Kenneth Booth
Transforming Fair Isle: £45m Harbour Upgrade Begins

Transforming Fair Isle: £45m Harbour Upgrade Begins

A remote Scottish island with fewer than 60 residents is set to benefit from a £45 million investment in harbour infrastructure. Bam Nuttall has secured a £31.5 million contract to carry out key infrastructure works as part of the Fair Isle ferry replacement project. This ambitious initiative, funded by Shetland

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Bromford's biggest regeneration receives council approval

Bromford’s biggest regeneration receives council approval

Plans by housing association Bromford to regenerate two residential streets have been given the go-ahead, paving the way for more affordable homes and a vibrant new community. The regeneration project, which is Bromford’s largest to date, will see the housing association completely regenerate the 72 existing properties in Barrington Close and

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LOCTITE to build strong bonds with facilities managers at ASCP Conference

LOCTITE to build strong bonds with facilities managers at ASCP Conference

Global adhesives manufacturer LOCTITE® is exhibiting at the Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) Conference 2025 to highlight how its range of solutions can help companies across the housing and communities sector to improve safety on their premises. Both a household name and a leading provider to industry, LOCTITE

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Avison Young announces raft of senior promotions across the business

Avison Young announces raft of senior promotions across the business

Global real estate firm, Avison Young UK, today announces 43 senior promotions across the business to Associate Director and Director levels. These team members have been recognised for their exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions to the firm. Of the promotions, 23 have stepped up to the role of Director, while

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Property developer fined for multiple construction site failures

Property developer fined for multiple construction site failures

A London property developer has been fined £63,000 plus costs after Britain’s workplace regulator found multiple failures at a construction site in Dalston. Nofax Enterprises Limited was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following four visits to its site on Dalston Lane over a 13 month period between

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New managing director of Walker Sime named as firm strengthens future vision

New managing director of Walker Sime named as firm strengthens future vision

Walker Sime is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Neville as its new Managing Director. Jon takes on the role following 18 months as Director of Infrastructure, where he has already made a significant impact. Walker Sime provides project management, project controls, and cost and commercial management services across the UK’s Infrastructure

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Latest Issue
Issue 328 : May 2025

Kenneth Booth

Transforming Fair Isle: £45m Harbour Upgrade Begins

Transforming Fair Isle: £45m Harbour Upgrade Begins

A remote Scottish island with fewer than 60 residents is set to benefit from a £45 million investment in harbour infrastructure. Bam Nuttall has secured a £31.5 million contract to carry out key infrastructure works as part of the Fair Isle ferry replacement project. This ambitious initiative, funded by Shetland Islands Council and the UK government, aims to enhance transport links, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the island’s community. The harbour upgrades on Fair Isle will include the construction of a new, wider slipway, an expanded boat noust, and a winch house to accommodate a larger, modern ferry. Meanwhile, on the Shetland mainland, 25 miles away, Grutness Pier will undergo an extension with new tubular piling, and a breakwater will be extended to create a more sheltered berth. Work is set to commence immediately, with Bam Nuttall’s team arriving on Fair Isle this month to begin preparations. The Grutness Pier upgrades are expected to be completed by December 2025, while the Fair Isle works are scheduled for completion in November 2026. Alan Cox, Managing Director of Bam Nuttall, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We are honoured to be entrusted with delivering this crucial ferry infrastructure on Fair Isle – a truly unique location. Our expertise in working in remote coastal environments ensures we can complete this project safely and sustainably, ultimately improving connectivity for both residents and visitors.” Shetland Islands Council leader Emma Macdonald also welcomed the development, saying: “It’s fantastic to see these contracts awarded so that work can begin on providing a new ferry for the Fair Isle community. This ferry is a lifeline for so many aspects of island life, and its replacement will serve the community for generations to come.” Shetland Islands Council has committed £18.6 million towards the project, while the UK government is contributing a grant of £26.8 million towards the total anticipated cost of £45.4 million. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Cardigan Tidal Flood Risk Management Scheme adds biodiversity element to flood defence project

Cardigan Tidal Flood Risk Management Scheme adds biodiversity element to flood defence project

Homes and businesses will benefit from reduced flood risk as part of the Cardigan Tidal Flood Scheme, the West Wales project that also aims to enhance biodiversity and contribute to community life. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has appointed Binnies, an RSK Group company, to bring a range of skills to the project in Cardigan, in the county of Ceredigion, as part of its efforts to manage the risk of tidal flooding to approximately 90 properties in the area. The project is currently in the detailed design phase. Binnies will support NRW with civil engineering design, including geotechnical and structural design, environmental assessment, landscape visual impact assessment, hydraulic modelling and planning and consenting support. Fellow RSK Group companies will work with Binnies, with Central Alliance assisting with services surveys and RSK Acoustics providing a noise impact assessment. Binnies Project Director Alex Humphreys said: “The tidal flood risk management scheme in Cardigan would help the town become more resilient to the effects of climate change and ensure it remains a prosperous and thriving community long into the future. The scheme will generate additional beneficial outcomes by creating new public realm areas, increasing opportunities for the community to be connected with their river, which is one of the most iconic in Wales, known for its historical significance and rich wildlife, including species such as salmon, sewin (sea trout), otter and porpoise.” Alex said that the new flood defence would reduce flood risk to approximately 90 homes and businesses in Cardigan. The primary flood risk is tidal flooding within the River Teifi that flows through the town. The scheme is being designed to provide protection against a tidal flood that has a one in 200 chance of occurring within any one year period, with an allowance for climate change. He said the new flood wall will stretch from the historic Cardigan Bridge to Gloster Row car park: a length of over 300 metres. Steel sheet piles will form the main stem of the wall, which will appear approximately 1.5 to 2 metres tall from the land-side. Alex said: “Sections of the sheet piles would be clad in materials that would be sympathetic to the existing environment, while contributing to the narrative of continued investment and development in a thriving community. Along with the sheet piles, the scheme could see a new riverside embankment created, which would utilise imported natural rock material to enhance the stability and resilience of the wall.” This rock would be placed in combination with bioengineering products to soften the visual appearance and create habitats along the river corridor. He added: “The scheme involves many complex challenges, including the proximity of existing buildings, a number of important habitats along the river frontages and the significant heritage value of the setting. These sit alongside the typical challenges of construction in a busy town, minimising disruption to residents and the general public and working around complex layouts of buried utilities, such as sewers and water mains. “We strive to support NRW in delivering its corporate objectives and its commitment to Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. We have looked at ways that we can maintain and enhance the community’s connection with the river. NRW is engaging with local businesses and community groups, including the local Sea Scouts, and is working to ensure access to the river for people of all abilities is enhanced.” Alex went on to say: “I personally take a lot of satisfaction from projects like this, which showcase how the role of the civil engineer has evolved to take its place among a wide variety of skilled environmental and scientific professionals committed to combatting the effects of climate change and leaving the planet in a better state than the one that we found it in.” NRW’s project executive for the scheme, Paul Isaac, said: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Binnies, whose expertise – along with ours – will enable us to produce a scheme that not only addresses the increasing flood risk but also creates long-term value for the community and environment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bromford's biggest regeneration receives council approval

Bromford’s biggest regeneration receives council approval

Plans by housing association Bromford to regenerate two residential streets have been given the go-ahead, paving the way for more affordable homes and a vibrant new community. The regeneration project, which is Bromford’s largest to date, will see the housing association completely regenerate the 72 existing properties in Barrington Close and Fairford Close in Kingswood, South Gloucetershire and replace them with 85 new, energy efficient homes. The plans were unanimously approved by South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee at its meeting last week. The existing properties are all two bedroom flats which were built in the mid-20th century using non-traditional building methods and in recent years have experienced issues with damp and draughts and have been expensive for customers to keep warm. Bromford’s plans involve replacing the flats with a mix of energy efficient one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and flats, most of which will be available for social rent. Bromford’s Project Manager Noreen Twomey said: “We’re delighted to have gained planning permission for the regeneration of these two streets. It follows more than two years of consulting with our customers, neighbouring property owners and South Gloucestershire to produce these plans. Our existing properties are no longer of the standard that we want to provide and that our customers expect of us, so we are delighted to have secured permission to replace them with modern, sustainable homes.  “We want our customers to thrive in their homes and that’s not possible in old, energy inefficient properties, which is why estate regenerations like this are crucial to solving the housing crisis. Through this regeneration we are not only increasing the number of affordable homes in Kingswood, we are providing a better mix of housing and improved living spaces for our current and future customers.” Bromford worked with Nash Partnership, E G Carter and Infrastruct to produce the plans for the regeneration of the two streets. Commenting on the project’s approval, Paul Miller Sustainability Director and Architect at Nash Partnership, said: “While the site itself faces a number of challenges and constraints, we also feel it has a real opportunity to change for the better. The proposals will provide Bromford’s residents with renewable energy sources integrated into energy-efficient homes, helping to reduce fuel poverty, and the majority have private gardens – a key resident feedback request. We’re pleased the detailed plans have been given unanimous approval by the planning committee, and look forward to progressing the project to the next stage.” Bromford will develop the site in two phases, starting with the demolition of the first of the existing properties, which it aims to begin later this year. Bromford is part of the Bromford Flagship Group, a housing association owning more than 80,000 homes across the West of England, West Midlands and East Anglia. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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LOCTITE to build strong bonds with facilities managers at ASCP Conference

LOCTITE to build strong bonds with facilities managers at ASCP Conference

Global adhesives manufacturer LOCTITE® is exhibiting at the Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) Conference 2025 to highlight how its range of solutions can help companies across the housing and communities sector to improve safety on their premises. Both a household name and a leading provider to industry, LOCTITE also offers several key products designed for the plumbing and heating sector that are ideal for use in social housing.  Visitors to Stand F5 will be able to witness live demonstrations of its sustainable thread-sealing solutions, LOCTITE 55 and LOCTITE 577. With its immediate full-pressure sealing qualities, LOCTITE 55 is the fast, easy general purpose, threaded pipe and fitting sealant designed for sealing metal and plastic pipes and fittings. The product also has approval for gas and potable water certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61, WRAS, DVGW and BAM approvals – meaning this product can cover a multitude of applications. For other plumbing applications, LOCTITE 577 is a medium-strength thread sealant, meaning it is designed to be undone with hand tools should the need ever arise.  It fills the space between threaded parts and locks the part at the same time.  This makes it ideal for threads with short engagement lengths or parts that need sealing and locking in a certain position e.g. an outside tap. Paul Marshall, Marketing Head for UK, Ireland and Nordics at LOCTITE said: “These specialist, sustainable products are designed to assist installers to ensure a tight, long-lasting seal for gas safety.  They are ideal for achieving consistent performance and quality in multi-occupancy premises, making them essential toolbox items for facilities management.” The ASCP Conference takes place at ICC Newport from 14-16 May.  LOCTITE is located on Stand F5. Find out more about Henkel’s sustainable solutions here: https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/uk/en/spotlights/all-spotlights/we-make-sustainability-happen.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Football legends lend their voices to mental health initiative for construction workers

Football legends lend their voices to mental health initiative for construction workers

An England football legend, backed by local sports stars, is spearheading a new charity encouraging construction workers to talk about mental health. Former England and Everton hero Trevor Steven’s Mindflow initiative has been endorsed by football legends Gary Lineker, Robbie Fowler, Stuart Pearce, Ally McCoist, Peter Reid and Viv Anderson. It was launched at the National Football Museum in Manchester on 20 March and attended by Mindflow Ambassadors: Manchester City’s David White, Paul Dickov and Paul Lake, Tottenham Hotspur’s Paul Stewart, and Sheffield United’s Curtis Woodhouse. Through Mindflow’s ‘Talk Football Talk Mental Health’ programme, current and ex-football players will visit construction sites to deliver mental health awareness sessions, encourage conversation, and recruit volunteers from each session to train as mental health first aiders. The Ambassadors have all publicly shared their challenges around mental health and have firsthand experience to support the construction industry. Research conducted on-site by Trevor Steven, supported by construction software company Causeway Technologies, found that more than half (56%) of site workers are either currently experiencing or have experienced mental health problems. The industry is especially vulnerable due to factors like long irregular hours, many workers being self-employed, and high-pressure working environments. The survey found that many workers in the industry (67%) are football fans, and the charity aims to create a culture of proactive support and early intervention by joining the dots between construction, mental health, and football. Trevor said: “Football, and sport in general, has made great strides in destigmatising issues around mental health. Whereas in construction, the statistics around suicide rates tell an opposing story. “Getting people talking is widely cited as being key to tackling poor mental health. Football offers a potential route in; it is a sport that brings people together and starts conversations. We hope that through football, Mindflow can help site workers to speak more freely about their mental health.” Through its Charter, Mindflow will introduce a consistent, and measurable, standard for mental health provisions onsite, set out by the local authority on publicly funded projects. As it stands, the level of mental health support for workers is left up to the contractor, whereas the Charter will mean contractors have to meet set standards to secure the work. Phil Brown, Executive Chairman at Causeway Technologies and Chair of Trustees at Mindflow added: “We’ve worked closely with Trevor for years on research into the mental health crisis in construction. The findings are clear – construction is an industry where mental health struggles are common yet go unspoken. “That’s why it’s so important that Trevor is launching Mindflow and combining football and construction to initiate meaningful conversations and provide real, practical support. “Causeway is proud to be backing Mindflow and looks forward to seeing how the power of football can create meaningful change in the industry.” Visit Mindflow to find out more. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Avison Young announces raft of senior promotions across the business

Avison Young announces raft of senior promotions across the business

Global real estate firm, Avison Young UK, today announces 43 senior promotions across the business to Associate Director and Director levels. These team members have been recognised for their exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions to the firm. Of the promotions, 23 have stepped up to the role of Director, while 20 have been promoted to Associate Director level. Driving future growth, this cohort will be central to the efficient delivery of the firm’s strategic objectives. In total, the promotions span across 10 regions Avison Young operates in including: Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Stoke on Trent. The wave of promotions encompasses seven key business groups including: Building and Project Consultancy, Client and Business Solutions, Place, Professional Advisory, Rating and Technology, REIFM and Transactions.  Nick Walkley, Principal and UK President at Avison Young UK, said: “I look forward to working closely with this highly skilled cohort of new senior leaders, who exemplify our values and will continue driving forward our vision. Highlighting professional excellence and dedication to our collaborative company culture, these accomplishments showcase our belief in creating positive impact. “Underlining the wealth of internal talent at Avison Young, these promotions display the diverse expertise and experience our teams offer. We continue to invest in our people, supporting current and future leaders within the business.” Stephen Cowperthwaite, Principal and Managing Director, Regions and Liverpool at Avison Young UK said: “Regional investment is key to Avison Young’s growth strategy for 2025 and beyond, our local market experts are vital in achieving this goal. These promotions will help deliver real growth and net benefit to our towns, cities and communities across the UK.” Full List of promotions: Directors Business Group Location Mark Beer Building and Project Consultancy London David Roobottom Building and Project Consultancy Birmingham Clive Withers Building and Project Consultancy London Andrew James Building and Project Consultancy London Paul Herrington Building and Project Consultancy Leeds Kate Inskip Client and Business Solutions Birmingham Richard Oxley Client and Business Solutions London Chris Whetstone Client and Business Solutions London Matt Pigott Place London Ed Harvey Place Manchester Emily Davies Place Manchester Julie Taylor Professional Advisory London Geraldine Horner Professional Advisory Edinburgh Naymesh Patel Rating and Technology Birmingham James Millson REFIM Leeds Robert Reeve REFIM London Dave Bamford REFIM London Laura Loom REFIM Stoke on Trent Pete-James Robinson REFIM Birmingham Helen Ewles REFIM Newcastle James White Transactions Birmingham Pete Harding Transactions Glasgow Sarah Miles Client and Business Solutions London       Associate Directors Business Group Location Eliott Kelly Place Bristol Henry Sayers Professional Advisory London James Drury Building and Project Consultancy London Robert Hayes Building and Project Consultancy Edinburgh Megan Stacey-Green Building and Project Consultancy London Mandy Poon Rating and Technology Manchester Charlotte Smith Building and Project Consultancy Birmingham Jamie Sim Transactions Newcastle James Short Transactions Bristol James Parton REFIM Client site Gemma Houghton REFIM London Graham Cunningham REFIM London Ralph Smart REFIM Brighton Emma Parker REFIM Stoke on Trent Emma Parkin REFIM Birmingham Kushay Shah Client and Business Solutions London Sophie Russell Client and Business Solutions Birmingham Helen Whitesmith Client and Business Solutions Bristol Andy Smith Client and Business Solutions London Kate Young Client and Business Solutions Manchester Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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‘Health & Safety is blended in not bolted on’ says Sustainable Building Services new Head of Health and Safety 

AWARD-WINNING retrofit decarbonisation contractor Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) has appointed Matthew Kershaw as its new head of health and safety.  With more than 17 years of experience in various health and safety roles across multiple sectors, Matthew brings a wealth of expertise to SBS. Describing himself as a ‘jack of all trades’ in safety, he has worked across diverse industries but is most passionate about improving communities through transformational retrofit projects.  Matthew said: “I grew up in social housing, so I know what it’s like to live in a cold house and not be allowed to turn the heating on through winter.”  His career has allowed him to witness first-hand how retrofit solutions can positively impact communities. Matthew continued: “I worked on a rundown housing estate in Wales where we installed external wall insulation (EWI). We collaborated with contractors and site teams to create a positive working environment for residents. As the houses started to look more modern, people took pride in their surroundings – gardens were tidied, fences were painted, and within 18 months to two years, the whole village had transformed.”  For Matthew, people are at the heart of safety. His perspective is that processes and procedures don’t keep people safe, but people keep people safe.  Working closely with the senior leadership team and project managers, he aims to integrate safety into every aspect of operations to ensure safety is “blended in, not bolted on.”  Matthew said: “You can either see health and safety as a compliance and risk strategy, or you can see it as a people strategy. A strong safety culture creates not only a safer work environment, but a more supportive and productive one. This, in turn, should enhance overall well-being, job satisfaction, and ultimately support the growth of SBS.”  Over the next 18 months, Matthew plans to expand the health and safety team and embed a new way of thinking across the SBS ecosystem. His goal is to create a company-wide culture where safety is a shared responsibility, deeply integrated into every process rather than treated as a separate compliance function.  Matthew said: “I want people to make good decisions at the right time, but we must also hold them accountable for those decisions. That comes from a culture of trust, kindness, patience, and responsibility. By fostering open communication, ensuring competency at all levels, and leveraging technology, we can embed safety seamlessly into SBS’s daily operations.”  Gary Lawson, managing director at SBS, said: “Bringing Matthew into the SBS team is an important appointment for us. His expertise and passion for a company-wide cultural approach to safety, along with striving for continuous improvement, will be invaluable in driving SBS toward a more innovative approach to health and safety. We look forward to hearing the ideas he will bring to the table and supporting him with implementing them.”  For more information about SBS, visit www.sustainablebuildinguk.com   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Property developer fined for multiple construction site failures

Property developer fined for multiple construction site failures

A London property developer has been fined £63,000 plus costs after Britain’s workplace regulator found multiple failures at a construction site in Dalston. Nofax Enterprises Limited was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following four visits to its site on Dalston Lane over a 13 month period between 2020 and 2021. The company was overseeing the construction of a four storey building on the site, containing nine flats and large basement to house a youth club. However, the failures identified by HSE inspectors – including multiple working at height risks, poor fire precautions and exposure to large amounts of silica dust – were so serious, that they resulted in the site being closed down on two separate occasions. Other breaches of the law included failing to protect workers from exposure to wood dust, as well as insufficient covid and welfare controls. In total, 9 enforcement notices were served against the company for the Dalston Lane site, including five prohibition notices. The subsequent HSE investigation included inspections at other sites operated by the company, identifying a poor health and safety culture and systemic management failings. Owing to the repeated poor performance and lack of compliance to basic health and safety, Nofax Enterprises Limited, of Maldon, Essex pleaded guilty to breaches of sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.Following the hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 18th March 2025, the company was ordered to pay a total of £88,812.68 which included a fine of £63,000, costs of £25,622. In summing up, the judge stated that despite repeated visits by HSE and multiple notices being served, risks subsisted over a long period and the company failed to make any appropriate changes. The judge concluded by saying that there had been a systemic failure within the organisation to manage health and safety. After the hearing, HSE inspector Gordon Nixon said: “This company showed a total disregard to keeping its workers safe. “They failed to meet even the most basic health and safety standards, continually exposing operatives to serious risks.  “HSE will not wait until workers are seriously injured, or worse and will take appropriate action including prosecutions when health and safety regulations are so blatantly flouted.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New managing director of Walker Sime named as firm strengthens future vision

New managing director of Walker Sime named as firm strengthens future vision

Walker Sime is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Neville as its new Managing Director. Jon takes on the role following 18 months as Director of Infrastructure, where he has already made a significant impact. Walker Sime provides project management, project controls, and cost and commercial management services across the UK’s Infrastructure and Real Estate sectors. The company has helped deliver transformative projects like Liverpool Waters, the Wythenshawe Civic Regeneration Master Plan as well as mega programmes at the forefront of the Net Zero transition, such as the Great Grid Upgrade. Now part of the HanmiGlobal family, Walker Sime has expanded its reach with international, European, and US capabilities, further strengthening its ability to serve clients on a global scale. This growth enhances its capacity to deliver exceptional results, positioning Walker Sime as a key partner in shaping the future through transformative projects that drive success and innovation. Under Jon’s leadership, the company will focus on sustainable growth, nurturing talent, and maintaining the technical excellence that has earned it an enviable reputation with its clients. With over 20 years of industry experience, Jon is enthusiastic about the role Walker Sime can play in shaping the future of the UK’s Infrastructure and Real Estate markets.  Jon said: “I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of Managing Director at Walker Sime. From the moment I joined, I recognised this was a business built on strong values, a fantastic culture, and a deep commitment to its people. My priority is to build on that success while ensuring we continue to grow in a way that stays true to our values.  This role is more than just a career move for me – it’s about leaving a legacy. I joined this industry because I wanted to make a difference, to be part of something that stands the test of time. Now, my focus is on ensuring Walker Sime remains a business that is not only successful today but is fit for the future. That means continuing to invest in our people, nurturing talent, and ensuring we remain a trusted and innovative partner for our clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Tradespeople face mental health crisis, with nearly a third considering leaving the industry

Tradespeople face mental health crisis, with nearly a third considering leaving the industry

Nearly a third of tradespeople are considering leaving the industry1, which adds to the UK’s already critical shortage of skilled workers2, says new research. Conducted by health and safety experts Arco, the Trade Talent Gap research1 surveyed 500 tradespeople and found that 31 per cent would consider leaving the industry. April marks National Stress Awareness Month, which is observed annually, to increase public awareness of the negative impact of stress. The upcoming event comes as Arco’s study reveals that one in four tradespeople have reported experiencing mental health challenges linked to their work. People working as window fabricators, bricklayers and building surveyors were among those most likely to be seeking a career switch. When it comes to mental health support, nearly a third (31 per cent) of tradespeople believe that the industry lacks sufficient resources. Some of the top challenges that tradespeople experience in their roles include: managing workloads (35 per cent), dealing with difficult clients (32 per cent) and health and safety (24 per cent). Finding enough work and the physically demanding nature of the job also affected nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of these workers. Workers aged 25-34 were the most likely to have experienced work-related mental health challenges, with 35 per cent reporting such issues. The youngest employees (18-24) were most likely to believe that the industry should be doing more to support mental health (34 per cent) Among the reasons for considering a career change, six per cent of tradespeople reported mental health concerns, one in 10 had experienced burnout and 13 per cent struggled with their work-life balance. The team at Arco commented: “The trades industry must address these issues head-on. There needs to be better support available for tradespeople, including access to mental health resources, training on stress management and initiatives to improve work-life balance. “Failure to do so will only exacerbate the existing mental health crisis and lead to a further decline in the workforce. “Earlier this year we pledged to donate a share of our profits from Arco brand hard hat sales to the Mental Health Foundation, our partnership is aimed to help protect heads ‘inside and out’. “Through this and other initiatives, we have raised over £14,000 for the UK’s leading charity for mental health and are continuing to look at what more we can do as a business to support these issues.” Find out more information about the Arco’s partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, visit the website here. Top ten tradespeople considering leaving the industry 1.      Window fabricator – 71% 2.      Bricklayer – 55% 3.      Building surveyor – 54% 4.      Caretaker – 41% 5.      Roofer – 36% 6.      Carpenter – 35% 7.      Plumber – 35% 8.      Locksmith – 33% 9.      Landscaper – 30% 10. Plasterer – 28% If you are struggling with your mental health, there are many resources available to help, including: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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