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hub South West appoints Robertson Construction to £12.5 million new primary school in Irvine on behalf of North Ayrshire Council

Kenneth Booth August 2, 2021

Innovative construction and infrastructure-focused partnership hub South West has appointed Robertson Construction Central West as the preferred Tier 1 Contractor for a new £12.5 million primary school in Irvine, Ayrshire.  The new school, for North Ayrshire Council (NAC), will support the continued expansion of new housing within this area of the coastal town.   Taking in the

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Demolition Work Begins to Clear Way for Hundreds of New Homes in Cambuslang

Kenneth Booth June 7, 2019

Demolition work is now underway at the East Whitlawburn Regeneration Project in Cambuslang, making way for a new swath of private and rented housing.  Following months of preparations, South Lanarkshire Council and Cambuslang-based CCG (Scotland) Ltd began physical clearance on Saturday (June 1) of the site, making way for 230 new social rented homes and 100 private residences for

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Two female construction sector managing directors are joint winners at hub South West’s Ninth Building for Growth Awards Event held at Glasgow’s 29 Club

Kenneth Booth December 17, 2018

Two women managing directors who have carved out successful niches in Scotland’s male-dominated construction sector have been elected joint winners at the latest hub South West Building for Growth Programme awards event held last week in Glasgow’s 29 Club. In a break with tradition, a panel of eminent construction sector

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Building for Growth Programme Is Underway

Cristina Diaconu September 21, 2018

Hub South West’s ninth Building for Growth programme is now underway and is open to any company looking to grow in a sustainable manner by building the skills and internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of business and, as a result, look to winning new work from participating Tier

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hub South West to hold Information Days in Dumfries and East Kilbride to tell businesses about its “Building for Growth” Programme

BDC News Team February 6, 2018

Two Information Days which will outline the benefits to companies in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway of participating in hub South West’s successful “Building for Growth” programme are scheduled to be held in February. A public-private partnership funded by Scotland’s business development agencies and a clutch of Tier One

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Latest Issue

BDC 319 : Aug 2024

hub south west

hub South West appoints Robertson Construction to £12.5 million new primary school in Irvine on behalf of North Ayrshire Council

Kenneth Booth August 2, 2021

Innovative construction and infrastructure-focused partnership hub South West has appointed Robertson Construction Central West as the preferred Tier 1 Contractor for a new £12.5 million primary school in Irvine, Ayrshire.  The new school, for North Ayrshire Council (NAC), will support the continued expansion of new housing within this area of the coastal town.   Taking in the catchment areas of Montgomerie Park and Knadgerhill to the east of the bustling community, the new facility will be non-denominational and will run to 12 classes. It will also have early learning and childcare classes, with 32 spaces for three- to five-year-olds and 15 spaces for two-year-olds.  It is funded as part of the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme, which focuses on delivering high quality, sustainable, low carbon and digitally-enabled learning environments that support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.  Shaun Sands, Project Director for hub South West, said: “We are pleased to be working once again with Robertson Construction, whose experience and expertise will create a truly first-class facility for North Ayrshire Council.  “The school is due to open in August 2023 and, in line with the Scottish Government’s targets of achieving net zero carbon by 2030, will aim to achieve a yearly figure of 67 kwh per square metre.”  Andrew McClelland, Head of Service (Education) North Ayrshire Council commented: “Importantly, the new school will ensure that there is sufficient primary and early years capacity to meet future demand in this growing area of Irvine. The new facility will be at the heart of the community which it serves and will be well placed to be at the forefront of promoting health and wellbeing with fantastic outdoor learning space on site and access to the local Country Park, which is on their doorstep.   “This offers exciting opportunities for the children to experience outdoor adventures beyond those possible within the school grounds.  The space and sheltered learning and teaching facilities required to maximise the outdoor experience for children, will be a key priority for this exciting project. This will provide positive outcomes not only for the children and young people who will attend the school, but also for the wider community in the area.”  The building will be designed by JM Architects, one of the UK’s foremost architectural practices, with PassivHaus design contributed by Glasgow-based ECD Architects.  Mechanical, electrical and plumbing and sustainability work is being delivered by environmental design consultants Atelier Ten and civil and structural work by consulting engineers Blyth & Blyth.  Stewart Preston, interim Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central West, said: “Our continuing relationship with hub South West will see the delivery of a sustainable new school for Irvine, which will enhance the learning experience of pupils and conserve and save energy during its operations.  “Over the coming months we will be working closely with our appointed design team to ensure that the building meets the needs of Scotland’s Learning Estate Investment Programme funding. This high-quality learning environment will introduce exciting outdoor learning spaces; integrate with the local community; create an environment to enhance wellbeing and promote inclusivity which will benefit both attainment and the environment while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.” 

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Milestone is reached as hub South West oversees handover of 200 new homes in South Lanarkshire and North Ayrshire

Kenneth Booth July 19, 2021

hub South West, the public-private partnership of local authorities, NHS, blue light services and a clutch of leading construction industry Tier One building contractors, will this month oversee the handover of a total of 200 new homes to families and individuals in South Lanarkshire and North Ayrshire. Michael Ross, operations director of hub South West, said: “We are absolutely delighted that as a result of our public private partnership relationship with Tier 1 contractors, 100 new homes have been occupied to date in Cambuslang’s East Whitlawburn district of South Lanarkshire. “With a dedicated housing supply chain with established housing contractors, our target of completed new homes in North Ayrshire will also be realised when four new homes at the Flatt Road development in Largs, making a total so far of 100, will be handed over to residents in June. “Shortly afterwards, 18 more new homes will be handed over in July in Millport on Great Cumbrae, taking the total in North Ayrshire to 118.” Completion of the first 100 new homes at East Whitlawburn represents part of a £42m housing-led regeneration of the area which will deliver 230 new social rented homes and 100 private residences for sale. Construction is being delivered by Tier I contractors. Cambuslang-based CCG, in partnership with West Whitlawburn Housing Cooperative. As part of the project agreement, CCG will undertake a range of community benefit initiatives such as the provision of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities for local residents. The company will also provide £50,000 towards the creation of an “East Whitlawburn Community Endowment Fund”. CCG and hub South West are committed also to ensuring that 70 per cent of tendering opportunities arising from the project were made available to local businesses, furthering the beneficial impact on the surrounding area. Further new homes in North Ayrshire, including the £21m development at Flatt Road are being delivered by hub South West at a number of sites, where Prestwick-headquartered Ashleigh, is the Tier 1 contractor. The Largs project will eventually consist of 122 units, including general needs homes, supported accommodation, amenity bungalows and a sheltered housing complex which will incorporate a community hub. The project will eventually move to the St. Combs area of the town where a further 29 houses will be delivered with all phases completed by early 2022. hub South West is currently progressing a housing pipeline of over £200m across its territory, including, in partnership with Ashleigh Construction, further housing developments with North Ayrshire Council, including the Brathwic development on the Isle of Arran, St. Beya on Millport, Towerlands in Irvine and the Springvale development in Saltcoats. hub South West has delivered over £579m of infrastructure projects to date covering the education, health, leisure, housing, and residential care sectors. In the year to March 2020, £158m of projects were in construction, with £468m in development. Currently, hub South West is engaged on site in the construction of 741 housing units in the North and South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire council areas. The total value of contracts on these developments is £112m. “All of these projects are important regeneration initiatives and hub South West is pleased to be participating in the development of high-quality homes alongside both North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils”, said chief executive Michael McBrearty. “Whilst we are developing and delivering energy efficient homes and communities, we see the potential to innovate even further in this sector on the journey to Nett Zero and are already challenging future developments with improvements in energy in use and carbon reduction. “Our engagement in the sector has brought improved value for money to the provision of new homes through both the rigour of the hub South West process and the collaborative nature of our development practices. We are the only housing procurement route that offers local authorities a meaningful and structured social value framework, ensuring a lasting legacy is built beyond the homes. “Our model of development and delivery prioritises People, Place and Planet is aimed at creating well-designed places that instil a sense of pride in the community, tackle energy poverty and drive sustainability”.

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Contractors Welcome Local ‘Hidden Gems’ to Join the Construction Supply Chain

Kenneth Booth September 18, 2019

Supported and third sector businesses operating throughout Scotland are being invited to meet up with some of the country’s biggest building contractors to explore the possibilities for joining the sector’s supply chain. The hub South West partnership is hosting its third annual Hidden Gems supplier showcase as part of its on-going commitment to an inclusive supply chain offering opportunities to local businesses and organisations throughout the area. This year’s event is being held in partnership with hub West, the development partnership established in April 2012 covering the west of Scotland. Featuring 10 organisations with the potential to sell their products and services into the sector, the supplier showcase will be held on Tuesday September 24 at The Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) in Glasgow’s Edgefauld Avenue. From its roots as a supported factory for the visually impaired, the RSBi has grown into one of the country’s leading examples of social enterprise, combining commercial success with socially responsible practices. It is committed to providing opportunities to people with disabilities, as well as helping towards the economic regeneration of the local community and beyond. Wholly owned by Glasgow City Council as part of its City Building limited liability partnership, RSBi is credited as the largest supported business in Europe. It manufactures a wide range of products including kitchens, office and educational furniture, beds and soft furnishings, timber building kits, metal products and storage solutions. “The RSBi is a fantastic example of a business from which the whole of society profits, and is therefore the perfect location for this year’s Hidden Gems event,” hub South West chief executive Michael McBrearty said. “There are many such organisations throughout Scotland providing much-needed employment and support for local people, and we want to showcase how they can benefit from contributing to the construction industry in general, and in particular to Scotland’s hub programme.” The hub South West partnership was established in 2012 to deliver value for money on public sector community-based infrastructure projects to generate growth in local economies across Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway. It is currently processing a general pipeline of £1.1bn of works. Hidden Gems forms part of the regular series of workshops organised by hub Club, the networking initiative of hub South West aimed at engaging local businesses and encouraging them to share their experiences. Events from hub Club are open to all members and aspiring members of hub South West’s Territory Supplier Network. Tier 1 contractors represented on the day at Hidden Gems will include Interserve, Kier, Morrisons, Graham, Morgan Sindall, BAM, CCG and Linear Design & Construct. Registration begins at 2pm and places can be booked here.

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Demolition Work Begins to Clear Way for Hundreds of New Homes in Cambuslang

Kenneth Booth June 7, 2019

Demolition work is now underway at the East Whitlawburn Regeneration Project in Cambuslang, making way for a new swath of private and rented housing.  Following months of preparations, South Lanarkshire Council and Cambuslang-based CCG (Scotland) Ltd began physical clearance on Saturday (June 1) of the site, making way for 230 new social rented homes and 100 private residences for sale. Construction is expected to begin in September of this year.  The development is part of the £42m housing-led regeneration of Whitlawburn, and is being delivered in partnership with West Whitlawburn Housing Cooperative. The first of the new homes on the site are expected to be available in March 2021.  Danny Lowe, Executive Director, Housing and Technical Resources, South Lanarkshire Council said: “The commencement of the regeneration of the East Whitlawburn area is fantastic news for the local residents and the wider Cambuslang area.  This major investment will transform the area and reinforces the council’s commitment to providing new, affordable, modern family homes, improving the area for the local community.”  CCG (Scotland) Ltd was appointed preferred bidder on the project by hub South West, the public-private partnerships of local authorities in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Dumfries & Galloway. CCG will construct all of the homes and will manage the sale of the 100 private properties through its newly-relaunched CCG Homes brand.  As part of that agreement, construction and manufacturing group CCG will undertake a range of community benefit initiatives such as the provision of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities for local residents. The company will also provide £50,000 towards the creation of an “East Whitlawburn Community Endowment Fund”.  “With our headquarters just minutes away at Cambuslang Investment Park, we are delighted to be part of creating a lasting legacy in our local community,” said Calum Murray, director of CCG. “We look forward to working with the council and hub South West in the creation of these high-quality, energy efficient homes.”  CCG and hub South West have committed to ensuring that 70% of tendering opportunities arising from the project will be made available to local businesses, furthering the beneficial impact on the surrounding area.  “This is an important regeneration project and hub South West is very pleased to be participating in the development of high-quality homes alongside South Lanarkshire Council,” chief executive Michael McBrearty said. “The additional social inclusivity measures to be delivered by CCG ensures that the regeneration project will represent a win-win scenario for the local community.” 

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Two female construction sector managing directors are joint winners at hub South West’s Ninth Building for Growth Awards Event held at Glasgow’s 29 Club

Kenneth Booth December 17, 2018

Two women managing directors who have carved out successful niches in Scotland’s male-dominated construction sector have been elected joint winners at the latest hub South West Building for Growth Programme awards event held last week in Glasgow’s 29 Club. In a break with tradition, a panel of eminent construction sector judges concluded that of the eight participating companies on the Building for Growth programme, two businesses, one run by Claire Donnelly, MD of Hillington-based Aspire Industrial Services, and another by Caroline Barrett, MD of CVD Fire Protection from its base in Carluke, Lanarkshire, best demonstrated their vision, strategic planning and leadership. Aspire Industrial Services, which was established only last year is a one-stop shop for the supply hire, testing and servicing for asbestos, construction and demolition activities, with an open trade counter where customers can buy their Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), and branded work and corporate wear. Claire said: “We are a young business, but we have already been fortunate enough to win a number of major contracts on construction sites throughout the UK by introducing innovative products which seek to make construction sites safer. “The Building for Growth programme has been a brilliant opportunity to consider carefully how we can make our business bigger and better and capable of regularly winning work from Tier One construction sector contractors.” CVD Fire Protection, which was established in 1997 is a 50-employee strong, £3m turnover business which provides fire protection, diamond concrete drilling and cutting services to the construction industry. Caroline said: “I really enjoyed the hub’s Building for Growth programme. It was full of ideas on how to make your business better and focused our brains to think about “working on” our businesses rather than simply “working in” them. Above all, I think, it has taught me the importance of having a strategic approach, and I am delighted to have won this award.” A public-private partnership funded by Scotland’s business development agencies and a clutch of Tier One contractors including Morisons, Ashleigh, Graham, Morgan Sindall and Keir, hub South West’s development programme is aimed at ambitious companies in construction and related sectors based in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. Now in its ninth cycle, its Building for Growth programme is targeted at ambitious local SMEs looking to grow in a sustainable manner by building upon the skills and internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of work. Over 90 delegates from 72 companies across the region have now graduated from the course. Session workshops focus on topics such as smart tendering, team building, strategic growth and exit options, marketing planning, supplier development programmes, corporate social responsibility and pitching for business. Gordon Hunter, Supply Chain Development Manager at hub South West, said: “Our Building for Growth programme, has already delivered success to the leaders of its participating companies by both broadening and deepening their grasp of the factors needed to win more new, bigger contracts from the Tier One contractors. “We hope and trust that Claire and Caroline and the other participants in our ninth Building for Growth programme will follow in their footsteps.”

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Building for Growth Programme Is Underway

Cristina Diaconu September 21, 2018

Hub South West’s ninth Building for Growth programme is now underway and is open to any company looking to grow in a sustainable manner by building the skills and internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of business and, as a result, look to winning new work from participating Tier One building contractors. “Our Building for Growth programme has already delivered success to the leaders of its participating companies by both broadening and deepening their grasp of the factors needed to win more new, bigger contracts from Tier One contractors and we hope and trust that all of the participants in our ninth Building for Growth programme will follow in their footsteps,” said Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of hub South West. Rub by hub South West, a public-private partnership of local authorities, NHS, blue light services and a clutch of leading construction industry Tier One building contractors including Morrisons, Graham, Morgan Sindall, Ashleigh and Kier, the Building for Growth programme is aimed at ambitious businesses in construction and related sectors based in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The programme comprises 8 half-day sessions (10.00am-2.00pm) over a period of 12 weeks. Throughout the autumn 2018 session workshops will focus on topics such as smart tendering, Innermetrix profiling, strategic growth and exit options, marketing planning, supplier development programmes, corporate social responsibility and pitching for business. “The aim of the programme is to ensure that local companies are ready, willing and capable of securing work from the Tier One contractors, and, I am delighted to say that we achieved our aim in 2017 with around two thirds of sub-contracting work on major projects going to local businesses,” said Gordon Hunter, hub South West’s Supply Chain Manager, who also manages the Building for Growth programme. The current programme, from which over 80 local businesses have already graduated, has just got under way and is scheduled to run through until the end of November. Eleven participating companies are drawn from locations across south west Scotland including Carluke, Bellshill, Kilmarnock, Troon and Cumbernauld.

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hub South West to hold Information Days in Dumfries and East Kilbride to tell businesses about its “Building for Growth” Programme

BDC News Team February 6, 2018

Two Information Days which will outline the benefits to companies in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway of participating in hub South West’s successful “Building for Growth” programme are scheduled to be held in February. A public-private partnership funded by Scotland’s business development agencies and a clutch of Tier One contractors including Morison Construction, Graham, Morgan Sindall and Keir, hub South West’s development programme is aimed at ambitious companies in construction and related sectors based in south west Scotland. The two events will give companies a taste of what the programme can do to aid their future success. The first information day will be held in Dumfries from 11.00am until 1.00pm on 13th February at Dumfries and Galloway College, Heathhall Industrial Estate, Links Road, Dumfries DG1 3JW where the speaker will be Martin Sweeney, a director of Rhino Contracts of Wishaw, a “graduate” of the seventh Building for Growth programme which concluded in November last year. The second will be on 15th February at Damada Group, 5 Wilson Place, East Kilbride G74 4QD from 11.00am until 1.00pm where attendees will hear from Gary Thorn, MD of Cube Glass, Cumbernauld and the Main Award winner of the Building for Growth Autumn 2017 programme. Gordon Hunter, Supply Chain Development Manager for hub South West, said: “The Building for Growth programme is open to any business looking to grow in a sustainable manner by building the skills and internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of business. “A golden rule is ‘no competitors’, leaving participants free to discuss any business issues, challenges and opportunities in a safe and supportive environment with a like-minded group of business people, with many of the sessions hosted and supported by our Tier 1 Contractors. “For more information, please contact my colleague, Margaret Milton on 01698 464566, or emailmargaret.milton@hubsouthwest.co.uk”

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