Staffordshire-based handrail and balustrade specialists, SMART Balustrades, has expanded its team as it works towards its ambitious 35% year-on-year growth target for 2021 – following a record year in 2020. Set up by brothers David and Jonathan Hough in 2017, SMART Balustrades has experienced a sustained demand for its specialist
This month we ask Seb Bentley at award-winning property developers Kebbell to tell us a little more about a day in the life of a construction apprentice. How long have you worked in the construction industry and what made you want to join? I have been working in the industry
Safety training across manufacturing and processing sectors is integral to ensure employees are as safe as possible within workplaces where a host of potential hazards are present. 2020 saw search volumes for lockout training services rapidly increase, with the search term ‘lockout tagout training’ increasing by 33% from July to December 2020, and ‘lototo training’ by 25% from September to December 2020, showing a rise in demand for specialist safety training
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has expanded its operations into Yorkshire and the Midlands with the appointment of two new Regional Managing Directors. Nigel Robson and Ken Phillips have joined MCI Developments as the company looks to expand into new regions and markets in 2021. Their primary
Brad Critcher has been appointed the new Director of Development. Wavensmere Homes, property developers based in the Midlands, have today announced that Brad Critcher has been named as Director of Development. This is a new role for the company following the huge success of the Nightingale Quarter in Derby and
Southwark Construction Skills Centre (SCSC) is moving from its original base at Elephant Park, to a new home at Canada Water. SCSC has been at the site in Elephant Park since 2016 and has been supported by major contractor Lendlease in providing training and upskilling to those interested in a
Southern Sheeting has appointed Ecommerce Manager Jo Morfield to lead the company’s ecommerce expansion and support the next stages of its growth as a market leader. Morfield is an experienced digital marketing manager who is looking forward to helping the business build on the recent launch of its ecommerce website.
Baxi Heating UK and Ireland has appointed specification specialist Ryan Kirkwood to the role of Heat Pump Business Development Manager. The move is part of the company’s continuous improvement and development strategy, ensuring it is well prepared for the future as the heating industry makes the transition towards zero carbon
IT’S NO SECRET that the UK construction sector is suffering from a serious skills shortage, with a reported 182,000 new engineers alone needed each year to bridge the gap. Apprenticeships have been proven as a great way to combat this crisis and are becoming a serious option for all school
International real estate firm Hines has appointed Stephen Finch as Head of Facilities Management – Living, Europe within its Property Management Group. A core focus of this role is on its living portfolio spanning its Build to Rent (BTR) and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), under the Hines aparto brand.
Staffordshire-based handrail and balustrade specialists, SMART Balustrades, has expanded its team as it works towards its ambitious 35% year-on-year growth target for 2021 – following a record year in 2020. Set up by brothers David and Jonathan Hough in 2017, SMART Balustrades has experienced a sustained demand for its specialist services – both in the commercial and residential sectors, and the firm’s investment in its team is testament to its commitment to its growth strategy Sukhi Bassi joins SMART Balustrades as a CAD technician and will be responsible for delivering creative and compliant solutions to difficult design challenges, innovative product development and order processing. With an undergraduate degree in Building Survey and a master’s degree in Building Information Modelling for Integrated Construction, Wolverhampton-based Sukhi is well equipped for the role following six years in the balustrades industry. Paul Heston joins the manufacturing arm of the business as production operative and will be working at the firm’s inhouse production facility in Burntwood. With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, Paul will be producing a range of SMART Balustrade products including bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, Juliet and platform balconies, and handrails. On her new role, Sukhi said: “Joining SMART Balustrades at such a pivotal time for the business is very exciting for me. The company is impressive and I like that it has big ambitions for the future. “As its new CAD technician, I’m looking forward to working with the team to streamline our business processes and maintain the high level of customer satisfaction that SMART Balustrades is known for.” Paul said: “As a growing company with excellent standards, SMART Balustrades is a leader within the balustrade industry, and being part of such a high-quality manufacturing team is amazing. I can’t wait to take on this new challenge and part of the journey.” Specialists in handrail and balustrade systems, SMART Balustrades manufactures and installs a range of products for sectors such as education, retail, leisure, and housing. David Hough, managing director of SMART Balustrades, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sukhi and Paul to SMART Balustrades as our team continues to grow. “With Sukhi in the design team and Paul in the manufacturing team, we can better serve our growing volume of customers and work towards our growth targets. Welcome to the team both.” SMART Balustrades is part of the Unitech Group, and it designs and manufactures its products at Unitech Group’s 75,000 sq. ft. production facility in Burntwood, Staffordshire.
This month we ask Seb Bentley at award-winning property developers Kebbell to tell us a little more about a day in the life of a construction apprentice. How long have you worked in the construction industry and what made you want to join? I have been working in the industry for around a year and a half now, but I was really into construction since a young age. At first I studied engineering at college and was also working for my dad part time as he is a joiner. I needed some work experience for my college course and was offered a week’s official work experience on the Cornelian Fields development for Kebbell. I put absolutely everything I had into that week and was really happy when they offered me a job with them. What are your ambitions? I love working in construction management, it is something I am really passionate about. I am 18 years old but I am looking to become a Trainee Assistant Manager as soon as I can. I have been training for a year and have another year of training to go and attend Redcar College of Technology doing a BTEC Diploma at the same time. What sort of work is involved in your job? The best thing about the job is the array of tasks that I do from stock taking to quality control, helping organise the trades or getting a house ready pre-plastering. I help with snagging and checking specifications, as well as these days checking everyone has got the right PPE. How long do you stay on a project at any one time? I have only worked at Cornelian Fields in Scarborough so far but that has been a really exciting project as we move through the phases. The fourth phase has just been launched which is another 106 homes so we are very busy! What does your typical day look like? I get up about 0620 and have a shower and then I am off just before 7am, ready to start work for 8am, five days a week. I have quite a big commute of around an hour each way, so it is a long day. I finish on site around 1630. Pre-Covid days I would go the gym but now I work out at home. What is the best thing about your job? I love the variety and it keeps the day flowing. We work as a really smooth team with the trades. Each day is different and I am always learning new things. Specification changes may happen so we might have planned to build in a certain way but then have to change tack. Work never stops on a building site! What skills do you need for your job? I want to be an assistant manager as soon as possible. I plan to do a two-year HNC course in September and then I will see what happens from then. There are lots of other courses I am interested in like safety and scaffolding courses. I want to take on more responsibility and roles as soon as I can. I like being relied upon and being part of the team, the development, and the sector. What has been your proudest moment? My proudest moment was after that first week of work experience when I was offered the job. I wanted to put everything I could into that week to really take hold of the opportunity and for my passion to be noticed. I had to prove myself that week so I really went for it! How has Covid-19 affected your job? There are a lot of new things about working on site now. I help organise the timetables to make sure there aren’t too many people on site at any one time and that lunch breaks are spread out to minimise contact. I check everyone has the right PPE, check the toilets and make sure hand sanitisers everywhere are regularly topped up. We created a one-way walk system too which works really well. The work force are happy to be safety compliant of course because we all understand the reasons. Everything has run smoothly. What do you like to do outside of the job? I am really sporty. I have recently taken up surfing which I really like. I take my health seriously – I play cricket, work out, count my macros and have quite a physical job too. What is the most important thing about building a home? The fine finishing detail is what really makes a difference and everyone caring about what they are creating. To find out more visit https://kebbell.co.uk
Safety training across manufacturing and processing sectors is integral to ensure employees are as safe as possible within workplaces where a host of potential hazards are present. 2020 saw search volumes for lockout training services rapidly increase, with the search term ‘lockout tagout training’ increasing by 33% from July to December 2020, and ‘lototo training’ by 25% from September to December 2020, showing a rise in demand for specialist safety training services within the trade sector. To meet such demand, businesses must adapt and develop ways to safely train staff through the pandemic to ensure that staff are receiving the tuition that they require to stay safe at work. Keeping up to date with training is important for all workforces, but none more so than that of workers within the most dangerous industries in the UK[1] including aggregates, waste and recycling and construction. It is imperative that Health and Safety training within these industries remains up to date, yet current restrictions mean that in person training is limited, meaning less people can currently attend each course at once due to social distancing rules. Different levels of training courses are also important to cater for, with everyone from general operators to management and supervision requiring differing aspects to be understood. If a workforce fails to keep up with industry standards, they could be in danger of falling behind within their specialist area due to sector changes and newly introduced regulations. Continuing to train throughout the pandemic allows companies to emerge from the Covid-19 crisis with their employees in a stronger professional position and working safely. To meet the demand for such training services, safety product specialists Reece Safety has expanded its business to offer training on safe isolation, ladder use & inspection, working at height and permit to work, in addition to the City Guilds confined space training already offered by the business. To accommodate the current restrictions due to the pandemic, the company is offering restricted groups of five for Covid-safe face-to-face training based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and a very well received live stream training package, with each course lasting half a day. Andy Graham, Managing Director at Reece Safety had this to say: “The MineralProducts Association identified that failure to safely lockout was one of the top three in the “Fatal 6”, and we wanted to meet the growing demand for training and bringing Mark Wright Training into Reece was a great way to do this. We have also expanded our specialist training and consulting team with highly experienced safety trainers such as Ben Fytche. We strive to only deliver the highest quality of training and to make it relevant to all learners in attendance.” For more information and booking enquiries for safety training courses, including confined space training, visit: https://www.reecesafety.co.uk/training-and-consultancy
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has expanded its operations into Yorkshire and the Midlands with the appointment of two new Regional Managing Directors. Nigel Robson and Ken Phillips have joined MCI Developments as the company looks to expand into new regions and markets in 2021. Their primary focus will consist of creating strategic objectives to establish its position of building high quality new homes throughout Yorkshire and the Midlands. “We are delighted to welcome both Ken and Nigel to MCI Developments. Their appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the company and we’re confident that their combined extensive knowledge in the industry and proven track record of success will play a significant role in the company’s ambitious growth plans along with creating new beginnings and flourishing communities in both the Midlands and Yorkshire regions,” said Tim Beale, CEO at Keepmoat Homes. Ken Phillips is bringing with him over 30 years’ experience of residential land acquisition and business development within the West and East Midlands territory. As a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor his previous job roles include heading up a housing joint venture business in the Midlands for Cala Group but latterly has operated as Land and Planning Director for both Taylor Wimpey and Redrow Homes. Nigel Robson joins MCI Developments Yorkshire with over 25 years’ experience in housing and development. Having previously worked at Strata as Pre-Development Director, he has gained extensive experience in the speculative housing market both regional and national, delivering land and pre-development processes as well as partnership working with Registered Providers and private developments. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining MCI Developments during an important and exciting time for the business. Alongside growing the portfolio in the Midlands, my focus will be to expand our team with people who are passionate about delivering affordable and multi-tenure developments in the region,” said Ken Phillips. “Having spent the majority of my career within the housebuilder industry, I’m passionate about delivering quality new homes and I’m looking forward to taking the reins and delivering much needed sustainable new homes across Yorkshire, building on repeat business which MCI Developments are renowned for,” added Nigel Robson.
Brad Critcher has been appointed the new Director of Development. Wavensmere Homes, property developers based in the Midlands, have today announced that Brad Critcher has been named as Director of Development. This is a new role for the company following the huge success of the Nightingale Quarter in Derby and is indicative of the Company’s enthusiasm to secure further development opportunities across the greater Midlands area. Brad brings more than 30 years development experience gained across various sectors including retail, leisure, strategic land/residential and mixed use, having held senior development positions at Sainsbury’s and Castlemore, and more recently at shopping centre REIT intu where he led the team seeking to identify and secure the diversification of the portfolio via the addition of compatible non retail uses. James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes said: “Brad will give a new string to the Wavensmere bow. His knowledge and skill set will give us a competitive edge in repurposing city centre retail assets. “Brad’s extensive property and business development background will allow Wavensmere Homes to tap into new areas of the sector. We look forward to bringing Brad onboard at such an exciting time for the company following the success of Nightingale Quarter. We continue to concentrate primarily in and around the Midlands looking for new build opportunities. Eyes are firmly set on the future and the growth of the company.” Brad added: “I am incredibly excited to be joining the Wavensmere Homes team at this critical time. I believe its existing business model and talented management team is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the ever-changing property industry and the new opportunities and challenges that will unfold over the next few years. Urban regeneration, the revitalisation of our town centres and the repurposing of buildings is a key element in achieving sustainable and responsible economic growth as well as the creation of inclusive and thoughtfully designed communities. Wavensmere Homes has already demonstrated these skills with a number of best-in-class developments including Crocketts Lane, The Forge and Nightingale Quarter.” Brad has a degree in Land Administration, is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors having been elected in 1992, a past Chair of Accessible Retail and a member of various Revo Steering Groups. Established in 2015, Wavensmere Homes continues to go from strength-to strength specialising in challenging sites, place making and regeneration across the Midlands. Its on-going development, Nightingale Quarter, will create nearly 800 homes and is set to become one of the largest city centre regeneration projects in the UK. For Wavensmere Homes sales, email: info@wavensmere.com.
Southwark Construction Skills Centre (SCSC) is moving from its original base at Elephant Park, to a new home at Canada Water. SCSC has been at the site in Elephant Park since 2016 and has been supported by major contractor Lendlease in providing training and upskilling to those interested in a career in construction. During this time, SCSC has contributed £40 million in social value to the local economy, training more than 10,000 residents, and helped to create more than 3,000 jobs in the construction sector. Now the community-centred skills and training centre, supported by Southwark Council and run by The Skills Centre, is set to move to its new home at Hawker House, Canada Water in April, in support of the British Land Canada Water Masterplan. “The aim was always to move the training facility to support additional projects in Southwark and this is the first move it has made since opening in 2016 – and we’re hugely excited about becoming a meaningful part of the community at Canada Water,” said Jon Howlin, Managing Director of The Skills Centre, which runs SCSC. “It has been an honour to work with the Elephant Park community and to help so many people learn new skills and train to gain great jobs in the construction industry – we’ve simply had the best experience. The Skills Centre now looks forward to doing the same again for the community at Canada Water.” SCSC will be offering the same opportunities at Canada Water as it did in Elephant Park, with employment prospects, apprenticeships and pre-employment training for local residents, as well as continuing its schools’ programme; inspiring Southwark school children to consider the varied jobs on offer through a career in construction. The move is a joint initiative between The Skills Centre, Southwark Council, British Land, and Art Invest. “Thousands of our residents have walked through the doors of Southwark Construction Skills Centre at Elephant Park to receive expert training and support, with many going on to secure real jobs at sites across the Borough,” commented Councillor Rebecca Lury, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Business & Jobs. “With a 20-year programme of construction work at Canada Water, one of the Council’s largest regeneration schemes, this is an ideal location for creating an exciting training venue for our residents. I’m excited to see SCSC and The Skills Centre go from strength to strength, with the help of new partners British Land and Art-Invest to create opportunities for residents from across the Borough.” Canada Water Masterplan is a joint initiative between Southwark Council and British Land, working closely with Art-Invest, to develop a 53-acre scheme that will deliver workspace to accommodate around 20,000 jobs, retail, leisure, entertainment, education and community spaces. There will be around 3,000 new homes, of which 35% will be affordable, as well as 12 acres of open space and a new town centre for Southwark; the first new town centre built in London for more than 100 years. Construction of the new centre in Canada Water will begin in April, with a planned opening on June 21st. Opening hours will be from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with community-based activities planned for Saturdays. Local residents will also have access to a digital library, basic digital training as well as use of computer equipment, which will all be free. The centre will be run in a Covid-safe way, with Covid safety training also provided.
