Is It Possible To Remove Risk From Your Property Development? Investments all come with risks, and the property market has its fair share of those to consider before any decisions can be made. However, it is possible to reduce risk from your property development, to protect yourself, those working for
A North Tyneside Customer First Centre will undergo work from next week to make it more disability-friendly. Starting Monday 16 January, North Tyneside Council’s partner Kier North Tyneside will begin work on a brand new Changing Places facility at Wallsend Customer First Centre. The work involves extending the current disabled
The dangers of sub metering are first of all that it is hardly considered such an important stage in re-building and developing projects. However, research directed by Joanne Merry shows that this is not an aspect of metering that should be ignored or taken lightly by landlords and their tenants
With so much to do on a daily basis, it can be easy to shrug off health and safety procedures or forget to implement strategies that could keep your workforce safe. Unfortunately, slacking in these areas could have disastrous results. So, here’s how to improve your workplace practices. Invest
One of Hull’s best known companies has filed for administration after hitting financial difficulties. Hall Construction Group, which employs around 110 people in their Clay Street site, in east Hull, filed for administration this week, just months after posting a loss of more than £2m in their annual accounts. The
The fruition of the plan to turn Manchester into a central hub of railway interconnectivity has been in place since the 19th Century when in 1830 George Stephenson implemented the works that would result in the first transport connection link between it and the city of Liverpool. More recently, Network
A ground-breaking exhibition of offsite construction solutions, the largest of its kind ever seen in the UK, will be a key component of Ecobuild 2017. Forward-thinking companies that are making the most of the opportunities provided by offsite construction are relishing the chance to demonstrate their technology within Explore Offsite
AECOM Director Ant Wilson has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2017. Ant, who has worked at AECOM for over 37 years, received the Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to building and engineering. Ant is a Director in AECOM’s building engineering
Colliers International has acquired Vision Asset Management, one of Europe’s leading hospitality asset management companies. The business will be rebranded as Colliers International and integrated into Colliers’ existing hotel property services operation. Following the acquisition, Colliers’ combined hotels property services team will now total more than 35 professionals offering agency
Construction services company J Tomlinson has appointed Richard Ball as the head of the company’s growing safety, health, environment and quality team. The move brings all the firm’s health, safety and compliance operations in-house for the first time and is designed to support the company’s expansion. An ex-serviceman who spent
Is It Possible To Remove Risk From Your Property Development? Investments all come with risks, and the property market has its fair share of those to consider before any decisions can be made. However, it is possible to reduce risk from your property development, to protect yourself, those working for you and the development itself. RIsk cannot be removed altogether but you can put precautions in place to ensure your losses are minimised. If you have been considering how best to minimise risk in your latest project, read on to discover just how you can go about doing so: Team up with a reputable, knowledgeable builder When it comes to hiring a builder, don’t shop around on the basis of cost alone. Quality is key when working in the property development field, which is why you need to look for a builder who knows what they’re doing, who you can rely on and even turn to advice when it comes to renovations and putting together your vision. They should also be able to overcome any hurdles along the way, they’ll know when to apply for planning permission, who to turn to in the event of an emergency repair and can help you correctly plan timelines for builds and work. Look at what the big players are doing The big property development players and land acquisition companies have got to where they are for a reason, the First Urban Group for example has curated a portfolio of developments, where sustainability is key and the local area is considered carefully. Look carefully at what companies such as this are doing and follow in their footsteps to avoid any risk of taking the wrong path. Take time to understand the property market You should stay up to date on property news, especially with Brexit continuing to cause confusion and caution. If buy-to-let is your main ambition, it’s very important you read up on the latest restrictions applied to this area, making decisions without understanding the implications can have a negative effect on your investments and future as a property developer. Educating yourself about the processes will significantly reduce risk; help you become knowledgeable in the financial areas and ensure you know what you are talking about when dealing with future buyers. Work with the right estate agent Whether you are selling the property on for potential profit or teaming up with a letting agent, ensure you select the right one and avoid risk of taking on the services of an incompetent team. A big name doesn’t always mean the best service, so speak to people in the industry and ask who they recommend. Always ensure you are covered The simplest of things can be forgotten, such as property developer insurance. Ensure you are covered for any house building work to ensure that should something go wrong while the builders are in you are protected financially and legally. It’s worth paying out for and is the simplest way to reduce risk. Before you begin your next development project, check through this list and ensure you feel confident that risk is at a minimum before taking the next step.
A North Tyneside Customer First Centre will undergo work from next week to make it more disability-friendly. Starting Monday 16 January, North Tyneside Council’s partner Kier North Tyneside will begin work on a brand new Changing Places facility at Wallsend Customer First Centre. The work involves extending the current disabled access toilet into the children’s area and reconfiguring the interior to house a hoist and shower facilities. The new facility will comfortably provide space for one person and up to two carers, as well as a safe and clean environment with a non-slip floor. Current baby changing facilities will be moved to the public toilets on the first day and for the duration of the project, the staff disabled toilet will be made available to the public. Delighted with the work, North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “It’s fantastic that we are able to start work on this brand new Changing Places facility at Wallsend Customer First Centre. “We know that the Changing Places scheme does so much for people with disabilities and I’m extremely happy that we are supporting it here in North Tyneside. “It is important that we make sure the borough’s facilities are as accessible as possible for anyone who may want to use them and this development will go a long way to helping us do that.” Kier regional director, Mike Furze, said: “We are proud to be delivering this specialist project, which will be of significant benefit to service users for years to come. “By working in partnership with our colleagues at North Tyneside Council we are making a real difference to improving the quality of specialist community facilities for residents across the borough.” Due for completion at the end of February, services at the centre will not be affected but there may be some noise disruption while the work is carried out. Read more at http://neconnected.co.uk/big-changes-customer-first-centre/
The dangers of sub metering are first of all that it is hardly considered such an important stage in re-building and developing projects. However, research directed by Joanne Merry shows that this is not an aspect of metering that should be ignored or taken lightly by landlords and their tenants or private residents. Merry reports an overwhelming number of cases in the West End of London in which more than 80% of the meters installed were discovered to have significant problems with them. This resulted in reparation costs that amounted to over an already staggering amount of 200 thousand pounds. It is therefore of paramount importance that a number of procedures are followed through to ensuring that this sort of thing does not happen. Metering should for a start be viewed as a serious system of its own right to be dealt with considerable caution. The Heat Network Regulations of 2015 were installed in place to ensure that certain standards for even the cheapest meters were met. However, a certain clause of these regulations (Part L) is often considered to be met even without the full and detailed implementation of various tests and measures that would ensure that the installed meters would not break down or give misleading readings. Meters also vary for different environments (one in a workplace would need different requirements compared to, say, one in a small household) and the appropriate meter must be installed properly with all the appropriate installation procedures and testing, including reviewing documents and instruction manuals. These tests and procedures, whilst perhaps lengthy and seemingly unnecessary to the untrained eye, will ensure that such problems as breakages or false misleading meter readings are reduced by a very significant proportion. They will also increase good landlord-tenant relations in rented properties in the long term by enabling the accurate meter readings to be read and the correct and appropriate amounts to be charged.
With so much to do on a daily basis, it can be easy to shrug off health and safety procedures or forget to implement strategies that could keep your workforce safe. Unfortunately, slacking in these areas could have disastrous results. So, here’s how to improve your workplace practices. Invest in the right equipment for heavy lifting Many jobs require some form of heavy lifting, but it’s important to ensure that tasks are carried out correctly by investing in adequate equipment such as hoists, excavators and loaders. This equipment may need to be fitted with heavy duty castors so that the machine can safely handle heavy weights or perform particular functions, so make sure the equipment your business is using is up to scratch. Employees should not be expected to lift heavy items without the proper equipment (or training on how to use the equipment safely), so take the relevant steps to ensure their safety. Provide personal protective equipment Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be supplied to all workers who need it. While hard hats and steel toe boots are required on building sites, those working with dangerous chemicals may also need facemasks, gloves and overalls, as well as other pieces of protective clothing – it all depends on the type of industry you’re in and the requirements of specific jobs 3. Put up health and safety signs In order to comply with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, you must use safety signs if a significant risk to employees and others remains despite putting in place all other relative measures. From ‘hot water’ signs to ‘mind the step’ and ‘low roof’ signs there’s a multitude of warning plaques you might need to position. Think about fire safety All businesses should have someone responsible for fire safety, be it the owner of the premises, the facilities manager or someone else. This person should follow government advice by: carrying out a fire risk assessment and reviewing it regularly alerting the necessary staff members about any risks identified putting in place and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures planning for an emergency providing staff information, fire safety instruction and training It’s important to take all fire safety rules and regulations seriously – lives are at risk, and you could be fined or go to prison if you don’t put measures in place. Carry out full risk assessments As well as fire safety risk assessments you should also carry out a full assessment of your entire business, identifying anything that could pose a threat to employees or visitors. The Health and Safety Executive provides extensive risk management advice for you to follow (much of which will be useful for the points raised above). Start by addressing the things you current have concerns about. If you discover wobbly steps, for instance, having a driveway repaved could make the entrance to your premises a lot safer. Similarly, if you have a habit of leaving computers on overnight, identify doing so as a fire hazard; send round a company email reminding staff to shut down all electrical equipment properly before leaving at night. Health and safety at work is of paramount importance, so put it to the front of your mind and protect employees in every way you can.
One of Hull’s best known companies has filed for administration after hitting financial difficulties. Hall Construction Group, which employs around 110 people in their Clay Street site, in east Hull, filed for administration this week, just months after posting a loss of more than £2m in their annual accounts. The company told the Mail that it had taken the decision to “protect the company”. However, It is understood some workers have already been looking for work with other city construction firms. The Mail understands the company, which builds schools, houses and offices, is still looking for alternative routes at keeping the family-run company afloat despite. It is thought the process will last until next week. Last night the company’s website was closed down. One of Hall’s most recent projects was the completion of the acclaimed @TheDock auditorous for client Wykeland beside the C4Di building in the Fruit Market. The company, which was established more than 100 years ago, also built the main C4Di building and had been working on the new Williams Den, a £3m play arena which was set to be opening in North Cave in Easter this year. Hall Construction Group, which includes the companies Hall Renewables and Hall Construction, are believed to have filed for administration earlier this week. When the Mail called Hall Construction’s head offices on Wednesday a woman, who was not identified, said: “We have taken the decision to file for administration in order to protect the company but we have not taken the decision yet to go into that. We are hoping this is not going to be the case.” Interested in this article? Read more at Hull Daily Mail.
The fruition of the plan to turn Manchester into a central hub of railway interconnectivity has been in place since the 19th Century when in 1830 George Stephenson implemented the works that would result in the first transport connection link between it and the city of Liverpool. More recently, Network Rail has been working very hard up in Manchester in order to enable the implementation of two archways along the river that splits Manchester. Through this ambitious venture, it will enable the foundations to be made for a brand new railway link that will be able to connect the three main train stations in Manchester together along the same line, so that passengers and travelers to the city can access the treasures of what the city has to offer in an even easier and quicker than ever before. The two arched structures themselves are known as the Ordsall Chord and have added much aesthetic beauty and charm to the impressive Manchester skyline and it is clear that the installation of these archways bring Network Rail yet again one step closer to the completion of the Great North Rail enterprise to renovate the trains and transport links of cities across the whole of the North of the country. It is estimated that through this new “chord” the amount of traffic and congestion that Manchester experiences on a daily basis will actually go down by a quarter, indicating how necessary these improvements to the transport links are to the city and its populace. The vital building of the archways will mean that the 300 meters of railway track will be able to be installed so that the four stations can be reached easily without the need for changes to rail services. Indeed, the Minister for Rail Paul Maynard explains that he is extremely pleased that this crucial step has now been achieved for the city and will enable the further necessary works to continue as planned, where it is hoped trains will be able to be operating on the connecting line by the end of this very year.
A ground-breaking exhibition of offsite construction solutions, the largest of its kind ever seen in the UK, will be a key component of Ecobuild 2017. Forward-thinking companies that are making the most of the opportunities provided by offsite construction are relishing the chance to demonstrate their technology within Explore Offsite at Ecobuild. Taking place alongside the exhibition, Explore Offsite at Ecobuild masterclasses will provide a platform to learn about the latest in offsite technology developments with expert information and seminars on solving the housing shortage, using offsite technology to construct a more sustainable environment, and how the industry is responding to unprecedented demand through greater investment in lean manufacturing systems. Free CPD accredited Offsite Technology Masterclasses will run daily throughout the show to offer an independent perspective of the offsite construction sector. Intensive training sessions will address the drivers and benefits of using offsite construction technology, and provide visitors with the knowledge to successfully apply these techniques. The Offsite Technology Masterclasses will host 48 speakers over 18 hours of presentations across 14 sessions. The masterclasses will cover six topics including: Modular Volumetric Technology, MEP & Pod Technology, Structural Timber Technology, Roofing Technology, Concrete Technology and Light Steel Frame Technology. Speakers include: Stephen Wightman, Caledonian Modular Ltd Darren Richards, Managing Director, Cogent Consulting Rory Bergin, Partner – Sustainable Futures, HTA Design LLP John Skivington – Director, LHC David Harris, Divisional Director, Premier Modular Steve Newell, General Manager, Portakabin Julia Evans, Chief Executive, BSRIA Graham Cleland, General Manager, NG Bailey Paul Cooper, Managing Director, Ormandy Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive, Structural Timber Association Nick Milestone, Managing Director, B&K Structures Tim Snelson, Associate, Arup Nic Clark, Managing Director, KLH James Talman, Chief Executive, NFRC Elaine Toogood, Senior Architect, Concrete Centre Dr Michael Samson, SCI Chris Dolling, Manager, Marketing and Technical Development, The British Constructional Steelwork Association Robert Clark, Managing Director, Fusion For more information, and to book your free place, please visit www. ecobuild.co.uk/exploreoffsite Ends: 05 January 2017 Contact: lily.rutherford@radar-communications.co.uk
AECOM Director Ant Wilson has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2017. Ant, who has worked at AECOM for over 37 years, received the Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to building and engineering. Ant is a Director in AECOM’s building engineering team, leading the company’s sustainable development, advanced design and applied research work. A prominent building services engineer, he promotes low energy and low carbon design, innovation and sustainable construction, improving the energy performance of buildings for clients across the UK. Ant has worked on the development of the Part L ‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’ Building Regulations since 1998 and the delivery of the 2002 Approved Documents, as well as subsequent versions in 2006, 2010 and 2013 for the relevant Government departments. Committed to the promotion and advancement of engineering and sustainability, Ant regularly lectures at a number of universities and visits schools to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering. He has been a STEM Ambassador since 2002 and is a member of the steering group for the London-Loughborough (LoLo) EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Demand, a research centre that aims to inspire the leaders and innovators needed to transform the UK’s buildings and energy sector. Ant is involved in a number of industry associations and institutions. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Energy Institute and the Society of Façade Engineering. He is also a council member of the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), a member of the British Council for Offices (BCO) Technical Affairs Committee and a member of the Society of Light and Lighting. I am honoured to receive an MBE. Commenting on his award, Ant said: “I am honoured to receive an MBE. The recognition it brings raises the profile of engineering and will help me encourage more people to join the industry. Throughout my career I have had the privilege to work with so many brilliant people, both at AECOM and in the wider industry, who have mentored and encouraged me. I would like to thank all them for their support over the past 40 years.” Patrick Flaherty, Chief Executive – UK and Ireland, AECOM, said: “We are extremely proud of Ant’s achievement in the New Year’s Honours, which is recognition for his tireless contribution and commitment to the engineering profession. Since starting his career with AECOM, Ant has remained at the forefront of efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon usage in buildings.” The New Year’s Honours recognise outstanding achievement or service to the community. They are awarded every year on 1 January by Her Majesty The Queen.
Colliers International has acquired Vision Asset Management, one of Europe’s leading hospitality asset management companies. The business will be rebranded as Colliers International and integrated into Colliers’ existing hotel property services operation. Following the acquisition, Colliers’ combined hotels property services team will now total more than 35 professionals offering agency and valuation advisory, as well as asset management services. Colliers’ head of hotels and resorts consulting Marc Finney will lead the expanded team, working with new directors Ben Godon and Allan Davidson who will continue in the roles they held at Vision. Davidson said: “Having built a significant market share within the hospitality sector, we have found the right international partner to help us take the next strategic growth step for our business. “For us, this is the beginning of a new chapter and we are looking forward to combining our local and sector expertise with Colliers’ global platform to better meet our clients’ needs.” Founded in 2001, Vision advises clients in the UK and across EMEA and has managed more than 100 assets. Colliers’ chief executive Tony Horrell said: “Vision is well regarded by investors, owners and funders looking to increase investment performance in the hospitality sector. These market leading professionals will enhance our existing team of hotels experts; as well as complement our investment property asset management service. “The addition of asset management brings a new dimension to the hotel and hospitality services that we provide to our clients across the country.”
Construction services company J Tomlinson has appointed Richard Ball as the head of the company’s growing safety, health, environment and quality team. The move brings all the firm’s health, safety and compliance operations in-house for the first time and is designed to support the company’s expansion. An ex-serviceman who spent 22 years in the Corps of Royal Engineers, rising to the highest attainable position of Regimental Sergeant Major as a non-commissioned officer, Richard is based at J Tomlinson’s Nottingham head office but will spend time in the West Midlands office in Canwell, as well as at sites across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire. He said: “J Tomlinson has an excellent reputation and I am pleased to have been appointed to head up and develop the SHEQ operations. “Health and safety was an integral part of my military life, during which I was required to deliver on time in what were the most arduous of environments and still meet legislative requirements. After witnessing and experiencing loss which was accepted it only seemed natural that becoming a safety professional would be a rewarding career. In the work place we don’t sign up to take risks, as you do in the military, this was the main motivation for moving into this sector after completing my military service in 2013.” Richard’s department is responsible for standardising quality control of the procedures, policies and compliance across the business, with particular focus on health and safety, environmental, and technical compliance such as gas or electrical installations and maintenance. Steve Kirkland, J Tomlinson’s managing director responsible for health and safety, said: “J Tomlinson offers integrated building solutions and to support that, we have invested in integrating and developing our management systems so that they are now fully in-house. “Richard joins us with an impressive background of having worked both within the construction and associated professions while in the military, as well as having expertise within the field of health, safety and compliance during his time in the services and since. “We’re very pleased to have welcomed him to this new role, at a time when J Tomlinson is continuing to expand sustainably.” Richard, who trained as a draftsman while in the military, has seen active service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He joined J Tomlinson after working for a number of companies in the construction sector since completing his service in 2013. Based at Beeston, near Nottingham, the company provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management. It operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire. For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk