NHBC, the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, recently hosted the inaugural Build to Rent Innovators event in partnership with the British Property Federation. Held in central London, over 100 developers, investors, operators, architects, and other industry stakeholders gathered to explore ‘Innovation in the Face of Regulation’ the
Ashley Ridgway from Dandara Northern Home Counties has scooped the title of National Site Manager of the Year from independent housebuilder Dandara. Ashley won top honours in the annual award scheme in recognition of his work at Saxon Park in Biddenham, Beds. He was picked from over 30 site managers across
Choosing and installing the correct passive fire protection system can be confusing – with a range of application requirements, legislation and a host of products to choose from. Here, Ken Francis, Technical Support Manager at Promat, talks us through some of the most frequent questions posed to him and the
Qmerit, a leading EV and electrification company for residential and commercial applications, is partnering with Jumptech, a leading platform for managing green tech installations and deployment. The partnership will expedite work-order distribution and scale up capacity to serve UK fleet customers. Jumptech and Qmerit’s established ecosystems of installation partners, combined
The City of Edinburgh Council is once again asking tenants to give their feedback on rent proposals and the financial pressures they face. With one month to go until this year’s consultation closes on 17 December, tenants across the capital are being reminded to share views on the rates rent could
Two daring colleagues are preparing to be strapped to the wings of a plane for a hair-raising charity fundraiser at 135mph. Taylor Unwin, from Barnet, and David Batey, from Shuttleworth in Bedfordshire, are taking part in a wingwalking challenge in aid of Teens Unite. The brave pair both work at
Seventy Ninth Group, an asset management company headquartered in North West England, has agreed terms to purchase two holiday parks for acquisition and subsequent redevelopment. Set in exclusive locations in Scotland, the Seventy Ninth Group plans to build up to 700 holiday lodges which will feature on site dining, as
Guildford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties is helping to tackle the construction industry skills shortage, having recently recruited its latest graduate trainee. Chloe Lopez (age 22), a Business Management graduate from the University of Surrey, was accepted onto Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ ASPIRE Programme this Autumn, based at
Building Systems UK, an enterprise of Tata Steel, held its inaugural ‘Accelerating Construction Transformation’ event #ACTUK23 on 26th October at their Deeside facility. The event brought together over a hundred people, including architects, academics, construction experts, engineers and cladding contractors. Delegates heard keynote speakers on key topics around productivity, digital
Leading construction company, Henry Brothers, has received an award for Environmental Best Practice at the Green Apple Environment Awards. Designed to recognise organisations across the world that show innovation and commitment to being environmentally responsible, Henry Brothers received the prestigious accolade for its work on SportPark Pavilion 4, built for
NHBC, the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, recently hosted the inaugural Build to Rent Innovators event in partnership with the British Property Federation. Held in central London, over 100 developers, investors, operators, architects, and other industry stakeholders gathered to explore ‘Innovation in the Face of Regulation’ the evening’s theme. The event was opened by keynote speaker Lee Rowley MP, now Minister of State for Housing. The minister spoke about the importance of innovation in the housing sector and the challenges the industry faces. He recognised the crucial role Build to Rent (BTR) is playing in the market and its value in helping relieve housing shortages. Mr Rowley also touched upon the government’s role in balancing regulation with the pro-growth, pro-development stance it takes to house building. He also impressed the importance of housing quality, as well as volume; he encouraged high quality residential development in all sectors and expressed his support for all delivery routes to high standard homes. Other speakers included Polly Simpson, Head of Multifamily Development at Savills, Duncan Sutherland, Public Affairs Director at Sigma Capital, Olaide Oboh, Executive Director at Socius and Jamie Smith, Development Director at Related Argent. A broad range of industry stakeholders were in attendance including delegates representing British Land, Citra Living, L&G, Lendlease, Long Harbour, Abrdn, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, among many others. Niki Kyriacou, Sector Lead – Build to Rent at NHBC commented: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make our inaugural Build to Rent Innovators event such a success. The profile of BTR in the UK property market is rising and the evening brought together leading stakeholders to hear the latest developments in the sector. BTR is facing challenges on many fronts, from the heightened regulatory environment to the increased cost of borrowing, but it continues to grow and thrive. NHBC works in trusted partnership with the BTR market, helping developers build quality homes right, first time. The minister’s comments on the importance of quality chime with NHBC’s true north in building quality, safe homes, while providing long asset protection to developers and investors.” Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Federation commented: “It was a pleasure to partner with NHBC for this unique event. All the delegates are innovators in their own right, and the hard work that has gone into the BTR sector over the past decade has been a privilege to witness. The BTR sector is dedicated to building a better private rented sector and is conscious of wider placemaking and social value creation. It’s generating new opportunities for small businesses and harnessing new technologies to enhance its offer, but most importantly, it’s a sector very highly rated by its customers.”
