As we have reached the halfway point of the year, we can reflect on a successful year so far in terms of group revenue and we have welcomed a number of new starters joining our teams. We now have a new government in place and look ahead to see if this stabilises the economy, keeps inflation under control and has an effect on reducing interest rates but, much like the British summer, its difficult to predict exactly what we can expect. If there is a drive for more homes being delivered, more investment in construction and expansion of public services, this should have a positive impact on our group companies. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope we can all enjoy some well-deserved summer weather. For those that have planned a holiday or have booked some time off over the new few weeks, sit back, relax and enjoy!
COOK BROWN BUILDING CONTROL’S NEW LOOK
Cook Brown Building Control is pleased to showcase an updated appearance, complete with brand-new website redesign, and refreshed logo and branding colours. They’ve also updated documents to align with the new branding.
This transformation reflects Cook Brown Building Control’s dedication to innovation and commitment to providing the highest quality service for their clients and partners.
The new website features a complete redesign and enhanced functionality to better serve their audience, with streamlined pathways to ensure that visitors can find the information they need quickly and efficiently.
Check out their website here
COOK BROWN BUILDING CONTROL
RECOGNISED AS A REGISTERED BUILDING CONTROL APPROVER
As of April 6 2024, Cook Brown Building Control have been formally recognised as a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). This recognition marks a significant milestone for Cook Brown Building Control and aligns with the latest regulatory standards in the building control industry.
They are now regulated by the Building Safety Regulator and are listed on the Building Safety Regulator online portal as a Registered Building Control Approver.
This transition means Cook Brown Building Control are no longer known as Approved Inspectors and are no longer regulated by the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR).
All of Cook Brown Building Control’s surveyors are listed as Registered Building Inspectors (RBI), equipped to deliver building control services across various project types.
Huge congratulations to Cook Brown Building Control for successfully adapting to the new building control legislation changes. This achievement highlights their dedication to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism and regulatory compliance, ensuring they continue to provide excellent services to clients nationwide.
Add your BSR registration to your LinkedIn profile
Your BSR registration status is a great way to showcase your professional credentials. You can include your registration status along with your job title in your LinkedIn headline. For example, “Registered Building Inspector at Cook Brown Building Control | Class 2 Building Inspector.” See the example below.
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL
ATTEND ICWCI CONFERENCE
Hickton Quality Control attended the ICWCI conference, which provided a great opportunity to network and showcase the company’s commitment to excellence in service delivery.
It was fantastic to see one of their clerks, Alan Parker, receive well-deserved recognition for his outstanding contribution to The Tredegar Health and Wellbeing Centre project. Additionally, Vincent McMonagle and Eric Doel were acknowledged for their exceptional work on various projects. Their dedication and hard work demonstrate the high standards Hickton Quality Control strive for.
We’re proud to see recognition of the achievements of Hickton Quality Control and grateful for the acknowledgment they have received. The conference provided an excellent platform to celebrate these successes and to further strengthen relationships within the industry.
MANAGERS’ TRAINING DAY
AT COOK BROWN BUILDING CONTROL
Cook Brown Building Control recently held a training day for its managers. Continuous learning is crucial for equipping the team with the latest knowledge and skills to better serve their clients, ensuring compliance and safety in every project.
The day was a success, and the team enjoyed after-work drinks to celebrate their hard work!
MORGAN LAMBERT ATTENDS
KEY INDUSTRY EVENTS
Morgan Lambert attended three events over the last three months. Tom Connelly, Director of Electrical Operations, spoke at the ‘Electrical Installation - Switch on to the Big Issues’ event. This event focused on advancing the sector in both skills and standards as we move closer to the UK government’s 2050 net zero carbon target.
Our Managing Director, Lee Bradshaw, attended a Parliamentary Reception of the All-Party Groups on Carbon Monoxide and Health (APPCOG & APHG), which concentrated on improving environmental health and safety in homes, with a particular emphasis on indoor air quality.
Morgan Lambert also attended the IGEM Gas Utilisation Conference, which addressed topics such as ‘Heating and Health Challenges for Fuel Poor Homes’ and ‘Educating the Next Generation: Challenges in the Gas Industry.’ Morgan Lambert remains committed to participating in key industry events to stay at the forefront of advancements and contribute to important discussions shaping the future of the industry.
OUR TEAMS EXPANDING
Lucy Roberts Digital Marketing Assistant Hickton Group
Lucy joins Hickton Group’s growing Marketing Team as an experienced digital content creator and editor, with a background in illustration. She will assist Hickton Group by supporting the marketing team’s growth plans and overall marketing strategy, while also creating content for social media and various marketing materials.
Steve Lucking Senior Quality Inspector Hickton Quality Control
Steve has recently moved across to Hickton Quality Control in the capacity of Senior Quality Inspector, where he will oversee Warranty Inspections. He brings a wealth of experience with him, having spent 35 years in Building Control. This transition marks an exciting new chapter that promises growth, challenge, and the opportunity to contribute his expertise to the team!
Ian Fraser Consultancy Services
Manager
Morgan Lambert
Ian joins Morgan Lambert’s management team after spending a number of years as the Senior Heating Operations Manager with one of Morgan Lambert’s key clients, Clarion Housing. After leaving Clarion earlier this year, Ian spent a short time working in business development for a gas infrastructure organisation but is now looking forward to challenging himself in the Audit and Consultancy side of the gas sector. His experience in social housing is sure to benefit the wider management team and auditors with whom he will work closely.
Scott Ferguson Gas Quality Control Auditor
Morgan Lambert
Scott joins Morgan Lambert to cover the Cumbria region. He has a diverse skill-set, having spent 15 years in the British Army, including NEBOSH and IOSH health and safety qualifications, and senior management and leadership training through the Chartered Management Institute. Scott is a fully qualified domestic natural and LPG gas engineer, and we look forward to the experience he brings to our North West region.
Richard Heath Team Technical Administrator Cook Brown Building Control
Richard has recently joined Cook Brown Building Control as Team Technical Administrator. His experience and expertise will be invaluable in supporting the team and enhancing technical operations. Richard brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous roles in the industry, where he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence and innovation.
Robert Bradshaw Regional Manager Cook Brown Building Control
Robert has joined Cook Brown Building Control as the Regional Manager and Registered Building Inspector for the Birmingham and Tewkesbury regions. He will administer the full range of Building Control duties and develop the staff in both regions. With his extensive experience in building control and proven leadership skills, Robert brings a high level of knowledge and expertise to the team.
Rebecca Jeffreys Principal Registered Building Inspector Cook Brown Building
Rebecca has joined Cook Brown Building Control as a Principal Registered Building Inspector within the Specialist Projects team and brings knowledge, experience, and expertise to the role. We are excited to welcome Rebecca and look forward to seeing her contributions to future projects with Cook Brown Building Control.
Martyn Moye Gas Quality Control Auditor Morgan Lambert
Martyn joins our East Anglian audit team to support our clients in Norfolk and Suffolk. He brings with him a wealth of experience from his nine-year tenure at Vaillant, where he gained extensive product knowledge of their appliances. Martyn has also worked for other social housing contractors and is a fully qualified domestic heating engineer with commercial heating experience.
Frank
Robinson Principal Registered Building Inspector
Cook Brown Building Control
Frank has recently returned to Cook Brown Building Control, joining the XP team after previously working with Cook Brown Building Control and formerly BRCS. His vast knowledge and expertise in building control will be invaluable to the team. We look forward to the positive impact Frank will bring to the XP team and overall operations.
Olivia Genuardi Team Technical Administrator Cook Brown Building Control
Olivia Genuardi has recently rejoined Cook Brown Building Control as a Team Technical Administrator. Her enthusiasm and dedication make her a valuable addition to our team. In her role, Olivia will assist in various technical tasks, contributing to the efficiency and success of our operations.
Mark Liddall Principal
Registered Building Inspector
Cook Brown Building Control
Mark Liddall has joined Cook Brown Building Control as a Principal Registered Building Inspector. With his extensive experience and expertise in building inspection, Mark will play a key role in ensuring compliance and quality in our projects.
Welcome to all our new team members and those transitioning into new roles. We’re excited to have you on board and look forward to your valuable input!
NEW PHOTOS FROM MORGAN LAMBERT
Morgan Lambert recently had professional photos taken of the team in action. We are pleased to offer a glimpse of the new look through some of these photos from their recent photoshoot, which will appear on the new website soon!
Follow Morgan Lambert on LinkedIn, Instagram or X and stay tuned for the full reveal of the new look.
QUALITAS COMPLIANCE ISSUES £100K IN QUOTES
Qualitas Compliance have seen a significant increase in new clients seeking quotes for their Building Regulation Consultancy services, with their fire team also receiving numerous enquiries and appointments. The combined consultancy issued £100k worth of quotes in April and May, and a very successful June.
Qualitas Compliance have been appointed on several interesting projects, providing challenging and exciting opportunities for both the Fire and Building Regulation Consultancy teams. Quotes have included work for the English Cricket Board and the British Museum. Notably, Qualitas Compliance were recently appointed on the Cornish Schools project, upgrading fire safety and energy efficiency in eight schools, marking the
beginning of a promising partnership with MACE Building Surveying Consultancy. The fire consultancy team have also taken on notable schemes, including the former YMCA building in Porth. They continue to see increased enquiries for high-risk residential buildings, providing consultancy input before proceeding to the Building Safety Regulator.
With a strong pipeline of projects and a growing client base, Qualitas Compliance’s Principal Building Regulation Consultant, Andy Clark, shares, “As a new business, we are thrilled with the growing interest in our consultancy services. So much so that we are already looking at recruitment to upscale the team.”
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL’S NEW FRAMEWORK PARTNERSHIPS
Hickton Quality Control has been awarded a framework partnership with Longhurst Group, PAGABO, and the Innovation Chain North Framework.
Longhurst Group is one of the leading housing groups in the Midlands and East of England, providing much-needed homes and vital support services with a vision to improve the lives of their customers and communities. Whilst PAGABO is a leading procurement specialist known for their dedication to quality and efficiency in construction projects.
Hickton Quality Control have also successfully been appointed to the £1.5 billion Innovation Chain North (ICN) Framework by Great Places Housing Group. This framework includes a select group of contractors and consultants for the next four years, designed to support the delivery of new homes across the north of England. It aims to enhance Great Places’ affordable development programme and assist other Housing Associations operating in the region.
From the 206 applicants, Hickton Quality Control was one of the 103 contractors and consultants chosen based on technical competence, price, and commitment to social value. Joanne Whitehead, Great Places’ Development Performance Manager, responsible for managing the framework, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Hickton Quality Control on our new ICN framework. We are confident they will be able to work with us and the clients of ICN in delivering the sector’s extensive development ambitions in the North.”
The new £1.5 billion framework will run until June 2028. For a full list of all the successful companies, click here.
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL SECURES CONTRACTS WITH 5 NEW BUILD WARRANTY PROVIDERS
Hickton Quality Control has started undertaking Quality Inspections on behalf of a number of warranty companies who provide insurance cover for residential developments. Our inspectors attend site at key stages to check the quality and compliance of the works and report any defects or potential claims items to the warranty providers so that these items can be resolved prior to completion of works. We have secured a number of projects across the UK and are excited by the potential workload that this service may generate. A huge well done to the entire team for their exceptional hard work.
QUALITAS COMPLIANCE
HOSTS A CPD WORKSHOP
Qualitas Compliance’s Principal Consultant, Andy Clark, recently hosted a CPD workshop focusing on the Building Safety Act and recent regulatory changes.
The workshop, held at Bristol University in one of their state-of-the-art lecture theatres, provided essential CPD to the estates team and associated professionals, totaling 50 delegates.
Feedback from attendees praised Andy for highlighting the obligations and responsibilities of organisations and dutyholders to ensure compliance. They continue to share, ‘Andy Clark gave a comprehensive presentation of the Building Safety Act 2022 following the Grenfell Fire. There was a Q&A at each stage of the presentation and Andy Clark’s interactive presentation style ensured the topics covered were engaging, clear, and informative.’
A huge well done to Andy for delivering such an informative and engaging workshop!
QUALITAS COMPLIANCE PARTNERS WITH GLASTONBURY TOWN COUNCIL
Qualitas Compliance has partnered with Glastonbury Town Council for Glastonbury in Bloom. This initiative helps the local community by fostering vibrant public spaces and promoting environmental sustainability. Preserving and expanding green spaces benefits everyone and provides communal areas where local communities can connect, whether it’s for a leisurely stroll, outdoor activities, or community events.
NEW CLIENTS FOR MORGAN LAMBERT
We’re pleased to share that Morgan Lambert has added several new clients to its portfolio:
Trivallis
Based in South Wales, Trivallis joins Morgan Lambert as a new client. Starting from 1st April 2024, Morgan Lambert will conduct both gas and electrical audits for Trivallis.
Wandle
Located in the Croydon area of South London, Morgan Lambert is excited to partner with Wandle. Beginning 1st June 2024, Morgan Lambert will deliver a range of quality assurance services, including gas, electrical, fire, and water hygiene auditing and consultancy.
Incommunities
With more than 22,000 homes primarily in the Bradford district of Yorkshire, Morgan Lambert is pleased to welcome Incommunities.
Over the coming weeks, the contract will be mobilised, encompassing domestic and commercial gas auditing and consultancy, as well as electrical auditing.
Wythenshawe Community Housing DSEAR
After a competitive tender process, Morgan Lambert has secured another DSEAR Risk Assessment client. As the incumbent gas consultants for WCHG, Morgan Lambert’s deep operational knowledge of their housing stock positions them well to deliver the required risk assessments. The DSEAR division continues to grow robustly, and this contract win further strengthens Morgan Lambert’s market position.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MORGAN LAMBERT’S 2ND ANNUAL BOWLING COMPETITION
Morgan Lambert recently attended TENPIN Bowling Alley for our 2nd annual Northwest bowling competition. After two games, Gas Quality Control Auditor Stewart Walsh came out on top with impressive scores of 155 in the first round and 140 in the second, totalling 295 points. The closest competitor was Terry Rigby with a total score of 236.
The team had a fantastic night and enjoyed the opportunity to get together outside of work and celebrate. The team looks forward to the next event later in the year!
COOK BROWN BUILDING CONTROL EARN
OUTSTANDING RATING ON GOOGLE
Cook Brown Building Control has received an outstanding rating on Google, boasting an impressive score of 4.6 out of 5 based on 64 reviews. This achievement reflects their commitment to excellence and the satisfaction of their clients.
Cook Brown Building Control received further feedback from clients, with special shoutouts to Adam Etheridge, Principal Registered Building Inspector, praised for his brilliance and unparalleled knowledge: ‘Adam, you have been brilliant; your knowledge has been second to none.’
Registered Building Inspector Josh Walters has not only developed an outstanding relationship with clients but has also been described as ‘very professional, knowledgeable, timely, and helpful. It is a pleasure to work with Cook Brown.’
Similarly, Principal Registered Building Inspector John Dark has consistently been a pleasure to work with: ‘In my experience, he is always supportive and accommodating to the contracting and design teams.’
Cook Brown Building Control take pride in delivering exceptional service and fostering strong relationships with their clients so a huge well done to everyone at Cook Brown Building Control for their dedication and excellence in serving their clients.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING REGULATION CONSULTANT ANDREW BULLEN JOINS QUALITAS COMPLIANCE
Andrew Bullen will be transitioning from Cook Brown Building Control to join Qualitas Compliance. Congratulations to Andrew, who will be joining their consultancy team in July!
Andrew has successfully passed his competency interview and is now a registered Building Inspector Level 3 G and H and Level 4 Technical Manager. His dedication and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and excellence of Qualitas Compliance.
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL HELPS SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES
In celebration of Volunteers’ Week, Hickton Quality Control spent a day volunteering at the St Luke’s Hospice donation centre in Sheffield. St Luke’s provides free medical care and support to terminally ill patients and their families, touching 6,000 lives annually.
Our team enjoyed sorting donations, ensuring quality items made it to the charity shops, and recycling unusable ones. They managed to process eight large cages of donations, estimated to be worth £3,744 for St Luke’s.
Sarah Eastwood, Proposal Manager, shared, “Volunteering at St Luke’s was fantastic! We had a great time and left with a sense of accomplishment and lots of laughs.”
Georgia Armitage, Proposal Manager, added, “Seeing the life cycle of donations and knowing our efforts were helping was incredibly rewarding.”
Hickton Quality Control’s Bid Administrator, Sophie Tranter, and HR Administrator, Kirsty Ward, dedicated a day to volunteering at FareShare Yorkshire’s local centre in Barnsley. FareShare is an organisation committed to redistributing surplus food to those in need, effectively tackling food waste and addressing hunger across the UK.
FareShare has redistributed 54,000 tonnes of food, serving 8,500 local charities and over one million people. They’ve also helped prevent 2 tonnes of CO2 from being wasted for every tonne of surplus food redistributed. Hickton Quality Control visited the FareShare Yorkshire centre in Barnsley, founded in 1998 to support vital frontline organisations with surplus food. The centre currently supports almost 400 charities within the area.
These centres are volunteer-driven, and nothing would be possible without their dedication. Whether volunteers are delivering surplus food to Community Food Members (CFMs) or picking and packing food, these award-winning volunteers are the heart of the entire operation. To learn more about our team’s experience, click here to read the article.
TEAM TRIUMPHS WITH COOK BROWN BUILDING CONTROL SPONSORSHIP
Cook Brown Building Control is proud to sponsor the Penlan Under 12s football team, who are part of the Swansea Junior League. We’re pleased to share that they recently won the league cup, winning every game, no draws or defeats!
Congratulations to the team on their fantastic achievements on the field!
2,100 Miles to Sicily in Memory of Francesco Genuardi
Our Group Managing Director, James Cook, embarked on a six-day charity bike ride alongside Giulio Genuardi and Emilio Mazzotta. The team cycled 2,100 miles to Sicily, with James cycling to Geneva, and the rest of the team continuing to Sicily. This tremendous challenge was undertaken to raise money for St. Peter’s Hospice in memory of Francesco Genuardi.
If you’d like to learn more about Francesco’s story or support St. Peter’s Hospice, click here.
GROUP CELEBRATIONS
Throughout this quarter, we’ve seen a number of promotions across Cook Brown Building Control. These promotions reflect our commitment to recognising and rewarding the talent and dedication of our team members.
Harkirat Singh Chatha from Cook Brown Building Control has been promoted from Assistant Building Control Surveyor to Registered Building Inspector.
Adam Etheridge from Cook Brown Building Control has been promoted from Senior Building Control Surveyor to Principal Registered Building Inspector.
Lee Blendell from Cook Brown Building Control has been promoted from Building Control Surveyor to Senior Registered Building Inspector.
Ed Daniel from Cook Brown Building Control has been promoted from Registered Building Control Inspector to Senior Registered Building Inspector.
Simon Griffiths from Cook Brown Building Control has been promoted from Senior Building Control Surveyor to Principal Registered Building Inspector.
Huge congratulations to all on these well-deserved promotions! Your dedication, hard work, and commitment have truly paid off.
GROUP VACANCIES
Registered Building Inspector (Class 2)
Company: Cook Brown Building Control
Location: South-West region
Due to continued growth, we have exciting vacancies for experienced Commercial Building Control Surveyors in our SouthWest region.
Principal Building Regulations Consultant
Company: Qualitas Compliance
Location: Remote/Hybrid/On-site
We are a rapidly growing Building Regulations and Fire Safety Consultancy in search of a Building Regulations Consultant with responsibility for delivering our core services on a variety of project work.
Clerk of Works
Company: Hickton Quality Control
Location: Nationwide
We are actively seeking Clerk of Works on an on-going basis or full-time and part-time projects. Hickton Quality Control work on projects across the UK, to provide Quality Site Inspections for our clients.
Domestic Gas Quality Control Auditor
Company: Morgan Lambert
Location: Nationwide
The role of a Domestic Gas Quality Control Auditor will entail quality control of inspections being undertaken on a variety of works carried out for social housing providers nationwide.
Senior/Principal Registered Building Inspector (Class 3)
Company: Cook Brown Building Control
Location: Bristol & London
We are seeking a Senior/Principal
Registered Building Inspector to join our London office and Bristol office. The role offers exciting opportunities to work on a wide range of projects, and work as part of a dynamic team of surveyors.
Electrical Quality Control Auditor
Company: Morgan Lambert
Location: London & South-West
The role of an Electrical Quality Control Auditor will entail quality control inspections on a variety of electrical works carried out in social housing properties, inclusive of communal areas, and a thorough understanding of electrical installations will be required.
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?
We are a company that believes in collaboration and the self-development of our staff. We believe our success comes from encouraging people to succeed and in sharing their experiences we are able to learn and grow. We also understand that supporting a healthy work-life balance is valuable to the production of our work.
We promote a healthy office environment and provide everything necessary to help you do a good job. Support is on hand when you need it with our ‘open door’ policy. We foster an environment that encourages the sharing of all ideas and will make time to listen. It’s not all work and no play, we have after-work get-togethers, raise money for various charities from different events, and try our best to accommodate the most elaborate of ideas.
We employ people who embrace and deliver our core Group values: Quality, Client Focus, Honesty, Integrity, Competency, Teamwork, Development, Accountability, and Exceptional Service.
If this sounds like a team that you would like to be a part of, in return, we will provide the following:
+ Holiday accrual scheme
+ A friendly and professional environment
+ Competitive salary
+ Continuous personal development (CPD) opportunities
+ Health cover
+ Enhanced employer pension contributions
We spoke with Morgan Lambert’s Domestic Gas Quality Control Auditor, Geoff Potts, and Operational Support, Amanda Westmoreland, about their experiences working at Morgan Lambert.
Geoff shares: “I’ve found working for Morgan Lambert to be a great experience. They have the happiness and welfare of their employees at the heart of the company’s ethics, along with company benefits and ongoing training. It is genuinely a great place to work.”
Amanda shares: “I joined Morgan Lambert over a year ago, having been in the retail industry for over 16 years. Morgan Lambert gave me the resources to help me transition back into an office environment by putting me through training and courses. The support I have had from the Morgan Lambert team, Managers, and Auditors has been fantastic, and I truly feel part of a great team.”
