Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today celebrated the rapid progress it is making onsite for Baytree to mark the erection of the steel frame and cladding going onto the first unit of 145,476 sq ft under construction at a
Headline numbers: New analysis shows that building and construction manufacturers have rebounded from the supply chain challenges of 2022, with a jump in profitability. Mid-sized firms in the sector have benefitted from demand for products and stabilising supply chains, according to the latest Manufacturers’ Health Index, compiled quarterly by inventory management software brand
Award-winning company managing ‘facelift’ at the Crown… One of Belfast’s most iconic pubs is currently undergoing a ‘facelift’ with teams of specialist tradespeople working to ensure the famous Victorian interiors continue to welcome thirsty visitors for years to come. Award-winning Belfast construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash is the principal contractor
Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, has signed an agreement to develop the UK’s first vertiport testbed at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, the 444-acre estate dedicated to pioneering mobility technology, past, present and future. The new vertiport, which will include a compact
Local firms invited to apply as projects bring 800 jobs to the region McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, is urging local firms in all construction-related trades, from groundworks to cleaning and everything in between, to pitch for work as it embarks on constructing eight
Encouraging teenage girls to stay active by designing city spaces that make use of immersive digital technology is the goal of new three-year project led by Birmingham City University (BCU). “Spaces that teen girls can claim and feel comfortable being active in are negligible beyond the school gates,” said Dr
One of Scotland’s leading engineering specialists, Akela Ground Engineering (part of Akela Group), has launched an innovative precast concrete beam system which could dramatically speed up the delivery of new homes. ‘ABeam’ from Akela, features a special mechanical pinned joint, allowing for prefabricated ground beams to be installed in a
![Mark Snelling becomes President of the Association for Project Safety [Aps]](https://bdcmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mark-Snelling-e1709632051794.png)
Mark Snelling has been appointed as the new president of the Association for Project Safety [APS]. Mark takes over from Ray Bone who remains as an adviser to the board of directors. Mark’s term of office will run until 31 January 2027. President Mark Snelling said: “I am passionate about
South Gloucestershire Council has approved proposals for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, a new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel, home to over 100 years of aviation history, the former Filton
Johnson Controls , the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has received the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, marking the 17th time Johnson Controls has been named to this list. “What we do every
Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today celebrated the rapid progress it is making onsite for Baytree to mark the erection of the steel frame and cladding going onto the first unit of 145,476 sq ft under construction at a prime industrial/logistics development in Leeds. The development, being marketed as Baytree Leeds is situated 3 miles southeast of Leeds City centre and will comprise of 3 prime industrial/distribution units of 76,285 (unit 1), 145,476 sq ft (unit 3) and 329,583 sq ft (Unit 2). Units 1 and 3 are under construction currently and are due to be completed by the 3rd Quarter of 2024. Unit 2 is being promoted as a build to suit opportunity. Baytree Leeds offers a best-in-class specification, built to BREEAM “OUTSTANDING”, EPC – “A” and WELL Ready standards. The development comes with the latest Baytree Edge innovations focusing on 4 key areas: Commenting on the project Glencar CEO, Eddie McGillycuddy said: “Baytree Leeds represents the third project we have worked on together for Baytree following successful outcomes in Milton Keynes (Fenny Lock) and more recently the 1M sq ft multi-award winning Logistics Campus for Rhenus Logistics in Nuneaton. Baytree are true pioneers in technology enabled, sustainable development designed with maximum flexibility for future uses and Glencar are proud to be a supporting partner on that journey. The buildings we are constructing are some of the most sustainable ever seen in the UK featuring clean air, water, soil and energy at their core together with the health and well-being of the future workforce a core component. This prime development in Leeds will be a further example of that and developed to the highest standards and specification. It is targeted to be BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ EPC-A and we’ve assembled an outstanding team onsite to deliver it.” To celebrate the excellent progress being made a key construction milestone event was held onsite attended by VIP’s from both Baytree and Glencar together with the full professional team. To see some images from the occasion together with exclusive drone footage across the development click. Baytree Leeds is located within the Stourton interchange Industrial area, approximately 3 miles southeast of Leeds city centre. The Leeds Rail Freight Terminal lies immediately to the north of the site and a purpose-built Royal Mail depot is immediately to the east. The scheme has a strategic significance due to its proximity to Junction 7 of the M621 motorway, located immediately to the north-west which links in to the M62 for destinations north and west, and to the M1 motorway heading south. The A639 trunk road provides a link through to Junction 44 of the M1 motorway approximately half a mile to the east. The M1 motorway (north) provides links through to North Yorkshire and the North East of England. Major occupiers close by include Royal Mail, Sheffield Insulation Group, Tuffnells Express Parcels, ARLA Foods, CEMEX, Kloeckner Metals, Steaper Group and First Direct. For further information please visit www.baytree-leeds.com
Headline numbers: New analysis shows that building and construction manufacturers have rebounded from the supply chain challenges of 2022, with a jump in profitability. Mid-sized firms in the sector have benefitted from demand for products and stabilising supply chains, according to the latest Manufacturers’ Health Index, compiled quarterly by inventory management software brand Unleashed. The report reveals data on GMROI (gross margin return on inventory) – a measure of the profits made on inventory costs – across 16 manufacturing categories. Manufacturers were also surveyed to gain first-hand insights into the specific challenges and opportunities they face. Building and construction made an average of £2.51 for every pound invested in inventory, up from £1.80 in the previous quarter. Like most of the manufacturing categories analysed, it achieved a higher GMROI compared to Q4 2022 when it stood at £1.76. The index shows it lagged behind industrial machinery, raw materials and equipment manufacturers, which generated £2.72 for every pound invested in inventory in Q4 2023. But this category only saw a marginal gain of 0.11p between Q3 and Q4. Jarrod Adam, Head of Product, at Unleashed, said: “Manufacturers in the buildings and construction sector performed well in the final quarter of last year. Although this category appeared in the bottom half of our table – 10 out of 16 – the year-on-year, and quarter-on-quarter, improvements are a sign that firms are on a more stable footing for the year ahead. “Overall, the businesses we surveyed across different manufacturing categories were optimistic about 2024, with almost three-quarters saying they expect demand to grow this year.” Bigger picture: manufacturing sector returns to health Overall, the report showed that the UK’s manufacturing sector has made a dramatic recovery – recording its best performance in more than two and a half years during the final quarter of 2023. Firms made an average of £2.33 for every pound invested in inventory, up from £1.98 the previous quarter and £2.05 in the same period of 2022. All but four of the manufacturing categories analysed saw an uplift in profitability during Q4, with clothing manufacturers and the energy chemicals sector storming ahead with £4.53 and £3.30 respectively. At the other end of the scale, the most dramatic fall was in plastics and rubber, which saw its profits on inventory drop to £1.16 from £2.65. Health and medical manufacturers, and cosmetics and personal care were both down by 16p and 8p. Industry category Gross Margin Return on Inventory, Q3 2023 Gross Margin Return on Inventory, Q4 2023 Clothing, Footwear, Accessories £ 2.85 £ 4.53 Energy, Chemicals £ 2.15 £ 3.30 Furniture, Fixtures, Home Furnishing £ 2.50 £ 2.77 Office Equipment and Supplies £ 1.72 £ 2.73 Industrial Machinery, Raw Material and Equipment £ 2.61 £ 2.72 Electronics, Telecommunication £ 1.54 £ 2.69 Electrical and Electronic Components £ 1.85 £ 2.68 IT Products and Services £ 2.18 £ 2.63 Cosmetics & Personal Care £ 2.64 £ 2.56 Building and Construction £ 1.80 £ 2.51 Health, Medical Supplies and Equipment £ 2.29 £ 2.13 Sport, Entertainment, Recreation £ 1.64 £ 1.69 Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) £ 1.40 £ 1.51 Automotive and Automotive Supplies £ 0.94 £ 1.47 Food £ 1.44 £ 1.44 Plastic and Rubber Products £ 2.65 £ 1.16 “The improvements in profitability show how well mid-sized manufacturers in the UK have rallied following the seemingly endless economic and supply chain uncertainty of the past few years,” said Adam. “In navigating the supply chain and economic challenges they’ve faced, many firms have embraced technology to refine their inventory management processes, enabling them to achieve better margins on their inventory spend.” For more information and for the full research, visit: www.unleashedsoftware.com/industry/manufacturing-inventory-management/manufacturinghealthindex Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning company managing ‘facelift’ at the Crown… One of Belfast’s most iconic pubs is currently undergoing a ‘facelift’ with teams of specialist tradespeople working to ensure the famous Victorian interiors continue to welcome thirsty visitors for years to come. Award-winning Belfast construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash is the principal contractor on the project at the Crown Bar which is owned by the National Trust. Gilbert-Ash are carrying out a number of maintenance-style works in the ‘back of house’ area and to parts of the exterior and roof however, the work inside the bar itself is being carried out by specialist sub-contractors. Gilbert-Ash Fit Out General Manager, Andrew Russell said work of this nature at the Crown Bar takes place every five to seven years. He said: “With so many people visiting the Crown Bar it can be a bit of an ongoing battle to stay on top of the maintenance so having projects like this are very important. “The companies working alongside us are extremely skilled with experts in French polishing, tiling and conservation. “If someone marks one of the tables or perhaps tries to remove an original fitting, it is important the repair work is carried out in a manner which maintains the building’s historic fabric. “Gilbert-Ash has been working on this building since the early 1990s, so we know it very well. It is perhaps the most famous bar in Belfast and there aren’t too many places which look like it from the inside or indeed the outside. “We take great pride in the work we do at the Crown Bar, and it is a real team effort when we work alongside these highly skilled specialists.” Owned by the National Trust and operated by Mitchells & Butlers, the Crown Bar is a Grade A listed building which dates back to the 1880s and was once a Victorian gin palace. The impressive façade is one of the city’s most popular photo spots, and it only gets better when you step inside. The long, red granite topped altar style bar takes centre stage, with its huge casks and polished brass taps, while the mosaic tiled floor and decorative carved ceiling are truly eye-catching. Originally designed to protect Victorian drinkers from the prying eyes of the busy Great Victoria Street, the stained-glass windows are etched with fairies, pineapples, fleur-de-lys, and clowns. The traditional gas lighting also still remains. Andrew said: “The restoration work that has gone on at the Crown Bar has been exceptional, and rightly so as it is a unique building. “During a previous project in it I can remember someone cleaning years of cigarette smoke and general dirt off the ceiling using cotton buds so there was no damage to the original plasterwork. “This is the level of detail that goes into keeping the bar looking its best and it’s work we take great pride in managing.” 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
Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, has signed an agreement to develop the UK’s first vertiport testbed at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, the 444-acre estate dedicated to pioneering mobility technology, past, present and future. The new vertiport, which will include a compact 160 sq m passenger terminal, will be a critical facility for testing ground infrastructure and flight operations and will play a significant role in enabling the next generation of electric, low noise aviation in the UK. The vertiport, positioned adjacent to Bicester Motion’s existing general aviation grass runways, will continue the airfield’s long history of aerospace innovation. It will also align with Bicester Motion’s strategic vision to integrate both traditional and vertical aviation operations from its airfield. Developed as part of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium and backed by Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge, the vertiport will serve as a key node for early vertiport network planning and demonstrations, as well as for the Consortium’s wider testing programme and public and stakeholder engagement. This will include being flown at by Vertical Aerospace, the global company developing one of the world’s most advanced electric aircraft in the UK, to conduct demonstration flights and test key procedures ahead of commercial launch. Skyports will aim to open the doors to its UK vertiport by the end of 2024 to align with the AMEC testing programme. In October 2022, Skyports launched a “Living Lab” terminal in the USA with renowned aircraft partner Joby Aviation. Also in 2022, Skyports inaugurated its European vertiport testbed with Groupe ADP in France. In February 2024, Skyports, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation penned an agreement to launch commercial air taxi services in Dubai by 2026. The UK vertiport design, which has been submitted to Cherwell District Council, has drawn inspiration from Skyports’ existing testbeds in Paris and California. The strategic location of Skyports’ Bicester Motion vertiport, approximately 1 hour 40 drive from central London by road and close to Oxford and the Cotswolds, will demonstrate how air taxi services will provide a vital link between urban centres, regional, tourism and retail hubs. By air taxi, the same journey will take less than 25 minutes. Duncan Walker, chief executive officer, Skyports, said: “Our vertiport at Bicester Motion is ideally located to serve as a central hub for the UK’s advanced air mobility industry. “The facility will be employed by Skyports and our strategic partners to test and refine all aspects of our ground technology and operations within a UK context. This will also be a key location for early demonstration flights in the UK and will help to pave the way for permanent operations in the future.” Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive, Bicester Motion said: “Our agreement is a major step for UK aviation innovation. Partnering with such an innovative company as Skyports is not only a significant boost to Oxfordshire’s aviation cluster but also will facilitate the development and accessibility to a new sustainable, low-carbon and futuristic mode of transport across the world. “This news reflects the next chapter in Bicester Motion’s evolution of aviation and presents the opportunity for Bicester and the county to be at the forefront of this exciting pioneering industry. “We have already had successful specialist drone flight testing from the airfield and these eVTOLs will use electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically meaning that noise is to a minimum and pioneering sustainable flight and travel are nearer a reality.” Gary Cutts, challenge director – Future Flight, Innovate UK, said: “The UKRI Future Flight Challenge was launched with the objective of accelerating the development and integration of innovative aviation solutions for UK industry and communities. Through flagship projects such as AMEC, we’re ensuring that the UK remains firmly on the map as a leading contributor to the next generation of aviation. Skyports’ vertiport at Bicester Motion is instrumental to this objective. As a hub for researching, testing and demonstrating ground and air operations for the advanced air mobility industry, it will play a significant role in developing a UK vertiport network and implementing commercial air taxi services in the future.” James Richmond, head of advanced air mobility at consortium leader AtkinsRéalis said: “This vertiport testbed will help to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of air taxi services in the UK. It is also an ideal opportunity to optimise the passenger journey, taking into account key factors such as processing time, security and accessibility – bringing to life the future of air transport for the public and key stakeholders”. Andrew Macmillan, chief commercial and strategy officer at Vertical Aerospace, said: “At Vertical we are pioneering a new, hassle-free way to travel with zero emissions, but we can’t do this alone. Creating the right infrastructure is critical to getting electric aircraft into the air and the UK’s first vertiport will help accelerate this by providing crucial learnings to the industry. Along with our partners we are excited to show the world the benefits of electric aviation.” Skyports’ new vertiport at Bicester Motion will include: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local firms invited to apply as projects bring 800 jobs to the region McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, is urging local firms in all construction-related trades, from groundworks to cleaning and everything in between, to pitch for work as it embarks on constructing eight new retirement communities across the South West. The projects, spanning locations including Exeter, Ivybridge, Dartmouth, Minehead, Truro, Padstow and Sidmouth (where there will be two developments), are poised to generate approximately 100 jobs per development during the construction phase, bringing some 800 employment opportunities to the region. On completion, the retirement communities will provide further employment prospects for local workers, including roles in caregiving and maintenance services. For the development phase, McCarthy Stone has partnered with the supply chain management specialist Veriforce CHAS to identify and recruit local contractors to work on the projects. CHAS operates assessment programmes to ensure all individuals and firms working on sites are suitably accredited and fully comply with Health and Safety standards. Where capable contractors don’t yet hold the necessary certifications, CHAS can help applicants align with industry requirements. This construction initiative represents the largest number of projects McCarthy Stone has undertaken in the region for over six years. The company has 530 developments across England, Scotland, and Wales and over 22,500 homeowners and renters, with plans to buy a further 60 sites for development each year. McCarthy Stone invites local contractors across the region in all trades to attend a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at the Devon Hotel, Exeter, on Tuesday 26th March between 8 am -12 noon, where they can discuss the projects and apply for the work. A McCarthy Stone spokesperson comments on the new scheme: “McCarthy Stone is proud to be pioneering eight new projects across the South West that will not only enrich lives but also boost local economies. As part of our commitment to putting communities first, we are seeking to work with local businesses and extend a warm invitation to construction firms in the region to come and learn more about the opportunities we have on offer.” A Veriforce CHAS spokesperson adds: “We are looking forward to helping McCarthy Stone engage with the local construction community on these exciting developments. Come and talk to our experienced team about how you can take advantage of these opportunities and experience the benefits of working with one of the UK’s leading developers.” For more information and to register for the event, visit: https://www.chas.co.uk/lp-mtb-mccarthy-stone-2024/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Encouraging teenage girls to stay active by designing city spaces that make use of immersive digital technology is the goal of new three-year project led by Birmingham City University (BCU). “Spaces that teen girls can claim and feel comfortable being active in are negligible beyond the school gates,” said Dr Silvia Gullino, urban planning expert at BCU. “Teen girls generally drop out of public sight. Our research aims to understand how digital approaches can be used to co-design spaces that are more inclusive for young women.” In the UK, more than one million girls drop off the sporting radar after primary school with important health, wellbeing, and social ramifications (Women in Sport, 2019). Teenage girls demonstrate the sharpest decrease in physical activity upon entering adolescence, with 85% not meeting the World Health Organization’s physical activity recommendations globally. Dr Gullino, Associate Professor in City Making within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, will collaborate with BCU colleagues Dr Carlo Harvey, Director of Future Games and Graphics, and Dr Simon Cook, a specialist in human geography and active spaces. Dr Carlo Harvey said: “I see this initiative as a groundbreaking opportunity to leverage AR, VR, and AI to create active city spaces that truly resonate with and empower teenage girls, iterating upon their engagement and presence in urban environments.” “As a geographer, I’m interested in people’s relationships with places and particularly how spaces can enable us to flourish,” said Dr Cook. “It’s clear public spaces are failing young women in this regard and we need new approaches.” Dr Gullino, who will be aided by the support of a new three-year PhD studentship, agrees. “In cities designed by able-bodied white men for men, women struggle to find ways to express themselves, feel safe and flourish,” she said. “Teenage girls are a particularly neglected and overlooked group in urban planning and design. “The patriarchal nature of Western societies, coupled with an underrepresentation of women and young people in urban planning and design professions, results in dominantly masculine cities and active public spaces that negatively impact engagement by others.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of Scotland’s leading engineering specialists, Akela Ground Engineering (part of Akela Group), has launched an innovative precast concrete beam system which could dramatically speed up the delivery of new homes. ‘ABeam’ from Akela, features a special mechanical pinned joint, allowing for prefabricated ground beams to be installed in a matter of hours. By combining precise off site fabrication, alignment, interlocking sections with secure fastening, this joint design ensures a robust, reliable and efficient way to connect precast ground beams. Officially launched at the National House Building Council (NHBC) Construction roadshow in Glasgow last week, ABeam offers housebuilders an exciting new and sustainable alternative to ground beam installation. Officially approved and signed off on “live” projects by the NHBC, ABeam could help housebuilders lay foundations for up to three plots per day. Following significant investment, including the creation of a state-of-the-art fabrication facility at Akela’s headquarters near Glasgow, ABeam has been specifically designed to offer housebuilders greater efficiencies in delivery of new homes. Will Payne, General Manager, Akela Ground Engineering, said: “After reviewing the precast ground beam options available on the market, we found many still had considerable downsides, the use of pile caps, insitu concrete and tie bars were common, this requires sequencing of works and could also be impacted by weather conditions, all of this leads to considerably longer installation times. “Akela’s new ABeam precast system eliminates all of these issues and offers significant advantages in terms of construction install, performance and overall project quality.” Akela’s purpose-built facility at Thornliebank has the capability to fabricate the Abeams in a controlled environment to ensure quality and production output. The company has also invested in renewable ground source heating for curing the concrete to lower the carbon impact on the environment. Will Payne continues: “In addition to the significant time savings and efficiencies, our new ABeam system can be delivered using the same plant equipment for full the installation process, with lighter bearing pressures from our JCB JX driven piling rigs. “Using sustainable methods of production at our purpose-built facility and existing equipment for installation, we’re able to reduce our carbon footprint and offer developers a more modern and energy efficient alternative to existing ground beam options. For example, with ABeam, clients will no longer need to install crane platforms or hard standings at their sites.”Andy Borland, Construction Director at Bellway Homes, said: “Akela’s ABeam system has meant we were able to release plots to our wider teams a lot faster compared to other precast ground systems we have previously used. Our bricklayers were working on multiple plots within three days of pile installations at this development, rather than taking over a week and relying on the weather. We also didn’t need to install any crane platforms as Akela used the same excavated plant for the entire installation process, saving us money on preparatory works that other precast ground beams systems require.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mark Snelling has been appointed as the new president of the Association for Project Safety [APS]. Mark takes over from Ray Bone who remains as an adviser to the board of directors. Mark’s term of office will run until 31 January 2027. President Mark Snelling said: “I am passionate about the Association for Project Safety and its members and delighted to be taking over as the president. This is a critical time for the UK’s construction sector – there is a huge amount of work to do, and the industry has to gear up to do this safely, quickly and well. “I believe there are great opportunities for APS and its members. I am determined they will be able to rely on the association to keep their professional skills at the forefront of what is needed in today’s challenging environment and on APS to allow them to demonstrate their competence. Our new competency registers – starting with the Principal Designer Building Regulations register that is coming on stream in April – as well as the work I have been doing on organisational capability, will mean clients and contractors can have confidence in the ability of APS members to carry out the duty-holder tasks construction laws demand. “The UK’s built environment needs to up its game and APS is at the heart of developments on what competence looks like and how it can be demonstrated. I believe in APS and its members and that they can look forward with confidence to helping shape a safer and healthier future for construction in the UK.” Independent chair Professor Sam Allwinkle said: “I am very pleased Mark Snelling has become the president of the Association for Project Safety [APS]. Mark brings a wealth of industry experience to the role and a deep commitment to shaping the future of competence and safety standards in the UK’s built environment. Mark’s industry leadership is exemplary, and I believe his work developing standards for duty-holders and practices will make the sector a safer place for everyone. Mark has the knowledge and networks of contacts to influence and raise APS’s profile with government, industry, clients, the public and others – and that is good for the status of the association, its members and all our wider partners.” The association will be holding elections for president elect in due course. Biographical Note Mark Snelling is a health, safety and fire consultant for the Property Institute and a member of the HSE’s Interim Industry Competence Committee’s Capability & Capacity Workgroup. He is a founder director of the Building Safety Alliance. Mark moved into health and safety – and then fire safety – after starting work as a construction project manager. Mark has worked extensively in CDM compliance as a Planning Supervisor, CDM Coordinator and Principal Designer. He has developed and implemented safety management systems for a number of organisations including Ernst & Young, SEMA Group UK, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and the Rugby Football Union [RFU]. Mark is the technical author for the Property Institute health and safety and fire safety guidance notes and has written guidance for the Association for Project Safety and Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management. He is chartered builder (MCIOB), graduate member of IOSH (Grad IOSH) and Fellow of the Association of Project Safety (FaPS). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Gloucestershire Council has approved proposals for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, a new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel, home to over 100 years of aviation history, the former Filton Airfield is known worldwide for a community that changed the world. Under the plans, Brabazon will become a new urban destination that lives up to that legacy. The new place aims to provide every generation with the space, connectivity and opportunity to continue to shape the future of South Gloucestershire and North Bristol. It will provide new homes, and new jobs and renew the fabric of the community, driving local prosperity for the next century. Once YTL Developments, South Gloucestershire Council and National Highways have signed the Section 106 Agreement, Brabazon is forecast to create over £5 billion of added economic value for the local area. The approved plans should see Brabazon grow to over 6,000 new homes of every type and tenure and for every generation, from rental apartments to flats for first-time buyers, open-market houses and properties for retirement living. There will be up to 2,000 beds for student accommodation, while high-quality affordable homes will make up 26.5 per cent of properties, equating to over 1,700 architect-designed houses and apartments. The plans are based on a flexible framework so that development is phased alongside improved transport links. Three review stages are built into the approval to ensure that the number of homes built at Brabazon can only increase in line with the additional transport connections and community facilities needed to support those homes. The plans – developed by a consortium of world-renowned architects and planners – also include up to 3 million sq ft of commercial space: enough to support 30,000 jobs. The local area is already home to Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN. The top 25 employers alone have over 45,000 staff working within a few miles of Brabazon, many in high-skilled engineering, aerospace and technology roles. Yet recently this world-leading commercial cluster has lacked the space to grow. With three new schools and plans for a higher education or research campus alongside creative office spaces, laboratories and advanced manufacturing facilities, Brabazon will meet this need. It will act as a centre of learning and a launchpad for every type of business, from leading global firms to local start-ups shaping the latest technologies. Brabazon will also be a hub for culture, creativity and entertainment. You’ll be able to wander around independent stores, discover new cafes and restaurants or relax in over 86 acres of public space, from leafy squares to Brabazon Park: the largest new public park in the southwest for 50 years. At its heart will be the supersonic new YTL Arena Bristol, with a capacity of over 17,000. Finally, Brabazon will be connected to Bristol city centre and beyond over £100m is already being invested in the local transport network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Johnson Controls , the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has received the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, marking the 17th time Johnson Controls has been named to this list. “What we do every day at Johnson Controls makes the world more productive, more secure, and more sustainable. Creating winning solutions for our customers is the key to winning in the marketplace, and how we do it matters,” said Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver. “We are immensely proud of our role as a global leader in ethical practices and are resolute about doing what is right to fuel employee empowerment and drive business value. This recognition underscores our deeply engrained culture of ethics at Johnson Controls.” Values First, the Johnson Controls Code of Ethics, is the cornerstone of the Johnson Controls Ethics & Compliance Program and is an integrated approach to ensuring that individual conduct, business operations, and organisational culture maintain the highest standards of integrity. Through leadership, commitment, communication, training, monitoring, and reporting, Johnson Controls has operationalised ways to identify and safely navigate ethics and compliance risks and conduct business according to the company’s stringent set of values. “Acting with integrity, being purpose led, and always putting the customer first are just a few of the values that lead our teams at Johnson Controls. This recognition is a testament to our culture and the employees who live our values every day,” said Mara Murphy, Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer of Johnson Controls. The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, an extensive questionnaire that requires companies to provide over 240 different proof points on their culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; ethics and compliance program; diversity, equity, & inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. In 2024, 136 honourees were recognised spanning 20 countries and 44 industries. “It’s always inspiring to recognise the World’s Most Ethical Companies. Through the rigorous review process, we see the dedication of these organisations to continually improving their ethics, compliance and governance practices to the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair. “Companies that elevate best-in-class cultures of ethics and integrity set a standard for corporate citizenship for their peers and competitors to follow. Congratulations to Johnson Controls for achieving this honour and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business.” To learn more about integrity and ethics at Johnson Controls visit www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk/about-us/ethics-and-compliance. Methodology & Scoring The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, an extensive questionnaire that requires companies to provide over 240 different proof points on their culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; ethics and compliance program; diversity, equity, & inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify truly best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organisations across industries and from around the world. Honourees To view the full list of this year’s honourees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees. About Johnson Controls: At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centres, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk for more information and follow @JCI_UKI on social Platforms. About Ethisphere Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust, and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honours superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also helps to advance business performance through data-driven assessments, guidance, and benchmarking against its unparalleled data: the Culture Quotient dataset focused on ethical culture and featuring the responses of 2+ million employees around the world; and the Ethics Quotient dataset, featuring 200+ data points highlighting the ethics, compliance, social, and governance practices of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
