Building and civil engineering business, Britcon, has appointed Heath Williamson as Regional Manager at its base in Wakefield. The appointment follows strong performance from the Yorkshire team which has doubled in size to 12 members in the last 12 months. Heath, who is a Chartered Construction Manager, brings particular expertise
Sean Langton has been announced as director at Manchester’s Building Services Design (BSD). His presence in the North West’s engineering and construction industry has spanned almost 35 years, with experience delivering hundreds of national and international projects. “I studied building services engineering at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) but
Energy Assets Group, one of the UK’s leading independent metering services, asset management and utility network construction companies, has appointed Margaret Maclean as the Head of HR and Compliance. This new role has been created to support the company’s growth plans and is recognition that Energy Assets places people and
Albion Water, the water and waste water services provider, has appointed a new managing director – Luke de Vial. Luke is a former Wessex Water employee who has worked in the water industry for more than 30 years. He first came into contact with Albion in 2017 when the two
Euan Haggerty has just been appointed by James Gibb Residential Factors as Finance and Acquisitions Director, as the firm seeks expansion into the Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen markets. Euan is a Chartered Accountant and associate member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and he comes with a wealthy experience, having
The power tool specialist Starrett has been visiting colleges and apprenticeship training centres over the past few years, in order to demonstrate its range of hand tools. Now, Laura Neish, the HR manager, wants to take the time and explain how businesses in the building, construction, electrical, and plumbing industries
Keyline is continuing to celebrate its employees’ commitment and dedication by presenting long-service awards to those who have been with the company for a number of years. Employees are recognised after completing five years with the company, and then every five years thereafter. Each member of staff is presented with
SEED Madagascar, a small UK based charity, are one of the nation’s most important contributors to the island and have been helping its people and its wildlife for nearly 20 years. However, as 92% of the population live below the poverty line of $2 a day, there is always a
Have you suffered an injury or an accident that’s left you clueless? Do you find yourself wondering, feeling lost, and unsure what sort of help you should receive? If you’re unsure if you need assistance with a personal injury, odds are, you likely should reach out for help. If you’ve
One in four people are affected by mental health, it doesn’t matter what age, gender or what industry you work in. If you’ve recently had to take some time off for reasons including illness or mental health, then taking the step to get back to work can be tough but
Building and civil engineering business, Britcon, has appointed Heath Williamson as Regional Manager at its base in Wakefield. The appointment follows strong performance from the Yorkshire team which has doubled in size to 12 members in the last 12 months. Heath, who is a Chartered Construction Manager, brings particular expertise in heavy engineering with over 27 years’ experience working in senior management roles for a number of leading regional and national building and civil engineering operators. He was most recently responsible for overseeing pre-construction activities for a £65 million biomass import terminal for Lynemouth Power Limited, at the Port of Tyne. The appointment reflects continuous growth in Yorkshire for Britcon with major client instructions from York University, BASF, Eddie Stobart, Cepac and Vickers Oils. It is also on the contractors’ framework for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust with a project underway. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Britcon said, “We are delighted to bring Heath on board to lead the team at Wakefield. A substantial amount of our business is now managed from this office and Heath has the depth of expertise in procurement and management to lead our growth strategy. Established for more than 26 years, Britcon is £50 million turnover business headquartered in Scunthorpe and directly employs over 100 people on its project sites across the UK. Key contracts secured in the last 12 month includes a £13.5 million contract to deliver a new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Dagenham for food waste recycler ReFood (UK) Ltd, a series of new developments, extensions and refurbishment projects valued over £10 million for Lidl, and contracts worth over £4 million for global chemicals business Kemira. Britcon is listed by the London Stock Exchange in its report of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Europe’.
Sean Langton has been announced as director at Manchester’s Building Services Design (BSD). His presence in the North West’s engineering and construction industry has spanned almost 35 years, with experience delivering hundreds of national and international projects. “I studied building services engineering at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) but my first introduction to engineering was when I was 17-years-old and managed to secure my first job with DSSR,” said Sean. Sean moved across departments and DSSR’s joint ventures, working his way up the ranks to become an associate before joining BSD in 2013. He has been an associate director at BSD for five years and is delighted to have been promoted, following a long and varied career in the industry to become the Manchester office’s new director. “I’ve worked on all manner of projects – if you think of a building, it’s likely I’ve worked on it; or at least something similar. My work has taken me to the Sudan and Iraq completing schemes varying in size and value,” said Sean. “My varied experience – which has seen me work on completing atomic weapons research facilities, police HQs, higher education and commercial facilities, care homes and laboratories – has meant that I’ve had a really solid grounding in the industry and can tackle almost anything that’s thrown at me.” Sean will continue his work at BSD and build upon the relationships the company had been forming over the years with its clients and drive the company’s growth further. “Sean’s commitment, drive and hard work have been recognised by many across the business during his time at BSD. He’s an expert in his field, has pushed the Manchester office to become a leader in its field and continues to develop lasting relationships with key clients which are crucial to the survival of our business,” commented on Sean’s new position David White, managing director at BSD.
Energy Assets Group, one of the UK’s leading independent metering services, asset management and utility network construction companies, has appointed Margaret Maclean as the Head of HR and Compliance. This new role has been created to support the company’s growth plans and is recognition that Energy Assets places people and culture at the heart of organisational success. Margaret will be reporting directly to the Chief Executive and she is bringing to the company over 20 years of senior management experience in human resources and finance across multiple sectors, including working as Assistant Chief Executive for a successful employability organisation. “Energy Assets has grown significantly in recent years organically and through acquisition, so this is a great time to be joining the company and to play a role in shaping a culture that will drive business success. I will be accountable directly to the Chief Executive, which speaks volumes for the value that Energy Assets places on harnessing the potential of its people,” said Margaret Maclean. “Margaret brings the skills we need to ensure that governance, culture and the development of our people are all aligned as we plan for further growth. We now have an executive team in place that is balanced and diverse, sharing values that will shape our future success,” commented on the appointment Colin Lynch, Energy Assets Chief Executive. Energy Assets Group offers utility suppliers, developers, contractors and industrial and commercial end-users a broad spectrum of expert multi-utility metering and energy-related services, including the provision and management of new and replacement meters through its Meter Asset Management division; design and construction of multi-utility networks; OFGEM approved local energy network (final mile) ownership and management; full MOP, MAP DC/DA & AMR data management services; and holistic downstream and upstream utility network engineering support, including complex meter module design and build.
Albion Water, the water and waste water services provider, has appointed a new managing director – Luke de Vial. Luke is a former Wessex Water employee who has worked in the water industry for more than 30 years. He first came into contact with Albion in 2017 when the two companies formed a joint venture and Luke was part of the team. “I have joined Albion Water at an exciting time for the business. With the backing of Wessex Water, Albion is looking to grow its portfolio of housing developments and this year we’re launching a new website and developing our offer,” commented Mr de Vial. “We understand the issues and constraints faced by developers and house builders and we’re leading the industry in exploring new ways of providing water, waste water and environmental services in a flexible package that offers increased value.” Luke started his career at Wessex Water as a hydrogeologist and then proceeded into water resources management, environmental strategy and more recently catchment management. His experience will strengthen Albion’s senior management team. Victoria Ashton will also be joining the team as a technical manager. She holds an MSc in water resources technology and management, has 15 years of experience across the industry, and is an active water industry professional with expertise in the areas of water resources planning, demand management, metering, water efficiency, conservation and optimisation. “I am looking forward to a new challenge at Albion Water and the opportunity to learn new skills. There is a promising and exciting future for us and competition in the water industry and I am looking forward to being a part of it,” commented Victoria. When Albion Water was licensed by the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) in 1999, it was the first new entrant to compete against the monopoly water companies in England. As well as providing water and wastewater services to housing developers and builders it offers environmentally focused services that can enhance developments, making them attractive places to live or work.
Euan Haggerty has just been appointed by James Gibb Residential Factors as Finance and Acquisitions Director, as the firm seeks expansion into the Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen markets. Euan is a Chartered Accountant and associate member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and he comes with a wealthy experience, having held previously the role of Finance Director at Miller Developments, a commercial property development business, and worked within corporate and operational finance roles at The Royal Bank of Scotland. “Euan is a fantastic addition to our board and I am delighted to welcome him to the team. He brings significant experience in terms of operational finance and will play a key role as we continue to seek merger and acquisition opportunities. I look forward to working together as we grow the business and continue to provide a first class service to customers,” said Douglas Weir, Chief Executive of James Gibb and Director of James Gibb’s parent Company, Strathspey Capital. “This is an exciting time for our industry where consolidation of existing factoring businesses will lead to improved resources and enhanced technological ability which will result in an enhanced customer service package,” he added. James Gibb Residential Factors is a trading name used by James Gibb Property Management Ltd and it focuses only on property factoring. This way, the business is able to concentrate all of its efforts into providing a first class service package to its customers, based on the good, honest, and traditional family values instilled by generations of the Gibb family since 1872. Since it changed its ownership in 2012, James Gibb has positioned strategic offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, from which they deliver services that maintain the company’s core values: Integrity, Performance, Quality, and Clarity. James Gibb Property Management Limited is owned by Strathspey Capital Limited.
The power tool specialist Starrett has been visiting colleges and apprenticeship training centres over the past few years, in order to demonstrate its range of hand tools. Now, Laura Neish, the HR manager, wants to take the time and explain how businesses in the building, construction, electrical, and plumbing industries can make the most out of the process of hiring apprentices. The Financial Times reported in October 2017 that the number of people starting an apprenticeship in the UK had dropped by 61% year on year since the introduction of the Government’s apprenticeship levy. The levy has been set at 0.5% of a company’s pay bill for all employers with a wage bill higher than £3 million per year. This introduction has also caused problems for smaller companies and has called for more financial support for employers creating roles for apprentices. “Small businesses have a key role in providing apprenticeships across the whole of England and particularly for younger workers, with 70% of those firms that have an apprentice taking on 16 to 19-year-olds,” said Mike Cherry, national chairman of the FSB, speaking to The Financial Times. “Government should reconsider the current funding arrangements and incentives for taking on younger apprentices, recognising that this group needs more support as they move into the workplace for the first time.” Laura urges businesses to look into these three things and decide whether or not they can support an apprentice. 1. Long-term investment Taking an apprentice on board is a long-term investment, meaning that your business needs to make sure that it can provide the right resources to support, train, and offer them a role by the time they have finished. Make sure you have enough work to give to the apprentice, you have a suitable mentor to guide the trainee, and most importantly, your apprentice fits into your company’s growth strategy. 2. Do the research Once you’ve completed the first task, find the best training providers. The best bet is usually the industry specific providers, as they will have a selection of candidates from which you can choose. The schemes on offer are also different; some may be more vocational, some may put more emphasis on classroom learning; some may last 12 months, some may last four years. Lastly, don’t forget to ask about the kind of training offered by the provider. 3. Choose your apprentice The way you want to advertise your apprenticeship is strictly up to you. It can be directly through training providers, on standard job sites, or on The National Apprenticeship Portal. Once you have your candidates, organise assessment days that allow you to see their competency, personality, and learning agility. Other members of your staff could also help you with some feedback on your applicants. Apprenticeships are important for the nation’s trade industry and small business can benefit from the energy and drive of a new employee, while contributing to the continuation of skilled work. However, make sure you do your research before offering an apprenticeship to avoid a negative reputation.
Keyline is continuing to celebrate its employees’ commitment and dedication by presenting long-service awards to those who have been with the company for a number of years. Employees are recognised after completing five years with the company, and then every five years thereafter. Each member of staff is presented with Keyline’s long service pin and certificate, and also receives vouchers for the company’s internal employee rewards scheme, which can be used online to purchase items from a choice of over 1,000 different outlets. Those who were recently presented with long-service awards are: Barry Latimer, Sales Office Manager at Keyline Manchester – 15 years Christ Durrant, Keyline Taunton’s Branch Manager – 10 years Lee Darwin, a fitter and driver in Keyline Sheffield’s tool hire department – 10 years Andrew Corbett, Branch Manager at Keyline’s Preston branch – 10 years Paul Beaman, Managing Director at Keyline, commented: “We have an amazing team and it’s always a pleasure to honour the hard work and loyalty of those who have been with us for many years. We pride ourselves on having branch teams who are highly knowledgeable and are able to offer exceptional technical assistance to our customers, and our long-service awards are our way of saying thank you to our staff.”
SEED Madagascar, a small UK based charity, are one of the nation’s most important contributors to the island and have been helping its people and its wildlife for nearly 20 years. However, as 92% of the population live below the poverty line of $2 a day, there is always a need for more people to join in and help. SEED have been building schools, which are part of an ongoing project that wants to increase education possibilities in the country, wells, and toilet facilities, which help deal with hygiene and disease. Four in ten children in rural areas die before the age of five from diseases that could have been easily prevented, such as diarrhoea. The charity needs more volunteers to help with these projects and hopes that the construction industry could lend a hand. Volunteers can choose between a two and a three week placement where they will work on a variety of community construction projects. The team is composed of Malagasy guides and an international group coordinator and volunteers can get involved in activities such as digging foundations, bricklaying, building classroom furniture, excavating a well, or anything they might find interesting or are good at. “Having worked with SEED Madagascar on a number of water, sanitation and building projects, I have first-hand experience of how much difference those with building skills can make in the country. I swapped knowledge with local tradesmen who taught me about their building materials and methods. It was a fascinating and supremely rewarding experience. Whether you can spare a couple of weeks, fund someone’s trip or simply make a donation, this is an incredible cause to get behind,” said Ross Chamberlain, Director of Blueprint Construction & Development Ltd. If you work in the construction industry and would like to be part of SEED Madagascar by either becoming a volunteer or making a donation, contact the charity on 020 8960 6629 or by email on info@seedmadagascar.org. This can be your opportunity to help and give back, while experiencing the landscapes of Madagascar with stunning beaches, coral reefs, and jungles.
Have you suffered an injury or an accident that’s left you clueless? Do you find yourself wondering, feeling lost, and unsure what sort of help you should receive? If you’re unsure if you need assistance with a personal injury, odds are, you likely should reach out for help. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, it’s critical to consult with personal injury attorneys. If you’re looking for a way to ease your mind, help heal your body, and get you back on your feet quicker, then hiring a personal injury or work injury lawyer could be the perfect solution for you! Three Reasons You Should Hire a Personal Injury or Work Injury Lawyer If the stress of your personal or work injury is building on you, causing you additional worry, and is making your healing process even more difficult – don’t fret, there’s something you can do. Overall, personal injury or work injury lawyers are looking to protect your interests and be an advocate for you when you’re dealing with the insurance companies, doctors, and more. So, why hire a personal injury or work injury attorney you ask? We’ve outlined a few reasons below! They Know the Ins and Outs When it comes to filing injury claims there are hundreds of rules and regulations, and more than just the sheer amount of them, they’re all strict and complicated. Personal injury attorneys are experts when it comes to these rules and regulations, like the statute of limitations, complex paperwork, court processes, and all the filing procedures. Your personal injury lawyers can help you understand the procedure and ensure that you won’t lose out on what you’re entitled to due to ignorant errors, loopholes, or technicalities. In the end, you need someone knowledgeable to provide you with the information you need to get the help that you deserve. Not only that but since they know the ins and out of personal injury law, they can help you understand your rights and recommend the legal options that may be available to your situation. They Can Provide Proof and Expertly Evaluate the Damage Lawyers can help you provide proof that your injury wasn’t your fault, so having an experienced and professional attorney is crucial. You need someone who knows the law and someone who can help you expertly evaluate the damage. It’s possible you have injuries you’re unaware of, problems related to your accident that didn’t occur to you, and specific laws regarding pain, suffering, and medical duress that might qualify you for extra medical expenses. However, in order to assess the damages you suffered, you need to gather essential pieces of evidence to establish the liability of the other party. This is where hiring a professional injury lawyer comes to the rescue. Whether you’re entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, they can help you get hold of the following proof or evidence: Medical report from the doctor who assessed your work injuries Photographs of the accident scene and the injuries sustained Witness testimonies, if necessary Accident report you filed to the employer As you can see, there are many pieces of evidence that can help establish the liability of the other party. But in the event the negligence of someone else has caused death to your loved one, don’t hesitate to hire a wrongful death lawyer who won’t only gather evidence for you but make sure the party will be held legally accountable for what happened. Peace of Mind is Worth It You’re already going through a tough time – healing, hurting, and trying to sort through all your medical expenses – doesn’t working with a certified expert make sense? Doesn’t finding someone with the knowledge, experience and professionalism make sense? If you’re losing wages, facing bills you can’t afford, and are constantly in pain due to a worksite accident, partnering with someone who can help you regain your strength and finances is crucial. In the end, peace of mind is certainly worth your time, money, and effort. Conclusion Indeed, dealing with personal injuries caused by someone else’s negligent behavior can be a traumatic experience. With the information mentioned above, you have every reason to seek legal help to maximize your financial recovery. So, don’t be afraid to fight for your rights by having a lawyer on your side who can represent you in your legal battle.
One in four people are affected by mental health, it doesn’t matter what age, gender or what industry you work in. If you’ve recently had to take some time off for reasons including illness or mental health, then taking the step to get back to work can be tough but just remember there is plenty of support out there to help you. The construction industry can be quite tough and demanding, especially if you’ve been working within the industry for a number of years. If you’re considering a return to work, then here are four tips that can help make your return a success. Put together a plan It’s always best to talk your manager or HR team when you return to work, try putting in a plan it will help to make your return a little smoother. You might find that returning to work full time too full on to start, so maybe starting off with part time or flexible hours could be an option that works both for you and your employer. Don’t be afraid to talk Mental health might be something that isn’t openly talked about but it’s more common and something that’s important to discuss. Finding someone you’re comfortable to talk to can really help, if there’s a group of you then why not get together regularly and talk about how you’re feeling about work. There might be someone who can offer some insight into how you can reduce the amount of stress you’re feeling and you never know you might be able to help them too. Get the support you need Don’t feel as though you need to rush back into the role and responsibilities you were doing before your time off. If it was too much before, then you might find it could build up and be too much again. Talk with your manager or employer about having some support at work, it might be from colleagues or your senior team but having a proper network of support around you will help. It might be worth asking to see if there is any support that they can offer you outside of work, does your benefits package include any health support or cover any sessions. There are also charities such as Mind that are always available to offer any support and advice you may need. Change things up If you feel as though the environment you were in before doesn’t suit you or you might think it could be time for a change then there’s no harm in looking for other construction roles that could be a better fit. You might find that another role could offer you the flexibility you’re looking for and something that might be a better fit for helping support you. If you’re looking for advice on returning to work, then Randstad have put together some information and tips which you might find useful.
