NATIONAL property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has strengthened its top team with the announcement of two senior promotions across its design and architecture departments. Steve Cummings, who joined the firm in 2008 as a project architect, will take over as national director for architecture, following on the success of long-standing
Barings, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has announced that its 180,000 sq. ft. Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre offers occupiers a ‘touch-free’ experience due to a host of smart technology features. Technology forms an integral part of Landmark’s design,
PLANNING permission has been granted by Nottingham City Council for the highly anticipated multi-million-pound development of Nottingham’s Guildhall, which brings the currently vacant building into its next lifetime and will create more than 250 jobs for the city. The planning application was submitted by a joint venture between Locksley Hotels
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect & ElectricalDirect, has commented on the latest furlough figures for the construction industry: “This morning, the Office for National Statistics released the latest figures for the government’s job retention scheme and it’s natural for them to be a bit concerning. “The number of construction
PROPERTY investment firm Castleforge Partners announced its entrance into the hospitality sector today (20th August) with the major new hire of Matt Lederer from Marriott International. Lederer joins Castleforge as the company’s Hotels Acquisitions Director, broadening the firm’s portfolio from investment in residential and office property to hotels. With Castleforge
Jim Hodkinson, former CEO of B&Q, has become a major investor and the first Chairman of London-based start-up Genius IP, maker of Quadsaw, the world’s first drill for square holes. Hodkinson’s appointment follows the completion of the company’s latest ‘Angel’ funding round, which increases the multi-million pound investments in the
With the country on the receiving end of unrelenting bad news since the Coronavirus began to wreak global havoc in March, reports that the construction industry has seen a sharp upturn in business provides a much welcome shard of positivity. As reported in online trade magazine, Construction Enquirer, the index
The UK government has recently published a draft landmark bill which is designed to improve residents’ safety in their homes. The Building Safety Bill, which marks one of the biggest changes to building safety in 40 years, will introduce a new era of accountability, making it clear where the responsibility
Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is today calling on students with a passion for innovation and disruption to help lead the charge for change in the construction sector. CSIC is looking to galvanise forward-thinking attitudes by launching its Built Environment Innovation MSc Fund 2020-21, calling on prospective students who want
Readie Construction Ltd is extremely proud to be amongst the firstto have achieved the BSI Kitemark for Building Information Modelling (BIM), in respect of BS ISO 19650 – 1 & 2:2018 Building Information Modelling. This certification demonstrates Readie’s ongoing commitment to the deployment and implementation of BIM in-line with international
NATIONAL property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has strengthened its top team with the announcement of two senior promotions across its design and architecture departments. Steve Cummings, who joined the firm in 2008 as a project architect, will take over as national director for architecture, following on the success of long-standing national director Paul Rothera in the post. David Shaw has been promoted to national design director – a strategic appointment with a focus on further enhancing design quality across all of Pick Everard’s disciplines. The promotions form part of the firm’s ambitious plans for continued growth and will see the approach across the discipline developed and strengthened, with clients benefiting from enhanced innovative, sustainable, and design-focused solutions. The practice is also pleased to confirm that former national director for architecture, Paul Rothera, will continue with the firm. Paul has been a driving force behind the firm achieving its 2020 strategic plan and will be integral to the development and realisation of the firm’s strategic plan for 2025. Paul will also continue to work closely with David and Steve in support of the continued success of the architectural discipline. David and Steve have a long-standing friendship, having first met while completing their Architecture Part II studies at the University of Nottingham, both graduating in 2003. They gained their Professional Accreditation in 2005 while working together at a well-respected design-orientated Nottingham practice, where they worked together until 2008 when Steve joined Pick Everard in their London office. Since then Steve has developed his career working for some of Pick Everard’s most important clients, predominately focusing on the education and commercial sectors. He said: “I have been part of the Pick Everard team for nearly 12 years now. During this time, I have thoroughly enjoyed working across three offices and the practice has given me the support, flexibility, and opportunity to realise my career goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing a part in delivering inspiring and practical design for our clients during that time. I am excited about the challenge and opportunity, for continued success for the practice, which my new role will bring. “We have already made some great progress in growing and developing this area of the business under Paul’s leadership. I am excited about shaping how we move architecture at Pick Everard forwards, build on our already very strong team and continue to enhance our capability to ensure we are the architect of choice for our clients across all sectors and regions. Alongside our architects, we have an excellent interior design team, and a growing BIM management offer, giving us lots of exciting new opportunities to work with clients to deliver great design solutions. “After so many years of knowing and working with David, I’m really looking forward to collaborating with him and the wider team to promote design excellence in everything we do and ensure we deliver better together.” David spent several years gaining experience across multiple sectors including higher education, health and master planning, before joining Pick Everard in 2016 as an associate. Now taking on a new role within the firm – national design director – David said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to develop the design offering throughout the business and co-ordinate our approach across our design teams. A fully integrated design approach working with a holistic, innovative, collaborative, and sustainable design focus from the outset of the project will provide exemplar solutions for our clients while driving our environmental agenda. I am passionate about this and am determined to challenge and raise our quality bar even higher. “Pick Everard is an ambitious firm. I am very proud of the progress we have already made in transforming the business since I arrived nearly four years ago and am excited about what the future has to bring. It will be fantastic to continue working alongside Steve and the whole team to improve our services and bring our big plans for the future to fruition. “There will undoubtedly be a lot to learn from the current COVID-19 situation to ensure that our teams can embrace a more flexible work-life balance, finding the way in which they deliver the best possible design service across the board – we must use this as an opportunity to springboard and be more agile and deliver better for our clients. Equally, we are in a position to help our clients move to a new normal for their day to day operations.” Since joining the practice, David and Steve have worked on high-profile projects and have helped to build an exceptional architecture and design team through strategic recruitment and collaboration with universities to support and recruit the best graduates. They have forged a strong working relationship during their four years together at Pick Everard and the Partnership believe this will benefit the practice moving forward. David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard, said the promotions recognised the hard work and dedication of the duo. He said: “Both Steve and David have worked tirelessly to grow and develop the design and architecture offering at the firm and they have both made important contributions to the firm already, so we are very pleased to welcome them to the management team. “Investing in and developing our people is a hugely important part of our strategy for growth and these two senior promotions are indicative of that commitment to our people. I would like to congratulate them both and am looking forward to working with them as we develop the business further over the coming months and years. “We are delighted to have retained Paul Rothera within the firm in his new strategic role. In the past five years, Paul has led the architectural discipline in delivering a 40% increase in income and has significantly lifted the status of our architectural team, who are now ranked 56 in the AJ Top 100. “Paul has been a driving force in achieving a greater talent density within the business, through strategic appointments, growth opportunities, and the development of a unique graduate
Barings, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has announced that its 180,000 sq. ft. Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre offers occupiers a ‘touch-free’ experience due to a host of smart technology features. Technology forms an integral part of Landmark’s design, which is why it achieved Wired Score Platinum certification. Landmark includes a host of features such as: pre-installed ultra-fast fibre connections with Colt, Openreach and Telcom; free WiFi; intelligent destination control lifts; smart building management systems, close proximity to The Loop network, smart access control and visitor management systems; a bespoke occupier engagement app; intelligent LED lighting that responds to outside conditions; and solar panels on the roof generating on-site electricity. Recent research undertaken by CBRE, joint agents on Landmark with Colliers International, states that adoption of touch-free technology and other smart building tools will support new work practices as part of updated occupier strategies. CBRE’s 2020 Occupier Flash Survey, conducted in May 2020, concluded that touch-free technology is expected to be adopted by 45% of those surveyed with 41% reporting an increased interest in buildings with WELL or sustainable features. The survey suggests technology investment was very much at the heart of occupiers’ strategies before the protocol shifts necessitated by the pandemic, at which time 83% of EMEA occupiers reported they were intending to increase future investment in real estate technology and 21% said they were prepared to pay a rental premium of more than 20% for tech-enabled buildings. Ian Mayhew, Managing Director at Barings, said; “Having acknowledged that forward-thinking businesses want next generation office space with resilient digital connectivity, the technological infrastructure at Landmark played a vital role in the design and construction of the building. Recent events have highlighted