The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mrs Terri Beer, was among those celebrating the achievements of a group of veterans who have retrained in construction thanks to a partnership between City College Plymouth, Sherford Skills Training Centre, and Building Heroes. The veterans were joined by College staff and local dignitaries
The Shore Group are delighted to announce the appointment of Will Keenan as Regional Director of their new West & Wales region. Will has extensive experience in Construction Recruitment, Logistics and Site Services. After an extensive recruitment search the company have appointed Will to develop and grow their West country
Study Inn Group, the luxury hotel-style student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, are pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Liversage to head up the development arm of the group’s business. Simon brings over thirty years’ residential and student sector experience in hands-on delivery of development projects specialising in overall
James Abbott has been appointed Land and Partnerships Director at the Keepmoat Homes South Midlands region. James joins the national housebuilder with 16 years of experience in the construction industry, having previously worked as Land Director at Morris Homes Eastern, where he worked for four years after joining them as
Rising costs and a shortage of skilled people are giving building services contractors sleepless nights, according to a new business survey. Members of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said they were facing “major challenges” due to a combination of rising labour and material costs, growing lead times, shortage of
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, announced today that it has appointed Natali Cooper as Head of Portfolio, Asset Management and ESG, Europe. Natali has played a lead role in the development of GLP’s ESG strategy across its European portfolio and through its funds.
Following a successful sales year, Leeds-based Harron Homes Yorkshire has welcomed Vicki Armitage to its sales team as Senior Sales Manager, along with four new sales executives. In the last year Harron has implemented a number of changes to improve the customer experience during the Coronavirus pandemic, including a 24/7
Grand Rapids-based Orion Construction’s CEO Roger Rehkopf has announced he is “passing the baton” as company president, while remaining CEO of the commercial construction contractor. Rehkopf has appointed VP of Pre-Construction Brad Walsh as the company’s president. In addition to Walsh, Rehkopf made the following other appointments: Kathy Ringnalda, controller
RED Construction South West has announced the appointment of two senior directors to establish the business in the region. Grant Millar has joined as Operations Director and James Devey as Commercial Director. They will work alongside Derek Quinn, who launched the business as Managing Director at the beginning of September.
There’s surely no better recommendation for the company you work for than wanting your child to join and enjoy a long and fulfilling career with them too. The North West office of national housebuilder Bellway is keeping it close to home in bringing the next generation through, with four of
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mrs Terri Beer, was among those celebrating the achievements of a group of veterans who have retrained in construction thanks to a partnership between City College Plymouth, Sherford Skills Training Centre, and Building Heroes. The veterans were joined by College staff and local dignitaries for the Building Heroes graduation ceremony on Friday 15 October. The ceremony took place at Sherford’s revolutionary £370,000 Skills Training Centre, which was created to address the region’s skills shortage. It was funded by the Sherford Consortium – a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Partnerships – and opened its doors in 2018. The centre has supported the training and development of hundreds of apprentices and armed service leavers, created hundreds of jobs, and enabled users to retrain and upskill across trades. The Building Heroes course teaches construction skills to veterans, service leavers and direct family members, offering them the training they need to start new careers whilst also providing new talent to an industry that is experiencing a shortage in new workers. Steven Ricketts, Sherford Skills Training Coordinator, said: “I would first like to congratulate all of the students who have worked extremely hard to complete their course. It is never easy to start over, especially for those whose previous careers were in the Armed Forces as it can sometimes be challenging to adjust to civilian life. “They have all excelled in their training and shown real dedication to learning the skills that will help them start new careers. I’m pleased they are able to mark their achievements with their families as it is the first graduation ceremony we have been able to hold since the COVID-19 pandemic.” The students – a combination of military personnel in a resettlement period and unemployed veterans – took part in the fully-funded construction skills course over five weeks, with the aim of securing future careers in construction. They received tuition and hands-on instruction in various areas of construction and safety and can now progress to a higher level of study or find employment working on construction sites. The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Terri Beer, said: “It was a real joy to preside over today’s celebrations and acknowledge the achievements of a group who have a genuine determination to learn new skills. “Construction is such a vital industry for Plymouth and a pillar of resurgam; all those who complete a Building Heroes course will be essential to our city’s development and growth. I wish them all every success in the future.” Karen Jefford, Chief Operations Officer of Building Heroes, said: “The charity’s focus has always been to support these men and women by offering them new opportunities for successful, long-term careers. “Building Heroes is also helping to meet the local skills shortage in construction, so it is great to know we are also supporting this essential industry.” Building Heroes first started delivering the courses at Sherford in 2019 and it was the first in the country to run on a live construction site. City College joined the partnership in 2020 when its staff took over teaching the students, in line with the College’s strategic plans for supporting the local construction industry through training new tradespeople, and also improving health and wellbeing by providing routes into fulfilling careers. The charity reports that there are around 120,000 unemployed military veterans of working age in Britain today. Figures also reveal the UK construction industry is facing a massive skills shortage, with 217,000 new construction workers needed by 2025. With Plymouth known for its considerable military population; this is an especially appropriate place for veterans to be given a new opportunity. For more information about Building Heroes and how to register for a Building Heroes course, please visit www.buildingheroes.org.uk.
The Shore Group are delighted to announce the appointment of Will Keenan as Regional Director of their new West & Wales region. Will has extensive experience in Construction Recruitment, Logistics and Site Services. After an extensive recruitment search the company have appointed Will to develop and grow their West country presence, working with both new and existing clients. “On behalf of the whole company and the owners we are thrilled to have Will on board. With his obvious passion for the role, his experience, coupled with a focus on social value and excellent customer service, I am excited for our clients in Wales & the West Country,” commented on the appointment Shore Group managing director Richard Woodbridge. “Will has made a huge impression already in the short time he has been with us and we all look forward to working with him and seeing him, the team and our clients all benefit. This is an exciting moment for the Shore Group and being a West Country man myself I’m particularly excited to see us expand our reach and expertise further in this area.” Will Keenan also commented on his appointment: “I’m extremely excited to be on board, it’s going to be fantastic working with old and new clients and is an excellent opportunity to join an ever-expanding business that has a serious passion for outstanding client delivery, right across the United Kingdom. I’m really looking forward to not only developing our new West & Wales region, but to also help push the business nationally through all of our service offerings.”
Study Inn Group, the luxury hotel-style student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, are pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Liversage to head up the development arm of the group’s business. Simon brings over thirty years’ residential and student sector experience in hands-on delivery of development projects specialising in overall commercial management, procurement, contractual arrangements, and handover to operating teams. Commenting on the appointment, Kieran Leahy, director at Study Inn, said: “We created the Study Inn platform to deliver secure asset backed investments with strong and resilient income streams. This Senior Management Board have been specifically selected to cover our in-house activities of: Research, Acquisitions, Finance, Design, Development, and Operations, and substantially increase our capacity to deliver the Group’s objectives. We couldn’t be happier with Simon’s appointment to complete the team”. Simon added: “I am delighted to have joined such a forward-thinking company with an exceptional track record, a successful business strategy, and clear potential for growth. The Management Board are empowered to deliver and will continue the group’s objective of creating and maturing ‘best in class portfolios’ in prime UK locations.
James Abbott has been appointed Land and Partnerships Director at the Keepmoat Homes South Midlands region. James joins the national housebuilder with 16 years of experience in the construction industry, having previously worked as Land Director at Morris Homes Eastern, where he worked for four years after joining them as Head of Land. James will lead the Keepmoat Homes South Midlands Land and Partnerships team, supporting land acquisition and development projects in the region. The role will see James manage land acquisition strategy for the top ten housebuilder, ensuring the business meets its five-year plan within the region. This will include maintaining existing relationships with key land agents, local authorities and affordable housing providers, as well as forming new connections to expand opportunities in the area. Mick O’Farrell, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “It’s great to have James onboard, he will be a fantastic asset to the team. He brings to our business a wealth of experience and the kind of attitude which aligns with our regional aspiration for continued growth, and has a clear remit to support us in meeting our development targets.” James Abbott, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “I’m thrilled to join the team at Keepmoat, as they have an established reputation for entering into partnerships to deliver much-needed quality homes at affordable prices. This is reinforced by our 5-star Home Builders Federation rating, which we are rightly proud of. “I’m excited about building strong relationships with key land partners, registered providers and local authorities, and to be working alongside a dynamic team to deliver the forecast growth for the region.”
Rising costs and a shortage of skilled people are giving building services contractors sleepless nights, according to a new business survey. Members of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said they were facing “major challenges” due to a combination of rising labour and material costs, growing lead times, shortage of equipment and delivery delays. Many respondents said they expected the situation to get worse before it gets better, although 80% said they expected to see growing or stable turnover levels through to the end of the year. There is a particular shortage of m&e engineers, pipe fitters, plumbers, and service technicians, according to BESA members responding to the quarterly survey, which is carried out in partnership with the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), the Scottish Electrical Trade Body (SELECT) and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer’s Federation (SNIPEF). The survey, which covered the three months from April to June and asked business owners to look ahead at their prospects for the rest of the year, found that small firms are facing particular challenges. Recruiting 41% reported problems recruiting the staff they needed to keep projects going. 66% expected the situation to deteriorate during the current quarter and 13% expected the situation to remain the same. However, 32% of survey respondents did say they expected to see some improvement before the end of the year. One fallout from the current crisis is that many businesses will employ fewer direct staff, agency workers and apprentices over the next six months despite the urgent need to increase the flow of skilled people into the industry. “That is probably the most worrying message from the survey,” said BESA’s director of legal and commercial Debbie Petford. “We already have a serious skills shortage across construction and related sectors like building engineering, but it seems some employers are reacting by pulling in their recruitment horns. “This will only serve to build up longer term shortages. Without a large enough and suitably skilled workforce we will not be able to deliver on the government’s decarbonisation plans or keep the economic recovery on track. This is a global issue and I hope it will be high on the agenda at next month’s COP26 climate conference in Glasgow,” she added. www.theBESA.com
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, announced today that it has appointed Natali Cooper as Head of Portfolio, Asset Management and ESG, Europe. Natali has played a lead role in the development of GLP’s ESG strategy across its European portfolio and through its funds. Through the new role, Natali will be responsible for the ongoing implementation and evolution of the strategy across the European business. In addition, Natali will remain in charge of the portfolio and asset management functions as an ongoing strategic priority for the business. GLP has established a broad range of environmental, social and governance commitments that elevate the business and create value for its stakeholders. These cover a number of areas including developing and managing sustainable assets and promoting the well-being of its people, partners and communities. GLP has pioneered market-leading sustainability initiatives in the logistics real estate sector including the development of Magnitude at Magna Park, Milton Keynes which is one of the first designated net-zero logistics building in the UK. Nick Cook, President, GLP Europe, said: “Our approach to sustainability and ESG sits at the heart of our decision-making process. Natali has led the way in developing our long-term ESG strategy and we are thrilled that she will be leading on its execution over the coming years. We have made great strides in integrating ESG considerations across our business but recognise that we, and the industry as a whole, have a long way to go. I look forward to working closely with Natali to further develop our sustainability credentials.” Natali Cooper added: “The logistics sector’s stratospheric growth and increasingly important role in the global economy has already placed the industry in the spotlight. It is essential for the long-term success of our business that we take meaningful action to reduce our carbon footprint and create a blueprint for integrating these buildings into communities. This is both a moral and commercial imperative. The whole team is committed to delivering on our ambitious strategy and I look forward to implementing it in the years to come.”
Following a successful sales year, Leeds-based Harron Homes Yorkshire has welcomed Vicki Armitage to its sales team as Senior Sales Manager, along with four new sales executives. In the last year Harron has implemented a number of changes to improve the customer experience during the Coronavirus pandemic, including a 24/7 web-chat function on the website, and an appointment only system to ensure customers receive the undivided attention of the sales team. With nearly two decades of sales experience under her belt, Vicki is well placed to continue developing the customer journey at Harron. From selling on site, to a management position at another housebuilder, Vicki’s experience and knowledge of the building industry will serve Harron well when it comes to selling the increased number of homes they’re expecting to have available next year. Vicki is also familiar with some of the Harron team having previously worked with Alison Taylor-Shaw, Harron’s Sales and Marketing Director. “Having previously worked with Alison, I was confident she’s leading a driven and ambitious team which I was excited to join; we’re all keen to support each other in doing the best we can for the company. I’m thrilled to be stepping into a more senior role with the opportunity to grow and prove myself through more ambitious sales targets than ever before,” commented Vicki. Anticipating a robust property market, and increasing popularity of the stunning rural locations Harron is known for, bids have been placed on 13 plots of land throughout Yorkshire while four new sites are currently awaiting planning permission to bring 671 new homes across Yorkshire. “This is an incredibly exciting time for our business with Harron having built a name for itself over the last few decades for creating spacious, quality and high specification properties in some of Yorkshire’s most sought after locations. I’m sure Vicki will be an asset to the team and lead the way as our newest developments come to fruition,” added Alison Taylor-Shaw, Sales and Marketing Director for Harron Homes Yorkshire.
Grand Rapids-based Orion Construction’s CEO Roger Rehkopf has announced he is “passing the baton” as company president, while remaining CEO of the commercial construction contractor. Rehkopf has appointed VP of Pre-Construction Brad Walsh as the company’s president. In addition to Walsh, Rehkopf made the following other appointments: Kathy Ringnalda, controller and office manager, as CFO; DuWayne Johnson, senior project manager, as VP Multi-Family; and Jeff Smigielski, senior project manager, as VP Construction and Logistics. “For over a decade, I have had the privilege to be part of the driving force behind constructing many of the successful businesses, entertainment and dining establishments throughout the city of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland, Lansing, Flint and beyond,” said Rehkopf. “While I will continue to remain CEO of Orion Construction, I trust that, under Brad’s leadership, the company will continue to thrive in enhancing Michigan’s cityscapes well into the future.” Rehkopf joined Orion Construction as part owner in 2014. With more than 35 years of experience in construction project management and business development, he has a strong background in architectural design and design build projects. Walsh joined Orion in 2015 as project manager with multi-faceted experience within the commercial construction industry. His construction knowledge spans commercial, municipal and industrial projects comprising of government, university and healthcare projects nationwide. Under his supervision and leadership, Walsh has overseen the completion of several mid-rise, mixed-use and multi-family projects, including Heritage Place, Rivers Edge and Gateway at Belknap Apartments. Additionally, he managed the construction process of many notable restaurants in downtown Grand Rapids, such as Wheelhouse, Holiday Bar, and Linear Restaurant, and Corner Bar in Rockford. “Roger has been an outstanding company president of Orion Construction throughout the past seven years, and through his leadership and vision, has contributed to the creation of much of the region’s commercial landscape,” Walsh said. “I am honored to fill Roger’s shoes as Orion’s new company president and continue to grow our footprint in West Michigan and beyond.” Since its founding in 2000, Orion Construction has managed many distinguishable multi-family, high-rise and mixed-use construction projects in the entertainment, dining, education, community, healthcare, and hotel and conference industries. Notable projects include: The Warner Building, 20 Monroe Live, Venue Tower, Spectrum Health Bridgewater, and Arena Place in downtown Grand Rapids; Hyatt Place in Lansing; MSU Student Village in East Lansing; Blue Water Convention Center, and Baker College in Port Huron; Samvardhana Motherson Reflectec (SMR) in Marysville; and The Lodge and Alpine Student Housing in Allendale.
RED Construction South West has announced the appointment of two senior directors to establish the business in the region. Grant Millar has joined as Operations Director and James Devey as Commercial Director. They will work alongside Derek Quinn, who launched the business as Managing Director at the beginning of September. With a combined 50 years’ expertise delivering high-profile and sustainable construction solutions for the region, Grant and James join RED South West to deliver across a wide range of markets in line with regional requirements. These include commercial, residential, education and industrial buildings. Grant has spent most of his career immersed in the South West construction market. As RED South West’s Operations Director, he oversees the division’s development and high-quality project delivery. James Devey’s civil and structural design construction career has been based mainly in Bristol and the surrounding areas. He brings a wealth of regional market knowledge and complex project delivery experience to the business. “RED South West is going to be one of the major contractors in the region, one which excels in not only delivering to the highest quality but also providing outstanding customer service and communication. The strengthening of the team comes at an extremely pivotal time for the new division of RED Construction Group, and it is imperative we build a team with the expertise, reputation and passion for the industry. I have had the pleasure of working with Grant and James for many years and feel very proud to be paving the way in the South West with such a strong and committed team. Being based in an office, within an award-winning development we helped to create and in one of the most historically inventive cities in the UK, makes the beginning of RED South West even more auspicious,” commented RED South West Managing Director, Derek Quinn. Coinciding with the appointment of Grant and James, RED South West has opened its Bristol office, taking a prime position in the 235,000 sq. ft Print Hall & Unity Street development, which forms part of the 2.4m sq. ft Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. It is one of the UK’s largest urban regeneration projects, comprising commercial, residential, leisure and retail use. In their previous roles, Derek, Grant and James worked together on the Construction Excellence Award-winning Print Hall & Unity Street project.
There’s surely no better recommendation for the company you work for than wanting your child to join and enjoy a long and fulfilling career with them too. The North West office of national housebuilder Bellway is keeping it close to home in bringing the next generation through, with four of the company’s long-serving employees encouraging their sons and daughters to start their careers with a Bellway apprenticeship scheme. Site manager Andy Blunt’s son Joseph is an apprentice plumber, chief quantity surveyor Peter Odgear’s daughter Caitlin is a trainee quantity surveyor, site manager Paul McKeever’s son Sean is an apprentice electrician and construction director Ian Hopkins’s son Will is an apprentice plumber. “At Bellway, we are committed to investing in our people and offering rewarding careers with opportunities for clear progression. Where possible, we try to promote from within and I’m delighted to see this ‘next generation’ of talent joining their parents and starting their careers with a Bellway apprenticeship,” said managing director at Bellway North West, David Williams. Long recognised as a champion of apprentices, Bellway is one of a number of companies leading the way nationally to encourage young people into the construction industry and is part of the select 5% Club, a movement of employers working to create ‘earn and learn’ experience-based training opportunities. Committed to driving the recruitment of apprentices and graduates, Bellway’s North West office at Hunts Cross in Liverpool generally employs seven or eight apprentices at any one time, many of whom subsequently remain with the company for many years to come. “Bellway is a friendly, exciting and engaging place to work, where hard work is noticed and rewarded and personal development is available for those who want to progress. I think it’s testament to the culture of the business that you would want your children to join too. There’s a great career ahead for Caitlin and all of the apprentices and it’s fantastic that they’ve chosen to follow in our footsteps. We wish them all the best,” added chief quantity surveyor Peter Odgear. With the recent resurgence in apprenticeships and the potential to gain a step-up the ladder into a career in a fast-paced and exciting industry, it’s no surprise that members of Bellway’s existing employee team have been keen to encourage their children to join too.
