A new Affiliation Agreement between Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA) has set the template for further consolidation of the timber industry, helping to drive the mass adoption of timber as a sustainable construction solution. TDUK has been formed from a merger between the Timber Trade
Gavin McAuley, founder of the award-winning design studio, McAuley Architecture + interiors, based in Hamilton, has been named the winner of this year’s Build Lanarkshire Programme, delivered by hub South West Scotland. Now in its fifth year, the Build Programme offers businesses in the construction sector the opportunity to gain valuable
United Living Group, the provider of critical infrastructure and affordable housing, is pleased to announce it will return as the main sponsor of the Television for the Environment (Tve) Global Sustainability Film Awards 2022, a film competition recognising those whose films most powerfully portray solutions for sustainability. Previous shortlisted
Thousands of people yearly are injured or die on construction sites around the country. As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created more than 50 years ago to ensure as few incidents as possible. The purpose of this authority is to mandate safety standards for workplaces so
New video shows extensive tunnelling work that will help relocate equipment and provide ventilation for the Northern line: HS2 Ltd continues to make progress at Euston, as work continues behind the hoardings to make way for Britain’s new high-speed railway. To create space for the new HS2 station, HS2’s station
TODD Architects has won planning permission to refurbish and redevelop Birmingham’s Grade II* Listed Central Methodist Hall into a destination hospitality and leisure scheme with up to 150 new hotel rooms and eight new bars and restaurants at ground and basement levels. Birmingham City Council planning officers said the plans,
The winners of the TDUK Southside Hereford University Design Challenge (#TDchallenge22) have been announced following an incredibly competitive nine-month process. The challenge was based on a live project to design a net zero community center, showcasing timber construction and meeting Passivhaus Standard. After 150 students registered from 57 Universities and nine months
A BUSINESSMAN with more than 30 years of experience in leading and developing teams across the globe is sharing his expertise to help an ambitious house building company continue to grow. Isaac Wharton has worked globally at a strategic level for public multinational corporations and private equity companies, growing the
A very important part of managing a construction business is processing the payroll. While payroll processing may seem simple, it requires a lot of attention – because making mistakes when performing it can be very costly, in the sense that it can attract both state and federal fines or penalties.
Hospitality design expert Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has won revised planning permission for a 116-room aparthotel in the heart of London’s thriving Victoria district. The first UK venture for Dutch brand City ID, the eight-storey aparthotel has been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and will showcase a mix of fully
A new Affiliation Agreement between Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA) has set the template for further consolidation of the timber industry, helping to drive the mass adoption of timber as a sustainable construction solution. TDUK has been formed from a merger between the Timber Trade Federation (TFF) and The Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), creating the largest, most comprehensive supply chain body in the UK. TDUK now spans more than 1500 member businesses representing everything from Sawmill to Specifier. The WPA is the UK authority on wood protection and plays a lead role in influencing, developing and promoting technologies that enhance the performance and value of wood as a building material. Under the Affiliation Agreement, TDUK and WPA will continue to operate as independent membership organisations, but WPA will act as the TDUK’s centre of expertise on flame-retardant treatments, wood modification and preservation – providing the essential technical, quality assurance and support services under a united strategy to grow demand for added value treated timber products that can be trusted. The TDUK Affiliation Agreement with WPA is part of a bigger mission to align all wood and timber technical specification information under one roof. In so doing, TDUK aims to empower architects, designers, specifiers and engineers with the knowledge and confidence they need to use wood in their projects.
Gavin McAuley, founder of the award-winning design studio, McAuley Architecture + interiors, based in Hamilton, has been named the winner of this year’s Build Lanarkshire Programme, delivered by hub South West Scotland. Now in its fifth year, the Build Programme offers businesses in the construction sector the opportunity to gain valuable expert industry advice to help them grow and achieve their market goals. Delivered over eight weeks, the free programme comprises weekly sessions focusing on different themes. Attendees learn about all aspects of business management, from developing a strategy and navigating procurement and finance, to creating a marketing and social media plan. The Build Lanarkshire Programme hosted a variety of local businesses, with specialist skills ranging from sustainable energy systems to building and contracting. McAuley Architecture + interiors are a CIAT Chartered Practice, Gavin being a Chartered Architectural Technologist with a Degree in Interior Architecture. His practice offers bespoke services to his clients in the commercial and residential sectors. The business was founded two years ago by Gavin, who was previously an Associate at one of the top AJ100 firms in the UK. He is also a lecturer in Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Gavin decided to take the leap and start his own practice when his wife was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020: “Katrina’s diagnosis at 34 was life changing for us both. Thankfully she got it checked out quickly which ultimately saved her life, but it was one of our conversations soon after her surgery in which she said “what do you want to do with your life?”. “I decided to start my own practice and it’s the best decision I’ve made. We are very busy at the moment, covering sectors such as domestic, commercial, health and hospitality. The last two years have been a whirlwind of cancer appointments, starting a business and winning great contracts. As the saying goes – from small acorns grows a mighty oak. “Katrina has now fully recovered, and she is starting her training to become an NHS nurse in September, after the sterling care she received during her journey.” As a newcomer when it came to running his own company, Gavin signed up to the Build Programme with an interest in gaining expert advice on the nuts and bolts of running a business and delving into key areas like employment law and cybercrime. Speaking of the value that the Build Programme can bring to local business owners, Mark Houston, Supply Chain Development Manager at hub South West Scotland said: “Our free Build Programme is designed to help local businesses develop an achievable plan for the future and successfully reach their business goals by offering weekly half-day collaborative learning sessions with our Tier one contractors, industry experts and like-minded companies. By attending the Build Lanarkshire programme, local construction sector companies can strengthen their skills across a variety of business areas which are integral to running a successful company. “It’s great to meet new businesses each year and watch them transform over the eight week period. This course helps them to gain expert knowledge and skills, which in turn gives them the confidence to go out and get to where they want to be in the market. Furthermore, they are gaining invaluable relationships with companies who they will work with for years to come.” Keen to encourage other local businesses to attend the Build Programme, Gavin said: “I would absolutely recommend it. Whether you’re a start-up or a well-established business, there’s lots of information and knowledge that you can bring back to your team. “The most valuable thing about the Build Programme is connections, networking, and access. Being in Tier 1 contractors’ offices and seeing them in their natural habitat before now, was difficult. We already have meetings set up with some of the top tier players who are keen to utilise our extensive experience. “Everyone was extremely supportive. The organisers answered all my questions and were always there for one-to-ones. There was a level of trust where we could talk about whatever we wanted to talk about within the room – business and personal experiences. By the end of the course, everyone knew each other very well” As part of the final stage of the Build Programme, participants had to create a presentation outlining what they had learned over the eight weeks, their progression, and an insight into how this will impact and benefit their future activity. Gavin was chosen as this year’s winner based on the quality of his attendance, input, presentation and level of progress he had made throughout the eight week programme. Following his Build Lanarkshire win, Gavin is passionate about using his experience to expand McAuley Architecture + interiors and drive skills development amongst the next generation of Designers. Plans have already been put into action with the firm recently taking on a larger office. The annual Build Programme is open to all construction-related SMEs across Lanarkshire. Build Dumfries and Galloway is next to kick off in 2022, starting on Wednesday 21st September. The programme will be delivered by hub South West Scotland in partnership with their Tier One Contractors and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Registration is now open and local businesses who are interested in signing up for the programme can do so by contacting hub South West Scotland directly.
United Living Group, the provider of critical infrastructure and affordable housing, is pleased to announce it will return as the main sponsor of the Television for the Environment (Tve) Global Sustainability Film Awards 2022, a film competition recognising those whose films most powerfully portray solutions for sustainability. Previous shortlisted films include the World Wildlife Fund’s project to capture never-before-seen behaviours of basking sharks off the shores of Scotland using innovative camera technology. Another shortlisted film captured Breathe London, an ambitious project that measured and mapped Londoners’ daily exposure to air pollution using a network of advanced air pollution sensors. United Living has proudly sponsored the event for six years. The group is supporting its clients on their decarbonisation journey as well as setting its own net zero carbon and sustainability objectives. United Living has implemented a range of measures that prioritise sustainability, including commitments to reduce carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2030, two decades ahead of the UK government’s existing target of Net Zero by 2050. Other measures include reducing avoidable waste to zero in the development process of all United Living Homes, as well as eliminating the use of single-use plastics by the same timeframe. All this whilst remaining focused on supporting a wholly diverse and inclusive environment. The Groups ethos is to continuously invest in its people through funded qualifications and trainee programmes, and in social value to leave a lasting positive legacy in the communities it serves. At the awards ceremony, a brief address will be given by CEO and Chairman of United Living, Neil Armstrong, on the importance of the Awards in spreading awareness of a more sustainable way of life, as well as the role organisations such as United Living must play in this endeavour. Neil Armstrong, CEO and Chairman, United Living Group, commented: “tve was founded on the very principle of supporting progress towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). United Living has embraced ESG targets which also align to the UNSDG. We are already on a journey, and have been for years as a responsible business, with sustainable priorities. We are proud and delighted to be able to put our shoulder behind the awards as the main sponsor for thesixth year. By doing so we can support tve in our own small way, in the fantastic work they are doing to highlight one of the most important issues we face as a society today. The stories the award ceremony celebrates, inspire further innovation and aid the global transition to a more sustainable future for us all.” Mei Sim Lai OBE DI, Chairperson of the tve Global Sustainability Film Awards, commented: “Tve is a charitable organisation which relies on the support of partners around the world to fulfil its mission of promoting sustainable development through film and other media. Were it not for the generous sponsorship of organisations such as United Living, we would not have the capacity or scope to hold such an event or attract and promote such a high quality of film entrants. The fact that the number of Award categories has continued to increase over the years, is a testament to the value of our partnership, and we hope that United Living Group and the GSFA can continue to go from strength to strength together”.
Thousands of people yearly are injured or die on construction sites around the country. As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created more than 50 years ago to ensure as few incidents as possible. The purpose of this authority is to mandate safety standards for workplaces so that employees can go to work in the safest environment possible, whether in a quiet office or a bustling construction site. By its very nature, construction is a dangerous industry. Heavy equipment, sharp objects, tripping hazards, heights, and any hazardous situations could occur. The OSHA provides regulations and standards to minimize and mitigate those risks to protect workers. Here is a basic overview of OSHA regulations relating to construction sites. Heights and Fall Prevention As you can imagine, working from heights is very common on construction sites and presents a unique set of risks. As a result, OSHA has several guidelines about safely working from heights to keep workers and the general public safe. For instance, scaffolding must be able to hold four times its weight safely. On top of that, it must have guardrails and toeboards to prevent falling over. The OSHA also has guidelines for working near power lines which can pose a severe risk to someone working from heights. They also have safety standards for every type of ladder used on a site. This includes how to secure them properly and how to climb on and off of them. Stairways on construction sites must have proper hand and guardrails and be debris-free. Nothing can be stored on stairways, including at the top and the bottom. If a stairway gets wet, it must be cleaned immediately to prevent slips and falls. Electrocution Electrocution is another major cause of injury and death on construction sites. Therefore, workers must be conscientious when dealing with any appliances or exposed wiring while on the job. As part of their guidelines, OSHA mandates that no worker can access or work on electrical circuits and outlets until the power is cut and the ground wires are attached. Also, any damaged wiring has to be replaced immediately. This includes power cords. Tools that require electricity to operate must be inspected regularly. If a possible defect is concerned, it must be repaired or disposed of immediately. Do not use a tool that may have frayed or damaged electrical components. Any equipment, including ladders and materials, must be at least 10 feet away from electrical power lines. Communication Communication among construction workers is a big part of OSHA’s safety guidelines. This means that workers must talk and communicate with each other, and management must make sure that all employees have safety training and reminders. In addition, there must always be an MSDS data sheet on-site if dangerous chemicals are present. It must be easily and quickly accessible by anyone on the site, not just management. Any possible hazards on the job site must be efficiently communicated to workers. For example, upon discovering an unsafe condition, or a chemical, management must let everyone know about the danger and provide the steps to avoid it. Waste Management Loose waste can be a dangerous component of any construction site. The OSHA has several guidelines to make sure that removing waste to keep the job site safe and clean is done properly. For example, if you work more than 20 feet from the ground, any material waste you produce must be dropped to the ground using an enclosed slide or a similar implement. If you are dropping waste through the floor to the level below, the drop zone area must be marked and blocked off to prevent someone from walking underneath. In addition, using disposal equipment will make disposal more efficient and safer for workers. For example, self dumping hoppers can hold a large amount of waste, are moved easily using a forklift or other lifting equipment, and can be emptied without requiring human hands to touch the disposed of material. Personal Protective Equipment Employers are responsible for making sure that all employees have the right personal protective equipment for their jobs. Every job has different risks, but some common basics are required. This includes protection from head injuries by wearing a hard hat while on the job site. In addition, debris can fall from above, or a worker could trip and fall. If working with heavy machinery, operators must also have proper hearing protection to avoid hearing loss over time. All workers should have protective work boots or shoes; some may even need leg and shin padding for their work. Due to the risk of flying debris, sparks, and wood chips, all workers must have eye protection in the form of goggles, shields, or both. Safety is paramount. If your staff isn’t safe on the job, there will be injuries, productivity issues, and staffing problems. Besides, it looks unprofessional to any partners, clients, or the general public that might be interested in what you are doing. So ensure you keep your workers safe with the OSHA’s guidelines and regulations.
New video shows extensive tunnelling work that will help relocate equipment and provide ventilation for the Northern line: HS2 Ltd continues to make progress at Euston, as work continues behind the hoardings to make way for Britain’s new high-speed railway. To create space for the new HS2 station, HS2’s station contractor, Mace Dragados JV (MDjv), has excavated a 20-metre deep ‘box’ that will be home to a new Traction Substation (TSS). Traction substations are used to convert electrical power to a form suitable for a rail system. This TSS will enable the relocation of equipment needed to provide services and ventilation for the safe operation of the Northern Line at Euston. Connecting this highly-secure new Traction Substation – dubbed the ‘sugar cube’ due to its eye-catching white tiled exterior – to the London Underground network is a 90-metre long – as long as the Statue of Liberty laid down – 6.5-metre wide tunnel running under the HS2 construction site. The work to construct the tunnel took 16 months and saw the MDJV team sink a 20-metre deep shaft before carving out the underground passage and coating it with a primary sprayed concrete lining (SCL). After applying waterproofing, the team reinforced the tunnel with steel and concrete to give it the strength and structure needed ahead of the construction of the HS2 Station that will be taking place above it. MDjv, supported by its principal sub-contractors Cementation Skanska, Careys and JGL, brought forward innovations to improve the environmental credentials of the works. Redesigning the tunnel to lower the carbon impact during construction – through reduced material and water use, a reduction in vehicle movements, and a lower energy consumption – resulted in an overall carbon saving of 140 tonnes, while efforts to reuse material already on site resulted in over 1,000 fewer lorry movements and an associated saving of 76 tonnes carbon dioxide from vehicle emissions. Andy Swift, Euston Project Client for HS2 Ltd said: “Our Euston team has been working hard behind the hoardings at Euston to create the space required for us to build HS2’s new Euston station, as well as a better connected London Underground station. The progress to date has been great, moving the existing underground infrastructure, with seamless collaboration between contractors and stakeholders, with a focus on minimising community disruption.” Throughout the tunnelling works, the shaft has been enclosed by an acoustic shed, designed to reduce noise impact on the community and businesses nearby. This enabled 24 hour working which was required to meet the demands of the programme. Rob Williams, Senior Project Manager for the Traction Substation at Mace Dragados joint venture said: “The progress we’ve made at the Traction Substation has been the by-product of fantastic collaborative working between HS2, Mace Dragados, our supply chain partners and critical external stakeholders, including TfL. Our one-team approach has allowed us to build a culture and leverage the expertise needed to deliver this complex and highly constrained project, which is essential for the construction of the new HS2 station at Euston.” Lorena Naylor, Lead Sponsor at Transport for London, said: “Our team has been working closely with HS2 on the relocation of our traction substation to make space for the new HS2 station at Euston. We are also working with HS2 to ensure the heritage features from the original building, including the oxblood tiles from 1907, are salvaged and re-used at other stations such as Oxford Circus. Alongside the new traction substation here, HS2 will deliver a capacity upgrade to Euston underground station ticket hall as well as a new bus station.” With the tunnelling and excavation works at the site now complete, the team will be working to construct the below and above ground structures for the new Traction Substation, before fitting it out with the necessary equipment and connecting it to the Northern line. The building will have three storeys below ground and four above. Once the new structure is complete, the existing TSS on Melton Street will be demolished. The building, opened in 1907, was once an entrance and exit to what Londoner’s now know as the Northern line, and was designed by the Architect Leslie Green. In 1914 changes to the Underground at Euston meant that the building was no longer used as a ticket office and entrance but was used to house ventilation equipment for the underground. HS2 will be carefully removing some of the iconic historic features and tiles donating these for reuse and heritage displays.
TODD Architects has won planning permission to refurbish and redevelop Birmingham’s Grade II* Listed Central Methodist Hall into a destination hospitality and leisure scheme with up to 150 new hotel rooms and eight new bars and restaurants at ground and basement levels. Birmingham City Council planning officers said the plans, drawn up on behalf of Press Up Hospitality Group and sister company Oakmount, would retain the “distinctiveness” of the building and improve its appearance. Originally built in 1904, the Central Methodist Hall became the legendary Que Club in 1989, attracting major artists such as David Bowie, Daft Punk and Blur. Despite becoming an important part of Birmingham’s musical and cultural scene, the club went out of use in 2017 and the building declined onto Heritage England’s At Risk Register. TODD Architects’ hotel-led proposal sensitively extends and adapts this much-loved landmark, preserving many of its original features whilst once again allowing it to take its place at the heart of Birmingham’s cultural landscape. Fundamental to the plans will be the refurbishment of the Central Hall into a luscious 1500-seat event space, with the pulpit area redefined as a stage for visiting acts. In addition, a traditional members’ club cocktail lounge, two expansive external terraces and a flagship rooftop restaurant with panoramic views across the city are proposed. Seamus Lennon, Principal, TODD Architects, comments: “We are thrilled to see our hotel-led proposals for the refurbishment of Birmingham Central Methodist Hall granted approval a mere six months on from our client having completed on the building. The Central Methodist Hall offers the opportunity to mix the height of Victorian grandeur with a fresh and contemporary take on the modern hospitality offer. Whilst it remains necessary to extend the building vertically to ensure the project is commercially viable, Birmingham City Council planners recognised our proposals will ensure this is done sensitively and allow the full restoration of the Central Hall space to be enjoyed by generations to come.” The proposed three-storey rooftop extension will be set back from the parapet and terraced backwards as the volume rises. A single-storey extension to the south will also be set back from the parapet and above this rests a new restaurant with a pitched roof matching the form of the original. The new elements make explicit reference to the qualities of the original building, whilst also utilising modern methods of construction and material technologies. The scheme on Corporation Street will be operated by Press Up Hospitality Group under ‘The Dean’ brand. The Dean is a boutique, design-led hotel with locations in Dublin, Cork and Galway. This will be the first Dean location outside of Ireland.
The winners of the TDUK Southside Hereford University Design Challenge (#TDchallenge22) have been announced following an incredibly competitive nine-month process. The challenge was based on a live project to design a net zero community center, showcasing timber construction and meeting Passivhaus Standard. After 150 students registered from 57 Universities and nine months of webinars, workshops, & interdisciplinary teamwork – the winning team was select at a live two-day event at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE). Students presented (both in-person & online) their designs to a diverse judging panel representing both local clients and leading figures in UK sustainable construction. Proposals were judged for longevity, desirability, adaptability, circularity, and producing more renewable energy than required. The winning team brought together an interdisciplinary group of students from universities the length and breadth of the UK – from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen to the University of Portsmouth – to produce a design the judging panel declared “A strong response and a great integration of uses, with simple elements including a good use of structural timber used effectively and meeting the Passivhaus standard”. The challenge was led by Timber Development UK and ran in partnership with NMITE, Edinburgh Napier University, and the Passivhaus Trust. Built environment students and 2021 graduates from UK universities were invited to take part in the challenge to design Southside Hereford, a detached single storey building to accommodate three diverse partners with net zero aspirations. Providing a vibrant, inspiring, and inclusive sports, food, and skills community focal point for the people of South Wye. Southside is a collaboration between two highly energised established community organisations Growing Local CIC and Belmont Wanderers CIC, and NMITE, all of whom share a common goal to improve the future health, wellbeing, life chances and employment skillset of the people of South Wye and Hereford. Each of the detailed designs for Southside is ‘net zero’, creatively employing energy and resource efficient building materials and construction methods, focusing on the health and wellbeing of people, the community, and the planet. The designs were judged for longevity, desirability, adaptability, circularity, and a warming climate, as well as producing more energy from renewable sources than required. With the main material focus and specification for Southside to be timber and timber hybrid systems, each team’s detailed design was to meet the Passivhaus Standard and exceed both the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge targets and the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide metrics. Congratulations to the winners Alice Senior (University of Portsmouth), Malwina Bartoszewicz (Edinburgh Napier University), Johanna Schwarting (Swansea University), Kyle Henderson (Robert Gordon University), Daniela Lopez (University of Gloucestershire), Ali Uddin (University of Edinburgh), and Deepak Sadhwani (Cardiff University). “The students tackled a tricky mult-client brief whilst tracking the golden thread of environmental excellence through their design iterations – I have no doubt that the rigour needed to familiarise themselves with the Passivhaus design outcome will stand them in good stead in their career progression, and the judges particularly appreciated the enthusiasm and energy they brought to this through inter-disciplinary collaboration.”Lynne Sullivan, Passivhaus Trust Board “The #TDChallenge22 brought together interdisciplinary students, companies, sponsors, judges, and educators from across the UK, resulting in a phenomenal display of competence, energy and commitment to sustainability and learning. I was proud to have been a judge and that NMITE was a partner organisation, and a host to the competition. Well done everyone!”Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, President & Chief Executive, New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) “We need a highly trained construction workforce with a better understanding of wood and timber to achieve net zero and hit the ever more demanding carbon targets for construction. Fortunately, it’s evident from every student who has taken part in the Hereford Southside: University Design Challenge that there is incredible built environment talent emerging from UK universities. I know the skills and knowledge you have gained and demonstrated in low-carbon construction will be greatly in demand. We all look forward to seeing what you do next.”David Hopkins, Chief Executive, Timber Development UK To find out more about the winning design visit: https://bit.ly/TDchallenge22winners
A BUSINESSMAN with more than 30 years of experience in leading and developing teams across the globe is sharing his expertise to help an ambitious house building company continue to grow. Isaac Wharton has worked globally at a strategic level for public multinational corporations and private equity companies, growing the creation of value within the businesses and successfully negotiating mergers and acquisitions, business turnarounds and improvement activities. During his 30 plus year career, he has held roles as Managing Director, European Group President and International Vice President and General Manager at the firms he has represented. Following his recent return to the area, Isaac has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Cumbrian-based homebuilder Genesis Homes, where he will advise on how to develop the rapid expansion of the business which now employs more than 60 members of staff. Isaac said: “I have a long history with Genesis Homes since it was formed in 2017 but I’ve only recently taken an active role. “Having