employment
Bouygues UK Welcomes New Regional Managing Director

Bouygues UK Welcomes New Regional Managing Director

John Boughton, former Deputy Managing Director at Willmott Dixon in Wales and the South West, has joined Bouygues UK as Regional Managing Director for Wales and the South West. Bristol-native John has worked in construction for more than 30 years and was Deputy Managing Director at Willmott Dixon for four

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Is A Job In Construction Right For You?

Construction is a big industry, and there are lots of people who think that a job here might be right for them. It’s true, it very may well be, but at the same time, it might not be and it’s up to you to decide. Nobody else can do it

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New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West Division

New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West

Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s

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Tips on ways to get a job in the real estate industry

Real estate business is a dynamic one. You will often find yourself in a changing situation. It can be with customers, property prices, or areas. But once you learn to market the property you want to sell off well, you’ll be very successful. While earning profits for yourself, you will

Read More »

Alison Brown Appointed HMS Maintenance Director

North West construction and maintenance business, HMS, is delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Brown as Maintenance Director.  Bringing over 30 years’ Social Housing experience to the role, Alison has a wealth of knowledge of the Repairs and Maintenance sector.   With a Masters in Business and a degree

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Triple technical hire for Midlands contractor

Triple Technical Hire for Midlands Contractor

Midlands-contractor G F Tomlinson has appointed three new technical apprentices as part of its commitment to investing in the next generation of construction workers. The latest recruits to the construction firm’s apprenticeship scheme include Jack Harvey and Joe Langley who both achieved successful GCSE results, and Joshua Worrall who recently

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Latest Issue
Issue 326 : Mar 2025

employment

Bouygues UK Welcomes New Regional Managing Director

Bouygues UK Welcomes New Regional Managing Director

John Boughton, former Deputy Managing Director at Willmott Dixon in Wales and the South West, has joined Bouygues UK as Regional Managing Director for Wales and the South West. Bristol-native John has worked in construction for more than 30 years and was Deputy Managing Director at Willmott Dixon for four years. He was instrumental in the company’s track record of growing into a £200 million business in the region. “It is great to be joining Bouygues UK at this time. The team is currently working on two of the most exciting building projects in Wales and in the south West, in the form of the Cardiff Innovation Campus and Castle Park View in Bristol. I have seen these projects develop from afar, so it’s great now to be part of the team developing these iconic buildings. Bouygues UK has a great reputation in Wales and the West and I’m looking forward to cementing that status and pushing the business forward to be the contractor of choice for customers in the region,” said John on his appointment. Before that John worked with various construction contractors such as Sir Robert McAlpine, Tarmac, Pearce Group (now ISG) and Unite, the student accommodation providers. “John’s track record speaks for itself. His knowledge of the construction landscape in the area, but particularly the South West, is unrivalled. I look forward to working closely with John to grow the business in the region, to enhance the offering Bouygues UK provides to projects and further develop our already great team within Wales and the South West,” commented Rob Bradley, CEO of Bouygues UK.

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RENDALL & RITTNER APPOINTS NEW TEAM LEADER TO SUPPORT MIDLANDS EXPANSION

Leading residential managing agent, Rendall & Rittner has appointed Shreya Lakhani as Property Team Manager for the South Midlands. This is a new role for Rendall & Rittner’s Midlands division, created to support the ongoing expansion of the business in the region. Shreya will head up the teams of property managers responsible for developments across locations including Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and Watford. Based out of the Milton Keynes office though currently managing teams remotely, Shreya’s focus will be supporting her staff to ensure they consistently deliver excellent levels of customer service and meet the highest standards across all parts of their roles. With almost six years’ experience in residential property management, Shreya joins Rendall & Rittner from chartered surveyor Fifield Glyn, where she led the residential management department. Shreya comments: “Rendall & Rittner is a large and reputable company with an exciting portfolio of developments including high-end schemes with a wide range of facilities, and I am thrilled to join the team.” Richard Daver, Managing Director of Rendall & Rittner comments: “We are very pleased to welcome Shreya to Rendall & Rittner as we continue to strengthen our team and expand the company in the Midlands and nationwide.” For more information on Rendall & Rittner please visit www.rendallandrittner.co.uk.

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Is A Job In Construction Right For You?

