After living in a 75-year-old house in Bedworth, with all the associated renovation work and unexpected costs, Viral and Beena Modha (both 45) made a checklist of all the must-haves in their next home. They wanted to move into a new home that would allow them to enjoy their life
Lee Brunsden has been appointed as the Head of Sales EMEA at CHAS, a Veriforce company, as part of the supply chain risk management expert’s ongoing global expansion strategy. With a track record of over a decade in compliance and risk management, Lee has assisted numerous clients worldwide in enhancing
BSW Timber has received international recognition for its commitment to health and safety after scooping a gold award at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards. The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK
James Latham introduces Swiss Krono’s One World, a unique selection of Melamines specifically for the UK and Ireland. Yesterday, James Latham, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of architectural materials and finishes, announces the UK and Ireland launch of Swiss Krono’s One World collection. Specially curated for James Latham,
As habitats, wildlife, and plants remain at continued risk of loss across the globe, and the government’s new housing supply yearly target of 300,000¹ homes per year, it’s essential property developers are fully aware of the upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and what this will mean for future planning
RWE welcomed local MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers to its expanding Grimsby Hub, a new state of the art operations and maintenance facility, currently under construction at the company’s existing site in Grimsby’s Royal Docks. During the visit, the MPs took a tour around the facility, met with staff
North, east and west, some of London’s most iconic residential and commercial developments have benefited from using a combination of green roof substrates and natural, as-dug soils from one of the UK’s leading growing media suppliers, Boughton. Here we learn more about the latest project at Canary Wharf and look
BECOSAN® has announced the successful completion of the UK’s largest strip out, demolition, and refit project at the former GAP Warehouse in Rugby. This milestone accomplishment culminated with the property being leased by retail giant Sainsbury’s, marking one of the most substantial single property deals of the year. In a
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor of non-flammable rainscreen facades, has produced a handy guide for contractors and installers unsure of how the 2022 Building Safety Act could affect them. Providing a three-minute read for the trade, the single page explainer highlights the key changes proposed by the act, which was
An expanded senior leadership team has been unveiled at MC Construction as the buoyant firm heads for a record year. Turnover for the Salford-based business is on track to reach £22m for the 12 months to September, an increase of almost 50 per cent on last year’s figure of £15m.
After living in a 75-year-old house in Bedworth, with all the associated renovation work and unexpected costs, Viral and Beena Modha (both 45) made a checklist of all the must-haves in their next home. They wanted to move into a new home that would allow them to enjoy their life more and make the most of every day, and that meant one thing – choosing a newbuild. That led them to Davidsons Homes’ Grange View development in Lower Bardon, not far from Beena’s job as a dental assistant in Leicester. Viral, a senior category manager for an automotive parts company, said: “Between Beena and I, we had an extensive checklist for our perfect home. We knew it had to be a three-bedroom detached house with a driveway and a garage, and we particularly wanted a corner plot to give us plenty of space.” Beena added: “There were smaller, yet important, details too – like a built-in microwave at eye-level in the kitchen, a utility room, good lighting and good windows, and spacious rooms too. We looked around lots of new homes developments in the Nuneaton and Leicester areas, but although some ticked some of the boxes, none of them ticked all. “That was until we visited the three-bedroom Ford at Davidsons Homes’ Lower Bardon development. There wasn’t a single box it didn’t tick. In fact, we loved it so much that we reserved it there and then.” As they already owned a property, Viral and Beena used Davidsons’ Part Exchange scheme to sell their existing property and buy their new Ford. Viral said: “The Part Exchange process couldn’t have been easier – in fact, as our home was ready to move into, from seeing it to moving in took just five weeks. It was very smooth and we really didn’t have a single issue. Every step of the way we were communicated with, and even Davidsons’ recommended solicitors were brilliant to work with.” Asked what they particularly like about their new home, Beena said: “As we’re on a corner plot, we have green space right around our house. In fact, my favourite part of the house is the kitchen as it opens right up onto the side garden, so we both love sitting in that room and enjoying the