Leading managing agent, Rendall & Rittner has appointed Sarah Williams as Area Director to oversee property management across one of their London divisions. An experienced residential property management professional, Sarah has specialised in the block management sector for over 16 years. She joins the company from Warwick Estates where she
Construction can be a reliable and lucrative way to make an income, but not all people working in the industry are at the same pay grade. If you want to start making the kind of income you think you deserve, then you should work to make sure that you deserve
The process of staging your home to ensure a sale involves a lot of different practices. First and foremost, you need to thoroughly declutter any and all space you’re showing to make things nice and tidy. You’ll also need to do a thorough cleaning, manage small repairs, and invest in more significant
Are you considering buying a snow blower this winter or do you already own one? Like a car or a motorcycle, snow blowers have mechanical parts inside that need to be taken care of regularly. Keeping up with regular maintenance tasks for your snow blower is crucial to ensure your
A key milestone has today been reached with construction works beginning at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway. Since Summer 2020, SEGRO has been conducting enabling works, which include ecology, archaeology and ground investigations to prepare the site – which is strategically located next to junction 15 on the M1 motorway
Work is set to start on a £11.5 million affordable housing development in Sheffield in the new year. The 93 homes, which are being built off Ferrars Road in Tinsley, will be available for affordable rent via Together Housing Group and have been brought forward by Caddick Group. The development, which will comprise 19 two-bedroom houses, 70 three-bedroom houses and four
Healix Risk Oracle report for 2021 identifies six key risks beyond the pandemic International risk management and assistance expert, Healix International, has identified six key areas of risk – besides the continued impact of COVID-19 – for global organisations in its 2021 Risk Oracle report. Natural Disasters – The
One of the world’s oldest surviving pieces of monumental railway architecture to be preserved and enhanced in new HS2 Curzon Street Station. Leader of Birmingham City Council: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of this amazing old building and the new Curzon Street Station will be one of
British Gas has confirmed the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) for the construction of gas networks serving new build housing schemes and regeneration projects. The two businesses have been working together for more than 20 years, with EAU laying on average around 80,000 metres of
Soprema UK, the specialist in waterproofing and building envelope solutions, is to begin manufacturing its Pavadry woodfibre insulation in the UK, with an improved product specification. A high performance, internal wall insulation that controls dispersion of water from the walls into the building to prevent condensation and the risk of
Leading managing agent, Rendall & Rittner has appointed Sarah Williams as Area Director to oversee property management across one of their London divisions. An experienced residential property management professional, Sarah has specialised in the block management sector for over 16 years. She joins the company from Warwick Estates where she was an Associate Director responsible for five regional offices. Prior to that she worked for RMG, where she worked her way up gaining experience across the business. Sarah’s focus at Rendall & Rittner will be running the teams that look after a number of the company’s property clients, ensuring the highest levels of service delivery. Rendall & Rittner’s portfolio of almost 80,000 units nationwide includes some of London’s most prestigious new developments and Sarah’s Central London division spans the full range of development types from large mixed-use schemes and high-rise towers to traditional mansion blocks. Commenting on her new role Sarah says: “Rendall & Rittner has an outstanding reputation and an excellent mix of clients, so I am delighted to join the team. Good customer service is at the heart of Rendall & Rittner’s promise to their clients and it is something I am passionate about. I’m looking forward to working with the property managers and on-site teams to look after the interests and safety of residents.” Richard Daver, Managing Director of Rendall & Rittner comments: “We are very pleased to welcome Sarah to Rendall & Rittner. Her depth of experience in the property management industry will be a huge asset and her appointment is part of our strategy of strengthening the business by employing the very best people as we continue to grow.” For more information on Rendall & Rittner please visit www.rendallandrittner.co.uk.
Construction can be a reliable and lucrative way to make an income, but not all people working in the industry are at the same pay grade. If you want to start making the kind of income you think you deserve, then you should work to make sure that you deserve it. Here are a few ways to increase your income as a construction worker. Choose a lucrative specialization As mentioned, not all construction workers are making the same money. Specializing in a specific kind of construction work takes a lot of time, effort, and specific education, but can often unlock the most lucrative career paths in the industry. Look here to find out more about some of the best-paying construction jobs that are currently available, such as working in inspection, elevator installation, getting an electrician license, and more. Consider your career path and how easy it might be or how long it might take to transition into one of these careers. Broaden your skill base You don’t necessarily need to become a specialist in order to engage in a more lucrative construction career, however. In fact, by becoming something of a jack of all trades, you can be a very valuable member on any construction site. If you click here, you can see a range of high-risk work licenses and qualifications that could be of major use on any site. By having a broad range of skills and qualifications, you’re more likely to be selected for more jobs, since you’re effectively turning yourself into a tool that can suit a wide range of purposes. Work with people who can give you a foot up Construction is very much an industry that works on who you know, just as much as what you know. By doing jobs and working well with contractors and managers who are consistently making good bids and getting the better jobs out there, you can secure your part as a reliable member of their team. If you’re new to the industry, you can look for those who work to nurture construction talent to help you get the experience and reputation you need to earn more as you work more. Transition into the management side of things Working in a construction site can be lucrative in and of itself, but if you start learning more about the project management and administrative side, you can transition to a career that sees you overseeing the jobs instead of working on them. This typically does require that you get some education alongside your career experience, but it is a transition that can see your salary growing considerably. Furthermore, as you get older, working on-site might lead to a greater risk of accident and injury, so making the transition eventually should be a goal for most in the industry. There is no guarantee that, even in following the tips, you will make the greater income that you desire. You have to also show the quality and consistency of work that leads to trust from clients and co-workers, which unlocks the path to further work.
The process of staging your home to ensure a sale involves a lot of different practices. First and foremost, you need to thoroughly declutter any and all space you’re showing to make things nice and tidy. You’ll also need to do a thorough cleaning, manage small repairs, and invest in more significant improvements if possible. Amidst all of these efforts though, you should also keep your furniture in mind. It can almost be easy to neglect furniture, because the general assumption is that prospective buyers are considering investing in the home — not what’s in it. Unfortunately though, taking furnishing and décor out of the picture when assessing a property is easier said than done. Even if people viewing your home are well aware that they aren’t buying the furniture as well, how it looks and how it’s arranged will impact their impressions of the property. Given this, we’re presenting a few furniture-related staging tips to keep in mind. Get Rid of Old or Damaged Furniture The first and most important tip is to get rid of old or damaged furniture. This may seem like an obvious tip for those who are used to staging successfully, or those who are inclined to take a thorough and careful approach. But again, many make the mistake of assuming prospective buyers will look past furnishings, and thus ignore any disrepair in this area. The truth is that furniture in bad condition is considered to be one of the main reasons home staging can stall a sale. Simply put, furniture that appears old, worn, broken, or even outdated can change the entire complexion of a space. It can turn an otherwise beautiful, inviting, and well-staged home into a less appealing space, and in doing so prevent a sale. This can even happen on a subconscious level, such that someone viewing the home doesn’t necessarily nit-pick about furniture, but still comes away with a worse impression than he or she might have had the furniture been in better shape. Find Sale Pieces Aside from the misguided assumption that home viewers will simply look past old or unimpressive furnishings, another thing that holds some homeowners back in this area is the simple fact that new furniture can be expensive. Staging a home can actually be a costly process given that it often involves a few repairs or remodelling projects, and budgeting in new furniture simply to make a good impression isn’t always a priority. For this reason we suggest that anyone considering staging and/or selling a home in the near future should begin keeping an eye out for some of the sales occasionally run by respectable brands in this category. For reference, an up-to-date overview of retail sales recently pointed out that customers can sometimes get as much as 50% off items from brands like Silentnight, Hudson Living, and others in the furniture space. Sales of that nature, as well as the occasional discount at a major online retailer, can give you plenty of options, such that you may well be able to affordable re-furnish a home for staging. You may just set yourself up with some excellent pieces to stock your own new home with as well! Look Into Rentals If the idea of buying new furniture specifically for this purpose seems a bit much, or exceeds your budget, furniture rental for home staging is also an option. In this case, you simply need to find a local company that will rent out pieces (or which at least has a lenient return policy) and figure out what you need in order to temporarily replace old furniture, or make a few key rooms stand out. Where rentals are concerned, the issue is sometimes the effort required. Ultimately it’s a fairly big job to find the right store, choose the right pieces, and organise them in your home, all on a temporary basis. And it still costs money as well! For these reasons alone, some prefer to simply purchase new pieces. That said, renting is sometimes more affordable in the long run, and can thus be worth considering. For that matter, you can also try a mix of buying and renting — perhaps purchasing furniture you’re confident you can use wherever you may be moving, and renting the rest of what you need. These are simple tips, but vital ones if your home staging effort is to be effective. The state of your furniture is every bit as important as presenting a tidy space or emphasising desirable features. It is thus necessary to ensure that old pieces or those in disrepair are replaced by newer and more attractive alternatives.
Are you considering buying a snow blower this winter or do you already own one? Like a car or a motorcycle, snow blowers have mechanical parts inside that need to be taken care of regularly. Keeping up with regular maintenance tasks for your snow blower is crucial to ensure your equipment is ready to be put to work when the snow begins to fall, every time. Here are some basic maintenance tasks to keep your equipment running smoothly. After 5 hours of snow blower use Before doing anything, disengage all control levers and stop the engine of your snow blower before cleaning, repairing or inspecting it. If your snow blower is new, you will need to replace the engine oil after the first five hours of use. This will ensure your machine works properly in the future, as it will clean out any residue that was left during assembly. After the initial break-in period, make sure you check the oil level after each use. Also, don’t forget to inspect and clean up the exhaust area and air filter (if your machine has one). After 25 hours of snow blower use Once you have used your machine for a longer period of time, it’s time to check the spark plug for any signs of damage like deposit or cracks. If your spark plug has some damage, it’s best to replace it with a new one. What’s more, spark plugs are usually quite affordable, so it’s not a bad idea to have a couple backups on hand ahead of time. In addition, it is recommended that you lubricate the auger shaft at least once a season and again before storing it for summer to prevent rust. After every season To keep your snow blower running smoothly season after season, you will need to change the old engine oil in your machine. This should be done every season and after every 50 hours of use. This will ensure that your snow blower keeps operating properly and without risk of poor performance or expensive repair bills. Also, inspect the belts for any signs of fraying or splitting. Some machines like Cub Cadet’s three-stage snow blowers have more than one belt—make sure you install new ones that are compatible with your snow blower brand and model. Finally, it is advisable to replace the spark plug even if there are no signs of damage after every 100 hours of use. Other things to keep an eye on The basic maintenance tasks mentioned above are crucial to ensure that your machine works well. However, there are other items that can wear out, such as the scraper bar or skid shoes, that you should look for when servicing your machine. Be sure to check the machine thoroughly for other signs of developing problems from time to time for any signs of damage and replace or repair as needed. Don’t forget to refer to your operator’s manual for specific guidance about how to best service your snow blower. That’s it! Following these simple maintenance tasks should be enough to ensure that your snow blower performs at its best over the course of its lifetime.
A key milestone has today been reached with construction works beginning at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway. Since Summer 2020, SEGRO has been conducting enabling works, which include ecology, archaeology and ground investigations to prepare the site – which is strategically located next to junction 15 on the M1 motorway – ahead of construction. Once developed, the 450 acre site will become a multi-modal logistics hub in the UK Midlands, with five million square feet of modern, highly sustainable warehousing and logistics facilities, including a dedicated 35 acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange that will have the capacity for up to 16 trains a day. SEGRO is investing £190 million into infrastructures works, including new rail connections and significant improvements to the strategic road network, incorporating major upgrades to Junctions 15 and 15a on the M1, a new bridge over the West Coast Mainline, and building a bypass around Roade, and safer junctions along the A508. This work will be delivered in partnership with Highways England, Network Rail and local authorities. In addition to delivering road and rail improvements for the region, the scheme will create around 7500 direct jobs, with around 120 created during the infrastructure construction phase. Working alongside the local council and community partners, SEGRO is set to deliver an employment skills programme that will provide training for members of the community, enabling them to become active members of the workforces created by the scheme. The scheme will incorporate over 80 acres of parkland and amenity grassland, with 18km of foot paths, 20km of hedgerows and the planting of 60,000 new trees. The first plots are expected to be available for buildings in late 2021, with the completion of the infrastructure works anticipated by the end of 2023. Andrew Pilsworth, SEGRO’s Managing Director, National Logistics, said: “The start of construction at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway is an exciting and positive milestone. “Now more than ever are we witnessing the vital role logistics is playing in supporting the UK economy and it’s clear that businesses are relying on well located, sustainable facilities from which they can meet their customers’ demands. “SEGRO Park Northampton Gateway is excellently located with easy access to key road networks and with the new rail links and Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, will present great opportunities for businesses to flourish.”
Work is set to start on a £11.5 million affordable housing development in Sheffield in the new year. The 93 homes, which are being built off Ferrars Road in Tinsley, will be available for affordable rent via Together Housing Group and have been brought forward by Caddick Group. The development, which will comprise 19 two-bedroom houses, 70 three-bedroom houses and four four-bedroom houses, is possible thanks to funding from Homes England. Together Housing was announced as one of the government housing agency’s strategic partners in January 2019, receiving £53 million to help deliver 1,152 additional affordable home starts by March 2022. According to Zoopla, the average price for property in Sheffield stood at £211,334 in November 2020. This is a rise of 5.17% compared to 12 months ago. Kevin Ruth, Deputy Chief Executive for Together Housing said: “Rising house prices are forcing many young individuals, couples and families out of the area they grew up in and away from their support networks. “The provision of affordable houses for rent in the city will enable those priced out of the housing market, including key workers and low-income families, to put roots down in the city.” Johnny Caddick of Caddick Group said: “We’ve been involved in this project from the outset, and working with Together Housing to realise such an important scheme, which is set to help so many individuals and families to find their new homes at affordable prices, has been a very positive experience. “Working closely with Together Housing from the start, demonstrates the breadth of what we offer as a Group as well as the collaboration and understanding required to make these types of projects successful.” The scheme, which will also include landscaped open space with ponds and public art, is set to be completed by early 2023, with the first homes being ready to welcome new residents in early 2022.
Healix Risk Oracle report for 2021 identifies six key risks beyond the pandemic International risk management and assistance expert, Healix International, has identified six key areas of risk – besides the continued impact of COVID-19 – for global organisations in its 2021 Risk Oracle report. Natural Disasters – The increasing frequency of extreme weather events with natural disasters becoming more pronounced both in terms of frequency and severity. Building resilience to natural disasters is a significant exercise. Faceless Threats – In a context of increased isolationism, and more time spent online, individuals will become increasingly disconnected from normative community activity with a comparative increase in crime and incidents of violence perpetrated by ‘faceless’ lone actors. Supply Chain Disruption – The highly complex logistical webs that make up the global economy have predominantly been designed with cost and efficiency in mind. Unless resilience starts to be factored into these considerations, disruption to supply chains will remain a significant operational risk factor. Cyber Attacks – No longer just an inconvenience, they are potentially calamitous. More worrisome, attacks targeting government infrastructure are on the rise, and any cyber breaches in this space could have unprecedented implications. Decay of the ‘social contract’ – Mounting frustrations over inequality, cynicism of perceived corrupt political elites, and distrust of wider civil society including the media and big business amid the pandemic of ‘Fake News’ are likely to lead to increased public agitation and worsening levels of political cohesion. Erosion of domestic political cohesion fuelled by social media – Complex political issues find themselves being misrepresented in the form of a ‘post’, ‘share’, or ‘tweet’. This dynamic will become more prevalent in 2021 and result in even more social and political divisiveness, with rising levels of political risk in locations where the ‘culture war’ is most pronounced. As Chris Job MBE, Director, Risk Management Services, Healix International explains, it is vital for organisations with an international footprint to ensure that the myriad of risks beyond the coronavirus remain a focus. “2021 is likely to be as busy a year for challenging global events, some predictable and some unprecedented. Overlay this expectation with a new and as yet undefined normal and a global drive for economic growth, the need for robust organisational resilience plans is clear. The key now is to ensure consistent and reliable monitoring is combined with access to the most appropriate resources to ensure employee wellbeing remains the priority. “With our deep-rooted, in-house medical and security expertise underpinned by modern technology, Healix offers a single-source comprehensive, compelling and powerful risk solution for 2021 and beyond.” The 2021 Healix International Risk Oracle Report, along with a global Security Risk Map, can be downloaded from https://info.healix.com/download-risk-forecasts-2021
One of the world’s oldest surviving pieces of monumental railway architecture to be preserved and enhanced in new HS2 Curzon Street Station. Leader of Birmingham City Council: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of this amazing old building and the new Curzon Street Station will be one of the real show pieces of the entire HS2 network.” HS2 has received the go-ahead from Birmingham City Council to begin the transformative refurbishment of the Old Curzon Street Station, marking the next phase of work around the new high speed terminus in central Birmingham. The agreement with the Council who own the building, enables a long-term lease by HS2, with work due to start on the major revamp early next year by HS2’s enabling works contractor LMJV (Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons). The Grade I listed building has been integrated into HS2’s plans for the new Curzon Street Station, which provide an enhanced setting to reflect the history of the old station as well as the Grade II listed Woodman pub. The public space surrounding the station will feature the historic track alignments of the former goods yard that used to lie to its east, and the gardens and new eastern concourse façade have also been designed to complement the architecture of the building. HS2 enabling works contractors LMJV are now ready to start a 12 month programme of work in early 2021, overseen by a conservation specialist. The building was designed by the notable architect Philip Hardwick and opened in 1838, and is now one of the world’s oldest surviving pieces of monumental railway architecture. It was intended to be the boardroom and general offices of the London and Birmingham Railway but was extended to incorporate a hotel by 1841, then turned into a goods station for freight traffic between 1854 and 1860 and subsequently closed on 31 Dec 1965. Having suffered extensive damage during the Birmingham Blitz, and surviving two applications for its demolition in the 1970s, it is now listed on the ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ maintained by Historic England. The refurbishment will see this status change for the first time in over a decade, with future plans to use it as an HS2 visitors centre, with flexible facilities for office space, exhibition purposes and catering. Nicola Henderson-Reid, HS2’s Curzon Street Station Senior Project Manager said: “We’re extremely pleased to get the go-ahead to start work on restoring this fabulous old building, and we’re grateful to Birmingham City Council for their help in developing these designs. “HS2’s Curzon Street Station will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th century, and will play a vital role in our regional economy while preserving this important piece of Birmingham’s history.” Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward said: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of this amazing old building and the new Curzon Street Station will be one of the real show pieces of the entire HS2 network. “High speed rail is a game-changer for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, bringing jobs, homes and opportunities to our city region and for the HS2 Generation – the young people currently growing up across the city – this project will shape their lives and careers.” The refurbishment will be undertaken by infrastructure specialists KN Circet, who have offices in Solihull in the Midlands. The work will include a new steel structural frame to strengthen the building, a new lift giving access to all 4 levels, new glass balustrade for the historic staircase, internal fit-out, roof repairs and structural repairs to the external masonry. KN Circet, trading as KN Network Services Ltd, has carried out heritage restoration projects across the UK railway network predominantly in London and the South East. The company has won and been nominated for railway heritage awards for façade works at Lambeth North, South Kensington and Great Portland Street London Underground stations, and have also carried out façade works at Victoria Station and Waterloo Station for Network Rail. HS2’s Historic Environment Manager, Jon Millward said: “The Old Curzon Street Station has a fascinating history, and as a Grade 1 listed building it’s deemed to be of exceptional interest and is therefore classified as one of the most important buildings in England. It was the first railway terminus serving the centre of Birmingham and built during a period of great significance and growth for the city. “Earlier this year, we unearthed what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse situated adjacent to the Old Curzon Street station, and built to a design by the 19th century engineer Robert Stephenson. It’s fantastic that we can preserve the heritage of such an important building as part of the legacy of HS2.” Planning applications for the new Curzon Street Station were approved by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee in April 2020, with the Council’s report concluding the station design “is truly world class”. Eventually, there will be nine trains per hour running in each direction from the station. The Curzon Street Masterplan outlines proposals for 141 hectares of regeneration, along with £724 million in investment into the surrounding area. It envisages the creation of 36,000 new jobs, 4,000 new homes and 600,000 square metres of commercial development.
British Gas has confirmed the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) for the construction of gas networks serving new build housing schemes and regeneration projects. The two businesses have been working together for more than 20 years, with EAU laying on average around 80,000 metres of gas infrastructure mains and connecting approximately 4,500 new service connections and meters each year. EAU covers the largest single geographic area among the three utility construction service providers partnering with British Gas and has also completed more than 100 dual fuel (gas/ electricity) schemes for its customers. Commented Kevin Keaney, Area Engineering Lead at British Gas: “This new contract supports the service excellence commitments made by British Gas to its customers while at the same time enabling the business to look to previously untapped markets, helping us to grow our energy portfolio through site works. “EAU has a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes for our customers, so this new contract provides us with a continuation of the excellent working relationship established with the company, which is important in ensuring that British Gas remains one of the biggest site works providers in the UK.” EAU has established a comprehensive communication and project delivery process for the utility construction and metering services being delivered on behalf of British Gas, with dedicated teams taking responsibility for all the required off-site planning. This includes organising highways notices, connections management, materials, labour, as-built records, meter installation data and managing projects through each stage to completion. Design services have also been provided for dual fuel projects. Said Steven Lynch, EAU Group Commercial Director: “We are delighted to be continuing the positive working relationship that has evolved with British Gas over many years and look forward to supporting the company through this new contract, which will run through to 2025.”
Soprema UK, the specialist in waterproofing and building envelope solutions, is to begin manufacturing its Pavadry woodfibre insulation in the UK, with an improved product specification. A high performance, internal wall insulation that controls dispersion of water from the walls into the building to prevent condensation and the risk of mould, Pavadry is the solution of choice for solid wall buildings, and is particularly popular as a retrofit solution for heritage properties. The revised product will be manufactured with an OSB-facing, rather than the MDF previously used, making it easier and faster to install. Roland Jackson, commercial director at Soprema UK explains: “Pavadry enables the thermal performance of solid wall and heritage properties to be improved without changing their external appearance or unbalancing their building physics. The improved product will continue to deliver those benefits but the OSB facing will allow screw fixings to be attached directly to the board, rather than requiring a counter sink to accommodate a screw head. Over the course of an installation, this will save considerable time and aid consistency.” The move of production from Switzerland to Manchester enables changes to the manufacturing process and ensures reliable lead times and supply for UK specifiers and contractors, at a time when demand for renewable and sustainable solutions is high. Roland continues: “With the Green Deal now extended for another year until March 2022, homeowners and landlords have a great opportunity to improve the comfort of their property and reduce its carbon footprint. Meanwhile, the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) remains open for grant applications to fund energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures in publicly-owned property assets until the end of January 2021. The £4 billion levelling-up fund also includes investment in housing and local arts and culture, with bidding for projects beginning in 2021. “With so many incentives available to invest in carbon reduction improvements, there is high demand for Pavadry because it is made from natural, renewable materials, is completely recyclable and has such a positive effect on thermal performance and building comfort. Bringing production to the UK and making the product easier to install are the right choices at the right time.”