The Building Services Summit 2016 has announced new speakers after it was launched by three industry leading services trade associations – the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA). The Building Service Summit will take place on November 23 this year at London’s British Library and has been organized by BCIA, BESA and ECA members, giving everyone the chance to share their ideas by taking part in the informative and lively discussions that are set to take place. Among the speakers is Roy Evans of the Cabinet Office, who leads on Government Soft Landings (GSL), an objective of the governments 2016-2020 Construction Strategy. Evans will be joined by Dr Karon Buck, who is the founding principal of Medway UTC, which is a new school for students aged between 14 and 19 from Medway and the surrounding areas. The speakers’ panel will also feature Dr Susan Scurlock who founded primary engineer in response to the government calling for more young people to be attracted into the engineering profession just over a decade ago. Among the other industry experts who will join the debate will be Stephen Hill an associate and building performance engineer for Arup, David Frise, Head of Sustainability for BESA, Graham Wright, legislation specialist of Daikin and president of FETA and Bill Wright of ECA, an independent consultant on energy, control and sustainability matters. The event will be discussing topical questions including: Is the process of construction broken? Do building regulations stifle innovation? Why aren’t clients using the technological tools that are available? What are the alternatives to the current process of construction? BCIA President, Malcolm Anson, commented: “We have assembled some of the world’s most qualified experts to speak about how building engineering services can operate as efficiently and effectively to reshape the future of our buildings.”

Regional construction contractor Beard has recruited a new managing director from VolkerFitzpatrick, Mr David Sershall. Sershall will take over the post from Mark Beard who will now become the company’s Executive Chairman. The former VolkerFitzpatrick Building Division Managing Director will now join the family owned Beard business where he will have overall responsibility for quality across the business. He will also lead Beard’s Oxford construction business at the end of next month after Regional Director John Youle has stepped down from his post. The incoming Managing Director said that Beard is a successful, well regarded and innovative construction firm which has built its success on a talented pool of people who are committed to faultless and prompt delivery of projects. Sershall continued: “I believe there’s a great opportunity to capitalise on the company’s strong reputation in both the private and public sectors and I am excited to be in a position to help deliver the next part of its growth plans across the south of England.” Meanwhile, Mark Beard expressed his delight at the appointment of Sershall who he believes will be a great fit for the business and is someone they are pleased to have as part of the company. Beard added: “He brings a wealth of operational management expertise to Beard, an in-depth knowledge of design management and significant experience delivering complex multi-million-pound construction projects.” He believes that Sershall shares the company’s passion for quality and is confident that he will make a positive contribution to the company’s continues development and success. Sershall is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute of Building, while he also has degrees in architecture and building management, along with an MSc in Construction Project Management. Earlier in the week, Beard said goodbye to project manager Bob Fay who had spent 40 years with the firm.

Scape Group has confirmed that the Perfect Circle consortium has been appointed to its £350 million consultancy framework. The consortium consists of Pick Everard, Gleeds and Aecom and is the first time the procurement body has chosen a joint venture. Over four years the deal will be worth £350 million, with the Built Environment Consultancy Services framework providing consultancy services to the public sector. The new framework will bring together the range of services available under the two existing frameworks of Scape: the National Project Management and Quantity Surveying framework; and the National Asset Management, Surveying & Design Services framework. Scape said that the decision to merge the two frameworks was because of a series of challenges that the industry is currently facing. The company said: “[These] include a shortage of internal industry specialists and an increased demand for consultancy expertise against a backdrop of sustained budgetary challenges.” The consortium will be supported by around 150 SMEs as supply chain partners. Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of Scape said that every day its public sector clients have to balance the two competing forces of rising services demand from a growing population, along with diminishing internal resources. Robinson added: “In the current uncertain economic climate, rapid appointment, access to the right skills and advice to get the best from the public estate will be absolutely critical, which is why we have created this new all-encompassing framework, which has been uniquely designed to deliver exceptional results to our public sector colleagues.” The Perfect Circle consortium fought off competition from a consortium of Grant Thornton, Faithful & Gould, Bilfinger GVA and Arcadis as well as individual bids from Turner & Townsend and Mace. Robinson explained that the battle was close, which saw Scape extend its 10 day stand still period to feed back in depth to the unsuccessful bidders.

The campaigning trade body for Scotland’s electro-technical industry, Select, has re-appointed Eric Rae as its president. Rae has had a great influence in Select activity in the North East and Aberdeen for a number of years and was first elected to the post last year, now entering his second year in office. He will maintain his full schedule of strategy discussions and branch involvement, along with a focus on areas of interest such as public sector procurement, health and safety, employment affairs and training. Rae said that he is delighted to extend his time in the role of president and will seek to carry on the body’s mission of influencing legislation that will benefit the industry in the long term. He continued: “Select has done, and continues to do, sterling work to create industry conditions which enable member firms to both provide a quality service to their clients and to maintain the high standards that characterise electrical installation in Scotland and, of course, Select.” Select’s Managing Director, Newell McGuinness, said that Eric has proved his ability as a conscientious and able president and has always put the interests of the industry first. McGuinness added: “We are very pleased that he will be in post for another successful year, directing his energies to seeking and securing outcomes which create the infrastructure for a sustainable future not only for the industry but for the Scottish economy as a whole.” Meanwhile, Select’s Head of External Affairs, David Wright, also welcomed the news as he stated that Rae has brought experience and influence to the role of president. Wright believes that Rae will continue to serve the interests of the industry and the body looks to carry on its campaign for statutory regulation of the industry in order to protect Scottish householders from poor quality work carried out by those who are not qualified to do so.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has elected Ben Derbyshire as its next President. Derbyshire will take over from incumbent President Jane Duncan at the start of September next year for a two year presidential term, which means that he will be the official RIBA President-Elect from the start of next month. RIBA established a President position in 1835 which has previously been held by renowned architects such as Sir Basil Spence, Alfred Waterhouse and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Derbyshire is currently chair of HTA Design LLP, which is a 150 strong multi-disciplinary practice based primarily in Edinburgh and London. He has been a partner of the company since 1987. He also holds several other board positions, including at RIBA Enterprises, Design for Homes and he is also a trustee of The London Society. Speaking on his appointment, Derbyshire said that he is conscious of the great responsibility he will have to architects both in the UK and overseas as President of RIBA during such a turbulent time for the industry. Derbyshire added: “Jane Duncan has laid the foundations for change at the RIBA that I look forward to driving forward, when I take up the role of President. “My primary goal is to champion architects so that they, our sister professions and clients, can advance architecture as the cornerstone of the well-designed and more sustainable built environment society desperately needs.” He believes that RIBA needs to work for all architects regardless of how and where they practice. Meanwhile, the current President of RIBA, Duncan congratulated Derbyshire on his successful election. She added that during her final year of Presidency, she will play her part in implementing RIBA’s new five year strategy which distilled the collective views of the group’s members, while she is also going to make sure that the profession retains its strong voice.

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions has been appointed by infrastructure and utility service provider Amey to look after its fleet of over 8,500 vehicles. The exclusive six year vehicle leasing deal will see Hitachi provide Amey with vehicle management and funding for its whole fleet of over 8,500 vehicles and specialist assets. Including the utilities, waste management and highways sectors, Amey has over 300 contracts, many of which call for a fleet of specialist vehicles that must always be available. Amey’s Fleet and Plant Director, Tom Lawless, commented: “We need a fleet of specialist vehicles that are provided and managed to the standards of operational safety, compliance adherence and optimum availability that are also fit for purpose when considering required customer outcomes.” Lawless believes that Hitachi is “uniquely placed” to deliver the full support for Amey’s operations, adding that the new partnership will mean its business can make better use of its fleet of dedicated assets which will result in a better service for its customers. Meanwhile, Managing Director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Jon Lawes, said that the appointment shows the company’s ability to manage and fund the most complex and mission critical fleets that operate in the UK. The deal came into effect last month and will run until 2022. Meanwhile, last month it was confirmed that Atkins has been awarded with the contract to supply Hitachi in the delivery of Network Rail’s Thameslink programme. Atkins will conduct several assessments which are designed to make sure that the TMS meets the standards set by Network Rail for being compatible with the rail network in the UK. Practice Director of Transportation at Atkins, Conor Linnell, commented: “It is very exciting for Atkins to be able to bring its extensive experience in the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects to bear on a ground-breaking programme such as TMS for Thameslink, which marks the beginning of the digital age of the UK railway.”

Business Stream has named Derek Hendry as its new director of strategy, strengthening of its senior team ahead of the English water market opening in 2017. Hendry will report to the company’s Chief Executive, Johanna Dow, and will be based in the firm’s head office in Edinburgh. He will take responsibility for about 30 staff and a £4 million operational budget across transformational change, business strategy, people management and technology. Hendry will join the company from Standard Life, where his role in the company was to lead change and transformation programmes on international assignments in Hong Kong, China and Canada. Previously, he held a number of leadership roles with the firm in a number of IT and business change schemes throughout its group functions, operations and pensions. Prior to joining Standard Life, Derek worked in a number of project management and leadership roles with Abbey National/Banco Santander and Aegon. Dow commented: “Derek joins us at a pivotal time for the business and the industry as a whole. Our recent acquisition from Southern Water doubles our customer base and gives us a strong foothold in the English market ahead of the market opening for next year.” He added that Hendry will be the head of the company’s transformation activities as it prepares for market entry and continues to invest in processes and systems that will deliver excellent service for its customers throughout the UK. Hendry said: “I’m looking forward to using my extensive change and project management experience to help Business Stream maximise the potential of the exciting opportunities ahead. “The company has a bold strategy and a culture of ambitious continuous improvement, both of which will be critical in meeting the competitive challenges ahead.” In May, the company announced that it had appointed Jo Mayes as its new Director of Customer Operations.

An independent construction commissioner has been appointed to referee any complaints and disputes that may arise from the public during construction work of the HS2 project. Gareth Epps been appointed construction commissioner of the HS2 project on an interim basis and he will now investigate any matters that cannot be resolved by the complaints process of HS2 Ltd. The appointment of Epps is on an interim basis pending the passage of the enabling legislation and after royal assent, an independent body of project stakeholders will determine the full terms of reference and agree on a permanent appointment. Epps had previously worked in community relations on the Crossrail project for nine years and has also led the Liberal Democrat group on Reading Borough Council. The general election of 2015 saw him stand as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Keighley, in which he came fifth with 2.7% of the vote, while the 2001 general election saw him stand against David Cameron in Witney. In his role of HS2 construction commissioner, Epps’ main roles will be: to monitor complaints and providing reports marking trends and providing advice on how to reduce the instance of complaints where possible, to make sure that people affected by HS2 know he exists and what he does and to mediate in unresolved disputes between HS2 Ltd and individuals or bodies, including claims under the Small Claims Scheme. Simon Kirby, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, commented: “We recognise that people will be affected by the construction of the line and are thoroughly committed to ensuring that those people are treated fairly and all practicable measures are taken to minimise disruption. “Improving our approach to affected communities is at the very top of our priority list. We are continuously striving to refine our complaints handling and improve community engagement. The appointment of a Construction Commissioner is a key part of that process.”

National steel firm Tata Steel has been fined £1.98 million for safety failings after two of its employees suffered hand injuries in two separate machinery related incidents. Northampton Crown Court heard how one of the firm’s employees, 26, lost most of his left hand and two of his fingers when attempting to clear a steel tube manufacturing line blockage which had not been guarded properly. While in a separate incident, one of the firm’s team leaders, 52, lost part of a finger when he caught his left hand, also on a machine that was inadequately guarded, while he was receiving refresher training. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation into the incidents that took place on September 12, 2014, and February 19, 2015, and discovered that the company had failed to properly guard and manage the risks associated with the dangerous parts found in these items of machinery. Based in Millbank, London, Tata UK Limited pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was subsequently handed a total fine of £1.98 million (£1.8 million for the second offence and £185,000 for the first offence), as well as being ordered to pay £22,500 in costs. Following the hearing, Mark Austin, HSE inspector, commented: “Guarding of dangerous parts of machinery is a fundamental of ensuring workers safety, HSE will not hesitate to hold those accountable who do not fulfil their legal obligations, especially if that results in someone receiving life changing injuries.” The HSE says that any decisions to prosecute a company is always conducted in line with the established principles of the published Enforcement Policy Statement, while the severity of the fine imposed is always to be decided by the courts.

A home brewing kit manufacturer based in Ellesmere Port has been fined after one of its employees lost a hand when cleaning a blending machine. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted SPL International Ltd after the incident at Poole Hall Industrial Estate in Ellesmere Port on October 21, 2014. Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how the injuries sustained by the worker led to his right hand below the thumb and fingers being severed and he has since been unable to return to work. On the day that the incident occurred, the employee was asked by his supervisor to carry out a task that he had done before – cleaning the ‘Ritchie blender’, a Kek Gardner horizontal cantilever mixer. He turned the blender off at the mains before cleaning and drying the inside of the blender and then turned the power back on. However, sometime after water was seen dripping from the rim of the outlet hole underneath and as he attempted to dry the rim he placed his hand into the access hole which made contact with the blades. With the machine still running, there was nothing in place in the machine to prevent his hand from making contact with the blades. SPL International Ltd, of Poole Hall Industrial Estate, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 as the firm had failed to carry out a risk assessment relating to the risks associated with the cleaning of the blender. As a result of the incident, the company was hit with an £8,000 fine and ordered to pay just over £7,000 in prosecution costs. Jane Carroll, HSE Inspector, said after the hearing: “This case is a stark reminder of the consequences of a failure to adequately guard machinery and implement safe systems of work for cleaning and maintenance activities.”