Category Archives: Construction

Awards, Construction, News, South East

Beckton site manager wins prestigious homebuilding award

A senior project manager who is leading the construction of new homes in Beckton has won a highly regarded industry accolade.

Bellway London’s Richard Brittain, 34, is among just 443 site managers from across the country to receive the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Quality Award for 2022.

The prize, which was awarded in recognition of his work at the Beckton Parkside development off Viking Gardens, places him in an elite group of site managers within the industry.

Pride in the Job was first held over 40 years ago, and it has since become one of the most prestigious competitions in the homebuilding sector. Richard and his fellow Quality Award winners will now be considered for the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards later this year.

Richard, who lives in Essex, has now won the Quality Award three times in the past four years and brought his overall tally of awards up to four.

He said: “Bellway has always given me the opportunity to prove myself and advance my career within the company.

“I joined Bellway as a site manager at our development in Stepney all the way back in 2014, and I have been kept occupied with new challenges and responsibilities throughout my time here.

“I have a terrific team of hardworking individuals who have supported me every day for the last four years at Beckton Parkside, and it is our collective effort that has won us this award.

“We are constantly looking to improve everything we do at the site so that we can continue to create the best homes in the housing market for our customers.”

John Haggerstone, Construction Director for Bellway London, said: “For our site managers, winning an NHBC award in any year is rewarding, but this year has been a special achievement in such challenging circumstances, ensuring our building sites are kept to the highest standards we set ourselves at Bellway, and keeping our customers and local residents happy with the work we are doing across those sites.

“Richard and his team have consistently demonstrated their excellence in delivering new homes to our customers over the past 12 months and Bellway is extremely proud of and grateful for their efforts, resulting in the Quality Award they have been deservingly given by the NHBC. We would wish Richard all the very best for the next stage of the NHBC awards this year, as he progresses to the Seal of Excellence phase of judging.”

Bellway London is building 391 new apartments at Beckton Parkside. A selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments are currently available, with prices starting from £265,000.

For more information about the development, call 020 3993 6183 or visit https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/beckton-parkside.

CAPTION:

  • Senior Project Manager Richard Brittain (centre) flanked by Site Manager Daryl Owusu (left) and Assistant Site Manager Joe Pugh (right) at Bellway’s Beckton Parkside development.

 

 

 

About Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes is a FTSE 250 Index listed residential housebuilder based in Newcastle upon Tyne, employing almost 3,000 staff across 22 Divisions across England, Scotland and Wales.

Bellway began as a small family business in the North East in 1946 – with a passion for building exceptional quality homes in carefully selected locations, inspired by the needs of real families. We are proud of our heritage in the North East, and remain one of the region’s largest employers, with our Head Office still being located in Newcastle upon Tyne.

To this day, we maintain these same core values, combining our decades of expertise with the level of personalised care that Bellway is known for.

We are delighted to have been awarded 5 star builder status by the Home Builders Federation for the sixth year running, with 9 out of 10 customers saying they would recommend us to a friend.

Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

Salford’s First Install acquired by Ipswich-based Apex Joinery with plans for growth

Salford-based furniture installation and interior fit out specialist First Install has been purchased by Ipswich-based Apex Joinery for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition strengthens both businesses creating a new multi-million pound partnership with operating bases in both the north and south of the country with the ability to deliver a wide range of bespoke joinery, manufacturing, installations, and interior fit out solutions to clients nationwide.

With two offices and a combined team of more than 50 personnel, both First Install and Apex Joinery can expect to double turnover in the coming 12 months to more than £5million, with plans to recruit across all areas of the business and embark on a period of concerted growth by securing new clients right across the country.

Both businesses bring a strong reputation for quality, expertise and operational excellence to the new venture which will seamlessly provide clients in the retail, leisure, hospitality, office, commercial and industrial sectors with a turnkey solution to installations and bespoke interior fit outs.

The service will take ideas from vision to reality, covering the complete process from initial concept and design development through prototypes, production and manufacture, furniture and retail display selection and interior layout advice complete with comprehensive 3D visuals and flythrough animation to final installation and handover with warehousing, storage and refurbishment-related construction undertaken as necessary.

Head of sales and operations at First Install, Mike McVey, commented: “By joining forces, we have extended our geographical capabilities and established a new multi million pound nationwide operator with the shared aim of becoming the first choice for the design, manufacture and installation of beautiful interior fit outs along with furniture and retail display installation, across a range of different industry sectors.

“In addition to being a mutually beneficial partnership, both combined businesses are committed to further growth and job creation and plan to bring additional complementary businesses on board forming an all-encompassing and experienced group that offers added value and choice for clients and give the client a compelling reason to choose us when selecting an installation, manufacturing and fit out partner.”

Despite initially doubling in size, turnover and service capabilities, customer satisfaction, attention to detail and a personal approach remain at the heart of every project for the newly merged team.

Mike McVey will head up sales and operations for the new venture, drawing on his vast experience which includes Makro, Halfords and Manchester City Football Club (Kitbag) to name just a few past clients.

With both companies established for more than two decades, First Install and Apex Joinery are renowned for excellence in their operating sectors; First Install delivering professional furniture installation and specialist fit out and Apex Joinery delivering high quality purpose-made joinery. For further information on either business, please visit www.firstinstall.co.uk or www.apexjoinery.co.uk.

 

 

Awards, Construction, News, South East

Former labourer wins fourth site management award for work on new homes in Leighton Buzzard 

A construction site manager who joined the industry as a 16-year-old labourer has won his fourth building award.

Sean Pitkin has been given a Pride in the Job Quality Award from the National House Building Council (NHBC) in recognition of his excellent work at Bellway’s Lestone Mews development in Leighton Buzzard.

The 34-year-old has been site manager at the development since its launch in May 2019 and in February 2022 was promoted to contracts manager, overseeing five Bellway Northern Home Counties sites.

This is the second year in a row that Sean has won a Quality Award for his work at Lestone Mews, where work is due to be completed in August. He previously won two Quality Awards for his work as a site manager at Bellway’s Estone Grange in Aston Clinton, near Aylesbury.

The national awards recognise those who achieve the highest standards in construction, with only 443 out of 8,000 site managers across the country being selected to receive the prize this year. The winners will now be considered for the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn.

Sean, who joined Bellway in 2016, said: “It is brilliant to get this recognition for all the hard work I have put in at Lestone Mews but it is really an award for the whole team not just me. The secret to success is to have a great set of colleagues in place who buy into what you are trying to achieve.

“My philosophy is that I treat all of the homes on my site as if they were my own house. I want those new houses to be perfect so that I can stand there proudly as the keys are handed over to each and every customer of ours.”

Sean started his career in the construction industry as a teenage labourer.

“I was given a job as a labourer by a local builder in Olney and went into it straight from school, not really knowing what I wanted to do,” he said. “I was offered an apprenticeship and then became a qualified carpenter.

“A few years down the line, my bosses offered me the chance to become an assistant site manager and I haven’t really looked back.

“I have now been promoted to contracts manager which means I am overseeing five sites, including Lestone Mews, where my former assistant manager James Ratcliffe has been made site manager. Bellway is the best company to work for and my ambition is to carry on hitting the highest of standards.

“The target now is to maybe see all five site managers at the developments I am overseeing win Quality Awards. That would be really something.”

Iain Hunter, Construction Director at Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “For our site managers, winning an NHBC award in any year is rewarding, but this year has been a special achievement in such challenging circumstances, ensuring our building sites are kept to the highest standards we set ourselves at Bellway, and keeping our customers and residents happy with the work we are doing across those sites.

“Sean has consistently demonstrated his excellence in delivering new homes to our customers over the past 12 months and Bellway is extremely proud of and grateful for his efforts, resulting in the Quality Award he has been deservingly given by the NHBC. We would like to wish Sean all the very best for the next stage of the NHBC awards this year, as he progresses to the Seal of Excellence phase of judging.”

There is currently only one home remaining for sale at Lestone Mews – the Radcliffe showhome priced at £510,000.

For more information on the final homes available at Lestone Mews, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/lestone-mews or call the sales office on 01525 351317.

Caption:

  • Sean Pitkin, Bellway Northern Home Counties construction site manager, who has won his fourth prestigious industry award

 

 

About Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes is a FTSE 250 Index listed residential housebuilder based in Newcastle upon Tyne, employing almost 3,000 staff across 22 Divisions across England, Scotland and Wales.

Bellway began as a small family business in the North East in 1946 – with a passion for building exceptional quality homes in carefully selected locations, inspired by the needs of real families. We are proud of our heritage in the North East, and remain one of the region’s largest employers, with our Head Office still being located in Newcastle upon Tyne.

To this day, we maintain these same core values, combining our decades of expertise with the level of personalised care that Bellway is known for.

We are delighted to have been awarded 5 star builder status by the Home Builders Federation for the sixth year running, with 9 out of 10 customers saying they would recommend us to a friend.

 

Construction, Construction News, Health, Healthcare, Healthcare News, News, South East

Morgan Sindall Construction completes hat-trick of hospital refurbishment in Norfolk

Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new refurbishment scheme at the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following the successful delivery of two previous upgrade projects, signalling its total commitment to working with them long term.  

The Great Yarmouth-based hospital now benefits from refurbishment work to Ophthalmic Theatre 8, the latest in a series of three upgrades at the site totalling £3.8m.  

The Morgan Sindall Construction Eastern Counties business had previously formed a strong partnership with the NHS Foundation Trust throughout two previous projects during the pandemic. The 872 sq. ft. refurbished operating theatre includes a separate prep and scrub room. 

Relying on its strong partnership with the hospital, Morgan Sindall Construction have ensured that the construction activity has not impacted the vital work of the live hospital site.   

Taking into account key considerations, such as the worksite being located in the middle of an active hospital where there are no out-of-office hours and that intricate surgery can take place just metres away, has been an important aspect of the project’s design and build.  

As part of the refurbishment, the pre-existing theatre was demolished, converted and refitted. In order to not disrupt the flow of the hospital, Morgan Sindall Construction built and utilised an external entry point. 

Alister Broadberry, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Eastern Counties, said: “This is now the third project we have completed on behalf of James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and it has been a privilege to build upon our previous partnership formed with the hospital.  

“Through this long-standing project we have formed a close relationship with the team and key stakeholders at the hospital. This, in addition to our experience constructing in delicate surroundings, has been beneficial for the whole project team when delivering the intricate refitting work required for the project. 

“It is not only the refurbished hospital theatre that the community will now benefit from, as Morgan Sindall Construction’s commitment to using local contractors and employing local people has generated additional value for the Great Yarmouth area.” 

Richard Varvel, Estates Capital Programme Manager at the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Located above and adjacent to the ‘live’ clinical areas, refurbishment work to create a new Ophthalmic Theatre has been particularly challenging.  

“Working closely with hospital staff, Morgan Sindall Construction managed the work with minimal disruption to patients, keeping to a tight project programme and within budget. Feedback from staff using the new Theatre has been great, allowing the hospital to increase surgical capacity for cataract operations and other eye surgery going forward.” 

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Business & Property News, Construction

Sky is the limit for specialist commercial roofers following MBO

Specialist commercial roofing contractor Nautilus has announced the successful completion of a management buyout, which will fuel its next stage of growth as a wholly family run business, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group.

 

Since its establishment nearly 10 years ago by Stuart Jeffreys and Andrew Brush, Nautilus has worked with a range of commercial, industrial and third sector clients, employing a multi-disciplinary approach to roofing and cladding services.

 

The transaction sees Mr Jeffreys take full ownership of the business, with his knowledge and experience within the sector set to take South Wales based Nautilus to new heights.

 

Stuart Jeffreys said: “I am very proud of what the Nautilus has achieved to date, and it sets an excellent precedent for what is to come. Our expert craftmanship and professionalism, combined with an overarching goal of collaboration and innovation has seen us deliver the best possible projects for clients.

 

“With plans to invest in the existing highly trained and motivated team, new staff and expand service offering, the sky really is the limit for Nautilus.”

 

Following the transaction, Nautilus has ambitious plans to invest in additional surface covering activities to meet widening demand from clients – this includes concrete repair and resin flooring.

 

This will enhance the business’ existing in-house technical expertise, which includes steel and aluminium roof and side wall coverings, single ply and built up felt roofing and liquid coatings, with ‘refurbishment’ being a specialism.

 

Andrew Brush said: “I am delighted to see Nautilus embark on this new chapter with Stuart at the helm.

 

“This transaction reinvests in the business, creating greater value and allowing for sustained growth into new markets and regions. I look forward to seeing Nautilus’ continued success.”

 

The GS Verde Group advised throughout the deal.

Charity & CSR, Construction, Construction News, News, South East

Chichester builders merchant supports homeless charity with funding

The Chichester depot of Covers Timber & Builders Merchants has donated £4,500 to Stonepillow, helping the local charity replace flooring in its Chichester hostel.

Formed in 1989, the charity supports and empowers homeless people across West Sussex by offering a complete recovery journey that focuses on improving health and wellbeing. It provides community outreach services to support rough sleepers, residential services to help people gain stability within the community, supported accommodation for those recovering from homelessness, and a residential community-based abstinence service for people recovering from substance misuse.

Stonepillow’s Chichester hostel has 11 individual bedrooms, bathrooms and a communal area. The charity relies on donations and funding, and received a grant to help with renovations, but needed further funds to enable the flooring in all bedrooms and the communal lounge to be replaced.

Hilary Bartle, CEO of Stonepillow, commented:

“We want to recognise the support that Covers has provided not only to Stonepillow, but also the wider community, over many years. We are deeply grateful to all that Covers and the Green family do to support Stonepillow and our community and for helping so rapidly on this occasion.”

Rupert Green, Chairman of Covers, added:

“We have helped Stonepillow support some of the most vulnerable in our community for many years by providing materials along with large cash donations. We were delighted to step in again to help replace flooring in the hostel, it looks great.”

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, Construction, Construction News, News, South West, Sport

Earthstone Construction takes on parent group Stonewood on football pitch to aid cancer charity

WORKERS from Wiltshire construction company Stonewood Group swapped bricks for kicks in aid of a cancer charity when they took to the football pitch for a fundraising match.

A team from groundworking division Earthstone Construction took on a combined team made up of workers from Stonewood Builders, Stonewood Partnerships and Stonewood Homes to raise £1,200 for the Ben Saunders Foundation, a charity that runs holiday homes for young people with cancer

It was set up by 18-year-old Bath City academy footballer Ben Saunders, the son of former Chippenham Town and Calne Town manager Tommy Saunders, just before he died from cancer in August 2020.

Earthstone Construction Director Shane Andrews, who played for Mr Saunders at Chippenham Town, said: “We wanted to do something for the charity and had played a game before lockdown so it seemed the right time to do it again. It’s a brilliant cause and Tommy has done a fantastic job with it.”

The charity, which has so far raised more than £375,000, owns and operates two holiday lodges near Cirencester to give young people undergoing treatment some respite. It has hosted 115 families in two years and will open a third lodge in September.

Mr Andrews added: “We had great support from Stonewood Group as well from Marshfield FC, who gave us use of their ground for free, Melksham Town, who supplied the footballs, Hayden Hubbard who refereed the game and clients Alide Hire, Kellaway Building Supplies, CLB Hire, Marches Precast and Keyline (Bristol and Swindon) who donated.”

The game ended in a 6-1 victory for Stonewood Builders. “They were a bit younger and fitter than us but it was a good game,” said Mr Andrews, who managed the Earthstone team but was unable to play after injuring his calf while playing for Yate Town against a Manchester United legends team recently.

The Stonewood team, led by Stonewood Homes Managing Director Joe Bergson, had to thank man of the match goalkeeper Mark Maidment for keeping them in the game at times. The teams played for the Tom Andrews Trophy, named after Mr Andrews’ grandfather who was a former chairman of the club. “It was really good of the club to let us play for the trophy,” he said.

Stonewood Group Chief Executive Officer Matt Aitkenhead, whose father Neill founded the firm 50 years ago this year, was among the 70 spectators made up of family and friends. He said: “Sport is a common theme that runs through the group because a many of us met through it and the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork are important to us.

“It’s great that sport on this occasion was a chance to bring staff and families together and raise money for a wonderful cause that makes a real difference to young people.”

The company provided a barbecue for players and spectators after the game. “It was a great evening,” said Mr Andrews. “Everyone enjoyed the game and the food and drinks after. It was a really good chance to continue building our teamwork and raise money at the same time.

“It was really encouraging that we had 35 players taking part and it meant we could have rolling substitutes. We would love to make this an annual event with more teams from the group so that we can raise even more money.”

Mr Saunders said: “Huge thanks to Shane Andrews and everyone connected to Stonewood and Earthstone, every penny raised goes to support young people with cancer and bereaved parents. Stonewood’s Matt Aitkenhead and [Chief Operating Officer] Ben Lang have been friends of mine for 30 years and it is lovely they have been able to support us.”

Find out more about the Ben Saunders Foundation at bensaundersfoundation.org.

Pictured: The Earthstone Construction team who took part in the Stonewood Group fundraising match at Marshfield FC

Construction, Construction News, News

Roann Limited secures exclusive worktop supply rights for £157 million Sackville Road project

Premium quartz and granite worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has secured the £200,000 contract to provide work surfaces to the Brighton-based Sackville Road project by contractor, Moda Living. 

The Wakefield-based business was appointed by Deanestor, the furniture manufacturer, to supply 600 state-of-the art apartments with 20mm Cosentino Silestone Lagoon quartz, made up of premium natural minerals and recycled materials. 

The new urban village development will be located in the centre of Brighton, near to Hove train station – and just a short walk away from the sea-front. The scheme will range from studio, one, two and three-bedroom properties to a penthouse apartment. The development will be transformed into an intergenerational neighbourhood, suitable for families and individuals – the site will also include 260 care community homes. 

Residents will be able to benefit from a number of onsite amenities such as a 24-hour gym, flexible co-working spaces, a roof terrace, BBQ area and so much more. Construction is well underway and the Sackville Road site is set for completion in early 2024. 

Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited, says: “The Sackville Road project is a fantastic opportunity for us to further broaden our portfolio. The Silestone quartz worktops and splashbacks will be sleek, contemporary and designed to last. With a strong focus on community, this inner-city regeneration scheme is a fantastic addition to the already vibrant city. We look forward to seeing the completed project!”

Construction, Construction News, News

Leeds College of Building Among Top UK Apprenticeship Training Providers 

Leeds College of Building is celebrating after being named in the RateMyApprenticeship Best 50 Training Providers 2022-2023.

Announced at a RateMyApprenticeship Best Employers and Training Providers Virtual Event, the awards celebrate organisations leading the way in offering world-class apprenticeships to school and college leavers in the UK.

Rankings are based on thousands of honest and authentic student apprenticeship reviews on the national website RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk. The RateMyApprenticeship Awards champion apprentices, schools, employers, and training providers for their efforts in the apprenticeship market.

Leeds College of Building was named the top-ranking Further Education college in the north of England and the only college in West Yorkshire to make the top 50 training providers (17th place).

College partners BAM, Mott MacDonald, ARUP, EQUANS, and Balfour Beatty were all named in the 100 Top Employers.

Rob Smith, Apprenticeship Contracts Manager at Leeds College of Building, said:

“We’re thrilled to be recognised as the top Further Education College nationally for delivering exceptional Apprenticeship training. It is even more significant as it is voted for by students. Well done to all our staff and assessors for their dedication to the experience of our students and for working so diligently with employers, especially after the challenges faced since the pandemic.”

Construction, Midlands News, News

Call out to small firms to help drive innovation in construction

Some of the best ideas in construction come from the small companies that are directly responsible for site production. Yet, a lot of industry productivity initiatives are driven from top down and valuable solutions from the site-level supply chain are all too often missed or overlooked. This means that easy wins and smart solutions to make better use of time, materials and skills on site goes to waste.

A programme to help tackle this productivity challenge is entering a new phase, with a series of workshops and events to bring together the industry to find solutions. The programme, known as Innovation Driven Procurement (IDP), is run by Nottingham Trent University, Morgan Sindall Construction and funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The organisations first partnered in 2019 on a commission to tackle productivity through better procurement approaches and despite a period of suspension during the pandemic, work to engage site employees to gain their insights and ideas for driving innovation and improving productivity is now a priority of the project.

“The IDP is focused on improving profits, relationships and projects as a whole for all parties involved,” commented Sean Bowles, managing director in the central region for Morgan Sindall Construction. “The aim of the modules in the programme is to streamline construction practices, flushing out potential problems before they arise and generally taking a more collaborative, communicative approach to encourage innovation from the outset.”

Dr Andrew Knight, Executive Dean of the School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment for Nottingham Trent University, said: “The Innovation Driven Procurement programme has highlighted the real need for academia and construction to come together to realise challenges and solutions for the industry, especially as the sector’s productivity is lower than other parts of the economy.

“The programme offers a solution to this through training and mentoring from experts to help businesses challenge their current working practises and promote a culture of innovation. It has so far been received with praise by subcontractors, who have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete a job, and can now deliver an enhanced collaborative service for their clients. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction to inspire change in the construction industry.”

The IDP is one of four pilot projects which received funding from the CITB’s £3m commission. Together the projects are set to achieve £25m in savings and will involve 1,900 construction employers with the focus being on collaboration to mitigate risk, as well as an emphasis on quality and whole life outcomes, not just time spent.

Over three years, the IDP will include a programme of 120 face to face training interactions, 165 virtual training interactions, 51 innovation projects facilitated and supported, and 48 innovation champions trained.

So far, the IDP programme has been implemented with three supply chains in the Midlands with proven success, reaffirming the need for collaboration between academics and industry. Benefits include shorter delivery times and minimising risks on site.

The IDP leverages collaborative technology and processes to support design, buildability, and quality advice to drive innovation, cost savings, and improvements. Modules include: Collaborative Behaviours, Collaborative Design and the Supply Chain, Collaborative Risk Management using Flow Walks, Innovation and Value in the Supply Chain.

Jon Jacznik’s company, Drywall Contractors Ltd (DCL), was selected by Morgan Sindall Construction as one of the first subcontractors to benefit from the IDP programme after working together on a number of successful developments in the Midlands.

Jon and the team achieved an attendance rate of 100 per cent over the four-week training period. They are now undertaking coaching and support in the development of innovations through the programme.

He said: “I’ve definitely changed my management style after engaging with the IDP programme, it’s made me appreciate the nuances of the different jobs within the business and to look at things differently.

“I was surprised at just how much myself and the team got out of the training. My advice to anyone who’s struggling with collaboration is to engage with the IDP team to discuss how the modules can help your business. I would also suggest when putting employees forward for the training to choose as wide a spectrum of people as possible to get a real balance of opinions and cover all bases of your business.”

The ongoing strategic partnership between Nottingham Trent University and Morgan Sindall Construction, along with the CITB commission with CECA and the Sustainability Supply Chain School, has also led to the creation of the Collaborative Construction Procurement Training Hub (CCPTH), which is dedicated to improving the quality of procurement practices in the construction industry.

The purpose of the hub is to increase the skills level for those who buy products and sub-contract services within the industry. By improving these procurement skills, the CCPTH hopes to drive productivity improvements, and increased value for clients.