Michael Holmes, property expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Vice Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), says: 1. High VAT Costs for London home improvements Ensure your contractor is VAT-registered and can apply the reduced rate for eligible works. Take advantage of the
Cala Homes has completed its first net-zero-carbon enabled home at its Hampton Lakes development in Peterborough. The project demonstrates Cala’s commitment to sustainable construction and will test the housebuilder’s net zero principles, providing essential learning to help inform Cala’s approach in the future. Residents will soon move into the four-bedroom
Hilton has announced the signing of Hampton by Hilton London Heathrow Bath Road, marking the brand’s debut at Europe’s busiest airport, as part of a franchise agreement with Acre Hotels Ltd, part of the Westcombe Group. Conveniently located near the M4 motorway, the hotel will be a short 7-minute drive from
Derwent Facilities Management (Derwent FM) has been selected as part of the Viridis consortium, alongside Equitix and GRAHAM, as the preferred bidder and delivery partner for the redevelopment of The University of Manchester’s Fallowfield Campus. This ambitious project stands as one of the largest Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) initiatives currently
The UK’s leading social enterprise, Places for People, in partnership with Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure affordable homes, is set to build 90 new affordable homes in Bierly, Bradford. The site – Woodlands Edge – in Bierley, a suburb of Bradford, will provide areas of new open
Bloor Homes has celebrated the start of its new ‘Treledan’ development at Saltash, the developer’s first in Cornwall. Bloor Homes will complete phases 2 and 3 of this key 300-acre site for the county, which already has outline planning consent for 1000 new homes, a brand-new primary school, allocation for
One of the UK’s leading doorset manufacturers, JELD-WEN has launched a new data pin solution that will promote greater fire safety compliance among customers. The new data pin, provided by Door Data Systems, will now be installed across every Certifire doorset by JELD-WEN, allowing for the Golden Thread of information
Wolseley Infrastructure has unveiled an exclusive look in to Fusion Utilities’ brand new and highly anticipated Horizon 29 site in Chesterfield. The new state-of-the-art warehouse, which became operational on the 1st July, will be officially launched to the public this September and will see Fusion consolidate four operations across two
Work has begun on the refurbishment of two vacant industrial/warehouse assets that will deliver more than 100,000 sq ft of Grade A accommodation in the UK’s logistics ‘golden triangle’. Formerly occupied by Knights of Old, the two properties were acquired by Cabot’s Industrial Value Fund VII in April 2024. This
Sarah Garry, CEO of the Property Care Association (PCA) has been appointed to the CITB Nations Council (England). The trade body leader has joined as an Employer Member, working alongside ten other representatives, and alongside the Nations Councils for Wales and Scotland, will provide evidence from the industry to help
Michael Holmes, property expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Vice Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), says: 1. High VAT Costs for London home improvements Ensure your contractor is VAT-registered and can apply the reduced rate for eligible works. Take advantage of the 5% VAT rate for installing energy-saving materials like insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. If converting a non-residential building into a home or renovating a property that has been empty for 2+ years, you may qualify for a reduced 5% VAT rate. Projects that increase or decrease the number of dwelling units, such as splitting a house into flats or vice versa, can attract a reduced 5% VAT rate. Renovating properties that have been empty for 10 years or more, or changing the use of a building, may also qualify for the reduced 5% VAT rate on all eligible labour and materials. 2. Substantial property taxes for London househunters First-time buyers can benefit from Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief on properties up to £500,000. If you are transferring equity (ownership) of a property, SDLT may only be payable on the portion being transferred. Purchasing a property that includes both residential and commercial elements can qualify for the non-residential SDLT rates (often lower than residential rates). If you are purchasing multiple properties in a single transaction, such as a house with an annex, you may qualify for Multiple Dwellings Relief, which can lower the SDLT payable. Try to negotiate the purchase price to fall just below an SDLT threshold to benefit from lower SDLT bands. If possible, structure the purchase agreement to include deferred payment arrangements, which can spread the SDLT liability over a longer period. When buying through a shared ownership scheme, you can choose to pay SDLT in stages based on the share you purchase, which can reduce the initial SDLT burden. 3. Air Pollution A mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system ensures a consistent supply of warm fresh air no matter the temperature outside. It also has filters to clean the incoming air of pollen, dust and other particles so it’s constantly replenishing your home with fresh, filtered air. 4. Climate Change Impact An architect using the Passivhaus design software will be able to predict how much overheating your home will experience in summer and advise on measures to bring this down. For example, external blinds can be very effective at reducing solar gain (which causes the temperature to rise in your home) by between 80 and 100%. The most effective systems should be fixed or need intervention to be effective such as brise soleil and overhangs. But shutters blinds or awnings can also be effective. Other useful measures include optimising the size of your windows, doors and rooflights, and deep window reveals. 