Kingspan Data & Flooring, the industry leader in data and flooring solutions, has successfully completed their first external ISO 37301 audit, the global benchmark for state-of-the-art compliance management. ISO 37301 forms part of a new commitment by Kingspan Group to have all 190 of its manufacturing sites around the world
Ecofill Group, the UK-based construction technology company, announced today that Catherine Li has joined as CEO, bringing with her over twenty years of extensive global experience in sustainable development of the built environment, including most recently as CEO of Atkins / SNC Lavalin in Asia Pacific. Ecofill is an award-winning,
A policy briefing by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) examines how UK markets can better drive decarbonisation in foundation industries such as steel, cement and glass. The briefing summarises the results of a 12-month research project (the full results of which are available in a longer technical report and three
Helping deliver compliant building information at project completion and handover. Taking the pain out of Building Safety Act Gateway 3 regulator approvals. Today, Createmaster, a leading digital handover and building manual solutions provider, introduces its ‘Golden Thread: Gateway 3 solution’. Underpinned by the Zutec platform, the solution combines the Createmaster
Keeping London’s streets running as smoothly as possible around roadworks has earned UK Power Networks a Gold Award for the third year in succession. Granted by the Considerate Contractors Streetworks judging panel of the City of London Corporation, UK Power Networks was found to have consistently exceeded the requirements of
Inspirational local women have been honoured with street names at a brand-new Orbit Homes development in Hastings. Eversfield Rise on Harrow Lane is a joint venture with modular housebuilder ilke Homes and will deliver 140 affordable properties. The five street names were selected in partnership with Hastings Borough Council and
Industry leader John Carlin joins as Regional Director for the Scottish arm of the business McLaughlin & Harvey – a privately-owned construction and civil engineering company employing over 800 in the UK and Ireland – has announced the appointment of John Carlin as a Regional Director, with responsibility for central
The entrance of a new development in Biddenham Park has been built to pay homage to the historic Bromham Bridge – a local landmark which dates back some 1000 years. Designers at Davidsons Homes have created the unusual undulating wall at the entrance to its Biddenham Park development near Bedford,
The appointment marks another framework win for the growing EV charging infrastructure specialist. Omega Red, a UK market leading earthing and EV charging solutions business, has recently been appointed as sole supplier on a new utility sector EV charging infrastructure framework, following a competitive tender process. Appointed by South Staffs
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has appointed leading rolling stock engineering consultancy DB ESG to deliver its tram safety improvement programme. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) recommended that light rail networks deliver programmes to prevent the risk of serious accidents from tram over-speeding or driver inattention following the tragic
Kingspan Data & Flooring, the industry leader in data and flooring solutions, has successfully completed their first external ISO 37301 audit, the global benchmark for state-of-the-art compliance management. ISO 37301 forms part of a new commitment by Kingspan Group to have all 190 of its manufacturing sites around the world accredited and was the first time Kingspan Data & Flooring has sought to achieve this ISO standard, which replaced ISO 19600 in 2021. At its core, ISO 37301 examines whether compliance and risk management systems meet international standards. The assessment was conducted by Advanced Certification and awarded in March 2022. The accreditation is the culmination of 12 months’ work by Kingspan Data & Flooring’s Management Systems Specialist, Phil Major, with assistance from internal teams. Donagh Nolan, Divisional Operations Director Europe, said of the achievement: ‘We’re thrilled the auditor has recommended that our Hull site in the UK can be added to the list of global Kingspan sites to be accredited to ISO 37301. It recognises the strides we’ve made as a business to reach our compliance goals, investing in training & development of our team, identifying compliance risks and introducing new policies and procedures to ensure our product performance continues to align with local legislation and published product data.’ Kingspan Data & Flooring Technology’s Managing Director, Seamus Cussen, added: ‘Achieving ISO 37301 accreditation is testament to Kingspan’s values, culture, and leadership. It demonstrates the progress our team in Hull has made to establish, develop, implement, evaluate, and improve effective compliance management systems within our business. We will continue our focused efforts to improve and innovate, and our commitment to this accreditation will be driven from all areas of our business.’ ISO 37301 combines ISO standards with international agencies’ guidelines, including the International Chambers of Commerce, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the UN Convention against Corruption. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ecofill Group, the UK-based construction technology company, announced today that Catherine Li has joined as CEO, bringing with her over twenty years of extensive global experience in sustainable development of the built environment, including most recently as CEO of Atkins / SNC Lavalin in Asia Pacific. Ecofill is an award-winning, innovative, low-carbon technology and solution for the construction sector that transforms all types of clays & subsoils into aggregate replacement products on-site. It is designed to reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants throughout the construction process, optimising time and cost efficiency while minimising environmental impact. Decarbonisation and sustainability are at the core of the Ecofill circular economy process. Its methodology significantly reduces soil waste to landfill, use of aggregates, and lorry movements. Ecofill’s biofriendly binders can also enable the ground to be easily returned to its original pH level and nutrient status. Dr Nigel Griffiths, Chairman of Ecofill Group and a former UK Construction Minister, said “The board is delighted to welcome Catherine as CEO. Her accomplished career, global market reach, along with her passion for technology and innovation, and decarbonising construction, makes Catherine the ideal person to lead Ecofill Group into our next stage of growth.” “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to join Ecofill Group at this pivotal period in history on the journey to a low carbon economy.” said Catherine Li, CEO. “Studies indicate that approximately 40% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to the built environment and construction sector, and about another 30% to the transport sector. For the UK, achieving net zero by 2050 has become mission critical, and many other countries have also or are looking to set their own targets. Sustainable low-carbon construction is key in the fight against climate change. Technology and innovation will be crucial to this transition. By embracing Ecofill technology and solutions, construction projects can significantly reduce their carbon footprint as well as time and cost. We are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, providing real opportunities for the industry as a whole. I am honoured to be playing my part in global decarbonisation, and I am looking forward to joining forces with like-minded partners and clients who share the same passion and vision.” For the last two decades, Catherine has developed significant industry knowledge and connectivity spanning the UK and Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Atkins, she was Global Alliances Leader for Arup. Catherine has been a board member of the China Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and was recently Chair of its International Infrastructure Forum. Catherine is a frequent and passionate speaker on industry topics including ‘Delivering large infrastructure at scale and speed’, and ‘The impact of technology and low carbon on infrastructure and investment’. Catherine is an alumna of Harvard Business School, having completed the Advanced Management Programme (AMP). Ecofill is paving the way for a decarbonised future in the construction industry on both local and global scales. Through innovative low carbon solutions, Ecofill empowers construction companies to meet and surpass their sustainability goals. This forward-thinking approach allows customers to align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, placing them at the forefront of sustainable development. As Ecofill continues to innovate, the company calls on industry leaders, stakeholders, and communities to join it on this transformative journey towards a low-carbon future. More information on Ecofill can be found at www.ecofillgroup.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A policy briefing by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) examines how UK markets can better drive decarbonisation in foundation industries such as steel, cement and glass. The briefing summarises the results of a 12-month research project (the full results of which are available in a longer technical report and three sectoral deep dive documents). The main objective of the project was to explore how creating market demand for low-carbon innovative products and materials would reduce emissions in carbon-intensive sectors. Foundation industries, which are vital for the UK’s manufacturing and construction sectors, are worth around £52 billion to the economy and account for nearly 15 per cent of annual CO2 emissions, according to Innovate UK. However, decarbonisation of foundation industries is no easy task. The briefing identifies key decarbonisation pathways and some of the greatest obstacles to them, such as the high cost of low-carbon technologies, a lack of standardised data collection on embodied carbon emissions, and a lack of familiarity with new materials. The most complicated of the cross-cutting challenges, the supply–demand catch-22, refers to a situation whereby an upstream company does not have a large enough market demand to upscale the production of low carbon materials or the technologies to produce them, and downstream companies cannot risk investing in alternative technologies before they have a stable supply of upstream low carbon materials or products. Beverley Cornaby, Director, Policy and Systems Change Collaborations, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, said: “The UK must step up to the example set by the EU and US by establishing a strong policy framework to support industrial decarbonisation. Policies to date have been insufficient to drive deep decarbonisation in key heavy industries, such as iron and steel, cement, glass, and basic chemicals, which require long-term investment and new technologies. This report sets out clear policy recommendations for the government to enable demand-led innovation and create an attractive and competitive market for green investment.” At present, UK market demand for less carbon intensive materials and products, such as low carbon cement, sustainably mined raw materials or carbon capture and storage technology, is not high enough to incentivise investment in them. Other large economies like the EU and the US offer more support, through policy frameworks like the Green Deal Industrial Plan (GDIP) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) respectively. But the UK is lagging behind its major competitors, risking a mass exodus of companies to these countries as a result. CISL’s policy briefing lays out its proposed decarbonisation pathways – electrification, circular economy solutions, novel technologies and innovative products, processes and practices, and recommends three policy actions the UK government should undertake. ‘Demand-led innovation’ (DLI) is vital if the UK is to see significant emissions reductions in core materials industries, states the briefing. DLI is innovation that is incentivised by a gap in the market for a product or service that consumers want – and for which they would be willing to pay. In this case, many of the technologies, and innovative products, processes and practices needed to decarbonise foundation industries are not yet available at commercial scale, are at very early stages of the piloting process, or have yet to be invented. Along with government action, the research highlights the role that non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, and the private sector can play in industrial decarbonisation by bringing companies together to accelerate demand, facilitating dialogue and information sharing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Helping deliver compliant building information at project completion and handover. Taking the pain out of Building Safety Act Gateway 3 regulator approvals. Today, Createmaster, a leading digital handover and building manual solutions provider, introduces its ‘Golden Thread: Gateway 3 solution’. Underpinned by the Zutec platform, the solution combines the Createmaster fully managed digital handover service with a dashboard that enables contractors and developers to understand the information required to fulfil obligations set out by the Building Safety Act at the handover stage of an asset. Gateway 3 refers to the completion or final certificate stage (equivalent to RIBA stage 6), when a building safety case is submitted for review and approval. As a stop/go point in the handover process, building control approval must be obtained from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before registering and commencing occupation of a higher-risk residential building (HRRB). This means getting building safety case approval from the BSR before project completion and handover to an asset owner. The dedicated Gateway 3 dashboard gives contractors and developers real-time visibility to manage their building information deliverables in one place. Users can quickly see what information and documents they have, what is expected, what is in progress, what has been validated for compliancy with agreed information requirements, before handing over to a client. Commenting on the Gateway 3 solution and why it is suitable for contractors who may already have a common data environment (CDE), James Cannon, Commercial Director at Createmaster, said: “Today handover information required by contractors is likely captured across multiple formats, systems, and platforms, including the contractors and subcontractors’ CDE or Quality Management system. While these systems are widely used for effectively managing construction project data, they do not offer a single, consolidated data set for handover to a client and the regulator. “As a single source of truth for digital building information, the solution provides a clear and defined mechanism for collating the evidence required to support a building safety case, and helps our contractors ensure compliant building information and manuals are handed over to a client. This takes the pain out of the handover process and information digitisation on the path to golden thread conformance.” That’s not all. A standard template within the dashboard aligns with the new requirements for a building safety case and golden thread, including digital O&M, H&S File and Fire Emergency File forms, but also adds the full suite of information now required to demonstrate compliance. This means users can easily bring together the right information and identify what is missing to help manage risks on a project. Additionally, with the ability to grant permission-controlled stakeholder access, for example with client teams, consultants and third-party approvers, everyone can input information while managing priorities and data gaps. For contractors looking for support with Gateway 3 compliance, please contact a Createmaster representative or book a demo here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Keeping London’s streets running as smoothly as possible around roadworks has earned UK Power Networks a Gold Award for the third year in succession. Granted by the Considerate Contractors Streetworks judging panel of the City of London Corporation, UK Power Networks was found to have consistently exceeded the requirements of their Code of Good Practice. The Code reflects a spirit of pride, an awareness of the needs of the passing public and regard for the surrounding environment. Companies were assessed on five subjects, by the panel: Planning & Coordination; Accountability and Response Time; Commitment to the Considerate Contractors Streetworks Scheme (CCSS) Ideal; Promotion and Innovation; and Investing in the city’s business plan. Staff picked up the award at the 35th Annual Considerate Contractor Scheme Awards Ceremony on Friday (May 19). Delivering quick and efficient roadworks across London earned the company two top industry awards from the City of London’s CCSS: a Gold Award for overall roadworks performance in 2020, and a Highly Commended Award for the same category in 2021. London streetworks manager Colin Smith at UK Power Networks, who won the Outstanding Individual Achievement Award in 2021 said: “The City of London Corporation CCS Scheme awards points across the year, which range from planning & co-ordination of works, response times to dealing with faults & our proactive communication with the City of London including their environmental department, especially on any unplanned works. “Justin Mandry and his team were praised for their excellent efforts with general repair work in and around the City from box re-builds, carriageway and footway cover repairs. “It’s nice for everyone involved to receive such recognition, the award acknowledges the hard work that is put in from all of our colleagues who carry out work in and around the City.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Inspirational local women have been honoured with street names at a brand-new Orbit Homes development in Hastings. Eversfield Rise on Harrow Lane is a joint venture with modular housebuilder ilke Homes and will deliver 140 affordable properties. The five street names were selected in partnership with Hastings Borough Council and recognise local women who had significant personal achievements or contributed to the Hastings community: Brian Nearney, Regional Managing Director at Orbit Homes, said: “We’re delighted to be paying tribute to these five inspirational local women. Naming streets in this way carries real significance and will help to build our new community, as well as reinforce its important links to the wider local area. We’re thrilled and proud to place their names at our new development and very much see this as a celebration of their achievements, that have helped inspire generations.” Matthew Suggitt, Development Director at ilke Homes, added: “In partnership with Orbit Homes, ilke are proud to be delivering an exemplar development employing the use of pioneering Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Paying tribute to these local women’s trailblazing work and capturing it with permanence through the street naming of this innovative development is a fitting celebration of their resilience and relevance.” Cllr Maya Evans, Lead Member for Housing, commented: “Hastings is a town full of strong women both past and present, it’s very fitting to celebrate some of these incredible women by commemorating them in name with these much-needed high quality, sustainable, affordable homes, which are being delivered during an acute housing shortage. I have no doubt that these dwellings will be the birthplace of many more revolutionary women who challenge the status quo and strive for equality and justice. This is a proud and historical moment for Hastings.” Eversfield Rise will consist of 70 affordable rent and 70 shared ownership properties. A mixed tenure of apartments and houses will be offered, ranging in sizes from one to four-bedroom homes. Eighty-four of the properties will be zero-carbon, helping to protect consumers from rising energy bills. The new homes will be available from Autumn 2023. Orbit Homes currently has seven brand-new thriving communities underway in the South of England, comprising a range of affordable two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. A choice of purchasing options are also available including market sale and shared ownership. To find out more about the properties on offer at your nearest Orbit Homes development, please visit: www.orbithomes.org.uk.
Industry leader John Carlin joins as Regional Director for the Scottish arm of the business McLaughlin & Harvey – a privately-owned construction and civil engineering company employing over 800 in the UK and Ireland – has announced the appointment of John Carlin as a Regional Director, with responsibility for central England. A proven leader in the construction industry, with over 40 years of experience, John has held Director and Managing Director roles in national and regional businesses for the last 20 years. He will be responsible for the operational delivery of regional projects and for building a commercial pipeline of future work using his extensive network of contacts. Paul Griffen, Managing Director, McLaughlin & Harvey, commented: “I’m delighted that John has agreed to join the business and help to grow our presence in the region. We already have several projects on the ground for blue-chip clients such as BMW, Rolls Royce and Etex, and have recently delivered Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, which was the centrepiece venue for the 2022 Commonwealth Games athletics programme and opening and closing ceremonies. Bringing John into the business now allows us to build on this solid foundation and I look forward to working with him and drawing on his considerable experience.” John’s experience has included senior positions with Wates and Bowmer & Kirkland and operational delivery on-site, having started his career as an apprentice joiner and working his way up as Site Manager and Project Manager. John Carlin, Regional Director, McLaughlin & Harvey, added: “My experience in the industry is extensive and varied. Since 2005, managing all aspects of a high-performing region within two highly regarded construction companies, I have gained invaluable insight and expertise in not only construction-related challenges but transferable skills to any kind of business in the region. I have been impressed by McLaughlin & Harvey’s professionalism and capabilities since joining, and I’m excited to be part of their continued growth.” Carlin will be based in McLaughlin & Harvey’s Birmingham office. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The entrance of a new development in Biddenham Park has been built to pay homage to the historic Bromham Bridge – a local landmark which dates back some 1000 years. Designers at Davidsons Homes have created the unusual undulating wall at the entrance to its Biddenham Park development near Bedford, taking inspiration from the ancient monument which is mentioned in records as far back as 1224 AD. Bromham Bridge has served as inspiration for artists and designers for centuries, with pieces using the landmark as a focal point. Davidsons Homes has even used a very similar light-coloured stone for its wall as the bridge, to ensure that its homage is as close as possible to the original. James Burnham, Managing Director for Davidsons Homes South Midlands, said: “We have always referred to ourselves, not just as housebuilders, but as placemakers. We realise that our developments should fit into the local landscape and enhance communities. That’s why, we couldn’t turn down an opportunity like this – to build an entrance which takes inspiration from a much-loved local landmark. “Our designers, and in particular Senior Architectural Technician Scott Chamberlain, have spent days researching the bridge’s history and unearthing fascinating bits of information which have helped them to create our own design. “We really hope that local people will see and appreciate this nod to the area’s history, and that in time, the wall will become a much-loved landmark in itself too.” Davidsons Homes is building new homes at Biddenham Park near Bedford, with the first showhome set to open this summer. For more information, visit davidsonshomes.co.uk.
The appointment marks another framework win for the growing EV charging infrastructure specialist. Omega Red, a UK market leading earthing and EV charging solutions business, has recently been appointed as sole supplier on a new utility sector EV charging infrastructure framework, following a competitive tender process. Appointed by South Staffs Water, the Omega Red team will deliver scheme feasibility and design, AC and DC (Fast and Rapid) charger installation and back-office provision that will help the business monitor and control infrastructure usage. The water company, which provides clean water to over half a million homes in the South Staffs region and more than 350,000 customers in Cambridge, has committed to electrify its small van fleet by 2025. With an initial 15 electric vehicles already on the fleet or imminent, the company is investing in the right infrastructure to ensure its teams can charge conveniently and effectively, supporting the business to continue to provide the essential services its customers expect. Phase one of the programme will see 4 rapid DC chargers and a number of AC chargers installed across the South Staff and Cambridge Water region. Iain Coleman, head of EV, Omega Red commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen by South Staffs Water to support this important environmental initiative and look forward to bringing our experience and guidance to support their programme to make sure they maximise the benefits of this investment.” Tom Fewster, asset management and investment delivery director, South Staffs Water added: “Electrifying our fleet is an important element of our customer promise to protect the environment and minimise our environmental impact as we go about providing our essential services. Ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to keep our electric fleet moving is crucial, throughout the tender process, the Omega Red team was able to demonstrate their expertise and experience in this area and we look forward to working with them as we roll out our infrastructure programme.” Omega Red offers electric vehicle charging solutions right across the UK, supporting non-domestic clients with charging infrastructure concept, design, HV connection, installation, charging operations and maintenance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has appointed leading rolling stock engineering consultancy DB ESG to deliver its tram safety improvement programme. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) recommended that light rail networks deliver programmes to prevent the risk of serious accidents from tram over-speeding or driver inattention following the tragic event at Sandilands in Croydon where a tram overturned. Metrolink trams are already fitted with a device that applies the emergency brake in the event of a driver becoming incapacitated and the signalling system has several built-in protections. DB ESG working in partnership with Sella Controls, will design, install, test and commission the Driver Vigilance Devices (DVD) and Tram Overspeed Protection Systems (TOPS) to the Metrolink fleet of trams. To prevent over-speeding, Metrolink’s fleet of 147 trams will be equipped with the new systems that will use GPS and other information to determine the location and speed of the tram. The system utilises Sella Controls UK Rail approved Tracklink® III and EKE Electronics TRAINNET® technologies to provide the TOPS and DVD System. In the event of over-speeding, the driver will be alerted, and if there is no response the brakes will be applied automatically. The protection system will operate independently of other tram monitoring systems. To ensure drivers remain alert, an upgrade will be applied to the traction brake system and if no movement is detected input will be requested from the driver. Since the Croydon accident, TfGM and the Metrolink Operator – KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) – worked to progress the recommendations and introduced enhancements such as lower speed limits in key areas, additional hazard signage, an improved driver simulator used for training, enhanced medical standards and proactive speed monitoring. As the largest light rail network in the country, with more than 100km of track and 147 vehicles – which equates to just under half (46%) of the entire tram fleet in the UK – significant work has been done to explore new technology that will help to deliver the more complicated RAIB recommendations. This included use of the Metrolink network to trial solutions on behalf of the newly founded Light Rail Safety and Standards Board. This meticulous research was used to develop the specifications for the systems that DB ESG will now deliver. TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “The safety of our customers and staff is paramount, which is why we have robust safety and assurance practices built into the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the network. “Metrolink has an exemplary safety record, but following the tragedy in Croydon – and through the subsequent RAIB recommendations – we have taken steps to enhance this even further and have played an industry-leading role by participating in trials of innovative technology to monitor driver attention and vehicle over-speeding. “Metrolink is the largest and most complex light rail system in the country, and we’ve worked very closely with leading industry experts to ensure we get the right solution, and we look forward to working with DB ESG to deliver them.” Nick Goodhand, Managing Director at DB ESG, said: “We are pleased to be working with TfGM to deliver their critical Tram Safety Improvement Programme to implement the RAIB recommendations. The Tram Overspeed Protection System introduces an additional level of safety without impact to the normal service delivery or performance of the tram network.” Rob Nield, Business Development Manager at Sella Controls, said: “Following the successful delivery of the UK’s first SIL2 Light Rail Overspeed Prevention System, we are pleased to once again work closely with DB ESG, and newly TfGM, to deliver a solution which further bolsters the already outstanding Metrolink safety record.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals