Property & Development Magazine - July 2014

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HOUSING: NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

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GATEWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION

G-FRAME STRUCTURES

CASTLETECH GROUP

ISSUE 407

PROPERTYAND DEVELOPMENT THE MAGAZINE FOR THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY

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01 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT

IMPROVEMENTS OVER MOVES

❱

People are choosing to improve their current home rather than move, recent research from Lloyds Bank has revealed.

According to the statistics laid out in Lloyds’ findings, 14

million people have undertaken or will undertake major work on their properties within the next 18 months. Of those, two million claim they are doing so because they can’t afford to move.

Marc Page, Lloyds Bank Mortgages Director, said: “With over 14 million of us opting to carry out large scale improvements, these kind of projects are seen by many as the best way to make a house a home.

“Rising house prices are clearly having an impact, with almost one in five buying smaller properties than they would have liked. However, this is giving more people an opportunity to undertake home improvements, whether they are trying to maximise the value of their property, or even make it more sellable in future.”

The age group 25 to 34 revealed they were likely to undertake redevelopments in the next 12 months with many having already completed home improvements. The main reasons given for home improvements were to make a house more personal rather than for financial gain. However, a third claimed that adding value was a reason behind property improvement ahead of necessity such as creating more space for a growing family.

Rising house prices have also seen people downsize. Six million homeowners nationally have bought properties smaller than ones they would like. In the South East this figure represents 21% with a quarter saying they bought smaller properties with a view to extending or improving the property to add value.

This means significant sums of money are being spent by homeowners on interior and exterior property improvements. Nearly a third have spent between £10,000 and £25,000, while 22% have spent up to £10,000 and 13% a staggering £50,000. These figures are in line with how much value people expect to get out of the improvements.

This research comes as data from the BBA found that mortgage approvals for house purchases were down from the previous month, hitting an eight-month low.

Richard Woolhouse, Chief Economist at the BBA said: “Our figures show that the housing market is mixed. The value of mortgages taken out in April was the highest for six years however looking ahead mortgage approvals have fallen three months in a row. The amount of borrowing is however still well below the levels we were seeing before the financial crisis.”

Ultimately, we can look at these statistics in a positive light. The housing market remains buoyant while people are spending significant amounts of money on their own properties.

DANIEL STEPHENS EDITOR

FEATURE MANAGERS: DANIEL BEARDSLEY VAUGHAN WILKS OSCAR WILDE MARK BRITTEN EDITOR: DANIEL STEPHENS Property and Development Magazine is published by CHP (Yorkshire) Ltd. Company registered in England & Wales. All material is the copyright of CHP (Yorkshire) Ltd. All rights reserved. Property and Development Magazine is the property of CHP (Yorkshire) Ltd. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form whole or part without the written permission of a director of CHP (Yorkshire) Ltd. Liability: while every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein, or any consequence arising from it.

In the case of company or product reviews or comments, these have been based upon the true and honest opinion of the Editor at the time of going to press.

ART EDITOR: STEVE WILLIAMS DESIGNER: STACEY BREWER CONTRIBUTORS: CIARAN JAROSZ JEFF SENIOR

PRODUCTION: VICKI LINDSAY LISA POLLINGER ACCOUNTS: NICK CHARALAMBOUS ADMINISTRATION: CHARLOTTE LEWIS PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT IS PUBLISHED BY: CHP (YORKSHIRE) LTD, 6TH FLOOR, CROWN HOUSE, SOUTHGATE HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1QX TEL: 01484 437300

contents_feature 2 03/06/2014 15:17 Page 2

2

CONTENTS COVER STORY

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES Homes and places where people want to live

Director of Property Services, Steve Hale, explains the work they do for the council

14

22

GATEWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION

44

G-FRAME STRUCTURES

28

ROSEBERY HOUSING ASSOCIATION

contents_feature 2 03/06/2014 15:17 Page 3

3

SECTIONS COMMUNITIES HOUSING INTERIORS SUSTAINABILITY HEALTH AND SAFETY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

10 20 32 38 48 50

COMMUNITIES COMMUNITY NEWS

10

Welcomed support for troubled families

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

12

Building sustainable communities

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES

14

Homes and places where people want to live

HOUSING CHARTERED HOUSING INSTITUTE

20

New President takes office at the CHI

GATEWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION

22

Supporting local communities

WATMOS COMMUNITY HOMES

26

Creating strong communities

ROSEBERY HOUSING ASSOCIATION

28

Making a difference

INTERIORS CASTLE GROUP

32

Putting the client first

SUSTAINABILITY GREEN DEAL

38

Government launches home improvement fund

MUIR TIMBER SYSTEMS

26

WATMOS COMMUNITY HOMES

40

The future is timber frame technology

G-FRAME STRUCTURES

44

Sustainable frame solutions

HEALTH AND SAFETY HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

48

Symplifying the rules

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FM SHOW 2014

50

FM Show on the move

JUDD FARRIS Global specialist recruitment

54

news_feature 2 02/06/2014 10:29 Page 4

4 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT News

BERKELEY HOMES’ NEW MORTGAGE RULES ALREADY PLAN APPROVED AFFECTING UK PROPERTY MARKET NEW MORTGAGE affordability rules that came into force in the UK recently have already had an effect on the housing market, it is claimed.

According to chartered surveyors Connells Survey & Valuation the total number of BERKELEY HOMES’ plan to

already built 862 new homes. A

property valuations for all purposes

regenerate one of north

further 180 homes are currently

fell by 9% between February and

London’s largest and most

under construction.

March, leaving total activity at

decaying housing estates and

The Mayor of London has

levels 10% below March 2013.

John Bagshaw, the firm’s

through into the valuations

build more than 3,000 new

now given the green light for the

homes has been approved.

next seven phases of the

corporate services director, said

industry, resulting in a sharp dip

Woodberry Down Masterplan.

that March is usually a strong

in the number of completed

month for valuations, as the spring

valuations,’ he explained.

Parts of the Woodberry Down Estate in Hackney,

This gives Berkeley Homes

comprising 1,980 properties,

full permission to demolish

property market begins to heat up

‘However, this hiccup looks

date back to the 1940s and have

the estate’s remaining blocks

but this has not happened this year.

like a one off. There remains a

been in need of improvement

and replace them with an

‘Lenders have had to devote

significant backlog of demand

for many years.

additional 3,242 new homes and

serious time and resources,

from all sections of the property

120,00 sq ft of non-residential

gearing up for a radically different

market, and we expect to see

floorspace.

way of assessing mortgage

steady growth in the number of

applications. This has rapidly fed

valuations for all purposes over

Berkeley began to regenerate the estate in 2005 and has

BID CONTEST FOR £30 MILLION CENTRAL LONDON ESTATE REVAMP THE LONDON BOROUGH OF

tial blocks, with new brick

and additions to existing post-war

CAMDEN is looking for a

overcladding and insulation to

buildings on the estate.

contractor to redevelop Tybalds

replace the grey corrugated metal

Estate in Holborn.

cladding added 20 or 30 years ago

and Mæ Architects are

to the ends of several blocks and

responsible for several standalone

staircases.

new build blocks and additions

The estate on the edges of Bloomsbury comprises 360 homes built during the 1950s and

Hilary Satchwell, Director of

Duggan Morris Architects

on underused open areas.

The proposals will be delivered

1960s, which will be preserved

Tibbalds Planning and Urban

and expanded with the building of

Design, said: “By undertaking the

in four phases and will take

93 new homes.

development directly, the London

around five years to complete.

Tibbalds is also leading a team

These will be added to the

Borough of Camden is retaining

sides and rooftops of existing

greater control of both the costs

on the regeneration of the Bourne

blocks. The amount of useable

and the design of the proposals as

Estate, also being developed

open space will be increased by

well as making sure its residents’

directly by the London Borough

around 12%.

needs are effectively met.”

of Camden, for which planning

The job also includes improvements to existing residen-

Avanti Architects has designed the proposals for the extensions

consent was granted earlier this year.

news_feature 2 02/06/2014 10:29 Page 5

5 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT News

MITIE GROUP UNVEILS ANNUAL RESULTS

❱

Mitie, the strategic outsourcing company which delivers a range of services across the UK and Europe, this morning announced its results for the year ended 31 March 2014.

The FTSE 250 company employs in excess of 70,000 people

across the UK and Europe. The headline results reflect strong revenue and earnings growth, with revenues up 8.2% to £2,142.6m and operating profit before other items increasing by 6.0% to £127.5m.

In this period Mitie was awarded new contracts which include: • A five year £110m contract extension with Capita to deliver integrated facilities management • A new three year £38m contract with Mitchells & Butlers to deliver waste management services at 1,600 restaurants throughout the UK • A new three year £33m contact to deliver technical facilities management for Four Seasons Healthcare • A new three year £5m contract to provide facilities the rest of 2014,’ he added.

Valuations on behalf of established home owners looking to move saw only a very slight

down by 7% month on month.

management services to Kellogg’s UK and European head offices

This equates to an 11% fall in new

in Manchester and Dublin

buyer valuations since last March.

‘When the final figures come in

Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE, Chief Executive of Mitie, commented:

dip in activity, down by just 2%

from the Council of Mortgage

“We have made excellent progress, achieving sector-leading

compared to February. This leaves

Lenders, there will probably have

organic growth driven by new and expanded contracts, as well as

home mover activity 6% lower

been slightly fewer first time

completing a bolt-on acquisition in healthcare. We are very

than in March last year.

buyers in March than might have

well-positioned as one of the UK’s leading integrated facilities

been expected otherwise. But that

management providers and we have also invested in higher margin

of first time buyers fell more

doesn’t change the long term

markets such as homecare, all of which will support our growth

quickly compared to February,

trend,’ said Bagshaw.

aspirations.

Meanwhile, activity on behalf

“We expect outsourcing opportunities will continue to grow, with a trend towards more clients seeking to access bundled and

BIFM TO COLLABORATE WITH CIPD ON FUTURE PROJECTS THE BRITISH INSTITUTE of

the workforce and why it is

Facilities Management (BIFM)

vital that those tasked with

announced at its annual confer-

managing these key resources

ence, that it will be collaborating

within organisations need to

with the Chartered Institute of

work together to maximise the

Personnel and Development

value of its workforce. This

(CIPD), the professional body for

was followed up by Chris

HR and people development, on a

Kane, CEO, BBC Commercial

number of research and insight

Projects and Chair of BIFM’s

projects that will investigate how

Futures Group, who explained

both communities of professionals

how breaking down the

are evolving and adapting to the

silos which exist between the

changing workplace.

worlds of HR and facilities

Peter Cheese, chief executive,

management can create a truly

CIPD, spoke at the conference on

flexible and agile working

how the workplace impacts on

environment.

integrated services. We are confident that we will continue to build on our track record of delivering sustainable, profitable growth.”

news_feature 2 02/06/2014 10:29 Page 6

6 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT News

BIFM QUALIFICATIONS AT THE HEART OF SODEXO STRATEGY Sodexo strengthen integrated facilities management business with BIFM qualifications

❱

Sodexo is placing BIFM qualifications in facilities

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Neil Murray, Managing Director for Corporate Services, Sodexo UK and Ireland; Gareth Tancred, CEO, BIFM; Angela Williams, HR Director, Sodexo UK and Ireland.

management at the heart

of its talent management strategy to develop its integrated facilities management business. Now a BIFM Recognised Centre, Sodexo UK and Ireland is delivering the professionally recognised FM qualifications in-house for employees; forming an integral part of its Integrated FM Academy.

Sodexo’s integrated facilities management business is rapidly growing, now forming more than 50% of its business, and hand in hand with this growth is the focus on developing their people, both in their skill and competence and ensuring that they are professionally qualified to deliver the highest standards of facilities management. The BIFM qualifications’ flexible framework enables employers to develop

professional body for the sector is

talent pipelines through the

vital.

career levels but also to tailor the

“People are our most important

“PEOPLE ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET – I CAN’T THINK OF A MORE PEOPLE INTENSIVE INDUSTRY”

unit selection to meet the needs

asset – I can’t think of a more

commitment, professional

Executive Officer at BIFM, said:

of the business and the individual

people intensive industry. We

development is critical to our

“Sodexo is truly focussed on

employee.

have over 400,000 people that

future, so being able to offer

ensuring its people are skilled,

now work for us globally and so

recognised IFM qualifications is

competent and qualified in order

Director for Corporate Services of

we have to continually focus on

crucial as this makes up more than

to deliver high quality integrated

Sodexo UK and Ireland, said:

the development and growth of

half of our business.

facilities management services to

“Becoming a BIFM Recognised

the people that work for us. We

Centre was a very important step

have to ensure that we operate to

teams to ensure that they feel

Professional Standards and the

for us, we’ve always invested

the very highest standards

empowered and supported to fulfil

BIFM qualifications we have been

heavily in the training of our

wherever we work.”

their role but also that they also

able to offer a solution that

have the confidence of having a

provides Sodexo with the

Neil Murray, Managing

people, but as the industry has

Angela Williams, HR Director

“We invest significantly in our

their clients. With the FM

professionalised and as our

for Sodexo UK and Ireland, said:

qualification that is recognised

professional rigour and acclaim

business leads the way in the

“People are absolutely central

wherever they go, whoever

that they needed but that also

move towards IFM – it’s now more

to the success of Sodexo, as

the clients may be and to be

adapts and flexes to meet specific

than 50 per cent of our business –

evidenced by our achievement

recognised amongst our peers

needs of teams or individuals

having that formal recognition for

of Investors in People bronze

and the industry as a whole.”

due to the breadth of the units

our people of the pre-eminent

status last year. As part of this

Gareth Tancred, Chief

available.”

news_feature 2 02/06/2014 10:29 Page 7

7 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT News

£525 MILLION FUNDING FOR SMALL HOUSING SCHEMES OVER HALF A BILLION pounds

a million independent firms are

of new investment for smaller

involved in the construction

housing schemes in the UK will

industry, accounting for 20% of

help build up to 15,000 homes, it

all small and medium sized

has been announced.

companies, and businesses that supply building products have an

Housing Minister Kris Hopkins described the £525 million

annual turnover of more than £50

Builders Finance Fund as an

billion, which contributes 4.5% to

essential part of the government’s

the UK’s Gross Domestic Product.

‘This government has got Britain

long term economic plan and said it will accelerate construction on

building again, and created thousands

smaller sites, support 15,000 jobs

of jobs in the construction sector.

in construction and sustain

But it has been harder for smaller

hundreds of British businesses.

schemes to come back from the crash of 2008 and, as part of our

Hopkins said the collapse of the unsustainable housing boom

long term economic plan, we want

in 2008 had devastated the

them to have a bigger role in

construction industry, leading to

building homes for the housing

the loss of 250,000 jobs, and a

market,’ said Hopkins.

‘From today developers can

falling market share for the

start preparing their bids for a

nation’s smaller builders. ready sites between 15 to 250

who typically build on these sites.

share of £525 million to accelerate

Federation annual lunch that house

homes, which have their plans in

A prospectus has been published

development on shovel-ready

building is at its highest level since

place and the support of local

to help house builders prepare

schemes of 15 to 250 homes. This

2007 and climbing, but the

people, but need a bit of help to

their bids. Expressions of interest

funding will get workers back on

government wants smaller housing

get development moving.

can be submitted to the Homes

site, support 15,000 jobs across

and Communities Agency from 14

the construction industry, and

Speaking at the Home Builders

schemes to play a bigger role in

All developers will be able to

boosting the supply of new homes.

apply for funding, but Hopkins

May 2014 and must be in by

build thousands of new homes for

The new investment will be

said that the focus on smaller

midday on 25 June 2014.

communities up and down the

made available to unlock shovel

schemes will benefit smaller firms

The meeting heard that almost

country,’ he explained.

FM CAREERS CONFERENCE 2014 CONFIRMED THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

who can assist them on their

CAREERS Conference 2014,

career journey. Delegates will also

hosted by the British Institute of

get the opportunity to attend a

Facilities Management (BIFM)

number of exciting keynote

Rising FMs Special Interest Group

presentations, talks and workshop

has been confirmed for 10 July at

sessions. It is open to everyone

the stunning University of the

within, or interested in careers in

Arts London building.

FM. All ages and experience will

At the FM Careers Conference (which is free to attend) delegates have the opportunity to meet and

be catered for, from school pupils to career switchers.

To register for this free event,

network with employers,

which runs from 16:00-21:00 on

recruiters, training providers,

10 July 2014 visit:

consultants and other professionals

rfmcc.eventbrite.co.uk.

news_feature 2 02/06/2014 10:29 Page 8

8 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT News

BALFOUR BEATTY SHEDS £400M AFTER PROFIT WARNING

SHARES IN BALFOUR BEATTY

Balfour Beatty, which built the

plunged by 20pc wiping £400m

Aquatics Centre at the London

off its market value after the

Olympics, said profits in its UK

infrastructure group issued its

construction arm would be £30m

third profit warning in 18 months,

lower than expected – just weeks

sacked its chief executive and

after assuring the market that

announced the sale of a core

trading was on track. The FTSE250

division.

company said its pre-tax profits

Andrew McNaughton, chief

would be “substantially lower” for

executive, stepped down “with

2014 and were now expected to be

immediate effect” after just

in the range of £145m to £160m.

13 months at the helm amid

The shock statement followed

accusations that he had lost

just two months after Balfour

control of the FTSE250

Beatty reported an 80% drop in

infrastructure company.

annual pre-tax profits to £32m.

NEWS IN BRIEF ❱❱THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR is

improved planning, portioning,

set to spend an extra £32 million

management, storage and

pounds this year sending food

preparation almost two thirds of

over multiple phases and by

council homes for West Lothian

waste to landfill, according to the

the waste produced could instead

carefully sequencing the

Council in Scotland.

UK’s leading food waste recycler,

be sold and eaten.

programme and adopting

ReFood. Landfill tax increased by

façade of the building.

The project will be completed

❱❱LOVELL PARTNERSHIPS has won an £18m contract to build

The council is planning to build

intelligent delivery techniques,

more than 1,000 new council

£8 per tonne on 1st April 2014,

❱❱ISG HAS BEEN awarded a

ISG will minimise the impact of

houses over the next four years,

taking the cost per tonne to £80.

circa £21 million project with

the work for patrons of the hotel,

in a building programme worth

Majid Al Futtaim Properties

which will remain operational

up to £90m

catering and hospitality outlets

(MAF) to refurbish the iconic

throughout the refurbishment

produce around four million

Kempinski Mall of the Emirates

period. The company has an

contractors to help deliver the

tonnes of food waste. This waste

Hotel in Dubai

international track record of

housing and has awarded Lovell

delivering major hotel projects,

the second major contract to kick-start the programme.

Each year, the UK’s 260,000

is an increasingly large – and

The scheme encompasses

It plans to select around 10

double – cost for hospitality

upgrading guest rooms, suites and

including schemes at The Savoy

businesses as they pay to

ski chalets, meeting rooms, gym

Hotel in London, Shangri-La Hotel

purchase the food and then

and spa facilities, as well as the

in Malaysia and the Fairmont

❱❱MACE HAS WON the job

again to dispose of it. Through

refurbishment of the external

Hotel in Singapore.

to reorganise and refit the

news_feature 2 02/06/2014 10:29 Page 9

9 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT News

BORIS CALLS FOR ‘PUNITIVE’ COUNCIL TAXES ON EMPTY PROPERTIES BORIS JOHNSON, the Mayor of planning consents for projects

the housing market in the capital

such as Croydon’s £1 billion

by developers too eager to cash-in

international architecture that is

Hammersfield development

with wealthy overseas investors,

out of scale with its surroundings,

which undertakes to provide a

many of whom allow the new

damaging the London skyline and

very small amount of “affordable”

property to stand vacant and

giving a very bad impression to

new homes, is now calling on

hope that it will appreciate in

people who visit London,” Wynne

London boroughs to impose

London’s overheated property

Rees said.

“punitive levels of Council Taxes”

market.

policies of the past six years. “If he

proposals, including the 53-storey

cools the market and the market

Menta Tower alongside the

then says ‘We can’t build here’,

London television interview, and

railway tracks at East Croydon,

what are we losing? Nothing. It’s

was responding to claims that

and the notorious IYLO building,

the international investment market

many of the high-rise blocks being

now re-branded “The Island” and

that will lose. It doesn’t do us any

developed in London are being

being marketed exclusively to

harm,” Wynne Rees told the BBC.

aimed at sales to “dirty Russian

buyers in the Far East. And

money” and “Chinese gamblers”.

then there is the £1 billion

Croydon Council have long

Hammersfield redevelopment

claimed that insisting that

in the centre of town.

builders include more “affordable”

head of planning for the City of London.

Foreign Office main building in

❱❱Wates Construction has won

Whitehall.

a £14m contract from Inception

The extensive alteration two offices onto one site at King Charles Street.

Wynne Rees wants the Mayor to reverse his developer-friendly

of high-rise apartment block

Wynne Rees, the recently retired

work is required to consolidate

“I think it is homogenised

capital vacant.

The claim was made by Peter

& Commonwealth Office.

Croydon is subject to a number

ruining the capital’s skyline.

who leave their properties in the Johnson was speaking in a BBC

long association with the Foreign

approved by Mayor Johnson, are

Londoners are being priced out of

on overseas buy-to-let investors

The deal continues the firm’s

Wynne Rees says that

London who has waved through

Wynne Rees believes that too many over-tall skyscrapers, all

Johnson’s Tory colleagues on

housing in their schemes would scare them off the development.

BIFM ESTABLISHES WALES REGION

Holdings SARL to redevelop

THE BRITISH INSTITUTE of

key areas of membership growth

Bolton Market Place into a new

Facilities Management (BIFM) has

and work to identify regions which

leisure and retail complex.

confirmed the establishment of a

need BIFM local representation

new Wales region. The region will

and act accordingly.”

Work on the scheme will start next month.

serve BIFM members in Wales,

Speaking on the new region,

alongside other facilities

Roger Smart said “I am delighted

nine-screen cinema complex on top

management (FM) practitioners,

to Chair the BIFM’s newest

Wates will create a 30,000 sq2

The project will involve

of the shopping centre alongside

through knowledge sharing,

region, supported by a great com-

eliminating single occupancy

internal renovations of the existing

best practice, learning and key

mittee of volunteers who all have

offices, increasing capacity by

malls, including the installation

networking events.

the same aim – to improve profes-

opening up areas on the 2nd

of additional escalators and lifts.

BIFM CEO Gareth Tancred.

sionalism within various FM ele-

Wates will also restore the

said “As our membership continues

ments for our members. As we go

working. This will include

Victorian vaults under the

to grow in Wales, now is the right

into this new venture together, we

new IT and power refits in the

shopping centre to create new

time for a dedicated region to meet

will strive to inform and educate

building.

restaurant, bar and retail spaces.

the needs of FM professionals.

the value of BIFM to building

We will continue to watch other

owners and users.”

and 3rd floor for open plan

DCLG_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:18 Page 10

10 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Troubled Families Programme

WELCOMED SUPPORT FOR TROUBLED FAMILIES The Prime Minister welcomes the news that 40,000 families have been turned around by this innovative programme, with results doubling in the last 6 months

DCLG_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:18 Page 11

11 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Troubled Families Programme

he Prime Minister has welcomed the news that the

T

able to work, was helping to secure a better future for both

government’s Troubled Families programme has

these families and the country as a whole.

now turned around the lives of almost 40,000 hard

The Prime Minister said, “Getting some of our country’s

to help families, getting children off the streets and into

most troubled families’ lives back on track is a key part of

school and helping people to get back to work.

our long-term plan – it saves the taxpayer money, gives peo-

A progress update published by the Department for Communities and Local Government showed that 39,480

ple the chance to get on in life and secures a better future for these families, their communities and for our country.”

families have now been turned around since the pro-

He was speaking 2 years after setting out a challenge to

gramme began, a number which has almost doubled in the

improve the behaviour and reduce the problems of the

past 6 months. This means that in nearly 40,000 troubled

120,000 most troubled families in England, bringing down

families:

their estimated £9 billion annual cost to the taxpayer. Under

• children who were truanting or excluded have now

the programme 1 team works with the whole of a family on all

been back in school for 3 consecutive terms; and

of its problems in a tough, intensive and coordinated way, get-

• youth crime and anti-social behaviour across the

ting to grips with what is really going on in the home, rather

household have been significantly reduced, or • an adult in the household has been employed for at least 3 consecutive months

than different services reacting to individual problems.

