Costain has appointed a new boss for its transportation division. Sue Kershaw joins the firm from KPMG where she held the role of managing director, Infrastructure Advisory Group. She brings a strong track record for driving complex, high profile transport and construction programmes to delivery. Before her leading position at
Leading UK commercial retail and property company Landsec has dished out a total facilities management (TFM) contract worth £18.5 million per annum. The company has selected Interserve to deliver the contract at seven of its major retail centres across the UK. Both companies have worked together since 2015, with this
The majority of project professionals in the UK, from across industry sectors, have already seen their main projects affected as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, can reveal. A poll of more than 200 project professionals, conducted for APM by research company Censuswide, found that 63 per cent of respondents
The popular energy, sustainability and environmental-focused BetaTalk podcast, sponsored by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), has released a two-part episode focused on renewable energy and ground source heat pumps, uniting British ground source heat pump manufacturer, Kensa Heat Pumps, with seasoned heating engineers. Host Nathan Gambling of BetaTeach, an educational resource
Engineers at the University of Liverpool, alongside industrial partners, have designed and built an adhesive free timber office building at Ness Gardens on the Wirral in order to evaluate a more environmentally friendly construction method. The key idea behind the new `green’ office structure is to use timber to connect
Pick Everard has appointed an experienced industry professional to head up its architecture team. Gary Loo joins the consultancy as the new head of development for architecture, where he will be responsible for business development for the London office’s 65 strong team. He comes to Pick Everard with 29 years
Global financial giant JP Morgan has expanded its services in Maidenhead with the completion of a new state-of-the-art office. Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick has completed the Building 5 Foundation Park project two weeks ahead of schedule, with members of the team turning out last month to mark the milestone. The team, which
UK storage group SureStore is moving forward with plans to expand its business across the nation. A contract has been agreed which will see a new £4 million storage facility built for the company in Wigan. Triton Construction has signed on for the project, which involves the development of a
The property website www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk reports that it has seen a 30 per cent increase in activity in the UK housing market when comparing the months of January and February 2020 with January and February 2019. JJ Heath-Caldwell, managing director of the business, says: “It is quite incredible to see 2020 starting off with
Figures released today suggests that UK construction & civil engineering is one of the least prepared industries to weather a mass home working strategy. Leesman has surveyed more than 700,000 employees worldwide. Of the 19,906 of those working in the UK construction & civil engineering space within its index, 49%
Costain has appointed a new boss for its transportation division. Sue Kershaw joins the firm from KPMG where she held the role of managing director, Infrastructure Advisory Group. She brings a strong track record for driving complex, high profile transport and construction programmes to delivery. Before her leading position at KPMG, Sue was UK infrastructure head of programme management for KPMG Major Projects Advisory. Previous positions include director of rail, Europe at CH2M and deputy director of transport for the Olympic Delivery Authority. The civil engineer is currently president of the Association for Project Management, a member of the Mayor of London’s Infrastructure Advisory Panel and a Royal Academy of Engineering visiting professor at the Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, University College London. At Costain, Sue will be responsible for the highways, rail and aviation sectors. She will also join the Group’s Executive Board and report to Alex Vaughan, chief executive officer.
Leading UK commercial retail and property company Landsec has dished out a total facilities management (TFM) contract worth £18.5 million per annum. The company has selected Interserve to deliver the contract at seven of its major retail centres across the UK. Both companies have worked together since 2015, with this new contract reflecting Interserve’s ability to deliver successful FM services for the firm. This new four-year contract embraces project management, engineering and fit out services as well as existing service lines such as: cleaning, security and customer services. Lynn Mawdsley, Interserve’s Managing Director Support Services, said: “We are delighted to win this contract for the delivery of complex national total facilities management services for Landsec. “We provide commercial property companies such as Landsec with leading capabilities in hard and soft FM services such as cleaning, security and engineering which help our customer achieve their strategic objectives. “With a dedicated management team that is committed to the Landsec contract we look forward to being able to continue to offer them an unparalleled level of service across their estate.” The contract begins in March and will include the provision of services at Landsec’s sites in Oxford, Leeds, London and Cardiff.
