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Trades & Services : Property & Facilities Management News

Shoosmiths Advises GBR Phoenix Beard Through Savills Acquisition

Cristina Diaconu September 21, 2016

The corporate team at national law firm Shoosmiths has advised long-standing clients, the shareholders of property consultancy GBR Phoenix Beard Holdings Limited, on its acquisition by international real estate advisor, Savills. With a reputation for providing high quality consultancy, property management, agency and transactional services, GBR Phoenix Beard is an

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Paul Marlow Crowned UK Construction Manager of the Year 2016

Cristina Diaconu September 20, 2016

McAleer & Rushe Project Manager, Paul Marlow, has been crowned the top construction manager in the UK for the delivery of a £29 million student accommodation project. Marlow won the industry ovation for the delivery of the 14 storey design and build scheme of outstanding quality with no accidents reported.

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Go Construct Shortlisted for Marketing Award

Cristina Diaconu September 19, 2016

Careers website, Go Construct, which was co-designed with more than 100 employers and launched by the Construction Industry Trading Board (CITB) one year ago, has been shortlisted for the User Experience and Design category at the forthcoming Masters of Marketing Awards. The campaign and careers website is an industry wide

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Wates M&E Arm Picks up Two £30m Major London Projects

Cristina Diaconu September 16, 2016

Wates M&E arm, SES Engineering Services, has picked up the mechanical, plumbing and electrical packages on two big London projects, which are worth £30 million between them. The double success represents a significant milestone for the company’s London and South East operations and will see extensive use of off-site manufacturing

Read More »

CITB Wales Calls on Welsh Government to Promote Construction Careers

Cristina Diaconu September 15, 2016

CITB Wales has called on the Welsh Government to focus on promoting careers in construction when the new assembly term gets underway this week. The group believes that with major projects planned, along with recent rises in Welsh construction vacancies, CITB believes that the government must take a two pronged

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Lee Valley Estates Founder Awarded St Mellitus Medal

Cristina Diaconu September 15, 2016

The founder of Lee Valley Estates, Michael Polledri MBE, has been awarded the prestigious St Mellitus Medal by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Charles. The awards came in recognition of the community building work in Hale Village, the £450 million mixed use urban village

Read More »

NHBC Rewards Top Site Managers at Awards Ceremony

Cristina Diaconu September 15, 2016

Almost 250 leading figures in the Welsh house building industry gathered at NHBC’s 36th Pride in the Job Regional Awards ceremony in Cardiff City Hall on Friday, September 2. Regional award winners John Greggain from L Greggain & Co Ltd (small category), Dale Dickenson from Llanmoor Homes (medium category) and

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Thirteen Group Teams up with Travis Perkins for £10m Efficiency Savings

Cristina Diaconu September 13, 2016

The biggest landlord group in the North East, Thirteen Group, has teamed up with the UK’s leading Timber and Builders Merchant, Travis Perkins Managed Services, to make £10 million of efficiency savings in the landlord’s operations. A partnership scheme between the two organisations has created the country’s biggest managed stores

Read More »

Flow Energy Launches Flow Eco RF Boiler

Cristina Diaconu September 13, 2016

Flow Energy has launched its Flow Eco RF boiler which could cut carbon emissions by 20% and reduce gas bills by up to 15%. The independent supplier is in the process of expanding its heat product range in an attempt to offer consumers a wider range of choice and the

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Issue 322 : Nov 2024

Trades : Property & Facilities Management News

Shoosmiths Advises GBR Phoenix Beard Through Savills Acquisition

Cristina Diaconu September 21, 2016

The corporate team at national law firm Shoosmiths has advised long-standing clients, the shareholders of property consultancy GBR Phoenix Beard Holdings Limited, on its acquisition by international real estate advisor, Savills. With a reputation for providing high quality consultancy, property management, agency and transactional services, GBR Phoenix Beard is an independent, owner-managed business which operates nationally from offices in Birmingham, London and Leeds. Its specialist teams cover commercial property management, office and industrial agency, investment, residential management, building consultancy, lease consultancy, rating, and health and safety services. Savills Birmingham was established in 1998 and offers a full spectrum of services including: development; planning; urban design & masterplanning; office and industrial agency; investment; building consultancy; rating; strategic asset management; lease consultancy; commercial property management; management set-up; valuation and housing and healthcare. The practice employs 205 people, who will all join Savills with immediate effect, and is led by Managing Director, Simon Farrant, alongside Head of Property Management, Catherine Gabriel and Head of Agency, Stephen Benson. Savills and the GBR Phoenix Beard Birmingham teams will relocate to a new combined office in due course, while the GBR Phoenix Beard teams in London and Leeds will move into Savills existing offices at Margaret Street and City Point. Shoosmiths corporate partner, Ben Turner and solicitor Georgina Gurnhill advised the shareholders of GBR Phoenix Beard on this complex deal; and provided solutions along the way. The team advised on all aspects of the deal, from the initial heads of terms stage to completion of the transaction. Tax advice was provided to the individual shareholders by Shoosmiths tax partner, Tom Wilde. Negotiation of the shareholders new service contracts with Savills was advised on by Shoosmiths employment associate, Nick Vernon. Simon Farrant, managing director at GBR Phoenix Beard, now Savills, said: “We have used Shoosmiths for a number of years and have been continuously impressed by the quality of the advice we have received on this deal and others.”

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Paul Marlow Crowned UK Construction Manager of the Year 2016

Cristina Diaconu September 20, 2016

McAleer & Rushe Project Manager, Paul Marlow, has been crowned the top construction manager in the UK for the delivery of a £29 million student accommodation project. Marlow won the industry ovation for the delivery of the 14 storey design and build scheme of outstanding quality with no accidents reported. The project manager from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, saw off competition from 85 other finalists and 10 gold medallists to secure the Construction Manager of the Year 2016 award. Marlow is also the first overall winner to come from a residential category in the 38 year history of the competition. Although he faced a series of technical and logistical challenges, Marlow delivered the Angel Lane project in Stratford on time and within budget, while the client was delighted with the ‘wow factor’ of the scheme. Since then, the 759 unit accommodation block has become a standard setter for Unite’s ‘Homes for Success’ initiative, and a benchmark against which future projects will be measured. His achievement is even more impressive because of the difficult start to the scheme: the start date had to be delayed by two months to January 2014 due to late land purchase, but the completion deadline remained fixed at July 2015, in order for Unite to prepare for the first intake of students. Marlow led the Angel Lane project from pre-construction phase and radically revised the build strategy to save two months from the programme. One of the time saving strategies was switching from a post tensioned to a reinforced in situ concrete frame. Marlow also chose a new lightweight cladding system that could be installed by cradles, mast climbers and scaffold, which freed up tower cranes for other activities. Angel Lane faced major constraints: it was bound by a main road, a bridge and a neighbouring building site.

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Go Construct Shortlisted for Marketing Award

Cristina Diaconu September 19, 2016

Careers website, Go Construct, which was co-designed with more than 100 employers and launched by the Construction Industry Trading Board (CITB) one year ago, has been shortlisted for the User Experience and Design category at the forthcoming Masters of Marketing Awards. The campaign and careers website is an industry wide effort to address the skills shortage in the sector head on by showcasing the wide range of exciting careers available. The site has attracted more than 400,000 visitors so far and 80,000 people have taken its online Personality Test to help find out which construction career would be best suited for them. It is also used by employers and careers advisors who are seeking information and materials to help promote construction. The awards ceremony will take place on October 4 at the Troxy in London and Go Construct will face competition for the award from Guardian Holidays and Gu Puds. Adeana Raper, of Henry Boot Construction, said that Go Construct is exactly what is needed in the industry – a one stop shop to learn about the construction sector. She added that the website is excellent for educators, parents, the industry in general and those who are curious about the construction sector. Go Construct Manager at CITB, Lorraine Gregory, said that it is great to see the hard work that CITB and the wider industry have put into developing the website, which will now be recognised at the awards. Gregory continued: “In less than a year, we’ve got together as an industry and built a great website that is helping us attract more people into construction. This is something we should be very proud of as an industry. There’s more to do and we will continue to develop and grow the site to make it even better. “We want more employers to get involved and get behind Go Construct. Industry’s support is vital if we’re to achieve our ultimate goal – getting more people interested in construction and attracting the best talent into the sector.”

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Wates M&E Arm Picks up Two £30m Major London Projects

Cristina Diaconu September 16, 2016

Wates M&E arm, SES Engineering Services, has picked up the mechanical, plumbing and electrical packages on two big London projects, which are worth £30 million between them. The double success represents a significant milestone for the company’s London and South East operations and will see extensive use of off-site manufacturing to ensure time and cost savings. SES has been chosen to deliver plumbing, electrical and mechanical services on the 12 storey office building for Google as part of the regeneration at King’s Cross, while they have also been awarded an £18.6 million MEP contract to deliver Barts Square Phase One, a £110 million luxury residential development in the St Bart’s area in Farrington. SES will carry on its long standing relationship with main contractor Carillion and client Argent on the commercial King’s Cross project. It will be working with client Helical Plc and Carillion for the first time to deliver 144 apartments with a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses situated in seven property blocks. Tim Cunningham, SES London and south east director said: “This is a truly exciting time for our London and South East operation and the growth of our business is down to our teams’ exemplary work and innovative off-site approach.” SES was the first M&E contractor to achieve Level 2 Certification of BRE BIM, which is required by the Government to work on the Whitehall procured projects from April. Cunningham said SES’ ‘build before you build’ approach was a perfect fit for the King’s Cross Handyside Street project, which has a tight 38-week programme set to complete in December 2017. Earlier in the month, Wates Living Space Maintenance secured a £24 million housing repairs and maintenance contract with Network Homes. The five year deal’s terms state that an optional five year extension will be responsible for year round maintenance.

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New APHC Online Learning Course Advises Installers on Business Contracts

Cristina Diaconu September 16, 2016

A new online course from APHC will give installers the opportunity to learn about the different types of business contracts, to help them prevent any disputes with their customers. A number of installers have experienced issues with customers over a number of years, whether that be failing to be paid on time, or customers who complain that the work carried out was not what they wanted to be done. The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) believes that its new Understanding Basic Contracts course may be the answer to this common problem. It provides installers with the opportunity to learn about the different contract types, so that they have a full awareness of the present consumer rights legislation and the resulting impact on their business. The course will show installers how to make sure that they issue the right contract type to their customers, whether it be on or off premises, a repair or maintenance contract or a business contract. It also explains the importance of obtaining a signed contract from the customer prior to the work commencing. Not having the correct authorised paperwork in place between installers and their customers is a common mistake that can cause problems if issues arise during, or after, the work is carried out. However, APHC’s Understanding Basic Contracts course will show installers how to use contracts to make sure that they stay on the right side of the law and get paid on time. The course will also cover areas including the components of a contract: notifications, exclusions, variations, estimates, quotations, completion and handover. The online course costs £25 + VAT for APHC members, or £35 + VAT for non-members. After successful completion of the course, installers will receive a printable APHC certificate. The course is being run through APHC’s new Online Learning Centre, which offers bite-size courses tailored specifically for the plumbing and heating industry.

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CITB Wales Calls on Welsh Government to Promote Construction Careers

Cristina Diaconu September 15, 2016

CITB Wales has called on the Welsh Government to focus on promoting careers in construction when the new assembly term gets underway this week. The group believes that with major projects planned, along with recent rises in Welsh construction vacancies, CITB believes that the government must take a two pronged approach to the skills challenge ahead and keep the economy moving. Firstly, CITB Wales says it is crucial that schools and Careers Wales are given sufficient resources to promote careers in construction to young people. Second, CITB believes that the Government’s new National Infrastructure Commission for Wales must have the scope to plan and finance major projects, while upskilling the workforce. CITB Wales’ call comes as: Figures from the Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast strong growth in the nation’s construction output – 5.8% over the period 2016-2020, leading to the creation of approximately 5,700 new jobs each year; A range of major job-creating construction projects – including the South Wales Metro, Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station and the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon – are planned or in the pipeline; The Welsh Government is considering its budget for services such as Careers Wales. Mark Bodger, CITB Wales Cymru Strategic Partnerships Director, said that the next 10 years will present significant construction opportunities and challenges for Wales. Bodger continued: “With a number of big projects in the pipeline it is crucial that construction is recognised as an attractive career choice for young people. However, we also need the Welsh Government to do everything it can to get those game-changing infrastructure projects off the ground.” To meet the skills challenge, CITB says that the National Assembly for Wales’ Children Young People and Education Committee should improve the resources available to Careers Wales and schools in order to promote careers in construction. “Across Wales there are major projects either underway or in the pipeline, which can inspire confidence in the sector and capture the imagination of anyone interested in a construction career,” says Mr Bodger.

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Lee Valley Estates Founder Awarded St Mellitus Medal

Cristina Diaconu September 15, 2016

The founder of Lee Valley Estates, Michael Polledri MBE, has been awarded the prestigious St Mellitus Medal by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Charles. The awards came in recognition of the community building work in Hale Village, the £450 million mixed use urban village in Tottenham, North London. Polledri played a crucial role in creating the opportunity for the first Anglican church to be constructed in London for 40 years. The medal takes its name from St Mellitus, the Bishop of London, who re-founded the Diocese in AD 604, and is awarded in recognition of substantial contribution to the Christian life of London. The new St Francis church was recently handed over to the Diocese for fitting out and will open its doors for services from next year. Polledri commented on receiving the award: “It’s a huge honour to receive this medal. To help create such an important community facility and service is a great privilege.” His vision for Hale Village was conceived in 2008 and was to create a new urban village with community at the heart of it. One part of the new church offering, the Engine Room community centre, has been operating from temporary premises in Hale Village for the past two years. Overall, the new church facilities will feature a 24 space nursery, two community halls, a café, a learning workshop and a chapel for worship and prayer. Polledri is involved in a number of community and voluntary sector projects in the Lee Valley area and was awarded his MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 in recognition of his services to Enterprise & Regeneration in North London. Hale Village has been voted one of the top 30 best regeneration projects in the UK and the most Innovative Affordable Housing Scheme.

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NHBC Rewards Top Site Managers at Awards Ceremony

Cristina Diaconu September 15, 2016

Almost 250 leading figures in the Welsh house building industry gathered at NHBC’s 36th Pride in the Job Regional Awards ceremony in Cardiff City Hall on Friday, September 2. Regional award winners John Greggain from L Greggain & Co Ltd (small category), Dale Dickenson from Llanmoor Homes (medium category) and Steve Northam from Taylor Wimpey South Wales (large category), were chosen from over 16,000 UK site managers, and recognised at the ceremony held at Cardiff City Hall. Another eight sites were awarded Seals of Excellence, while the Regional award winners will now go on to compete for the Supreme Awards to be announced next January. These awards are known as the ‘Oscars of the House Building Industry’ and to win an award is an exceptional achievement. For 36 years, NHBC has rewarded the UK’s best site managers in delivering the high quality of homes that the country needs. NHBC is the leading new home warranty provider in the UK and the group’s Regional Director, Paul Edwards, congratulated them on their win. Edwards commented: “Pride in the Job is now firmly established as a significant proof of distinction for the best site managers in the UK. The fact that winners are automatically entered into the competition based on the results of their work onsite is a huge endorsement for all winners. “It’s been a tough year of judging starting way back in July 2015 and it’s a long hard road to win a Pride in the Job Award. The Awards recognise site managers who know how to go one stage better, whose hard work ensures we live in high quality homes and rewards dedication and expertise.” He added that last year NHBS registered almost 4,700 new homes in Wales and site managers played a crucial role in the delivery of these homes.

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Thirteen Group Teams up with Travis Perkins for £10m Efficiency Savings

Cristina Diaconu September 13, 2016

The biggest landlord group in the North East, Thirteen Group, has teamed up with the UK’s leading Timber and Builders Merchant, Travis Perkins Managed Services, to make £10 million of efficiency savings in the landlord’s operations. A partnership scheme between the two organisations has created the country’s biggest managed stores facilities, which will significantly improve how materials for housing maintenance are used and the efficiency of procurement processes. This will result in significant long term savings on current operations, while also consolidating jobs. Three newly leased store facilities have been opened at Skippers Lane, Middlesbrough; Park View Industrial Estate, Hartlepool; and Ross Road, Stockton. The Stockton store will also serve as a central distribution hub for the two other stores, which will allow for greater stock availability and flexibility. Travis Perkins Managed Services are managing all three facilities as Thirteen Group’s new external delivery partner. Thirteen already benefits from the bulk buying of building materials, but the Group expects to make savings of around £10 million over the lifetime of this new arrangement which will arise from more flexible and efficient operations of its stores facilities. Travis Perkins Managed Services’ one-stop-shop solution is being delivered by a combination of dedicated Thirteen Group stores and by using the building merchant’s existing branch network. Part of this process will see staff members from Thirteen transfer to Travis Perkins with two being promoted to managers from the new stores. Russell Thompson, Group Director of Property Services at Thirteen Group, commented: Travis Perkins is one of the largest suppliers to the UK’s building and construction industry with a national network of more than 650 branches. “This agreement gives us access to more than 100,000 product lines including building materials, plumbing and heating equipment, landscaping materials, timber and sheet materials, painting and decorating supplies, dry lining and insulation, doors and joinery. All of which is essential to the maintenance and upkeep of our property portfolio.”

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Flow Energy Launches Flow Eco RF Boiler

Cristina Diaconu September 13, 2016

Flow Energy has launched its Flow Eco RF boiler which could cut carbon emissions by 20% and reduce gas bills by up to 15%. The independent supplier is in the process of expanding its heat product range in an attempt to offer consumers a wider range of choice and the opportunity to save money. A smartphone app will allow consumers to be able to control their internet connected boiler, which also has remote diagnostics which allow for issues to be fixed directly from installers offices and reduce the need for call outs. Intergas will manufacture the boiler and will be sold by Flow’s Brand Ambassador installers throughout the UK. This model removes wholesalers from the supply chain to give installers an increased margin and end customer’s better value. Tony Stiff, Chief Executive of Flow Group, commented:  “The energy supply division of our business has grown phenomenally in the past year, and we’re keen to replicate this growth in our products division. “We’re doing this by partnering with the likes of Intergas to deliver exciting and innovative heating products, such as the Flow Eco RF boiler, and by leveraging our strong existing Brand Ambassador network we’re taking a completely new approach to the heating market.” Flow is offering the boiler as part of a 10 year home energy bundle which will include the boiler, installation, a 10 year warranty and the in-touch system. In 2015 Flow group created an innovative micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) boiler designed to convert heat from combustion into electricity. By generating power at the point-of-use while using the heat, the Flow boiler significantly reduces the carbon intensity of that power. Interim results from Flowgroup showed its second stream as an energy reseller is surging, while its original core business as a boiler developer hangs in the balance ahead of a government decision over feed-in tariffs (FIT).

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