5. Lack of skilled labour We have a real shortage of skilled labour in the UK Construction industry. However, there are still good trades and builders out there. You will have to wait for the good ones as they’re booked up, so do not be tempted to rush into using someone who can start on Monday. They aren’t busy for good reason. Use social media to follow their jobs, you can build a good understanding of their company without getting off your sofa. 6. Planning delays The current planning system is flawed and needs a radical overhaul to get London building again. If the new government looks at this as a matter of urgency it will hopefully reduce the delays homeowners are currently seeing with planning applications which means their build can start quicker and with less red tape. 7. Fitting an air source heat pump Due to the nature of London buildings which are close together and often have a high number of occupiers, a lot of the properties are not immediately suitable for heat pump installation procedures. Also, some of the permitted development rules and regulations can make it more difficult to fit new technology… One long-term effect will be that the ‘spark gap’ – the difference in price between the cost per kw of electricity and the cost per kw of gas, for heat – is getting bigger as gas gets harder to find. So, there will be a cost burden going forward, as we’ll have carbon emissions, but it’ll also be more expensive in the future to run gas. And it’ll be much more expensive than to do the conversion to a heat pump because, potentially, the boiler upgrade scheme grant won’t be there. If these could include hybrid systems (where you keep the boiler but have a heat pump as well), this might also become a solution for congested areas. 8. The cost and complexity of the energy efficiency upgrades As we’ve seen in the past with solar photovoltaic panels, the moment that you make it easier for people to get them, the turnover increases and the cost comes down. So, what we need to do is increase the adoption rate by making it simple for people to adopt new energy efficient technology. Then from that perspective, the cost comes down and more people can implement energy efficiency upgrades. And what starts as a snowball rolling down a hill becomes an avalanche of change. 9. Understanding what can be done without needing a full planning application Permitted development rights are what allow you to do things to your house without having to make a planning application. Each of these rights has a different set of criteria that your project needs to meet in order to qualify for the exemption. Many of these criteria are super complicated. Luckily the government has pushed out a technical document that explains them. Just put “Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance” into a search engine. Again, a planning consultant can advise on what it means, but the only way to obtain a legally binding confirmation that what you want to do doesn’t require a planning application is to get a lawful
Cala Homes has completed its first net-zero-carbon enabled home at its Hampton Lakes development in Peterborough. The project demonstrates Cala’s commitment to sustainable construction and will test the housebuilder’s net zero principles, providing essential learning to help inform Cala’s approach in the future. Residents will soon move into the four-bedroom property, offering the opportunity for the business to learn about the technical viability and user experience of sustainable technology in a ‘lived in’ home. Through monitoring data, including qualitative feedback from the residents gathered throughout the summer and winter months, Cala will gain valuable insights into the practicalities of implementing these technologies and, importantly, the user experience of sustainability features in an occupied home. Cala has worked with its subcontractor partners to bring together various technologies already trialled and implemented on its sites across the UK. The sustainable features within the home have also been informed by desktop studies and initial comparative testing with the same Cala house type built to current regulations. The learnings from the Hampton Lakes home around installation, implementation and performance will support another positive step towards Cala’s ambitious goal of delivering operationally net-zero-carbon enabled homes by 2030. Steve Rule, Group Technical Director at Cala, said: “We have calculated that this home has the potential to use 95% less primary energy* compared to the same Cala house type built to current regulations. Early comparative in-situ testing has seen a 40% better thermal performance than our current homes built to the latest regulations, even with all the advances and efficiencies of new homes today. This means it achieves a Heat Loss Parameter (HLP) which ranks it in the ‘excellent’ category of the heat loss scale. “This is obviously significant for our customers, but it’s important that the customer experience is enhanced. Living in a net-zero-carbon enabled home should be seamless and that’s something we’ve strived to achieve here.” The home has been built using modern methods of construction including timber frame and low-carbon bricks, and features triple glazing and enhanced insultation. Other features include: Outside, biodiversity enhancing measures include bird and bat boxes, bug hotels, rain gardens, bat bricks, hedgehog highways, a dedicated vegetable patch, and home composting facilities, bringing Cala’s Urban Wildlife Strategy to life. Kathryn Dapré, Head of Sustainability at Cala Group, said: “Our net-zero-carbon enabled home is a positive step forward in our sustainability journey, but what’s important to us is that we take customers on that journey with us. Our Hampton Lakes property therefore aims to integrate sustainable measures into a ‘real’, lived in home – to design the home around the customer, not the technology. “Gathering real-life, real-time feedback from the people living in this home will help us to understand how the net-zero-carbon enabled home performs both in terms of reducing carbon emissions and for Cala customers.” Cala’s Sustainability Strategy will see the business achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. It has also set a wider target of net-zero total greenhouse gas emissions across the business by 2045. So far, Cala has achieved a 28.5% reduction in operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its 2021 baseline. Operational emissions per square meter of developed floor space have fallen by over 25% since 2021. *(heating, hot water, lighting and electricity) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hilton has announced the signing of Hampton by Hilton London Heathrow Bath Road, marking the brand’s debut at Europe’s busiest airport, as part of a franchise agreement with Acre Hotels Ltd, part of the Westcombe Group. Conveniently located near the M4 motorway, the hotel will be a short 7-minute drive from Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 and 3, with easy access to Central London in 30 minutes via the Elizabeth Line. The 157-room hotel will offer onsite parking and Hampton by Hilton’s signature amenities including flexible communal spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi and a hot breakfast, and a retail market for on-the-go food, drink and essentials. Each room will benefit from the brand’s refreshed interior design with warm colour palettes, a work desk, and a 55” HDTV, ensuring a welcoming and functional atmosphere for all guests. Graham Dodd, managing director, development, UK & Ireland, Hilton, said: “We are thrilled to announce Hampton by Hilton’s debut at London Heathrow, strategically located to serve travellers at Europe’s busiest airport. As we continue to expand our presence at this key global gateway, we are committed to providing dependable, friendly service and comfortable stays for all guests, whether they are preparing for a flight or unwinding after a long journey.” Hampton by Hilton London Heathrow Bath Road joins a growing portfolio of Hilton properties in the area, including the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, and DoubleTree by Hilton London Heathrow Airport. Guests of all Hilton properties can benefit from the award-winning Hilton Honors guest loyalty programme, allowing members who book directly with Hilton to earn Points for hotel stays and experiences. Hilton Honors members can also unlock access to instant rewards and benefits, such as contactless check-in with room selection and exclusive member discounts. Kamal Pankhania CEO of the Westcombe Group commented: “We’re pleased to continue our partnership with Hilton, building on our previous work with the business with another franchise agreement. Two of our Group Companies, Westcombe Construction Limited and Acre Hotels Limited, will manage the construction and subsequent operation of the hotel. We’re very much looking forward to delivering another top-quality hotel for an excellent brand, and adding to the significant number of hotels in Westcombe Group’s development portfolio.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Derwent Facilities Management (Derwent FM) has been selected as part of the Viridis consortium, alongside Equitix and GRAHAM, as the preferred bidder and delivery partner for the redevelopment of The University of Manchester’s Fallowfield Campus. This ambitious project stands as one of the largest Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) initiatives currently active in the UK. The Fallowfield Campus redevelopment will be a transformative project, providing up to 5,400 student beds by replacing older accommodations with 3,300 modern, high-quality bedrooms. The project will specifically focus on upgrading and replacing the existing Owens Park, Oak House, and Woolton Hall residences, ensuring they meet the increasing demand for high-quality student housing on the popular campus. Eamonn Tierney, Managing Director at Derwent FM, said: “Our selection as part of the Viridis consortium for The University of Manchester’s Fallowfield Campus redevelopment is a very significant milestone for Derwent FM. This is a testament to our expertise and dedication to supporting the student sector in the UK and the significant experience and expertise of the Derwent FM team!” Achal Bhuwania, Equitix CIO, said: “Delighted that an Equitix consortium has been selected to support the University of Manchester in its next stage of growth and development, to provide a world-class student living experience. This is further testament to the proven capabilities and commitment to UK greenfield infrastructure as well as supporting British supply chain partners. This win was achieved through our relentless focus on building trust and long-lasting relationships as well as providing best in class solutions with core focus on sustainability and value for money.” GRAHAM CEO, Andrew Bill said: “GRAHAM is delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Manchester to deliver its vision for the Fallowfield Residences Redevelopment Programme. Together, we will focus on creating an exemplar sustainable campus that will enhance the experience of the University’s next generation of students.” The project is being undertaken under a Design, Build, Finance, and Operate (DBFO) model, ensuring that all aspects from initial design through to ongoing operations will be managed to the highest standards. This comprehensive approach guarantees that the new accommodations will not only meet but exceed the expectations of the students and the university. The University and the Viridis consortium will collaborate to refine their DBFO delivery plans, aiming to achieve financial close by summer 2025. The redevelopment of Fallowfield Campus marks a significant investment in the future of student living at The University of Manchester. It underscores the university’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities and a vibrant community environment for its students. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s leading social enterprise, Places for People, in partnership with Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure affordable homes, is set to build 90 new affordable homes in Bierly, Bradford. The site – Woodlands Edge – in Bierley, a suburb of Bradford, will provide areas of new open space, green corridors and landscaping. Existing pedestrian connections will be improved, and work will be undertaken to enhance nearby Brierley Hall Woods. The new homes will include a range of two- and three-bedroom houses, offered in affordable rent and shared ownership tenures. The development is expected to create 144 full-time construction jobs and almost 180 supply chain jobs across the build period, injecting £23m into the local economy. As part of their commitment to social value, Places for People will also work closely with local schools and colleges to provide site visits, toolbox talks, and work placements, as well as supporting local schools’ own initiatives. Nilam Buchanan, Regional Managing Director for Central and North of Places for People comments: “As the UK’s leading social enterprise, we have a long-term plan to help address England’s chronic shortage of homes and build sustainable communities, with a big focus on delivering much-needed affordable homes. We are delighted to work with Bradford Council and our strategic partners, Vistry Group to create 90 much-needed affordable houses for the local community. We’re also proud to provide significant employment opportunities and showcase the opportunities a career in the built environment can offer.” Vistry secured planning permission for the development back in October 2023 and work is set to start on site this summer. Andrew Poyner, Managing Director of Vistry, West Yorkshire, said: “Thanks to the engagement and support of Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, we’ve been able to work together with Places for People to unlock this site for development. It will now deliver 90 high-quality, affordable homes, making a significant impact on Bradford’s affordable housing supply.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bloor Homes has celebrated the start of its new ‘Treledan’ development at Saltash, the developer’s first in Cornwall. Bloor Homes will complete phases 2 and 3 of this key 300-acre site for the county, which already has outline planning consent for 1000 new homes, a brand-new primary school, allocation for commercial development and infrastructure improvements. As well as delivering much needed two, three, four and five bedroom new housing for people in the local area, including 90 affordable homes across phase two, the new development will retain large areas of public open spaces including parkland, children’s play areas, allotments, community orchards, forest gardens and sports pitches as part of its Section 106 (S106) commitments. There will also be a new cycleway across the whole site, a new footbridge over the A38 and a new access roundabout from the A38. Bloor Homes will also make S106 contributions towards local infrastructure, primary and secondary education, health care, public transport and a new neighbourhood centre, bringing the total in excess of £2 million. Bradley Davison, Managing Director for Bloor Homes’ Exeter region, said: “Since Treledan is our first development in Cornwall we have worked very closely with Cornwall Council and other key stakeholders in the local area to ensure we are providing quality new homes for Saltash which are sympathetic to the local area and meet Cornwall Council’s sustainability and affordability requirements. “We have been building new homes and communities across England since 1969, but we are really looking forward to sharing our vision for phases 2 and 3 here and opening our showhomes to the public in Cornwall for the first time next year so they can experience the high quality and style we are bringing to this important location.” The land was allocated for development in Cornwall Council’s Local Plan as part of the ‘gateway to Cornwall’ and is a helping to address the issue of affordable housing as part of its economic growth strategy. The new development is in line with Saltash Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan whose vision for a ‘prosperous and diverse economy’ is linked to excellent provision of new homes. Bradley adds: “Although we are in the very early stages of building our first new homes at Treledan, people can already find out more about them and register to receive priority information by visiting our website – bloorhomes.com and we look forward to welcoming people to the sales cabin this Autumn.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading doorset manufacturers, JELD-WEN has launched a new data pin solution that will promote greater fire safety compliance among customers. The new data pin, provided by Door Data Systems, will now be installed across every Certifire doorset by JELD-WEN, allowing for the Golden Thread of information to be implemented at the earliest stage. Offering an advanced level of digital recording and data collection for fire doorsets in commercial and multi-occupancy buildings, the pins will enhance traceability and enable individuals in positions of responsibility to demonstrate a comprehensive approach to fire door compliance. Fitted in the hinge side of the door during the manufacturing process, the pin will provide immediate access to its certification, technical documentation, installation guides, warranties and inspection reports. These records are linked to a state-of-the-art system, whereby data is stored and available via a free-to-download app. To further enhance the user experience, data is presented in a clear and easy-to-read central dashboard, meaning no specialist training is required, while features such as scheduled reminders can support building management in future fire door maintenance. Glyn Hauser, R&D Senior Group Manager at JELD-WEN comments: “As one of the first manufacturers to introduce this advanced data pin system, we’re advocates for greater transparency throughout the supply chain, which we believe is needed to improve modern fire door practice. “Compliance is in the DNA of every JELD-WEN product, and launching the data pin is an important step in ensuring the Golden Thread can be implemented at the very first opportunity. We believe this capability will allow for better facility management of a building and, ultimately, a safer environment for the people within it.” As part of JELD-WEN’s commitment to providing customers with end-to-end support throughout the lifecycle of their doorsets, a number of easy-to-follow videos will ensure best practice is achieved during the installation stage of the Golden Thread process. For more information on JELD-WEN’s new data pin solution, visit https://www.jeld-wen.co.uk/door-data-pin Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wolseley Infrastructure has unveiled an exclusive look in to Fusion Utilities’ brand new and highly anticipated Horizon 29 site in Chesterfield. The new state-of-the-art warehouse, which became operational on the 1st July, will be officially launched to the public this September and will see Fusion consolidate four operations across two locations into just one. The new facility will enable Fusion Utilities to house the biggest range of utilities products to provide better availability than ever before to its customers. In a newly released video, Wolseley Infrastructure reveals the completed interiors of Horizon 29 including its warehousing spaces. The Chesterfield-based site’s prime location at Junction 29A off the M1 offers unparalleled accessibility across the UK enabling Fusion Utilities to deliver stock quickly and efficiently around the country, keeping infrastructure projects running smoothly. The site will be used as both a fulfilment centre for delivering stock directly to customers as well as a central location for stock replenishment for Fusion Utilities’ nationwide branch network. The new Horizon 29 site has enabled Fusion Utilities to upgrade from 86,000 sq. ft of warehouse space to 150,000 sq. ft space. The multi-functional space can hold up to 4,000 pallets alongside offering cable cutting facilities and an advanced hire workshop for best-in-class service. The enhanced warehouse space is complimented by an increased yard space, growing from 0.5 acres to 2.34 acres. The new site seamlessly integrates warehouse and office space for optimised efficiency and service quality. Horizon 29 has been designed with Fusion Utilities’ commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint in mind. The new site features environmentally friendly features including 14 EV charging points, using natural light optimised for visibility and a large recycling centre. Simon Dennis, former National Operations Director at Wolseley Infrastructure said: “We are thrilled with our new warehouse and are excited to give people a look inside before the official launch in September. The investment in Horizon 29 highlights our dedication and unwavering commitment to adaptability and excellence in customer service delivery. Horizon 29 will ensure we can remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of our customers, allowing us to better serve both them and their communities.” “With the Horizon site, we’re not just investing in infrastructure, we’re investing in our capacity to deliver exceptional service and support that puts our customers first.” With the site opening officially to the public in September, Fusion Utilities will be unlocking a brand-new chapter of innovation and service excellence. This landmark development emphasises Wolseley’s commitment to unparalleled service and innovation in the Utilities sector. To find out more about Wolseley Infrastructure and its brands, visit here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has begun on the refurbishment of two vacant industrial/warehouse assets that will deliver more than 100,000 sq ft of Grade A accommodation in the UK’s logistics ‘golden triangle’. Formerly occupied by Knights of Old, the two properties were acquired by Cabot’s Industrial Value Fund VII in April 2024. This represented the Fund’s 4th investment in the UK, and Cabot’s 52nd investment overall in the UK since 2012. Cabot Kettering comprises a pair of modern, detached units on an 8.11-acre plot (site cover of 27%) at Kettering Venture Park, a premier distribution location in Northamptonshire, off Jct 9 of the A14. The largest of the units is Cabot Kettering 86, an 86,148 sq ft warehouse, which lies adjacent to Cabot Kettering 15, a separate building of 15,233 sq ft. The two units will be made available as a whole or on an individual basis. Cabot Kettering 86 benefits from an additional 14,000 sq ft covered loading canopy. Both units will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment, and upon delivery provide Grade A space as well as an upgrade to the available power supply to a minimum of 750 KvA. The scheme will target EPC A and BREEAM In-Use certification in cooperation with prospective new occupiers. The site offers outstanding flexibility for users, providing ample space for truck parking and manoeuvrability, along with high visibility and presence along the A14. The refurbished units are expected to be available from Q4 2024. Jed Raymond, director of asset management for UK and Europe, said: “Our team continues to source and execute on value-add opportunities in the UK. Cabot Kettering is one of several refurbishment or development projects we’re undertaking in order to bring modern products to market. We’re excited to see this project take shape in the coming months.” Christian Smith, industrial and logistics director at Savills Birmingham, said: “This represents a great opportunity to bring high quality buildings to a market lacking in stock, in a popular location. The large secure yards on each building mean they will appeal to both warehouse and industrial occupiers alike.” Richard Baker, director of Prop-Search, said: “Cabot Kettering will bring some much needed Grade A space to the market and we are confident that it will be sought after by local, regional and national occupiers, and we look forward to bringing it to the market.” Cabot Kettering is located on the southern edge of Kettering and provides direct access to the motorway network, including M1 and M6 to the west and A1 (M) and M11 to the east. The site benefits from a mainline railway service, with connections to London St Pancras International, and connects to the UK’s largest container port at Felixstowe. For more information on availability at Cabot Kettering, please contact retained agents, Prop-Search and Savills or visit: https://www.cabotkettering.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sarah Garry, CEO of the Property Care Association (PCA) has been appointed to the CITB Nations Council (England). The trade body leader has joined as an Employer Member, working alongside ten other representatives, and alongside the Nations Councils for Wales and Scotland, will provide evidence from the industry to help shape CITB’s strategic plan. Sarah’s appointment comes after she joined the PCA in November 2023, with a remit to draw on her extensive experience in membership associations. Her work with the Association includes amplifying links with Government and policymakers and developing an agile training programme to meet the demands for a modern, healthy and energy-efficient housing stock for all in the UK. Sarah said: “There’s never been a greater need to focus on skills for the future, and I am really pleased to be taking up the CITB role to help shape that. “I’ll be actively pushing for more accessible training for PCA members and the wider sector and looking at ways we can signpost the industry to claim the right funding. “We are going through major changes in the construction sector, with factors such as the Building Safety Act requiring competence to be demonstrated across all building work. “Training is going to be vital and CITB is going to have a role in ensuring that. “With factors such as energy efficiency and climate having an impact on the UK’s current housing stock, PCA members have the expertise to play a key role in upgrading homes, whilst contributing their technical knowledge so that new homes can be built and existing homes can be retrofitted, safely and sustainably. “There are careers for everyone in the construction industry and we need to attract more talent and inspire them to play a part in providing healthy and safe homes.” The PCA is the leading representative organisation for the UK’s building protection industry, with a skilled and audited membership operating across domestic, commercial and civil sectors in the structural repair, structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp protection, flood remediation and invasive weed control industries. Focused on the complete building envelope, its members’ expertise protects the integrity and comfort of domestic buildings in both new build and refurbishment projects, guarding against moisture damage, damp, mould and decay. They also deliver cutting edge techniques to protect commercial and civil structures against water penetration and ground gases, as well using the latest scientific methods to tackle invasive weeds, including Japanese Knotweed, across all urban, rural and watercourse environments. Sarah added: “One in eight people in the UK work in construction and the wide variety of opportunities within our membership profile lends itself to interesting and varied career choices. “The PCA will be further developing training programmes and initiatives that ensure new recruits benefit from long-lasting careers, and have the technical expertise to support building owners and tenants, framed around the Government’s need to transform the nation’s homes. “This approach aligns with the CITB’s role to help the construction industry attract talent and to support skills development and I look forward to the opportunities ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals