Bilfinger GVA, one of the UK’s largest commercial property advisers, part of Bilfinger SE, the global service and engineering group, announces the appointment today of Gerry Hughes as its new Chief Executive. Based at the Company’s UK headquarters in London, Mr Hughes will now lead the Bilfinger GVA business into the next phase of its on-going business strategy. Currently in the top five UK commercial real estate advisors, the Company is delivering on its vision to be Europe’s leading professional consultancy and management services group in the real estate sector. It will continue to develop its full suite of services to public and private sector clients through its unrivalled UK regional network of offices. Mr Hughes has worked at the Company since 1992 in a number of leadership roles, most recently as National Head of the business’ Planning, Development and Regeneration team. He also sits on the International Board of Bilfinger Real Estate and will continue to do so. Mr Hughes has extensive expertise in advising on setting strategy for and enabling the delivery of complex development and regeneration projects at all scales. In particular, he has significant experience in establishing public/private joint venture delivery structures and funding mechanisms. Over the past six years in London, Mr Hughes has successfully helped lead Bilfinger GVA to a position where the Company is currently advising on some of the most significant projects in the Capital. This is exemplified by the launch in the last month of the £2 billion Haringey Development Vehicle and the Winstanley Estate Renewal project alongside Clapham Junction. Mr Hughes is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He holds a Master of Science degree in Town & Country Planning from Queen’s University, Belfast. Dr Joachim Ott, Executive President of Bilfinger Real Estate commented: “We are delighted to appoint Gerry Hughes as Chief Executive of Bilfinger GVA at a time when we see many opportunities across the UK and Europe to accelerate the growth and closer integration of our real estate business. We are especially pleased to be able to make an internal appointment in line with the succession planning process that had already been put in place. I am very confident that Gerry’s proven track record at Bilfinger GVA since 1992, the versatility of his market knowledge, the strength of his established network, and his expertise in advising on and coordinating complex development projects will prove invaluable in leading our UK business. We are confident that his successful leadership abilities will deliver the continued growth of our business in the UK and internationally.” Gerry Hughes, Chief Executive of Bilfinger GVA said: “It is an honour to be asked to lead Bilfinger GVA as we enter the next phase of our business strategy and further build on our recent successes. The market potential for Bilfinger GVA in the UK and Europe is huge and underpinned by our unrivalled real estate consultancy pedigree. The team has built an enviable reputation as leaders in many aspects of the real estate market in the UK and our pipeline of opportunities has never been stronger. Bilfinger GVA is now taking that success into Europe and beyond and we expect that the wider corporate activity at Bilfinger SE will present us with even greater opportunities. I look forward to working even more closely with all my colleagues to fulfil our full potential as a business.”

A London based company who fabricate structural steel products has been fined for failure to maintain compliance with the law following prior HSE enforcement action. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how William Fry Fabrications Limited failed to thoroughly examine two cranes used by the company, despite receiving both Improvement and Prohibition Notices on this issue for its cranes in 2011. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that between 2012 and 2015 the cranes had not been thoroughly examined at least every 12 months despite an absolute legal duty to do so. William Fry Fabrications Limited, of Neasden Lane, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(3)(a) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and was fined £13,333 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,527.

Steve Hails, health and safety director for Crossrail, is set to leave his post at Europe’s largest construction project to join Tideway. Steve joined Crossrail in early 2012 as health and safety director. He introduced and guided Crossrail through the development of the Health and Safety Performance Index (HSPI), developed the Frontline Leadership Programme and has been a prominent champion for Crossrail’s Target Zero aspirations and health, safety and wellbeing achievements. Steve has led a number of health and safety programmes including ‘Stepping Up Week’, the health and safety survey, “Have Your Say”, and has provided guidance and advice to the Health and Safety Committee. He will join Crossrail ‘s former programme director Andy Mitchell, who was appointed CEO of Tideway in 2014. Tideway are upgrading London’s sewerage system to cope with demands of the city. Construction work for a new 25 kilometre interception, storage and transfer tunnel running up to 65 metres below the river will start in 2016. A Crossrail spokesperson said: “Steve Hails, Crossrail Director of Health and Safety, has accepted a new role as Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing with Tideway. The process to recruit Steve’s replacement is underway. Steve will join Tideway later in 2016.”

YourPlace factoring services director Alison McDiarmid has been elected as President of the Property Managers Association Scotland (PMAS). PMAS represents 37 professional factoring firms in Scotland, promoting high standards and best practice across the industry and supporting members through research and training. Alison joined YourPlace Property Management, part of Wheatley Group, in 2005 and took over as factoring services director in 2013. She said: “I am delighted to be elected as PMAS President and look forward to working with members on further driving up property management standards. In particular we will work closely this year with Scottish Government as they review parts of the Property Factors Act and with the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS) on a new website to help owners with practical issues.” Alison is also part of the Glasgow Factoring Commission and is a non-executive director with Quality Scotland, which helps Scottish companies improve business performance, deliver quality and achieve sustainable business excellence.

Civil engineering costs are forecast to rise by around a quarter in the next five years, and tender prices by around a third, according to new analysis. The latest report from RICS’ Building Cost Information Service shows civil engineering costs rose by 1.4% in the third quarter of 2015 compared with the previous quarter, but remained unchanged compared with the same period last year. They are expected to fall over the year to Q3 2016, mainly as a result of falling oil prices. However, costs could rise sharply thereafter as oil bounces back, climbing by as much as 25 per cent over the next five years. New work infrastructure output is expected to remain virtually flat this year. By 2017, output is predicted to fall, with the cycle of some major projects having passed peak as opposed to a downturn in the market. Moderate growth returns in 2018, and will slow slightly in 2019, before rising quite sharply in 2020 due to increased investment in major road schemes and a build-up of HS2 construction, assuming the project goes ahead. Peter Rumble, head of forecasting for RICS’ BCIS division, said: “With civil engineering costs set to fall over the next year, a moderate increase in annual tender prices is expected in the year to the third quarter 2016. “Over the next three years, input cost increases are likely to be the key driver of tender prices but, over 2020, the final year of the forecast period, stronger output growth, in addition to upward pressure from input costs, is expected to lead to a greater gap between costs and tender prices. “Despite new infrastructure work output predicted to stall for the duration of 2016, the five-year forecast period remains significantly stronger than pre-2010 levels, which bodes well for the economy.”

National social enterprise and procurement consortium Fusion21 has won the ‘Driving Value for Money’ category in the first Cabinet Office Social Value Awards. The awards – which recognise and celebrate best practice in commissioning and providing social value – were announced at the third Social Value Summit, on Thursday February 11, in London. Shortlisted alongside Gloucestershire County Council and Data Performance Consultancy, Fusion21 was selected for demonstrating a clear focus on achieving social value within available budgets, backed up by evidence. Through a collaborative approach with its membership, Fusion21 has delivered c£125m savings through the procurement process, created over 2300 jobs, and generated around £56m in community impact across the country. In 2014 – 2015 alone Fusion21 generated £13,901,647 of social return on investment for members – in addition to £13,243,226 in efficiency savings. Commenting on the win, Dave Neilson, Chief Executive at Fusion21, said: “Fusion21 is committed to generating social value which supports the growth, stabilisation and development of communities – whilst also delivering intelligent procurement solutions and cost savings to our members. “Our approach to social value seeks to create maximum benefit for communities at a localised level, creating a range of positive outcomes – from job creation, to training and wider community regeneration. We are really proud to have been recognised for our contributions, and winning in such a strong category.” The Cabinet Office Social Value Awards honour organisations and individuals whose activity reflects recommendations made in the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. Fusion21 has supported this Act since its introduction, and will continue to raise awareness of the importance of social value in procurement exercises, as a part of the SEUK Social Economy Alliance.

Rope Services Direct – How to use a Ratchet Strap from Dale Shaw on Vimeo. Securing loads safely is essential – regardless of whether you’re a small business owner simply transporting loads by van, or working with larger fleets of trucks or lorries. If loads aren’t anchored correctly, the results can be damage to items, vehicle accidents, injury and even death; all it takes is the need to break sharply or a tight turn to cause havoc. This video from Rope Services Direct runs through a step-by-step guide to using ratchet straps safely, and properly securing loads for transportation. As part of their advice, they add: “Be careful not to use your ratchet strap on sharp edges”, and they recommend either using protection/cover on the webbing or simply avoiding the edges altogether. This company are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of ratchet straps, wire ropes and other related products for industry – so take note of their professional advice!

Fernhill Stone, the professional stone cladding providers show you how to apply stone cladding to walls, so that you can do it yourself in a few easy steps. Learn something new and save money at the same time! Choose your stone cladding and ensure you have the correct materials for the installation process. The tools you need include; Hand grinder Hatchet Wide mouth nippers Pointing gun Metal stick Brush Mason’s trowel Hammer Spirit level Wheel barrow Wood/ metal strike tool Tuck pointer Electric mortar mixer You must also wear the following protective equipment for healthy and safety reasons; Steel toecap boots Hi visibility clothing Hard hat Work gloves Goggles The video now shows you the step by step process. Prepare the surface with water resistant barriers from the bottom up smoothly, making sure that upper layer laps lower at least four inches. Then apply the corrosion resistant metal lath using galvanized fasteners. It then shows you how to install the mortar to the walls and clean excess mortar from the edges. Don’t forget to clean the wall with detergent and water. For detailed information on how to apply stone cladding to walls take a look at this YouTube video: Visit Fernhill Stone for more information

Incidents within confined spaces all too frequently result in fatalities. Working within confined spaces is common in many industries, posing a real issue for managers and others responsible for health and safety in the workplace, prompting the launch of a new report from specialist training provider Develop Training Limited (DTL). The report highlights a chronic lack of awareness of the dangers of working in confined spaces, or even what constitutes a confined space. This means managers can expose workers to hazards without realising it or putting adequate safeguards in place, heightening the chances an accident will happen. Employers, managers and responsible persons may face prosecution if they put lives at risk through failure to comply with current regulations. A confined space is one which is either fully or partially enclosed, and has a foreseeable risk of fire, explosion or loss of consciousness or suffocation to the entrant. Accidents like this can occur in a range of industries including construction, manufacturing, utilities and marine work, and it is estimated that between 15 and 30 deaths occur in confined spaces accidents every year. The white paper Confined Spaces: Training and Compliance for Safe Working looks in detail at the topic, considering everything from the definition and the risks associated with them, to employers’ duties and training requirements as set out in UK legislation. It concludes that greater awareness of the problem and appropriate investment in training and procedures are overdue across UK industry. Chris Wood, CEO at DTL, explains: “Companies have a responsibility to protect those working in confined spaces, and training is essential to this. Our state-of-the-art confined spaces units train delegates on how to navigate the obstacles that arise from working in dark, cramped spaces, while providing procedural guidance to help reduce the risks of the work.” The introduction of new confined spaces legislation has made this type of training more important than ever – companies including TATA global beverages, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, BMW Mini and Northumbrian Water have already taken up training. To download a free copy of the whitepaper, please click here: http://tinyurl.com/zxdr38g DTL can provide specialist confined spaces training at any one of its five training bases nationwide, and can also deliver on-site solutions through its mobile confined space training unit, which is immensely popular with clients. Visit www.developtraining.co.uk for more information.