Two brothers are striding towards successful careers as Quantity Surveyors with the help of Newbury-based construction firm, Helix.    Brothers Oliver and Flynn Pearce are both on their way to promising careers, with support from their employer, contractor and developer Helix, an SME company who build high-quality homes across the southeast.   Oliver (Ollie) is an Assistant Quantity Surveyor, now in his fourth year of a five-year part-time degree which is being fully funded by Helix. As well as studying for his Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management degree, Ollie is gaining priceless experience on site, working across Helix’s development sites building for a range of clients including social housing and residential buildings. Not to miss out on his brothers’ success, Ollie’s younger brother Flynn joined the company recently. He is also an Assistant Quantity Surveyor, studying one day a week for the same degree as his older brother, with the London Westminster University, which is again being funded by his employer. Flynn was already aware of the opportunities available with Helix, after doing work experience with the company as part of his business A-level, as well as seeing Ollie’s success and enjoyment of his role, and began to consider Quantity Surveying as a potential career path. His degree will take five years to complete part-time, and Flynn says he’s grateful to be working while he undertakes his studies, as he knows others who have completed their degree full-time and struggled to find a suitable role afterwards. After spending a week working on a project with his brother, Flynn is now working on Helix’s development in Hemel Hempstead, where he will stay until its completion in 2025. Flynn says: “I’m so grateful to Helix for this opportunity and am really enjoying it so far. I think you can get lost in some of the bigger companies but here everyone is open and accessible. The company’s investment in the younger generation, supporting us to excel in our various careers and pathways is amazing and I feel incredibly lucky to be here.” Ollie added: “Helix has shown complete faith in me, and I feel like that sort of investment results in loyalty in return. I hope to continue my career with the company, learning from the team here, and I’m glad Flynn has been given the opportunity to work here too.”   Helix employs 51 people and offers a number of career pathways to allow the best talent to join the construction industry and grow with the company. The construction firm is working on £25 million worth of new housebuilding projects this year, many being delivered in partnership with the social housing sector to provide high-quality and energy-efficient affordable homes. As well as Oliver and Flynn, there are currently five other members of the team studying for a range of qualifications to complement their roles with Helix, and not all involve being on-site. Bradley Turrell, an Office Administration Assistant with Helix, is studying a T-level at Newbury College. He joined the company following a talk that Helix’s CEO Nic Davies gave at his college about opportunities in construction. The qualification, which is the equivalent of three A-levels, requires 315 hours to be spent in the business environment over two years, which Bradley sees as the future of education. He said: “I think this way of gaining qualifications while also gaining actual work experience is the new era of recruitment. It’s the best of both worlds; I get to work with Helix two days per week and study for the other three. And the best thing for me is that I get to work for such a great company who are supporting me with my career.”   Other employees benefitting from the flexible recruitment and education options offered by Helix include Reno Edwards, who recently joined the company as an Assistant Site Manager and is being supported to complete an HND in Construction Management to further his career in the sector, and Helix’s most recent recruit, Luke Schofield, who is undertaking a Trainee Design Coordinator apprenticeship and will shortly join a HND course, before completing a part-time degree. Nic Davies, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re very proud of the diverse opportunities we offer those wishing to join the company and the construction industry, in whatever way works for them and their circumstances. We’re also very proud of the amazing team we’re growing, and of the hard work and dedication they give to our company and our clients. “Supporting these exceptional members of the team is something that’s very important to us; it brings huge value to Helix, helps young and diverse communities join the sector, and is worth every penny we invest in them.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Midlands’ Architectural Practice of the Year, rg+p Ltd has announced the appointment of a new studio director for Birmingham.   Jack Whitehead has become the practice’s youngest current director, assuming responsibility for rg+p’s continued growth in the West Midlands, where current projects include: “Birmingham has a vibrant and thriving property sector encompassing impressive regeneration and infrastructure projects that are creating diverse opportunities to transform the urban fabric,” said Jack. “The city itself boasts a dynamic blend of historic charm and modern innovation, which from an architectural perspective is exciting as it allows for experimentation and evolution. As the newly appointed studio director for Birmingham, I’m inspired about the possibilities this presents. I am actively seeking to strengthen and expand our local connections, enabling us to continue making tangible contributions that transform the cityscape.” Jack’s career with rg+p commenced in 2018 when he joined as a Part I Architectural Assistant in the practice’s Leicester studio. For his Part II placement, Jack moved to Birmingham, where alongside acting as project lead he also began assisting with day-to-day management. Jack’s leadership, attention to detail and determination has not only helped his career develop, but also led to him receiving various accolades during his training. Most notably, these include nominations for the RIBA Silver Medal and AJ student award, and being awarded the Stanley Cox prize for best overall performance in the Diploma Professional Practice at Cardiff University, an honour Jack believes was pivotal in securing the studio director position. Jack adds: “The Stanley Cox prize highlights my dedication to maintaining high standards and has laid robust groundwork for guiding the team in Birmingham. Having risen through the ranks, I know firsthand how supportive and inclusive rg+p’s work culture is together with the proactive investment the company takes to ensure its employees advance and excel. This is something I am committed to continuing in Birmingham. Through my role as a guest lecturer at both Nottingham Trent and Cardiff Universities, I can share knowledge with the next generation and ensure a pipeline of talent for rg+p.” rg+p’s director, James Badley has mentored Jack since his first day. James comments: “Jack very quickly established himself as one to watch. His professional work demonstrates a creative flair, which was backed up by his academic success. Since relocating to Birmingham in 2021, Jack has worked hard to integrate himself with the region’s property industry and is a regular supporter of events organised by Colmore BID, RAC, FBE and BAA, so will be a familiar face to many. “We’re confident Jack has the right balance of commercial awareness, connections and energy to lead the expansion of our Birmingham studio and look forward to a bright future for him and our business.” Established in 2019, rg+p’s Birmingham studio is located just off the prestigious Colmore Row. Currently comprising a team of five including architectural and QS specialists, Jack is looking to recruit additional architects, architectural technologists and project managers. Visit https://www.rg-p.co.uk/careers for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals