Kenneth Booth

How to deal with undeclared rental income

Before we go into the specifics, there are a number of key points that you need to acknowledge when it comes to dealing with undeclared rental income: It is now more important than ever to ensure your tax affairs are up to date. Government systems are much improved and offer

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Eight quick changes to improve warehouse security

Warehouses can be a common target for criminals – if they are not properly secured, they represent an opportunity for someone to get in and steal stock, equipment, or even sensitive data such as financial information. Thankfully, however, with warehouse security there are many small changes that you can make

Read More »

J F FINNEGAN APPOINTED TO CONSTRUCT AVION (PLOT 3C) AERO CENTRE, DONCASTER

Trebor Developments has appointed Sheffield based Construction Contractor J F Finnegan to construct Avion Plot 3C, Aero Centre, First Avenue, Finningley, Doncaster. Plot 3C Aero Centre, located at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, consists of the construction of two industrial/logistics units totaling approximately 105,111 sq ft, inclusive of first floor office accommodation. 

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Detecting Sagging Roofs Early

Have you ever noticed a house whose roof looks curved and drooping instead of straight and wondered what is happening? This is a sagging roof. It can range from a simple problem to a more complicated one where you need a professional. This can be worrying. A little sag does

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CHANDLERS BUILDING SUPPLIES SHORTLISTED FOR SIX BUILDERS’ MERCHANTS AWARDS

Chandlers Building Supplies, renowned throughout the industry for its charitable outreach programme has been nominated for an incredible six awards at the forthcoming Builders’ Merchants Awards. This includes ‘Best Community Initiative’ for its charity football tournament with partner ‘Celeb FC’. The tournament and family fun day raised over £5,000 for charities, adding to

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PROTEUS FACADES BRINGS NEW LIFE TO ABANDONED BUILDING

A derelict building on the edge of Northampton city centre has been transformed into a striking 21st century educational facility, thanks in part to mirror-polished, perforated panels from Proteus Facades. What was once the Royal Mail Sorting Office on Barrack Road, has now been redeveloped into an iconic school featuring

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Latest Issue
Issue 343 : Aug 2026

Kenneth Booth

Ready for take-off: Stephen George + Partners’ £7million Norwich Airport project starts on site

Stephen George + Partners (SGP), one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, is celebrating the start on site of its first airside project to be under construction. A ground breaking ceremony marked the official construction start of the £7million 54,000 sq ft maintenance hangar and 15,500 sqft workshop facility at Norwich International Airport for Rigby Group plc, owners of Regional City Airports. The new hangar facility, which is designed to service two Boeing 737 aircraft, will  accommodate the expansion of KLM UK engineering group, providing additional capacity to offer aircraft maintenance and repair services to customers worldwide. Ian Yallop, Chairman of SGP: “We have been able to apply our extensive experience of large and small-scale industrial units to the project at Norwich Airport, to create a facility that meets KLM UK’s engineering needs as well as reinforcing Norwich Airport’s position as a leader in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.” “The design of this type of project is very technical and requires a detailed knowledge of airport operations. CAA requirements are focused on safeguarding flights and we had to think in a new way – working from the sky downwards and taking into account a range of variables including radar requirements, wind shear and navigation systems. The workshop is 7.5m to its haunch and the hangar 13.0m and will be constructed using a Twin-Therm wall system, with Euroclad cladding, profiled to break up radar bounce back. This is an important milestone for SGP and although we have worked on several masterplans and designs for other regional and national airports, this is the first that has reached construction stage. We are looking forward to expanding this new and fascinating sector.”

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Household Crime Stats 2019: Males More Likely To Be Victims of Household Crime

A recent study has found that males are more likely to be victims of household crime. Data uncovered shows that during the first quarter of 2019, males experienced more household crime, with over 20,000 reported cases, as opposed to females, who reported just over 13,000. The research, found by More4Doors, also discovered the areas which saw the most crime in Q1 of 2019. The South East of England was the worst, with over 4,400 reported crimes, while the North East only had 2,008 reported household crimes during the same period. When studying victims of household crime, those who were employed experienced the most, with over 21,000 cases reported by those in full or part-time work, while students were the least likely to be burgled, with just 368 reports during the first quarter of the year. When looking at age ranges, those who were aged between 45 to 54 experienced the most crime, with those aged between 16 and 24 experiencing the least. The study has also revealed that those who live in a semi-detached house are the most likely to experience household crime. It was found that over 10,000 semi-detached homes were victims of crime, compared to flats which saw just 5,000 reported crimes in the first three months of 2019. Terraced houses also saw a high number of household crimes, as did detached residential properties. The study also looked at homeowners versus renters and found that those who own their property experienced the most household crime (over 21,000 reports) while renting tenants experienced just over 11,000 cases. These alarming statistics come just weeks before Christmas, the time of year when both homeowners and renters should be a lot more vigilant when it comes to crime. Ensuring your home is properly secure during this time is essential. Burglars are well aware that while you are out enjoying the season’s festivities, there are plenty of expensive Christmas presents nestled under your tree. Leaving doors or windows unlocked are prime opportunities for those who prey on homeowners or renters leaving their home security to chance. More4Doors, a door handle and door locks retailer, has a number of tips on ensuring the security of your home this festive season. Keep doors locked at all times, even when you are in the house. If you are upstairs, burglars can easily sneak in unnoticed, so make sure you keep exterior doors locked at all times. This should also apply to large windows which can be climbed through, especially any which are just above extensions or conservatories. Make sure all your household locks are working properly. Any fault on a door lock can be an opportunity for a burglar. Even if it just needs a small fix, it’s worth sorting. If possible, add more than one lock to your exterior doors for added security. Check all windows are locked shut before leaving the house. It can be easy to miss an open window and leave it open. Don’t leave mail or flyers hanging out the letterbox. This can be a signal to burglars that you aren’t home. Don’t forget to check the locks on your garage are working properly. These are prime targets for burglars as many homeowners generally don’t have good working locks on garage doors or side doors. Try not to leave boxes out near your bins. An empty TV box or games console packaging is a clear indication to burglars that you have items in the home worth stealing, so make sure you dispose of these a little more discreetly.

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How to deal with undeclared rental income

Before we go into the specifics, there are a number of key points that you need to acknowledge when it comes to dealing with undeclared rental income: It is now more important than ever to ensure your tax affairs are up to date. Government systems are much improved and offer greater visibility on individuals who are not up to date. If you have only recently acquired a rental property, it may be possible to get things up to date by completing relevant tax returns. The Let Property Campaign is helping individuals with many years of undeclared income. A property tax specialist will help you to get things up to date whilst also minimising the tax, interest and penalties due. They will also reduce the potential stress or worry, acting as a barrier between the individual and HMRC. If you own one or more rental properties, then you need to ensure they’re all correctly dealing with their tax situation. HMRC have become stricter on landlords and government systems have been improved recently to cross reference Land Registry records with tax returns to identify those who aren’t up to date. Most mortgage lenders are also requiring the submission of tax returns to them prior to making a mortgage or re-mortgage offer. You must submit your tax return by the 31st January following the tax year. This means that it is often possible to deal with tax issues up to 18 months or more after an individual begins receiving rental income.  HMRC will also often accept tax returns going back at least one further year, but this is by agreement in each case. HMRC had started a project called The Let Property Campaign, which aims to encourage individuals to rectify their tax affairs. It has been ongoing for a number of years and offers an easier way to rectify your tax affairs, particularly where there may be a number of years to deal with.  Individuals that come forward under the scheme are promised a ‘lower penalty’ than if HMRC raise an enquiry.  There is no deadline for the campaign but acting sooner prevents any risk that HMRC will raise an enquiry first and put the case on a track that will likely result in higher penalties. Many landlords have come forward over the last few years to declare their tax affairs and get them up to date. Understanding the best approach and the way to minimise penalties and other potential payments comes from experience and understanding the attitude and approach of HMRC.  It is therefore best to work with a property tax expert that has experience dealing with undeclared rental income and property tax investigations. Source:

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Eight quick changes to improve warehouse security

Warehouses can be a common target for criminals – if they are not properly secured, they represent an opportunity for someone to get in and steal stock, equipment, or even sensitive data such as financial information. Thankfully, however, with warehouse security there are many small changes that you can make that will constitute a huge difference. With a secure warehouse staff will feel safer, and you can have the peace of mind that your property has many deterrents against crime. Here we take a look at eight changes you can make to improve security at your warehouse. Install CCTV There is no doubt that CCTV is one of the most effective security measures for warehouses. Not only does having CCTV cameras ensure that you have a visual record of what happens in and around your premises in the event of a crime taking place. It also acts as a brilliant visual deterrent against vandalism, theft, and antisocial behaviour. Make sure that when you have your CCTV installed you also put up plenty of signs, alerting people to their presence. Use out-of-hours security patrols Of course, it is often the case that warehouses are most at risk when there are no staff on duty. This provides the opportunity for criminals to observe the property without being noticed by anyone, and means they can gain access to premises unopposed. This is why it can be a great idea to work with an external security provider to have out-of-hours security patrols. Add motion detecting lights Motion sensing lights might not sound like much of a boost to your warehouse security, but you might be surprised at the difference that they can make. Often it is more than enough for criminals skulking around your property to see a light come on – it stops them from being able to work in the dark. Additionally, these motion detectors can provide alerts to security personnel so that they can investigate the situation. Get security feedback from your team Perhaps one of the most important things that every warehouse owner could do to improve security is to get feedback from the people who are working there all day. It is your staff who will understand best the security challenges that the organisation faces, and areas of risk and vulnerability. It is a great idea to regularly speak to staff or even give them the opportunity to submit written ideas on what could be done to improve security at your warehouse. Limit access with fencing Sometimes it is the obvious things that make a difference to security. Fencing is visually striking and shows any member of the public where they are permitted to go and where they are not. This is another example of a security that acts a simple deterrent in the fact that it tells any potential criminal that your warehouse takes its security seriously. Fencing can be installed at obvious parts of your property to make it appear inaccessible to individuals. Introduce RFID-enabled ID badges Many warehouses utilise RFID (radio frequency identification) in order to track goods and items – and just as RFID can be used to track stock as it moves through your ware house, it can also be used to track staff. This can be a very effective way to maintain security at all times, as well as preventing theft and ensuring best practice. IDs also help you to understand if someone is in a part of the building that they shouldn’t be. Promote cyber security Remember that security is not just a physical matter. It is also important for your business to be secure from a cyber perspective. This means taking care of passwords, and providing staff with training on how to be secure when using internet-enabled devices in your warehouse. Hire a security specialist Of course, if you have specific concerns over security of you have experience a number of incidents, then it can actually be best to work with an external security specialist. They will be able to recommend a customised security operation that is suited to the exact needs of your business. This can be the way to ensure that your business premises are as secure as possible.

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J F FINNEGAN APPOINTED TO CONSTRUCT AVION (PLOT 3C) AERO CENTRE, DONCASTER

Trebor Developments has appointed Sheffield based Construction Contractor J F Finnegan to construct Avion Plot 3C, Aero Centre, First Avenue, Finningley, Doncaster. Plot 3C Aero Centre, located at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, consists of the construction of two industrial/logistics units totaling approximately 105,111 sq ft, inclusive of first floor office accommodation.  Site preparation works are already underway and the project is scheduled for completion in June 2020. J F Finnegan are no strangers to working in this region having delivered the Concrete Sleeper Production Facility at Ten Pound Walk for Trackwork Moll Limited and Warehouse & Office Units at First Point Business Park for The Catesby Property Group. Dawa Singh, Head of Pre-Construction at J F Finnegan commented, “We are delighted to have secured this project and look forward to working with Trebor Developments. J F Finnegan has played a significant role in similar schemes within the South Yorkshire region for over 70 years.” Commenting on the appointment Mark Wright, Partner at Trebor Developments, added, “We are very pleased to make the appointment of J F Finnegan to construct our “Avion”, Aero Centre, project, which we are developing in conjunction with our partners, Hillwood.  JF Finnegan has a first-class track record and we look forward to seeing these leading edge, high quality industrial/logistic buildings coming out of the ground in the New Year and be available for occupation in June 2020.”

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Detecting Sagging Roofs Early

Have you ever noticed a house whose roof looks curved and drooping instead of straight and wondered what is happening? This is a sagging roof. It can range from a simple problem to a more complicated one where you need a professional. This can be worrying. A little sag does not mean there is an imminent danger of its collapse. It is however a sign telling you to take some necessary actions. How Do You Know You Have a Sagging Roof? You will need to inspect it to know. You can check out a few ways to find out here. You can inspect it both from outside and inside. To inspect from inside the house, you need to get into the attic. Be sure you have a source of light bright enough to see every part. The roof should have a shape of a triangle combining the rafters and the beam that holds them. If you notice an unevenness when it is not designed that way, then you have a sagging roof. To inspect from outside, check from the side of the house and not from the end. See where the ridge of the roof is and measure with a straight plank or maybe a ruler. If it varies in contour from the straightedge, you most likely have a problem. If it is sagging, it can be repaired and reinforced. So, the earlier you detect it and take steps to correct it before it deteriorates into a bigger one, the better for you. Causes of Sagging Several individual factors may be responsible for sagging. It could also be a collection of these different individual factors. This website https://homereference.net/sagging-roof/ aims to explain these factors in detail. They include: Water Although Roofs are designed for optimal drainage, if the gutter system is flawed or a damaged shingle or any other thing impedes the flow of water from it, rainwater and snow can gather on it. Over time, due to poor ventilation in the attic, trapped moisture creates an environment for mold and mildew to grow which weakens it and causes it to deteriorate and sag. If this is the case, the first step will be to address the problem that eventually led to the sagging. Too Much Weight A roof is designed to handle a specific weight. Excess weight from ice and snow can cause it to sag. If you suspect this, call a professional to clear the ice. Also, structural problems and design issues like insufficient sheaths, undersized or inadequate number of rafters may not provide the needed support for the weight it is carrying. Excess layers of shingles and materials might also lead to too much weight. Inadequate Rafters and Joints Improperly constructed rafters or joints can lead to this. The weight of the roof pushes down on the ridge line then it is distributed to the rafters, joints and walls.  A poorly constructed one will over time become structurally inadequate. Age An average roof lasts between 15 to about 30 years when properly maintained and based on the climate and weather of where you live. They start to deteriorate when they reach the end of their lifespan. Other Causes These may include poor quality of materials and faulty installation. This is a good reason to get good contractors to handle the installation process. Also, a sinking foundation can cause a house to sag and ultimately affect the roof. What to do Find out if your roof is sagging by carrying out a personal assessment of it. Contact a professional to assess it if it’s beyond you. Check your home insurance coverage to see if a roof repair or replacement is covered. If it is covered, get all the documents needed to file a claim for a repair or replacement. File a claim with the insurance company. Have a professional fix it as it as soon as possible. Conclusion If you notice or suspect any issue, it is wise to take steps to fix it immediately. This is so as not to make it worse and by implication, more expensive to fix. If left unrepaired, it could eventually cave in and can cause more damage to your house. It could also cause injury or death to someone. Don’t forget that there could be one or more combined reasons why it is sagging. Let the professional assess and check all possible scenarios so you are sure that the root cause is discovered and fixed.

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CHANDLERS BUILDING SUPPLIES SHORTLISTED FOR SIX BUILDERS’ MERCHANTS AWARDS

Chandlers Building Supplies, renowned throughout the industry for its charitable outreach programme has been nominated for an incredible six awards at the forthcoming Builders’ Merchants Awards. This includes ‘Best Community Initiative’ for its charity football tournament with partner ‘Celeb FC’. The tournament and family fun day raised over £5,000 for charities, adding to the sum raised by the business for good causes this year. Other charity endeavours undertaken in 2019 include the 180 km cycling ‘7 Port Challenge’ and the annual ‘Pavestone Rally’ where Chandlers Building Supplies’ team emerged as the overall winner. In addition, Angela Straker, branch manager of the recently refurbished Chandlers Building Supplies site in Banstead, is shortlisted for two awards – ‘Independent Merchant Achiever of the Year’ and ‘Branch Manager of the Year’. Other awards Chandlers Building Supplies is shortlisted for are: ‘Timber Merchant of the Year’, ‘Training Initiative of the Year’ and ‘Independent Builders’ Merchant of the Year’.  Sue McKinney, Chandlers Building Supplies, said; “Being finalists for six prestigious awards is a wonderful way to end the year. As well as opening new branches and revamping existing ones, we have raised a record amount for charity and reinvested in improvements to our facilities for staff and customers. We are especially proud to have been recognised for our training initiative. Staff are central to our success, as evidenced by Angela’s nomination for two awards. We wish all the nominees the best of luck and look forward to celebrating on the day.”   The 2019 awards will be held on Friday 22, November at the London Hilton, Park Lane and will be hosted by three-time Olympic medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes DBE. Chandlers Building Supplies Limited and Parker Building Supplies Limited (Parkers) recently announced that they have merged, with the support of strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital. The new enlarged company has 37 branches operating from the Midlands to the South East, with over 750 employees. For more information visit https://chandlersbs.co.uk

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PROTEUS FACADES BRINGS NEW LIFE TO ABANDONED BUILDING

A derelict building on the edge of Northampton city centre has been transformed into a striking 21st century educational facility, thanks in part to mirror-polished, perforated panels from Proteus Facades. What was once the Royal Mail Sorting Office on Barrack Road, has now been redeveloped into an iconic school featuring a reflective Proteus SC Perforated Stainless Steel façade. After closing due to a fire in 2003, the building remained uninhabited for over a decade and fell into disrepair. Once described as an eyesore of the city, the structure has now been given a new lease of life as Northampton International Academy. Helping to respond to a significant requirement for school places in the city, Architecture Initiative identified the old sorting office as the ideal space for the new state-of-the-art school. Working closely with the local authority, the London-based architects redesigned the colossal, brutalist building, which was originally opened by Princess Diana on her first solo engagement in 1981, into an education hub filled with natural light. The Proteus SC Perforated panels installed at Northampton International Academy cleverly mask the monolithic appearance of the original structure, whilst not completely hiding this brutalist piece of architecture. The mirror polished surface on the face of the panels reflects the skyline giving the impression that the building is less imposing. Reducing the perforation sizes from the middle of the façade to the top and bottom edges, maximises translucency, whilst acting as brise soleil, providing shade from solar glare and preventing over-heating to the teaching spaces. The single skin perforated panels were manufactured from a sheet of 2mm Stainless Steel, which offers the ideal combination of high strength and a modern, progressive aesthetic. The material also holds excellent corrosion resistant properties. Each panel, installed by Deane Roofing & Cladding, is supported by the Proteus aluminium carrier system and ancillary components anchored to a cantilever steel frame from the underlying masonry structure. These allowed the panels to be hooked-on from behind, accentuating the sheer, smooth façade interrupted only by the perforated design. Northamptonshire is known for its history of crafting leather goods, particularly the art of traditional shoemaking. So taking the design process one step further, Proteus Facades worked closely with Architecture Initiative to create perforations that acknowledge this heritage; with the holes on each panel positioned to imitate those found on a Northampton-made brogue-style shoe. In addition, careful placement of the small and large perforations allows natural light to pass through and flood the interior of the school, whilst the metal façade is rendered virtually invisible from the inside. This innovative approach is just one of the reasons Northampton International Academy was named one of the “boldest” buildings of 2019 by the Royal Institute of British Architects. With a floor area of 22,250m2 and generous high ceilings, the academy, run by the EMLC Academy Trust, accommodates over 2,220 pupils, including 420 primary, 1,500 secondary and 300 sixth formers. The front of the school houses two illuminated signage boxes that indicate separate entrances for primary and secondary pupils, which perfectly complement the mirror polish of the Proteus SC panels. Proteus SC is an engineered panel system that is available in either solid, perforated or expanded mesh formats, and in an extensive range of metals, colours, textures and forms. The system is available between 1mm and 5mm in thickness and can be specified with an acoustic insulation layer encapsulated within the panel. For internal applications Proteus Facades can also provide contrasting fabric inserts when the panels are perforated. Delivered by Northamptonshire County Council with funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and developed by Contractor, Vinci Construction, Northampton International Academy is one of the largest education conversion projects in the country. For further information about Proteus SC or to view more inspirational rainscreen facades from Proteus Facades, visit: www.proteusfacades.com or call: 0151 545 5075.

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Things can only get Beza: two local brands with an international flavour open at Elephant Park

Two south London-based eateries have opened their doors to the public at Elephant Park – the £2.3bn development that is taking shape in Elephant & Castle.  KOI Ramen Bar is bringing southern Japanese flavours to south London, and customers will find a small menu that is big on flavour. The team, led by Ming Chan and Hiroko Takata, will specialise in Tonkotsu Ramen, a creamy pork broth that is cooked for 16 hours and served over noodles. Beza is a traditional Ethiopian restaurant that uses plant-based and seasonal ingredients to serve a range of authentic dishes from a 100 per cent vegan menu. Beza was previously a tenant at Artworks Elephant, a temporary pop-up retail park that was created to provide community-led space for start-ups and small businesses in the area. With an increasing number of retailers moving into the development, Elephant Park is rapidly becoming one of the most desirable areas to live, work or visit in south London. Kristy Lansdown, Project Director of Elephant Park for Lendlease, said: “Having Beza and KOI Ramen Bar open their doors has made this corner of south London feel even more special. They are the first of a series of openings for local restaurants with a truly international feel at Elephant Park, and we are very proud to have them here.” Ming Chan, of KOI Ramen Bar, said: “We are so happy to be here in our first proper shop in Elephant & Castle and cannot wait to serve our Ramen to all the locals around here.  We’re excited to be in this fast growing development,  and look forward to seeing everyone’s faces over the next few years.” Beza Ethio, Founder of the eponymous brand, said: “We approached Lendlease at Artworks Elephant with the hope that their drive to support small brands at the temporary space would help us grow. We are delighted to see this come to fruition, with our first-ever permanent restaurant space, and look forward to serving the local community, many of whom already know us well.”

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KAM Project Consultants bolsters its Milton Keynes office with four new hires

KAM Project Consultants has expanded its Milton Keynes team with four new hires for the cost management team from graduate to senior levels. Leann Rodney, senior cost manager, will be responsible for employer’s agent duties, plus pre and post contract cost management. She has 12 years’ experience in the industry and degrees in business administration and quantity surveying and is qualified MRICS. Cost manager Sheldon Farrell has also joined KAM. With a degree in quantity surveying and over four years’ experience in the industrial and commercial sectors, he is well equipped to provide services to projects in KAM’s core sector of industrial. Saahib Reehal and Paul Moloyos have both joined the team as graduate cost managers. As part of their structured training programme, they will be developing their careers across a variety of exciting projects. Saahib has freshly graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in quantity surveying having previously worked at VolkerFitzpatrick during a University placement year, Paul worked with the KAM team for a work experience placement in 2018 and has recently graduated from the University of Reading with a degree in quantity surveying. KAM is currently working on a number of high-profile projects across the country for developers in the industrial and commercial sectors, plus appointments for customers such as the new MRO service centre for client Gulfstream at Farnborough Airport. Kevin Sims, director at KAM Project Consultants said: “We’re pleased to announce that our Milton Keynes team is growing. To support our ever-expanding client portfolio, we have employed staff with a range of skills and experience. Career growth and development is key to our business model, and we aim to nourish our staff in their career at every level.” Leann Rodney said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the KAM team as senior cost manager and look forward to applying my expertise whilst working on an interesting range of upcoming projects.” Sheldon Farrell said: “KAM is passionate about promoting the growth of individuals, which is what attracted me to the role. I look forward to getting stuck in with the work and utilising my skillset, as well as progressing within the company.” Saahib Reehal said: “KAM is held in high regard in the industry as a progressive company with a welcoming and supportive team. I hope to bring an energetic and hardworking approach to the company, to help us complete projects to the highest possible standards.” Paul Moloyos said: “I’m delighted to be starting my career at KAM Project Consultants as a graduate cost manager. Having previously undertaken work experience at KAM, I was attracted to the company due to its continued involvement and expansion into new, large projects both in and outside of the UK, I look forward to continuing my work with the team.”

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