Ashley Ridgway from Dandara Northern Home Counties has scooped the title of National Site Manager of the Year from independent housebuilder Dandara. Ashley won top honours in the annual award scheme in recognition of his work at Saxon Park in Biddenham, Beds. He was picked from over 30 site managers across the business, which has new build developments across the UK and Channel Islands and builds around 2000 homes annually. Dandara CEO Trevor Dempsey said: “Ashley is an exceptionally hard worker and is setting the benchmark for quality housebuilding and customer service not just within Dandara but in the industry at large. Ashley has maintained a 100% customer satisfaction score at Saxon Park and leads by example every day. Ashley, who joined Dandara from Bloor Homes in 2021 said: “It is wonderful to be given an award for a job that I love doing. I know I am biased, but I genuinely do think I work with the best team in the country. Everyone in the Northern Home Counties division gives 100% every day and I am very proud to accept the award not just for myself, but on their behalf.” The awards recognise Dandara Site Managers who are customer focused, demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and go above and beyond to deliver high quality homes safely. Trevor added: “I would also like to say a massive congratulations to our regional winners who are all incredible site managers. It was a very difficult decision to make as every single one of them is a great ambassador for the business and does a tremendous job.” The regional winners were Jim Nicol from the Eastern division; Ashley Ridgway from Northern Home Counties; Steven Shiells from Scotland; Robert Reardon from South East and Alessandro Annunziata from Southern. To find out more about Dandara, please visit www.dandara.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Choosing and installing the correct passive fire protection system can be confusing – with a range of application requirements, legislation and a host of products to choose from. Here, Ken Francis, Technical Support Manager at Promat, talks us through some of the most frequent questions posed to him and the technical team. 1. Do you need to be an approved or accredited installer to work with fire protection boards? While being approved or accredited is not mandatory, here at Promat, we expect installers to be competent and experienced in all aspects of the installation of passive fire protection systems. Ideally, we would recommend that installers are registered by a third-party certification scheme. These schemes typically carry out site inspections and set out training, competency and standards that must be achieved by the installer. There are a number of these schemes, one of which is FIRAS. The following link will guide you to a list of FIRAS-accredited installers: https://www.warringtoncertification.com/certified-companies/ but other schemes are available. 2. How do I provide compartmentation to a steel structure that sits on a compartment line? There are various methods of providing fire protection to steel sections, these include boards, special coatings or designing steelwork so no protection is needed. However, if the beams or columns are on compartment lines, then there will be a requirement to provide fire insulation through the steel. This needs to be taken into consideration when the method of fire protecting the steel is chosen. For boarded protection, the thickness may need to be increased above that required for the protection of the steel, to a defined limiting temperature, so that fire insulation (compartmentation) is achieved. Fire insulation periods of 60-240 minutes can be achieved with Promat board products. It’s important to note that methods such as intumescent paint are unlikely to meet compartmentation requirements. It’s also important to pay careful attention to any openings or penetrations in the compartment walls, and through the steel fire protection encasement and use appropriate firestopping measures, such as fire-resistant seals, penetration collars, or intumescent materials, to seal the openings and maintain the compartmentation. Whatever fire protection method is put in place, it’s vital they are regularly inspected, maintained, and tested (if required) to ensure their effectiveness as in the Building Regulations. 3. How do I upgrade the fire performance of the existing concrete structure of a building I am refurbishing for change of use? To upgrade the fire performance of concrete structures there is a requirement to know what thickness of concrete, or cover to reinforcement, is needed to achieve the fire performance without additional treatment. Once this is established then the correct Promat product and thickness can be selected according to its “concrete equivalence” which has been derived from test data. Promat can provide thin lightweight board products which can upgrade the fire performance to up to 240 minutes which can be fixed directly to concrete walls, beams, columns and soffits. 4. Is there a ceiling system which provides fire resistance from both above and below? Promat have two types of boarded ceiling system available that can provide fire resistance from above and below. Choosing the correct one depends on the application and location. There are self-supporting systems, which include steel channels that must be fixed to masonry. There is also a system which can be suspended directly from the structure above which must also meet the desired fire performance. In both cases, there are 60 and 120 minute versions available which provide both integrity and insulation from both above and below. 