October 1, 2025
Baxi appoints new Managing Director for UK & Ireland

Baxi appoints new Managing Director for UK & Ireland

Baxi, part of the BDR Thermea Group, has announced the appointment of Alstom MD Jason Baldock as the new MD for Baxi UK & Ireland. This follows the news that out-going MD and Dutch national Jan Rijnen has re-located to head up sister BDR company Remeha, covering the Belgium, Netherlands

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Sustainability giant SLR Consulting appoints new urban masterplanning expert

Sustainability giant SLR Consulting appoints new urban masterplanning expert

SLR CONSULTING has strengthened its integrated approach to placemaking with the appointment of experienced masterplanner Louise Fountainas associate director for urban design.  With more than 20 years of experience in masterplanning, urban design and architecture across both the public and private sectors, Louise has held senior roles at AECOM, Planit,

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Corporate intelligence: how to anticipate risks in a complex business world

Corporate intelligence: how to anticipate risks in a complex business world

Today’s business environment is defined by volatility, rapid market transformations, and global interconnection. In this context, companies and investors need more than just financial data: they require reliable, verified, and often hard-to-obtain information. This is where corporate intelligence comes into play—a discipline aimed at anticipating risks and providing clarity in

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Latest Issue
Issue 333 : Oct 2025

October 1, 2025

Baxi appoints new Managing Director for UK & Ireland

Baxi appoints new Managing Director for UK & Ireland

Baxi, part of the BDR Thermea Group, has announced the appointment of Alstom MD Jason Baldock as the new MD for Baxi UK & Ireland. This follows the news that out-going MD and Dutch national Jan Rijnen has re-located to head up sister BDR company Remeha, covering the Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) region.  Jan will continue to be responsible for Baxi UK&I until Jason joins on October 1st . Jason has 29 years’ experience in commercial and project delivery roles, most recently as MD of Alstom UK&Ireland Digital and Integrated Systems division since 2020.  During his time at Alstom, Jason oversaw numerous significant contract wins in the rail sector, which included securing the largest market share of Network Rail’s Major Signalling Framework Agreement (MSFA). Both Jan and Jason will report into BDR Group CEO Tjarko Bouman. Of his UK&I replacement, Jan said: “Jason has immense experience in helping complex organisations to upgrade and replace their legacy control systems for the 21st century.  His experience is a great fit for Baxi in our role to help organisations replace existing heating systems with sustainable solutions that reduce carbon, reduce costs and improve controls. We’re extremely pleased Jason is joining our BDR team.”  Commenting on his appointment, Jason said; “I am truly excited to be joining Baxi UK & Ireland and look forward to building on the company’s strong heritage and exploring new opportunities as we embrace the decarbonisation agenda.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Sustainability giant SLR Consulting appoints new urban masterplanning expert

Sustainability giant SLR Consulting appoints new urban masterplanning expert

SLR CONSULTING has strengthened its integrated approach to placemaking with the appointment of experienced masterplanner Louise Fountainas associate director for urban design.  With more than 20 years of experience in masterplanning, urban design and architecture across both the public and private sectors, Louise has held senior roles at AECOM, Planit, Taylor Young (now Arcadis), and PRP Architects and led on major regeneration projects.   Her portfolio includes 1,500 homes within the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone (PfE) plan, Jackson’s Brickworks in Manchester, 2,500 homes at New Eastern Villages near Swindon, and the historic Woolwich Barracks site in Greenwich.  Based in Manchester, Louise will enhance SLR’s Place team in the North West, which includes 15 masterplanning and landscape specialists.   The team is involved in some of the region’s most significant projects. These include the South Warrington Eastern Urban Extension for Homes England, Bold Garden Village in St Helens, Droylsden Town Centre Masterplan, Leigh Civic Square, First Street and Bootle Strand.  Louise said: “I admire the creativity and ambition of the place team at SLR, the combination of visionary design with technical excellence uniquely positions the team to deliver sustainable, people-focused places. By bringing my own experience together with the established team, we’ll strive for outstanding placemaking that positively impacts both communities and the environment.”  She also brings leadership experience in town and city centre regeneration, having worked on frameworks and strategies such as the Warrington Growth Ambition, Sheffield City Centre Priority Frameworks, and Northwich Development Framework, alongside regeneration schemes in Radcliffe and Ashton, and residential capacity studies in Sheffield and Leicester. She has also delivered design codes in Prestwich and Keighley.  Alongside her practice work, Louise serves as Supporting Chair of the RIBA Places Matter design review panel, providing independent design advice across the North West. She intends to use this experience to strengthen SLR’s internal design review process and its advocacy for design quality.  Pol MacDonald, director of the place team at SLR Consulting, said: “Louise’s extensive masterplanning expertise and commitment to raising design quality will play a key leadership and mentoring role for the Manchester studio and beyond, as we continue to expand our place team across specialist disciplines and levels of experience.  “Since fully merging OPEN with SLR in 2022, our place team across the UK has gone from strength to strength, benefiting from the support of SLR’s wider disciplines such as ecology, transport, heritage and infrastructure – combining creativity with technical rigour to ensure that placemaking projects are deliverable and sustainable.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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How to Choose the Right Mini Loader Attachment for Your Project