the importance of providing occupiers with a touch-free experience in addition to the all-important ‘plug and play’ set up when they move in and the ability to work at speed on a daily basis without interruptions. “From entering the building, either on foot through the revolving doors, or by car or cycle, occupiers and visitors have a completely touch-free journey through the building to their office destination in large part thanks to the bespoke occupier app working in conjunction with smart access controls and visitor management systems” Said Mayhew. Neil Mort, Senior Director at CBRE Manchester, continued: “CBRE’s research shows that investment in technology is now an integral part of occupiers’ real estate strategies advancing beyond a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’ element. Digital buildings help to drive operational efficiencies and reduce costs as well as enhance productivity and improve the occupier experience, ensuring that the value of integrated technology extends far beyond the immediate health situation. Covid-19 has changed and challenged the way we work, with digital lifelines now more essential than ever. It has also presented an opportunity for companies to accelerate their digital transformation. Landmark is well placed to help a wide cross section of companies enter a ‘new normal’.” The technological infrastructure at Landmark is a key reason high profile companies such as global property consultancy JLL relocated its 170-strong Manchester team to the 10th floor; now JLL’s largest commercial office outside of London, and why strong interest is being shown in the remainder of the space. Landmark offers 14 floors of BREEAM Excellent, virtually column-free office space and was built with an offset core to enable not only large and efficient floorplates but also maximum flexibility to occupiers. This removes a design barrier in any fit-out project and enables occupiers to design their office space in a flexible way, allowing the workplace to accommodate social distancing guidelines if needed again in the future. Substantial private and public sector capital has gone into the transformation of St Peter’s Square and the Civic Quarter in recent years. This has led to a number of major occupiers relocating to the area. Landmark, which has received overwhelming support from Manchester City Council, is the concluding project for the prime St Peter’s Square business district.
PLANNING permission has been granted by Nottingham City Council for the highly anticipated multi-million-pound development of Nottingham’s Guildhall, which brings the currently vacant building into its next lifetime and will create more than 250 jobs for the city. The planning application was submitted by a joint venture between Locksley Hotels Ltd and hotel group Ascena in May 2020, detailing plans for a 162-bed, four-star hotel, which will include a rooftop fine dining restaurant, spa and wedding and conference facilities. The hotel will house luxury rooms and existing courtrooms in the building will be converted into bar and restaurant facilities, retaining the original listed features. The modern extension to the northern elevation of the existing building will also utilise high-grade materials to give a nod to Nottingham’s lace heritage in its design. John Wilby, project lead for Ascena, said: “Having most recently housed the city council’s offices, Nottingham’s Guildhall is an iconic building in the city centre, which has hosted a magistrates’ court, police station and fire station since it was built in 1887. After it has sat vacant for the best part of a decade, we’re pleased to have hit this significant milestone in breathing new life into it. The development will not only bring jobs to the area but will also help elevate the city as a tourist destination.” The Guildhall building itself will house the hotel following a sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed building and Fire Station House, while more modern extensions at the back of the building will be demolished and rebuilt. Jack Turton, director of Ascena, said: “We have been working closely with our heritage consultant Turley and Historic England to ensure that this iconic building is brought back to its former glory. As well as this, an existing latter-day extension to the northern elevation of the Guildhall will be demolished and rebuilt. “We’re thrilled to have been working in close collaboration with the city council to help bring its former home to life, and now that planning consent has been granted we hope to begin work on site in the coming months.” Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “I’m very pleased that these exciting proposals to turn Nottingham’s Guildhall into a high-quality hotel have been given the go ahead. It’s something we have been keen to happen for a long time and our planning officers have worked with the developers to help them shape a development which respects the history of this grand old building and bring it back into use. “The mixture of uses on the rest of the site will help to reinvigorate this part of the city centre at a time when new developments and the jobs they bring are very welcome indeed. “This investment in the city shows ongoing confidence in Nottingham and will complement other schemes that are transforming the city centre into a new destination for residents, businesses and visitors.” Ascena owns and runs a number of luxury hotel and restaurant facilities around the UK, one of which is the Birmingham restaurant Opheem – one of only ten Indian restaurants in the UK to achieve a Michelin star – which is run by Ascena business partner Aktar Islam. Aktar, who is a former winner of The Great British Menu and The F Word, will be running the rooftop restaurant of the Guildhall development.
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect & ElectricalDirect, has commented on the latest furlough figures for the construction industry: “This morning, the Office for National Statistics released the latest figures for the government’s job retention scheme and it’s natural for them to be a bit concerning. “The number of construction workers that have been furloughed has risen to 769,300, up by 17,300 from July. Three in five (60%) employees in the industry are now being paid by the scheme. “The number of employers having to sign up also rose, with 174,000 now enrolled (up from 171,400). This means that over three-quarters (76%) of construction companies are now furloughing at least some of their workforce. “As a result, the value of claims for furlough payments increased too. In August, construction employers claimed £2,931m to help pay their staff, up £324m from the previous month. “Some areas of the country are having to rely on the scheme more than others. The South West of England has furloughed the highest percentage of its construction workers (63%). The least affected is the South East of England (55%), although it experienced the UK’s equal highest rise between July and August (2%), with 2,500 more employees furloughed. “However, Scotland remains the worst hit, with a staggering 73% of its construction workforce (89,200 out of 121,500) being paid by the government. Northern Ireland is a close second, with 71% currently furloughed, with Wales and England a little behind (62% and 58% respectively). “It is positive that so many construction workers are receiving income during these difficult times, rather than companies simply making them redundant. However, when the furlough scheme ends at the end of October, we need to hope that the demand for work is great enough that employers don’t need to let staff go. “Thankfully, there are some positive signs that this might be the case, as while construction output remains around a quarter (24.8%) lower than it was pre-lockdown, it increased by 23.5% between May and June – the greatest rise since records began.” For more information about IronmongeryDirect, visit: www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/.
PROPERTY investment firm Castleforge Partners announced its entrance into the hospitality sector today (20th August) with the major new hire of Matt Lederer from Marriott International. Lederer joins Castleforge as the company’s Hotels Acquisitions Director, broadening the firm’s portfolio from investment in residential and office property to hotels. With Castleforge looking to invest in the hospitality sector in the next year, Lederer will form a key part of Castleforge’s decision making team on hotel acquisition across the UK and Europe. Lederer joins from Marriott International, the world’s biggest hotel operator, where he was UK Development Director responsible for the growth of the company’s select service brands including Moxy, Residence Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott. With 14 years of industry experience, including stints at commercial real estate firm JLL, Lederer brings with him an excellent hotel real estate network which he will draw on at Castleforge to evaluate the market and finalise deals. The firm has invested approximately £1 billion throughout the UK and Europe since its formation in 2010 and has gained a reputation for investing in cities outside London, including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield. Matt Lederer, Hotels Acquisitions Director at Castleforge Partners commented: “I was really impressed by the vision the Castleforge team have for investment into the hospitality sector.” “The company takes a long-term strategic view, and they can see that the hotel industry will rebound from its current setback. The appetite for leisure travel, in particular, is already growing again and fast. Working together with Castleforge’s diligent research team, I look forward to some really exciting projects across the UK and Europe as we begin to invest significantly in the sector.” Brandon Hollihan, Founding Partner of Castleforge Partners said: “We are thrilled to have Matt join us. We are focusing on a sector we believe will become increasingly attractive, guided by an expert in the field who shares our values. Matt is the perfect person to help our firm execute this strategy and grow our expertise.”
Jim Hodkinson, former CEO of B&Q, has become a major investor and the first Chairman of London-based start-up Genius IP, maker of Quadsaw, the world’s first drill for square holes. Hodkinson’s appointment follows the completion of the company’s latest ‘Angel’ funding round, which increases the multi-million pound investments in the start-up. The latest seven-figure round was helped by the UK government’s enhanced EIS scheme, which has encouraged individuals to invest funds at a level that was previously only reserved for Venture Capital firms. Manufactured in the UK, Quadsaw is a seamless attachment to a power drill that uses patented technology to convert rotary motion into linear motion in four planes at once, enabling users to cut square holes with minimal dust and absolute precision. Almost all construction projects require square holes for electrical sockets and other boxes but electricians currently create them with pencils, rulers and other tools that are not specifically designed for the task, which can be time consuming and inaccurate. Quadsaw solves this problem by enabling square holes to be cut in seconds rather than minutes, saving the construction industry millions of hours of labour annually. The appointment of Hodkinson as Chairman further strengthens the company as it aims to expand production globally. Hodkinson will utilise his extensive business experience and international network to help accelerate this expansion. As well as his roles at B&Q and Kingfisher he was previously CEO of fashion chain New Look and Chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres. He is currently Chairman of Furniture Village. Hodkinson said: “Quadsaw is the most exciting new product to arrive on the tools market for many years and it has the potential to be used worldwide. Wherever a square hole is needed Quadsaw will be there and I’m looking forward to helping the company achieve this global expansion.” Ean Brown, CEO of Genius IP, said: “We are delighted to have someone with Jim’s knowledge and experience to help steer the ship as we enter international waters. While 2020 started with sales momentum, when COVID-19 hit, the company was hurt much like most businesses in the world. But we used the time to recruit new engineers, invest in infrastructure for growth, including a design update of the Quadsaw and a bigger production facility. “We are glad to say that we’re now ready to meet global demand and the new design will be able to cut sockets to electrical standards in different markets that were not possible before.” The new design enables the user more flexibility to change the position of the blades to account for different-sized square and rectangular holes. As such, the Quadsaw will be sold around the world, including in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Middle East, Italy, Brazil, Israel and more.
With the country on the receiving end of unrelenting bad news since the Coronavirus began to wreak global havoc in March, reports that the construction industry has seen a sharp upturn in business provides a much welcome shard of positivity. As reported in online trade magazine, Construction Enquirer, the index which measures annual business expectations for the building sector climbed to its highest level since February. June figures recorded by the bellwether HIS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index showed 46% of its survey panel anticipated a rise in building trade business, compared to 28.9% in May. Residential work is said to have fuelled the majority of the building resurge, with commercial work and civil engineering activity also helping the return to growth. Tim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit, which complies the survey told Construction Enquirer that the building trade’s post-lockdown rebound gave ‘hope’ to other sectors which had suffered as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. “Looking ahead, construction firms are more confident than at any time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. Investment boost In other good news, the government this week announced UK industry would receive around £350m to reduce carbon emissions as part of its overall target for the country to become net-zero by 2050. It’s reported that the construction industry will receive a £26m slice of the funding to support ‘advanced new building techniques’ in order to cut the sector’s build costs and resulting pollution levels. Although the sum being pledged isn’t enormous in the grand scheme of things, it shows the government hasn’t lost sight of its environmental commitment despite the monumental challenge posed by COVID-19. As a company founded by the desire to innovate building products which facilitate healthy, sustainable living and work spaces, we at Baumit welcome this latest financial investment. Crucial phase As our politicians and health experts remind us daily: ‘we are not out of the woods yet’. The following months will be crucial, not only to determining whether we are to suffer a second wave of the virus, but whether the recession is likely to cut as deep as predicted. As with any financial downturn, it will fall to the construction industry to inspire recovery. Initial signs indicate that the sector has once again not been found wanting. Speaking of IHS Markit’s sunnier-looking business forecast, Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, told Construction Enquirer: “Builders were the stars of the UK economy in June.” We couldn’t agree more.
The UK government has recently published a draft landmark bill which is designed to improve residents’ safety in their homes. The Building Safety Bill, which marks one of the biggest changes to building safety in 40 years, will introduce a new era of accountability, making it clear where the responsibility for managing risks lies throughout the design, construction and occupation of buildings. Ambar Kelly welcomes the new set of rules, which will apply to buildings over 18m. Yet are there any loopholes? Whilst the bill provides a framework for accountability and safety, what does it say about risk? The Building Safety Bill gives residents greater agency when it comes to assuring their security. It will enable them to have access to safety information and give them the opportunity to develop safety proposals if they feel their security is being compromised. As such, the bill will introduce tougher sanctions for building owners who fail to meet their obligations. Central to ensuring the regime is effective will be a powerful new Building Safety Regulator housed within the Health and Safety Executive. It will have responsibility for implementing and enforcing a more stringent regime for higher-risk buildings and will oversee the safety and performance of all buildings. What of product testing? Although the bill is an important framework which will hopefully provide greater accountability and safety when it comes to building design, there are some ambiguities. The first and foremost is in regards to testing. Under clause 92 of the Construction Products section of the draft bill, it highlights: “The bill provides powers so that all construction products marketed in the UK fall under a regulatory regime, allowing them to be withdrawn from the market if they present a risk.” Whilst this is important as it will ensure unfit products are not used on building schemes, there is little to no mention of the testing which is needed to ensure these products fit the bill. How are they going to determine which products are a potential risk? In the public inquiry for the fire which tore its way through King’s Cross underground station in 1987 it was stipulated that going forward, combustible and flammable materials cannot be used on a development. The inquiry came to this conclusion as the cause of the fire was said to be a discarded match which had caught on the wooden escalators that had been in use for over 76 years. We all know that wood is a highly flammable material, so it beggar’s belief how that was deemed appropriate for all those years. But risky materials are continually put into use when it comes to riser shaft design. GRP grating is regularly installed within riser shaft design, as it is a cheap product that is widely accepted as preventing falls from height. Its effectiveness is questionable, however. When installed in a riser’s chimney-style environment, GRP grating with an Iso resin is found to be extremely flammable. It is an oil-based product which readily burns. This makes the BS 476-7 classification unsuitable for its use within a riser shaft. With safety at stake, why is this material used in high-rise construction? Why aren’t Phenolic GRP (identifiable, as it is red/brown in colour) or steel modular riser flooring units used? In my opinion it is because the testing is not rigorous enough. Iso resin GRP grating is said to meet BS 476-7, the regulation relating to the measure of the surface spread of flame, but only in flat sheet form, tested vertically (so grating cannot meet that test). Although Iso resin meets these tests on paper, when installed in its real-time environment the reality is far different. The bill must therefore, place greater emphasis on improving product testing as the current framework contains too many loopholes which compromise safety. Ambar Kelly has undertaken evidence-based, independent fire tests in the environment in which our product, RiserSafe® will be employed. Our tests were carried out in the Building Research Establishment (BRE) fire hall in Watford. It was found that when RiserSafe® is used in combination with a fire compound, two hours of horizontal fire protection is achieved. We can make factory-based load tests of up to 2.5 kN/m2, to ensure that our product works as a barrier to the spread of smoke and flame. It must be said that the draft Building Safety Bill represents a monumental step-change for the construction industry in terms of safety. It will go some way to inciting change for the better. My main concern however, is in terms of product testing, an area which the bill has evaded. Testing is of primal importance to ensure construction products hit the mark on safety. If it isn’t made an essential consideration, where does that leave the industry?
Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is today calling on students with a passion for innovation and disruption to help lead the charge for change in the construction sector. CSIC is looking to galvanise forward-thinking attitudes by launching its Built Environment Innovation MSc Fund 2020-21, calling on prospective students who want to play a part in tackling climate change, to take the lead on significant technical advancements in the construction world and to be involved in finding that one simple creative idea that can completely transform the way the sector operates. From the rise of 3D printing, allowing companies to print out entire buildings, to virtual reality software being used in the planning stages of construction, the opportunities for creative and disruptive thinking students are endless and successful innovation enables businesses to punch above their weight. It saves time and money. It breeds new opportunities. And, ultimately, it can give companies a competitive edge when looking to grow. There are up to 20 places, each with £6,530 funding available, to help support candidates who are looking to carve a career and look to change the future of the built environment sector. The grant will encourage new talent into Scotland’s construction landscape and to apply, CSIC is asking that students have an interest in bringing a creative thinking solution to the built environment sector and that they can support and work on a research project during their programme of study that can be applied directly to the industry. Stephen Good, Chief Executive at CSIC, said: “Some of the most important solutions and innovative ideas come from those on the ground. Creating this opportunity for the future innovators of the construction world to develop their ideas is key to changing the sector. This is an exciting opportunity for students to be part of real transformational change together with industry, helping to set a new direction post lockdown as we build back better to create a built environment that works effectively for people, business and our economy. “Construction and the built environment are changing, and the skills needed are wide ranging, including digital, climate change logistics, engineering, design and robotics. The demand for skilled professionals in the industry sector remains high and the opportunities are countless. The MSc funding offers people a real opportunity to create a career that positively impacts everyone through the physical spaces we inhabit.” Dale Johnstone, who benefited from CSIC’s MSc grant in 2016/17, said: “I would encourage anyone interested in developing their skills and prospects of a career in the built environment sector to apply for the MSc Grant on offer from CSIC. The access to industry experts within the sector was incredible. “I was partnered with the Scottish Borders Council as part of their Engineering and Design department and after the programme secured a full-time role at the Council. This new role allowed me to be a part of several civil engineering projects across the Borders, from the design stage right up to construction. I take great pride in being able to provide projects which have significant benefits to the local community and which continue to improve and shape the world we live in.” Students can apply with an industry partner already in mind or CSIC can help find a partner from the wide network of contacts the Innovation Centre already has. During the programme, students will work closely with their chosen industry partner and have access to a number of skilled mentors, workshops and the chance to connect with experts across the sector. To find out more, visit https://www.cs-ic.org/innovationcentre/future-skills/the-built-environment-innovation-msc-fund/
Readie Construction Ltd is extremely proud to be amongst the firstto have achieved the BSI Kitemark for Building Information Modelling (BIM), in respect of BS ISO 19650 – 1 & 2:2018 Building Information Modelling. This certification demonstrates Readie’s ongoing commitment to the deployment and implementation of BIM in-line with international standards. Readie aims to use BIM to assess the design and constructions risk and buildability using the information management processes defined by BIM. This will provide clients with; satisfaction from project inception right through to completion; transparency within the design and construction process and safety assurance. Ultimately, Readie plans to use BIM principles on all projects, regardless of contract specification. ISO 19650 is a suite of international standards, brought together through the UK BIM Framework, that covers the use of BIM for the management of information over the whole life cycle of a built asset. It is closely aligned with the 1192 standards and contain many of the same principles and high-level requirements that were present in the previous BIM Level 2 framework. The standard relates to the organisation and digitisation of information on buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling. Readie is proud to have achieved two variants of ISO 19650 (1 & 2). ISO 119650 – 1:2018 covers the concepts and principles, whilst ISO 19650 – 2:2018 relates to the delivering phase of the assets. Typically, to achieve the certification, an onsite audit would be conducted from a BSI expert. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the audit was subsequently conducted by BSI remotely, and involved a thorough assessment of Readie’s BIM processes, filing systems and supply chain management, ensuring that it all aligned in accordance to ISO standards. Judson Stone, Design & BIM Manager, Readie Construction Ltd said: “Achieving the BSI Kitemark for BIM underlines Readie’s continued commitment to the use of BIM and its processes on our projects. At its heart; BIM encourages a collaborative working environment for the whole project team and provides our clients with an information-rich model from which they can manage their built assets. Whilst the 3D representations of buildings get the headlines when referring to BIM; ultimately, it’s the centralised, open sharing of information that’s the key driver on BIM projects. This certification shows our clients, partners and supply chain that we are actively embracing, and committed to, digital construction and believe in its benefits; not only in terms of collaboration but also in assisting with the development of the design, assessing risk and achieving capital cost savings on our projects.” Andy Butterfield, Managing Director of Built Environment at BSI said: “Huge congratulations to Readie on achieving the BSI Kitemark to reflect ISO 19650 parts 1 and 2. This demonstrates a commitment to best practice and gives their clients’ confidence that they are working with partners at the highest possible standard. These international standards, alongside training and certification, are providing forward-thinking organizations with the tools to help future-proof their business” About Readie Construction Ltd: Readie Construction commenced trading in 2008 and has grown to become a £200m turnover main contractor, specialising in the Industrial, Logistics, Retail Park and related sectors. Privately owned, Readie is managed by its shareholders, a dynamic team with a wealth of experience in the sector. Turnover and profit have grown every year, with the business always trading without any debt or overdraft. www.readieconstruction.co.uk