5. Do Promat have systems for load bearing steel joisted mezzanine floors which require 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes protection? A mezzanine floor system which is protected using a single layer of 15mm thick PROMATECT®-250 to the underside of the steel joists can provide 30 or 60 minutes load bearing capacity, fire integrity and fire insulation (from below). Depending on the section factor (or A/V value) of the steel sections it is likely that the 15mm thick board will also provide fire protection to the hot rolled steel beams and columns supporting the cold rolled joists. For 90 & 120 minute systems, the thickness will need to be increased to two layers of 15mm thick PROMATECT®-250 to the underside of the steel joists. Two layers of 15mm will cater for section factors of up to 140m-1 for 120 minutes, or section factors of up to 350 m-1 for 90 minutes (both assuming a 550oC limiting temperature). Got a technical question for the Promat team? Email today: technical@promat.co.uk or check our website for other frequently asked questions Promat.com/knowledge-base Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Qmerit, a leading EV and electrification company for residential and commercial applications, is partnering with Jumptech, a leading platform for managing green tech installations and deployment. The partnership will expedite work-order distribution and scale up capacity to serve UK fleet customers. Jumptech and Qmerit’s established ecosystems of installation partners, combined with Qmerit’s service management capability, bring a new proposition to the market. Through this collaboration, UK automotive OEMs, EVSE manufacturers, car dealerships and fleet management companies (FMCs) can seamlessly facilitate charge point installation for EV fleets – enabling fleet operators to accelerate their transition towards EVs both at home and at work. Fleet managers can also stay updated without direct involvement in the installation process.The specialist fleet workflow will not only simplify handling of quote approvals to FMCs, butalso allow real-time communication among FMCs, Qmerit and installers for a frictionlessinstallation process. And the ability to track and keep drivers informed throughout theprocess will optimise EV drivers’ experiences. This commitment to transparency and quality control will ensure that every interaction, from enquiry to charge-point installation, aligns seamlessly with Qmerit and Jumptech’s commitment to excellence. “We’re proud to welcome Qmerit to the Jumptech ecosystem, bringing their high-quality installation management services to the UK,” said Jumptech CEO, Charlie Bodycote. “Partnerships such as these have been key to Qmerit’s ascent to singular market leadership – with our customers benefiting most,” said Qmerit COO, Oliver Phillips. “And our new partnership with Jumptech will add significant, lasting benefits for UK customers and electricians alike.” With more than 25 years’ experience at certified electrical contractor network management, Qmerit has been a leader in EV charge point installations in North America, enhancing the customer experience of OEMs and fleet drivers. Qmerit’s unique distributed workforce management platform delivers programmes mapped to a business’s objectives, improving organisational performance and minimising management intervention. Qmerit’s digital platform and Qmerit Charge@Home Assessment tool are designed to maximise driver satisfaction and minimise OEM, dealership and fleet company involvement. Qmerit helps companies become fleet ready through a range of programmes to simplify charging installation for drivers, removing barriers to EV purchasing while facilitating ownership. Visit Qmerit and Jumptech at the London EV Show, stand S19, to find out more. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of Edinburgh Council is once again asking tenants to give their feedback on rent proposals and the financial pressures they face. With one month to go until this year’s consultation closes on 17 December, tenants across the capital are being reminded to share views on the rates rent could be set at next year and how this money should be invested to create more and better housing. The full scale of the city’s housing challenge was highlighted earlier this month when the council officially declared a Housing Emergency in Edinburgh. This followed news that up to 5,000 households a night are now living in temporary accommodation due to homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing. A budget strategy report published last month also reveals the gap between the amount of funding Edinburgh needs to improve housing and the budget available to achieve this, which is primarily funded by tenants paying rent and government grants. By raising rent levels, the council could ensure homes meet statutory energy efficiency standards set by the Scottish Government, build hundreds of new affordable homes to help people who are currently homeless and improve the landlord service it provides. Up to 80% of tenants in Edinburgh receive assistance with their rent, with costs covered by housing benefits or Universal Credit. The council intends to extend its Tenant Hardship Fund to support households who aren’t entitled to this support to access funding if they struggle to afford an increase in rent. Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Providing a better service to our tenants, improving their homes, and building more places for people to live is at heart of our housing budget strategy. “We recognise that this year will be particularly challenging for all residents with rising inflation, spiralling prices, and the wider cost-of-living crisis. These price hikes are affecting us too and we’re seeing the cost of running our housing services increase, at a time when we desperately need to invest in new and better homes and tackle rising homelessness. That’s why we have declared a Housing Emergency, so we can work with partners to help everyone who needs a safe place to call home. “In our last consultation tenants told us they want us to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and that they need more affordable homes. So, we are looking forward to hearing from our tenants again and hope this consultation allows them the opportunity to have their voices heard.” Alongside charging a higher rent for newly built homes and newly modernised homes, the council is considering three possible rent increase options. No decisions on rents or how the council spends the Housing Revenue Account in the next financial year will be made until February 2024, when the council sets a housing revenue budget as part of a wider budget setting process. Find our more and share views here at the consultation hub. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two daring colleagues are preparing to be strapped to the wings of a plane for a hair-raising charity fundraiser at 135mph. Taylor Unwin, from Barnet, and David Batey, from Shuttleworth in Bedfordshire, are taking part in a wingwalking challenge in aid of Teens Unite. The brave pair both work at leading heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes in Enfield. While Taylor, a Warehouse Operative, insists he is undaunted about what lies ahead, David admits his knees will be knocking when the big day comes on December 9. Taylor, a 20-year-old gym fanatic, said: “I’ve not really done anything like this before but I love the thought of danger and adrenaline. “I’m pretty fearless to be honest so I’m sure I will enjoy it.” Sales Executive David, aged 56, said: “I don’t like flying and haven’t been on a plane in more than five years. “I will be extremely nervous, there’s no doubt about that, but once I commit to something there’s no turning back. “It’s all for a good cause and I’m hoping I can somehow enjoy the experience!” The challenge is taking place at Old Warden Airfield in Shuttleworth. Both men are hoping to raise at least £600 each. Donations can be made at either https://www.justgiving.com/page/taylorwingwalk2023 or https://www.justgiving.com/page/davidswingwalk Andrew Ingram, managing director at leading heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes, said: “I am full of admiration for Taylor and David pushing the boundaries and taking on this terrifying challenge. “I hope people dig deep and support Teens Unite, which is a fantastic local charity we have had the pleasure of working with over the last 12 months.” TG Lynes supported Teens Unite with £7,500 worth of product and labour through its Helping Hands campaign last year. The charity provides people aged between 13 and 24 with the social, emotional, and physical support that is vital to their cancer recovery. TG Lynes stocks industry leading brands and supplies thousands of products including valves, steel and copper tubes and fittings, press systems, composite and plastic plumbing, drainage solutions and support systems and tooling. An extensive plant hire service is also available. Visit www.tglynes.co.uk for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Seventy Ninth Group, an asset management company headquartered in North West England, has agreed terms to purchase two holiday parks for acquisition and subsequent redevelopment. Set in exclusive locations in Scotland, the Seventy Ninth Group plans to build up to 700 holiday lodges which will feature on site dining, as well as modern health and spa facilities. The two projects have a gross development value (GDV) in excess of £300 million combined. Once built, the lodges will be offered for sale at a starting price of £200,000.00. Seventy Ninth Group specialises in the acquisition and redevelopment of undervalued assets across its core sectors of real estate and natural resources. The redevelopment of holiday and leisure parks is just one of key market sectors in real estate for the company. The other sectors include residential and commercial office parks. The Group is owned by the Webster family, who hold a unique position in both the real estate and natural resource sectors, specialising in the acquisition, management and development of high growth assets with a focus on deploying sustainable investment strategies. Managing Director of the Group, Jake Webster, says; “We are delighted to be able to add this latest acquisition to our portfolio. The leisure sector has been a significant area for growth for us as we look to redevelop these two sites into luxury leisure accommodation. “The nature of the UK staycation market is evolving. Expectations are growing around the quality of accommodation and facilities expected on site with many holiday makers seeking a luxury experience. “Investment is key to operators who want to compete in this luxury space as they look to upgrade, refurbish and expand their offering. For investors this means there is a real opportunity for long term, stable returns. “ The Seventy Ninth Group is an award-winning asset management company headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded by serial entrepreneur David Webster and his two sons, Jake and Curtis Webster. The Seventy Ninth Group holds a unique and advantageous position in both the real estate and natural resource sectors, specialising in the acquisition, management and development of lucrative assets during times of economic turmoil and uncertainty. A family-owned business, the Seventy Ninth Group is chaired by David and his sons, Jake and Curtis, along with an experienced board of directors most of whom derive from a banking & compliance background. The Seventy Ninth Group is renowned for its strong family values of loyalty, honesty, and reliability, and is respected by their clients globally. Forward Looking Information This press release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “will continue”, “will occur” or “will be achieved”. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the Company identifying an appropriate business combination target and its future plans for pursuing a stock exchange listing in Canada. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward- looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward- looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward- looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Guildford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties is helping to tackle the construction industry skills shortage, having recently recruited its latest graduate trainee. Chloe Lopez (age 22), a Business Management graduate from the University of Surrey, was accepted onto Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ ASPIRE Programme this Autumn, based at its head office on Old Portsmouth Road. The two-year scheme provides hands-on career education and training, and will see Chloe deployed within each department of the business to learn first-hand about Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ operations. Chloe will then undertake a final placement within the Commercial department, where she will train to become an Assistant Quantity Surveyor. During the programme, Chloe will meet regularly with other graduates from across the business and undertake entrepreneurial fundraising with the Princes Trust’s Million Makers challenge. Chloe comments: “It’s an exciting time to be entering the construction industry – the market is changing at a rapid pace and Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties offers an incredibly dynamic working environment. The ASPIRE Programme was the very first scheme that I applied to after my degree, and after a few short weeks I have already gained so much knowledge and experience. Alongside my placements, I am also being mentored by the Managing Director, which has given me valuable insight and training to take forward in the role.” Chloe’s time is split between the office and working onsite at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ developments in Berkshire and Sussex, where she is currently shadowing the surveying team. “You have the opportunity to get stuck in from day one!” Chloe adds. “It’s hard work but when you’re on the job you can see the real-life impact of the work that we’re doing. Each day brings a new challenge, and I’m learning everything from procurement to budget valuations to overseeing the contractors. Each day is different and varied and there’s no better way to learn.” Chloe recently supported with the launch of David Wilson Homes’ newest development in Finchampstead, Finchwood Park, and worked closely on the creation of the customer sales arena. “Seeing the final product brought to life demonstrates how each person plays a vital role in constructing new homes and ensuring its success,” Chloe adds. Julian Hodder, Managing Director at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, adds: “What is fundamentally clear is the fact that the construction skills shortage reaches far beyond traditional trade careers such as carpentry and bricklaying. There is an impetus now for us to invest and train across all roles, and the ASPIRE graduate programme is just one way that we are attracting some of the best talent from the next generation. Chloe’s drive, dedication and work ethic has impressed her colleagues, and she has a very bright future ahead in construction.” Chloe is hoping to continue her career with Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties after completing the Aspire Programme, with ambitions to progress to a manager within the next five years. Chloe and the team at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties are helping to create new homes across the South East, including at The Poppies in Aylesford, Brookwood Meadows in Westham and Finchwood Park in Finchampstead. For further details about Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties or the ASPIRE Programme, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk or call 0333 355 8498. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building Systems UK, an enterprise of Tata Steel, held its inaugural ‘Accelerating Construction Transformation’ event #ACTUK23 on 26th October at their Deeside facility. The event brought together over a hundred people, including architects, academics, construction experts, engineers and cladding contractors. Delegates heard keynote speakers on key topics around productivity, digital integration and sustainability and had the chance to tour the on-site manufacturing facility. Barry Rust, Head of Market and Business Development, said event attendees shared Building Systems UK’s strong and cohesive view that construction transformation must accelerate to create a more productive, sustainable and resilient sector. The key question posed by the event was, how? He stressed, it’s not about discussing what we should do in the next ten years, but what we are doing now. We need to walk the walk, not merely talk the talk. During the event, Building Systems UK showcased exactly how it is ‘walking the walk’ by undertaking a Modern Method of Construction (MMC) Live Build in front of delegates, completing a small building within hours. The live demonstration involved the assembly ofa roof cassette using Building Systems UK products, including Trisomet insulated roof panels and Trisobuild Seam Profiles. BiPVco’s integrated PV panels provided a source of immediate and sustainable electricity, whilst maintaining a flush finish to the roof. The Live Build team lowered the roof cassette onto a pre-built structure and concluded the internal fit out to create an outdoor ‘wellness space’ for employees to enjoy. The team also demonstrated digital traceability through a tag and track system, which provides a digital to physical connection through a simple QR code. This delivers accurate traceability, driving optimum product use during the life of a project and enabling reuse at end of life. The Live Build went down exceptionally well with delegates, illustrating the speed that MMC can lend a project, reducing both time on site and construction costs. It provoked an interesting debate and highlighted the crucial role of collaboration throughout the supply chain in driving forward MMC innovation and construction transformation. Something Cat Griffith-Williams, Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales, touched on during her exceptional opening speech, sharing key examples of collaboration between the construction sector and the Welsh Government to ensure future new build and retrofit projects prioritise sustainability. #ACTUK23 panellist, Trudi Sully, Impact Lead at Mott MacDonald, also spoke about the importance of collaboration and the Seismic II demonstrator building, a collaborative platform based project which Building Systems UK worked on. Trudi said, “This is one of those great pioneering ambassador projects that demonstrates the opportunity to drive efficiency, reduce emissions, reduce costs and improve delivery.” After speaking in the ‘Delivering Sustainable Outcomes Today’ slot, Matthew Wenban-Smith, Director at One World Standards, and contributor to many pioneering projects within the sustainability field over his thirty-year career, described the event as. “Absolutely fantastic.” He discussed the massive step change he’d seen, from sustainability being viewed as ‘extra’ thirty years ago, to becoming absolutely core to businesses Reflecting on the overall success of the #ACTUK23 event, Jo Evans, Director of Building Systems UK, said it had been an amazing day, bringing together many like-minded people with similar goals. Building Systems UK showcased its commitment to not only supply innovative and sustainable construction products, but to collaborate with the entire supply chain to drive forward the change needed to make truly sustainable projects a reality. If you’re interested in collaborating with Building Systems UK, we’d love to hear from you – www.buildingsystemsuk.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading construction company, Henry Brothers, has received an award for Environmental Best Practice at the Green Apple Environment Awards. Designed to recognise organisations across the world that show innovation and commitment to being environmentally responsible, Henry Brothers received the prestigious accolade for its work on SportPark Pavilion 4, built for Loughborough University. Ian Taylor, Managing Director at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “It is fantastic to have been recognised on an international level for our efforts to help Loughborough University decarbonise its estate. “Having achieved Passivhaus Classic accreditation, widely regarded as the most challenging energy efficiency and comfort standards in the world, SportPark Pavillion 4 adds to our already impressive portfolio of sustainable builds. “This accolade is testament to the dedication of our staff to make a meaningful impact on the communities in which we operate and further strengthens our commitment to net zero.” In 2022, Henry Brothers launched its ‘Journey to Net Zero’ strategy, outlining its ambitious plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 2% each year by 2030. The award, which was presented at the Houses of Parliament, builds on these commitments and affirms the company’s dedication to sustainable partnerships. Joel Callow, Founding Director of Beyond Carbon Associates, worked alongside Henry Brothers to obtain Passivhaus Classic accreditation for the build. Joel said: “We are delighted that one of our favourite Passivhaus projects has won this prestigious award. “A notable achievement for Henry Brothers and setting a great example both for the region and nationally, as Sportpark Pavilion 4 is one of the very few certified Passivhaus office buildings in the UK. “Great leadership by Loughborough University.” For more information, visit henrybrothers.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals