ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland has bolstered its research and development department with the appointment of Mariam Tabarik as Product Innovation Engineer within the Door Group. Mariam began her journey with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in 2022 as a Research and Development Intern. Originally from Pakistan, she had
LEADING sustainability and M&E firm CPW has continued its expansion in the East Midlands following the recruitment of 24 new starters. The firm’s offices in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham now boast more than 50 members of staff, which marks an increase of almost 100% in the last 12 months and
Local housebuilder Harron Homes North Midlands has recently announced that Julia Portington, who has 38 years of experience in the housebuilder industry, has been promoted from Sales Executive to Senior Sales Executive at Brierley Heath, Stanton Hill, Sutton in Ashfield. Prior to joining Harron Homes in July of 2022, Julia
Leading fire engineering consultancy, OFR Consultants has seen further expansion this year already with the appointment of two new colleagues in the capital. Joining the 115-strong London-based team, is fire engineer Milad Mansouri and graduate, Lizzie Pickup. Milad, a Fire CFD Engineer and Lizzie, whose university thesis focussed on fire safety in informal settlements and
Sunderland-based Brims Construction, working hand in hand with the former chairman of Tolent, John Wood, have come to the rescue of Tolent’s Teesside employees/operations, hoping to save 150 jobs after the building contractor went into administration on Monday 13th February. The move will see Tolent’s previous Teesside management team re-employed
Liverpool City Council has appointed the highly experienced Nuala Gallagher as its new Corporate Director of City Development. Nuala, current Director of Planning, Environment & Placemaking at Limerick City and County Council, will take up the reins from interim Director Mark Bourgeois, at the end of March. The appointment is
Urban Group (York) Ltd has recruited a new Managing Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager to its fast-growing team. Nicholas Bryant brings 15 years of project management experience, having previously worked at Esh and Mace, he specialises in the delivery of student, residential, care and education development. His previous projects have
Appointments will further strengthen Scott Tallon Walker’s reputation as leader in innovative design in Ireland and the UK Scott Tallon Walker (STW), a leading architecture and urban design company with offices in Ireland and the UK, announces the appointment of four new Project Directors to work across its commercial, urban
Award-winning housebuilder, Crest Nicholson, has announced the internal appointment of Bradley Stone as Head of Land and Planning for the South West division, as it prepares for further growth across the region in 2023. Bradley, who has worked for Crest Nicholson for over 18 months, was previously Associate Development &
Balfour Beatty’s Group Sustainability Director, Jo Gilroy, has been appointed to the Board of the industry-leading Supply Chain Sustainability School (the “School”). The Supply Chain Sustainability School seeks to upskill those working within, or aspiring to work within, the built environment sector. Jo, who has worked at Balfour Beatty since
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland has bolstered its research and development department with the appointment of Mariam Tabarik as Product Innovation Engineer within the Door Group. Mariam began her journey with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in 2022 as a Research and Development Intern. Originally from Pakistan, she had been studying for her master’s degree in Italy, before becoming aware of the internship in Lisburn. Mariam successfully applied, and in a short period she had made such an impression that she was made a full-time Product Innovation Engineer. Mariam’s role is to push forward with innovation and help bring products to life. She’s involved in the technical aspects of product development, as well as managing logistics, testing, certification, and audits. She is currently working on a number of innovation projects that have the potential to step change the industry in a positive way. Speaking of her passion for her job, Mariam said: “One of my greatest strengths is my ability to do extensive research. I will go above and beyond and look at all aspects from every perspective – especially from an engineering point of view.” “I have a technical mindset and pay attention to the finer details of a project. Because I’m very thorough with the work that I do, you could probably ask me anything about a product that I’m working on, and I’ll be able to give you an in-depth answer that goes much further than the surface information. “I’m also a bit of a workaholic and I have a thirst for knowledge – I want to prove to myself that I can truly innovate.” Mariam was very keen to work for Opening Solutions as ASSA ABLOY is a renowned and respected global brand, but another aspect that has made her so happy in her role is the friendly culture of the business. She explains: “The people I work with are so nice – they are very supportive, and I am also given lots of freedom. My colleagues are extremely helpful and I enjoy the company culture, everyone is very generous and accommodating.” As a woman in engineering, Mariam wants to inspire other women into similar roles within the industry: “Females are in the minority in the manufacturing side of engineering, and I would like to see more representation and better ways to encourage women into these kind of roles. “If I can be influential in this sense then it would be one of the greatest achievements of my life, as I want to see women – especially women of colour and from my part of the world – get into more male-dominated industries.” Looking towards her future with Opening Solutions, Mariam has her eye on eventually becoming one of the first females in a Head of Innovation role for the business. “I would love to stay on the technical side of operations and build a profile for myself, while getting new patents and launching innovative products into the market. “The culture here is very unique and you can work your way up – if you put in the effort, the company really recognises this and appreciates the hard work. People sometimes think that women cannot bring as much to the table, but I want to break that stereotype and prove that we are equally capable – if not more!” For more information on ASSA ABLOY Door Group, please visit https://bit.ly/3gGLU3R.
LEADING sustainability and M&E firm CPW has continued its expansion in the East Midlands following the recruitment of 24 new starters. The firm’s offices in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham now boast more than 50 members of staff, which marks an increase of almost 100% in the last 12 months and the biggest headcount to date. This remarkable growth has been cemented by a brand-new 3500sq ft office space in Nottingham opening late last year as further evidence of CPW’s growth and increased presence in the region. Appointments have ranged from graduates to senior professionals, adding valuable expertise in design engineering and building information modelling (BIM) roles. Adam Harris, a newly appointed senior design engineer in CPW’s Nottingham office, said: “I’d heard great things about CPW before joining, so when I was looking for my next career move, it was an easy decision. “The inclusive culture that runs through the firm has allowed me to share ideas with others more regularly than I have experienced in previous roles, which in turn allows me to consistently upskill and work with junior members of the team, which is crucial as they are the future of our industry.” CPW is dedicated to developing young people and see it as its inherent responsibility to create professionals that will go on to shape the country’s engineering future. With a culture based on collaboration and sharing knowledge, the firm strives to not only offer an environment that nurtures growth but offer opportunity wherever possible. Alastair Hirst, a senior design engineer who started with the firm at its Nottingham office in October last year, added: “Bridging the skills gap and recruiting the next generation grows more critical each year and it’s something I personally feel passionate about. I’m therefore thrilled that my role at CPW not only allows space to grow within my own career but also gives me the opportunity to lead others and develop my team skills – in turn helping the growth of those just starting their own careers.” Carl Hubbard, director and Nottingham office co-lead at CPW, said: “Our presence within the East Midlands business community has been steadily expanding since 2003, but the additions of the last year have really accelerated our growth plans and will further solidify our presence in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. “We’re proud of our fantastic teams across all three offices and, being at our strongest staffing levels yet is testament to the top-quality work and the strong relationships we have built with our clients. We’re therefore looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for us.” CPW is passionate about supporting skills, development and training, as well as nurturing young talent. With a leading apprenticeship programme that is now open for applications, CPW is proud to have more than 15% of its workforce currently part of the scheme, with a number of directors and senior team members starting their career via this route. The international consultancy has more than 250 staff based across 13 offices and works across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, residential, education and more. The firm has sustainability at its core and specialises in designing and integrating a full range of MEP solutions into existing and new buildings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Harron Homes North Midlands has recently announced that Julia Portington, who has 38 years of experience in the housebuilder industry, has been promoted from Sales Executive to Senior Sales Executive at Brierley Heath, Stanton Hill, Sutton in Ashfield. Prior to joining Harron Homes in July of 2022, Julia had racked up 16 years of experience as a sales executive for another house builder, which meant that she joined Harron Homes with a ready set of skills and a wealth of experience. She also gained 22 years of experience as a sales manager in previous roles, which has complemented her skillset in her new role. “At Harron, I spend a lot of time liaising with our Sales Managers. I find that my own experience as a Sales Manager has enabled me to view things from both perspectives, which really makes our communication that much more effective. “I’m definitely a people person, and I think it’s this that encouraged me to apply as a Sales Executive. Being able to interact with both customers and fellow employees every day is definitely the most rewarding aspect of the job for me.” Originally starting her career with Harron Homes at The Grange, Harron’s Shireoaks development, Julia’s new role has her overseeing Brierly Heath, Stanton Hill, Sutton in Ashfield. “At Brierley Heath, I’m involved in coaching other Sales Executives, and feeding back marketing ideas to the company. We’re the troops on the ground really – we have first-hand experience of what the customers are looking for. It really helps us tailor our marketing ideas and approaches to what is most convenient and satisfying for the customer. “Brierley Heath is a lovely development,” adds Julia, “I’m genuinely enthusiastic about the houses I’m selling and am always keen to have my customers feel excited and satisfied with their purchase. “There’s a great variety in the customers you meet each day – some are old-hands in the housing business, purchasing their second or third home, while others are first time buyers. It’s wonderful to be instrumental in helping people get their first foot on the property ladder. “Our Part Exchange Scheme has made purchasing a home all the more convenient for new customers, and offers them easy moves. Schemes like this are one of the many ways I can ensure we leave the customer delighted with their purchase. “What’s really stood out about Harron Homes for me is how we all work together. There’s a real sense of collaboration in everything we do, and I’ve always felt I can turn to people for support or advice. I want this company to be the best, and am very excited to be playing my part in that.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading fire engineering consultancy, OFR Consultants has seen further expansion this year already with the appointment of two new colleagues in the capital. Joining the 115-strong London-based team, is fire engineer Milad Mansouri and graduate, Lizzie Pickup. Milad, a Fire CFD Engineer and Lizzie, whose university thesis focussed on fire safety in informal settlements and refugee camps, have join OFR at an exciting time for the business. In London, the team has continued to be involved with some of the city’s most exciting developments including East London’s landmark Silvertown development, on behalf of developer, Lendlease. The masterplan for the 50 acre Silvertown site, will see a huge transformation for this underdeveloped area of East London, bringing homes, offices, leisure, cultural and community space here. The OFR team has been assisting with the fire strategy for the £3.5bn dockside regeneration development, where plans were submitted a few weeks ago, following consultation with the local residential and business community. OFR project manager, Matt Stallwoodexplained: “We have been appointed extensively across the site as it progresses through the development stages, prioritising sustainability by incorporating Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to reduce construction time and have a positive effect on reducing carbon emissions, whilst also assessing the complexities relating to fire safety. “We are assisting with the Masterplan development for the entire development as well as on RIBA Stages 2 – 4 for Plots 6, 7, 8 Millennium Mills and 1D/2D. We have also been appointed for RIBA stage 2 of plot 1 plot 1J.” The OFR team is currently the sole fire engineering consultancy across the plots, where the scheme primarily comprises of new residential buildings. The landmark Millennium Mills, which will be transformed to a commercial purpose is a collection of listed buildings which presents the challenge of trying to retain as much as possible while still meeting the requirements of current standards. Milad spoke about joining the OFR team, which has grown to 115 people across seven UK offices since it was established in 2016, he said: “I am excited by the breadth of work that OFR is involved in both here in London, throughout the UK and overseas. I look forward to contributing my knowledge and experience – as an Aerospace Engineering graduate, I have since held roles at various consultancies and developed my career working on many major projects including the Sail Tower and Maad Towers in Saudi and Westfield London White City. 2023 is certainly a great time to be joining the business and embracing the opportunities of working within the sector at this time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sunderland-based Brims Construction, working hand in hand with the former chairman of Tolent, John Wood, have come to the rescue of Tolent’s Teesside employees/operations, hoping to save 150 jobs after the building contractor went into administration on Monday 13th February. The move will see Tolent’s previous Teesside management team re-employed by Brims, along with staff, operatives and members of the supply chain, whose aim will be to ensure minimum disruption to clients, with some sites having already returned to work on Monday 20th February. Brims will not be taking on responsibility for reimbursing any of Tolent’s creditors. Brims, who were already forecasting a turnover of £38m this year to the end of March (excluding any additional Teesside revenue) and employs 90 site and office staff, was established 16 years ago by Ian Clift, Jason Wood and Richard Wood. All were previously employed by Tolent, which was founded by John Wood – Jason and Richard’s father. Consequently, they know the Teesside staff and business operation particularly well. Despite the obstacles thrown in their way by Tolent’s current legal and financial situation, the Brims team have worked around the clock, visiting all the current projects and talking to the clients involved to reassure them that their projects will be in safe hands with Brims. Commenting on the ongoing business plan Brims director, Richard Wood, said that Brims had been looking to expand further south and open an office in Teesside but had not envisaged it happening this way: He said: “Following the announcement on the 13th February that Tolent had gone into administration with the loss of 350 jobs, we took action immediately as it is a company very close to our hearts. My father set Tolent up, but Ian, Jason and I all trained and worked there, with John only retiring three years ago as chairman. “Its unfortunate demise has provided an opportunity for the future expansion of Brims and at the same time, we are hopeful of providing secure employment for up to 150 employees moving forward. “The former Tolent sites will be re-badged as Brims Construction and our sole aim is to save jobs with the minimum of disruption to clients. We have spent the last few days talking to clients and reassuring them that their projects will proceed as normal, with the people they have previously been dealing with. We are confident we can minimise any job losses by quickly stepping in this way.” Tolent’s Teesside office was working on a mix of commercial projects including a rolling programme of petro-chem maintenance works. In total the value of the ongoing work is estimated to be around £15-£20 million. Mr Wood continued: “Several clients have already recognised our new proposal is simply to provide them with the same group skillset of people but with a stronger company behind them. We have already received new orders for work, which helps save the previous workforce, for which we are all extremely grateful. We are currently dealing with the administrator, in order to buy the Tolent Teesside office building at Thornaby and it is very much our intention to put firm roots down in Teesside.” Adding his thoughts, John Wood said: “It gives me great pleasure to be able to offer my help with these proposals, especially with Brims being central to it. It keeps the construction heritage alive under the Brims name and it will hopefully salvage some of the work that Tolent was previously involved with. We are confident that we will save as many site and supply chain jobs as we can and I would encourage all existing management and site staff to feel encouraged at what we are doing. “It is great news for the region. We just want to save the jobs and get work back on track.” Tolent was founded in 1983 by John Wood. By the time he retired in 2019, turnover was around £180m with a strong balance sheet and the firm was viewed as one of the region’s success stories. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has appointed the highly experienced Nuala Gallagher as its new Corporate Director of City Development. Nuala, current Director of Planning, Environment & Placemaking at Limerick City and County Council, will take up the reins from interim Director Mark Bourgeois, at the end of March. The appointment is part of a reorganisation of the Council’s senior team, with the authority also in the midst of recruiting a new Chief Executive, as well as seeking to appoint new Corporate Directors for Neighbourhoods and Housing, Finance and Resources and Children and Young People. The role will focus on driving Liverpool’s economic growth and delivering sustainable development across the city centre and communities, including overseeing major schemes such as Anfield Square, Kings Dock, Paddington Village, Festival Gardens and the Littlewoods site. Nuala Gallagher will lead a team of 300 staff and will be responsible for a budget of £86 million, helping to create jobs and opportunities that are accessible to all. She will also be responsible for overseeing planning, property and asset management, an investment strategy, as well as skills, adult learning and environmental and sustainability policies. An exceptional leader, Nuala has amassed more than two decades of experience in development and placemaking internationally and is also currently a board member of Limerick Twenty Thirty, a property development company. Her previous roles include Head of Regeneration for the London Borough of Newham, Director for Economy of Place at Bristol City Council and Director of City Centre Development at Belfast City Council. Nuala has also spent time working in New York, leading on sustainable urban development and teaching at Columbia University. She is a registered architect and a graduate of Columbia University with a Masters in Urban Design. She will work closely with the Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, interim Chief Executive Theresa Grant and the Government Commissioners to continue the transformation of the City Development directorate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Urban Group (York) Ltd has recruited a new Managing Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager to its fast-growing team. Nicholas Bryant brings 15 years of project management experience, having previously worked at Esh and Mace, he specialises in the delivery of student, residential, care and education development. His previous projects have included a 58-home retirement living scheme for Housing 21 Doncaster and the £250 million Climate Innovation District development for CITU. He was also the project manager delivering the renovation of the Grade II Lady IDA Lodge at Cookridge Hospital which recently secured the Constructing Excellence award for Conservation and Regeneration project of the year. Jamie Wilkinson also joins the Construction Division as the new Managing Quantity Surveyor. He previously worked in commercial management and quantity surveying roles at Fortem (part of the Wilmott Dixon Group) and Kier Group, where he managed multi-million-pound contracts, handling traditional tendered contracts to long-term framework agreements for a variety of local authority clients and social housing providers. Jamie and Nicholas will both work on the high-profile Aire Straits boutique student accommodation scheme which Urban Group is delivering on Merrion Street in Leeds. The nine-storey high specification development will provide 88 en-suite studios with on-site cinema, gym, lounge, dining and study space. Nicholas explains: “Urban Group specialises in residential schemes, from new-build, buy-to-let and student accommodation, to housing association frameworks, an area where both Jamie and I have extensive experience. “It is a fast-growing team, working with a strong team of sub-contractors and supply-chain partners. The role will also give me the opportunity to continue my passion for mentoring the next generation of project managers.” Brendon Hutchinson, Group Managing Director at Urban, said: “It’s a coup to appoint two senior team members with the calibre of experience Nicholas and Jamie offer. They will be a fantastic addition to the construction team. “We have recently secured a number of high-profile developments, from flagship student accommodation in Leeds to land-led Housing Association build contracts across Yorkshire and the East Midlands and will continue to grow the team as a result.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Appointments will further strengthen Scott Tallon Walker’s reputation as leader in innovative design in Ireland and the UK Scott Tallon Walker (STW), a leading architecture and urban design company with offices in Ireland and the UK, announces the appointment of four new Project Directors to work across its commercial, urban design, healthcare, and education practices. These appointments further strengthen STW’s client offering and build upon its proven track record for innovation in design in Ireland and the UK. Michael Tallon, Managing Director at STW, commented: “As we continue to develop and promote the next generation of designers and leaders in our business, we have created the role of Project Director, directly responsible for dealing with clients and project teams, providing leadership across multiple complex developments. People are the defining aspect of any company, and we are delighted to make these appointments from within our existing team, highlighting the calibre of talent across our offices. Their appointments strengthen our position as a design leader, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovative and inspiring architecture, and building on our legacy of excellence in design and project delivery for almost a century.” Project Directors Appointments Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning housebuilder, Crest Nicholson, has announced the internal appointment of Bradley Stone as Head of Land and Planning for the South West division, as it prepares for further growth across the region in 2023. Bradley, who has worked for Crest Nicholson for over 18 months, was previously Associate Development & Investment Director. With over 10 years’ experience working in the property industry, he brings a wealth of experience to the role. Bradley will be responsible for overseeing the growth of Crest Nicholson’s portfolio of developments in the region, coordinating planning applications and site acquisitions to deliver much needed, high-quality homes in the South West. Bradley Stone, Head of Land and Planning for South West, said: “After a successful 18 months, I am pleased to be progressing my career with Crest Nicholson by taking on a new role as the Head of Land and Planning for the South West region. It’s an exciting time of growth for the region, and it will be great to continue to work with such a brilliant team to unlock more opportunities and deliver further growth in 2023 and beyond.” Mark Foyle, Managing Director of Crest Nicholson South West, said:“Bradley has been instrumental in strengthening the South West region since he joined Crest Nicholson, thanks to his vast expertise and knowledge within the region. The expansion of the existing divisions and acquisition of new sites plays an important role within the company’s overall growth strategy and Bradley will play a pivotal role in this as Head of Land and Planning.” For more information, please visit www.crestnicholson.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty’s Group Sustainability Director, Jo Gilroy, has been appointed to the Board of the industry-leading Supply Chain Sustainability School (the “School”). The Supply Chain Sustainability School seeks to upskill those working within, or aspiring to work within, the built environment sector. Jo, who has worked at Balfour Beatty since April 2022, was recently elected to govern alongside eight other Partner representatives responsible for the fiscal governance and strategic direction of the School, including; Wilmott Dixon, EMCOR UK, Morgan Sindall Group, Speedy Services, VINCI Facilities, Skanska, Laing O’Rourke and National Highways. Jo commented: “With the climate change emergency becoming increasingly more urgent, it is integral that the construction and infrastructure industry pulls together in the same direction. “I am therefore delighted to have been appointed to the Board of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, as we continue our mission to upskill and educate our supply chain partners on what it means to be a truly sustainable business and ultimately, change our industry for the better and the future.” As Group Sustainability Director at Balfour Beatty, Jo provides focused leadership and advances the group’s achievements in this area, whilst bringing her breath of international experience from SAB Miller in India, IKEA in Sweden, and the mining sector in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to working at Balfour Beatty, Jo was responsible for Kier Group’s strategic direction on ESG and for leading Kier’s sustainability framework, ‘Building for a Sustainable World’. She has also worked closely with government and key customers in the hospitality and retail sectors to address ocean pollution from single use plastics. In recognition of her work within the corporate sector she was ‘Highly Commended’ at the 2021 Business Green Sustainability Leaders Awards, and previously won the Business Green Sustainability Executive award in 2017, and the Rising Star award 2016 at the Packaging Industry Awards. Shaun McCarthy OBE, Chair of Supply Chain Sustainability School, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Jo to the Board. Along with her energy and passion, she will bring significant experience from both within and outside the construction sector and will no doubt provide valuable contributions to drive our vision forward.” The School’s vision is an industry where everyone will have the skills and knowledge to deliver a sustainable future. In April 2022, the School was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in recognition of the significant environmental, social, and economic benefits it has delivered to its Members and Partners. There are currently 155 Balfour Beatty employees who are active members of the Supply Chain Sustainability School. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
