The National Federation of Demolition Contractors [NFDC] has today announced a change in officers at its Annual General Meeting [AGM], having appointed a new CEO, President, and 2nd Vice President. Established in 1941, the NFDC is the driving force behind the evolution of the demolition sector, uniting over 130 contractors
Five partners with over a century of combined experience in the international construction industry have decided to join forces to form Inframara, an advisory firm for the global construction sector. Inframara aims to help by sharing first-hand experience and best practice with clients to avoid the classic pitfalls of complex
Leeds-based ACS Stainless Steel Limited has announced eight promotions across its team – the result of a six-figure investment in its workforce this past year. The company is a leading manufacturer and designer of structural building components, providing patented innovative solutions, including masonry support and brick panel solutions – essential
Toni Wikberg, MBA has been appointed as Business Development Director at Nuuka Solutions. In the selection, we valued Toni’s long experience in building technology, building automation and facility management services. Toni has previously worked in international management and business development roles at CBRE, Honeywell, Trend and ISS. Toni will be
Design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist Paramount has strengthened its Bristol team with the appointment of Matt Prouse as Senior Project Manager. Matt will play a key role in overseeing the delivery of refurbishment and fit-out sector projects across the Paramount portfolio, acting as the client’s point of contact throughout the process. He has
Siemens has made another investment in its training programme for the Cerberus PRO fire alarm system with the appointment of Justin Leeks as a new trainer. Based out of the Siemens central training facility in Manchester, Justin brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the fire
Amit Oberoi has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme – the organisation which works with the construction industry to improve its image – to help raise its standards and build public trust in construction. Amit takes on this role with effect from 1 March 2023,
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
The National Federation of Demolition Contractors [NFDC] has today announced a change in officers at its Annual General Meeting [AGM], having appointed a new CEO, President, and 2nd Vice President. Established in 1941, the NFDC is the driving force behind the evolution of the demolition sector, uniting over 130 contractors to raise industry standards, ensure maximum safety on sites and promote peer to peer learning and engagement. Having led the federation for nearly 20 years, Howard Button will be officially stepping down as CEO of the NFDC from June 2023. During his impressive tenure, Howard has played an integral role for the progression of the Federation, where he has leveraged his own extensive onsite demolition career to spearhead multiple initiatives for the benefit of the entire industry. In stepping down as CEO, Howard will be continuing to support the Federation as National Secretary. Taking over Howard’s role as CEO is Duncan Rudall, previous London and Southern Counties Regional Chairman of the NFDC and President of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE). Boasting extensive experience within the demolition sector, Duncan has made significant contributions to building the image of demolition as a highly skilled, specialist trade, which he will continue to build on as new CEO while driving the Federation forwards. Joining Duncan in leading the NFDC will be John Lynch, newly appointed President, Gary Bishop, remaining Vice President, and Simon Barlow, newly appointed 2nd Vice President. With nearly 50 years of experience within the sector, John Lynch has seen the industry evolve significantly. Having already been integral in a number of important projects for the Federation during his time as 2nd Vice-President, John’s key priority for his presidency is to continue to raise the profile of the NFDC and see its membership grow. A proven and trusted business leader with extensive experience in the demolition sector, Simon is the Managing Director of Rye Group, a leading provider of demolition, remediation and ground and enabling works. Previously Chair of the London and Southern Counties region for NFDC, Simon now plans to champion the importance of sustainability in his new position as 2nd Vice President of the organisation, while also bringing to the forefront the talent and skills crisis and other key issues that sit across both the demolition and construction industries. Discussing the new change in officers, incoming President, John Lynch said: “I am honoured to have been appointed President of the NFDC. Having been part of the industry for 50 years, I have seen the Federation evolve significantly during this timeframe and play a vital role in shaping industry standards and ensuring maximum safety on sites throughout the UK. As the sector continues to evolve, respond to new challenges, and move into a new era, I look forward to working closely with Duncan, Gary, Simon, and the rest of the leadership team and in ensuring continued and positive progression for the Federation. Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Howard. His dedication to both the NFDC and demolition industry as a whole is nothing short of impressive and I am grateful that he will continue to support us as National Secretary in the coming years.” The NFDC’s AGM concluded with several important announcements including the donation of £100,000 to charitable causes over the last 12 months, together with an update of activity from the NDTG, which included a record intake of Trailblazer Demolition Apprentices. Held at the Royal Lancaster, the NFDC AGM was extremely well attended by both contractor members and industry service provider [ISP] members and was followed by its annual NFDC awards ceremony. For more information, visit: https://demolition-nfdc.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Five partners with over a century of combined experience in the international construction industry have decided to join forces to form Inframara, an advisory firm for the global construction sector. Inframara aims to help by sharing first-hand experience and best practice with clients to avoid the classic pitfalls of complex infrastructure projects and instead deliver them with better results in terms of time, budget and beneficial outcomes. Their recipe is: experience, early involvement, a collaborative attitude in an appropriate contractual environment, risk management, value engineering and sustainability. Improving Outcomes in the Global Construction Sector The global construction sector has long been plagued by disputes, delays, and cost blowouts. The root cause of these problems invariably lies in the early stage of a project. With Inframara’s involvement at an early stage and by providing a single point of contact for clients and acting as their trusted partner, Inframara is able to help select and de-risk the best solution for each project through early collaboration with key parties and stakeholders. “We are excited to launch Inframara, a company that aims to fundamentally change the traditional approach to project procurement in the global construction sector. Our focus on greater collaboration and increased supply chain transparency will bring a fresh perspective to the industry and drive better outcomes for all parties involved” said Kenneth Willems, Managing Director at Vuentica and co-founder of Inframara. Experienced team with international practical know-how The Inframara team consists of five partners, each with extensive experience in the construction industry: Kenneth Willems and Lieven Durt, based in Belgium; David Kinlan, based in Australia; Lukas Goemaere, based in Panama and Jasper Verstreepen, based in Mexico. The team has a wealth of international expertise in project management, tendering, project finance, contract management, sustainability and operational excellence and is ready to share its knowledge with the industry. “At Inframara, our goal is to break the conventional transactional and adversarial approach to construction management, ensuring that all parties involved work collaboratively from the outset and are satisfied with the end result,” said Jasper Verstreepen, co-founder at Inframara. He added “We believe that our approach for project preparation and collaborative contract management in the sector will foster innovation and sustainable solutions. We are confident we will be able to make a real difference in the global sector.” Inframara is committed to bringing a fresh approach to the construction industry, and the company is poised to make a significant impact for its clients in the coming years. With a focus on collaboration and operational excellence, Inframara is ready to tackle the challenges facing the construction sector and deliver better outcomes for all stakeholders. Join Inframara on the journey to transform the construction industry. Contact us today or have a look at our website at www.inframara.com
Leeds-based ACS Stainless Steel Limited has announced eight promotions across its team – the result of a six-figure investment in its workforce this past year. The company is a leading manufacturer and designer of structural building components, providing patented innovative solutions, including masonry support and brick panel solutions – essential construction components used in construction of the largest modern-day projects in the UK. Eight of the firm’s 118 colleagues will now take on new roles to help future growth, including newly-appointed Strategic Specification Director Paul Ruding, who moves on from his incumbent position as Head of Strategic Specification; Paul is also studying for a BA in Fire Safety Engineering – something that is being funded by ACS. Colleague Andrew Spencer is also promoted from Technical Engineer to Head of Research and Development, while Jason Hedge is promoted to Specification and Design Director. ACS Commercial Director Gareth Twohey explained: “Investing in the future of this industry is a priority for ACS right now; we hope we are seen as the vanguard of new ideas, with products that will help developers, architects and contractors create safer and more sustainable structures. “We achieve this by reinvesting huge percentages of our profits back into the business – that includes investing in colleagues like Paul, Jason and Andrew – each of whom is spearheading new ideas that support and educate clients.” Other promotions include Sales Operation Manager Tony Richman who becomes Operational Sales Director, with Richard Mathers, Sarah Cox and Robert Parkinson all promoted to Regional Director. Kate Robertson Hart who joined the team as Marketing Manager in 2022, is also promoted to Head of Marketing in an expanded brief that sees her collaborating with technical colleagues to amplify the work of ACS and the resources and training it is offering to the industry. Added Gareth: “These brilliant colleagues enable our ambitious plans for the future; their collective experience and passion for the sector is helping us reach more corners of the industry and I am supremely proud to call them colleagues.” Find out more about ACS here: https://acsstainless.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Toni Wikberg, MBA has been appointed as Business Development Director at Nuuka Solutions. In the selection, we valued Toni’s long experience in building technology, building automation and facility management services. Toni has previously worked in international management and business development roles at CBRE, Honeywell, Trend and ISS. Toni will be responsible for the development of the partner channel in accordance with the company’s new strategy. The new strategy is based on providing energy savings to building owners with AI optimization applications, in cooperation with Nuuka’s new partner network. The company’s previous business development director Olli Parkkonen is taking on new challenges in a new position outside the company. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist Paramount has strengthened its Bristol team with the appointment of Matt Prouse as Senior Project Manager. Matt will play a key role in overseeing the delivery of refurbishment and fit-out sector projects across the Paramount portfolio, acting as the client’s point of contact throughout the process. He has joined Paramount from Bath-based firm Interaction where he has spent the last nine years as a senior project manager. Commenting on his new role, Matt said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Paramount and helping my extremely talented and dedicated new colleagues maintain the momentum the company is building here in the South West of England. “These are exciting times for Paramount and I’m relishing the opportunity to play a key role in making sure we go from strength to strength by using my experience to ensure we continue to achieve exceptionally high standards of quality for our growing portfolio of clients.” Matt’s appointment underlines Paramount’s growth in the South West of England property sector and comes just six months after the formal opening of its new Bristol city centre office. Since then, the expanding Paramount team in Bristol has secured £12-million worth of new business with a strong pipeline for the next six months. Paul Jones, Paramount Projects Director, added: “We are all extremely excited to have Matt on board in Bristol and his appointment is a real statement of intent that signals our bold ambitions for the future. “Matt will bring infectious enthusiasm, in-depth expertise and a wealth of property industry experience to Paramount. We know he will prove to be a fantastic asset as we continue to expand our offering throughout the South of England marketplace.” Paramount, which is headquartered in Cardiff with a regional office located at Welsh Back in Bristol, is already well known across South West England where it has created high-quality inspirational space for a number of leading companies. These include former Wales and Real Madrid football star Gareth Bale’s Par 59 bar in Bristol, transformation of the landmark 360 Bristol office complex and acclaimed office revamps in Bath for American software company SmartBear and financial services consultancy Altus Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siemens has made another investment in its training programme for the Cerberus PRO fire alarm system with the appointment of Justin Leeks as a new trainer. Based out of the Siemens central training facility in Manchester, Justin brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the fire industry since 2006. This includes positions with a number of Siemens partners, most recently GBE Converge, a third Party (LPCB and BAFE) accredited designer, installer, commissioner and maintainer of fire protection systems. Justin’s new title is Fire Product Trainer Cerberus PRO, drawing on his extensive experience of installing Cerberus PRO since 2011 which will be invaluable in training others on the Siemens open protocol, EN54-13 approved fire alarm system. Justin comments “having worked with Cerberus PRO for many years, I appreciate just what an excellent system it is. One of the central features of the Siemens offering is a guarantee against false alarms through its ASA detector technology. While the technology itself is obviously a vital contributor to that promise, ensuring that systems are installed correctly is equally important. I look forward to working with Siemens partners, particularly in exploring many of the exciting opportunities that cloud connectivity brings and the benefits this offers in terms of installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance through remote connectivity.” Commenting on Justin’s appointment, Rob Yates, Siemens Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland, said – “we are delighted to welcome Justin to the team and to have somebody who brings such experience, knowledge and expertise to the role. Training has always been an important focus in our relationships with our partners, whether it is online or face-to-face. We are constantly looking at our training programmes to make them more customer-focused, ensuring that the full benefits of the Cerberus PRO system can be realised.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amit Oberoi has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme – the organisation which works with the construction industry to improve its image – to help raise its standards and build public trust in construction. Amit takes on this role with effect from 1 March 2023, having held the position of non-Executive Chairman from July 2022 and Board Director from January 2022. Amit will lead the organisation on an interim basis, while the Board resumes the recruitment of a new Chief Executive. Amit is a Global Risk Management Practitioner, with over 20 years cross-industry experience in leadership roles in construction, technology, management consulting and national authorities. Amit currently works as Chief Executive at yppah, a mental health technology organisation. He has previously worked for construction organisations including Lendlease and on large high profile infrastructure projects in locations across the UK, Middle East and Australia. Amit commented: “I am excited to take on this role and to be able to put my knowledge and experience to work in developing the organisation. “I will be guiding the efforts of the executive, upholding our values, and delivering a smooth transition to the new Chief Executive when we make this appointment.” Graham Watts, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Council and Considerate Constructors Scheme Board Director added: “We welcome Amit to the position of Executive Chairman. His enthusiasm combined with first-hand industry experience will be a great asset for the Considerate Constructors Scheme and we look forward to working with him in this new capacity while the search for a new Chief Executive continues.” Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association and Considerate Constructors Scheme Board Director Peter Caplehorn commented: “In his previous role as non-Executive Chairman and a Board Director of the Scheme, Amit has shown huge energy and enthusiasm in the work of the Considerate Constructors Scheme to raise standards and build public trust. We are delighted to have him in the position of Executive Chairman and see his obvious talents make even more positive impact going forwards for the organisation, the community and wider industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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