New Managing Director Appointed to lead VPS UK and Ireland: The property and people security specialists, VPS Group, have appointed Spencer Rock as their Managing Director for UK and Ireland. With 15 years’ experience at facilities management giant, Mitie, Spencer moved from being Commercial Director there in 2019 to become
SUPPLIERS have been invited to tender for Pagabo’s latest framework – the second generation of its popular Medium Works framework – for which the tender documents have now been published. The new generation of the framework will run for four years from January 2023, taking the place of the current
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to follow the example of Germany, which has announced plans to spend €177.5bn on climate action, including €56bn on a huge programme of building renovations. Germany’s Climate and Transformation Fund aims to reduce the 30% of the country’s total
Chubb, the UK’s leading provider of fire-safety and security solutions, is proud to launch an accelerated development programme designed to attract and train new industry-entrants in partnership with Zitko Talent, the world’s leading recruitment agency for the Fire and Security industry. The accelerated development programme will last approximately 18 weeks,
Design, fit out and refurbishment specialist, Calztec, is proud to announce it has secured two new projects with Powell Williams and Gerald Eve. Project One Gerald Eve awarded Calztec the dilapidations repair, reinstatement and improvement works across 105,819 sq. ft. of Unit One in Winsford. This project consists of demolition
Following a resolution to grant, referral to the GLA and the completion of the Section 106 Agreement, Tide has received full planning permission for its new student development 30 Marsh Wall. Modular construction will cut carbon emissions; build will be faster, cleaner, and safer Scheme increases Tide’s pipeline to more
ONE of the UK’s leading contractors has been appointed to deliver a pioneering Passivhaus leisure centre, designed by the sports and leisure experts at GT3 Architects. Willmott Dixon has been named by Spelthorne Borough Council as main contractor on the £43.5m project in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, which is targeting a Passivhaus certification for low
Highbourne Group, one of the UK’s leading plumbing and heating merchants and owner of brands such as City Plumbing, Plumbworld and PTS, has appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer. Liz Forte, an award-winning marketing director with over 20 years’ experience working for some of Europe’s best-loved brands such as Starbucks
Savills has continued its expansion of its Savills Earth division with the appointment of Joanna Conceicao, associate director in sustainable and zero carbon strategies based in the firm’s Finsbury Circus office in London. Joanna joins the sustainable design team, now 14 strong since launching in July 2021, working to facilitate
Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent
New Managing Director Appointed to lead VPS UK and Ireland: The property and people security specialists, VPS Group, have appointed Spencer Rock as their Managing Director for UK and Ireland. With 15 years’ experience at facilities management giant, Mitie, Spencer moved from being Commercial Director there in 2019 to become Chief Operating Officer at Tivoli Group, the grounds maintenance provider, whose clients range from English Heritage to the MOD. On his appointment, Spencer says: “I am delighted to be joining VPS – it’s a company that makes such a difference for its customers, protecting both their people and assets on a daily basis. Its great professionalism has won it respect from both its peers in the industry and its clients, plus it genuinely provides a national reach with a local service. I’m looking forward to continuing to build on its sector-leading operational performance, working with the VPS family, and supporting them on this journey.” The VPS Group has a diverse customer portfolio ranging from the majors in insurance, pubco’s, facilities managers, housing associations and local authorities for vacant property security, through to the construction and highways sectors for its site and safety provision.
SUPPLIERS have been invited to tender for Pagabo’s latest framework – the second generation of its popular Medium Works framework – for which the tender documents have now been published. The new generation of the framework will run for four years from January 2023, taking the place of the current iteration, which expires in December. It will provide a compliant and collaborative route to market for public sector clients to procure medium-sized construction projects valued at up to £10 million. With a total value of £1 billion, the framework will be split into four lots, with up to nine contractors allocated to each region under each lot across core and reserve supplier appointments. There are a number of these places reserved for SMEs to ensure fair access for suppliers of all sizes and to promote ample choice for clients, while generating the most positive social impact for communities. Lot 1 – £50k to £500k Lot 2 – £500k to £1m Lot 3 – £1m to £5m Lot 4 – £5m to £10m Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “The current Medium Works framework is one of our most active construction offerings, having seen more than 150 projects procured through it to date. It’s proved a popular option for clients, so we’re pleased to be looking at the next generation and continuing to support public sector bodies to procure the services they need to compliantly deliver their mid-sized schemes. “Over the past three and a half years, some fantastic schemes have been brought to fruition through the framework, including the expansion of Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Coventry, a £5m new teaching block for Horsforth School in Leeds, and Bassetlaw District Council’s first carbon reduction scheme, which saw a significant refurbishment project at Kilton Forest Gold Course’s clubhouse. “The new iteration of the framework is aligned with all of the gold standard principles of procurement laid out by the Construction Playbook, ensuring that all clients and suppliers will be working at the forefront of industry best practice when it comes to their built environment projects. We’re now looking forward to receiving tender submissions from suppliers and working with our wider ecosystem to make this new generation of Medium Works the best it can be, ready to go live in January next year.” The Education Alliance will be the contacting authority for the new agreement, continuing its role from the current iteration of the framework. For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to follow the example of Germany, which has announced plans to spend €177.5bn on climate action, including €56bn on a huge programme of building renovations. Germany’s Climate and Transformation Fund aims to reduce the 30% of the country’s total energy consumption that is used to generate space and water heating and is particularly focused on improving buildings in the bottom 25% of energy performance. This also represents a dramatic shift in government priorities from supporting the construction of new homes to renovating more existing ones with one government official saying: “One euro spent on renovation is ten times more efficient than if it was spent on a new home.” Other European countries are expected to announce similar plans with the EU intensifying the focus on retrofit in its planned revisions to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. “This looks like a comprehensive plan for retrofitting buildings with both net zero and reduced energy costs for consumers in mind,” said BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox. “We have long been calling for something similar in the UK and I would urge our officials to look at this closely. Productivity “The built environment is responsible for more than 40% of total carbon emissions so upgrading our building stock could have a major impact on our net zero targets while improving health, well-being, and productivity at the same time by creating better indoor conditions,” he added. “It is also the quickest and most cost-effective way to drive down gas and electricity consumption in homes, schools, offices and industrial buildings when we are facing an unprecedented energy crisis.” Germany is grappling with the impact the Russian invasion of Ukraine has had on its gas supplies and has pledged to invest €35.5bn in its renewable levy to lower electricity prices with another €20bn going towards decarbonising industry and developing the hydrogen industry. German consumers no longer pay the renewables levy that helps to finance the expansion of wind and solar power. Instead, the government has stepped in as part of efforts to cut electricity bills, but without reducing its investment in renewable infrastructure. The Green Building Council calculates that around 70% of UK non-residential buildings were built before 2000 and says most will need to be substantially retrofitted to improve energy efficiency and reduce embodied carbon before 2050. www.theBESA.com
Chubb, the UK’s leading provider of fire-safety and security solutions, is proud to launch an accelerated development programme designed to attract and train new industry-entrants in partnership with Zitko Talent, the world’s leading recruitment agency for the Fire and Security industry. The accelerated development programme will last approximately 18 weeks, starting with alternating blocks of technical training, field experience and manufacturer-led certified product training. Trainees will emerge as certified Fire and Security engineers, equipped with the knowledge required to work within Chubb’s installation and maintenance teams. The next generation of fire and security engineers The programme leverages Zitko’s expertise to attract and select candidates. As part of the process, specialist psychometric testing is to identify outstanding technical and learning potential. Chubb then selects and employs trainees from the pool, with manufacturers and educators contributing around 18-weeks of technical education and certified product training; all tailored to Chubb’s needs. The Zitko Talent team administers the entire programme on behalf of Chubb, while supporting/mentoring trainees. Andrew Collinson, Operations Director for Electronic Security, Chubb UK, said: “We have developed our own entry level engineers in-house before and some of our most successful people began with us this way. The accelerated development programme takes this to the next level. I believe it will be a significant source of talent; giving us people who will progress with us long-term. The programme’s been designed as a gateway for those who may or may not have previous engineering experience. The key requirements are ‘aptitude and attitude’; qualities which recruitment partner Zitko Talent will assess with their proven selection process. By focusing on these qualities, Chubb aims to unearth hidden talent, especially among groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the industry”. Zitko Group’s Managing Director, George Zitko, commented: “Chubb has an apprentice scheme already, but they’ve recognised the value of the Talent approach. That is, developing people with transferable skills and giving them a pathway into the industry”. The first intake is being recruited now, ready for an autumn start. To find out more about the Accelerated Development Programme visit https://www.zitkogroup.com/clients/chubb
Design, fit out and refurbishment specialist, Calztec, is proud to announce it has secured two new projects with Powell Williams and Gerald Eve. Project One Gerald Eve awarded Calztec the dilapidations repair, reinstatement and improvement works across 105,819 sq. ft. of Unit One in Winsford. This project consists of demolition of a four-storey mezzanine floor and racking system. Also included in the package is cut edge corrosion and recoating of the roof, replacement of roof lights, full internal and external cleaning of the building, upgraded HVAC and electrical, and decoration throughout. We will also be installing new solar panels to the roof area and car charging points, which is an exciting addition as it falls in line with one of our core values – Environmental Consideration. Project Two Calztec is also pleased to be appointed to this strip out and refurbishment project at Unit A1c, Gallagher Retail Park, Bristol by new client Powell Williams. The works include new utility connections, trench excavations, strip out of existing fit out and new drainage.
Following a resolution to grant, referral to the GLA and the completion of the Section 106 Agreement, Tide has received full planning permission for its new student development 30 Marsh Wall. Modular construction will cut carbon emissions; build will be faster, cleaner, and safer Scheme increases Tide’s pipeline to more than 3,000 homes currently under construction with a significant further pipeline 30 Marsh Wall will provide 1,068 student beds with enhanced public realm including a park Industry leading modular developer and contractor Tide Construction has secured planning permission for a student accommodation scheme at 30 Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, providing 1,068 beds. The building, designed by award-winning practice EPR Architects, will provide amenity space and a generously sized roof garden. The surrounding public realm will be enhanced with the creation of a much-needed public path between Cuba Street and Marsh Wall and a cleverly designed, high-quality recreational space or ‘pocket park’. Tide is the scheme’s developer and contractor and will construct the building with precision-made modules manufactured by its market-leading sister company Vision Modular Systems. The development further bolsters Tide Construction’s pipeline of projects under construction and in planning. Tide has more than 3,000 homes under construction and has seen sustained year-on-year growth in the past decade. Tide Construction, in partnership with its volumetric modular company Vision Modular Systems, has already delivered a significant portfolio of modular developments for institutional investors and partners in the UK across a range of asset classes including housing, hotels and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). A recent independent academic study of Tide & Vision’s accredited method of delivery found it reduces embodied carbon emissions by up to 45%. The approach also cuts construction time by up to 50% and results in a more dependable construction programme, with efficient construction logistics minimising disruption in the local area. At Marsh Wall, as pointed out by the planning officer’s report, Tide and Vision’s method of delivery will result in an 80% reduction in site waste, while ensuring that 100 % of any waste produced, is recycled. John Fleming, Chairman of Tide Construction, said: “This landmark scheme bolsters our portfolio of major schemes in London, further strengthening Tide and Vision’s role in revolutionising the way in which homes are delivered in the UK. Working in close collaboration with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and our consultants, this scheme will further demonstrate the power of modular to deliver buildings of the highest architectural quality with world-leading engineering. Thanks to sustained year-on-year growth in delivery and pipeline, Tide and Vision Modular will continue to develop and build institutional-grade buildings that confirm volumetric modular as a mainstream method of construction.” Pascal Wensink, Design Director of EPR Architects, said: “30 Marsh Wall truly showcases both the sustainability and the flexibility of the Vision Modular System, allowing us to have design freedom while benefitting from the offsite approach. The building has been designed to distinguish itself from a distance with a light bronze aluminium feature on the principal façade which extends vertically to form an expressive crown. The associated landscaping developed in collaboration with Spacehub forms part of a wider public realm strategy to enhance permeability and biodiversity on the Isle of Dogs.” Design Notes The form of the tower responds to the site’s complex triangular nature, proximity to adjacent buildings and significant level change. A light bronze aluminium vertical band on the principal façade highlights the main entrance before extending up the full 48 storeys, connecting with an identical feature on the opposite elevation at the top of the building to form a distinct crowning expression. Secondary horizontal articulations varying in depth to provide solar shading on each level with a white glazed terracotta infill creates an undulating pattern around the building, transitioning into a dark bronze to form a continuous plinth around its base. This scheme clearly demonstrates the flexibility in design that the Vision Modular System makes possible.
ONE of the UK’s leading contractors has been appointed to deliver a pioneering Passivhaus leisure centre, designed by the sports and leisure experts at GT3 Architects. Willmott Dixon has been named by Spelthorne Borough Council as main contractor on the £43.5m project in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, which is targeting a Passivhaus certification for low carbon buildings. The firm has been appointed alongside Passivhaus expert Gale & Snowden and will work collaboratively with GT3 to ensure sustainability is prioritised in line with the UK’s targets for reaching net zero. Spelthorne Borough Council have decided to adopt the Passivhaus approach, due to our net zero commitment, which will be the first wet and dry Passivhaus leisure centre in the UK. The centre will feature modern facilities such as a rooftop 3G pitch, sports hall, gym and competitive, learner and splash swimming pools. Alongside the core features, the design also includes a mini spa, flexible studio space, soft play, Clip n Climb and a community café, ensuring community-wide benefit for the project. Mark Gowdridge, director at GT3 Architects, said: “It’s great to see the progression of this fantastic project, and especially to have the team at Willmott Dixon now joining us with their wealth of knowledge in sustainable construction. “We are working ever closer to the Passivhaus certification for our design, which will save up to 60% in energy costs and ensure the building is futureproofed. We’re very happy with how the project is moving and having the input of Willmott Dixon will only enhance this. We are very much looking forward to bringing a fundamental space for health and wellbeing to the surrounding community.” Willmott Dixon is currently the only carbon neutral construction company and has set several further challenging targets to meet by 2030. Its ‘Now or Never’ strategy, launched in 2020, focuses on achieving operational net zero across all new build and refurbishment projects, being a zero-carbon company without any offsetting, and improving more than 100,000 lives through its social value commitments. Willmott Dixon has also shown its commitment to the environment by establishing the only dedicated in-house sustainability consultancy. Roger Forsdyke, managing director of London and the South, said: “We are hugely excited to be working alongside Spelthorne Borough Council, GT3 and Gale and Snowden on what will be a landmark project. Spelthorne Borough Council’s choice to adopt the Passivhaus approach is a testament to their commitment to carbon reduction. Within Willmott Dixon, we are putting maximum efforts in to supporting our customers to address the climate emergency, with projects like this ensuring we can continue in adopting our expertise to suit the ambitions of our partners. We are looking forward to working alongside both GT3 and Gale and Snowden again ensuring the project’s success will be realised.” Passivhaus methodology was established in the early 1990s and has since become the world-leading standard in energy-efficient design and construction. Passivhaus buildings provide users with a high level of comfort, while also using very little energy by optimising the design of the building and all its systems. Daniel Mouawad, Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be a pioneering authority, demonstrating our commitment to net zero by building an ultra-low Passivhaus leisure centre. Having declared a climate emergency, we recognise the need to lead by example to achieve cleaner and greener lifestyles and a sustainable borough for all to enjoy. This centre is a great example of partnership working and will provide the right infrastructure to meet our communities’ changing needs and will enable residents to stay active in a healthy environment, with low chemical pools and a dementia friendly design.” For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects
Highbourne Group, one of the UK’s leading plumbing and heating merchants and owner of brands such as City Plumbing, Plumbworld and PTS, has appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer. Liz Forte, an award-winning marketing director with over 20 years’ experience working for some of Europe’s best-loved brands such as Starbucks and Sony, joins the business starting on 8th August from the world’s largest food contract company, Compass Group. Liz is now responsible for developing and overseeing the marketing and brand strategy of Highbourne Group to support commercial performance and raise visibility amongst new and existing customers, ultimately driving business growth. At the core of this senior role is leading and managing a large multi-disciplined team to market plumbing and heating products to our large installer base, major contract customers through a range of marketing tools available to us. This helps to make our customer journey easier for them to work with us on a daily basis. John Vaughan, Chief Customer Officer of Highbourne Group, said: “We are excited and delighted to appoint Liz, who has built her career on understanding business objectives and translating them into powerful and innovative marketing strategies, as our new chief marketing officer.” “Liz has a wealth of experience and specialises in growth transformation projects, demonstrated most recently in her previous role where she generated impressive figures for new business, despite challenges associated with the pandemic. “We are looking to unlock the next phase of Highbourne Group’s development and need a strong, insight-led, customer-focused strategic marketing leader. Liz is a perfect fit for this role, and we see her as a significant investment in our company’s future. Liz will report directly into myself and join the Highbourne SLT board.” Liz, who won the Contract Catering Marketing Award in 2022 for her work with Compass and has a history of consulting for private equity firms, takes pride in forging new marketing initiatives underpinned with a data-driven and evidence-based approach. She added: “This new role is a tremendous opportunity, and I am looking forward to being part of the team that will help shape the future and upwards trajectory of Highbourne Group. “I plan to use my expertise to enhance the trading brands of the company, building tangible relationships with its customers and driving sustainable business growth through innovative marketing techniques. “My new colleagues have given me a warm welcome and I already feel part of the Highbourne family.” For more information, please visit www.highbournegroup.co.uk Highbourne Group Limited, through its brands City Plumbing, The Bathroom Showroom, PTS, Plumbworld, The Underfloor Heating Store, Plumbnation, DHS and NSS is one of the largest merchants operating in the UK’s plumbing and heating sector. It sells and distributes plumbing and heating products to installers all the way through to major corporate customers and housebuilders. The group’s team of 3,500 colleagues operates from more than 600 branches and sites around the UK. Highbourne Group’s employees are experts and dedicated to delivering a fantastic service to its customers. Their mission is to supply the highest quality materials in the UK. The company’s business revolves around supporting our customers and exceeding their expectations, from providing first class service to sourcing our products and materials as sustainably as possible.
Savills has continued its expansion of its Savills Earth division with the appointment of Joanna Conceicao, associate director in sustainable and zero carbon strategies based in the firm’s Finsbury Circus office in London. Joanna joins the sustainable design team, now 14 strong since launching in July 2021, working to facilitate sustainable design and energy strategy consultancy services to minimise energy demand and achieve net zero targets for new build and retrofitted schemes. Joanna has over 11 years’ experience as an environmental consultant in the built environment. She is a Chartered Environmentalist and Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessments, an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor and Home Quality Mark Assessor. She holds a MSc in Sustainable Environmental Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture and has previously worked at the MEP engineering practice BDSP, later chapmanbdsp. Joining Savills, Joanna comments: “This is an exciting next step in my career and I am looking forward to collaborate with the wide range of expertise within Savills and our clients to address our current climate emergency.” Dan Jestico, director in Savills Earth, adds: “We are pleased to welcome Joanna to our rapidly growing sustainable design team. With her expertise in environmental design, sustainability, and net zero carbon strategies, Joanna’s appointment will help us to continue to work with clients on their ESG agendas for both new development and retrofit projects.”
Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent to J6 of the M18 at Thorne, this includes a unique opportunity in the UK to develop a single unit of 1.15M sq ft. The scheme will create around 8,500 jobs for the region. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has approved the scheme which forms part of Wilton Developments’ wider 180 acre, 3.52M sq ft, industrial and logistics site, within one junction of the M62/M18 interchange. The first phase of delivery will extend to more than 700,000 sq ft across 6 buildings, ranging in size between 21,750 sq ft to 284,000 sq ft. The site, which will be delivered to a BREEAM Excellent rating and high specification with market leading ESG credentials, will address the trend towards larger units, responding to supply and demand with first buildings due to be delivered by 2023. CBRE and Knight Frank are appointed agents to market the Doncaster North scheme. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, comments: “A huge effort between ourselves, DMBC and our wider stakeholder partners has ensured that we are able to bring forward the first phase of this regionally significant Northern Powerhouse Logistics and Employment site. We are looking forward to getting on-site, delivering much needed industrial and logistics space with all of the positive socio-economic benefits that the construction and occupation of new buildings bring. The site’s enviable location close to the axis of both the M62/M18 and M18/M180 means it is well positioned to serve large swathes of the UK via the east coast ports and the national motorway network. Glyn Jones, Doncaster Council Portfolio Holder for Business and Housing stated: ‘It is excellent that this exciting industrial scheme is coming to fruition with support from Doncaster Council. We look forward to the site bringing forward a range of new employment opportunities to the north of Doncaster Chris Dungworth, Head of Business Doncaster added: ‘We have been supporting Wilton Developments for a long time on this development and look forward to working with them and the retained property agents to help attract quality businesses into these units. Mike Baugh, Executive Director, CBRE Leeds said “This is splendid news for the region, which is currently suffering with a lack of good quality, well located stock. Doncaster North is also hugely significant for the national logistics market as it is currently the only site in the UK with detailed consent for a single 1m sq ft + unit. We are seeing a continued trends towards larger scale distribution units, particularly from the online retail and 3PL sectors, this is creating a lot of interest in Doncaster North, particularly the 1.15m sq ft opportunity.” Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank added: “We are delighted to be advising Wilton Developments on this flagship new development for the region. Doncaster North will offer a unique opportunity for occupiers looking for flexibility of scale, strategic connectivity, and best-in-class specification, coupled with the latest ESG credentials to satisfy occupiers’ growing need for sustainable buildings. “Consecutive record-breaking industrial take-up figures achieved over the past two years have left the region with a dearth of available stock; Doncaster North will help to address this supply/demand imbalance by providing occupiers with desperately needed space”.