Regeneration specialist Brookgate, regional contractor R G Carter and fund Aviva Investors today marked the start of construction at 30 Station Road with a commencement ceremony on site. On completion in July 2021, the building will be home to a leading global tech occupier to further reinforce CB1 as Cambridge’s
FIS is proud to announce that we have secured £14K funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in collaboration with a host of industry partners. This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Agreement follows completion and sale of Unit 1, a 45,500 sq ft design and build development to Heartbeat U.K handed over in August. A joint venture between brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group and the Richardson family has today announced that it has secured a second occupier at Velocity 42,
The 2019 UK Construction Week is turning its attention to more innovative forms of building work. Since the UK is facing the biggest decrease in new work since 2009, more building companies are starting to embrace emerging technologies, especially since digital construction innovations are on the cusp of taking off across the world. This
For the vast majority of us, the dining room is the heart of the home and where a large amount of our time is spent. It is a place where we enjoy meals, host dinner parties and socialise with our friends over a bottle of wine (or several). We therefore
Leading housebuilder, Linden Homes, has completed a major land deal to deliver 745 much-needed homes in Thanet, Kent. The 54-acre development will provide a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, with 25 percent of homes on site being affordable. The site will be home to a number of
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has announced a hospital building programme, but it is just as vital to tackle a £6 billion maintenance backlog that is potentially risking the lives of patients, states a University of Huddersfield professor who chaired a national conference that dealt with the issue of healthcare infrastructure.
CHARLOTTE Booth, a chartered environmentalist with more than a decade of consultancy experience, has been appointed as associate director of sustainability and wellbeing at multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering practice, BE Design. Having grown up on an almost autonomous farm in rural Lincolnshire, Charlotte had a keen interest in protecting the
Time is running out for the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets and the way we live has to change. A big part of that will be saying goodbye to our gas and oil boilers, which the UK is looking to phase out almost completely by 2050. Indeed, in
Record breaking year to date boosted further with award of ‘Contractor of the Year’ by Yorkshire Insider. GMI Construction Group, an expanding main contractor has announced that it has been awarded ‘Contractor of the Year’ for the second year running at the prestigious Yorkshire Insider Property Industry Awards hosted on
Regeneration specialist Brookgate, regional contractor R G Carter and fund Aviva Investors today marked the start of construction at 30 Station Road with a commencement ceremony on site. On completion in July 2021, the building will be home to a leading global tech occupier to further reinforce CB1 as Cambridge’s central business district and the City’s AI hub. Once complete 30 Station Road will have the capacity to house up to 800 employees, as well as providing numerous jobs throughout the construction phase. R G Carter is an award-winning family-firm which has been providing high-quality construction services, for nearly a century, combining experience and specialist knowledge, with community engagement and a passion for innovation. 30 Station Road will join a host of high-quality buildings in the mixed-use CB1 development adjacent to Cambridge Station which has seen international companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Samsung and WeWork invest in Cambridge. The new building will be alongside 50/60 Station Road, which is now fully let, and sitting opposite 21 Station Road, currently home to Microsoft Research. The extension of the landscaped ‘linear park’ will improve the walking route for pedestrians along Station Road. Celebrating breaking ground on-site, Sven Topel, Chief Executive of Brookgate, said: “Standing on this site, opposite the first building developed in CB1, it is pleasing to see how the CB1 masterplan has been brought to life by the people now working and living here. The start of work on this site is another big step for CB1’s reputation as a sustainable central business district located around the transport hub at Cambridge Station’. Rob Carter, Director at RG Carter, said: “R G Carter is delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with Brookgate to redevelop this important area of the city and create much-needed office space for the business community. We look forward to delivering this project which will support economic and social growth in both Cambridge and the technology industry.”
FIS is proud to announce that we have secured £14K funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in collaboration with a host of industry partners. This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship. The Interior Systems occupations are both skilled and very diverse in their needs and hence it was very important to develop a model that is fit for purpose and simple for sector delivery. The end result is a Level 2 Apprenticeship that provides a core and two pathway options across a minimum of 18-month delivery. The working group, chaired by Helen Tapper from Tapper Interiors and vice president of FIS, comprised a broad group of representatives from the whole sector, including manufacturers, sub-contractors, colleges and training providers to ensure all stakeholder perspectives were covered. FIS co-ordinated the development with the Institute for Apprenticeships &Technical Education (IfATE). Helen Tapper, vice president of FIS said “this is the first time that a ‘Trailblazer’ Apprenticeship has been developed for our sector, following on from FIS becoming a consensus federation. This gives our sector the status and recognition that it so rightly deserves. It was an honour to chair a group who worked methodically and thoroughly to produce a standard, that is fit for the future of our sector. I am grateful to all group members who so readily gave their time to produce both the standard and the end point assessment” The working group agreed that a core and pathway options approach was the only way to provide the sector with the right skilled outcomes for each individual entering the industry. The core incorporates the standard skills and knowledge required of any interior systems installer and requires an end point assessment separate to a final one for their chosen specialist area. The options are -: – Drylining – methods to install different drylining systems that form the walls and rooms within a building, often used to hide wires and pipes whilst improving acoustics and create space for insulation. – Ceiling and partitions – incorporates different ceiling and partition systems within a building. used to provide different types of working environments, taking account of lighting and other fixtures. Training providers and FE colleges are now being invited to apply to deliver the standard in readiness for the new academic year. FIS have already got interest from employers in all regions interested in taking on new apprentices identified through the forward planning of FIS Skills Clinics we’ve run with our members. FIS have developed an excellent network of college and training provision that underpins all the training developed for the sector and are always keen to add more to this. Hopefully, now this standard is available for delivery and we can widen the network to enable more employers to access and encourage new entrants into the industry. Iain McIlwee, CEO at FIS said “this new standard will help raise awareness of the fantastic career opportunities and attract the 1500 new entrants needed in the finishes and interiors sector”
Agreement follows completion and sale of Unit 1, a 45,500 sq ft design and build development to Heartbeat U.K handed over in August. A joint venture between brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group and the Richardson family has today announced that it has secured a second occupier at Velocity 42, a brand-new warehouse and distribution centre development in Redditch. Unit 5 extending to 93,720 sq ft and the largest unit on the park has been let to Avon Freight Group on a new 15-year lease and comes only weeks after building works were completed on the new five-unit scheme which extends to 330,000 sq ft in total. Unit 1 at 45,500 sq ft has already been sold and is now occupied by Heartbeat UK, a design and manufacturing company. Avon Freight Group a freight/logistics operator already based in Redditch is expecting to move in with immediate effect. The signing of the lease comes at a time of rapid business expansion and new client contracts for the company creating a requirement for additional storage capacity. The facility will be used to handle food products and can store 15,000 pallets. Velocity 42 is part of a 1.1M sq ft development portfolio completed by St Francis within the last 14 months. Commenting on the lease, Gareth Williams at St Francis Group said: “We are delighted to announce the signing of a second occupier so soon after completion of the scheme. This further underpins the decision to develop these units speculatively. The three remaining units are attracting the interest of occupiers with requirements along the M42 corridor and I expect a third announcement will follow soon.” Also commenting Simon Poole, Managing Director at Avon Freight Group said: “This will allow us to not only continue in partnership with our current clients as their needs grow but also to offer a state of the art, new build storage facility for new clients.” Velocity 42 is located at the Park Farm industrial area, Redditch. The three remaining units range from 55,000 sq ft to 85,000 sq ft. Located in a key distribution area in the heart of an excellent logistics network that allows for easy access to locations across the UK, Velocity 42 is the perfect opportunity for any organisation looking to expand or consolidate its operations. Savills and JLL acted for St Francis Group and the Richardson family. Avon Freight Group were advised by local agents John Truslove. For further information visit: www.velocity-42.co.uk
The 2019 UK Construction Week is turning its attention to more innovative forms of building work. Since the UK is facing the biggest decrease in new work since 2009, more building companies are starting to embrace emerging technologies, especially since digital construction innovations are on the cusp of taking off across the world. This year’s Construction Week, held in the NEC in Birmingham, will dedicate more time than ever to this niche within the building industry. Builders will utilise digital construction to create a new slim-design concept hotel, planned to be located opposite Birmingham’s Grand Central Station, which aims to inspire building planners and nudge them towards the implementation of digital construction in more UK construction projects. A Call for Investment in Modern Equipment It is no secret that construction work within the UK lacks the vigour of a few years ago. With the continuing uncertainty of the UK’s departure from the European Union and a fear of investment from both the government and private companies, construction projects seem to have slowed or come to a halt entirely. In particular, there seems to be a lack of excitement when it comes to new building projects. This is why there are calls to focus on modernisation at UK Construction Week in a bid to inspire more foreign investors to take part in influencing the market. New technologies and digital services are a great way to boost investment in building work. For instance, startup construction companies can use a skylift rental service to build tall structures even with limited funds, while 3D printing is offering an increasingly cheap method of architectural design. These innovative products and services are exactly what’s needed to stimulate innovation in Britain’s construction industry and to draw investors to new projects. What is Digital Construction? Digital tools are far more efficient and cost-effective when it comes to construction. Digital construction is simply the application of such tools in the building process. This could include the use of online platforms that reduce the need for travel and improve communication, thereby lowering costs and speeding up the completion of a building project. Beyond this, it may go as far as using artificial intelligence to design buildings and using robots to build them. Automating as much of the process as possible cuts down on mistakes while lowering costs and speeding up construction rates. Naturally, this will lead to crucial debates about the job security of employees in the construction industry. The rate of building work in the UK is lacking, with a general sense of uncertainty negatively impacting on investment. New technology can help to lower the costs of construction and improve results. At the same time, digitisation will inject some excitement into the industry and help Britain to be a leader when it comes to modern building techniques. While UK Construction Week will focus on the digitisation of building design, the industry will need to balance this with the needs of construction workers.
For the vast majority of us, the dining room is the heart of the home and where a large amount of our time is spent. It is a place where we enjoy meals, host dinner parties and socialise with our friends over a bottle of wine (or several). We therefore want the space the look as elegant as possible. Styling our dining space does not necessarily require full-blown makeovers, mammoth budgets, or hiring specialist designers. Instead, choosing the right dining room furniture, colours and materials can help in transforming the room into something you are proud of. Bifold doors UK, a company specialising in sliding and bifold doors, windows and conservatories, explains how you can create your ideal dining room. Interior styles Firstly, decide on the style you want to create, as it will give you an idea of the type of furniture to acquire. Here are a few popular dining room themes that many homeowners opt for: Traditional Traditional dining rooms are generally used for celebratory meals, special dinners and fine dining. This particular theme consists of wooden furniture, like matching dining tables and chairs, sideboards and china cabinets. Including a striking chandelier or antique wall sconces acts as lovely accents and can tie the whole room together. Modern For a more casual, sleek and exciting setting, go for a contemporary-style dining room. A dining table made of glass, quirky pendant lights and fascinating sculptural elements may all be incorporated into a modern dining room. The combination of bright, vibrant colours, which contrast with purist tones, are found in the majority of modern homeware. Country If the rustic look appeals to you most, opt for a country-style dining room. This interior style is comprised of aged, bleached or painted woods, which have neutral or pastel colour palettes. Additionally, wooden ladder-back chairs, benches and stools are commonly used in this type of room. Dining tables Once you have identified your preferred style, your next step is to start purchasing furniture. Dining tables are, of course, the centrepiece of any dining room, so it is important to choose one which blends well with its surroundings. The average number of guests you tend to cater for and the amount of space you have to work with will determine the table shape that is most suitable. Dining tables come in several forms, such as oval, square and rectangular. They are also available in a variety of materials. Here, we outline the several different materials homeowners may choose from when purchasing a dining table: Wooden Wood is one of the most popular materials homeowners use for their dining table as it is durable, versatile and aesthetically pleasing. The table can be minimalistic or decorative, with different finishes, grains and carvings. Glass Dining tables made of glass offer a sleek and modern touch. If you have a small house, glass is a perfect choice, as it makes the room appear more spacious. It is recommended to select tempered glass, in order to provide greater robustness and prevent accidents. Marble Marble is another material that is incredibly popular in modern settings. In most cases, the marble tabletop is paired with a wooden or metal base. It is possible to find full marble tables, but these tend to be rather pricey, and due to the nature of this material, it is important to make sure your flooring can handle the weight. Dining chairs The two most common types of dining room chairs are carver chairs (with arms) and standard chairs (without arms). It is never pleasant to sit on uncomfortable chairs, so it is best to choose designs that have sufficient padding. As well as maximising your comfort, you should choose a fabric that’s durable and long-lasting. You should conduct a Martindale rub test, which quantifies the abrasion resistance of the material and ensures that your chairs will age well. Alternatively, choose a wooden ladder-back chair, shaker-style chair, or bench if you are leaning towards more of a rustic style or informal look. To maintain the shape and enhance the user’s comfort when sitting on the chair, place removable pads on the seating area. When combined, all of these elements should allow you to create a stylish and comfortable dining room, with each piece of furniture complimenting your overall theme.
Leading housebuilder, Linden Homes, has completed a major land deal to deliver 745 much-needed homes in Thanet, Kent. The 54-acre development will provide a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, with 25 percent of homes on site being affordable. The site will be home to a number of key facilities including a new medical centre, school, retail units and a care home, which will be developed by Frontier Estates, a leading developer in the healthcare sector. The land, which is allocated in Thanet District Council’s Local Plan, was purchased with planning permission and Linden Homes embarked on construction in August 2019, with full completion expected in 2028. Darren Maddox managing director at Linden Homes South East commented: “We are delighted to announce the completion of this land purchase. Kent is a target area for our business unit and this site, in particular, fits with our commitment to provide quality homes for families and first-time buyers in attractive locations. “This new development will deliver much-needed new homes as well as a wide range of community facilities which will benefit new and existing residents, as well as the local economy. Thanet District Council has set out that they need to deliver 17,140 houses by 2031 and we’re proud to be helping them meet this target.” This is the third large land deal that the top-10 housebuilder has completed this year. In April, Linden Homes completed a deal for a site in Beverley, East Yorkshire which has a development value of around £180 million and will provide 900 new homes. The developer recently partnered Scottish-based housebuilder Miller Homes to deliver 750 new homes in Chichester. For more information on Linden Homes’ land offering, visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk/land.
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has announced a hospital building programme, but it is just as vital to tackle a £6 billion maintenance backlog that is potentially risking the lives of patients, states a University of Huddersfield professor who chaired a national conference that dealt with the issue of healthcare infrastructure. Professor Mike Kagioglou is Dean of the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield and specialises in the importance of infrastructure and building design to healthcare. He was invited to chair the 2019 National NHS Estates Conference that took place in London and featured speakers who included Sir John Naylor, author of an influential review of NHS property and estates. At the close of the conference, Professor Kagioglou – co-editor of a book titled Improving Healthcare through Built Environment Infrastructure – provided a summary of the issues that had been raised and he highlighted the level of chronic under-investment in the NHS estate. “Since 2010, the UK’s capital expenditure on healthcare has gone below the OECD average [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development], so the need for investment in this area is huge. There is a £6 billion of backlog maintenance in the NHS estate, which means lives are potentially put at risk,” said Professor Kagioglou. “About half of the backlog is in critical areas,” he continued. “It can include operating theatre services that have not been maintained and electrical, mechanical and gas systems that have not been updated according to specific schedules. “There are some serious issues there in relation to the healthcare estate. They are resulting in operating on breakdown maintenance schedules rather than preventative ones,” said Professor Kagioglou, who added that many NHS trusts are in deficit, meaning the money is not available to catch up with the maintenance backlog. The Government has announced that it is to fund the building of new hospitals, but it is also vital to fix the backlog maintenance to ensure that the current infrastructure operates properly and safely, argues Professor Kagioglou. In addition to chairing the NHS Estates Conference, he has been invited to speak at the large-scale and long-established Healthcare Estates event taking place over October 9-10 in Manchester and organised by the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management. Expected to attract an attendance of 4,500 attendees and more than 250 exhibitors, the programme includes seminars and keynote addresses from experts who include Professor Kagioglou. The title of his talk is ‘Total Delivery’ of Healthcare Infrastructure for Patients, Users and Communities. Professor Kagioglou will cover topics including the contribution the built environment makes to healthcare outcomes; how evidence-based design should be used in creating health infrastructure; and how new technologies such as building information modelling can be utilised. The University of Huddersfield’s Innovative Design Lab, led by Professor Patricia Tzortzopoulos who is co-editor of titled Improving Healthcare through Built Environment Infrastructure, undertakes significant research in healthcare infrastructure and medical devices.
CHARLOTTE Booth, a chartered environmentalist with more than a decade of consultancy experience, has been appointed as associate director of sustainability and wellbeing at multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering practice, BE Design. Having grown up on an almost autonomous farm in rural Lincolnshire, Charlotte had a keen interest in protecting the environment from a young age and has since led on energy and sustainability strategies for some of the UK’s largest urban regeneration projects. “From a young age, I recognised the importance of living sustainably,” said Charlotte. “On my family’s 250-hectare arable farm, we grew the energy crop miscanthus, ran our vehicles on biofuel, designed wetlands and wildflower meadows to encourage biodiversity and heated the farmhouse via a ground source heat pump, solar thermal and PV panels. You could say that a passion for sustainability and wellbeing is in my blood. “After completing my degree in Natural Sciences at Durham University – where I specialised in climate change – I went on to study for an MSc in Building Energy and Environmental Performance Modelling at the Welsh School of Architecture. “This greatly contributed to my understanding as to the impacts of development on the environment and led me to pursue a career in the construction industry. “I’ve advised affordable housing providers, local councils and private developers on the environmental impacts of their construction projects. I’ve worked closely with teams to project manage multi-million-pound masterplanning and regeneration schemes. Seeing low carbon, sustainable and biophilic-focussed designs come to fruition is incredibly rewarding. “I’m now looking forward to putting all of this experience into practice at BE Design.” In her new role, Charlotte will be collaborating closely with the team to provide sustainability management, wellbeing and biophilic design support – through accreditations including the WELL Building Standard – and energy and low carbon strategies to BE Design’s clients. Charlotte added: “We want to embed sustainability and wellbeing practices into the heart of our designs. There’s an incredible team here, who are committed to creating exceptional places to live and work in, which have minimal environmental impact and which are fit for future generations. “This passion for sustainability, along with the collaborative and holistic approach to design, is what attracted me to BE Design. “Climate change is a very real threat, one that isn’t going to go away, so we have to be incorporating sustainable practices into everything we do in terms of building design. Businesses and councils are declaring states of emergency. But now, we have to deliver practical solutions to deliver the net zero carbon aspirations of our clients.” Charlotte’s role will significantly strengthen the Nottinghamshire-based practice’s offer relating to sustainable and wellbeing and bring an elevated service to its national and international clients. Director Anna Tsartsari added: “Sustainability isn’t just a buzz word – it’s a practice, an ethos, a commitment to the future of our planet. ‘Designing sustainably for the future’ has been at the core of our business’ approach to design from day one. At BE Design, we very much subscribe to the idea of sustainable placemaking, creating spaces that people want to live and work in. That’s why we’ve also signed up to Architect’s Declare. “Charlotte will hugely benefit our clients, bringing an incredible amount of sector knowledge to their projects. She has already proven to be a fantastic addition to the team and we’re delighted to have her on board.” Find out more about BE Design at www.bedesign.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @B_E_Design #BESustainablePlacemaking.
Time is running out for the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets and the way we live has to change. A big part of that will be saying goodbye to our gas and oil boilers, which the UK is looking to phase out almost completely by 2050. Indeed, in March 2019 it was confirmed that from 2025 it will be illegal to install gas boilers in new build homes. It’s a tall order, especially when you consider that the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has vowed to try and keep energy bills as low as possible. The Guardian reported in 2018 that households need electric or hydrogen boilers sooner rather than later if the UK is to hit its carbon targets at the lowest cost. And while electricity supplies are rapidly switching to low-carbon sources, almost all homes today rely on fossil fuels. According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the public is largely unaware of the alternatives, and consumer understanding is “far from where it needs to be.” So, we need to make big, long term changes to the way we power and heat our homes, but with minimal up-front costs and lower ongoing energy bills. Building Products caught up with IOBAC’s CEO Paul Woolvine about how the built environment could do it. IOBAC delivers innovative heating and flooring technologies based around speed of install, flexibility, operational effectiveness, and sustainability. Heated flooring to the rescue (but not as you know it!) Generally, underfloor heating operates at a lower temperature when compared with standard radiators; it retains heat for a good length of time after it has been switched off; and the even distribution of heat can allow a room to heat up more quickly and stay warm. For some people, however, barriers still exist that put them off underfloor heating. It’s considered by many as an expensive luxury product with a disruptive, complex installation processes. It can also be difficult to remediate if there’s a problem. And the big one: typically, there are limited options for renewable energy inputs. So, can we harness all of the intrinsic benefits of underfloor heating within a simpler, more cost-effective and accessible solution? The good news, according to IOBAC’s CEO, Paul Woolvine, is “yes”. Paul explains: “IOBAC heated flooring was developed to overcome issues commonly associated with conventional electric mats and water-based underfloor heating systems. Our heated flooring solution doesn’t require you to dig up your floor or cause any disruption to any existing pipework or electric system.” Sounds easy, right? “It really is as easy as it sounds,” continues Paul. “The process is as follows: lay conductive copper strips, apply conductive paint, apply magnetically dielectric paint, install surface tiles, connect copper strips, and away you go. It’s far easier to install and much easier to remediate or change and is a simple painted solution – simply remove the floor tile and coating and repaint. And importantly, this underfloor heating solution can be powered by a highly efficient electric input from an AC or DC supply – like solar panels. With this technology it’s absolutely feasible to heat your home with solar power – or any other electrical input for that matter. That way people don’t need to be reliant on big energy companies.” On this solution’s sustainability credentials, Paul explained: “Well, firstly, this solution uses infrared heat. Research suggests that infrared heat has numerous health benefits, including increased blood circulation, an enhanced immune system, and reduction of joint pain and inflammation. Infrared heat is typically more budget friendly; designed with sustainable inputs the running costs are significantly less than conventional solutions and the temperature tends to be more consistent.” So, you’ve heard of heated flooring, but heated walls? Traditional radiators can range anywhere from 120mm to 480mm and typically, the thicker the better due to a lower fin density. But a thicker radiator can look bulky and unsightly, or even cause design issues. Paul explains why he believes IOBAC’s alternative offers the best of both worlds: “Our heated walling technology is a modern-day alternative to traditional radiators. It’s a micro-thin radiator which can essentially be ‘painted’ onto the wall using a special patent-pending Graphene based technology. This enables more design freedom – no more unattractive wall-hung radiators – and can be connected via an AC or DC supply. Imagine your home without bulky radiators! This technology essentially works in the same way as our heated flooring: conductive copper strips, apply conductive resin, dielectric paint, and connect copper strips. It shares further similarities with heated flooring: it’s non-disruptive, cost-effective, and enjoys all the benefits of infrared heat. “Of course, some people – especially those that are environmentally conscious – may want to switch out their traditional radiators straight away. But we don’t necessarily anticipate 20 million-plus households to rip out their existing radiators overnight. It’s why, initially, we envisage that this technology will be best suited to the new-build market. It’s also why we’ve developed a smart radiator cover for retrofit applications that will be available later this year.” Retrofit radiators do of course currently exist, but some can be inefficient and fairly expensive. Paul explains IOBAC’s imminent answer: “Retrofitting radiators can be costly and time-consuming – often you have to deconstruct the radiator. IOBAC’s technology enables you to effectively cover the existing radiator with a highly efficient Graphene based heating system, which is really simple to do yourself. This is again utilising our super conductive graphene technology and, as with our heated flooring and heated wall technology, it can be designed to be more efficient than traditional solutions. This will be available to buy over the counter later this year. Watch this space!” Straightforward switching Paul concludes: “We think these technologies could enable the government’s 2050 target to potentially become a reality by the mid-2020s. But, crucially, it needs to be straightforward for people to switch to more sustainable solutions and energy sources. As The Guardian says, most people, unfortunately, are unaware of the alternatives. More
Record breaking year to date boosted further with award of ‘Contractor of the Year’ by Yorkshire Insider. GMI Construction Group, an expanding main contractor has announced that it has been awarded ‘Contractor of the Year’ for the second year running at the prestigious Yorkshire Insider Property Industry Awards hosted on 19th September 2019. On receiving this award GMI are now the only company to have held the title in both Yorkshire and the North West, after being crowned Construction Business of the Year at the Insider North West Property Industry Awards in May. Some 850 representatives from businesses that are shaping the built environment in Yorkshire attended the event, showcasing the best of the property industry and most notable achievements. In receiving this award GMI were highlighted for their ability across a wide range of commercial sectors operating from their offices in Leeds. The company was noted for its standout performance in the delivery of a broad range of often highly complicated projects consistently delivered on time and on budget. This accolade, follows an already bumper 2019 for GMI in which it has also picked up a host of additional awards including: GMI retaining their accreditation and status as an ‘Investor in People’ Became a ‘Considerate Constructors Partner’ Achieving the highest possible RoSPA accreditation, RoSPA Gold for the ninth consecutive year. Best high-volume new housing development’ at the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) North and East Yorkshire Building Excellence Awards in June. GMI will now go on to represent Yorkshire at the LABC National Building Excellence Awards to be held in London in November. Recognised as Insider North West Property Awards ‘Construction Business of the Year’ for 2019. Accredited to ISO 45001 Speaking about this further accolade and the performance of GMI so far during 2019, Group Managing Director Andy Bruce said: “GMI continues to go from strength to strength and we are honoured to receive yet another high profile, valued award amongst such great company here in Yorkshire. This year we have expanded rapidly in each of three core regional markets in which we operate and been awarded contracts in each of specialist sectors we know best: logistics & industrial, commercial, residential and manufacturing space. This has given a GMI a strong platform from which to continue to grow and we look forward to a further strong push towards the end of the year.” GMI are experiencing their best year on record so far during 2019 in terms of growth and projects under management, with over £50M of contracts already awarded at sites throughout the Midlands, the North and Manchester. Some of the high profile projects in question include a new 126,279 sq. ft manufacturing centre being constructed for Henry Boot Developments at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the completion of a brand new 137-bed luxury hotel for the Dakota Group in Manchester together with the construction of a new £20M 430,000 sq. ft speculative warehouse for long standing customer Evans Group at Fradley Park. To read more about these projects and for the latest news and views visit the GMI website : https://gmiconstructiongroup.co.uk/