Your warehouse floor is the center of activity and is likely the place where crucial parts of your company are run. Your warehouse is also the place where valuable equipment is kept, and the environment from where your workers interact with machinery. So, it stands to reason that your warehouse’s
Wates FM has secured a contract extension with mass media company, Discovery Communications, to provide 24/7 critical engineering cover and fabric maintenance for two locations in Chiswick, including the organisation’s live broadcast premises. Having run for three years, the contract will be extended for a further year due to team
An innovative funding arrangement is helping to accelerate the growth of an award-winning housebuilder and fast-track property ventures across the North of England. MAVEN Bonds is providing short-term finance to County Durham developer Homes by Carlton, to drive forward several property schemes around the northern regions. The Newton Aycliffe-headquartered firm
The requirement to make new housing developments eco-friendly is now stronger than ever as the reality of climate change becomes more widely accepted, and the need to tackle it is perceived as being more urgent. These are not the only reasons, as an eco-friendly house will by definition also be
Technological advancements and increased digitalisation are providing businesses with a greater choice of innovative presentation techniques than ever before. From AR to colour psychology, new ideas are constantly informing how businesses present their ideas. Let’s take a look at the best presentation technologies out there, that are predicted to enhance
Rhodar has completed a 26-week project to remove asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and demolish the derelict Old Vic pub, which was situated on top of a live railway tunnel, above one of the South East’s busiest railway lines connecting the area with London. Further enabling works undertaken included the design
The Grade II* listed Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) headquarters has celebrated a major landmark in its redevelopment, with a topping out ceremony in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. Professor Derek Alderson, President of the RCS, was joined by Sir James Wates, chairman of Wates Group, whose construction arm is carrying
Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, has released two new installation videos for its market leading range of Pocket Door Pro and Husky Soft Stop systems. Launched early 2019, Pocket Door Pro and Husky Soft Stop, although new to the market, have quickly grown to become two
There has long been a stereotype surrounding the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) industries. Unfortunately, despite the stereotype being very out dated, its presence still lingers, with women in the industry still at a very low level. Unfortunately, the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineer professionals across
Leading North West property developer, Torus, has broken ground on an exciting new development in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle which will see 56 modern one and two bedroom apartments created for Rent to Buy and sale. With sites across Liverpool, St Helens and Cheshire and an ambitious new build programme
Your warehouse floor is the center of activity and is likely the place where crucial parts of your company are run. Your warehouse is also the place where valuable equipment is kept, and the environment from where your workers interact with machinery. So, it stands to reason that your warehouse’s industrial flooring must remain in a good, clean condition, enabling workers to perform their duties, and their machinery to be used safely. Here, we’ll look at six reasons why it’s important to have high-quality industrial flooring. Some are more applicable to certain types of industrial flooring, such as resin or epoxy. The benefits of epoxy flooring, in particular, are many, and it’s one type of industrial flooring you should strongly consider. Keeping employees safe Uneven or loose flooring can lead to falls and trips, which could result in your employees taking time off work, and place an extra burden on other workers. It’s important that you adhere to the most up-to-date health and safety guidelines, such as ensuring an appropriate and safe working environment for your workforce to perform their daily duties. If your work environment is considered as being inappropriate for the duties being carried out, it could land you in a lot of trouble. Maintaining your equipment’s working order In addition to maintaining the safety of your employees, industrial flooring can help to ease the process of moving equipment from one part of your warehouse to another. If your flooring is found to be insufficient for heavy machinery or foot traffic, it will quickly wear down, resulting in additional costs for it to be replaced. Saving money By choosing a hard-wearing and appropriate industrial floor to begin with, you will have peace of mind that you will have flooring strong enough to tolerate heavy weight for a long, long time without needing regular repairs or replacement. Durability One of the main benefits of industrial flooring is its high level of durability over other solutions. This is because the flooring is stronger, and thus better able to tolerate force damage, such as cuts, chips, and cracks. They’re also mixed with a sealant component, which protects against moisture damage. So, you can spill various substances without being worried over whether there will be any signs of damage on the floor. Industrial floors have a far longer life than many types of floor material. Therefore, you can maintain the flooring easier and for longer without worrying about needing to replace it. While industrial flooring will initially cost you more than many alternative materials, this benefit makes for a more convenient material for many years to come. Low maintenance Industrial floors can be steam cleaned, disinfected, and washed to sanitize them without losing their robust properties. The floor can also tolerate petrol, solvents, alkalis, and acids. Variety Industrial flooring is a great choice if you want to give your floors a new look. You can choose from various colors capable of giving an elegant, smooth, and flawless shine. The flooring can feature personalized or traditional designs and patterns. The sheer number of choices makes it a cost-effective method of improving an office’s ambience.
Wates FM has secured a contract extension with mass media company, Discovery Communications, to provide 24/7 critical engineering cover and fabric maintenance for two locations in Chiswick, including the organisation’s live broadcast premises. Having run for three years, the contract will be extended for a further year due to team resilience, the application of innovation and continued excellence in fabric service. James Gregg, Managing Director of Wates FM, commented: “Our contract extension with Discovery Communications, is a huge testament to the expertise of our team and our position as a trusted and reliable FM partner to our clients. “Wates FM is heading into 2020 with a very healthy work pipeline but of course our growth must be steady and sustainable to ensure that we continue to deliver exceptional services to our clients, both existing and new.” Formerly operating as Wates Smartspace, Wates FM forms part of Wates Property Services alongside the Group’s Living Space business and currently manages over 350 commercial properties.
An innovative funding arrangement is helping to accelerate the growth of an award-winning housebuilder and fast-track property ventures across the North of England. MAVEN Bonds is providing short-term finance to County Durham developer Homes by Carlton, to drive forward several property schemes around the northern regions. The Newton Aycliffe-headquartered firm recently used a £300,000 short term development finance loan to fast-track construction work on its Cathedral Gates development in Chilton. Situated eight miles from Durham City centre, the scheme comprises 14 spacious plots with a mix of three and four-bed detached and semi-detached homes. It has proved popular with ten of the plots already sold – giving the construction team the confidence to accelerate the building programme. MAVEN Bonds has been designed to provide investors with the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolio by providing loans to property development projects that offer the potential to generate higher tax-free returns compared to mainstream investment options. Simon Lenney, independent chairman of MAVEN Bonds, said: MAVEN Bonds focuses on two main areas; firstly to provide investors with the opportunity to invest into well structured property projects. Secondly, to provide experienced developers and real estate professionals such as Homes By Carlton with access to loans of between £200,000 and £2million. Having completed this first short term development loan, MAVEN Bonds has provided a separate £800,000 bridging loan to allow Homes by Carlton to acquire land for new homes site at Thorpe Thewles, in Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside. The developer is aiming to get building underway soon at the Thorpe Paddocks, a residential scheme that will see 31 luxury family homes built at Thorpe Thewles. Simon Walker, managing director of Homes By Carlton, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to secure bridging and development finance with MAVEN Bonds. After we quickly sold the first ten homes at Cathedral Gates, we wanted to speed up the construction process on site and the loan enabled us to do that. “Working with MAVEN Bonds was a pleasure; having secured the loan rapidly, we’ve been able to start construction work sooner than anticipated and we also have additional finance in place to move quickly on our Thorpe Thewles development.” Simon Lenney, independent chairman of MAVEN Bonds, said: “I’m delighted to see how the loan has enabled Homes by Carlton to press ahead on the Chilton scheme and then acquire an exciting scheme at Thorpe Thewles. This is exactly what MAVEN Bonds was set up to do – to provide quick, alternative finance that can speed up property developments and provide our investors with the potential to earn much higher returns than those currently available through traditional investment routes.” MAVEN Bonds is a joint venture between private equity firm MAVEN Capital Partners and Growth Capital Ventures (GCV). It has been driven by rising demand for good quality housing and is a response to the lack of fast, flexible mainstream finance available to property developers and investors in many sectors such as hotels, student accommodation and residential. The bond works by providing secured loans to property developers and property development companies. Returns are generated by charging interest and fees on these loans. Both MAVEN and GCV have a strong property track record and since January 2015, the combined MAVEN and GCV advisory team have completed property transactions worth more than £300 million, leveraging over £125 million of equity in the process. The MAVEN Bonds Investment Platform – www.mavenbonds.co.uk – has been created and developed by GCV’s inhouse software engineering team. The online investment platform has been designed to streamline the investment process and provide experienced investors with access to bonds with higher target returns than that of more mainstream investment options. For further information, visit www.mavenbonds.co.uk and https://www.homesbycarlton.com/
The requirement to make new housing developments eco-friendly is now stronger than ever as the reality of climate change becomes more widely accepted, and the need to tackle it is perceived as being more urgent. These are not the only reasons, as an eco-friendly house will by definition also be cheaper to run, with reduced energy consumption meaning lower fuel bills. Eco-friendly options also suit contemporary lifestyles, being seen as providing a better-quality and more harmonious way of life, and these options also dovetail with the desire for ‘fair trade’ and more socially conscious ways of sourcing, building and inhabiting a property. What defines an eco-home? There is no one fixed standard that defines one house as eco-friendly and another as not. Although different bodies may set minimum requirements that must be reached in order to qualify, the overall reality is that the eco-friendliness of any given development will be a sliding scale. Considerations such as budget, location, intended usage and planning permission will all determine the degree to which a house can be made as eco-friendly as possible. The three goals that are traditionally set in making a development eco-friendly are reducing energy consumption, using resources and materials in a sustainable way, and promoting healthy living within the development. One could also look at how well the development harmonises with its natural environment and compensates for the ecology it is built upon. Insulation The primary factor to be considered is how best to reduce heat loss from the property and so maximise the efficiency of energy use, ultimately reducing the quantity of energy used. This is essential even if the energy is drawn from renewable sources. Consistent insulation is the key here, using natural renewable materials such as sheep’s wool as much as possible. Draught-proofing and triple glazing will also help to make a property airtight and reduce energy loss. Energy sufficiency The use of a solar battery for the provision of heating and hot water should be considered a bare minimum in terms of switching over to renewable energy sources. Setting up a whole development ‘off grid’ with its own renewable energy supply, perhaps from a mixture of wind and solar power, would be the best way to guarantee 100% self-sufficient renewable energy. The development would need to generate at least as much energy as it used. Any surplus could be stored against future needs or sold to other users. Fabric first This approach looks at minimising heat loss and energy demands through the materials used in construction. Taking this one step further, the Active House principle also looks at the use of sustainably sourced and recycled materials for construction, water consumption, emissions and resource depletion. Forestry Stewardship Council-certified timber should be used alongside natural materials such as straw bale and lime. Plastic use should be kept to a minimum, and recycled plastic used when necessary. Embodied energy The development as a whole needs to have a low carbon footprint, which means taking into account the energy used and carbon monoxide generated in the manufacture and transportation of materials, all the way down the supply chain. This ‘embodied energy’ can be up to 25% of a development’s total lifetime energy demands. Greening the house Avoid brick, concrete and tarmac drives in favour of mixed species green areas. A grass lawn alone doesn’t give much back to the local ecology, but adding daisies, wild flowers, yellow rattle, chamomile, etc., provides a more sustainable immediate eco-system that encourages insect life. Look for a similar blend to that displaced by the development. This should also be considered if adding green walls or roofs, which by their nature will support different plants to the garden or underlying plot. Exercise caution so as not to unbalance the local ecosystem by attracting different insect strains. Orientation Finally, consider which way any given property is facing. Wide, triple-glazed windows should face south in order to absorb the maximum amount of light and heat into the house, while north-facing windows should be kept to a minimum as heat can be lost through these even when fully glazed. In an airtight property with passive solar orientation, measures must also be taken to avoid over-heating – for instance, external sunshades (brise soleil) or deep overhangs. Air conditioning is also an option so long as this does not use more energy than has been saved through insulation and orientation. These methods are all ways to approach the challenge of eco-friendly developments. Often, it pays to focus either on renewable energy or fabric-first insulation, but a holistic approach that combines the two is, of course, ideal if this is feasible.
Technological advancements and increased digitalisation are providing businesses with a greater choice of innovative presentation techniques than ever before. From AR to colour psychology, new ideas are constantly informing how businesses present their ideas. Let’s take a look at the best presentation technologies out there, that are predicted to enhance presentations of the future. 1. Virtual Reality Virtual reality gives your audience a chance to emerge themselves in your presentation. This technology has advance in an incredible rate over the past few years and is expected to keep accelerating. According to Forbes, the worldwide market for VR is expected to reach 98.4 million sales by 2023. This tech could completely transform your business presentation, at a fraction of the cost of other innovations such as AR. Creating an immersive experience, VR offers a fantastic way to tell stories that your audience will feel actively involved in. As studies have linked visualising a situation to increased memory retention, a VR presentation will stick in your audience’s memory much more than the conventional PowerPoint format. 2. Product Demos Companies including Apple, Microsoft, and Google have paved the way when it comes to product demos. These tech giants have proved that audience’s respond far better to actually witnessing how a product works, rather than just taking the speaker’s word for it. Thanks to advanced projecting equipment, presentations can now feature a clear product demo on a large scale. Why tell people how fantastic your new product is, when you could just show them? 3. Colour psychology Science can inform presentation techniques in unexpected ways. Colour psychology is often utilised by speakers to evoke certain emotions in their audience and help strengthen their argument. Depending on your brand, different colours are useful to use in your presentations. Blue, for example, has been proven to evoke calmness, and focus — perfect for keeping audiences engaged! Keeping up to date with recent colour trends is also vital. New visual trends tell your audience that your brand is up to date, ever improving, and modern. 4. Audience polls Audience interaction is integral to a successful and memorable presentation. If you can think of a way for your audience to get involved, then your presentation will capture the room’s attention. One such way is using a live audience poll. Polling apps allow your audience to have their say. They provide a great way to gather the thoughts of your audience and reinforce your points. What’s more, you can engage audiences from all around the world using polling apps such as Polleverywhere. Both international audiences and the people watching the presentation in person will feel more engaged in your presentation if they get to play a part in it. 5. Augmented Reality Prezi, a leading presentation tool, has recently delved into the world of augmented reality, discovering what it could mean for presentations of the future. The founders aim to bring audiences “inside of a presentation using augmented reality” and they believe that AR could enhance audience engagement. AR, which has already been implemented by the likes of Snapchat and Google Pixel, creates life-like objects and customised visual environments. Like VR, it is a great tool for allowing your audience to feel involved in the presentation and interact. One example of AR used within a presentation was in a recent TED talk, in which neurologist Robert Sapolsky discussed the biology behind human nature. To illustrate one of his points, he conjured up an AR figure, which points a gun right at the speaker. This illusion captivated audiences’ attentions and became the most memorable part of the talk. All of these techniques will enhance business presentations over the next few years, improving audience engagement and creating memorable moments. Despite all the technology in the world however, it is down to you, the speaker, to deliver your presentation with authority and confidence. Practical tools are still essential to a flawless presentation. Pair these methods with innovative technologies and your audience are sure to be hooked. Article produced by a leading UK business card provider: Where The Trade Buys. Sources
Rhodar has completed a 26-week project to remove asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and demolish the derelict Old Vic pub, which was situated on top of a live railway tunnel, above one of the South East’s busiest railway lines connecting the area with London. Further enabling works undertaken included the design and installation of a waterproof membrane to the exposed tunnel arch and permanent fill solution to the basement surrounding the tunnel, ready for the following development consisting of a new station forecourt and entrance to Maidstone East Station. Having been derelict for over ten years, and with a considerable amount of weather damage compromising the internal structure, Rhodar was appointed as principal contractor directly by Network Rail and tasked with asbestos removal and the coordinated controlled demolition of the building. Due to the building’s position over a live railway line, the demolition had to be carefully planned and managed to minimise any stress or impact placed on the Week Street rail tunnel below. Prior to demolition Rhodar’s expert team began by removing all timber flooring from the ground floor to allow the exposed basement to be backfilled with 6F2 crushed concrete. The basement voids surrounding the tunnel were filled to a height of 600mm above the crown of the tunnel, which added weight to the tunnel to compensate for the reduction in applied loads from the demolition of the building and also acted as an ‘impact mat’ to evenly spread any excess loads across the whole tunnel structure. This allowed for a 47-tonne high reach excavator to be positioned over the tunnel at the rear of the site, with its 28m reach being used to take the building down floor-by-floor, negating the need for any internal access by personnel. Due to the limited internal access available and the potential for unknown asbestos being present within the material being removed from the floors and internal walls, each load removed by the excavator was segregated and inspected in a lay down area by asbestos trained operatives under a watch and brief process at ground level. Any hazardous materials discovered were removed by hand and disposed of as asbestos waste. A fully designed scaffold was erected around the building and fully monoflexed to give safe access to the roof and upper floors. This was later adapted to act as a demolition screen to ensure safe working and to minimise any disturbance from dust and debris to the local area. With the site situated next to the town’s main station, adjacent to the shopping centre and on a busy thoroughfare for both traffic and pedestrians, Rhodar deployed several operations to minimise disruption, including traffic management solutions and overnight town centre road closures to allow delivery and collection of large excavators and plant. Andrew Fisk, director of demolition at Rhodar, said: “This high-profile project at the heart of Maidstone included a live railway line, tunnel structure and the need to avoid any disruption to Network Rail and the surrounding areas, combining to add a further degree of complexity. “The team created a bespoke project plan for Network Rail to ensure that the demolition was delivered to the highest standard in a safe and controlled way, setting the foundations for the next stage of development at Maidstone East railway station.”
The Grade II* listed Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) headquarters has celebrated a major landmark in its redevelopment, with a topping out ceremony in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. Professor Derek Alderson, President of the RCS, was joined by Sir James Wates, chairman of Wates Group, whose construction arm is carrying out the heritage project, to mark the occasion of reaching the highest point of the build. The RCS began as the Company of Barber-Surgeons, established in 1540, and has been based at Lincoln’s Inn Fields since 1796. The historic home of advanced surgical education in the capital is being refurbished to enable it to continue providing the best learning, examination and research resources for the nation’s surgeons, while retaining elements of its illustrious history. In 2019, the number of people waiting for operations across the NHS rose to 4.4million, increasing the urgency of training more surgeons to cope with demand. With the introduction of new robotic, AI and VR technology in surgery, the shape of surgical training is also changing. The £75m redevelopment of the RCS will provide a modern learning facility that will play an integral role in training the next generation of surgical practitioners. As a specialist in heritage works, Wates Construction has ensured the historic neo-classical frontage, heavily influenced by Charles Barry, the architect behind the House of Parliament, will be maintained. Humidity control in the library spaces will preserve the historic timber construction, while the Hunterian Museum, which opened in 1813, is being expanded to occupy the majority of the ground floor, allowing greater accessibility to the museum’s internationally-important historical collections when it reopens in 2021. Upon completion, the Royal College of Surgeons will have an environmentally friendly building, incorporating a highly insulated, air-tight envelope to ensure thermal and energy efficiency; photovoltaic panels on the roof providing a sustainable energy source; and space for 120+ cyclists to store bikes and shower, encouraging greener travel in the capital. Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Alderson said: “This marks an important milestone in transforming our treasured home and the world-famous Hunterian museum. We will create a modern, state-of-the-art headquarters for training the next generation of surgeons, and to continue our long history of supporting the exchange of learning and ideas on the future of surgery. The building has been designed to retain our rich surgical heritage, while embracing the cutting-edge future of modern surgery. “The RCS has over 27,000 members across the UK and internationally. Our new building will be the nerve centre for the development and proliferation of the best surgical training techniques and practice in the world. Surgical skills taught here in the coming century, will radiate into operating theatres around the world, for the benefit of millions of patients.” Mark Craig, Operations Director at Wates Construction London, added: “The RCS requires modernised facilities to help it continue improving surgical standards through education, research and clinical performance. At the same time, it has a tremendously rich heritage going back hundreds of years in central London, which it is important to preserve. “This is just the type of challenging build that our team love, using modern methods of construction to balance proud history with the need for a facility fit for the 21st century. Best of all, once construction is complete, the RCS will have a world-class home for its community of trainees and surgeons, its museum and library, supporting its mission of driving forward the standard of surgical practice through years to come.” Wates’ extensive portfolio of heritage projects across London also includes the refurbishment of the V&A Museum extension at Exhibition Road, the Metropolitan Police Service’s Grade II listed Hammersmith Police Station and multiple buildings on Parliament’s Westminster estates.
Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, has released two new installation videos for its market leading range of Pocket Door Pro and Husky Soft Stop systems. Launched early 2019, Pocket Door Pro and Husky Soft Stop, although new to the market, have quickly grown to become two of the company’s most popular products due to their high quality design, flexible functionality options and easy installation. The company has now developed two high quality installation videos in order to complement the product offering. Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager at P C Henderson, “Since launching our first set of installation videos back in 2015 – we’ve gone onto develop a total of 17 videos which have been watched by almost half a million people worldwide – making them the most popular of their kind. Due to the popularity of our Pocket Door Pro and Husky Soft Stop products, we know our latest videos are going to be a big hit”. Developed in the company’s in house studio, with the help of an outside agency, the videos detail the tools required and kit contents before guiding customers through the installation process step by step, highlighting ‘top tips’ along the way. Featuring a realistic CGI background, the videos enable customers to see what the products will look like in situ – providing a realistic demonstration. “Developing tools to make our customers lives easier is always a fundamental part of our marketing strategy – the videos have been an extremely successful development. Customers can view them on our website, scan the QR code on our paper fitting instructions or, if you’re a P C Henderson distributor, embed them onto your own website. “They’re also a great way to instill confidence, customers can watch the videos prior to purchase and see just how easy our kit packs are to install”, continued Stephanie. Currently receiving over 10,000 views a month, the videos are available for the majority of P C Henderson’s kit pack sliding door hardware products which are predominantly aimed towards the DIY market. P C Henderson offers a wide range of sliding and folding door hardware catering for maximum door weights of between 9kg and 8000kg. As well as kit packs the company also offer a large selection of commercial and industrial door hardware, with plans to develop more technical videos for this side of the business in future. To view the installation videos or to find out more about P C Henderson’s range of sliding and folding door hardware visit www.pchenderson.com/installation-videos or email marketing@pchenderson.com
There has long been a stereotype surrounding the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) industries. Unfortunately, despite the stereotype being very out dated, its presence still lingers, with women in the industry still at a very low level. Unfortunately, the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineer professionals across Europe, with countries such as Cyprus showing close to three times as many women in similar roles. Throughout this article we will focus on women’s relationship with the STEM and manufacturing industries. The impression most have on the sector is manual labour, long working hours and rows of assembly lines. While this may not be the case, a survey carried out by Women in Manufacturing (WiM) found that almost three quarters of women would not consider a career in manufacturing as a viable option. Selling the industry to women may seem like a fairly complex task, but in order to want to fill a job yourself, you must be able to envisage yourself in it first. For a woman, looking at a male dominated industry, it is virtually impossible for them to do so. Therefore, to encourage more women, companies need to have more women — starting at the top. In 2018, it was reported by the FTSE 100 that there had been a rise in female held directorships. Despite the number of female executive directorships remaining the same between 2017 and 2018, directorships rose from 294 to 305, a rise of 1.3%. Out of these 100 companies, those in the construction and building sector only featured twice. An industry of untapped talent When looking at why more women are moving into the industry, the first point worth considering is how much of an untapped industry it is. A 2016 survey found how manufacturing had the largest pool of untapped talent, simply because there were very few women in the roles previously. Not only is there an abundance of female staff available, they are also highly qualified, most possessing not only a bachelor’s but a supplementary master’s degree. Unfortunately, 51 per cent of women who work in the sector state that they have been treated worse because they are female. This moves away from stereotypes however and into a dangerous position of discrimination. Women being in these roles has proved to be beneficial not only in plugging the gender gap, but also for the company’s profitability themselves. Research suggest that every 10 per cent increase in gender diversity relates to a 3.5 percent increase in gross profit. Marci Bonham, Managing Director of Hilti, proposes ‘that supporting women as they take their first management steps within the industry will have a positive impact overall’. The Shine Theory Here is where shine theory makes its appearance. This is because it carries significant relevance to women trying to crack the heavily dominated male industries. The workplace can be a hard place for anyone starting new, but for a woman starting off in a new role surrounded by mainly men — well the aforementioned stats speak for themselves. The shine theory concentrates on how women can progress if they were befriending other females in the work place instead of battling against them. Effectively, this American concept emphasises how surrounding yourself with positive and successful women will create a positive atmosphere within. Early development In 2018, a study by the Guardian discovered that women constitute only 14.4% of all people working within STEM in the UK. This is despite the fact they make-up almost half of the work force. The best way of encouraging this, is to establish more prominent idol like figures within these subject areas. Take for example Brian Cox, it is easier for young boys interested in getting into physics to relate to him. Alternatively, Donna Strickland, a physicist from Canada, became only the third woman ever to win the Nobel Prize award for her science. Her name, along with others who achieved spectacular heights needs to be promoted throughout kids of a young age. However, this should not to detract from the unimaginable advancements which have been made. In 1918, women over earned the right to vote, while women being accredited for such contributions to science as Donna Strickland, is certainly a recent development. Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are becoming more popular as the traditional degree route is proving to not be for everyone. The statistics for the sectors women are choosing to carry out apprenticeships in doesn’t bode well in supporting this plug of the gender gap. Subject areas including learning support, travel services, and beauty therapy, all had 80% or more female applicants. On the other hand, vehicle maintenance and repair, gas industry, and construction skills all had below 10%. Here, we look at two companies who continue to push to enhance the number of females on their apprenticeship schemes: British Gas There was an emphasis by the energy provider placed on getting women to apply for their apprenticeship scheme. They did this by offering examples of applicants with examples of some of their highest achieving female members of staff. They similarly draw upon the fact, that by putting more women into male dominated apprenticeships, the gender pay gap is likely to be bridged. Lookers Lookers, one of Centrica’s Top 100 employers, sell a range of automobiles, including the new Ford Transit, launched its female apprentice network last year with the scheme being based around setting up regular meetings between female apprentices, providing them with the opportunity to share their new-found knowledge and experiences. Civil Engineering Consultancy, Patrick Parsons, is also an example of this. Sources:
Leading North West property developer, Torus, has broken ground on an exciting new development in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle which will see 56 modern one and two bedroom apartments created for Rent to Buy and sale. With sites across Liverpool, St Helens and Cheshire and an ambitious new build programme of 5,300 homes by 2024, Torus is one of the largest developers of affordable homes in the North West. The James Street investment of £9.8m will see Torus partnering with Crossfield Construction, a division of Speke-based Crossfield Group, and international award-winning architects, Brock Carmichael. More than 150 people will be employed during the build to regenerate the former brownfield site. Local suppliers will be used wherever possible, helping to harness the potential that exists in the city and unlock opportunities for the wider community. Crossfield Group has a number of projects already underway in the Baltic Triangle, including the Baltic View scheme to create 130 one, two and three bedroom apartments for the private rental market, and a four star hotel on the site of the former Liver Grease Oil and Chemicals building. Chris Bowen, Managing Director of Torus Developments, said: “St James Street historically housed a number of small terraced properties which were demolished in the mid-20th Century, so we are excited to reinvigorate the area and once again see it as a residential site. “St James Street is in the heart of the Baltic Triangle and the development will put residents at the creative epicenter of Liverpool. This contemporary development is an important step in providing much need affordable housing options in the city center and as a developer we are passionate about giving people the opportunity to live in locations which may otherwise be unattainable.” Michael Macaulay, Commercial Director at Crossfield Group, said: “This scheme is part of our ongoing commitment to regenerating the Baltic Triangle as we have a further two developments underway on adjacent plots of land, each of which is seeing derelict and disused sites brought back into use. “The fact that our partnership with Torus will lead to 56 affordable new homes is even better as it will help contribute to the continued demand for high quality living space in the City.” Leading North West property developer, Torus, has broken ground on an exciting new development in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle which will see multiple one and two bedroom apartments created for Rent to Buy. With sites across Liverpool, St Helens and Cheshire and an ambitious new build programme of 5,300 homes by 2024, Torus is one of the largest developers of affordable homes in the North West. The James Street investment of £9.8m will see Torus partnering with Crossfield Construction, a division of Speke-based Crossfield Group, and international award-winning architects, Brock Carmichael. More than 150 people will be employed during the build to regenerate the former brownfield site. Local suppliers will be used wherever possible, helping to harness the potential that exists in the city and unlock opportunities for the wider community. Crossfield Group has a number of projects already underway in the Baltic Triangle, including the Baltic View scheme to create 130 one, two and three bedroom apartments for the private rental market, and a four star hotel on the site of the former Liver Grease Oil and Chemicals building. Chris Bowen, Managing Director of Torus Developments, said: “St James Street historically housed a number of small terraced properties which were demolished in the mid-20th Century, so we are excited to reinvigorate the area and once again see it as a residential site. “St James Street is in the heart of the Baltic Triangle and the development will put residents at the creative epicenter of Liverpool. This contemporary development is an important step in providing much need affordable housing options in the city center and as a developer we are passionate about giving people the opportunity to live in locations which may otherwise be unattainable.” Michael Macaulay, Commercial Director at Crossfield Group, said: “This scheme is part of our ongoing commitment to regenerating the Baltic Triangle as we have a further two developments underway on adjacent plots of land, each of which is seeing derelict and disused sites brought back into use. “The fact that our partnership with Torus will lead to 56 affordable new homes is even better as it will help contribute to the continued demand for high quality living space in the City.” “The fact that our partnership with Torus will lead to 56 affordable new homes is even better as it will help contribute to the continued demand for high quality living space in the City.”