Connect38 on the Ashford Commercial Quarter site has been officially opened by Quinn Estate, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the town’s story as the economic powerhouse of Kent. Connect38, designed by Canterbury based Clague Architects, is the largest office block to be built in Kent for
Network Rail’s £5 billion ‘next generation’ track works contracts is inviting bids through a contract notice. The suite is the largest of its kind being undertaken in the upcoming funding period, control period 6 (CP6), which runs from 2019 to 2024. The contracts cover 10 years of railway track works
Aggregate Industries, the leading construction material supplier, has proved its unrivalled credentials once again in its recent work at the ground-breaking Woodsmith Mine development in North Yorkshire. The £2 billion development will constitute one of Britain’s biggest mines; to incorporate a vast mine head at Woodsmith Mine, Sneaton, with shafts
Rachael Hobbis, who worked with national law firm Shakespeare Martineau for ten years, has been appointed by Brierley Hill-based solicitor Higgs & Sons as its specialist construction Partner. This move is part of the firm’s plan to unite its commercial and residential property teams under a single umbrella, creating one
The latest attempt to ease the construction industry’s skills shortages saw the launch of a £22 million boost for on-site construction training. First unveiled during Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Statement in March, The Construction Skills Fund will help fund 20 ‘skills villages’ where training hubs are set-up alongside live construction
Equity release provider Pure Retirement, the fastest growing company in Yorkshire, will be taking 12,575 sq ft of office space in Paradigm at Thorpe Park Leeds, a regeneration scheme that is being developed by partners Scarborough International Properties and Legal & General. It has agreed on a 10-year lease to
The first students to graduate from PlanBEE scheme, an innovative training programme designed to tackle construction skills shortage, have all secured full-time positions in the industry. They received offers from some of the sector’s leading companies, such as Bowmer & Kirkland, 3E Consulting, Sir Robert McAlpine, Ryder Architecture, Patrick Parsons,
As domestic boilers are a fundamental part of homes across the UK, manufacturer of domestic gas boilers Ravenheat is encouraging customers to take care of their boilers by ensuring they have an annual service to extend the operational life; therefore saving homeowners money. The company has even offered a few
An annual average of £16,000 is being lost by each subcontractor as a result of bad debts and collectively they are forced to write off £2.8 billion each year. Research by Bibby Financial Services (BFS) found that three fifths of subcontractors have written off sums over the past year. Moreover,
R G Carter, a construction firm, will be holding a series of site visits for the construction students from the University of Bedfordshire so that they can gain further insight into the industry. Currently, the company is building a new four-storey STEM teaching space at the University’s Luton campus, which
Connect38 on the Ashford Commercial Quarter site has been officially opened by Quinn Estate, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the town’s story as the economic powerhouse of Kent. Connect38, designed by Canterbury based Clague Architects, is the largest office block to be built in Kent for 20 years with 75% of the building let. The new building delivers 80,500 sq ft of office, restaurant and retail space with the creation of around 481 full-time jobs. Its first tenants have already arrived, with infrastructure consultants, Peter Brett, accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy, and dental practice Pennypot Dental welcoming their new homes. “This project is one of my proudest achievements to date. Connect38 and Ashford Commercial Quarter is going to mark a new chapter for Ashford and sets the standard for office space in the South East,” said Mark Quinn, CEO at Quinn Estates. “Connect38 represents an extraordinary opportunity for businesses looking to relocate locally, or from London and further afield. The international train station is almost adjacent to the development site, making this an ideal commuting location.” Delivered by Quinn Estates in partnership with George Wilson Developments, the scheme was also backed by Ashford Borough Council, which sees it as pivotal to the town’s future economic success. To support the development, the council has underwritten the cost of two floors of the office block. “This building, and Ashford Commercial Quarter as a larger site, makes an important statement about the borough’s economic position, our can-do attitude as an authority, our sharp commercial focus and the confidence that key businesses and developers have in the town,” said Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council. “This borough has a rich heritage, but we are also embracing growth with ambitious plans for the future. Ashford Commercial Quarter marks a significant project within our ‘Big 8′ developments -major projects emphasising this ambition. These developments illustrate our intention to unlock major opportunities, while delivering new jobs, housing, retail and cultural facilities,” he concluded.
Network Rail’s £5 billion ‘next generation’ track works contracts is inviting bids through a contract notice. The suite is the largest of its kind being undertaken in the upcoming funding period, control period 6 (CP6), which runs from 2019 to 2024. The contracts cover 10 years of railway track works and will introduce three new geographically-focused alliances between Network Rail, designers and construction suppliers. The alliances include: the North Alliance (Scotland Route); Central Alliance (London North West, London North East and East Midland routes) and the South Alliance; (Anglia, South East, Wessex, Western and Wales routes). Each alliance will combine the development, design and delivery of plain line track and switches and crossings, as well as associated infrastructure works for each area. The step sees plain line and switches & crosses brought together operationally and commercially as a means of delivering infrastructure works more efficiently and effectively for customers, said Network Rail. This move is a key part of the Rail’s Infrastructure Projects CP6 procurement strategy, which aims to promote collaborative arrangements with the supply chain that offer better value for money for devolved route customers. “Combining our plain line expertise with that of switches & crossings will bring huge benefits to both our route customers and the wider supply chain. The proven alliance model offers a flexible and cost effective solution with a greater focus on each route’s specific requirements and needs,” said Steve Featherstone, Network Rail director for track. The pre-qualification period for the tender will start in June. Network Rail owns and operates the railway infrastructure, including 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges and viaducts and thousands of tunnels, signals, level crossings and points, in England, Wales and Scotland on behalf of the nation. It also manages rail timetabling and 20 of the largest stations in England, Scotland and Wales.
Aggregate Industries, the leading construction material supplier, has proved its unrivalled credentials once again in its recent work at the ground-breaking Woodsmith Mine development in North Yorkshire. The £2 billion development will constitute one of Britain’s biggest mines; to incorporate a vast mine head at Woodsmith Mine, Sneaton, with shafts 4,921ft (1,500m) deep, and a 23-mile underground tunnel to transport the potash to Wilton International near Redcar. The project needed the supply and delivery of a vast high quality, hardstone aggregate that was to be used for road construction and ground stabilisation works; therefore the contractor Collins Earthworks called for the services of Aggregate Industries. “Having worked on numerous projects of this size, we were able to apply our learnings to ensure an even more robust approach to the aggregate supply. From working closely with Collins Earthworks at the inventory stages, we have put a stringent plan in place to ensure a continuity of supply without disruption, ensuring the teams have the exact specific technical and quality specification of aggregate as and when they need it,” said John Taylor, sales manager, Aggregates North. During the period of May to December 2017, Aggregate Industries’ specialist team has supplied 81,000 tonnes of Type 3 sub-base aggregates and 9,000 tonnes of Type 1 sub-base aggregates, constituting a total of 90,000 tonnes. A further 20,000 tonnes of material was provided during January and February 2018. In order to effectively and sustainably manage the scale of supply demands, material has been sourced from the business’ Glensanda quarry and shipped to the nearby Teesside port, before being road hauled direct to the project. This approach has enabled the team to deliver in excess of 500 tonnes per day, while operating a stringent quality procedure to ensure the material exceeded the structure and strength values required for the project. “I would like pass on my thanks to Aggregate Industries for providing such a swift and efficient approach to our aggregate requirement which has been vital to keeping the project on schedule. Working on a project of this calibre and scale, it is vital to partner with genuine experts with not just the product capabilities but the expertise behind it, and the team haven’t failed to deliver. I’m sure this relationship will continue as we progress the project over the next four years,” commented on the project Dave Shaw, site manager at Collins Earthworks.
Rachael Hobbis, who worked with national law firm Shakespeare Martineau for ten years, has been appointed by Brierley Hill-based solicitor Higgs & Sons as its specialist construction Partner. This move is part of the firm’s plan to unite its commercial and residential property teams under a single umbrella, creating one of the largest specialist teams in the region. “I am looking forward to being part of the Higgs team as it continues to grow,” said about her appointment Ms Hobbis. “I will be able to support my colleagues throughout the firm and the needs of clients across all sectors in the region and beyond, utilising my extensive commercial experience of working in the construction industry and expertise to achieve clients’ goals.” Rachael has earned her experience by working in a wide range of construction projects, including residential and commercial development, healthcare, education, leisure, retail and infrastructure projects. She is capable of assisting the client team at various stages of a project, from advising to the procurement of a project, including the form of build contract, consultants’ appointments and collateral warranties, as well as working alongside the professional team during the delivery of the project or providing support and advice when issues arise on site. “Rachael has significant experience in working with a wide spectrum of property professionals across a range of sectors,” said Cherry Elliott, Head of Property Services at Higgs & Sons. “The newly unified practice group at Higgs offers expertise in all aspects of commercial and residential property. Rachael’s appointment has bolstered particularly the residential and commercial development that we can now provide.” “Our development team can assist clients on all aspects of their deal throughout the lifecycle of the project. Providing advice across sectors including manufacturing, construction, retail, leisure and healthcare, Rachael will be a significant addition to our team,” he concluded.
The latest attempt to ease the construction industry’s skills shortages saw the launch of a £22 million boost for on-site construction training. First unveiled during Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Statement in March, The Construction Skills Fund will help fund 20 ‘skills villages’ where training hubs are set-up alongside live construction sites. The 18-month scheme is funded by the Department for Education and will be administered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). “On-site training will be hugely beneficial for employers and trainees, as it will help bridge the gap between training and working in the industry, meaning trainees are site-ready sooner,” said Skills Minister Anne Milton. Employers, housing associations and other interested bodies, such as LEPs and local authorities are encouraged by the CITB to submit expressions of interest. These can be from both existing and prospective on-site learning hubs. “Having training on or near to major projects will reveal what an exciting sector this can be, while also putting new talent in the shop window,” said Steve Radkey, Policy Director at CITB. “We want all interested organisations to submit Expressions of Interest that are innovative, collaborative and with training at their heart. We will support applicants through the process and provide expert guidance to apply to the fund.” Training organisations wishing to benefit from the fund can sign up and apply here: https://www.citb.co.uk/funding/types-of-funding/structured-fund/construction-skills-fund/. The successful bids will be awarded in the autumn. CITB is the Industry Training Board and a partner in the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry in England, Scotland and Wales. Its job is to work with the industry to encourage training, which helps build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce. It also provides support and funding to help companies improve skills, increase their competitiveness and respond to challenges such as the low carbon agenda, reducing costs on site and recruiting the best talent for their sector.
Equity release provider Pure Retirement, the fastest growing company in Yorkshire, will be taking 12,575 sq ft of office space in Paradigm at Thorpe Park Leeds, a regeneration scheme that is being developed by partners Scarborough International Properties and Legal & General. It has agreed on a 10-year lease to occupy the top two floors of the building. “Pure Retirement continues to enjoy major growth targeting a quarter of the UK market share in 2019 with £1bn in lending. During the last five years we have quadrupled in size to £21m in turnover with a team soon to total 91. We are forecasting similar growth over the next three years to become one of the UK’s top providers,” said Paul Carter, CEO at Pure Retirement. “To achieve this, we require suitably prestigious headquarters and Paradigm at Thorpe Park Leeds perfectly matches our aspirations. Despite some pressure to relocate to the city centre, we felt that Thorpe Park Leeds delivers the best in terms of accessibility whilst also offering the quality of office space usually restricted to prime plots in the city,” he added. Thorpe Park Leeds is located off junction 46 of the M1 motorway and it consists of 800,000 sq ft of development built and occupied to date. Over 60 blue chip businesses occupy space at Thorpe Park, employing around 4,500 people. “It is good to see that the business, like many before it, has chosen to remain at Thorpe Park Leeds which is testament to the quality of space, environment and business support on offer,” commented on the news Paul Holcroft, head of commercial leasing at Scarborough International Properties. Following a £162 million investment deal with Legal & General Capital, Scarborough International Properties and Legal & General are progressing a transformational 1.35 million sq ft mixed-use expansion at Thorpe Park. Phase two is currently underway and it includes a new 350,000 sq ft retail and leisure park due for completion this autumn. The plan also includes a further 900,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, 300 new residential homes by Redrow and a 113-acre public park with sports facilities.
The first students to graduate from PlanBEE scheme, an innovative training programme designed to tackle construction skills shortage, have all secured full-time positions in the industry. They received offers from some of the sector’s leading companies, such as Bowmer & Kirkland, 3E Consulting, Sir Robert McAlpine, Ryder Architecture, Patrick Parsons, Tolent and Brims and will be employed in various roles, including surveying, civil engineering, design, and project management. Launched in September 2016, PlanBEE is an alliance between Gateshead College, Ryder Architects and a network of architects, designers, contractors and engineering specialists. Together they developed a unique, flexible training programme designed to attract and retain the brightest new talent in the region, plug skills gaps, and create a more flexible workforce capable of working across various disciplines in the construction and built environment sectors. The first group to have ever enrolled onto the programme has just completed it and a second group of students embarked on it last September. The plan is to enrol a new group every year so that construction firms can continually recruit people equipped with the skills they need. “I always wanted to go into construction but I didn’t want to specialise in any particular discipline. That’s why PlanBEE was so appealing; it allowed me to learn about several different elements of the industry,” said Madeleine Lees from Teeside, who landed her dream job as an assistant structural engineer at full-service consultancy Patrick Parsons. “While on the programme I completed work placements at 3D Consulting, Ryder and Tolent – a consultancy, an architect and a civil engineering specialist – so I got to work on all sorts of projects. This is really important because in my new role at Patrick Parsons many projects cover more than one discipline.” Rather than following a traditional training model where students complete their qualifications while working in one company, PlanBEE gives trainees the chance to work across several companies and therefore gain a more rounded understanding of the built environment industry. “It’s well known that the sector has suffered from serious long-term skills shortages. This makes it even more important that companies have access to a skilled pool of talent that enables them to become more productive and competitive, both now and in the long run,” said Chris Toon, deputy principal at Gateshead College. A report by the Construction Skills Network said an extra 179,000 UK construction jobs will need to be filled from 2017-2021 to meet rapid growth in demand for infrastructure and housebuilding across the country.
As domestic boilers are a fundamental part of homes across the UK, manufacturer of domestic gas boilers Ravenheat is encouraging customers to take care of their boilers by ensuring they have an annual service to extend the operational life; therefore saving homeowners money. The company has even offered a few suggestions on the topic of servicing and boiler health. Explain the benefits of servicing One of the easiest ways to talk to your customers about why they should get their boiler serviced, as well as what they should do with it during summer, is to discuss it when you are there for other work. Whether you are reminding them to get their boiler serviced annually before you leave or just having a chat over a cup of tea, make sure you break down the reasons why it is good for them. Of course, that includes lower chances of breakdowns in the winter and a longer serviceable life. Leave a card Put the stack of business cards you have to good use and write down the date of a recommended service on the back. That way, the customer has your details and can call you when the date comes around. Alternatively, service reminder stickers on the boiler itself with your contact information on them are another good option. Use social media to let them know Social media is a valuable tool to promote your business and services, but it is also a great way to share your knowledge with your customers. Ravenheat use their own social media to share tips with homeowners, like how to defrost their condensate during the winter, which prove to be very popular. A Facebook business page is ideal for sharing advice on why and how often customers should get their boilers serviced and also to recommend they turn on their boiler at least once a month to keep everything in working order. Let them know about manufacturer FAQs Like many companies, Ravenheat has a list of frequently asked questions for both installers and homeowners on its website, including advice on why annual servicing is important and how to organise a service. If homeowners are looking for manufacturer advice on what to do, refer them to the FAQs. Over the summer, Ravenheat will be using its own social media channels to share tips and information on the importance of services and boiler health. Engineers are welcome to share their posts to help raise awareness among homeowners.
An annual average of £16,000 is being lost by each subcontractor as a result of bad debts and collectively they are forced to write off £2.8 billion each year. Research by Bibby Financial Services (BFS) found that three fifths of subcontractors have written off sums over the past year. Moreover, findings from the Subcontracting Growth 2018 survey found that the average firm waves goodbye to £16,149 worth of bad debt each year. Undertaken following the collapse of Carillion, the study found that almost a fifth of subcontractors (17%) said the most common reason for not receiving the full amount billed was due to a customer going out of business. A change in the scope of work part way through a project (8%), queries over the quality of work (6%) and disputes over contracts (6%) were also among the top reasons firms would lose money. “Bad debt is a serious issue for many construction businesses and, across the entire sector, more than £2.8bn is written-off each year, representing a significant economic leakage,” said Kash Ahmad, specialist finance director at BFS. “Bad debt occurs due to insolvency in the supply chain, protracted default or dispute and the issue is particularly challenging for smaller firms that have already footed the bill for raw material and labour costs. This places a massive strain on these businesses, sometimes even causing viable firms to fold. For many, bad debt is the hidden cost of doing business,” he continued. Helen Wheeler, managing director for Construction Finance at BFS also added: “Making full and correct payment in accordance with contracts is a fundamental pillar of the Government’s Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter, but it is clear that this simply isn’t happening. Unless something more tangible is done, the growth of tens of thousands of small construction firms will continue to be stifled.”
R G Carter, a construction firm, will be holding a series of site visits for the construction students from the University of Bedfordshire so that they can gain further insight into the industry. Currently, the company is building a new four-storey STEM teaching space at the University’s Luton campus, which makes for the perfect opportunity to observe and learn about the project in action. “We are proud to provide the next generation with the opportunity to visit a live construction site. It gives them a taste of what happens in real-time which is crucial to their understanding of practice in the construction industry,” said Doug Stephen, Project Manager at R G Carter. The initiative was organised by the site team, together with university lecturer Dr James Bishop, who made sure the visits were aligned with the curriculum and students could see the various stages of the construction, from demolition right through to the mainframe taking shape. This approach has supported the students’ learning to help them understand the different methods and phases of a large construction development. “It is great to get out of the classroom and be on-site to see all the different aspects of working on a project of this scale, from the foundations up to the concrete structure. The visits have brought to life my studies, helping me visualise elements when writing assignments,” said Hayden Bartram, a student from the university. The STEM building is due to open in September 2019 and will include teaching and laboratory spaces, as well as a new Science and Engineering Outreach Centre. This will allow the University to offer a wide range of new science courses including Pharmacy, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Geology and Mechanical Engineering. R G Carter has been a family owned and run business for over 95 years, putting people and communities at the heart of what they do. Through its network of regional offices, the firm offers full-service construction solutions, such as design, build, refurbishment and repairs, across a wide range of sectors.