Construction is a big industry, and there are lots of people who think that a job here might be right for them. It’s true, it very may well be, but at the same time, it might not be and it’s up to you to decide. Nobody else can do it for you, because nobody else knows the answers in the same way that you do. If you would like to find out more about how you can tell if a job in construction is going to be right for you, keep reading down below. It’s Secure One of the best things about the construction industry is that it is secure. We are never going to run out of things to build, which means we are always going to need people working in this sector. If you want to know that your line of work is relatively secure most of the time, then this is a good place to be. Keep in mind that just because the industry is secure, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your job is, that will all depend on the company that you work for and how good you are at your job. It Could Make You Feel Good One of the best things about working in construction is that you get to see what you have done immediately. You don’t want to wait for results, they are going to be right in front of you. It’s for that reason that construction actually has one of the highest job satisfaction ratings. Sometimes when you’re working in a different job, it can feel as though you are trying so hard and putting in so much effort, but you’re not seeing any difference or any change in what you are doing. This isn’t going to be the case with construction. Being able to see what you have done in a day will make you feel good. You will know that you’ve achieved something for the day, and this is important for a lot of people. It’s Fun Finally, if you are someone who likes to use their hands and get down and dirty, then construction is a lot of fun. If you are good with your hands, and like to keep them busy throughout the day, then construction is going to be a bonus for you. A lot of people don’t like sitting down at a desk all day and just typing or answering phones, and if this sounds like you, then you might find construction more fun. Working with your hands just gives you a whole new level of feeling behind your career as opposed to being stuck indoors all day. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see how you can tell if a job in construction is going to be right for you. Really, you won’t know until you begin working with a company, but you will get a good idea by thinking about these things. We wish you the very best of luck with your career, and hopefully you’re going to choose construction as your future.

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New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West Division

New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West

Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s ambitious strategic plan for growth.  “I admire the company’s ethos and the fact that everything is driven around quality – from the aesthetics of the product and how its delivered, to the internal systems behind it. There’s also a consistency in standards and business culture which I am proud to be a part of. Although I have joined the company a very unusual time, I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and working closely with the other regional teams,” commented Jon on his appointment as Area Manager. Jon has worked in the piling industry sector within the North West region for over 25 years. RB North West regions covers a geographical area from Carlisle in the north of England to Llandudno in north Wales. It is an exciting time for the region as it embarks on a new year to achieve business objectives and growth plans. “Jon has wide-ranging piling experience, industry expertise and knowledge of the market. He is the ideal candidate to lead our ambitious plans for strategic growth across the North West, where we design, deliver and install ground solutions across various sectors within the construction industry. We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team and wish him the best of luck in his new role,” added Managing Director at Roger Bullivant, Cliff Wren.

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Tips on ways to get a job in the real estate industry

Real estate business is a dynamic one. You will often find yourself in a changing situation. It can be with customers, property prices, or areas. But once you learn to market the property you want to sell off well, you’ll be very successful. While earning profits for yourself, you will also be helping people find places to live. Let’s take a look at ways to help you get a job in the real estate industry. What is your end goal? When you step into any business, you should have an end goal in mind. A target you want to achieve is your motivation. Without it, you won’t be able to embark upon the journey of success in real estate. To get to the end, you need to start with the basics. Make sure you clear your test and get your license. Without it, you won’t be able to step into the industry. Careers in the real estate industry can be a blessing, but the first few years are crucial. It is the breaking point of your career. Plan everything for it like building a network, know which areas people want to buy houses in, and so on. You need to try to enhance your advertising skills a lot. Start advertising on search engines and through your customers also. Make pages on social media and add updates about your business now and then. Plan out your marketing strategy in an effective way to reach your ultimate goal. You will need a good resume Real estate is not a part-time job industry. You need a well written and formatted resume to get yourself good jobs in the real estate industries. Without a good job, you will have to find alternate sources of income which can be challenging. It becomes a hassle to shuttle between different jobs during the day, so try to bag the best real estate job. If you don’t know how to write a good resume or have never done it before, don’t stress out. You can approach a cv writing service to get the best possible CV for yourself. Services like ResumeThatWorks.com prepare well-drafted resumes with all the details that you provide. You only have to pay them an affordable amount and get your job done. Why bother so much when you can buy something and get a job too! You can also find samples online if you want to give it a shot yourself. Get creative If you want to be successful, then be creative. Come up with catchy slogans that put the spotlight on you! Come up with good deals to attract people to your office. Have a well-designed office to attract people. They might feel that if you have constructed your office so well, you’d know what kind of houses people want. Working in the real estate industry takes much creativity to attract people. Your marketing strategies should be creative and set you apart from your competitors. Remember that most real estate agents neglect creativity. They only focus on mainstream areas and houses. Try to find modern properties located in modern areas and collaborate with them. Create attractive personal note cards to give to people. Ask your friends and customers for referrals if they like your work. Come up with ideas to support your online presence. Only because your online website is professional, doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Volunteer work Volunteering goes a long way when it comes to building a good public reputation. It is a great way to give back to the community. One way is to train a few newbies in the industry. You can help them by delivering your knowledge about the business. Tell them about what you have gathered throughout the years. That way, you will be doing something for society’s betterment. You can, later on, hire them as you can trust them to know your work style. Many students are now interested in this business as it is a profitable one. If you are also trying to make it big in the real estate market, you need to focus a lot on it. Getting into the real estate industry might take away all your time. You won’t have any time on your hand for college submissions. Assignments might also pile up, and there is a risk of missing out on deadlines. It’s time you pay for essay writing online. They can handle your assignments while you focus on your career. Network You can’t survive in this industry without building a strong network. You must focus on your networking skills to make sure to do justice to your job. Interact with people regularly and always keep your card ready. Try to make sure your customers are happy with your services so that they recommend you to others. To face the market’s cut-throat competitive environment, you must always be on your toes to survive. Work with other agents who are working for a longer time. They have much knowledge on how to market. You can use their brand name to build yours. Don’t wonder how to get into the real estate industry without having a mentor. You need a mentor to teach you ways to handle networking: the larger your network, the more your outreach. So never compromise on this, have someone who can guide you in the initial stages of your career. Be competitive As we said, you have to face cut-throat competition as a newbie in the business. So remain firm and come up with new ideas. Never have a laid back attitude; otherwise, your competitors will take away all your customers. Keep an eye on everything they’re doing and on the dynamics of the market. Keep an update on what’s going on around you. With that, keep your accounts private. Edmund Malone, a business developer who works with Essaykitchen believes that you must do whatever it takes to achieve success and be competitive. Try to have a cordial relationship with everyone in the market to keep

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Jobs Boost as Work Gets Underway at Keepmoat Housing Development

More than 60 construction jobs will be safeguarded or created by Keepmoat Homes which has started work on a new £14m housing scheme in West Denton, Newcastle. The deal to acquire the site from Newcastle City Council was completed last month – it is the latest in a line of projects delivered by Keepmoat Homes working in partnership with the local authority, which has so far produced 774 new homes at eight developments in the last five years. The top 10 UK home builder will create 96 two, three and four-bedroom houses and bungalows at the Thornley Road site alongside partners Leazes Homes, who will create five specialist learning disability bungalows, and Riverside who will create 27 dwellings for affordable rent and shared ownership. Ian Prescott, North East Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have started work on our latest development in Newcastle which is the latest in a long list of already successful sites we have created in association with Newcastle City Council. “As well as building a community, we are safeguarding employment in the region for at least the next three years whilst we are on site.  “Working again with Newcastle Futures and Generation North East we will also be creating work placement, pre-apprentice and apprentice opportunities for people in the city.” Councillor Linda Hobson, Cabinet Member for Housing at Newcastle City Council, said “Housing is a priority for the council and we are committed to offering a range of homes to meet the diverse needs of residents in our city.  Mixed tenure developments like this one don’t just provide good quality housing they also promote social inclusion and bring a real sense of community to the area. I look forward to seeing the work progress and residents move in when the properties are completed.” In recent years Keepmoat Homes has won a series of awards in the North East, including a North East Equality Award for its work in the community and a ‘Heart of The Community’ award at the North East Business Awards.

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Abtec BT prepares for shift to Industry 4.0 with appointment Head of Industrial IoT

As Abtec Building Technologies seeks to enhance its service offering to industrial and commercial customers, the award-winning smart buildings provider has announced the appointment of Kieron O’Toole as Head of Industrial IoT. In his new role, Kieron will lead the business unit responsible for the design, implementation and management of IoT and data infrastructure for Industrial and commercial customers – from edge to core to cloud. This will allow Abtec BT to deliver even greater expertise and value in smart buildings and the new wave of smart factories being implemented globally. The Industrial IoT service brings together Abtec’s range of digital services including IT/OT converged data networks; high availability data centres and WAN; cyber security; intelligent lighting, heating and access control; CCTV; presence tracking; and 24/7 infrastructure and energy management. These digital foundations reduce operational cost and risk for customers, but they also form the bedrock of wider Industry 4.0 programmes such as digital twins, supply chain integration, machine learning and AI optimisation, whilst enabling a world of new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors and applications to be deployed. Prior to joining Abtec at the beginning of October, Kieron has worked extensively across the industrial and enterprise ICT environments in systems engineering and businesses improvement roles for organisations such as Polestar Interactive and BT Global Services. He is also a member of Aston University’s Industrial Advisory Board and the Institute of Consulting. Of his appointment, Kieron comments: “It is an exciting time to be joining Abtec Building Technologies. Industrial IoT will play a transformative role in customer experience and production efficiency and will enable new ways of working across the entire supply chain. Using my knowledge and experience, I am looking forward to being part of Abtec leveraging its unique expertise, assets and service wrap in the industrial market to provide our customers a reliable data infrastructure partner.” Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec Building Technologies, commented: “We are delighted that Kieron has joined Abtec in this new role. He has a proven track record in delivering results, and his expertise will add value to our business as we grow our Industrial IoT service offering.” www.abtecbt.com

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Alison Brown Appointed HMS Maintenance Director

North West construction and maintenance business, HMS, is delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Brown as Maintenance Director.  Bringing over 30 years’ Social Housing experience to the role, Alison has a wealth of knowledge of the Repairs and Maintenance sector.   With a Masters in Business and a degree in Housing Management and Development, she has had multiple senior roles in the social housing sector, in both public and private sector organisations.  Discussing her appointment, Alison said: “Since being a teenager, I decided I wanted to work in the social housing sector, after having a weekend job working in an Extra Care Supported Living Scheme and seeing the impact quality homes had on people’s lives .”  This early passion for Social Housing has seen Alison cultivate an extensive track record of improving services for clients, across the country.  Alison continues: “What attracted me to the role at HMS is the opportunity to be part of an organisation that seeks to balance commercial drive with a real customer service focus.   “The HMS operating model of improving existing services and its social commitment to the people who live and work in its communities’ is unprecedented and  is one that really contributes towards improving the lives of the people of Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington.  “They have a genuine drive to increase employment opportunities for local people through initiatives like worklessness programmes, apprenticeships and Women in Construction, together with an ongoing commitment to training and upskilling the whole team, so that its legacy supports the vital work of the Torus Foundation. This is something that resonates deeply with me as it is vital that we continue investing in our existing staff and future talent.  “I’m looking forward to contributing to HMS’ success and growth as one of the leading Maintenance and Construction organisations in the region.”  Managing Director of HMS, Paul Worthington, said: “The whole team is thrilled to welcome Alison onboard and utilise her unique experience to continue our expansion. This is a fantastic opportunity for us all and I know that Alison will support our corporate plans for growth so we can reinvest our profits to further increase our social impact so our communities’ can continue to thrive.” 

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Triple technical hire for Midlands contractor

Triple Technical Hire for Midlands Contractor

Midlands-contractor G F Tomlinson has appointed three new technical apprentices as part of its commitment to investing in the next generation of construction workers. The latest recruits to the construction firm’s apprenticeship scheme include Jack Harvey and Joe Langley who both achieved successful GCSE results, and Joshua Worrall who recently passed his A levels – all three joined the technical team this month to kick start their careers in the industry. Derby-based Jack Harvey starts his apprenticeship scheme as a technical apprentice with GCSEs in maths, English, French, science, technology and ICT. His main responsibilities will be performing a range of tasks assigned by line managers, working across a variety of departments to gain a wide breadth of experience, especially in the initial first few months. Technical apprentice, Joe Langley, from Crich achieved GCSEs in maths, English language, English literature and science, and his interest in entering the construction industry led to him completing a BTEC in the Construction and the Built Environment, in which he achieved a Level 2 distinction. He will be focusing on growing his skills across various departments. Nottingham-based Joshua Worrall, joins as a technical apprentice having achieved A levels in business studies, physical education and ICT. His responsibilities will include meeting the needs and requirements of all projects that he is assigned to, to ensure they are completed properly, safely, and to the best price and time scale as possible. G F Tomlinson has 24 professional apprentices currently across the Group and the firm has an ongoing commitment to invest in the future generation of construction workers, all of which participate in fully recognised apprenticeship training schemes. The apprenticeship schemes are open to 16 to 19-year olds, and all apprentices that are offered a place with G F Tomlinson undertake an intensive training programme which consists of working alongside a dedicated mentor and spending a designated period in all parts of the company, before specialising in their selected roles. Applications for apprenticeships start at Christmas time for the following September, and all applicants are advised that the recruitment process then starts in early May with a formal review of all applications. For this September intake, seven applicants attended a COVID-19 secure interview back in June. Associate construction director, Kevin Dodds, said: “Our apprenticeships are all about unlocking potential for young people, helping them into the construction industry and nurturing and developing skills. Training is a core value at G F Tomlinson and we pride ourselves on the programme we offer. There are plenty of roles open to young people in construction, not just on the craft side such as bricklaying and joinery, but also including site management, site engineering, design management, quantity surveying, estimating, and health and safety.” On his new appointment, technical apprentice, Jack Harvey, said: “I am excited and keen to learn, gain experience and build relationships with my colleagues at my new job. I was attracted to the company after completing my work experience last year, meeting all the friendly people on site. I hope to bring even more success to the company and aim to become a site manager at G F Tomlinson in the future.” Technical apprentice, Joe Langley, said: “As part of my work experience programme, I previously spent time in an architect’s practice and this insight made me realise that a career in construction was something that I wanted to pursue. Previous part time job roles that I’ve held have also given me experience in teamwork and communication, which I believe will help me be a good addition to the G F Tomlinson team.  I am really looking forward to starting my career and am excited by this opportunity to join a company with an outstanding reputation. I hope to maintain this reputation and see myself in a leading or management role in the future.” Technical apprentice, Joshua Worrall, said: “G F Tomlinson has a very good reputation and is a well-respected company, and the firm is recognised for helping young people succeed in the industry. In my new role, I am excited to get to work in a large, friendly company with a great reputation, meeting lots of new people and being able to prove my worth within the workplace. I am also excited to learn about the trade and how everything works within the industry, as well as being able to do my part. I hope to bring enthusiasm and hope to get stuck into projects to help the company develop as a whole.” Investing in the next generation of construction workers and giving them the skills that they need to enter the industry, is a key value held by G F Tomlinson. The firm values training and investment in young talent, and invests time, money and effort in developing the skills of its staff and apprentices. Commitment to training includes promoting Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and 400 person hours are dedicated per annum, enhancing the overall education level of its local workforce.

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Job applications in the construction sector grow by 44.5% in Q3 as end of Job Retention Scheme looms

According to the latest quarterly job market report from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, job applications in the construction sector grew by 44.5% in Q3 2020 and by 21.2% year-on-year.   The report looks at job market data throughout Q3 2020 and compares this with findings from the previous year. It reveals that the construction sector, alongside the following industries, saw the highest growth in applications quarter-on-quarter:   Administration (up 90.2%) Recruitment (up 85.5%) Marketing (up 78.6%) Sales (up 77.7%) Telecoms (up 74.6%) Legal (up 61.5%) Finance (up 58.6%) Education (up 51.5%) Electronics (up 46.9%) Construction (up 44.5%)    Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library comments: “It’s no surprise that there are more candidates on the market given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the state of our economy. While the circumstances around this influx of talent are unfortunate, it provides a great opportunity for businesses in the construction industry to snag top talent.”    The data also reveals that the number of job postings has increased by 213.4% between Q2 and Q3 2020. However, the number of roles advertised between July and September is still 19.2% lower than at the start of the year.   What’s more, as vacancies continued to rise during Q3, the number of applications per vacancy dropped by 53.9%. However, this is still 85.5% higher than during the same period last year.  Biggins continues: “This data clearly shows that the construction industry has started to recover from the national lockdown in March, but it still has a long way to go. However, it’s likely that this new found confidence may be short lived.   “The uncertainty surrounding future government restrictions, as well as those put in place last week will force businesses to put a freeze on their hiring plans. Sadly, this will coincide with the end of the original Job Retention Scheme, which may spell bad news for professionals.   “That said, if you’re planning on hiring this quarter, you’re likely to have your pick of the best candidates on the market. However, be sure to approach your hiring process with sensitivity as this will be a particularly difficult time for job seekers.”  

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