The majority of project professionals in the UK, from across industry sectors, have already seen their main projects affected as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, can reveal. A poll of more than 200 project professionals, conducted for APM by research company Censuswide, found that 63 per cent of respondents have already seen an impact on their primary project – with the most common being the need to review the project’s goals (experienced by 21 per cent of respondents) and delays to the project (experienced by 21 per cent). Other impacts cited include the need to review the quality criteria of the project (14 per cent) and deadlines being missed (13 per cent). When asked why their projects have been impacted in these ways, 44 per cent of respondents said restrictions on travel was an underlying cause; 39 per cent said colleagues and stakeholders being unavailable due to illness or self-isolation was a factor; 35 per cent said cancellation of public gatherings had affected their project; and 35 per cent said disruption to supply chain and/or resources being unavailable was a reason. In addition, the vast majority of the poll’s respondents (68 per cent) anticipate further impacts as the viral outbreak continues. APM’s chief executive Debbie Dore said: “The unprecedented nature of the coronavirus outbreak has brought uncertainty for all sectors and professions. Project management is no exception. “By its nature, effective project management involves assessing and responding to risk. Now more than ever, businesses and communities will be dependent on talented project professionals who can adapt to new circumstances, in order to safeguard the benefits their projects are intended to deliver. This may involve changes to schedules, budgets or even goals. But making changes such as these are the essence of what it means to be a project manager. I would urge employers to invest in developing the skills and resources available within their project management offices, to help minimise disruption to essential projects and make sure that intended long-term benefits can still be delivered.”
The popular energy, sustainability and environmental-focused BetaTalk podcast, sponsored by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), has released a two-part episode focused on renewable energy and ground source heat pumps, uniting British ground source heat pump manufacturer, Kensa Heat Pumps, with seasoned heating engineers. Host Nathan Gambling of BetaTeach, an educational resource for plumbers, electricians, heating engineers and students, says: “Travelling the country to meet the people involved in low carbon heating technology is a real pleasure. It was my first time visiting Kensa and I was really impressed!” The Kensa podcasts explore a number of hot topics affecting the renewables and heating industry, spanning opportunities and the need to upskill heating engineers to embrace the UKs transition to zero carbon, to the various solutions on the table to meet this target, including district heating and shared ground loop arrays with ground source heat pumps, nuclear energy, hybrid heat pumps, hydrogen, and load shifting. Representing Kensa Heat Pumps in the podcast are Darren Veal, Technical Sales Support & Commissioning Engineer, and Ally Cook, MCS Compliance Coordinator, accompanied by heat pump specialist William Johnson and regular BetaTalk guests and heating companies BTSE Heating and Renewable Heat. The vital role of system design and commissioning is explored in detail in the podcasts, where it is identified that in order for the UK to fully trust, embrace and benefit from renewable heating technology, system installations must be exemplary, with training critical to ensuring this. Darren says: “At Kensa we don’t just sell systems, we design them. We see training as being as big a part of company growth as anything else. “It was great to spend time with Nathan and his Beta Talk team discussing low carbon solutions and the upskilling of engineers. Here’s to a decarbonised future for all generations!” The two-part podcast is available to listen to here.
Engineers at the University of Liverpool, alongside industrial partners, have designed and built an adhesive free timber office building at Ness Gardens on the Wirral in order to evaluate a more environmentally friendly construction method. The key idea behind the new `green’ office structure is to use timber to connect timber, and to use timber to reinforce timber. Timber is one of the very few industrial materials that can be 100% sustainable. Engineers designed and constructed a large section of the office space using adhesive free laminated timber (AFLT) beams and adhesive free cross laminated timber (AFCLT) panels, and densified wooden dowels and plates are used to connect beams with columns rather than metallic fasteners. The dowels and plates are made using softwood from sustainably-harvested timber and compressed using a heated hydraulic press to reduce thickness whilst making it denser and stronger than common hardwood. The `green’ office, which is part of an EU-funded INTERREG research project, will allow researchers to evaluate the performance of adhesive free engineered wood products and compressed wood fasteners in a real life environment over the next five to ten years, and compare it to conventional methods that use adhesives and metal. Located at Ness Gardens on the Wirral, the 35m2 office structure will provide a functional workspace for researchers from the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Integrative Biology using the Brian Moss Aquatic Facility, one of Europe’s largest, most technologically advanced facilities for investigating environmental impacts on freshwaters. Liverpool engineer, Dr Zhongwei Guan, an international timber engineering and composite expert, who is leading project, said: “This is an exciting real world project. The structure we have designed and built is arguably the first building in the world to be constructed using this compressed wood technology! “It showcases a more environmentally friendly method of connecting wood and joining structures using compressed wood dowels and fasteners without the use of adhesives or metal products. “The prototype has been developed as part of our INTERREG EU research project to design, demonstrate and take forward new adhesive free engineered wood products for use in the construction industry.” Dr Stewart Plaistow, Senior lecturer in Evolutionary Biology in the Institute of Integrative Biology, said: “I am delighted that this new facility which will support research projects investigating the effects of climate change on shallow fresh waters. “The new space will allow researchers to process samples on site, enhancing the mesocosm facilities capabilities even further. It’s been a real pleasure seeing “green” research projects from different faculties working together.” The office was designed and built by researchers from the University of Liverpool’s School of Engineering, together with FRCS of the University, a design engineer and contractor, and local businesses, SticX Ltd and Cunliffe’s Architects.
Pick Everard has appointed an experienced industry professional to head up its architecture team. Gary Loo joins the consultancy as the new head of development for architecture, where he will be responsible for business development for the London office’s 65 strong team. He comes to Pick Everard with 29 years of industry experience, boasting specialist expertise in master planning and purpose-built student accommodation as well as a portfolio of work spanning throughout the UK and Ireland, including working with Royal Mail Group. Commenting on his appointment, Gary said: “I’ve worked on quite a range of projects in my time, but one of my most memorable achievements to date was being involved in the design of the first phase of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Wales. I studied architecture at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff, and the last ten years has seen my time split between Cardiff and London. “I wanted to take the next step in my career with a national consultancy, so I’m excited to be joining Pick Everard and look forward to making a positive impact within the team and its services.” This appointment adds to the company’s recent efforts to introduce landscape architecture to its multi-disciplinary offering and continue to grow an interior design team. John Sharp, director at Pick Everard, added: “We’re delighted to have Gary on board with us in London. “Gary has an impressive career history and brings a great deal of experience to his new role with us. He will focus on further growing our portfolio of architectural work, as well as taking on business development responsibilities in the capital. His vast knowledge and contacts in the industry across numerous sectors will certainly bolster our offering and we look forward to seeing the positive influence he is set to make within the business.”
Global financial giant JP Morgan has expanded its services in Maidenhead with the completion of a new state-of-the-art office. Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick has completed the Building 5 Foundation Park project two weeks ahead of schedule, with members of the team turning out last month to mark the milestone. The team, which began work on the project in October 2018, successfully completed a three-storey CAT A office, featuring open plan work spaces, a full height atrium with internal staircase, and a balcony terrace. The building has also been finished with energy saving LED lighting and photovoltaic roof panels. Throughout the project, the team worked strategically to overcome a series of logistical challenges, not least working within a live business park, neighbouring an aerodrome. Close collaboration with the airport during the planning phase allowed both parties to coordinate their schedules, ensuring that work to erect the building’s steel frame could proceed on time, with minimal disruption. Rob Lindsay, project manager for VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “What a fantastic journey Foundation Park has been for us. There’s been a real sense of teamwork from start to finish and we have risen to any challenges which we’ve encountered along the way. The result is a client who values our opinion and trusts us to deliver.” Speaking following an official tour of the new facility, Paul Harris, vice president at JP Morgan Asset Management, added: “It has been a pleasure to work with the VolkerFitzpatrick team on the Building 5 development and we are delighted with the finished product. From the very beginning, VolkerFitzpatrick led a positive and open relationship, and this, combined with their attention to detail, enabled us to deliver a building of the highest standards.”
