Now we are in post-Brexit Britain, what is the current situation with the plastic pipes and fittings industry in the UK, a significant industry supplying the utilities, construction, housing and plumbing sectors? Caroline Ayres of the BPF Pipes Group confirmed: “Our industry is continuing to supply its markets without any
While some of you are finding that you are spending more and more time at home, you might be looking around your home and seeing things that need a little fixing up. “Do it yourself” projects are a great way to pass time, and also make you feel accomplished taking
SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), has joined forces with Cambridge University to release the first annual report into the status of shared ownership in England. The findings of the report, by Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director of the Cambridge Centre
Family-run Seddon, which knows first-hand the importance of cancer treatment, is pledging to raise £175,000 toward a new state-of-the-art cancer centre. The Bolton-based construction firm has once again teamed up with The Christie charity to help raise funds – this time for the new Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre. Seddon
Going to a casino is one of the most enjoyable forms of entertainment for many adults. It goes far beyond the ability to play games such as poker or roulette, or even spend a few hours playing at the slot machines. Many of these casinos are meccas of entertainment. They
Homeowners and prospective buyers looking to purchase a new property can look to these seven ingredients for a happy home from property experts at FHP Waterside Living. It is often said that home is where the heart is – but how much does the layout, location and ‘liveability’ of our
Improving property value is key for one in five Brits who decide to take on DIY home renovations according to recent research gathered by Estate Agents Douglas & Gordon. In fact, since last March, Britons have spent an average of £4,035.70 each on DIY projects. The trend has continued into
Equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) has long been a topic that has dogged the construction industry. There’s no golden bullet for fixing decades of limited progress, but the steps being made in the industry at the moment are nothing but encouraging, according to executive chairman of Pagabo, Gerard Toplass. Anyone
Are you looking to make some changes to your delivery business’s daily operations to increase its efficiency? We’ve got your back! Running a courier business isn’t a walk in the park—there’s a fleet to maintain, expenses to control, and a team to manage. Still, increasing business efficiency and making it
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is urging construction companies to use Blue Monday 2021 as an opportunity to take positive action around mental health, including taking advantage of free resources such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s (Lighthouse Club) mental health and wellbeing training and their Helpline App.
Now we are in post-Brexit Britain, what is the current situation with the plastic pipes and fittings industry in the UK, a significant industry supplying the utilities, construction, housing and plumbing sectors? Caroline Ayres of the BPF Pipes Group confirmed: “Our industry is continuing to supply its markets without any interruptions, whilst our members continue to operate within Covid-19 guidelines to ensure safe and secure delivery of plastic pipes and fittings to customers.” With Britain leaving the EU, many aspects of the future relationship remain unclear, but BPF Pipes Group manufacturers remain committed to continuing to supply quality products to the same high standards. These incorporate third party approved products to British European Standards (BS ENs) where applicable, standards which users and specifiers are familiar with and which provide reassurance that the products are always fit for purpose. BPF Pipes Group members remain actively engaged in the processes of drafting new standards and for now nothing will change – manufacturers will continue to supply products that are third party approved to the existing BS ENs. Additionally, the BSI’s membership of CEN and CENELEC is continuing beyond the EU exit transition period. It will enable the UK’s continued influence over standards produced in both CEN and CENELEC, providing additional certainty and stability to stakeholders. Plastic pipe systems are successfully used in a huge range of sectors in the UK, from water, waste, gas and telecoms to general construction and plumbing, playing a major role in new installed pipe networks as well as in maintaining and improving existing networks. These types of pipes are also proving ideal for some of the emerging technologies around low-energy use, such as ground source heat pumps, district heating and underfloor heating. At the end of their service life plastic pipes can be recycled and turned into other useful products to aid the circular economy. More information about plastic pipes is available from www.bpfpipesgroup.com
While some of you are finding that you are spending more and more time at home, you might be looking around your home and seeing things that need a little fixing up. “Do it yourself” projects are a great way to pass time, and also make you feel accomplished taking care of business yourself. If you are new to DIY projects, then check out this list of products that can be useful to help get a variety of tasks done around the house. There is no need to run out and buy a whole hardware store. With an AliExpress discount code you can save money on everything you need. As you spend more time at home, you are bound to come across a leaking faucet, squeaky door hinges, and other small things around the house that need a little extra attention. There are certain tools you must have in your toolbox to complete general tasks at home. A set of screwdrivers can be used for so many different projects around the house. As a beginner to DIY projects, you may be asking yourself why you need more than one. Screwdrivers can tighten screws on hardware, light switches, open your kids’ favorite toys to replace the batteries, and many more everyday chores. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge, just make sure you use the screwdriver size that fits best with the screw. A tape measure is another tool that you should always have on hand. Are you looking to add some wall art to your living room? Make sure you measure the distance between frames, and keep everything nicely centered so that you don’t end up with distracting, off-centered pieces. Are you looking to upgrade your TV and wanting to make sure it fits with your entertainment center? Don’t let the eye fool you. Always measure first before you buy to save you a trip to the electronics store. A tool that can be used hand and hand with a tape measure is a stud finder. If you are hanging decorations or redoing some electrical work, you are going to need to know what’s behind the walls before you start doing any drilling. With such advanced technology these days, stud finders are even equipped with lasers so you can make sure the items you are hanging are level. A utility knife speaks for itself: useful, beneficial, and practical. From sharpening pencils when you can’t find the pencil sharpener, to cutting down electrical wires, and even simple tasks like opening boxes, you shouldn’t be without one. This next tool may seem basic, but can be handy when you least expect it. Having a flashlight at hand or in your tool box is convenient when unpredictable weather conditions cause your electricity to go out. A flashlight can help you find your way to the fuse box, or the stash of candles you have collected for emergencies. You can even purchase headlamps to help you in small places and keep you hands free such as when you are fixing the pipes under the kitchen sink or checking wires under your car. A repair tool kit such as wax chips is an excellent tool to have in your toolbox. From wooden floors, antique or vintage furniture, and even ceramic countertops, you can fill in those scratches, chips, and signs of wear. Bring your furniture back to life with this professional repair kit. When you find yourself completing more and more tasks at home, it may be useful to invest in a simple tool belt so that you can carry all the tools you need to get the job done.
SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), has joined forces with Cambridge University to release the first annual report into the status of shared ownership in England. The findings of the report, by Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director of the Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research and a professor at the prestigious university, were released at an industry roundtable on Wednesday 3rd February. The event, chaired by property writer and editor Stacey Meadwell, brought together a panel of experts from the property world – Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at MTVH; Jon Lord, Managing Director at Metro Finance; and Ben Fry, Head of Housing Investment at Gresham House – to discuss the findings with Dr Burgess. The panel heard from Dr Burgess’ report: “Shared ownership providers, lenders and wider industry stakeholders interviewed for this research were all very positive about what shared ownership offers to customers. In many parts of the country, interviewees felt that shared ownership is the only realistic route into home ownership for households with relatively low deposits. The product offers flexibility as it opens home ownership at a range of possible price points to households with modest deposits.” The research, which surveyed 24 housing providers and interviewed industry and user groups, revealed important details about the average shared ownership transaction: Most shared ownership purchasers are aged between 20 and 40 (72%), with the late 20s being the most common time to purchase. Only 5% are over 65. The largest group of shared ownership purchasers are single adults without children (50%) followed by childless couples (35%) 94% are in employment The average value of shared ownership properties purchased in 2018/19 was £265,000, with the average initial share being 42% and a deposit of £24,600 Interest in shared ownership is booming. According to the report: “All interviewees were asked about the impact of the pandemic on the shared ownership sector. The most immediate impact had been an increase in demand for shared ownership lending and in enquiries about buying a shared ownership home. Since 2015/16, the number of shared ownership completions per year has increased from 4,084 to 17,021.” -MORE- 2/…In fact, demand for shared ownership properties is now considerably greater than supply – with up to 10 people enquiring about every home in some areas. The report found that nearly half of the shared ownership homes completed in the last five years were built in London (27%) and the South East (22%), with two-bedroom homes being the most popular size of home sold (58%). The report did voice some concerns, mainly around the Government’s plans to amend the standard shared ownership scheme. At present, the minimum share that can be purchased is 25%, and shared ownership purchasers are responsible for repairs and maintenance. Under the new scheme, the minimum share will be 10%, and housing providers will be responsible for repairs for 10 years, which could affect viability. “Most survey respondents thought that the option of purchasing a 10% share and lack of responsibility for repairs and maintenance for the first ten years in particular will make the new model more attractive to buyers and will increase demand. However, most survey respondents believed that the proposed changes will reduce the supply of shared ownership properties that they are able to build.” With the difficulties around maintenance meaning that providers might be able to provide fewer homes as a result, the report urges the Government: “The unintended consequences of these changes to the product should be carefully considered before changes are implemented.” Another area of concern was public lack of understanding of the scheme, which has existed for more than 50 years, especially with regards to leasehold. Submissions from The Law Commission noted: “Members of the public do not always understand exactly how shared ownership schemes operate, or the precise nature of the legal arrangement which the purchaser of a shared ownership property is entering into.” Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, comments: “We are pleased that this report – the first of many that we plan to commission – proves the valuable role that shared ownership has in helping people take their first steps on the property ladder. It’s also confirmed what we at SO Resi already knew; that people are often confused and uncertain about what it all involves. For this reason, we are determined to guide people every step of the way, with simple, clear and transparent language that ensures that there are no surprises down the line.” Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at Cambridge University, concludes: “There is consensus that the UK has a housing crisis and that greater effort needs to be made to increase housing supply. Shared ownership has an important role to play in delivering new build housing supply and in meeting the need for affordable homes. The Government should do all it can to make it as easy and simple for providers to increase their pipeline of shared ownership homes, to reduce cost and complexity from the system, and to ensure that grant levels are sufficient to ensure a strong supply of shared ownership going forward.” To find out more about SO Resi call 0208 607 0550 or visit www.soresi.co.uk.
Family-run Seddon, which knows first-hand the importance of cancer treatment, is pledging to raise £175,000 toward a new state-of-the-art cancer centre. The Bolton-based construction firm has once again teamed up with The Christie charity to help raise funds – this time for the new Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre. Seddon – which has been supporting The Christie charity for nearly 25 years – has pledged to donate £250 for every new house it sells nationwide under its Seddon Homes brand. The fundraising drive will run until the end of 2022,raising vital donations for the new £26m cancer centre, which is due to open at the end of the year. Seddon is aiming to sell nearly 700 homes nationwide to raise the incredible sum for the charity. The company hopes its fundraising model will inspire other local construction businesses to support The Christie in the same way. The Seddon family know all too well how important the work of The Christie is, with two family members receiving treatment at the specialist cancer hospital. Seddon began supporting The Christie charity in 1997 when, as part of Seddon’s centenary celebrations, staff raised many thousands of pounds that helped to fund two operating theatres. The partnership developed further in 2009/2010 when Seddon became a Christie charity corporate partner and raised more than £400k towards a revolutionary treatment called radioimmunotherapy or ‘Magic Bullet’ – a treatment that blasts tumours with radioactive material. During these two years, Seddon staff ran, cycled, swam and walked hundreds of miles in teambuilding and fundraising events. In 2017, Seddon committed to a further two-year fundraising partnership by making The Christie its Charity of Choice, with all national fundraising initiatives supporting the charity. Over the years the company has raised an incredible £875,000 and helped fund a wide variety of projects and contributed to the development of a range of pioneering treatments and valuable cancer research, including proton beam therapy research. “We are thrilled at this latest pledge of support from Seddon which is a much respected and longstanding supporter of our charity. It is through partnerships like this that we can bring the vision of a new cancer centre in Macclesfield to reality. It is an extremely generous pledge from Seddon which is very much appreciated and will directly improve services for a huge number of patients for many years to come,” said Marie Toller, head of major relationships at The Christie charity. The Christie at Macclesfield will transform cancer care in Cheshire, the High Peak area of Derbyshire and parts of North Staffordshire, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 existing Christie patients a year. It will bring together essential cancer services into one purpose-built centre delivering local specialist access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, holistic support and information services, outpatient care, palliative care and a wider range of clinical trials. Around 40,000 appointments per year will take place at the new centre. The Christie charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust was the first specialist trust to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ twice (in 2016 and 2018) by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It referred to The Christie as ‘a leader in cancer care’ and ‘a pioneer in developing innovative solutions to cancer care.’ The CQC praised the Trust’s staff which it said ‘go the extra mile to meet the needs of patients and their families’ and that they were ‘exceptionally kind and caring.’ In 2017, the CQC rated The Christie as the best specialist trust in the country, and one of the top three trusts overall in England.
Going to a casino is one of the most enjoyable forms of entertainment for many adults. It goes far beyond the ability to play games such as poker or roulette, or even spend a few hours playing at the slot machines. Many of these casinos are meccas of entertainment. They have incredible entertainment venues where you can watch shows and live concerts, there are five-star restaurants, and many of them are affiliated with a hotel, allowing you to have a full-service experience. Casinos are truly spectacular places to visit. They not only offer these spectacular accommodations, but the beauty of these casinos is quite spectacular. It is clear that an amazing degree of architectural design and engineering feats have been used to build these facilities. What Makes for a Great Casino? One important thing to consider when discussing the beauty of a casino is that there are certain standards that need to be met. It is not just about having a large number of lights, a tall building, or thousands of gaming machines. The casino must go the extra mile. However, when you are one of the world’s largest casinos it does help to get you more attention. It takes a lot of craftsmanship and design to build such an elaborate facility, so some of these places have earned a special recognition because of how big they are. It also takes an architect with the vision. Sometimes there is already a structure located at the site of the new casino. It is the job of the architect to take the current structure and envision something completely different, something extravagant, something truly breathtaking. Then it is the job of the engineer and the construction crew to turn that vision into a reality. This collaboration has led to some of the most extravagant and spectacular casinos on earth. Here are the top five. Venetian Macao This opened in 2007 and is still one of the largest in the world today. With its incredible design and fantastic accommodations, it has quickly become a destination spot for tourists across the globe. For those who love to gamble, there is a lot to love about this facility. It starts with over 550,000 ft.² of gaming space that includes 870 tables and over 6000 slot machines. You would be hard-pressed to find a casino with so much gaming activity available to it anywhere else on the planet. In fact, renovations in 2009 had made this the biggest casino on the planet. That is no longer the case as the WinStar, the next casino on our list, has surpassed it. The casino is divided into four sections: the Imperial House, the Phoenix, the Golden Fish, and the Red Dragon. In the resort are nearly 3000 suites that are available. There is an entertainment venue that includes live sporting events, concerts, and international award shows. You do not have to play casino games to enjoy your time here. The Venetian has 24 great restaurants with international cuisine from across the planet. Because it is the Venetian, you can also take gondola rides around the complex, taking in a day of shopping, theater, or other forms of entertainment, including bars and nightclubs. There are also swimming pools available for guests. WinStar World Casino (Oklahoma, USA) If you are traveling down I-35 in Oklahoma, just before reaching the border with Texas you are going to find one of the most spectacular casinos on earth. The WinStar is constructed to provide you with a little taste of the wonders of the world as you enter the complex. The casino is built to show you some of the most spectacular sites across the globe, including the Eiffel Tower, Roman Coliseum, Big Ben, and much more. However, the WinStar is just as spectacular inside as it is out. There is a large casino that has thousands of table games and slot machines available, great restaurants, and they provide world-class entertainment as well. Plus, the resort has a spectacular hotel with incredible dining, a world-class golf resort, two gigantic swimming pools and much more. It is located conveniently about an hour from both Dallas and Oklahoma City, making it easy to get to. Rio Casino Resort (South Africa) Do you like big games? Or should we ask if you like big games? This is the great advantage of heading to the Sun City Resort in South Africa as you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Not only are you able to play casino style games in a fantastically built resort, but you can also head out to check out the incredible wild animals of the land. The resort-casino is built to give you the feel of a real-life Safari. It is beautifully designed to include several features that make you feel like you are out on the Serengeti. All of the grandeur of the natural habitat of South Africa is contained in this resort, you may even walk out a door one day feeling like you are out on a safari. There is plenty of great gaming action for you to enjoy. This includes nearly 300 slot machines +260 additional types of gaming machines. There are plenty of table games as well as the total gaming space is over 266,000 ft.². Plenty for you to enjoy the Rio Casino Resort. Casino de Genting (Malaysia) Malaysia is a mysterious land to many, but it is also a growing area that draws tourists from across the globe. It also is a great destination for those who like playing poker, roulette, or other casino games. The Genting Highlands is a complex that contains five hotels, hundreds of table games, and several bars, clubs, and restaurants. Plus, this is part of the 20th Century Fox World park, a first of its kind theme park dedicated to the entertainment giant. You can watch television shows filmed live, watch movies at the incredible cinema, even take a scenic gondola lift to view the beauty surrounding the complex. It
Homeowners and prospective buyers looking to purchase a new property can look to these seven ingredients for a happy home from property experts at FHP Waterside Living. It is often said that home is where the heart is – but how much does the layout, location and ‘liveability’ of our home affect our wellbeing and happiness? From air quality to interior décor, personal space and natural light – there are certain factors that can enhance our daily lives, bolster our happiness and make a home feel like a haven. As a result of our shifting living habits, what we look for in a property is changing and many people have spent more time at home than ever this year due to the pandemic. A study by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) found that 70% of homeowners who responded to a survey, said that the design of their home affected their mental wellbeing during the recent lockdowns*. “Our physical and mental wellbeing are heavily tied to the homes we live our lives in – from what we can see when we look out of the window, to having enough space to balance work and relaxation, there are many factors that can affect our happiness levels, while we spend time at home. No two homes are the same, which makes identifying and creating the perfect property a challenge. We have therefore identified and compiled a list of seven ingredients, which we believe are key to creating a home that compliments your living style, habits and routines – to maximise overall wellbeing,” said David Hargreaves, managing director of FHP Living. Here are the seven ingredients to consider for a happy home: 1. Open plan living As well as being aesthetically pleasing, open plan living spaces have many benefits in enhancing the way we live at home. A report from RESI titled The Science of a Happy Home, shows that 6.25 million UK households now have open plan living spaces in their properties, confirming that this is a desirable living trend that continues to grow. ** Offering plenty of space, light and a natural ‘flow’ to the home – open plan living, dining and kitchen spaces give us the room we need to cook, entertain, relax and enjoy quality time with the people we share our home with. It also gives us a sense of freedom and space, as we are not confined to one single room and can enjoy multiple activities within a larger area of the home. 2. Views Views from your property can play a significant role in your overall wellbeing – from spectacular vistas over the water, city scapes or even access to a communal courtyard with plenty of greenery – having access to the outside, with aesthetically pleasing views from the comfort of your home, can lift your mood and improve your happiness. 3. High spec fixtures and fittings To keep your home running smoothly, it is important to choose quality appliances and electronics to improve your quality of living. Do your research online, ask trusted friends and family and choose a good standard of main appliances and electronics – the better the investment, the longer appliances will last, so it’s worth paying out for peace of mind. 4. Location Location is one of the most important aspects of any property – homeowners are often looking for a fine balance between access to convenient local amenities, such as restaurants, cafes and shops, easy transport links to work and proximity to nature. Being able to take a relaxing stroll along the riverside, having a trail to jog or cycle along, or simply living close to a public green space can not only increase the value of a property but also boost overall enjoyment of the environment you live in. 5. Indoor air quality Ventilation and air quality within the home can really contribute to overall health and wellbeing. A house that provides clean, fresh air helps us to keep a clear mind and feel uplifted – increasing our productivity whilst working from home, as well as our ability to relax and sleep soundly. Indoor plants are a great way to boost the air quality of a property – many species of plant are known to remove toxins from the air and of course, will release oxygen back into the room. 6. Natural light Ample daylight in a property can make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of the space. A home that lets in swathes of natural light thanks to large windows, a balcony or a sky light, is going to be aesthetically pleasing, as well as beneficial to our mindset and mood. Properties that lack natural daylight can be transformed with artificial lighting, with features such as ceiling spotlights or lamps with natural daylight bulbs, which imitate the sun’s rays to give that extra brightness where needed. 7. Personal space As well as having room to share with loved ones, it is also important to consider making personal space for solitary activities and downtime. This can be as simple as a corner of a house dedicated to reading or your favourite hobby – it is normal to crave some time to yourself, so don’t be afraid to carve out your own space where you can enjoy a quiet moment.
Improving property value is key for one in five Brits who decide to take on DIY home renovations according to recent research gathered by Estate Agents Douglas & Gordon. In fact, since last March, Britons have spent an average of £4,035.70 each on DIY projects. The trend has continued into 2021 as Brits remain in lockdown, but the good news is that research suggests those who get their DIY home renovations right can enjoy as much as a £50,000 increase in their property value. With 60% of Brits grabbing their drills, screwdrivers, hammers and saws, what home renovation ideas have the UK’s DIYers been spending their time on? To find out, Douglas & Gordon have investigated which DIY home projects Brits are searching for the most has the biggest added property value: 1. DIY Home Office: +80% Increase in Searches (Up to £20,000) Naturally, those working from home want a comfortable, practical office space to work from — whether that’s a corner unit or an entire office extension. And the investment is worth it. A home office extension could boost your property price by an average of 8.4% (around £20,000 for the average UK home). This number may only increase with more people working from home permanently. 2. DIY Plumbing: +33% Increase in Searches (Up to £7,000) From clogged drains to installing a whole new toilet, there are plenty of plumbing repairs and installations that can be done yourself, potentially saving hundreds in repairman costs. Simple tweaks like new taps and showerheads can add as much as £7,000 to your property’s value. 3. DIY Gardening: +21% Increase in Searches (Up to £2,000) Gardening has been more popular than ever during lockdown. Brits are even planning to use their gardens in the chillier winter months, with searches for outdoor heating up 300%. And while gardens are notorious for ongoing work and maintenance, the payoff can be worth it. A well-kept garden can add as much as £2,000 to your property’s value, with sheds, patio/paving and secure fencing being essential features to buyers. 4. DIY Lighting: +19% Increase in Searches (Up to £7,200) LEDs, overhead lighting, up-lighters, table lamps and pendants are easy and simple ways to highlight features, soften the mood and create a warm, homely atmosphere. Plus, making rooms look light, bright and inviting is essential to appealing to buyers and getting the best value possible for your property. LED lighting can boost value by 1–3% (£7,200 for the average UK home). 5. DIY Extension: +13% Increase in Searches (Up to £20,000) Adding an extension to a property is a hefty task, but there’s no better time to do so. Single storey extensions add around 4–7% to a property’s value. Even better: double-storey extensions add as much as 11% — about £26,000 for the average UK home. 6. DIY Deck: +12% Increase in Searches (Up to £5,000) Decking has the potential to add as much as £5,000 to the value of your home. It’s essential to pay attention to these details, as buyers definitely will! 7. DIY Plastering: +7% Increase in Searches (Up to £2,500) When done well, good plastering makes a house more durable and reduces how much maintenance must be done, increasing the value of a home by around £1,000–£2,500. “2020 and 2021 has seen us spending more time at home than ever before. As a result, more people have tried their hand at DIY to improve their homes and make them more comfortable. We applaud anyone who takes the time to improve their living space; however it’s important to note that DIY isn’t as simple as it seems, and that if you’d like to add genuine value to your home, it’s worth consulting with an expert. If you are renovating to sell your home, we recommend finding out the value of your home before you undertake any serious renovations, so you can focus your time and energy on the areas that can add the most value,” commented on the research, Warren McCann, Area Director at Douglas & Gordon.
Equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) has long been a topic that has dogged the construction industry. There’s no golden bullet for fixing decades of limited progress, but the steps being made in the industry at the moment are nothing but encouraging, according to executive chairman of Pagabo, Gerard Toplass. Anyone that works in property and construction will tell you that there is not enough diversity in the industry, despite great progress being made over the last decade in particular. Just one in eight people who work in the industry are female, while a 2018 report on diversity showed that just 5.4 per cent of workers in the sector are BAME. As Amos Simbo, founder of the BPIC Network, said on the latest episode of Pagabo’s Building Blocks podcast, the fact that the topic of equality, diversity and inclusion – or lack thereof – is even being discussed shows how things have progressed, and how seriously it is now being taken in the industry. But just discussing it is no longer enough. Unfortunately, there are decades of poor practice on this front that need to be undone, and it’s no easy task. The experiences of Faithful+Gould’s Ella Sanders – who was actively discouraged from a career in construction while at school – illustrate that there’s still a way to go to mitigate the damage that has been done in the past, which is the key contributory factor behind the ugly statistics. It’s not something that is going to be done overnight, but the slow and steady progress being made currently is absolutely a step in the right direction. Especially given the industry’s historically poor performance around ED&I, it’s also important that we benchmark ourselves against other industries, see how we stack up and take learnings from their approaches where appropriate. Jenny Hinde – who, as executive director of The Clear Company works in ED&I across several industries, including construction – told us on the podcast that there is a real push from people working within the industry to get things right on the ED&I front, but this is largely coming from the bigger organisations. These companies are looking to take the lead and not be driven by their clients on embracing ED&I. However, this initiative doesn’t yet seem to be permeating down to SME level to the same extent and getting this to happen is an important stage on the journey. As Dara Jafari, associate director and ED&I lead at Faithful+Gould pointed out on the podcast, there is an important distinction to make between the professional side of the industry and the site work side. While both face similar challenges in terms of ED&I – and there has been a genuinely positive shift towards embracing the importance of a diverse workforce – the approach to tackling this can’t be one-size-fits-all. It’s important not to forget the “inclusion” element of ED&I. Jenny touched on the use of divisive language – “blue collar” and “white collar” being a prime example – and even the difference between the terms of employment for on and off-site workers as key indicators of the lack inclusivity. The question – as she put it – doesn’t just need to be “how diverse are we?”, but “how diverse and inclusive are we?”. The good news is that the shift is definitely happening. Those on the podcast that dealt with public sector clients all agreed that they had seen greater focus on ED&I in bid documents, and importantly that shift had progressed from questions about simple compliance to ones asking more about how it is being delivered in practice. Most impressively, there also seems to be a desire from those clients to learn more about that delivery, and how they can replicate it within their own structures. Acting upon this self-awareness is absolutely critical to ensuring we handle these challenge in 2021 and beyond. As Dara pointed out, it’s one thing for a board of directors to identify that they potentially have improvements to make where it comes to ED&I, but it’s quite another for them to recognise that – for that very reason – they themselves may not be best placed to solve the problem. It’s a long battle, and not one that is going to be won overnight. However, the positive steps being taken across the industry show us that we are moving in the right direction. You can listen to the most recent episodes of Pagabo’s ‘Building Blocks’ podcast on Anchor and YouTube.
Are you looking to make some changes to your delivery business’s daily operations to increase its efficiency? We’ve got your back! Running a courier business isn’t a walk in the park—there’s a fleet to maintain, expenses to control, and a team to manage. Still, increasing business efficiency and making it into a successful business opportunity is possible if you have a good team and the right tools in place. But how do you increase your delivery efficiency? The secret to increasing delivery efficiency lies in your ability to utilize resources effectively. Even the smallest changes deployed can have a significant impact on your business. That said, here are some tips to help you increase your delivery service efficiency. 1. Set Priorities Any efficient delivery process starts with setting order priorities. This way, you’ll be able to easily identify stops that must be done at the beginning of your route based on an order’s importance or specified calendar date. But to achieve that, you’ll need to invest in route planner software. The best route planner apps let you set advanced parameters like priority stops and time-constraints. For instance, if you’re a courier and one of your clients needs their package delivered ASAP, you can prioritize that stop and your route planner app will optimize the fastest route for that stop. This not only increases delivery efficiency but also ensures customer needs are met, and on time. 2. Go Paperless You want your delivery agents and other staff to stay organized, right? That goal can easily be achieved by going paperless. Having a paperless office or processes will save you time that you’d have spent sorting, printing, and mailing filing papers. But when you go paperless, you’ll significantly improve delivery efficiency since you’ll be able to create, search, and store documents online. These online documents can be accessed anywhere and from any device. Plus, you’ll be able to quickly find any personal or business document you need, instead of spending hours digging through piles of file folders. 3. Focus on Customer Service In a crowded marketplace, making a positive impression can mean the difference between getting repeat customers and clients switching to the competition. That said, your success in the courier industry depends on how you treat your customers. Do they always complain of late delivery? What about pricing…are your customers concerned about your high prices? Are they satisfied by your mode of delivery and communication? If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, you’ll need to work on the areas of your business that are lacking. For instance, if your customers always call to inquire about delivery progress, you could invest in a route monitoring software that provides real-time updates to customers. If communication is the problem, you could open multiple channels of interacting with your clients, ranging from social media to live chats and more. 4. Limit Unauthorized Vehicle Use One of the benefits of investing in fleet tracking software is that you get to track your drivers and manage your fleet better. This not only helps you to track your vehicles in the event they get stolen but also helps to limit unauthorized vehicle use. If not tracked and monitored, your delivery drivers might divert from their scheduled route to attend personal errands in-between jobs. Worst of all, unscrupulous drivers might use your delivery vehicles for unrelated and unauthorized businesses. Such activities might paralyze business operations, cause wear and tear, and affect the overall fleet efficiency. Wrapping Up By incorporating the above strategies, you’ll stand to benefit from increased delivery efficiency and be able to stick to your commitments.
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is urging construction companies to use Blue Monday 2021 as an opportunity to take positive action around mental health, including taking advantage of free resources such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s (Lighthouse Club) mental health and wellbeing training and their Helpline App. The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as Blue Monday because it is supposedly the saddest day of the year due to the impact of post-Christmas blues, poor weather and stretched finances. With latest HSE figures showing mental health issues at work are on the rise and coronavirus exacerbating the issue, Blue Monday 18th January 2021, has the potential to be a particular low point. CHAS is using the day to raise awareness of the availability of free resources to help construction businesses and workers take positive action around the awareness of and management of mental health. The Lighthouse Club, which provides mental, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community, has several free resources including a free helpline, free training programmes and a free app, described as the ultimate self-help tool in the palm of your hand. CHAS has pledged an annual donation through the Lighthouse Club’s Company Supporter programme for several years and donates £1 for every satisfaction survey that a contractor completes. In addition, in 2021 CHAS will be highlighting the Lighthouse Club to its 30,000 contractors and 2,000 clients in every monthly newsletter and on the My Contractor Portal as a reminder that the charity is there whenever construction workers need them. Sarah Still, Marketing Communications Manager at CHAS comments: “The work of the Lighthouse Club is so important and like so many other charities at a time when their work is needed funding is squeezed. We have supported them for several years, during which time their work has touched many people’s lives and helped numerous construction workers and their families. “When we heard that they had lost £750,000 in 2020 due to the cancellation of all its events and organisations being unable to hold planned ‘Lighthouse Days’ we wanted to help ensure they could keep shining their light brightly even in these difficult times. In 2021 we will continue our financial support for the Lighthouse Club and we have also pledged to help them raise awareness of the essential work they do and the resources they provide.” Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity adds: “We are delighted to be partnering with CHAS to ensure that their members can access all the support they need and deserve, whether that’s support with mental, physical or financial wellbeing. As well as helping us spread the word they are also one of our valued Company Supporters who pledge an annual donation to ensure that we have predictable and sustainable income going forward. Thank you so much to everyone at CHAS for making sure that we achieve our mission of ensuring that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis.” Find out more about the Lighthouse Club at: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/ For more information on improving mental health in the workplace, see: https://www.chas.co.uk/blog/six-steps-to-improve-mental-well-being-in-the-workplace/