A PIONEERING Warwickshire facility, which challenges the traditional notion of a leisure centre, has received planning permission thanks to sport and leisure specialists GT3 Architects. Located in Miners’ Welfare Park, the Bedworth Physical Activities Hub – delivered on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council – has been designed to be
Ecofill, a brand new and sustainable alternative to the use of aggregates in traditional earthworks construction has appointed former UK Construction Minister and former Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Dr Nigel Griffiths, as Chairman. Dr Griffiths celebrates an esteemed and extensive portfolio of career highlights spanning five decades
Rainham-based GBS Fire Protection has signed a three-year deal with Eleven Sports Media to join the London Stadium Associate Partnership programme. The deal will enable GBS to utilise powerful digital fan engagement platforms installed throughout the London Stadium, to promote their services to fans within the 60,000-capacity arena. GBS Fire
Construction work at Tattershall’s new household waste and recycling centre has now completed. The project was procured through public sector procurement authority, SCAPE and its Regional Construction framework, with main contractor G F Tomlinson beginning work on site in December 2021. Following a £2m investment from Lincolnshire County Council, the
Landscaping products specialist, Boughton has partnered with leading landscape design firms, Gillespies and Andy Sturgeon Design, on a 40-hectare masterplan to regenerate the historic dockyard site in Deptford, London. The impressive landscaping project forms part of a major multi-million-pound redevelopment of this historic site, converting it from a derelict brownfield
As the football season is about to kick off, Southern Central Premier Leagues Hednesford Town Football Club is the latest winning team to partner with Leep Utilities – but this time it’s as club sponsor. The deal will provide much needed support to the thriving non-league semi-professional football club, with
Social networks are one of the main marketing tools in today’s world. That includes TikTok, which can be a little more difficult to handle, unless you find someone below 25 years of age to take care of it, for you. However, this may not be the best solution either. Here
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes has purchased land at Parkview Campus, Bristol from MCR Property Group for an undisclosed sum. MCR Property Group won permission from Bristol City Council for the wider scheme in 2019 and then obtained detailed consent for the first phase on the plot last November, before selling
Yorkshire based construction firm, Hobson & Porter, has landed an internationally recognised award in recognition of its exceptional health and safety standards. Hobson & Porter has been presented with the prestigious RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) President’s Award, in recognition of the company being awarded 10 consecutive
James Latham strengthens its portfolio of sustainable products with HONEXT® further committing to circular design and green specification. James Latham Ltd (Lathams), one of the UK’s leading and most forward-thinking distributors of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces, announces it has become the only UK distributor of revolutionary Spanish construction panel HONEXT®. HONEXT® was
A PIONEERING Warwickshire facility, which challenges the traditional notion of a leisure centre, has received planning permission thanks to sport and leisure specialists GT3 Architects. Located in Miners’ Welfare Park, the Bedworth Physical Activities Hub – delivered on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council – has been designed to be welcoming and inviting for all user groups. The new hub will replace an existing centre, providing a new set of facilities that better meets the needs of the local community, utilising GT3’s ‘people first’ approach. The facility includes a 25m eight lane pool, learner pool with a moveable floor, 120 station fitness suite, two studios, a spin studio and associated changing areas as well as a café and multipurpose room. In addition, the surrounding park will undergo a major transformation with a focus on creating an active landscape that wraps around the new building. Matt McCreith, project architect at GT3, said: “We’re delighted to reach this important milestone of the project. The new hub is going to be a major asset for the borough and the landscape design for the park is truly transformational. The scheme aims to create an ‘active landscape’ that offers a variety of different activities and areas in a bid to promote movement and enjoyment of outdoor space. This includes exercise & play areas, walking routes and seating spaces. “We are approaching this project more like a community building as opposed to being a leisure centre that is only sports focused. It’s been designed to be accessible from the park as well as the main entrance, encouraging more people to use the building for a variety of reasons. The aim is to get more people active, but this can be achieved away from the traditional sports activities hosted in the building. “Playing a part in a project like this, that aims to make such a positive impact in the community, is very exciting and we can’t wait to move on to the next stage and start construction.” The project has come to fruition through a great deal of collaboration across the project team to ensure the final design was truly pioneering. There is a strong focus on cycling throughout the scheme, with British Cycling recently funding a series of new mountain bike trails in the park and a Cycle Hub within the building that will offer bicycle hire services for users. There will also be a new all-wheels skatepark, learn-to-ride area and pump track provided as part of the approved proposal. Councillor Sue Markham, portfolio holder for public services at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “Due to start on site this autumn, this has been an exciting venture where collaboration has been key. The project team, which includes Sport England and leading contractor BAM Construct UK as well as civil engineering firm, Hexa Consulting. The culmination of experience and expertise involved with the Hub will offer something completely new and bespoke for the community here and I am excited to see work get underway.” Dave Strong, director at Hexa Consulting, said: “This project is set to deliver a truly outstanding facility and we’re pleased to have played our part in getting it to this stage. It’s been fantastic to work alongside GT3 to provide a full suite of assessment and design services, which aligns this project with the wider regeneration of Bedworth. We look forward to seeing the leisure centre brought to fruition through a continued collaborative team effort.” The team’s project approach combines a unique blend of uses to create a leisure destination which will play a role in the regeneration of Bedworth and act as a catalyst for further future developments. For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects
Ecofill, a brand new and sustainable alternative to the use of aggregates in traditional earthworks construction has appointed former UK Construction Minister and former Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Dr Nigel Griffiths, as Chairman. Dr Griffiths celebrates an esteemed and extensive portfolio of career highlights spanning five decades and was appointed Chairman of Ecofill Ltd in July of 2022. Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Ecofill is a ground-breaking technology for the construction sector that transforms all types of clays & subsoils into approved structural materials, on-site, which meet all National specifications for Highways and Earthworks. The Ecofill method of sustainable construction replaces the need to dispose of soils to landfill and the import of aggregates, and therefore drastically reduces lorry movements by 98% and carbon emissions by 96%. Not only is this a green-tech revolution, but it also reduces client costs by a staggering 40%. Trevor Gaughan, Founder of Ecofill, said “We are delighted with the appointment of Nigel Griffiths as our Chairman. Nigel brings vast experience from various government departments and equally in industry and will gratefully assist in the delivery of the National and International Growth strategy of Ecofill”. “Ecofill will revolutionise the way we approach construction & will significantly reduce the carbon footprint and costs of Earthworks & Infrastructure globally. It’s a privilege to chair this dynamic company and bring my focus to quality, performance and education in the next generation of construction engineers,” said Dr Griffiths. Griffiths, a native of Edinburgh, was a specialist advisor to the Cabinet Office and Climate Action.org during COP26 held in Glasgow last year and is also founder of the Low Carbon Forum. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1987 and holds the title of longest serving Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South in history. Other UK Government positions held were Trade Minister and Minister for Corporate & Social Responsibility. He retired from politics in 2010 but has continued as an international political advisor and ambassador for various companies, organisations and executive boards and embraces Ecofill as the perfect fit to continue his efforts in sustainability and in making a real change towards the current climate crisis and the UK governments targets for a Carbon Net-Zero 2050. Ecofill’s Management Team have been invited to Geneva in September to attend the Annual conference hosted by FIDIC, The International Federation of Consulting Engineers, where it will be working to identify new opportunities to grow globally. More information on Ecofill can be found at www.ecofill.uk
Rainham-based GBS Fire Protection has signed a three-year deal with Eleven Sports Media to join the London Stadium Associate Partnership programme. The deal will enable GBS to utilise powerful digital fan engagement platforms installed throughout the London Stadium, to promote their services to fans within the 60,000-capacity arena. GBS Fire Protection is a multiple award-winning fire protection specialist, which offers a comprehensive range of fully integrated, passive fire protection solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial properties. With extensive experience working in the construction sector, GBS are experts in providing in-built passive fire protection solutions that impede the spread of fire and smoke damage to commercial properties. Away from the stadium, access to Eleven’s customer-targeted, social content will be afforded to GBS, allowing them to advertise their services towards a target designated audience. The company plans to use its status as an Associate Partner to reach out to new customers in need of reliable fire prevention services. Tomas Tamosaitis, of GBS Fire Protection explains, “We’re excited to be working with Eleven Sports Media and the London Stadium to share our message, which is an incredibly important one. By integrating the right fire prevention solutions at the earliest stage of construction, we can make significant budget savings for our clients. Not only that, we can help design a solution that maximises its effectiveness, which may ultimately save lives.” GBS provide a range of passive fire protection services, from intumescent paints which slow the spread of flames, to blast proof ceilings and smoke and fire barriers, all of which are incredibly effective at slowing damage in the event of a fire. GBS will use the Associate Partner platform, to deliver its message via digital displays throughout the concourse and hospitality areas of the London Stadium, as well as in the stadium bowl, where it can be shared with a huge television audience, through which the company can reach a nationwide audience. GBS has offices in London and Derby, and provides fire protection services for SME’s and multinational clients throughout the UK and internationally. As part of its agreement, GBS will use high impact mid-tier LED throughout Premier League games, as well as the enormous external LED wrap, which can’t be missed on approach to the stadium, to deliver its message and reach new clients. As an Associate Partner, GBS will increase its opportunity to reach new clients, through a series of exclusive networking events at which London’s business community come together to share contacts and experiences. In an innovative move, Eleven Sports Media has launched a new digital networking app, Eleven Connect, which enables Associate Partners to engage with one another even when not face to face. The technology has proven to be incredibly effective for its partners, with Eleven Sprots Media having recently been awarded Best Use of Technology to Amplify Assets or Existing Partnerships at the UK Sponsorship Awards, and a host of nominations at the 2022 Football Business Awards. As an Associate Partner, GBS Fire Protection go into the 2022/23 Premier League season with a hugely visible presence at the London Stadium, in an effort to expedite their ambitious growth strategy. To learn more about GBS Fire Protection, visit www.gbsfirepro.co.uk.
Construction work at Tattershall’s new household waste and recycling centre has now completed. The project was procured through public sector procurement authority, SCAPE and its Regional Construction framework, with main contractor G F Tomlinson beginning work on site in December 2021. Following a £2m investment from Lincolnshire County Council, the new facility has replaced an existing, privately-owned centre at Kirkby on Bain, which is now set to be decommissioned. The new site, which has a larger capacity, will handle, sort and dispose of materials more efficiently than the previous centre. The facility accommodates four state-of-the-art waste compactors, which feed ten containers. These are able to hold three times the amount of waste than a standard open top compactor, helping to reduce haulage costs and make for a more sustainable transfer to the waste station, by transporting more waste per journey. The facility will serve Horncastle and the surrounding area. The project utilised local labour through G F Tomlinson’s supply chain including Newark-based D J Swallow Construction, who worked closely with G F Tomlinson to complete the ground works and concrete slabs, as well as Lincoln-based electrical contractor, Brooke & Mayo. This helped ensure that 78% of the spend on the project was with suppliers based within 40 miles of the site. An official opening of the facility took place last month, with invited guests including Lincolnshire County Councillor, Daniel McNally, and counterparts from East Lindsey District Council, including Cllr Martin Foster and Cllr Craig Leyland. Lincolnshire County Council’s Head of Waste, Mike Reed, and East Lindsey District Council’s Assistant Director of Neighborhoods, Victoria Burgess, along with G F Tomlinson’s Senior Contractors Manager, Andy Boam, and Head of Business Development, Les Needham, were also in attendance. Craig Stopper, SCAPE Regional Construction framework Manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We were delighted to be appointed as main contractor partner on this development. In addition to providing the residents of Lincolnshire with quick and convenient access to a new recycling centre, the facility ensures materials are being disposed of correctly, reducing harmful impacts on the environment. “We are very pleased to have completed this project working alongside Lincolnshire County Council under the SCAPE Regional Construction framework – it marks the fifth household waste recycling centre we have delivered for the Council to date, with others located in Boston, Gainsborough, Bourne and Sleaford. This scheme is another important public facility in the Lincolnshire area which will provide upgraded recycling services and reduce the impact on the environment within the wider community.” Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, added: “The new centre is an excellent example of how a scheme can deliver social and economic value and provide long-term benefits for the wider community. It has been developed to the highest standard whilst integrating sustainable facilities and achieving value for money. “We are delighted to have worked with our partner G F Tomlinson to accelerate this project forward, and bring an essential waste and recycling centre to the local residents of Tattershall, Coningsby, and the surrounding areas.” Mike Reed, Head of Waste at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Tattershall Household Waste Recycling Centre represents another significant project completed in partnership with G F Tomlinson using the SCAPE Regional Construction framework. The facility will provide a better environment for local residents to dispose of their material and will contribute to Lincolnshire’s circular economy aspirations.”
Landscaping products specialist, Boughton has partnered with leading landscape design firms, Gillespies and Andy Sturgeon Design, on a 40-hectare masterplan to regenerate the historic dockyard site in Deptford, London. The impressive landscaping project forms part of a major multi-million-pound redevelopment of this historic site, converting it from a derelict brownfield site, into a vibrant waterfront location boasting a mix of commercial and residential properties, supported by new public spaces and transport connections. Formerly called the King’s Yard and first developed in 1513 by King Henry VIII to build vessels for the royal Navy, Convoy Wharf was at the heart of Deptford and holds great historic significance within the city of London. Following decades of use for warehousing and industrial purposes, the area is a now a neglected 16.6ha brownfield site but is set to be completely transformed under exciting plans by international architect, Farrells. For the first time in 500 years, the public will once again have access to the stunning 450m of waterfront, enhanced by beautiful outdoor areas, cultural facilities and a new riverboat service – a milestone development that Boughton is delighted to be part of. It is in the first phase where Boughton has been specified by Andy Sturgeon Design. This residential block – named Plot 15 – will incorporate a surrounding streetscape, residential gardens and a green roof, with Andy Sturgeon Design enlisting the help of Boughton’s quality topsoil and green roof substrates to help execute the vision. Plot 15 is located where two distinct character areas converge. The Eastern Gateway and Evelyn Quarter bring both river and parkland influences to the site, which are carefully woven together to create a cohesive and playful environment for families. In a move to incorporate the heritage of the sit, Plot 15 will be defined by four key themes: Reuse, Display, Inspire and Remember, and will take its design inspiration from John Evelyn’s approach to experimental planting, focusing on year-round interest, adaptation to a changing climate, and improvements to air quality and well-being. The existing London Plane trees along the site boundary will be retained and protected, whilst a new strategic tree planting will enhance and filter views across the site and strengthen its visual connection to the wider landscape. Elsewhere, The Residents’ Garden has been designed as a verdant landscape relating to the rich garden heritage of this part of the site. A strong contrast in materiality and planting character has been introduced where the historic Dockyard wall once passed through the site. The design features a pedestrian-friendly environment in the public areas, supported by a coordinated materials palette and tree planting strategy. Meanwhile, Boughton is also working with global firm, Gillespie’s, which has been involved in the designs for plots 7, 14 and 21. These plots will provide a range of open plazas for cultural events, green pocket gardens, residential streets with integrated SUDs, and a sequence of safe and effective linkages that will sensitively connect the new development to the surrounding neighbourhoods. Boughton’s NBS specified product portfolio includes: BL 1 – Natural, single-source topsoil – suitable for general landscaping and planting of hardy nursery stock and amenity grassland. BLS 2 – Natural, single-sourced screened topsoil – a natural ‘as dug’ topsoil, that is suitable for general planting, landscaping, vegetable or fruit production and any landscape project. Boughton Lightweight Subsoil – low in organic matter, profiling a mixture of sand, silt and clay, with over 50% of its particles ranging in size from 0.25 to 0.5 mm. Boughton Biodiverse Green Roof Substrate – a green roof substrate for projects which require a substrate that can support a wide range of plants at a relatively shallow depth. IN1 Intensive Green Roof Substrate – intensive green roof substrate with a greater proportion of organic matter and finer sand particles. BLS 40 – Natural, single-sourced screened topsoil – with 40% PAS 100 compost/ organic matter, which significantly increases its soil health. Urban Tree Soil – for tree planting in hard landscape situations. BLS Plus- Natural, single-source screened topsoil – premium ‘as dug natural soil’, processed by passing over modern screening equipment with a 100% organic and vegan approved digestate bio fertiliser, which significantly increases the soil health. EX 1 Extensive Green Roof Substrate – extensive green roof substrate mixture of virgin crushed brick and PASS 100 certified compost. BLS 20 – Natural, single-source screened topsoil – sandy clay loam topsoil, that is suitable for general landscaping purposes, trees, shrubs, amenity grass. To enquire about your next project, contact Boughton by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk.
As the football season is about to kick off, Southern Central Premier Leagues Hednesford Town Football Club is the latest winning team to partner with Leep Utilities – but this time it’s as club sponsor. The deal will provide much needed support to the thriving non-league semi-professional football club, with a growing youth academy and as a vibrant and active part of the local community. It will also support its ambitious plans to return to the English Football League and again compete in matches like its 1997 FA Cup fourth round nail biter against EFL Championship side Middlesbrough. As part of the deal, Leep Utilities’ logo features on the First Team players’ shirts. The owner-operator of regulated and non-regulated multi-utility networks across the UK is also sponsoring centre midfielder Lewis Hayden and will feature on pitch-side advertising hoardings and in all home game programmes. Hednesford Town Football Club’s Chairman and Co-Owner Graham Jones said: “We’re thrilled to welcome on board Leep Utilities as a main sponsor this season. We’re both ambitious and the next 12 months looks equally bright for both of us.” “Our pre-season friendlies have been brilliant and we’re really getting noticed by the bigger teams, such as Aston Villa and Birmingham City, who are sending over topflight players and are keen to play against us. They recognise that our game quality is high, and that they’ll have a great physical fight on their hands for 90 minutes or more. As a club, we’re moving in the right direction, for sure, and we can’t wait to see what this next season has in store.” “We’re also really looking forward to getting back into creating exceptional match experiences for our sponsors. I took over the club in May 2020 and the pandemic put a stop to the match day experience. But it’s back and we can’t wait for our sponsors to enjoy our corporate hospitality and use our games as an enjoyable and valuable networking experience as well. We’re aligned to some very successful organisations, and we can’t wait to welcome them all here, to enjoy great football and hopefully business opportunities, from 6th August.” Leep Utilities’ CEO Louise Manfredi said: “We’re delighted to be able to help kick off the new season as a main sponsor at Hednesford Town Football Club. As a company, Leep owns and operates and owns essential “last mile” utility infrastructure in local communities – connecting new buildings across the UK to electricity, gas, water and wastewater networks – and we have very ambitious growth plans of our own, just as Hednesford Town Football Club does. “ “This summer marks some very important milestones in our development. We’ve recently won our 200th project, we’ve moved into spacious new offices to accommodate our growing team and we’re enjoying some truly wonderful successes. We’re certainly excited about our future and it appears that Hednesford Town Football Club is at a similarly exciting point.” “So, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the Hednesford Town’s First Team the very best of luck this season and we’ll be cheering you on from the side-lines, when we come along to watch with many of our business partners.”
Social networks are one of the main marketing tools in today’s world. That includes TikTok, which can be a little more difficult to handle, unless you find someone below 25 years of age to take care of it, for you. However, this may not be the best solution either. Here are a few tips to help you create viral videos on TikTok. Follow the Waves Actually, on TikTok, these waves are called trends. They can be explained simply as a large number of people copying a video that has worked well. To do so, they use the element that enabled it to reach so many people and to become a viral TikTok video. Sometimes it is a special filter that was used, while at others, it is about using a particular song, or dancing in a certain manner. These waves are what you need to ride upon, if you want a chance to also go viral. Naturally, you need to find a way to insert the subject that you want to talk about, which is apartments or houses to rent. The next tip may be the hardest one to follow… Be Funny The TikTok crowd is different from Instagram and Facebook. It is one that doesn’t take anything seriously. The way to their heart is humour. And so, you need to find a way to get your message through, while not taking yourself seriously. However, since the crowd is young, you have a large gathering of potential students needing to find somewhere to stay, over the next semesters. Therefore, TikTok is not something you should neglect. Find the Right Hashtags If you want other people than your followers looking at your video, you need to start by adding hashtags to it. Again, you need to think of two completely different things: One – to be funny, and two – to be on the subject. And so, you should choose hashtags according to the trend it is following, but also make it about people who are looking to rent an apartment or a house. Five hashtags per post should do the trick. Gain Followers The thing about viral videos, is that they get shared by the people who view them, to their own followers. If it works, the latter will also share it to theirs, and so on, creating a gigantic number of views and likes. Therefore, to increase your chances of being reshared, over and over again, you need to grow your number of followers. The higher the number, the more chances you have to start the wave, so that it can grow to a viral status. Be Original As much as you want to copy others, you also want to be original in the way you do it. Otherwise, you will remain just another video on a popular subject. Sometimes, you need to break the mold, so that people do react to your content. There are many ways to do so. Up to you to find the one that fits your message. Be careful but also bold.
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes has purchased land at Parkview Campus, Bristol from MCR Property Group for an undisclosed sum. MCR Property Group won permission from Bristol City Council for the wider scheme in 2019 and then obtained detailed consent for the first phase on the plot last November, before selling the plot to Keepmoat Homes to build a housing community consisting of 91 new build homes. The new Parkview development based on Whitchurch Lane will transform the brownfield site, previously used as a car park for the old Somerfield head quarters, into much-needed housing for the area. Comprising 17 one and two-bedroom flats and 74 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, the new homes will be made 100% affordable in partnership with housing association Bromford. Residents will enjoy brilliant transport links, open green spaces, great shopping amenities and a purpose-built play area. Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: ‘’We’re thrilled to have purchased brownfield land in Bristol which will be transformed into 91 quality homes, set amongst picturesque surroundings to be enjoyed by residents and the local public alike. “This desirable hotspot will provide more choice for residents in Bristol and is set in an ideal location for commuters, families and couples. “The land acquisition of Parkview is another positive step towards our further growth in the region. We look forward to making positive relationships within the community, with the aim of completing our first set of homes in the summer of 2023.” Wyn Bevan, Head of Development at Bromford said: “Developments like this one at Parkview help meet the growing demand for new affordable homes in Bristol, as house prices are 12 times average incomes*. These homes will provide local people with the chance to move into a modern, quality home, where they can become part of their community. We’re always looking for new opportunities to provide affordable homes and so are delighted to be working in partnership with Keepmoat Homes at Parkview. “We’re looking forward to seeing these homes take shape and to start welcoming customers into their new homes.” Harry Ladds, Asset Manager at MCR Property Group, said: “The sale of the Parkview site ensures our vision for Parkview Campus is fulfilled, having worked closely with Bristol City Council and a number of local stakeholders on the masterplan of Parkview Campus. The sale allows us to focus on delivering our current development pipeline and continuing our primary focus on industrial acquisitions across the UK.” “We would like to thank all those involved in the transaction and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the local community benefit under Keepmoat Homes. Construction is due to commence in early 2023, with the first homes being completed in the summer of 2023. The development will take approximately two years to complete. Keepmoat was unrepresented on the transaction and JLL advised MCR Property Group. Nicholas Rumble, Director at JLL commented: “With demand for affordable, first-class housing across the South West on the rise, it’s crucial that prospective developments are in the hands of ambitious and experienced housebuilders. We’re confident Keepmoat Homes’ purchase of the Park View scheme will create a portfolio of affordable properties future-proofed for years to come and look forward to seeing the progression on site.”
Yorkshire based construction firm, Hobson & Porter, has landed an internationally recognised award in recognition of its exceptional health and safety standards. Hobson & Porter has been presented with the prestigious RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) President’s Award, in recognition of the company being awarded 10 consecutive Gold Awards for health and safety performance over the past decade. Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in the UK’s longest-running health and safety industry awards. Richard Hunter, managing director at Hobson & Porter, said: “We are always committed to working hard to ensure our team, our contractors and our supply chain are safe at work and return home to their families at the end of every working day. Receiving this accolade is a major achievement for our entire team and supply chain, who all take health and safety seriously and make it the number one priority every day.” Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this, Hobson & Porter join like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to health and safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive-up health and safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.” This latest accolade follows Hobson & Porter being recognised for its people development practices at last month’s Constructing Excellence in Yorkshire & Humberside (CEYH) awards, which are organised by the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at Leeds Beckett University. The firm, which employees more than 120 people, was crowned winner of the ‘people development award’ and was also highly commended in the ‘SME of the year award’ category. For more information about the RoSPA Awards visit www.rospa.com/awards
James Latham strengthens its portfolio of sustainable products with HONEXT® further committing to circular design and green specification. James Latham Ltd (Lathams), one of the UK’s leading and most forward-thinking distributors of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces, announces it has become the only UK distributor of revolutionary Spanish construction panel HONEXT®. HONEXT® was originally founded in 2011 as a collaboration between Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya researchers and three generations of the Merino family. A game-changing, carbon-neutral, lightweight construction panel, produced from waste fibres and cellulose residue from the paper industry. By upcycling this run-off material, using a proprietary biotech process, the Barcelona-based brand has achieved a fully recyclable, non-toxic board with a circular lifecycle, perfect for specifying to a sustainable brief. Suitable for interior wall and ceiling linings, and other non-loadbearing applications, the introduction of HONEXT represents the latest step in Lathams aim to be the most innovative and sustainable materials distributor in the UK and Ireland. Building on other recent forward-thinking initiatives, including the Carbon Calculator and Digital Showroom, listing HONEXT is helping its diverse audience of architects, designers and fit-out professionals make the most eco-friendly choice when selecting surfaces. Commenting on adding HONEXT to the Lathams catalogue Nick Widlinski, Panels Director says, “According to the UN Environment Programme, the construction sector was responsible for 38% of all energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019[1], prompting sustainability to become a non-negotiable in many contemporary design briefs. Specifiers are now having to respond by selecting the lowest carbon materials possible, particularly those manufactured in a circular fashion. He continues, “HONEXT meets all these needs and goes further. It’s a high-performance interior construction panel that deals with a long-standing waste management problem for the paper industry, which globally generates more than 8 million tons of waste annually. It’s also another welcome addition to our ever-expanding portfolio of green panel options, meeting our clients evolving preferences and offering them a greater degree of choice.” A high-performance material, with a low carbon footprint Unique in its category as Cradle-to-Cradle Silver Certified, the benefits of HONEXT for interior cladding and partitioning go far beyond its upfront sustainable attributes. A high-performance material, it possesses strong thermal conductivity, vapour permeability, and acoustic performance. Exploring these advantages in more detail, HONEXT® Panels are designed to feature better sound absorption properties than traditional building materials, and they are also resistant to moisture and water vapour. The panels also promote better indoor air quality, as they contain no added VOCs and are Material Health Silver Certified. From a fabrication perspective, the lightweight construction panel has a fibrous build-up, therefore it’s extremely easy to work with regular woodworking tools. Furthermore, it’s considerably less dense compared to other fibreboard products used for interior applications and its relative lightness eases the installation process. In short, it’s set to become a green disruptor in the UK’s vibrant commercial architecture scene. Realising HONEXT’s Potential Already specified on a number of projects in Spain and continental Europe, HONEXT’s potential to help deliver sustainable and cost-effective design solutions is increasingly being realised by specifiers. In a recent, high-end retail project, the panels were used to replicate fluted concrete walls when using concrete would have been extremely heavy, highly unsustainable, and very expensive, for use in a commercial unit. Here, the HONEXT sheets were bonded together, deep grooves were made, and then painted, creating a lightweight, sound-absorbing wall that looks identical to fluted concrete. More sustainable and easier-to-work than many other panelling materials, HONEXT is a game-changer, particularly for applications such as retail fit-out, exhibitions, set decoration and staging, as the product can be shaped, painted, bonded, and laminated offering a greater degree of flexibility for architects, designers, specifiers, fabricators and industrials. Demand for HONEXT is also growing in the commercial office sector, where its sound absorption capabilities are being realised by fit-out professionals. In a recent workspace project for Spanish construction firm Construcía, HONEXT panels were specified for suspended ‘sound islands’ and ceilings to improve the interior acoustics. Here, HONEXT met all the client’s requirements for a cradle-to-cradle certified solution, as well as achieving optimal acoustic levels and a comfortable and pleasant working environment. Commenting on the UK and Ireland distribution partnership, Paul Clegg, Chief Executive, says, “Lathams’ longstanding reputation for identifying innovative materials and championing sustainable design made them the natural choice when we were looking for a distribution partner in UK and Ireland. Furthermore, the unrivalled strength of their supply chain also inspired confidence and assured us that there will be no disruption when getting our products to construction and design professionals nationwide. We look forward to working closely with them, not only to promote the benefits of HONEXT for interiors but also to promote a greener, more circular approach to material manufacturing and specification.” HONEXT Boards are made from 100% paper waste and are 100% recyclable. They have a density of 540 kg/m3, are 12 mm in thickness, and dimensions are 1220 x 2440 mm. To find out more about HONEXT and its sustainable building materials click here. The introduction of HONEXT forms part of Latham’s wider Décors campaign, enabling specifiers to discover Latham’s wide range of decorative surfaces and realise the potential for almost any design preference or requirement. For more information on Latham’s and its extensive range of timber, panels and decorative surfaces click here.