How to Choose the Right Mini Loader Attachment for Your Project

When you are tackling a job that calls for compact machinery, few tools earn their keep quite like the mini loader. These small but powerful machines are built for versatility, but their true value comes from what you choose to connect to them. Selecting the right mini loader attachments for your project can transform how efficiently you work, saving time, cutting costs, and delivering results that look and feel more professional. However, attachments come in all shapes and sizes, each built with a specific purpose in mind. Levelling soil, digging trenches, clearing out waste, or moving bulk materials all call for very different equipment. By understanding the conditions you’ll be working in and the exact outcome you need, you’ll be able to narrow down your options with confidence. Matching Attachments to Typical Job Site Needs Every site throws up its own challenges, and the right attachment can make those tasks far less demanding. If you are focused on earthmoving or trenching, a bucket or a trencher is often the go-to. For landscaping, precision is everything, so augers, rakes, or levellers are more effective. In contrast, construction or farming jobs often lean on pallet forks and grab buckets to handle heavy loads. It can be tempting to look at the full catalogue of attachments and think you need them all, but practicality always wins over sheer variety. The right match between tool and task does not just improve efficiency but also reduces wear and tear on your machine, keeping it in better shape for longer. Don’t forget to factor in the condition of the ground. A smooth bucket may be ideal for one surface, while muddy or rocky terrain might demand a toothed bucket for better grip and penetration. When it comes to demolition or heavy-duty digging, sturdiness becomes just as important as functionality, with reinforced designs essential to withstand the stress. Making Sure Attachments Work With Your Machine Not every attachment fits every mini loader. Compatibility is more than a matter of size, it involves hydraulic capacity, structural strength, and mounting systems. Choosing an attachment that is too heavy or requires more hydraulic flow than your machine can deliver risks damaging your equipment or, worse, creating safety issues on site. You should also think about convenience. Quick-change couplers and universal mounts are practical features that cut down on the time it takes to swap between tasks. Over a long day on the tools, those minutes add up. Maintenance also deserves attention. Attachments with easily accessible grease points and durable parts are less hassle to keep in top condition, helping you avoid unnecessary downtime. Looking Beyond the Immediate Task It is easy to get caught up in what you need for today’s project, but investing with tomorrow in mind often pays off. High-quality attachments generally cost more upfront, yet their durability and performance across multiple jobs can deliver better long-term value. If you are regularly working on similar sites, opting for versatile, well-built tools reduces the need to hire or borrow extra gear. Another benefit of going with trusted manufacturers is the support that comes with the purchase. Spare parts, service networks, and warranties might not be front of mind when you are choosing attachments, but they quickly become important if something breaks mid-project. Planning for the entire lifecycle of your equipment rather than just the job in front of you creates a smoother, more cost-effective operation. Final Thoughts The process of choosing attachments is about creating a setup that works seamlessly with your machine and your project goals. By weighing up the demands of the site, checking compatibility, and considering how attachments will serve you in the long run, you will be able to work more efficiently and achieve a higher standard of finish. A mini loader fitted with the right attachments becomes far more than a compact machine. It turns into a flexible, hard-working partner capable of adapting to whatever the job throws at you, and that is the kind of reliability every project needs.

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Corporate intelligence: how to anticipate risks in a complex business world

Corporate intelligence: how to anticipate risks in a complex business world

Today’s business environment is defined by volatility, rapid market transformations, and global interconnection. In this context, companies and investors need more than just financial data: they require reliable, verified, and often hard-to-obtain information. This is where corporate intelligence comes into play—a discipline aimed at anticipating risks and providing clarity in complex scenarios. What is corporate intelligence and why is it essential today? Corporate intelligence refers to the set of processes and methods designed to gather, analyze, and interpret critical information for decision-making. Unlike conventional information—such as market reports or public statistics—this approach focuses on accessing strategic data that is often scattered or hidden. These insights help to better understand power dynamics, hidden interests, and risks that may impact a business operation. In a world marked by uncertainty, having access to this kind of information becomes a key differentiator. It allows organizations not only to respond to sudden changes but also to anticipate them and design more robust action plans. Furthermore, corporate intelligence serves as a bridge between data analysis and strategy. It’s not just about gathering information; it’s about giving it meaning, interpreting it in context, and turning it into actionable knowledge that guides decision-makers. Types of risks companies face Corporate risks are varied and often interconnected. Identifying them in time is essential to safeguard assets and ensure project continuity. Political and geopolitical risks Government changes, new regulations, or international conflicts can significantly reshape the business landscape. Political instability can lead to regulatory barriers, trade restrictions, or legal uncertainty—all of which directly affect investments and expansion projects. For instance, it is vital to understand power networks and political alliances that determine which sectors enjoy institutional support and which are more exposed to sudden shifts. This type of information rarely appears in public reports but makes all the difference when investing securely. Reputational risks Corporate reputation is one of the most valuable assets of any organization. A media scandal, a data leak, or association with unethical practices can have lasting consequences. With the rise of social media, a reputational crisis can escalate within hours, severely undermining the trust of clients, partners, and investors. Prevention in this area requires monitoring not only what is said about the company but also the relationships it builds with third parties. Partnering with a questionable supplier or a partner involved in malpractice can indirectly damage public perception. Legal and commercial risks Contract disputes, litigation, and opaque business transactions also present significant challenges. Identifying the actors involved, their interests, and potential strategies is essential to reduce exposure to sanctions, financial losses, or judicial deadlocks. Sometimes, knowing in advance about conflicts of interest or prior disputes between companies makes it possible to adjust strategy before committing substantial resources. Tools and methods to anticipate risks Anticipation is made possible through a combination of research, data analysis, and scenario evaluation. These tools help build a comprehensive vision that serves as a foundation for decision-making. Strategic research This involves tracking information from open and private sources, interviewing local experts, or studying connections between key actors. This approach reveals who truly has the power to influence a country, an industry, or a specific operation. In practice, it means going beyond what appears in the press or official documents. It’s about understanding which individuals or institutions are behind seemingly technical decisions and how they may affect a company’s plans. Data and context analysis Technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data make it possible to detect hidden patterns, connect scattered facts, and anticipate potential scenarios. The interpretation of weak signals—such as early regulatory moves or shifts in business alliances—helps predict future developments. However, technology alone is not enough; it must be complemented by the critical insight of specialized analysts, who can separate noise from truly relevant information for the organization. Scenario evaluation This consists of developing risk maps and modeling how certain events may impact a company’s strategy. These simulations help prepare for a variety of outcomes, from political crises to shifts in public perception. An effective risk map not only outlines threats but also offers action alternatives and mitigation measures, enabling leadership teams to act quickly and consistently. Practical cases where corporate intelligence makes the difference To better understand the scope of corporate intelligence, it is useful to review some scenarios where it has proven decisive: The role of corporate intelligence in decision-making In an environment where incomplete or distorted information can lead to costly mistakes, corporate intelligence provides a clear competitive advantage. It enables companies to act with greater confidence, minimize exposure to risks, and make well-founded decisions based on a deep understanding of the context. It also helps to reduce uncertainty and strengthen both internal and external trust. A board of directors equipped with precise and strategic information is in a better position to guide the organization toward success. This approach not only safeguards against threats but also makes it possible to identify opportunities. A deeper understanding of a market or political environment can reveal strategic alliances, potential partners, or projects with high added value. Corporate intelligence has become an essential tool for anticipating risks in a complex business world. Its ability to uncover hidden interests, foresee crises, and provide clarity in volatile environments makes it indispensable for companies and investors alike. Specialized firms like Wayport Advisors carry out strategic investigations that enable organizations to operate more securely in delicate scenarios. It’s not just about having more data but about having the right information to make decisions that truly matter. In a global landscape where the pace of events can leave many companies behind, anticipation becomes the key. Corporate intelligence does not guarantee a risk-free environment, but it does provide the tools needed to understand and manage risks wisely.

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Birmingham City Push Towards Planning Milestone as Knighthead Drive Sports Quarter Vision

Birmingham City Push Towards Planning Milestone as Knighthead Drive Sports Quarter Vision

Birmingham City’s stadium project is gathering pace as owners Knighthead edge closer to filing a planning application for the new Sports Quarter in east Birmingham. Momentum has grown since the Government confirmed £2.4 billion in transport funding, with a new tram-line linking the Sports Quarter to the city centre earmarked as a priority. Chairman Tom Wagner spent months pressing for the link, arguing it was vital for turning plans on paper into a project that could carry supporters in and out of the ground with ease. West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has since committed to the line, clearing one of the largest obstacles facing the build. Gambling Beyond Boundaries The scale of the Sports Quarter is striking. Birmingham City’s £51 million purchase of the Birmingham Wheels site set it in motion, followed by more land that now pushes the project to more than 125 acres. That footprint is large enough for a stadium alongside shops, leisure spaces, and community facilities. Modern stadiums rarely stage football alone. Rugby internationals, boxing nights, athletics meets, and major concerts are the kind of events usually added to the calendar. Each of these carries its own betting interest. Fans study the odds before a rugby clash, back fighters during headline bouts, or track markets linked to music events that pull global audiences. Betting is already part of that wider fan culture, both in venues and online. Offshore platforms, like the ones listed here, also come into the picture. They often advertise bigger bonuses or alternative markets that sit outside UK regulation. With a venue of this size, the overlap between sport, entertainment, and betting will only deepen once the Sports Quarter is complete. Consultants And Planning Teams Behind closed doors, a team of consultants is working on the planning application. Architects, engineers, and financial advisors are shaping proposals designed to satisfy local requirements while matching Knighthead’s ambition. Wagner has said repeatedly that the goal is not only to build a stadium but to deliver a project that sparks regeneration in the east of the city. Examples from elsewhere in the region show how these projects are handled. Construction firm Graham recently landed a £49.9 million contract to build Bristol’s Oasis Academy Temple Quarter, part of a wider regeneration push around Temple Meads. The parallels underline how large-scale schemes like Birmingham’s Sports Quarter often require a mix of private investment, public planning, and experienced contractors to bring the vision off the page. The stadium will anchor that plan, with the wider Sports Quarter adding retail, community spaces, and jobs. Club officials view it as a long-term investment that could reshape Birmingham City’s identity well beyond the pitch. Transport Link Critical To Progress The promised tram line is central to the entire project. Wagner argued that the development needed a reliable link to the city centre to succeed. With the Government’s funding secured and Parker pledging to prioritise the route, confidence has grown that the Sports Quarter can move forward. The tram line is expected to be among the first elements completed, creating a direct route for fans and visitors to the stadium. Without it, the project risked being cut off from the city; with it, the Sports Quarter gains the connection it needs to thrive. Looking Ahead Knighthead’s investment has already shifted Birmingham City’s future, but the Sports Quarter will be the defining measure. Land continues to change hands, consultants refine the planning application, and the transport link takes shape. 

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