Kenneth Booth
Green light for £11m office to flats Build-to-Rent conversion in Dorset

Green light for £11m office to flats Build-to-Rent conversion in Dorset

Phased development of south Dorset’s first open-market build-to-rent residential scheme has reached a significant milestone on a landmark site in Dorchester after permitted development rights were confirmed. RTI Estates Ltd is set to add another phase in the conversion of offices at Vespasian House at the top o’ town into

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Geberit appoints Danielle Lillis as new Product and Marketing Director

Geberit appoints Danielle Lillis as new Product and Marketing Director

Geberit, a leading manufacturer of sanitary products and piping systems, has appointed Danielle Lillis as its new Product and Marketing Director for the UK. Lillis brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at major bathroom distributors and manufacturers. Most recently, she served

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Record number of Modern Apprenticeship starts at Fife College

Record number of Modern Apprenticeship starts at Fife College

Fife College has this week welcomed a record intake of 350 first-year Modern Apprentices through its doors. Apprentices from Engineering, Construction, Automotive, Plumbing, Gas Engineering and Life Sciences have all started their apprentice journey across the College’s Rosyth, Dunfermline and Glenrothes campuses. This year’s record intake also includes, for the

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Pembrokeshire Eco Park: A New Era in Sustainable Waste Management

Pembrokeshire Eco Park: A New Era in Sustainable Waste Management

Andrew Scott Limited has successfully handed over a new Eco Park Waste and Recycling Facility in Milford Haven for their Client, Pembrokeshire County Council. The new Eco Park Waste Recycling facility will support Pembrokeshire County Council’s waste and recycling programme, in line with the Welsh Government Strategy “Towards Zero Waste”.

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EMCOR UK Unveils Innovative Insight Intelligence Service

EMCOR UK Unveils Innovative Insight Intelligence Service

EMCOR UK has introduced its new service, Insight Intelligence, which combines human expertise with cutting-edge technology. This service leverages advanced modelling, AI, and data science to extract actionable insights from customer operations, enabling a comprehensive view of their entire estate and unlocking the full potential of their facilities. The service

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TSG Boosts ESG and Digital Efficiency with Apogee's Innovative Solutions

TSG Boosts ESG and Digital Efficiency with Apogee’s Innovative Solutions

Partnership modernises TSG’s telephony and IT infrastructure for 200-strong employee base TSG Building Services Plc, a multi-disciplined building services and construction company, has successfully accelerated its digital innovation by partnering with managed workplace services (MWS) provider Apogee Corporation. The collaboration has modernised TSG’s telephony and legacy IT infrastructure to better

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Caddick Restores Iconic Leeds Mill

Caddick Restores Iconic Leeds Mill

Caddick Construction Group has reached completion of Stonebridge Beck, Rushbond’s brand new “heritage village” at the Grade II listed Stonebridge Mills in Leeds. Handover of the development marks the completion of a £25m renovation and new-build project to create 112 residential properties, including mill townhouses, contemporary new build homes and

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Finning Apprenticeship Academy scores good OFSTED rating

Finning Apprenticeship Academy scores good OFSTED rating

With national and global skills shortages in engineering, Finning – the world’s largest dealer of Catâ equipment, parts and services – is bucking the trend by successfully developing its own talent. Not only does its UK Apprenticeship Academy boast a 100% retention rate – meaning all students over the last

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Latest Issue
Issue 329 : Jun 2025

Kenneth Booth

Green light for £11m office to flats Build-to-Rent conversion in Dorset

Green light for £11m office to flats Build-to-Rent conversion in Dorset

Phased development of south Dorset’s first open-market build-to-rent residential scheme has reached a significant milestone on a landmark site in Dorchester after permitted development rights were confirmed. RTI Estates Ltd is set to add another phase in the conversion of offices at Vespasian House at the top o’ town into 37 apartments for up to 144 people adding £11m to this phased project. The company – part of the forward-thinking Dorchester-based property company Redtale Holdings – will deliver a mixture of one, two and three bed flats including penthouse apartments in what is currently the loft. It has received notification from Dorset Council of its right to convert the entire building and loft of Vespasian House under permitted development rights, where the change of use is already acceptable in principle. It also has received ‘right to rise’ confirmation for the loft of the property in the county town. The development will repurpose an iconic building in a brownfield and highly sustainable location as part of RTI’s ongoing regeneration of the county town’s historic Barrack Quarter. RTI, which owns the freehold of the office complex and surrounding land, has opted for a build-to-rent (BTR) development to provide high-quality, flexible short and long-term secure accommodation. BTR is purpose-built housing designed for rent rather than sale. Homes are not sold to investment owners or buy-to-let landlords for traditional open market rental but are owned and managed by the developer or operator. Schemes of this kind typically offer flexible leases from six months up to five years to provide families and workers with modern sustainable homes as well as secure tenures not normally associated with the rental sector. Many schemes also include a range of services and additional space, such as communal lounges or gyms. The plans to breathe new life into Vespasian House comes as NHS organisations based in the building consider alternative arrangements to co-locate with local partners. Chief executive Malcolm Curtis said: “Confirmation of permitted development rights marks another major milestone in this project. “It will be the first build-to-rent scheme in south of Dorset, and possible the whole of the west of the county, enhancing the mix of housing stock and helping to combat the chronic under-supply of rental homes in the area. “In addition to securing the long-term future of an iconic building, it also represents development of an important brownfield site in a highly sustainable location close to the nearby hospital, transport links and all the town centre amenities. “Providing new, high-quality accommodation of this kind for families, workers and professionals will support the growth of Dorchester and its local economy while supporting public services and bringing millions of pounds of investment to the area. “The scheme will meet, or exceed, the required building and sustainability standards, and we very much look forward to sharing more details in due course.” Vespasian House is currently being used as offices by the NHS and was previously occupied by the Inland Revenue. Its conversion will include parking. RTI also has a keen focus on sustainability in the design, construction and use of all its developments, including low and zero carbon technologies. The scheme is part of RTI’s urban regeneration of Dorchester’s historic Barrack Quarter at the top o’ town. This has already included the build completion of a £2.4m development of Barrack House in the northwest corner of the site with nine key worker apartments let to NHS workers and their families. It has also previously converted the former quartermaster’s stores into five townhouses and two apartments for open market sale. In addition, RTI has previously gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixed-used building with apartments and commercial space. These plans are unaltered by these plans for further accommodation. National permitted development policies – often known as ‘prior approval’ – for conversion of offices and other types of commercialproperties into homes were first introduced in 2013 and mean change of use is acceptable in principle. Applications are required to meet certain criteria, which have been further eased since the pandemic and onset of remote and hybrid working as well as the decline of town centres. According to latest figures from the House of Commons Library, a total of 102,830 new homes were delivered through change of use permitted development rights from 2015 to 2023 in England. Visit https://redtalegroup.com/ for more details. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Geberit appoints Danielle Lillis as new Product and Marketing Director

Geberit appoints Danielle Lillis as new Product and Marketing Director

Geberit, a leading manufacturer of sanitary products and piping systems, has appointed Danielle Lillis as its new Product and Marketing Director for the UK. Lillis brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at major bathroom distributors and manufacturers. Most recently, she served as Sales and Commercial Director at Ideal Bathrooms, where she was responsible for its extensive supplier portfolio, and both the sales and marketing teams. In her new position, Lillis will lead Geberit’s product management and marketing departments, focusing on driving growth in key segments like wall-hung sanitaryware and shower toilets. She aims to leverage Geberit’s reputation for innovation and quality to further strengthen its market position. “I’ve always admired Geberit as a best-in-class manufacturer,” said Lillis. “I’m excited to join such an innovative company and look forward to enhancing our product offerings and marketing strategies to deliver even more value to our customers.” Lillis’s background as both a supplier and customer in the bathroom industry gives her unique insights that will benefit Geberit’s relationships with distributors, installers, and end users. Her commercial acumen and results-driven approach align well with Geberit’s focus on growth and market leadership. “We’re thrilled to welcome Danielle to the Geberit team,” said Mark Larden, Managing Director of Geberit UK. “Her extensive experience and customer-centric perspective will be invaluable as we continue to develop premium products and services for the UK market.” Lillis took up her new role in August 2024. She will be based at Geberit’s UK headquarters in Warwick. For more information visit: www.geberit.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Record number of Modern Apprenticeship starts at Fife College

Record number of Modern Apprenticeship starts at Fife College

Fife College has this week welcomed a record intake of 350 first-year Modern Apprentices through its doors. Apprentices from Engineering, Construction, Automotive, Plumbing, Gas Engineering and Life Sciences have all started their apprentice journey across the College’s Rosyth, Dunfermline and Glenrothes campuses. This year’s record intake also includes, for the second year running, a record number of Engineering Modern Apprentices. 160 aspiring engineers from across the region have started Engineering Modern Apprenticeships, up from 133 last year (2023/24). As the third-largest engineering Modern Apprenticeship provider in the country, the College has worked with 43 employers to provide more opportunities than ever before for local engineers to earn while they learn. Skills Development Scotland announced Modern Apprenticeship numbers for the 2024/25 earlier this year with 438 places awarded to Fife College, the third highest number of all colleges in Scotland. The College runs one of the most substantial MA programmes in Scotland with a funding contribution of just under £2 million from this year’s contract set to support more local employers in developing their workforces. Miles Lagan, Head of Business Development at Fife College, said: “We would like to thank all of our employers for supporting our successful modern apprenticeship programme and wish all our new apprentices the best for the future as they begin their new career journey at Fife College.”  “By partnering with over 189 employers, we’re not just increasing numbers but enhancing the quality and relevance of the training our apprentices receive. This ensures that local people are well-prepared to enter the workforce with skills that are in demand, contributing to the growth of our regional economy. “As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the need for innovative engineering solutions across industries has never been greater. Fife College is fully aware of this growing demand and is dedicated to shaping the next generation of engineering talent, ensuring they are equipped to meet these challenges head-on. “We are therefore also thrilled to provide more Modern Apprenticeship opportunities than ever for aspiring local engineers to gain the skills and experience they need for a successful career in the engineering sector.” Babcock, a key employer partner of the College, will take on 400 apprentices over the next four years, with Fife College supporting 48 Babcock apprentices as part of this year’s intake. Paul Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer of Babcock – Marine, said: “We’re delighted to work alongside Fife College and other partners as we welcome new apprentices to our advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding facility in Rosyth. Our new cohort will support the delivery of world-class programmes and underlines our commitment to investing in the skills required to support our customers both now and in the future.” News of Fife College welcoming a record number of Engineering Modern Apprenticeship new starts follows recent success at the Scottish Engineering Modern Apprentice Awards where Fife College trained six out of fourteen nominated apprentices. Notably, one of these apprentices achieved first place and another secured second place, an accomplishment which highlights the exceptional quality of the engineering programmes on offer at the College and the commitment of students and staff. Fife College Roofing Apprentice Leah Stewart was also recently named by BMI Redland Apprentice of the Year, becoming the first female from Scotland to win the UK-wide honour. Leah’s success followed Advanced Craft apprentice Jemma Greig who became the first Fife College student to win first place at The Scottish Association of Painting Craft Teachers (SAPCT) Annual Craft and Advanced Craft competition. Jemma won the top prize in the Advanced Craft section, becoming both the first Fife College student and the first female to receive this honour since the competition began. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Richard Desmond's £1bn Westferry Printworks Redevelopment Approved After Third Attempt

Richard Desmond’s £1bn Westferry Printworks Redevelopment Approved After Third Attempt

Richard Desmond, the newspaper tycoon, has finally secured planning approval for his ambitious £1bn redevelopment of the Westferry Printworks site on the Isle of Dogs, London. After eight years and three attempts, Tower Hamlets Council has granted permission for the construction of 1,360 luxury flats on the 6.15-hectare brownfield site, which was once home to Desmond’s Northern & Shell publishing company. The Westferry Printworks scheme will be a comprehensive mixed-use development featuring 13 buildings, ranging from 4 to 31 storeys, to be constructed in four phases over a six to eight-year period. The development will include 1,358 homes, with 35% designated as affordable housing, a significant increase from the 21% proposed in previous applications. In addition to the residential units, the plans feature a 1,200-place secondary school, over two hectares of public open space, a rejuvenated dock front, and a variety of ground-floor amenities such as shops, restaurants, a community centre, and workspaces. The approval comes nine years after the controversial redevelopment was first submitted to Tower Hamlets Council. The project has faced significant challenges and controversy, with two previous planning applications being rejected by the council. In 2016, the then London mayor, Boris Johnson, overruled the council and approved a scheme with 722 flats. Two years later, a revised application for 1,500 flats across five tower blocks was also rejected. However, in 2020, the then Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, controversially overturned the council’s decision, despite opposition from the Planning Inspectorate. This decision was later quashed after it was revealed that Northern & Shell had donated £12,000 to the Conservative Party shortly after the approval. The latest application was approved after significant revisions, including the increase in affordable housing, which appears to have been a key factor in swaying the council. Mace is acting as the development manager for Northern & Shell, with the design by architect PLP, MEP engineering by Aecom, and WSP serving as the civil and structural engineer. Demolition and site enabling work have already been completed, and construction is expected to commence later this year. The approval marks a major milestone in the transformation of the former Westferry Printworks, once the largest printing facility in Europe, into a luxury residential and commercial development that will reshape the Millwall outer dock waterfront. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Pembrokeshire Eco Park: A New Era in Sustainable Waste Management

Pembrokeshire Eco Park: A New Era in Sustainable Waste Management

Andrew Scott Limited has successfully handed over a new Eco Park Waste and Recycling Facility in Milford Haven for their Client, Pembrokeshire County Council. The new Eco Park Waste Recycling facility will support Pembrokeshire County Council’s waste and recycling programme, in line with the Welsh Government Strategy “Towards Zero Waste”. The facility will enable materials collected across Pembrokeshire to be bulked and sorted prior to onward transfer to processing and disposal facilities across Wales and the UK.     Andrew Scott Ltd were awarded the Contract for Phases 1-3 as detailed below:      As part of this project, Andrew Scott Ltd and Pembrokeshire County Council are committed to maximising recycling and re-use of excavated materials from the existing site to promote and increase a circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the project and minimise the amount of construction traffic. During the main construction phase of this project, Andrew Scott implemented the following initiatives to contribute to Sustainable Development: Throughout the project, a total of 120,000 tonnes of waste was produced, 99% of which was diverted from landfill. A total of 114,000 tonnes of soil and stone biproduct was produced and 100% of this was re-used. Prior to and during the project, Site Waste Management Plans were established to prioritise the principles of the Waste Hierarchy, in order to minimise waste and achieve the targets set. Andrew Scott are extremely proud of the outstanding waste diverted from landfill rates achieved on this project and are highly committed to continue this progress to enhancing Environmental Sustainability on all projects. As a sustainable business, Andrew Scott Limited’s business model is aligned to the wider global goals of achieving net zero carbon by 2050. We are committed to accelerating this time frame to achieving net zero carbon by 2030, committing to reaching zero carbon emissions across all operations, direct and in-direct. As a socially conscious contractor, our strong community benefits offering is closely tied to the Well-being of Future Generations Act, ensuring cohesive communities and a more prosperous and resilient Wales.        Throughout the project, Andrew Scott supported training opportunities for graduates and apprentices in West Wales, as well as long term sustainable employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals from the Pembrokeshire area.     Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said “we are delighted to have handed over the new Eco Park Waste and Recycling Facility to our Client, Pembrokeshire County Council. As a Welsh contractor, we are committed to help the Welsh Government reach net-zero by 2050 and also accelerate our net zero target of 2030. We are totally committed to decarbonisation of the built environment, with a focus on reducing our emissions throughout the business and ensured that all stakeholders on this project met the goals of a globally responsible Wales.”         Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, welcomed this county-wide resource for handling the Authority’s recyclate and residual waste streams. He said: “We are delighted to receive handover of this important facility from Andrew Scott Ltd. This will modernise Pembrokeshire’s recycling facilities as we work to increase recycling rates in line with the Welsh Government Strategies ‘Towards Zero Waste’ and ‘Beyond Recycling’. This facility will provide us with greater control over the waste streams we collect. We are also grateful for grant funding from Welsh Government towards the development of the Eco Park to help make this possible.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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McAvoy completes construction on centre for Waltham Forest London Borough Council

McAvoy completes construction on centre for Waltham Forest London Borough Council

A new Family Resilience and High Needs Centre in North Birkbeck, London, has been completed by leading offsite manufacturer McAvoy, to meet London Borough of Waltham Forest’s needs to support vulnerable children. McAvoy delivered The Birkbeck Centre in just 20 weeks from installation of the first module, using offsite manufacturing methods. The new 1,588 m2 centre will serve as a valuable resource for the Youth Offending Service. The centre will also provide family therapy and restorative justice programmes. The two-storey building features a sports hall constructed using a steel frame, café, kitchen, general teaching spaces, break out spaces, construction skills workshop, medical room, art rooms, and a music suite.  The exterior of the centre also includes carefully planned landscaping and ample parking spaces. Students will receive counselling and therapy alongside essential subjects like Maths and English. Wider training and skills will also be offered in construction, catering, computer technology, music recording and production. Cahal Cunning, Senior Contracts Manager at McAvoy, said: “Delivering essential buildings quickly to support the council’s broader plan for youth offending rehabilitation and educational facilities is key to supporting those in need in the area. By choosing high quality offsite manufacturing, combined with our team who are specialists in the design and build of community and education facilities, we have enabled the quick turnaround of projects for Waltham Forest. This approach meets the urgent demand for safe and nurturing environments for vulnerable young people, fostering positive growth and development. “This is our second project with Waltham Forest London Borough Council within the last year and is testament to the increasing confidence in offsite manufacturing and its ability to deliver high quality, sustainable buildings that are fit for the future.” Earlier this year, McAvoy completed an extension of Kelmscott Primary School in Walthamstow, East London. The design and build included a main two-storey school building alongside a separate special educational needs building with a green roof and solar PV, addressing the critical need for 900 school places in the area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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EMCOR UK Unveils Innovative Insight Intelligence Service

EMCOR UK Unveils Innovative Insight Intelligence Service

EMCOR UK has introduced its new service, Insight Intelligence, which combines human expertise with cutting-edge technology. This service leverages advanced modelling, AI, and data science to extract actionable insights from customer operations, enabling a comprehensive view of their entire estate and unlocking the full potential of their facilities. The service is powered by One Data World, EMCOR UK’s proprietary insight platform. This platform integrates diverse datasets into a unified system that delivers data and visualised reporting metrics across customers’ properties and services. By utilising a single data repository, Insight Intelligence goes beyond merely displaying historical data, employing state-of-the-art technologies such as interactive virtual modelling, diagnostics, digital twins, geolocation, IoT, remote services, AI, and intelligent modelling tools to support proactive decision-making and foster collaboration with customers. Insight Intelligence is built on four key components: Insight Intelligence is one of five key areas within EMCOR UK’s customer-centric services portfolio, alongside Carbon Transformation, Asset Dynamics, Facilities Management, and Workplace Evolution. The company also maintains a consistent focus on ESG and sustainability commitments, both for itself and its clients. James Dunnett, Chief Technology Officer of EMCOR UK, stated: “Many organisations face challenges in creating a single view of their facilities’ performance across their entire estate, which is crucial for ensuring efficiency, compliance, sustainability, and future readiness. Insight Intelligence addresses this need, offering customers rich data, advanced analytics, and our specialist expertise to fully unlock the potential of their facilities.” For more information on EMCOR UK’s Insight Intelligence service, visit www.emcoruk.com/our-services/insight-intelligence. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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TSG Boosts ESG and Digital Efficiency with Apogee's Innovative Solutions

TSG Boosts ESG and Digital Efficiency with Apogee’s Innovative Solutions

Partnership modernises TSG’s telephony and IT infrastructure for 200-strong employee base TSG Building Services Plc, a multi-disciplined building services and construction company, has successfully accelerated its digital innovation by partnering with managed workplace services (MWS) provider Apogee Corporation. The collaboration has modernised TSG’s telephony and legacy IT infrastructure to better support its more than 200 staff as well as customers. The modernisation follows a period of rapid growth for TSG and the opening of two new offices in Potters Bar and Cambridge, which highlighted the need for digital innovation to overcome inefficiencies owing to its outdated PTSN-based telephony system and complex IT infrastructure. Apogee has overhauled the company’s telephony and IT infrastructure, replacing TSG’s on-premises setup with a cloud-based telephony system that has improved remote working capabilities and streamlined call handling. The new system includes softphone and mobile app functionality, disaster recovery options, and features for remote work, compliance, and training. As a data processor for local authorities, the family-run business also needed to improve document security and reduce printing costs. Apogee’s managed print services have cut running costs by 12% and enhanced document security, ensuring GDPR compliance. “Apogee’s commitment to IT service management has made a significant difference. There has to be that sufficient level of customer service to ensure we get the best from our technology implementations. The communication promises made prior to the signing of the contract have been adhered to, and that really outweighs any financial gain we’ve made from the project,” says Marc Terenzio, Head of IT, TSG. TSG has also become the latest organisation to join Apogee’s Affinity+ Partner Programme, thereby boosting its ESG credentials by upcycling old devices for donation to schools and non-profits. This marks the first phase on an ongoing collaboration, with TSG and Apogee currently exploring further innovations to enhance TSG’s digital capabilities and operational efficiency, including hybrid cloud network infrastructure, IT service management, and cloud cybersecurity. “TSG’s business is going from strength to strength, and we’re there every step of the way to ensure they can have confidence that their IT infrastructure meets the evolving needs of both their employees and customers. This is just the start of our journey together,” added Jason Barnard, Sales Specialist Telecoms and Cloud Solutions, Apogee. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Caddick Restores Iconic Leeds Mill

Caddick Restores Iconic Leeds Mill

Caddick Construction Group has reached completion of Stonebridge Beck, Rushbond’s brand new “heritage village” at the Grade II listed Stonebridge Mills in Leeds. Handover of the development marks the completion of a £25m renovation and new-build project to create 112 residential properties, including mill townhouses, contemporary new build homes and restored cottages.  Construction work began in May 2021 and has seen the derelict 19th century mill and cottages restored and refurbished to create a unique residential community spanning 9.1 acres. Preserving the mill’s historic character was a crucial element of the Rushbond project with Caddick restoring and retaining existing features. These included original signage, a cast iron weigh bridge, an internal stone staircase with cast iron balustrade and chimney restoration. Caddick’s work on-site also included the installation of incoming utility services, associated plot drainage, estate infrastructure, ancillary works, highway works and car charging for all properties.  The Yorkshire-based construction firm also facilitated 10 local apprenticeships, welcomed two construction T-Level students from Leeds College of Building into work placements, created 100 new jobs in Leeds and engaged with over 700 local pupils through 12 educational visits and workshops.   J W Maud, Chairman at Rushbond Plc, comments: “We have been delighted to work with the talented Caddick team and to deliver the Rushbond vision – a respectful, significant heritage anchored residential community, harnessing and preserving Leeds’ gem for a new future.” Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group in Yorkshire and the North East, comments: “Delivering Rushbond’s vision to create Stonebridge Beck and bringing this historic mill site back to life was a project that required meticulous attention to detail and I’m very proud of what the Caddick team has achieved. Preserving history while creating something contemporary and sustainable is a fine balance and the result is a stunning residential development by Rushbond that pays tribute to Leeds’ industrial heritage.  “The historic significance of these Georgian and Victorian mills meant that it was important that we worked closely with the planning and heritage officers, as well as registering our site with the Considerate Constructors Scheme to make sure we delivered the development to an impeccable standard.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Finning Apprenticeship Academy scores good OFSTED rating

Finning Apprenticeship Academy scores good OFSTED rating

With national and global skills shortages in engineering, Finning – the world’s largest dealer of Catâ equipment, parts and services – is bucking the trend by successfully developing its own talent. Not only does its UK Apprenticeship Academy boast a 100% retention rate – meaning all students over the last two years have gone on to employment with the company – but it has now also achieved a “good” OFSTED rating. Finning launched its Apprenticeship Academy at its Cannock UK headquarters in 2007. This was an unusual step at the time, as most businesses take on apprentices in the role of employer, while an educational institution, usually a College of Further Education (FE) delivers the academic learning and administers the qualification. But the decision quickly started to return real business benefits. The academy was inspected by OFSTED in July this year, receiving highly positive feedback on the state-of-the-art learning environment, a culture of inclusivity and the enjoyment apprentices find in their courses. Inspectors also noted how effective communication between instructors and line managers helped apprentices to improve, and how students with additional needs achieved as well as their peers. As Academy Manager Craig Smallman explains, the rating reflects the importance Finning has placed on the scheme and the impact it has had both for apprentices and the business. “By keeping the whole apprenticeship program in-house, we can deliver academic learning in the best way to prepare our students for a career with us – enthusing people about engineering and addressing the ongoing skills shortages the industry faces. “The results from Ofsted speak for themselves. The national retention figure for apprenticeship employers is around 56%, but at Finning we’ve retained all but one of our apprentices over the last two years who have gone on to secure a job with us. It’s a fantastic endorsement of the talented people we have working here and the focus we place on supporting them.” With the program now in its 18th year, its positive influence can be seen right across the company. Academy graduates now fulfil a variety of management positions in both engineering and non-engineering roles. This includes Craig, who himself started his career with Finning as an apprentice, and is particularly proud of how the scheme has fostered wider diversity and inclusion: “Diversity and inclusion is an area where we see a real opportunity for the academy to contribute to the wider organization and the industry. We have measures in place to recruit and support a diverse cohort and it was great to see that recognised in the Ofsted report. Over the next few years, we plan to double in size and this year’s intake will be the biggest ever. The ages of our current students range from 16 to 53, we are a disability confident employer, one in six of our apprentices are female and we would like it to be more. Finning is an amazing place to work with opportunities to travel all over the world and work with great people. We have sites right across the UK and Ireland so whoever and wherever you are, if you would like to work with these amazing machines, we would love to hear from you.”

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