acquired South Cumbrian homebuilder Russell Armer Homes in 2021, I’ve witnessed the meteoric growth of the company from the early days and I’ve been impressed with the passion and commitment within the business, particularly from the managing director Nicky Gordon. “Seeing Nicky’s desire to succeed in business, it seemed a natural progression for me when retiring from a full-time role to bring those skills I’ve acquired to Genesis Homes and help take the business to the next level. “It’s about adopting a consistent development focus and ambition to grow the business and increase the creation of value, that is the passion I see in Genesis Homes and exactly the environment I have been used to and love working in so the company is definitely a good match for my ambitions.” During his successful career, Isaac worked more latterly as the international operations vice president and general manager at America-headquartered company Phillips & Temro, part of private equity giant Harbour Group Ltd. His role included acquisitions, growing and creating value of businesses outside of America, largely working in Europe, China and India. Isaac said: “The role was very fulfilling and it was all about value creation by either creating more efficient, more effective business activities, reducing overheads or the bolting on of strategic acquisitions to strengthen the core business or products. “I have loved my time working at international companies and travelling the world, and now I’m looking forward to being involved in the next, exciting chapter of Genesis Homes and seeing how far we can grow the business.” Prior to working with Phillips & Temro, Isaac worked at three other American-based private equity groups. Nicky Gordon said: “Isaac has been really helpful throughout the Genesis Homes journey and we are absolutely delighted that he has agreed to take on a more hands-on role to grow the company even further. “His experience and expertise in business will be vital to us as we aim to achieve and develop our growth ambitions in the coming years, with 2022 our biggest year to date as we currently work on constructing 750 new homes.”
A very important part of managing a construction business is processing the payroll. While payroll processing may seem simple, it requires a lot of attention – because making mistakes when performing it can be very costly, in the sense that it can attract both state and federal fines or penalties. In fact, these fines are much heavier during the tax season. For this reason, you need to ensure your payroll procedure is precise and efficient. Some businesses turn to account professionals to better simplify the process – however, not all businesses can afford this luxury. So in an effort to make this easier for such businesses, here are some very key areas and aspects of the process that you need to focus or improve on. Issuing Pay Stubs To Employees The FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) doesn’t require companies to furnish workers’ pay stubs; rather, it governs matters like business payroll documentation. The federal legislation has stringent standards for documentation, but companies are not required to furnish a printed record. Pay reports aren’t mandated by federal legislation, but the majority of states have chosen to establish state legislation requiring companies to give employees frequent reports concerning their salary and deductions. Broadly speaking, the reports must include these relevant data: worker name, SSN, taxes, payment cycle, and rate of pay. See the State Labor Office Information website to discover if your jurisdiction has pay report regulations or whether pay stubs can be delivered digitally to workers. Finding companies who provide Pay Stubs generator services is important and you should work with those that have good services. If your state requires the issuance of pay stubs, you need to be very meticulous about the process. Also, you need to be very vigilant to avoid the issuance of a fake pay stub – you will be surprised at how easy it is for scammers to fake this vital document. Ensure that any digitized platform you use is absolutely safe and almost unhackable. Conducting Audits You avoid any problems throughout tax season with frequent audits. You should audit if you see a surge in the number of workers who are worried about their paychecks. In fact, it doesn’t matter if your process is automated or still uses paper timecards; periodic audits minimize mistakes. For a fact, when automated or computerized payrolls are employed, mistakes are frequently considerably more significant. And such an error might affect your employee’s salary if a calculation or variable input is wrong. Regular changing fields, like tax positions or increases, need to receive audits frequently. Conducting audits will save you energy and cost by preventing future fines. A comprehensive audit entails starting at the payroll process’s outset. Always check to confirm that all time and numeric values are accurate. Observing Tax Regulations Penalties may be imposed for any miscalculations. And sadly, these miscalculations are widespread because many aren’t aware of new IRS regulations. Due to these errors, businesses are forced to pay penalties and remedy their problems. So, to avoid these issues, you must accurately register your payroll. For this reason, understanding the federal and state regulations governing payroll is crucial. Every year, there may be possible modifications to the tax code, so you must keep informed. Just because you don’t know much about tax legislation doesn’t guarantee your staff will either. You might be subject to legal action if you don’t follow the correct payroll procedures. Workers who don’t receive the required overtime or are paid for the wrong hours will be able to sue.
Hospitality design expert Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has won revised planning permission for a 116-room aparthotel in the heart of London’s thriving Victoria district. The first UK venture for Dutch brand City ID, the eight-storey aparthotel has been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and will showcase a mix of fully serviced studio and one-bed guest rooms, a relaxing bar, food retail, delicatessen, a café and a formal restaurant, available to the public as well as guests. Designed to meet the resurgent demand for tourist and business guest accommodation, the new aparthotel will deliver on City ID’s ethos of stylish comfort and is ideally placed for easy access to major visitor destinations, and within minutes of the main public transport hub of Victoria. Mark Wood, Partner, DMA said: “We are delighted that the City of Westminster Planning Committee unanimously granted planning approval to our amended scheme for City ID’s first UK aparthotel on Vauxhall Bridge Road. When City ID acquired the site, they asked us to modify our previously consented design to fit their larger guestroom standards and develop the exterior design in line with the interior design concept. “Our façade proposal responds positively to the surrounding area, referencing the architecture of the locale in a contemporary manner, whilst our expertise in space planning and the requirements of modern hospitality environments has allowed us to maximise the building’s accommodation efficiently whilst simplifying and streamlining the planning process. The final design will deliver an eye catching, aspirational and classic building which is welcoming to the public and guests alike.” Located in a prominent position on the eastern side of Vauxhall Bridge Road, City ID wanted a bold and aspirational design to increase the appeal of the building as a whole and lift the aesthetic of the neighbourhood. In response, DMA produced several façade studies, complemented by physical models, enabling the client to explore the options available and make a fully informed decision. DMA’s final design for the main façade facing Vauxhall Bridge Road introduces an arcade of elegant two-storey high arches to the lower floors, creating a base that is as eye-catching as it is welcoming to the public. The design references local historic buildings through the proportions, materiality and overall composition of the façade, enhancing the connection between the aparthotel and its surroundings. Varying shades and patterns of brickwork add a modern edge, whilst deep reveals create a rich and textured perspective. Lush foliage will cascade from generous first-floor planters, adding a little softness and natural greenery to the urban streetscape. To achieve the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the scheme, DMA specified materials with excellent thermal properties and included biodiverse green roofs and a number of PV panels. The Energy Strategy for the scheme, devised in conjunction with Hoare Lea, is based on energy-efficient optimised facades, efficient building services systems and controls, and the use of Air Source Heat Pump technology. The strategy will result not only a low-carbon scenario at present, but continuous improvement as the grid decarbonises, facilitating a shift towards clean energy systems, with the associated benefits in local air quality and human health. To improve the quality of the street area to the rear of the aparthotel, DMA worked with the interior design consultants to allow for more public spaces at the rear of the building. Generous glazing and location of specific uses at ground floor provides excellent natural surveillance from within the hotel, whilst the proposed pale brick facing will maximise the light reflection and improve the ambience and atmosphere within the mews.