views outside. “We’re also not too far from a lovely area of green open space on the development itself, so we really enjoy walking there, and a little further afield too.” Viral added: “We’re quite near the outskirts of Grange View which is nice as we’re just a short way from pretty countryside walks. It’s perfect too as we are off a cul-de-sac which means that it’s very quiet but we have got to know our neighbours really well already. We really like everyone, and it definitely feels like a community has formed already. “The customer service at Davidsons Homes has been very good, we’d recommend them to anyone. Our Sales Manager Amber has also been great, she’s guided us through the process really well and kept us updated every step of the way. “Having lived in a newbuild before, we’re looking forward to lower energy bills this winter, along with no maintenance and repair costs! From our initial reason for moving – to enjoy our lives more and spend less time worrying about our house and more time doing things that we love – we definitely feel that we’re doing that here at Grange View.” For more information, visit davidsonshomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lee Brunsden has been appointed as the Head of Sales EMEA at CHAS, a Veriforce company, as part of the supply chain risk management expert’s ongoing global expansion strategy. With a track record of over a decade in compliance and risk management, Lee has assisted numerous clients worldwide in enhancing their supply chain risk management practices. Lee’s expertise in sales strategy, adept team leadership, and change management make him a valuable addition to CHAS as they expand their solutions to a broader international audience following their acquisition by Veriforce in January 2023. As a seasoned Sales Leader, with over 20 years of experience across all disciplines of sales, Lee specialises in new business development, major market expansion, and fostering high-performance sales teams. His leadership skills and passion for building partnerships will play a pivotal role in overseeing CHAS’s sales organisation across EMEA. Lee’s recent career highlights include overseeing the introduction of a new carbon product which has enjoyed rapid success. Lee has also been proactive in interfacing with trade bodies across the infrastructure sector to champion industry best practice, inform on upcoming legislation and provide industry perspective. Eager to engage with both new and existing customers, Lee is excited about launching innovative products tailored to meet the needs of the construction, utilities, and facilities management sectors in the UK and beyond. Lee comments: “I’m thrilled to be joining CHAS and to have the opportunity to play a part in their expansion plans. “CHAS has earned an excellent reputation for driving advancements in supply chain risk management within their operating sectors. I am eager to build upon this success both in the UK and overseas.” Welcoming Lee aboard, CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon adds: “Lee is a formidable leader with extensive experience in the supply chain risk management space. We are delighted to have him join us at this exciting time in our company’s history. “Lee’s experience and enthusiasm will be of great value as we strive to expand our product offering and our audience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BSW Timber has received international recognition for its commitment to health and safety after scooping a gold award at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards. The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK and the accolade acknowledges the hard work going on behind the scenes at BSW Timber to ensure employee safety. A new auditing system was developed and built by the firm’s ESH team with a view to putting more focus on legislative requirements and Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) compliance across BSW Timber’s sawmills. The audits were able to identify procedural weaknesses which resulted in group procedures and technical references being updated or rewritten and making roles and responsibilities clearer. Additionally, improved communication, co-ordination and co-operation between the mill teams has resulted in a more focussed scrutiny of ESH KPIs for the betterment of the entire BSW Timber team. Wayne Jones, BSW Group’s ESH Manager, said: “We are delighted to have achieved this award on behalf of the company. It is testimony to the hard work and ambitions of the senior management, ESH and sawmilling teams to improve our performance in reducing risk to employees and liability to the company. We look forward to continuing to build on our initial success and generate even better standards to demonstrate our position as market leaders in our industry. “Our commitment to ensuring efficient operations is centred around the safety of our workforce. This is underpinned by our drive to reduce risk and liability, which in turn reduces accidents, employee absence and staff turnover. We believe the RoSPA award provides an improved reputation among suppliers and partners, as well as increasing productivity and profitability, but most importantly, employees are safer, healthier and better motivated.” The RoSPA programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “Accidents at work and work-related ill health don’t just have huge financial implications or cause major disruption – they significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. That’s why good safety performance deserves to be recognised and rewarded. “We are thrilled that BSW Timber has won a RoSPA Award and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.” The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest running of its kind in the UK, and receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for the health and safety industry. To find out more about BSW Timber, visit www.bsw.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
James Latham introduces Swiss Krono’s One World, a unique selection of Melamines specifically for the UK and Ireland. Yesterday, James Latham, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of architectural materials and finishes, announces the UK and Ireland launch of Swiss Krono’s One World collection. Specially curated for James Latham, One World brings together 37 of Swiss Krono’s highly sought-after, premium melamines in one place. Offering a near-unrivalled variety of patterns and textures, One World covers all the bases, including monotone, woodgrain, material reproduction and design surfaces. Unlocking creativity, One World’s surfaces can be continually combined in new and interesting ways, opening up a diverse range of design possibilities and firing the imagination of any specifier, daring them to mix, match and experiment. A cornucopia of decors Available across all James Latham’s 14 UK and Ireland depots, the distributor possesses a full stock holding of black, white and standard carcass decors, with three distinct collections: UNI, Woodgrain and Camustyle TX. Taking a closer look: UNI: From subtle to bold, and beautiful in their simplicity, this collection comprises a wide variety of on-trend colours, updated on a regular basis to ensure everything ‘in fashion’ is always available. Woodgrain: features realistic oak, elm, chestnut and walnut finishes with a timeless and elegant finish that will enhance any style. Camustyle TX: Inspired by limestone and textile surfaces, these sophisticated decors feature an impressive vintage look and a rugged texture, offering massive creative potential for furnishings and interior design at an affordable price point. Form and Function The quality of the One World range is not just skin deep. Lightweight and simple to fabricate and install, it’s suitable for a variety of commercial and residential internal surfacing applications, from furniture and shop-fittings to kitchens, bedrooms, hotels, and offices. PEFC™ certified, the range meets the new low-emission class of ED2020 (E0.5), halving the formaldehyde content of E1 melamines. Available in the UK and Ireland from James Latham, One World comes as 2800 x 2070 x 18mm sheets. For more information on the One World Collection, click here. For more information on James Latham’s award-winning distribution services, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As habitats, wildlife, and plants remain at continued risk of loss across the globe, and the government’s new housing supply yearly target of 300,000¹ homes per year, it’s essential property developers are fully aware of the upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and what this will mean for future planning and development.. With plans to protect fragile ecosystems and reverse the decline in species by 2030, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) will have to demonstrate at least a 10% biodiversity net gain from November 2023. But what does this mean exactly for property developers? UK’s leading environmental consultancy, Thomson Environmental Consultants, summarises five things property developers should be aware of when it comes to Biodiversity Net Gain: Ultimately, BNG will aim to leave the environment in a better state than it was before. Introduced into legislation through the world-leading Environment Act 2021, achieving a 10% net gain will become mandatory for most developments from November 2023. Until now, local planning authorities, utility providers, housing developers, and other organisations have worked with National Planning Policy Framework guidance to seek net gain from new developments. However, from November, BNG will become a legal and mandatory process for most new housing, commercial and infrastructure developments which require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Although some property types may be exempt from the mandatory BNG requirements, ¹ such as self-build homes; in most cases, property developers must demonstrate how they are replacing and improving biodiversity. The phased introduction of BNG, will allow smaller development sites a longer transition period (April 2024), and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which have been given development consent under the Planning Act 2008, will be required to comply with BNG requirements from 2025. Small sites are defined for the BNG exemption as residential and non-residential. Although the UK contains more than 70,000 known species of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms, the growing pressure from diseases, invasive species and climate change has resulted in 600 million breeding birds being lost across the EU and UK since 1980, as well as 97% of the UK’s wildflower meadows, and 90% of the UK’s wetland habitats². In order to succeed the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030, BNG requirements are more critical than ever. Moreover, as the UK now only acquires half of the biodiversity that existed before the Industrial Revolution, it’s essential that equal efforts are placed to combat the increased threat to ecosystems while aligning with the government’s annual new home targets. This is where BNG comes into play. Property developers must assess the type of habitat affected and its condition before submitting plans detailing how they will deliver a 10% benefit for nature post development. The “biodiversity metric trading” rules require that any habitat affected within the boundary is replaced on a ‘like for like’ or ‘like for better’ principle. This will be done through the new and streamlined Biodiversity Metric 4.0, which includes a mandatory biodiversity metric calculator tool, user guide, small site metric calculator and more. The metric calculator will essentially provide a biodiversity metric to quantify the value of habitats before and after development. Newly available under the Environment Act 2021, conservation covenants will play an important role in conserving habitat and biodiversity in the long term. Conservation covenants will be an important mechanism for delivering ‘off-site’ BNG where meeting the mandatory 10% improvement on-site isn’t possible. The nature of conservation covenants will require a long-term commitment to the enhancement and maintenance of habitats. Government guidance suggests the BNG credits will be phased out over time as the private market for BNG becomes established. Although a secondary legislation draft is due to be published later in 2023 with further mandatory guidelines, it’s crucial property developers begin considering the requirements sooner rather than later in the planning process. Whether the new BNG requirements will apply to existing planning applications has not yet been confirmed and will be updated by DEFRA and the government accordingly. Regarding costings and project expectations, a government-run statutory credit scheme will be available as a last resort to prevent delays in the planning system. Developers can also pay for improvements on other sites elsewhere by purchasing “units” via a private, off-site market. However, in order to buy credits, property developers must demonstrate that they cannot deliver habitat onsite or via the off-site market. With credits costing between £42,000 and £650,000 +VAT, this will significantly add to overall project costs where off-site enhancements are required. Paul Franklin, Associate Director of Ecology at Thomson Environmental Consultants, commented on the legislation: “It’s important to remember that Biodiversity Net Gain will affect the property development process at all stages and phases. We strongly recommend early engagement with a consultant when undertaking due diligence on a prospective purchase through to consideration of the long-term monitoring and management of created habitats. In many cases, this will be a period of 30 years post-development. “Ensure you speak with consultants who have strong experts in conducting various project habitat surveys and condition assessments to ensure you achieve the desired biodiversity net gain.” To find out more about Biodiversity Net gain, visit: https://www.thomsonec.com/news/five-things-property-developers-need-to-know-in-preparation-for-biodiversity-net-gain-bng/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RWE welcomed local MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers to its expanding Grimsby Hub, a new state of the art operations and maintenance facility, currently under construction at the company’s existing site in Grimsby’s Royal Docks. During the visit, the MPs took a tour around the facility, met with staff and had the opportunity to hear more about RWE’s future planned investment in the region. RWE is responsible for operating the existing Humber Gateway and Triton Knoll offshore wind farms from the Grimsby Docks as well as the construction of the Sofia offshore wind farm and the development of a further two offshore wind farms on Dogger Bank in the North Sea. Once fully operational, the Grimsby Hub will be the operations base for Triton Knoll and Sofia as well as hosting RWE’s Centralised Control Room (CCR), where technicians will oversee the operation of the vast majority of the company’s UK offshore portfolio, further reaffirming the Humber’s role as a leading location for the UK’s offshore wind sector. Humber-based firm Hobson & Porter is responsible for the construction of the multi-million pound facility, which is expected to accommodate around 140 RWE employees in total. The Grimsby Hub has the potential to bring