The concept of insurance has been around for millennia, and yet the industry continues to evolve and grow as it responds to changes in society as well as the technological revolutions that shape our modern world. Here is a look at what significant shifts are occurring at the moment, and
SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), has joined forces with Cambridge University to release the first annual report into the status of shared ownership in England. The findings of the report, by Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director of the Cambridge Centre
UK Power Networks has announced a major programme to kick start the ‘Green Recovery,’ by cutting the cost of green energy projects. The energy network, which keeps the lights on for more than 18 million people across London, the East and South East of England, is investing up to £80m
CONSTRUCTION at a brand-new purpose-built residential care home for children has now started on site in Warwickshire, with principal contractor Stepnell putting the first spade in the ground. The award-winning construction firm has been appointed to help bring the £5.1 million high-quality development to life, which will include four stand-alone residential care
GRAHAM has welcomed the “next generation of talent” to its Civil Engineering Graduate Programme. An official launch day, hosted virtually at the end of last year, signalled the start of the structured two-year programme for 22 new recruits who recently graduated from a variety of leading universities spread across the
HS2 Ltd, Highways England, Network Rail and Transport for London have joined forces in encouraging small and medium sized businesses to register for free training courses, designed to improve their prospects of meeting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) supply chain requirements and help them secure future contract opportunities. Working in
There’s nothing new about flickering lights, electrical wiring, and device installation in the home. Electrical projects are among the most common issues homeowners have to deal with on a daily basis. And because we all know how easy these situations could go south, the first instinct is to fix them.
As DGP continues to grow its newly formed UK Infrastructure arm, it has announced the appointment of Darren Ramsay (Non-Executive Director), David Pateman (Managing Director) and Michael McMillan (Operations Director). Joining between late December and January, Darren, David and Michael represent a number of additions to the Company Group’s executive
SEGRO has secured planning consent from Haringey Council and the Greater London Authority to speculatively develop what is set to become London’s greenest industrial estate. Located in London’s Zone 3, SEGRO Park Tottenham will create 190,000 sq ft of modern, high quality space developed with the latest environmental designs, raising
An interior design consultancy that invested in new regional headquarters in the Midlands, has continued its expansion by securing seven new projects worth a combined contract value of more than £15 million. Office Principles, which recently signed a five-year lease on a standalone building at Coleshill Manor Office Campus, has
The concept of insurance has been around for millennia, and yet the industry continues to evolve and grow as it responds to changes in society as well as the technological revolutions that shape our modern world. Here is a look at what significant shifts are occurring at the moment, and why consumers and business owners alike should take note. Choice is fuelling competition The rise of online comparison tools has made it easier than ever for customers to weigh up the myriad insurance products that are available to them. In turn this has made the market far more competitive, allowing smaller brands and start-ups to flourish and take on the incumbent, established operators on more of a level playing field. Of course it is also possible for consumers to be overwhelmed by the amount of choice on offer, but according to Policy Scout it is possible to manage your expectations and identify the ideal insurance policy based on your needs and budget. Social media is improving customer service Insurance firms have had a slightly bad reputation when it comes to customer service quality, in part because traditional methods of communication hampered their ability to efficiently handle the sheer volume of correspondence from existing and prospective policy holders. Social media has changed this for the better, not only giving customers a place to find and engage with insurers, but also letting them get a response to queries and complaints in a jiffy. This is not only a short term advantage, but also leads to the building of trust between customer and brand that is especially important in the insurance industry. Data is taking the guesswork out of calculating risk Insurance is all about calculating risk, and the more accurately an insurer can do this, the better its products will be, as well as its profits. Manually crunching the numbers necessary to come up with appropriate cover costs is resource-intensive and time consuming, yet thanks to the rise of big data and machine learning, much of this can be automated as well as massively catalyzed. Furthermore as data becomes the driver for the entire market, fresh and previously overlooked insights will be gleaned, meaning that insurers will be able to spot correlations between different behaviors across varied customer groups, and use this to precisely predict risk without going too far in either direction. Smart devices are increasingly common A lot of the aforementioned data is being generated not just by more general studies and anonymized customer interactions over time, but also through the provision of information relating to a specific policy holder from moment to moment. This has manifested itself in a number of ways, from insurers being able to offer in-car monitoring that helps keep premiums low for young drivers, to companies offering to monitor weather conditions and provide buildings insurance customers with advice about how to prepare for changes to the climate. More than ever, the insurance industry is becoming tech-led, and the rewards stand to benefit everyone involved.
SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), has joined forces with Cambridge University to release the first annual report into the status of shared ownership in England. The findings of the report, by Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director of the Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research and a professor at the prestigious university, were released at an industry roundtable on Wednesday 3rd February. The event, chaired by property writer and editor Stacey Meadwell, brought together a panel of experts from the property world – Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at MTVH; Jon Lord, Managing Director at Metro Finance; and Ben Fry, Head of Housing Investment at Gresham House – to discuss the findings with Dr Burgess. The panel heard from Dr Burgess’ report: “Shared ownership providers, lenders and wider industry stakeholders interviewed for this research were all very positive about what shared ownership offers to customers. In many parts of the country, interviewees felt that shared ownership is the only realistic route into home ownership for households with relatively low deposits. The product offers flexibility as it opens home ownership at a range of possible price points to households with modest deposits.” The research, which surveyed 24 housing providers and interviewed industry and user groups, revealed important details about the average shared ownership transaction: Most shared ownership purchasers are aged between 20 and 40 (72%), with the late 20s being the most common time to purchase. Only 5% are over 65. The largest group of shared ownership purchasers are single adults without children (50%) followed by childless couples (35%) 94% are in employment The average value of shared ownership properties purchased in 2018/19 was £265,000, with the average initial share being 42% and a deposit of £24,600 Interest in shared ownership is booming. According to the report: “All interviewees were asked about the impact of the pandemic on the shared ownership sector. The most immediate impact had been an increase in demand for shared ownership lending and in enquiries about buying a shared ownership home. Since 2015/16, the number of shared ownership completions per year has increased from 4,084 to 17,021.” -MORE- 2/…In fact, demand for shared ownership properties is now considerably greater than supply – with up to 10 people enquiring about every home in some areas. The report found that nearly half of the shared ownership homes completed in the last five years were built in London (27%) and the South East (22%), with two-bedroom homes being the most popular size of home sold (58%). The report did voice some concerns, mainly around the Government’s plans to amend the standard shared ownership scheme. At present, the minimum share that can be purchased is 25%, and shared ownership purchasers are responsible for repairs and maintenance. Under the new scheme, the minimum share will be 10%, and housing providers will be responsible for repairs for 10 years, which could affect viability. “Most survey respondents thought that the option of purchasing a 10% share and lack of responsibility for repairs and maintenance for the first ten years in particular will make the new model more attractive to buyers and will increase demand. However, most survey respondents believed that the proposed changes will reduce the supply of shared ownership properties that they are able to build.” With the difficulties around maintenance meaning that providers might be able to provide fewer homes as a result, the report urges the Government: “The unintended consequences of these changes to the product should be carefully considered before changes are implemented.” Another area of concern was public lack of understanding of the scheme, which has existed for more than 50 years, especially with regards to leasehold. Submissions from The Law Commission noted: “Members of the public do not always understand exactly how shared ownership schemes operate, or the precise nature of the legal arrangement which the purchaser of a shared ownership property is entering into.” Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, comments: “We are pleased that this report – the first of many that we plan to commission – proves the valuable role that shared ownership has in helping people take their first steps on the property ladder. It’s also confirmed what we at SO Resi already knew; that people are often confused and uncertain about what it all involves. For this reason, we are determined to guide people every step of the way, with simple, clear and transparent language that ensures that there are no surprises down the line.” Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at Cambridge University, concludes: “There is consensus that the UK has a housing crisis and that greater effort needs to be made to increase housing supply. Shared ownership has an important role to play in delivering new build housing supply and in meeting the need for affordable homes. The Government should do all it can to make it as easy and simple for providers to increase their pipeline of shared ownership homes, to reduce cost and complexity from the system, and to ensure that grant levels are sufficient to ensure a strong supply of shared ownership going forward.” To find out more about SO Resi call 0208 607 0550 or visit www.soresi.co.uk.
UK Power Networks has announced a major programme to kick start the ‘Green Recovery,’ by cutting the cost of green energy projects. The energy network, which keeps the lights on for more than 18 million people across London, the East and South East of England, is investing up to £80m to supercharge projects that contribute towards the UK’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. The programme follows the Government’s announcement in November 2020 of a Ten Point Plan to kickstart the ‘Green Recovery’ and enable the country to reach its target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. Now the network company is inviting bids from shovel-ready low carbon energy projects that require a high or low voltage electricity connection to its networks in the next two years. The programme will support successful bidders who can demonstrate their project helps enable the low carbon transition. This could include installing rapid electric vehicle charging stations in local communities, energy generators looking to connect more renewable energy to the electricity network, local heat networks or community energy projects. To be successful, projects will need to demonstrate how they meet both the Government’s Net Zero objective and the Ten Point Plan. They will also be assessed to understand their contribution towards improving air quality, creating jobs and alleviating fuel poverty. The programme will focus on funded projects that can be delivered in 2021 or 2022 to make sure it has immediate impact. The programme will enable UK Power Networks to increase power capacity in areas identified, to significantly reduce the cost of connection. Successful applicants will still need to apply for an electricity connection in order to use this increased capacity. To support this work, UK Power Networks is also exploring a range of innovative solutions, including a new compact substation design, to enable new connections to be delivered more quickly and at a lower cost. It hopes this new solution can be delivered by any authorised body. Sul Alli, director of Strategy and Customer Service at UK Power Networks said: “Electricity networks are the front line of enabling Net Zero. That’s why we’ve taken this decision to make a significant investment to kickstart the Green Recovery and help get projects that are going to make a real, tangible difference to people’s lives off the drawing board and into development. “The clock is ticking – in less than a decade there will be 36 times as many electric vehicles connected to our network as there is now, and that’s why we have to take action now. Electricity networks have a vital public role to play in enabling the Net Zero revolution, and it’s a role we are 100% committed to.” To find out more email Green.Recovery@UKPowerNetworks.co.uk or see https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/green-recovery
CONSTRUCTION at a brand-new purpose-built residential care home for children has now started on site in Warwickshire, with principal contractor Stepnell putting the first spade in the ground. The award-winning construction firm has been appointed to help bring the £5.1 million high-quality development to life, which will include four stand-alone residential care buildings as well as associated community facilities and external landscaping works, built around the existing community building and large pond on site. The state-of-the-art build, named The Forge, has been designed to provide a safe, secure and encouraging place for up to 20 children who are experiencing emotional and behavioural disorders or recovering from early childhood trauma. Located off Plough Hill Road in Nuneaton, the therapeutic community is being developed by children’s home provider Forge Care and has been designed by architects IDP. The ground-breaking scheme will become a flagship scheme for Forge Care, offering the highest level of care with a strong focus on quality spaces, materials and design principals. Gavin Miller, director at Forge Care, said: “We are excited to have this flagship project underway, The Forge is a trauma-informed service that evolves as a whole system underpinned by the Sanctuary Model. Within our Therapeutic Community environment the social relationships, structure of the day and activities are all deliberately designed to facilitate learning, and develop people’s personal, social health and wellbeing. “It has been a pleasure working with our various suppliers, and keeping those suppliers local was an important factor in selecting our team, from our designers and architects to our building contractors, working with companies based in Warwickshire was important for us and we are proud of what we have achieved as a team.” Stepnell – a family-owned construction firm that has been operating for more than 150 years – has a wealth of experience in residential and educational facilities, and The Forge will be a welcome addition to its large portfolio of both public and private sector clients. Adrian Barnes, regional director at Stepnell, said: “We’re delighted to be starting on site at The Forge and we are incredibly proud to be involved in a project that will have such a big impact on the local community, particularly vulnerable children looking for a safe and secure place to call home. The scheme is ground-breaking in a number of ways and we are confident that it will have the ‘wow factor’ once finished. “We are really excited to be on site and get started on this fantastic scheme, and we will be adhering to strict COVID-19 and Public Health England Guidelines throughout the build to ensure that we are keeping everyone safe.” Each of the four individual buildings at The Forge will incorporate a welcome space, main lounge, kitchen, quiet space, games, and an activity space as well as five en-suite bedrooms on the first floor, to replicate the traditional family home layout. The development has a strong focus on sustainability, using carefully selected materials like timber cladding and zinc, and will provide a variety of green space to promote physical activity and wellbeing. The communal amenity space will include a games area and a stand-alone art room. Outside, children will have access to large play areas that support mental and physical health – such as yoga and meditation amenities – as well as external dining and BBQ’s for the warmer months. The external spaces will also feature sensory and nature spaces, to encourage residents to grow plants or food and encourage wildlife, while utilising the existing pond to provide a tranquil setting for residents. Jenny Bachelor, associate architect at IDP, said: “IDP is incredibly proud to have been involved with The Forge since early concept sketches and development of the brief. As a multi-disciplinary practice experienced in quality healthcare design our involvement has embodied architectural design and services, interior design, landscaping, technical delivery and cost consultancy, and we are very much excited to see the homes built as they were intended to be. “It is such a unique and forward-thinking project in its care model and design and it is a real credit to Forge Care and the wider team that this has been made possible. “The design encompasses a collection of four truly bespoke homes nestled within intimate gardens and individually designed to orientate outlook and maximise connectivity to the beautiful site, all in the interest of aiding recovery. Each en-suite bedroom also has its own window seat towards the main garden and a soft natural and monochrome finish has been used to offer a calming backdrop to the colourful interior design. “The Forge seeks to provide a safe and nurturing environment very much in tune with the high level of care that will be provided there, yet its playfulness encourages a sense of adventure and intrigue.” As well as the four care homes, there will be 21 car parking spaces, including two disabled spaces and cycle parking for staff. The existing community building is to remain on site. The development received planning approval from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council in 2018 with funding finalised last year from Assetz Capital. The residential development is expected to be completed by Christmas 2021. To find out more about The Forge visit www.forgecare.co.uk. To find out more about Stepnell visit: www.stepnell.co.uk. Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
GRAHAM has welcomed the “next generation of talent” to its Civil Engineering Graduate Programme. An official launch day, hosted virtually at the end of last year, signalled the start of the structured two-year programme for 22 new recruits who recently graduated from a variety of leading universities spread across the UK. They were selected from a strong pool of over 300 applicants. Due to the lockdown restrictions, this year’s event was hosted online, with the interactive session providing the graduates with an insight into how they can fast track their careers with one of the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors. The graduate scheme is a mix of technical, personal, and management style development. Each of the participants will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from their degree courses on a range of GRAHAM’s most high-profile civil engineering projects, including Crossrail station upgrades for Network Rail, Northern Ireland Water, the Port of Dundee, and major improvement works for Highways England. GRAHAM Managing Director – Civil Engineering, Leo Martin, believes nurturing talent has been key to GRAHAM’s strong growth. He said: “Every year, it is a privilege for me to introduce the next generation of talent to our civil engineering division and to equip them with the tools to grow and become future leaders at GRAHAM. “Of course, we have faced considerable challenges presented by the pandemic over the past year, but I was more determined than ever to recruit a similar number of graduates as we normally do. And Covid-19 has not knocked us off course in this regard. That also goes for the content and delivery of the programme, which will be as engaging, practically-based, and interactive as always. “As one of the first companies in the UK to be accredited Platinum by Investors in People, we believe that nurturing and investing in the next generation of talent is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of GRAHAM. That is why I am committed to giving young people opportunities, especially when so many avenues to employment are being closed to them. I am looking forward to working with, and learning from, this talented batch of graduates now and into the future.” The Civil Engineering Graduate Programme is part of the GRAHAM Academy, which is an in-house world-class training and development centre. It offers a range of graduate programmes, industrial and undergraduate placements, part-time university study, apprenticeships, work experience, and trainee opportunities. Since 2015, the GRAHAM Academy has seen more than 120 graduates successfully through its programme. GRAHAM are proud members of the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme, an industry –wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. For more information, please visit: www.graham.co.uk/careers
HS2 Ltd, Highways England, Network Rail and Transport for London have joined forces in encouraging small and medium sized businesses to register for free training courses, designed to improve their prospects of meeting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) supply chain requirements and help them secure future contract opportunities. Working in partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, the four transport bodies want to make it easier for companies to demonstrate their commitment to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda. The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme has been developed for the construction industry to provide an industry context to the EDI agenda. The Supply Chain Sustainability School is recognised as a leading training provider and has supported SMEs with accessing free training since 2012. Through the FIR programme they have supported over 2,000 businesses, helping them to improve their understanding of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect, and its importance in the workplace. All four organisations outline good practice standards and requirements expected from suppliers to win work. Collectively, the four bodies are now supporting UK businesses to get ‘contract ready’ by providing access to a consistent source of training. This removes the requirement for businesses to complete numerous training and assessment programmes to satisfy multiple clients. The CITB have funded the FIR Programme for five years, but with the economic impact of COVID they had to reduce funding for this financial year, which meant the FIR programme faced challenges in sustaining its full offer of training. HS2 Ltd, Highways England, Network Rail and Transport for London stepped in to support the FIR programme, to ensure SMEs can continue to access courses free of charge to support their long-term growth prospects and maintain consistency in the UK’s pipeline of infrastructure programmes. Mark Lomas, Head of EDI at HS2 Ltd said; “We’re passionate about improving EDI and FIRs outcomes right across our supply chain. A project the size, scale and longevity of HS2 offers a unique opportunity to deliver measured improvements that can improve people’s working lives and career prospects. We’re proud to be supporting this initiative and hope to see many SMEs registering to take part.” Malcolm Dare, Executive Director of Commercial and Procurement at Highways England, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with HS2, Network Rail and TfL and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to grow our supply chains’ EDI capability and resilience. We are committed to this agenda and are looking to bring positive and lasting change by delivering meaningful social impact and value through this work.” Loraine Martins, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail said: “The opportunity to collaborate with Highways England, HS2 and TfL to support our respective and often shared supply chains, so that we are building diversity and inclusion confidence and practices within our sector, was too important to miss. The more that we can spread best practice and raise standards together, the more beneficial to our collective workforces. We’re pleased to be able to support the Supply Chain Sustainability School in this way and to further our shared ambition to have a more diverse and inclusive working environment.” Staynton Brown, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Talent at Transport for London, said: “Creating a truly diverse and inclusive culture within our sector brings many benefits in delivering a transport network that reflects the communities it serves. This starts with educating and influencing the biases and behaviours of those who work within our industry. “We are proud to working with the transport industry to continue our support for these free courses that the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect programme provides. This training will help our critical UK-wide supply chain partners improve upon the great work many are already doing. This will help to continue to drive down barriers and ensure working in transport infrastructure projects is truly accessible to all.” Businesses can access free online EDI/FIR training pathways at www.supplychainschool.co.uk/fir which cover the following topics: FIR e-learning: Recruiting People, Fairly and Inclusively FIR e-learning: Managing Challenging Conversations The Business Case for Fairness, Inclusion & Respect Monitoring & Reporting Workplace Diversity FIR in Procurement and Supply Chain Management Understanding Unconscious bias Mental wellbeing in Construction Completion of online courses allows participants to gain CPD points and access bespoke action plans which promote the implementation of good practice workplace standards. Ian Heptonstall, Director of the Supply Chain Sustainability School said: “I’m delighted that we have four leading infrastructure clients providing a clear and consistent “ask” of their supply chain. The funding provided by these clients enables suppliers to access construction specific training that will help them develop their knowledge of equality and diversity good practice and in turn foster a culture of fairness, inclusion and respect within their teams – making our industry better for all.” For more information and to register for the free online learning sessions, visit supplychainschool.co.uk
There’s nothing new about flickering lights, electrical wiring, and device installation in the home. Electrical projects are among the most common issues homeowners have to deal with on a daily basis. And because we all know how easy these situations could go south, the first instinct is to fix them. Hiring a technician to fix the problem is something some people deem financially unnecessary. Why spend money when you can do it yourself? However, what most of them fail to acknowledge is that not everyone can handle an electrical project. Going DIY on an electrical project could go south real fast, which could only end up costing you more. Before getting your tool box and going to work, determine whether this is a situation that requires the expert skills of a technician or not. If the project is beyond your skill set, you should call up an electrician for assistance. What are some of the situations you may need to hire a professional to tackle an electrical project in the home? Let’s dive into the article and find out. Rewiring the house Choosing to rewire your house may seem like a great idea until you find other systems such as electrical switches and circuits you never would have known existed. Before you get ahead of yourself, you should know that the house’s wiring is connected to a broader interdependent network. On the surface, it may look simple, but it is more complicated than that. It takes a professional to find their way around the system and rewire the house with no problem. 2. Replacing control panels Flickering lights are a common sign that your control panel has a problem. What you might assume is a minor inconvenience could be part of a bigger problem. Looking up a few guidelines on the internet will not cut it. Your control panel may need servicing or replacement; either way, you need to know the NEC code regulations to do this. The best solution is to call up your local electrician in Surrey and have them look into the problem. 3. Relocating the power grid You may think, ‘Who needs an electrician when you can YouTube your way around relocating a power grid?’ Trust us; it’s not that simple. If you do not want to end up with a blackout or an accident, get a professional electrician to do it. It will save you both time and money to trust your electrical contractor with the project when you think of it. 4. Installing additional light Adding a new light where there was no sign of one requires one to get into the wiring and figure out how to run it to where it is needed. If you have no understanding of outlets and how an electrical circuit works, do not risk it. Call a professional electrician with knowledge, experience, and tools to install an outlet for your light. 5. Tripping circuit breakers Overcoming this kind of problem is straightforward once you determine which appliance is causing your circuit breaker to trip. However, if you’re still unable to determine what’s causing it, then you may need a commercial electrical contractor to step in and help. 6. Power outlets or switches are warm to the touch This can sometimes indicate that an electrical system is overloaded, which can usually lead to electric shocks, and worse, cause fire. Although there are many videos you can find online teaching you how to replace your electrical outlets, replacing or installing an electrical outlet of light switch is a project that needs a licensed and trained electrician. 7. Installing a security system Technology is a gift that keeps on giving and security systems in the 21st century are a testament. As the security systems have upgraded to ensure more safety, the more complicated they have become. The manual instructions that once guided homeowners through the installation are no longer the all-you-need guide. It is best to seek the help of an experienced Surrey electrician to do the installation. While this minimizes your frustration, it also ensures installation is done correctly. Why hire an electrician? Here are some of the reasons you shouldn’t risk solving the above-mentioned electrical problems yourself. Reduce the risk of short circuit and fires: Incorrect wiring installation at home increases the likelihood of causing a short circuit, which can usually lead to heat build-up, melting your wiring and cause electrical fire. Conforming to building codes: A licensed electrician is required to handle wiring work and conform with building codes. These codes are complicated and detailed and failure to follow it can be dangerous and even make your property difficult to sell. Final Thoughts Recommending that you hire a professional electrical contractor in these cases does not mean you will no longer change your bulb. As long as you leave the technical stuff to the experts, you can change as many bulbs as you want. What we simply mean is if you do not know your way around an electrical system, it is both safe and convenient to have an expert do it for you. Do some digging on professional electricians in your area and hire one best for your electrical needs.
As DGP continues to grow its newly formed UK Infrastructure arm, it has announced the appointment of Darren Ramsay (Non-Executive Director), David Pateman (Managing Director) and Michael McMillan (Operations Director). Joining between late December and January, Darren, David and Michael represent a number of additions to the Company Group’s executive committee and bring with them a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Darren brings extensive experience spanning 36+ years in contracting, particularly in the infrastructure sector, including executive leadership positions with JN Bentley and J. Murphy Group. As the Managing Director at J. Murphy Group, he influenced the business strategy to support growth, advancing the £450 million business to a circa £1 billion organisation with multiple profitable divisions, including key infrastructure sectors such as Water, Utilities, Rail, Power, Tunnelling & Piling. Darren Ramsay, newly appointed Non-Executive Director at DGP Infrastructure said: “I am both extremely delighted and excited to have joined the recently formed DGP Infrastructure business, working in parallel with the existing DGP businesses and the newly appointed DGP Infrastructure Leadership Team. As we start our journey to develop our future business strategy and grow the business, we seek to encompass the many opportunities that will emanate from the expanding UK infrastructure sector”. David most recently held the position of Commercial Director with Balfour Beatty Major Projects, where he was a member of the Senior Leadership Team working with HS2 Area North. Prior to that, he amassed over 31 years’ experience across major projects in Rail, Air, Civil Engineering, Utilities and Telecommunications. He has previously acquired knowledge with McNicholas Construction, where he played an instrumental part in the merger and acquisition with Kier Group. His earlier career was developed with industry giants including Ferrovial, Colas Rail, Laing O’Rourke and Mott MacDonald, where he built a reputation for driving improved commercial arrangements and attaining the delivery of programmes for key contracts and customers. On his appointment as Managing Director at DGP Infrastructure, David Pateman said: ” I’m excited to be joining DGP Logistics and heading up the Infrastructure division. With my commercial background and DGPs’ operational capability, we are able to offer our clients an alternative approach to project delivery. With the UK government signalling its backing for significant infrastructure projects to proceed, being at the forefront of innovative resilience, collaborative mindsets and flexible commercial solutions will be key. 2021 is set to be an exciting year for DGP Infrastructure.” Michael joins DGP Infrastructure with over 17 years professional experience working in various sectors including Highways, Civils, Rail, Local Authority and Utilities. He brings 6+ years with the Kier Group (Highways), where he oversaw multimillion pound budgets to deliver maintenance and operations activities, including the recent M20 Smart Motorway. His earlier career saw him working within the design team at Mott MacDonald before moving on to Balfour Beatty/Mott MacDonald JV, on behalf of the Highways division. Michael McMillan, Operations Director at DGP Infrastructure, said: “I’m thrilled to have joined DGP Infrastructure at a really exciting time for the business. It has been great to see that the rest of the team share my passion for finding better ways of doing things collaboratively within construction, with a renewed focus on environmental, operational and well-being perspectives. It is fantastic to be joining DGP Infrastructure and I’m excited to lead on both the operational strategy and the deliverables at ground level of this exciting infrastructure business. DGP’s focus on innovative solutions and strong client care, alongside their industry-leading client portfolio, have set them apart in the construction sector. I’m looking forward to working with the wealth of brilliant clients, both existing and new, and continuing to put them first as we develop our footprint in the infrastructure space.” The newly created roles will see David, Michael, and Darren charged with growing the DGP Infrastructure Contracting business alongside DGP Logistics Group Managing Director Saheb Dhesi. Saheb Dhesi, DGP Logistics Group Managing Director said: “We continue to attract great talent and David’s appointment follows our recently announced appointments of Darren Ramsay, who has joined as a Non-Executive Director, and Michael McMillan, who joined us as our Operations Director in December. This aligns perfectly with our strategic direction, as DGP Logistics PLC launches its new Infrastructure division. I am looking forward to working with Darren, David, and Michael, who will all play an important role in our senior leadership team. The new roles will accelerate the implementation of our Construction and Infrastructure strategy with a specific focus on growing our business, initially in the Southern region, as well as implementing our core values agenda which underpins our successful operational delivery to clients and partners”. Saheb added: “We’re taking the opportunity now to respond to a very different world and increase the business, to ensure it remains resilient and future-proofed to meet the continuing operational and commercial challenges which face the construction sector as a whole. Between Darren’s proven leadership qualities, David’s commercially astute mind, and Michael’s excellent operational capability we have secured an expert team that bring a wealth of cross-industry experience, and who share our ambition at DGP to become a key player in infrastructure, construction, highways, utilities, rail, data centres and the airports sectors respectively”. The company says these changes will help support the successful execution of many schemes delivered by DGP across the UK, which will support communities, create infrastructure, and enable economic growth.
SEGRO has secured planning consent from Haringey Council and the Greater London Authority to speculatively develop what is set to become London’s greenest industrial estate. Located in London’s Zone 3, SEGRO Park Tottenham will create 190,000 sq ft of modern, high quality space developed with the latest environmental designs, raising the bar of sustainable industrial development and workplace wellbeing. The building is designed to net zero energy standards for base build, with exemplary level energy efficiency. The building’s energy supplies will be sourced from renewables on-site and off-site, to achieve net zero carbon in operation. The estate will be split over eight units, ranging in size from 6,815 sq ft to 50,050 sq ft, providing industrial space on the doorstep of London from which businesses can meet their customer demands. As the first of its kind in industrial development, each unit at SEGRO Park Tottenham will have green walls – helping purify the air, regulate the temperature and promoting biodiversity in the local area, as well as creating a more enjoyable surrounding for those working in and around the site. Along with the green walls which will grow a variety of species of plants, carefully selected to remove pollutants from the air and reduce carbon dioxide, mature trees will be planted in the landscaped areas, attracting native wildlife and playing an important role in reducing carbon dioxide levels. Customer wellness will be enhanced, by increasing natural light at the estate, providing outdoor seating and gym equipment and improving air quality and noise reduction. Secure bike sheds will also double up as ‘insect hotels’ with specifically designed wooden habitats to house bugs and insects as part of a holistic approach to biodiverse estate management. Electronic vehicle charging points will be installed across the estate to encourage occupiers to use electronic vehicles around the capital and the low emission zone. During construction, no material will be sent to landfill and once complete, the development will be targeting ‘Outstanding’ by the environmental benchmark ‘BREEAM’. The roof areas will be fitted with photovoltaic panels which will capture solar energy and convert it into electricity, generating 10% more energy than the building uses. 255 jobs will be created, and working with the London Borough of Haringey and local agencies, SEGRO will deliver a skills and training programme to help members of the local community secure employment opportunities provided by the development of SEGRO Park Tottenham. Apprentices will be invited to work on site as part of this programme and a wide range of interactive Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) events will be hosted throughout the duration of scheme for school and college students. A local supply chain initiative will also be rolled out to ensure that inward investment remains in the area. Councillor Gideon Bull, London Borough of Haringey, said: “SEGRO Park Tottenham will be a high quality sustainable industrial park that will attract business investment into the borough and create new job opportunities for the local community” Alan Holland, SEGRO’s Managing Director, Greater London, said: “SEGRO Park Tottenham will be a game changer for industrial development and will show what can be done to meet our environmental responsibilities as property developers. “The increasing demand from our customers and the wider market for space ever closer to the end consumer supports our decision to build this estate speculatively and we’re excited to bring forward this development and the positive impact it will bring to the local employment market and economy.” The estate will deliver a well-connected and modern urban logistics hub that is virtually unrivalled in its proximity to central London. It will enable quick and easy access to the North Circular and M25. This prime location will further support SEGRO’s occupiers, enabling them to meet the increased demands of their customers. SEGRO is London’s largest industrial developer with over 13.5 million square feet of space which is home to 450 businesses employing around 25,000 people.
An interior design consultancy that invested in new regional headquarters in the Midlands, has continued its expansion by securing seven new projects worth a combined contract value of more than £15 million. Office Principles, which recently signed a five-year lease on a standalone building at Coleshill Manor Office Campus, has been chosen to deliver the new projects across the Midlands and London. They include the design and refurbishment of 148 and 154 Great Charles Street in Birmingham city centre on behalf of Ergo Real Estate and the Solihull offices of utilities consultant, Xoserve. The new project appointments follow 18 months of continued success since the regional business was formed by joint managing directors, Gary Tailby and Tina Batham. Office Principles’ Birmingham-based team delivered £7.5 million of projects in its first year and a further £12.5 million in 2020. It plans to further expand its regional workforce to deliver the new projects, employing 18 staff. Gary Tailby, Office Principles in Birmingham, said: “This is a terrific way to start the year and gives us a platform from which to continue to grow our business. These new contract wins have been secured on the back of a successful 18 months during which we have consistently demonstrated the added value we bring in the design stage of a project and the highly skilled team we have in place to deliver on-site. We’re very much relishing the opportunity of reimagining spaces within some of our most recognisable regional buildings and delivering impressive new workplaces for a diverse range of clients.” Office Principles’ Birmingham-based team delivers multi-disciplinary design, consultancy and construction solutions across a variety of sectors within the built environment. The Midlands operation is supported by three established Office Principles sites in London, Reading and Manchester. For more information, please visit: https://officeprinciples.com/