UK storage group SureStore is moving forward with plans to expand its business across the nation. A contract has been agreed which will see a new £4 million storage facility built for the company in Wigan. Triton Construction has signed on for the project, which involves the development of a new 50,000 sq ft building on a vacant site on Pitt Street in the town centre. The contractor will begin work on site next month with clearance of the existing foundations for the former building occupied by furniture maker, Latham Jenkins. Construction will be carried out on the four-storey facility over a phased period due to tight restrictions around that site that is circled by the Pitt Street one-way road system. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Triton Construction said: “We are pleased to secure our first contract with SureStore as it progresses its expansion in the UK. Our credentials in building storage and warehouse facilities that stand out from the ordinary are strong and we are hoping to secure more projects with SureStore with three further projects pending in the North.” Mike Wilson, Managing Director at SureStore added: “We were already familiar with Triton Construction due to its good working relationship with our architect C4 Projects and we are also aware of its good credentials in constructing striking buildings for operators in the self-storage industry. In particular Triton has shown great flexibility, allowing us to have early access for fit out during the build programme, and thus speeding up the process for us to become operational. We hope to be able to work with Triton on more of our pipeline projects.” SureStore has major plans to expand further across the UK and expects to be managing over 20 stores in the next 18 months.
The property website www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk reports that it has seen a 30 per cent increase in activity in the UK housing market when comparing the months of January and February 2020 with January and February 2019. JJ Heath-Caldwell, managing director of the business, says: “It is quite incredible to see 2020 starting off with such a high level of activity. During 2019, the market was fairly static, as people held off making decisions until the Brexit situation was resolved and the result of the UK election was announced.” The company, which offers a property services price comparison engine, helps people source local property professionals, connecting home owners and home buyers with surveyors, architects, estate agents, conveyancers, domestic energy assessors, drainage contractors and other property-related professionals. These services are provided over the whole of the United Kingdom by a comprehensive network of suppliers which has been steadily built up since the website first started operating in 2005. JJ says: “Across our sites, we have seen a strong increase in activity, which would coincide with national statistics that property marketing is moving in the upward direction.” Nationwide announced in February 2020 that the average price of a home has increased 2.3% year on year to £216,092, which is the strongest growth rate in 18 months. JJ adds: “It’s great to see the property market gaining momentum after a such a lull. There are some uncertainties in the future with the COVID-19 virus hitting the UK, and we will be monitoring the situation closely.”
Figures released today suggests that UK construction & civil engineering is one of the least prepared industries to weather a mass home working strategy. Leesman has surveyed more than 700,000 employees worldwide. Of the 19,906 of those working in the UK construction & civil engineering space within its index, 49% have no home working experience, compared with 52% of overall respondents globally. As the UK government now asks even mildly sick people to stay home, leading researchers have suggested British workers who can work from home should be advised to do so, regardless of whether they are symptomatic, to reduce their risk of contracting coronavirus and fuelling the outbreak by spreading it to others. Many British businesses have released Covid-19 contingency plans including compulsory home working policies, and some have begun to close sites and ban external visitors. But Leesman’s data suggests the construction and civil engineering space must brace itself for reduced productivity and innovation. Of the employees across the industry that do work from home occasionally, 91% typically do so for just one day a week or less, and just 0.3% work from home for more than four days per week. What’s more, only 32% of sporadic home workers in the industry have a dedicated room to work from. In light of the actions that businesses are having to take in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Leesman is mobilising research tools that will enable employers across the private and public sector to support the newly remote workforce. The Leesman Index rating, which covers more than 90 indicators of the physical, virtual and social workplace infrastructures, shows how employees are supported and monitors key economic indicators like personal and collective productivity, knowledge transfer and pride. Tim Oldman, Leesman CEO, said: “Home working will undoubtedly prove pivotal in limiting the impact of coronavirus crisis. But the data suggests that many employers and employees across the construction and civil engineering space will be out of their depth should British businesses be forced into lockdown. Our advice is for organisations to quickly quantify where their main obstacles will be and seek support. We know how and why corporate offices impact employee sentiment but have significantly less understanding of even the short-term impact of dispersing teams to environments designed for living, not working. Industries must brace themselves, but the construction and civil engineering space must remain one of the most cautious.”