around 70 new skilled jobs to the region, plus indirect jobs required in support. Although still under construction, recruitment is well underway with the opening of over 20 technician roles in support of the Sofia offshore wind farm. The location of the Grimsby Hub at the Royal Docks was chosen because of its proximity to existing and future projects and its deep-water quayside, which is suited to the use of Service Operations Vessels (SOVs). Construction is due to complete next year and will include a joint control room offering 24/7 monitoring of multiple sites, new shared office space, and separate warehouse facilities. Guy Middleton, RWE General Manager for the Grimsby Hub, hosted the visit and said: “It was fantastic to welcome Lia and Martin to the Grimsby Hub to discuss our investment plans for the local region, which will bring plenty of skilled roles and provide many opportunities for the regional supply chain.” RWE’s newly appointed Director for Net Zero East Coast UK, Corinne Barry, added: “It is a hugely exciting time for RWE in the Humber with all the new investment proposed, and I cannot wait to see our plans progress. The Humber has gained an enviable reputation in supporting the country’s net zero ambitions and RWE is proud to be a part of its future!” During the visit, the MPs also discussed RWE’s plans for a new carbon capture CCGT power station near Stallingborough which could generate up to 800 MW of decarbonised, secure, flexible energy, enough to potentially power the equivalent of around one million homes. The new power station would be fitted with carbon capture technology andwould make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy security and support our transition to a net zero economy. RWE is working with Harbour Energy to explore options for transporting and storing the captured carbon through its Viking CCS network from both its proposed new power station and its existing Staythorpe power station in Nottinghamshire. Lia Nici MP thanked the team for the visit and said: “It was great to see RWE’s continued investment in its Grimsby Hub offshore wind base, which is set to be a central location for the management of many of the company’s offshore wind farms across the UK – bringing high-quality job opportunities to Grimsby and reinforcing the town’s position as a leader in the sector.” Martin Vickers MP added “The visit also gave us an opportunity to hear about RWE’s wider investment plans in the region, which includes not only further offshore wind projects, but carbon capture investments at its regional power stations, linked to the Viking Carbon Capture and Storage network, which was recently awarded Track-2 development status by the Government.” RWE is the leading power producer in the UK, accounting for around 15% of all electricity generated in the UK through its diverse operational portfolio of onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and gas. Between 2012 and 2021, RWE delivered a 43% reduction in carbon intensity for the electricity produced across its operational portfolio in the UK (0.52 to 0.30 tCO2/MWh). Overall, and including its committed investments in projects already under construction, RWE expects to invest up to £15 billion in new green technologies and infrastructure in the UK by 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
North, east and west, some of London’s most iconic residential and commercial developments have benefited from using a combination of green roof substrates and natural, as-dug soils from one of the UK’s leading growing media suppliers, Boughton. Here we learn more about the latest project at Canary Wharf and look back at some of previous London highlights that have helped to put Boughton well and truly on the map. The Pavilion at Landmark Pinnacle, Canary Wharf Part of a much larger scale project which includes the UK’s highest tropical garden, the Pavilion at Landmark Pinnacle is the work of Gillespies, Valley Provincial and Farrer Huxley. The green roof which swoops over the ground level commercial space at the foot of the 75-storey skyscraper, will provide much needed green space for those that live and work in the locality. Whilst residents of Landmarks Pinnacle will have access to two sky gardens, this pavilion has been created for the wider community as a place to promote healthy, active and social living. Sloped to the ground level the space is accessible to all. Zoned planting, which creates zigzagged walkways to a raised theatre-style seating arrangement at its highest point, has been supported by Boughton lightweight green roof substrates, Intensive IN 1 and the lightweight subsoil. Boughton’s Intensive IN 1 was selected for its greater organic content and its ability to support larger plants and deeper planting depths. Not only this but IN 1 is perfect for schemes that optimise a more detailed and formalised planting scheme as that seen at the Pavilion, which allows for year-round colour and texture, an approach that has become Gillespies trademark at this project and has since gained them finalist status at the 2022 Landscape Institute Awards: Excellence in Horticulture and Planting Design category. Joining the line-up was Boughton’s lightweight subsoil which created the perfect footprint for the application of Intensive IN 1. Sheldon Square, Paddington The Landmark Pinnacle project follows hot on the heels of the Sheldon Square project that also saw Boughton and Gillespies work together. Located at the heart of Paddington Central, Sheldon Square is best known for its amphitheatre, where a range of activities take place every day. From lunch with colleagues and friends to a special location for live music and culture, Sheldon Square and its amphitheatre are much loved by those that live and work there. In 2022 the area benefited from a makeover which saw improved facilities, better accessibility, a more dynamic performance space and a greener space added. New trees, sun-loving plants and over 40 colourful perennials were added to not only create a vibrant display but were chosen for their ability to reduce pollution, improve air quality and to increase biodiversity and climate change resilience. Working with Gillespies, alongside main contractors, 8Build, and soft landscape contractor, Kingston Landscape Group, Boughton supplied over 80m3 of its ever-popular BLS 2 topsoil to site in bulk bags. Single-sourced, ‘as dug’ natural and screened, Boughton’s BLS 2 topsoil was specified for this project by Gillespies. Battersea Power Station Whilst not Boughton’s first large-scale project, Battersea Power Station certainly remains its most iconic. Situated on a 39-acre site, the Grade II* listed former Power Station was subject to an incredible £9billion redevelopment project – one of the biggest schemes of this type anywhere in Europe. It was within the scheme’s ‘Garden of Elements’ project that saw Boughton step-up, providing its green roof substrates to support the planting within this series of three garden spaces. Positioned between the four chimneys that have become synonymous with the Battersea development, sits the ‘Garden of Elements’, which was designed by Andy Sturgeon and brought to life by six-times BALI Grand award-winners, Willerby Landscapes. Each garden is inspired by fire, water or air, harking back to the Power Station’s previous life. It is within these gardens, including the notable main podium garden ‘Boiler House Square’ that saw Boughton’s IN1 Intensive and Lightweight Green Roof Substrates, and Rootzone come into their own. These garden spaces, full of cloud-like planting schemes are set within raised beds and tall grasses with vegetation designed to offer year-round interest with a mix of evergreens, Mediterranean and more exotic species. Boughton’s IN1 substrate was selected to support this scheme thanks to its ability to support larger plants and to be installed at depths from 100 – 500cm, thanks to its sandy texture. Additionally, Boughton’s IN1 substrate offers significant moisture retention qualities, making it the perfect choice when so many plants are vying for attention within this three-hectare site. IN1 from Boughton continues to meet and exceed all G.R.O guidelines. Elsewhere Boughton’s Lightweight Substrate was used to provide growing media where weight loading for the green roof needed to be lighter than traditional green roof schemes. Finally, Rootzone completed the offering. Supplied as a ready-mixed solution, Rootzone provided better planting conditions throughout the scheme. Product was supplied in both bulk bags and 25L bags, meaning the Boughton team had to go above and beyond to tackle the logistical challenges that delivering to a central location presented. Talking during the construction of the horticulturally rich roof garden, Willerby Landscapes said: “Boughton were a pleasure to work with, being able to safely deliver the material to site despite the many logistical challenges that this prestigious, central London project posed. They supplied us with top quality substrates specifically approved by Tim O’Hare, as well as a service that’s hard to beat”. Find out more To find out more about Boughton’s complete offering for the amenity, landscape and construction industries, please visit www.boughton.co.uk. To enquire about your next project, contact by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BECOSAN® has announced the successful completion of the UK’s largest strip out, demolition, and refit project at the former GAP Warehouse in Rugby. This milestone accomplishment culminated with the property being leased by retail giant Sainsbury’s, marking one of the most substantial single property deals of the year. In a collaboration with Sunrise Real Estate Limited and Total Project Integration, BECOSAN® played a pivotal role in delivering this monumental project, encompassing 661,000 sq. ft. (60,000 m2). Sunrise Real Estate, the owner of the industrial building, orchestrated a comprehensive refurbishment of the property, which has now been officially handed over to Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited. Sunrise Real Estate’s strategic acquisition of the property from Gap Inc. in September 2022 marked the beginning of an ambitious revitalisation initiative. The project was successfully completed within a two-month timeframe thanks to the dedicated efforts of all involved stakeholders. This transformational endeavour involved a complete renovation of the Rugby 661 site. The renovation project, overseen by Total Project Integration (TPI), included innovative pavement enhancements through the application of the cutting-edge BECOSAN® treatment. BECOSAN® project director Martin Kerrigan and treatment coordinator Oliver Sanz Wittrowksi were involved in the project, which is one of the largest the company has undertaken. Martin said: “We are thrilled to have worked on this project, which has been an outstanding effort for all involved. The building has been comprehensively refurbished to an exceptional standard and it is great to see the BECOSAN® treatment being applied to a site of this scale.” Oliver said: ”The BECOSAN® treatment not only revitalises the pavement’s aesthetics but also ensures enhanced durability and sustainability. The treatment has ensured that the Rugby 661 site has been future-proofed for years to come.” For more information about BECOSAN®’s revolutionary concrete treatment solutions, please contact BECOSAN® UK at www.becosan.com/contact/ or call +44 (0)203 1296424. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor of non-flammable rainscreen facades, has produced a handy guide for contractors and installers unsure of how the 2022 Building Safety Act could affect them. Providing a three-minute read for the trade, the single page explainer highlights the key changes proposed by the act, which was instrumental in setting up the new Building Safety Regular last year. The guide also defines some of the key terms used in the act such as The Golden Thread, Duty Holders and High-Rise Buildings. Peter Johnson, founder of Vivalda Group, said: “Over the past five years, we have been committed to improving understanding and spreading best practice regarding cladding within the building sector. The Building Safety Act is a central plank of the UK’s new safety regime, but we are concerned that not enough people working on-site are aware of these changes. “We’ve produced this plain language guide so that everyone within the construction trade can benefit from a basic understanding of the principles of the act. This is important as it will drive many new aspects of safety legislation that will affect us all.” To get a free download of the Building Safety Act explainer, please go to: https://www.vivalda.co.uk/brochures/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An expanded senior leadership team has been unveiled at MC Construction as the buoyant firm heads for a record year. Turnover for the Salford-based business is on track to reach £22m for the 12 months to September, an increase of almost 50 per cent on last year’s figure of £15m. MC Construction has made strides across its Greater Manchester and Cheshire heartlands over the past year while also expanding its geographical reach with projects in Cumbria, North Wales and Shropshire. Its current forward order book stands at a record level of £18m. Founded in 1971 by Charlie Lowe and John Purcell, the multi-award-winning, family-owned company delivers complex construction projects, specialising in internal and external refurbishments, structural alterations and new builds for a wide range of clients across multiple sectors. Earlier this year, the company made an historic change by promoting Russ Forshaw from group operations director to managing director, the first time that a non-family member has held the role. He succeeded David Lowe, son of co-founder Charlie, who has become executive chairman. Now the company has promoted Jason Houghton from commercial manager to commercial director and Karl McDonald from contracts manager to operations manager. The duo, along with human resources and business services manager Sophie Houghton, have now joined the senior leadership team which includes Russ, pre-construction director Chris Purcell and finance director Gary Glendenning. Russ said: “We pride ourselves on being a business where learning and development supports internal promotion and career opportunities, as well as personal growth. “Our commitment to investing in and empowering talented young staff members has helped us to achieve great progress and success as a business. “Jason has made a significant difference to the business since he joined us three years ago and fully deserves his promotion. “Karl and Sophie joined us as apprentices and have progressed through the ranks and increased their levels of responsibility to the stage where we are now delighted to appoint them to the senior leadership team. “Expanding our leadership team is a significant milestone for the company. The team will ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the business while also enabling us to be more future facing, as we work on initiatives to further strengthen the company, with a focus on developments such as process improvement, digital innovation and sustainability. “These latest promotions mean we are extremely well-positioned to support a period of record turnover and expanded geographical coverage, as we look to the future with confidence.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals