s story shows how painstaking research, conducted over many years, and advances in treatment can save lives. Cancer Research UK can only support large scale research programmes with generous donations and ScottishPower have raised a huge amount of money to support the charity’s vital mission.” ScottishPower raises money through initiatives including its Help Beat Cancer energy tariff, employee and customer fundraising, as well as sponsorship of Race for Life events across the UK and Stand Up To Cancer campaigns. Every penny raised through these initiatives contributes towards Cancer Research UK’s vision for a better future. ScottishPower employee Ellie Cookhas joined hundreds of recent recruits to raise money for the charity. After losing her gran to lung cancer and supporting her dad through skin cancer, Ellie is getting a team together for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life fundraising event at Glasgow Green in May. Ellie Cook, a Marketing Graduate at ScottishPower, said: “Fundraising hits differently when it’s so close to home – that’s why I’m getting a 10K team together for Race for Life and challenging myself to train for it. This is something that affects us all. We’re raising money for lifesaving cancer research so family, friends and colleagues are really happy to sponsor us.” Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years. ScottishPower is helping Cancer Research UK achieve this ambition with its fundraising efforts. Andrew Ward, CEO of ScottishPower’s customer business, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved for Cancer Research UK through our long-standing partnership. We started this journey with them in 2012 with the aim of raising £5million in three years and to have our incredible employees, suppliers and customers go on since then to raise £40million for life-saving research is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s clear to us that everybody values the ability to support the charity, all who have been involved should also be proud of their efforts in raising such a fantastic amount of money. “Knowing the difference our partnership has made since it first began and how it has contributed to creating a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer personally means so much to me. Both Mark and Ellie really bring the impact of the partnership alive through their own experiences and really show just how vital the funds being raised
Veriforce CHAS, the supply chain risk management and compliance specialist, has consolidated its position as the accreditation provider of choice after being awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for an impressive fifth consecutive year. The award is a testament to Veriforce CHAS’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its contractors and clients. Each year, Feefo, the respected global buyer review platform, recognises businesses that consistently excel in providing outstanding customer experiences. The Platinum Trusted Service Award is a testament to the positive feedback received from numerous satisfied customers, independently validating the company’s dedication to quality. In an age where reliable customer service is not guaranteed, the Veriforce CHAS team consistently exceeds expectations, showcasing a commitment to excellence that sets them apart from competitors. Glowing testimonials from hundreds of customers, that are published online by Feefo for complete transparency, praise the CHAS customer service team for their helpful phone support and highlight their dedication to delivering an exceptional customer experience. There is also recognition for Veriforce CHAS’s streamlined and stress-free online submission process. Veriforce CHAS not only ensures excellent customer service for its contractors but also offers a range of additional benefits that set Veriforce CHAS membership apart. These perks include access to exclusive insurance offers, discounted e-learning resources, free legal advice, a 20% discount with Speedy Hire, free TradePoint cards, and discounted membership to Checkatrade.com. Expressing his pride in receiving the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award, Veriforce CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon comments: “At Veriforce CHAS, we continuously strive to offer unparalleled service to our contractors and clients. Receiving the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the 5th year in a row is a tremendous honour and recognises the hard work and dedication of our entire team. “We believe that exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of our success,” Ian continues. “Our commitment goes beyond industry norms, and we are continuously investing in innovative ways to enhance our customer’s journey with us. While others may focus on different priorities, we remain steadfast in our dedication to our customers. We are proud to lead by example and set a standard that is the envy of our industry.” If you would like to learn more about the benefits of being a Veriforce CHAS member, please call 0345 521 9111. – the award-winning customer service team are waiting to talk to you. Or find out more by visiting: http://www.chas.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The last few years have seen significant changes in legislation and regulations within the FM space such as the Fire Safety Act 2021, The Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Regulations (England) 2022, to name a few. These changes in the industry have forced a shift in priorities and duties for those working in facility management in 2024 and beyond. Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, has shared his insights regarding how the facilities management industry will continue to evolve throughout the next year and the changes they believe will be particularly impactful for those working in the industry. 1. Building compliance in the spotlight With the constant evolution of legislations and regulations within the FM industry, uncertainty of what tasks should be completed, how often and by whom is on the rise. 2024 will, therefore, continue to see a greater spotlight placed on proof of compliance. The industry has faced a barrage of new legislation and regulation in recent years, so it’s no surprise that compliance has risen to the top of many priority lists The government has also ensured it will increase the number of buildings that fall within the scope of the Building Safety Act. This will make providing a thorough, digital trail of maintenance tasks a requirement for many more. Many large developers will need to commit to remedying defects in facility constructions dating back 30 years. Building owners, property managers and contractors will need to ensure that statutory maintenance works are being carried out, that the information is up-to-date and that evidence can be provided. 2. Competence is crucial Ensuring that maintenance tasks are being undertaken not only at the right time but also by the right person for the job is a high priority for facility managers this year. This becomes a particular concern when a facility outsources a large proportion of its maintenance. Despite its cost-effective potential and collaboration with industry specialists, outsourcing maintenance tasks makes it more difficult for facility owners to have both visibility and control over the standard to which tasks are completed. Although outsourced maintenance lands in the hands of industry-leading specialists, greater monitoring will be required to ensure that the quality of work will be inline with the expectations of facility owners. 3. Enhanced connectivity Property managers are under the strain of collaborating with multiple stakeholders, from building owners to facility management consultants and engineers, who all play a crucial role in the safe and legal maintenance of a facility. Managing extensive workforces, with a mix of internal and external resources, tends to make streamlined collaboration much trickier. In particular, ensuring the right people receive the necessary information at the right time becomes a challenge. In a recent poll conducted by the experts at SFG20, 66% of asset owners and property managers revealed that keeping a golden thread of information about a facility up to date has been a main concern for their business. This shows that many current FM systems are not aligning in a way that helps facilitate efficient, collaborative working. Developing and providing software solutions that enable teams to share data and work efficiently will continue to characterise industry changes in the near future. 4. AI technology dominance AI in the FM industry offers the potential to enhance rather than replace human roles, unlocking new opportunities and insights. The new technologies available facilitate businesses to work with much larger datasets for predictive maintenance, providing a time-efficient and proactive approach to facility management. Businesses are still under pressure to develop the necessary skills and teams to successfully work alongside AI technology for predictive maintenance, data analysis and a cost-effective allocation of FM budgets. With the current focus on ensuring compliance, facility managers will be faced with the challenge of reducing costs, an obstacle that an effective use of AI could help eliminate. 2024 has already seen a huge push to overcome these challenges and take full advantage of AI assistance within the management of facilities. This will likely continue by the means of thorough training and development opportunities for all those involved in the facility management process, to best integrate new AI technologies into business strategies. 5. Sustainability interventions at the forefront The landscape of the UK’s built environment is on the brink of a profound transformation. The march toward carbon neutrality is poised to accelerate, propelled by technological strides, evolving governmental policies and heightened public climate awareness. The government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and Net Zero Strategy chart a course for this transition, setting out strategies for bolstering energy efficiency, championing low-carbon heating solutions and encouraging the construction of energy-efficient new homes. As we look towards the future, the need for sustainable facility maintenance practices will only grow. As the global urban population continues to expand rapidly, construction and, ultimately, carbon emissions will follow suit. To mitigate this, we must carefully consider and implement ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings through sustainable maintenance and ensuring that new buildings incorporate this into their initial design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