Southern Sheeting has appointed Ecommerce Manager Jo Morfield to lead the company’s ecommerce expansion and support the next stages of its growth as a market leader. Morfield is an experienced digital marketing manager who is looking forward to helping the business build on the recent launch of its ecommerce website. Southern Sheeting in East Grinstead, West Sussex, has been supplying building materials to trade and domestic customers around the UK for more than 40 years and is embarking on an ambitious strategy to grow digital sales. “We’re delighted to welcome Jo to our team. She will play a key role in supporting us on our digital journey, achieving our ambitions and growing our online capabilities. We’ve invested a lot of time in launching our new website. Its full ecommerce functionality allows both new and existing customers to see their own pricing, check live stock levels and purchase everything online within a few clicks,” said Tony Hobbs, Managing Director, Southern Sheeting. “Jo’s experience and enthusiasm for helping companies realise a digital transformation is just what we need to take Southern Sheeting’s offering to the next level.” Her role will involve setting-up, resourcing and managing the ecommerce department to deliver digital sales revenue, gross profit targets and KPIs, while seeking out further growth opportunities. She will also ensure that the new website delivers an exceptional user and customer centric experience. “With more than ten years of digital and ecommerce experience, I have always been passionate about digital transformation and making a difference. I love working with companies to help them on their digital journey, and who have clear ambitions, along with a desire to futureproof and grow their online capabilities, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to support them in this venture,” added Jo Morfield. “This role is vital to the company growth strategy and I believe that I will bring drive, passion, and a commitment for all things digital along with my wealth of experience. I have already been made to feel like part of the team in this friendly and family run business which goes above and beyond to look after its employees and clients. I’m looking forward to bringing their 40 years of experience and amazing customer service to the online journey.”
Baxi Heating UK and Ireland has appointed specification specialist Ryan Kirkwood to the role of Heat Pump Business Development Manager. The move is part of the company’s continuous improvement and development strategy, ensuring it is well prepared for the future as the heating industry makes the transition towards zero carbon and sustainable solutions, and to meet the changing needs of its customers. Ryan joined the business in 2013 as an area sales manager in Scotland, looking after specification and sales of Remeha gas boilers, biomass boilers and CHP. He explains why he is excited by his new role: “My passion has always been sustainable design. Heat pumps are one of the key technologies we must use properly to ensure our homes and businesses are sustainable in the future. “My background is in mechanical design engineering and building simulation. I’ve worked closely with contractors and consultants over the last 10 years and consider myself to be an absolute geek when it comes to functional design and helping to maximise system performance. Over the years I have seen the good, bad and ugly with both design and installation, and have learned from what I’ve seen. “I am really looking forward to the dynamic aspect of evolving solutions for heating and hot water in the future. No one method works for all building types; the solution must be tailored for each and this is the real challenge. Heat pumps are one of the key technologies that will help us to a more sustainable future. We cannot ignore how important heat networks are in our drive for affordable, low carbon heating and hot water. And we are making important developments with hydrogen. Having a blended solution of both heat pumps and hydrogen boilers in the future may be one of the best ways of delivering sustainable heating solutions. “I love helping our customers deliver conceptual and innovative ideas. Innovation is the key to making all the future carbon targets a reality. We must ensure we have innovative solutions for today’s challenges while developing future solutions for tomorrow,” Ryan concludes. When he’s not working, Ryan enjoys paragliding and building things – anything from model aeroplanes to off-road touring vehicles.
IT’S NO SECRET that the UK construction sector is suffering from a serious skills shortage, with a reported 182,000 new engineers alone needed each year to bridge the gap. Apprenticeships have been proven as a great way to combat this crisis and are becoming a serious option for all school leavers as Covid-19 makes higher education a decreasingly attractive option. With most apprenticeships rooted in STEM fields, another key action point when closing the skills gap is encouraging more diversity. The latest figures from the Women’s Engineering Society1 (WES) show that women make up just under 13% of the engineering workforce and just less than 18% of higher apprentices in the engineering and manufacturing sector. This is something Zoe Fittock and Angelina Stankovic, both trainee apprentices at national M&E consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW), are hoping to change. Zoe said: “Apprenticeships have always been an attractive option for many, including myself, and are increasingly seen as a strong rival to higher education, providing the valuable skills and real-world experience needed for success in the construction sector. “With it being Women in Construction Week, it’s an important time to be talking about the need for more women in the construction sector. Apprenticeships are a great way for women to circumvent the glass ceiling and get their foot in the door. “By making it easier for women to step into the industry from the start of their career, we can challenge stigmas around female engineers and normalise equal representation from the start.” For new trainees entering the industry, the need for frequent technical engagement is a key part of development. CPW’s two-fold approach ensures that this can continue despite the challenges of lockdown restrictions. Firstly, a straightforward mentor hierarchy for trainees keeps lines of remote technical input clear and concise, and secondly, CPW currently retains some weekly office presence options for trainees to sit alongside mentors. Apprentices are given priority over socially distanced desks and office numbers are appropriately limited, while still allowing some of the regular face-to-face interaction that is vital to progression. Angelina added: “The construction industry is as hands-on as it gets and having the opportunity to gain practical experience with software, design implementation, and working as a team on a common project goal is invaluable. “We’ve already had great insights into the sector, enhancing our knowledge of M&E engineering and construction industry trends beyond what could be learnt in a university classroom. “Entering a traditionally male-dominated industry can be daunting to say the least. It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy as the ‘boys club’ mentality deters women from applying for roles at all. By beginning at an apprentice level, it paves the way to gender equality in engineering. Learning alongside male counterparts and benefitting from the expert knowledge of your more experienced team members, really helps challenge the stigma.” Authentic on the job learning and an opportunity to earn whilst you learn makes construction apprenticeships an attractive place to start your career. CPW has a strong track record of supporting trainees and apprentices in further and higher education across all ten offices. More than 40% of its team has come through the apprenticeship training programme and trainees are given the opportunity to complete industry-recognised qualifications and work on live projects while being managed in a supportive environment. Taking on new trainees each year, CPW will be launching its 2021 apprenticeship scheme later this year. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CpwEastMids on Twitter.
International real estate firm Hines has appointed Stephen Finch as Head of Facilities Management – Living, Europe within its Property Management Group. A core focus of this role is on its living portfolio spanning its Build to Rent (BTR) and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), under the Hines aparto brand. Finch joins Hines from the NHS, where most recently he was Head of Estates for a Trust working as part of its Covid-19 response team, working in line with UK government protocols. Prior to this, Finch worked for the British army, specialising in operations, project management, tactical delivery, training and logistics. At Hines, Finch will join the firm’s expanding Living platform across Europe which includes 13.5 million sq ft of assets and EUR3.8 billion in AUM. He will be responsible for facilities, operations and mobilisation across its portfolio, reporting into Tom Rix, Managing Director, Living – Europe. The Living sector is a key strategic growth area for Hines across Europe, with the firm targeting to acquire or develop BTR assets this year, while continuing ongoing growth of its student housing platform. Most recently, Hines has acquired a 30,000-square-meter portfolio of eight prime sites in France, to develop a series of BTR residential schemes, on behalf of its Hines Pan-European Core Fund (HECF). In total, the sites will provide 500 units of high-quality living space across eight locations in France. Other notable key projects under the Hines Living banner include, Cherrywood in Dublin, Südkreuz in Berlin and two projects in Milan, Giovenale and Ripamonti. As part of Stephen’s appointment, Andy Fletcher will transition to the role of Technical Operations Director at Hines, taking responsibility for the firm’s entire UK portfolio technical needs. His focus will be on supporting the Asset and Project Management teams across its UK sites, to drive tenant satisfaction, and investment returns, through operating its assets more efficiently working closely with on-site engineering teams. Tom Rix, Managing Director, Living – Europe, at Hines, says: “It’s a coup to have someone of Stephen’s experience join our team. We have clear growth plans across our Living assets in Europe, and Stephen will be a vital component of our operational and facilities management setup as we expand. We welcome Stephen to the Hines family and Living team.” Finch, Head of Facilities Management – Living, in Europe, at Hines, adds “It’s great to join Tom and the wider Living team at Hines. The firm has an exceptional reputation in the burgeoning BTR and PBSA sectors, working on some incredible projects across Europe. I look forward to progressing our strategic plans, building on our reputation with the delivery of first-class operational and facilities management services to deliver for our customers.”