The figures show that more than 111,000 families have been identified for help by councils, of which 97,000 are now being actively worked with under the programme. This means

With each troubled family estimated to cost an average of

that councils are on course to meet the Prime Minister’s chal-

£75,000 a year, these 40,000 families could have been

lenge, with the rate of progress gathering speed as the inten-

costing the taxpayer in the region of £3 billion per year

sive and practical work with the families pays off.

without intervention.

Some areas have now turned around three-quarters of

David Cameron said that the fact that truancy, youth

their troubled families or more. Wakefield has already

crime and anti-social behaviour have been significantly

helped over 85% of its targeted families, Leicestershire

reduced in 40,000 homes; and adults are in a job or better

78% and Bristol 75%.

DDNI_feature 2 02/06/2014 12:16 Page 12

12 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Department of Social Development

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES In December 1999 the Department for Social Development was established as part of the Northern Ireland Executive. It has strategic responsibility for urban regeneration, community and voluntary sector development, social legislation, housing, social security benefits, pensions and child support.

www.dsdni.gov.uk Tel: 028 9082 9215

The main business of the Urban Regeneration and Community development Group is to implement programmes reflecting the targeting of social needs by addressing the social economic and physical regeneration of cities and towns in Northern Ireland.

EAST BELFAST NETWORK CENTRE One of the construction projects supported by DSD is the East Belfast Network Centre. The Department for Social Development was approached by the East Belfast Community Development Association (EBCDA) to fund a project to refurbish and extend the former Templemore

❱

Avenue School as an East Belfast Network Centre.

responsibility for urban regeneration, community and

for Social Development’s Modernisation Fund Capital

voluntary sector development, social legislation, hous-

Programme and the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment

ing, social security benefits, pensions and child support.

Fund.

The Department for Social Development (DSD)

This renovation project was undertaken in order to

was established in December 1999 as part of

provide a networking centre for community groups in the

the Northern Ireland Executive. It has strategic

area. The funding was provided through the Department

The department is organised into three strands –

The former Templemore Avenue School is a prominent

Resources and Social Policy Group; Social Security

building, sitting on the front of Templemore Avenue which

Agency and Urban Regeneration and Community

is increasingly recognised as a key thoroughfare in East

Development Group.

Belfast. The School, which has a listed B1 status, was

DDNI_feature 2 02/06/2014 12:17 Page 13

13 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Department of Social Development acquired by DSD in 2004 to advance its restoration in recognition of its heritage and prime location in East Belfast. The department transferred the site to the Templemore Ave School Trust as a capital grant in kind.

This prominent building is close to a contested interface area with Short Strand and so has potential for cross community activities.

FLAGSHIP PROJECTS The East Belfast Network Centre has become one of the flagship projects for the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme. It exemplifies the objectives of the programme and particularly focuses on sharing and collaboration among the sector. The project is a strong example of one where organisations can work together, share resources and deliver an improved level of service to those most in need.

The renovated building is now a fully accessible, modern, shared community Networking Resource centre. It provides local organisations and start-up businesses with a neutral meeting space on what is a contested interface in East Belfast.

The Network Centre offers serviced office space to a range of organisations working in the community and would include offices, meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall, a café and a crèche/day care centre. The centre facilitates and promotes the sharing of information, ideas, knowledge, skills and resources between groups.

The design work for the renovation was carried out by Clarke Shipway and the contractor for the building works was O’Hare McGovern. The project was completed in November 2013 and was officially opened in February 2014.

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Notts_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:22 Page 14

14 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Nottingham City Homes

HOMES AND PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE

The work of many ALMOs is being taken back in-house by councils but Nottingham City Homes is bucking the trend

at that level and avoiding a backlog of work. Its involvement with the council now extends to a ten-year partnering agreement for the ongoing repair and maintenance of properties as well as a new build programme that ties in with the city’s regeneration efforts.

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP

❱

Steve says: “The relationship with the council is absolute-

a pretty robust position in terms of the work we do on

So we’re the project managing, contracting arm for the

behalf of the council,” claims Director of Property

council and our relationship is close; we’re in regular con-

Services Steve Hale. “Alongside all the investment

tact and we’re a vehicle for them for all sorts of things.”

Whilst the work of many ALMOs is being taken

ly crucial to whatever we do. We’ve worked very hard on

back in-house by councils, Nottingham City

that relationship and we’ve developed a construction

Homes has rather bucked the trend. “We are in

capability by bringing in expertise on the operational side.

work are the planned works and other works we do for

Some new builds have resulted from a property survey

the council. We’re in a position where we have taken

conducted as part of Decent Homes, which revealed that

on an increasing amount of work and there is about

certain properties couldn’t be brought up to the required

£1 million every week of investment in to the housing

standard. “We ran a big exercise looking at the present

stock in addition to the repairs agreement.”

value of the stock and identified those, not just on a com-

The change for other councils often coincided with the

mercial basis but also on energy efficiency, popularity and

end of their Decent Homes programme. Nottingham City

void turnover, so there were a number of factors,” recalls

Homes, however, has recently completed the uprating to

Steve. “We didn’t carry out any Decent Homes work on

100% decency and the challenge now is to carry out leg-

the properties we were going to demolish, mainly high rise

islative and safety works as well as keeping all properties

1960s blocks with inherent construction issues, other

Notts_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:22 Page 15

15 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Nottingham City Homes

than for statutory requirements that included some boiler replacements. A key driver was the fire safety of the blocks and we did what we needed to do to make them safe. We are taking down a thousand properties and we are putting back generally low rise family homes, bungalows and an elderly persons development to replace an existing sheltered scheme.”

31 UNITS In the first new build of council properties for over twenty years, 31 units have been developed on old garage sites around the city between 2008 and 2011 under the Local Authority New Build programme. Following that, further developments have been enabled by housing revenue account self-financing. “We looked at a number of options for that because it allowed us to take a longer term view,” explains Steve. “We are demolishing nearly a thousand properties over the next three to four years and the council’s view is that we want to re-provide on those sites energy efficient, well specified and high quality council properties, which is exactly what we are doing. We are building about 400 new council homes with no grant or social rent involved, which is the largest pure council house build in the country at the moment.”

Notts_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:22 Page 16

16 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Nottingham City Homes

Notts_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:22 Page 17

17 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Nottingham City Homes

All new properties are to be to a minimum Code

money, as Steve outlines, that isn’t the only consider-

for Sustainable Homes level 4 standard, the first 400

ation: “There is a real focus in Nottingham on the

scheduled for completion by April 2017. Most will be

effect the money we invest has on the local economy.

developed through Nottingham City Homes’ mem-

We know everything can’t be delivered by social

bership of the Efficiency East Midlands procurement

enterprises or SMEs but we’re certainly looking to

consortium although an initial five units at an old

them for the smaller sites. But even when we are

garage site on Eddlestone Drive are to be construct-

talking with larger contractors on our frameworks,

ed, owned and managed totally in-house with more

there is an ever-increasing focus on what they can do

of the same hopefully to follow. The current flagship

to employ locally, train locally and really make a dif-

project is Lenton where five 1960s tower blocks are

ference to the money invested in Nottingham.”

being demolished and replaced with 142 units com-

For existing properties, there’s a process of

prising a mixture of bungalows, family housing and

dynamic asset management to ensure their condi-

an independent living block of 54 flats.

tion is improved and made more energy efficient.

The organisation is currently looking to gain reg-

Steve says: “We’re already in discussions about the

istered provider status, which will enable it to obtain

second phase of insulating and bringing up to a high-

grants from the Homes and Communities Agency

er energy standard the existing stock and we are

and provide a number of other options. Whilst the

always looking for opportunities for new build and

emphasis for all procurement is on getting value for

regeneration. We are looking at the longer term view

Notts_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:23 Page 18

18 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Communities: Nottingham City Homes

that we are able to take through HRA self-financing, our

strive to meet our tenants’ aspirations and have very

thirty-year plan based on a stock condition survey and

customer focused planning. Our tenants’ priorities were

research we are doing on tenants’ and Nottingham’s key

secure first, warm second and modern third so we

drivers. As an example, even though our timber doors

streamed the work in that respect, which has proved to be great value for money and highly efficient.”

THERE’S A REAL EMPHASIS ON TENANT INVOLVEMENT THAT APPLIES TO BOTH NEW AND EXISTING PROPERTIES

The concentration on energy efficiency has been a challenge due to one third of the stock being solid wall construction. That’s been overcome by some groundbreaking insulation schemes helped by CESP and ECO funding. For the new builds, there’s a focus on photovoltaics, Nottingham City Homes having fitted over 2,000 PV panels and gained the Sustainable Landlord of the Year award for its efforts. It also obtains heat for 3,000 of its properties from the largest heat from waste plant in the country.

don’t fail Decent Homes standard, we are replacing

There’s a real emphasis on tenant involvement that

them with a modern composite door because the new

applies to both new and existing properties. That’s typi-

doors are far more secure and are much better at keep-

fied by input for new developments and a modernisation

ing heat in.

of the report process to make it more customer focused.

“On the larger sites, we’ve taken out master planning

Head office 14 Hounds Gate Nottingham NG1 7BA www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk Tel: 0845 3303131

TENANTS’ PRIORITIES

and a very wide range in community consultation,”

“We have already committed to a Nottingham standard,

remarks Steve. “That’s not just with our tenants but with

replacing every single glazed window in Nottingham,

the surrounding areas also. In terms of the energy effi-

which is again about heat retention but also about secu-

ciency work we are doing, we are trying to maximise our

rity. Our crime research has been quite startling with

involvement with the council for social housing proper-

the reduction in crime being monumental. We have

ties and private sector take up as well, so again there’s a

never been about just maintaining a standard but always

really wide community consultation.”

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Notts_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:23 Page 19

CHI_feature 2 09/06/2014 11:31 Page 20

20 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Chartered Institute of Housing

“

MY PASSION FOR HOUSING AND THE WORK WE ALL DO IS AS GREAT TODAY AS WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT 36 YEARS AGO New President takes office at the Chartered Institute of Housing

❱

”

Steve Stride has today been appointed

our members and the importance of standards, ethics and

President of the Chartered Institute of Housing

professionalism in housing.”

(CIH) following the organisation’s Annual

Steve has chosen the Trussell Trust as his presidential

General Meeting (AGM). Steve, who is chief executive

charity of the year, which runs food banks across the UK

of housing association Poplar HARCA and has been

and works to combat poverty and exclusion. He is kicking

CIH Vice President for the past 12 months, takes over

off his fund-raising activities on 28 June by leading a

the role from Paul Tennant.

group of Poplar HARCA staff on the Grand Union

Geraldine Howley, chief executive of housing group

Challenge – a 24-hour, 65-mile walk along the Grand

Incommunities, was elected as new Vice President by CIH

Union Canal from Paddington in London to the Chilterns.

members last month (April) and her appointment was also confirmed at the AGM.

He said: “My passion for housing and the work we all do is as great today as when I first started out as a

CIH chief executive Grainia Long said: “Steve will have

housing trainee for Southwark Council 36 years ago. I feel

a hugely important role to play championing the interests

immensely privileged to be representing my housing

of CIH members and housing professionals. And as the

peers and CIH as your President and am really looking for-

general election approaches in 2015, we’ll be working

ward to my year ahead and all we will achieve together.

together to make sure the voice of housing is effectively

Those of you who know me, will know how confident I will

represented in the political debate. Steve has done a great

be in promoting our offer to government, business and the

job as Vice President so I know he can do the same as

wider public.”

President.”

She added: “I’d like to thank outgoing president Paul Tennant who has been a fantastic ambassador for CIH,

024 7685 1700 www.cih.org

CHI_feature 2 09/06/2014 11:31 Page 21

21 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Chartered Institute of Housing

gateway8new:feature 2 03/06/2014 13:04 Page 22

22 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Gateway Housing Association

gateway8new:feature 2 03/06/2014 13:04 Page 23

23 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Gateway Housing Association

SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Gateway have a reputation for having the best homes, the best services, inspirational impact in communities, as Gateway Housing Association is a community focused housing association in east London well as being a great with a varied portfolio of general needs and older persons housing across Tower Hamlets, Hackney place to work where and Newham. Gateway is the largest provider of older staff are supported persons accommodation in Tower Hamlets and is looking to rationalise, improve and grow its stock in the and valued years ahead.

❱

“We are trying to maximise asset values and ensure our stock is as efficient as possible,” states Head of Development John Walton. “Gateway may look at rationalising options as part of our value for money commitment, making sure we are maximising value from a social and economic perspective. We have completed a stock options study and are looking to take forward recommendations that will see us provide better quality housing and make sure we are maximising the return from units.”

AFFORDABLE HOMES Investment in stock will include new builds, Gateway having an affordable homes programme aiming to deliver a mix of over 500 new affordable and private sale homes over the next five years. Any use of GLA funding will require it to achieve at least Code level 4.

Current programmes include the Pier Street regeneration, a combination of new build and refurbishment where the Association is undertaking its first private sale of some units through its Gateway Living subsidiary. A planned William Guy Gardens scheme will deliver 45 new homes, 28 available as part of an affordable older persons scheme and the remainder for private sale. Gateway is the first

gateway8new:feature 2 03/06/2014 13:05 Page 24

24 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Gateway Housing Association Tower Hamlets registered provider to offer older person shared ownership as part of its intermediate sales offer.

POSITIVE IMPACT As a community housing provider in Tower Hamlets, Gateway has a real involvement in the area. “We are committed to ensuring the social value from procurement, building new homes and our general day-to-day activity has a positive impact on communities,” remarks John. “We have a good profile within the borough and the work we are doing for our community is a big part of our activity.”

Gateway intends to grow and has an action plan to Gateway Housing Association 409-413 Mile End Road London E3 4PB www.gatewayhousing.org.uk Tel: 020 8709 4409

achieve this that will see new homes in Tower Hamlets and also hopefully in Hackney and Newham. John says: “We want to be the best at what we provide and that forms the basis for the action plan to ensure, for example, we bring all communal areas in sheltered housing schemes up to a higher standard so more people aspire to live in our quality schemes.

“We want to grow the business and build the Gateway brand. We are in a good position to build on our strengths and want to improve customer satisfaction levels and ensure the customer experience is as good as it can be. Our work has to reflect the needs and requirements of customers and that’s where the focus is. We look forward to working with existing partners and welcome the opportunity to work with new partners that can help us achieve our corporate objectives, whether it is land-led development opportunities, joint ventures or acquisitions in the future.”

gateway8new:feature 2 03/06/2014 13:05 Page 25

25 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Gateway Housing Association

PIER STREET REGENERATION, IN LONDON E14 The aim of the project is the complete regeneration of the existing Betty May Gray estate including: the refurbishment of existing homes at Betty May Gray House, including re-cladding to improve its appearance and thermal performance; demolition of the now unsuitable older people’s bedsits known as St John’s House and the construction of a new block of wheelchair accessible flats for older people.

watmoss_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:57 Page 26

26 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: WATMOS Community Homes

CREATING

STRONG COMMUNITIES WATMOS is a unique landlord based around eleven Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) who have successfully managed their own estates for many years

WATMOS started in 2003 when Walsall Council was

transferring properties and eight tenant management associations (TMOs) representing 1,800 properties chose to create their own housing association. It expanded by 1,300 properties in 2012 when WATMOS took on three TMOs from Lambeth Council after a competitive process.

LOCAL REPRESENTATION The organisation is run by a voluntary resident majority management board that includes representatives from

116-120 Lichfield Street Walsall West Midlands WS1 1SZ www.watmos.org.uk Tel: 01922 471910

❱

every TMO, with local voluntary resident majority boards

Director of Housing Services Yusef Masih, it’s a princi-

they live, making sure everything on the estate works

ple that works: “Each tenant feels they own the estate

effectively, the estate looks good and properties are main-

and have power to put things right. That’s why our

tained. If anything goes wrong, it is reported to the com-

estates are so clean, tidy, good places to live, have little

mittee and quickly picked up.”

Many housing associations believe in tenant

to run each estate. “They deliver estate services locally

involvement but few carry it as far as WATMOS

that are most important to them,” explains Yusef. “Tenants

Community Homes. According to Executive

are empowered and encouraged to play a part in where

anti-social behaviour or complaints and people are happy. Surveys suggest people don’t want to move.”

Each TMO has an annual budget to deliver a housing service covering repairs, community activities and

watmoss_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:57 Page 27

27 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: WATMOS Community Homes dealing with complaints. To do that, they set their own priorities and employ contractors, with activities monitored centrally to ensure estates are maintained to an agreed standard. Some TMOs make substantial savings that are reinvested in communal areas and extra added value facilities.

Larger projects plus cyclical and planned maintenance are handled centrally although even then, as Yusef confirms, tenants have the final say: “The board, made up from the TMOs, makes the decisions. All we do is put options to them and residents make decisions on selecting contractors, growth, major works contracts and prioritising works.”

Projects have included the Decent Homes Standard, where £17 million has been spent on a higher standard than the minimum and a further £17 million is due to be spent over the next four years. That will achieve an even higher standard that includes communal areas and take account of tenants’ local priorities.

RISING SATISFACTION It is an approach that seems to work and has seen satisfaction rates rise from 59% to 94%, even in high rise blocks that comprise 70% of Walsall’s properties.

“Tenants are satisfied because they get repairs and major works done, they are looked after and anti-social behaviour and complaints are dealt with,” remarks Yusef.

“We spend a lot of money on communal facilities, landscaping and they are nice places to live. The eleven TMOs are part of the WATMOS family so everything we do, whether centrally or locally, is in consultation with people who live on the estates. They have input to planning the services and the delivery of them. Tenants really are able to dictate what happens on their estate.”

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Roseberry8:feature 2 02/06/2014 09:44 Page 28

28 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Rosebery Housing Association

Rosebery Housing Association is really making a difference by building new homes, reducing fuel poverty and investing in communities

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ❱

Rosebery Housing Association owns and man-

priority. Upgrades have reduced the overall carbon foot-

ages 2,700 properties, ranging from one-bed-

print of the housing stock and, crucially, helped to cut the

room flats up to four-bedroom family homes –

cost of fuel bills for residents.

including sheltered housing for the elderly, low cost

Rosebery has invested in the property portfolio and

ownership, leasehold properties and temporary

now works with the Sustainable Homes Index For

accommodation for homeless households.

Tomorrow (SHIFT), the UK's leading independent sus-

Committed to meeting the housing need of local resi-

tainability benchmarking and best practice learning net-

dents, Rosebery has built over 200 new homes over the

work. Impressively, SHIFT has acknowledged that

last couple of years. It doesn’t end there – at the same

Rosebery’s 1.9 tonnes of carbon output per property is

time, ongoing upgrades and refurbishments were carried

the lowest it has seen from a company it has just begun

out to make the majority of properties Decent Homes

working with.

compliant in 2012.

All of Rosebery’s new developments are built to (at

Committed to going beyond the Decent Homes stan-

least) code 3 standards. The standard measures and

dard, Rosebery has made environmental efficiency a high

aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote higher

Roseberry8:feature 2 02/06/2014 09:44 Page 29

29 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Rosebery Housing Association

standards of sustainable design above the current minimum standards set out by the building regulations.

Parkviews, a scheme on a previous hospital site features a heat source pump system which uses electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer; and 20% of energy is generated from onsite renewable sources. One of the latest schemes, Noble Park, has a biodiversity effect included in the design and the site achieved code 4 standards.

However, never one to rest on its laurels, Rosebery feels it can go further. The housing association has now put forward a new programme of work to target the least efficient buildings with new measures to increase their environmental potential. The target is to get all properties running at an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level of “D” or above. Work will include further external wall insulation as well as loft and cavity wall insulation, at the same time Rosebery is introducing water saving devices into homes.

Turning its attention to the external environment, Rosebery completed its “Making a Difference” scheme last year, which was geared to improving the surrounding areas in which residents live. Following consultation with

Roseberry8:feature 2 02/06/2014 09:45 Page 30

30 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Housing: Rosebery Housing Association residents, 62% felt that helping to make the local area a

ways. For example, the improvements to children’s play

more attractive place to live should be Rosebery’s highest

areas have been welcomed by families, while segregating

priority. So it set aside £1 million to make this happen.

wheelie bins in communal areas has been viewed as prac-

Improvements included installation of railings to increase

tical and aesthetically pleasing.”

privacy, renovated concrete footpaths, new children’s

The success of “Making a Difference” was further high-

play areas, additional fencing, security lighting and bench-

lighted when the Epsom and Ewell Business Awards

es in communal areas.

shortlisted Rosebery for the Best Commitment to the Community award for 2013.

“THE FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT ‘MAKING A DIFFERENCE’ HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE HOW IT HAS BENEFITED THEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS”

With resident consultation at the forefront of all improvements it makes, the housing provider has ensured great value for money. Rosbery’s Resident Panel has carried out reviews on various aspects of the service and their views are key to sustaining high customer satisfaction. In fact, the Panel’s work was commended when the Tenants Participation Advisory Service shortlisted the group for Excellence in Tenant-Led Scrutiny.

Looking towards the future, as well as continuing its programme to increase the efficiency of its properties,

Rutland House 57-59 South St Epsom KT18 7PR www.rosebery.org.uk Tel: 01372 814000

Sally Bayliss, Head of Housing and Customer Services,

Rosebery is targeting new ways of working and the digi-

feels this has proven to be one of Rosebery’s most suc-

talisation of services. There is a strong commitment to

cessful projects in recent years. “We strive to increase

delivering an enhanced ‘customer offer’ and improving

customer satisfaction and make a difference in people’s

services for residents while continuing to develop new

lives. We’re confident that we’ve achieved that through

homes. There is no doubt that Rosebery will continue to

the initiatives we have undertaken, the investments we

strengthen its excellent track record of engagement and

have made, and the programmes of work we have put in

involvement with its customers.

place,” she says. “The feedback from residents about

Rosebery never underestimates the impact it has as a

‘Making a Difference’ has been very positive and we have

landlord. By investing in homes and the environment, it

been able to see how it has benefited them in a number of

can make real and lasting change.

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castletech_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:28 Page 32

32 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Interiors: Castletech Group

castletech_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:28 Page 33

33 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Interiors: Castletech Group

PUTTING THE CLIENT FIRST

Castletech combine traditional values of service and approachability, together with a genuine interest in our clients’ requirements.

❱

“The ethos of the company is accepting

recently formed steel fabrication division that

that no two projects are the same,” pro-

has specialist workshop and installation teams.

claims Head of Marketing Jon Brennan.

Each can work separately or, as Jon recalls for

“It engages with the client and creates a tai-

one recent scheme, together in an integrated

lored approach to reflect the client’s needs.”

fashion: “We are currently undertaking an

That approach has enabled the Castletech

Abercrombie & Fitch Kids project in Saville Row.

Group to achieve the ambition it had when it was

That has a value of about £3.5 million and every

established six years ago of providing top end

aspect of the company is working on it. It’s a com-

retailers with a complete fit-out package. Those

plete refit and rebuild where we have done the

retailers include Selfridges and Abercrombie &

fabrication, manufactured and put in new stair-

Fitch, the latter being the group’s biggest customer

cases and have stripped everything out with new

to the extent founder Jason Craig has moved to

air-conditioning and electrics. The joinery com-

California to work with the company there.

pany has made all the panelling and every aspect of our business can be seen in one building, which

INTEGRATED APPROACH

is quite exciting for us.”

Services are delivered through a rather unique

In those sorts of project, the biggest part of

approach involving a number of group companies

the business, the construction company, will

that include Castletech Construction, Castletech

take the lead although tenders for new work

Joinery to produce bespoke products cost-effec-

often involve a joint presentation by representa-

tively, a dry lining division, an M&E division and a

tives of each division. That’s helped by the group being administered from one open plan office so any issues between the differing elements of a project can be discussed with immediate feedback and no communication problems.

COMPLETE PROCESS Castletech handles the complete process, taking initial concepts from a client’s architect and providing full detailed design through in-house resources. All the steel fabrication is now handled in-house and the rest is project managed, the company often acting as main contractor on contracts up to £5 million in value. When subcontractors and suppliers are used, there is a strict enforcement of standards.

“For the joinery, we have partnerships and are willing to set up those with companies that will strive to achieve the standards we set if they

castletech_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:28 Page 34

34 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Interiors: Castletech Group

castletech_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:28 Page 35

35 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Interiors: Castletech Group want to work with us,” says Jon. “That’s really critical; they must have all the health and safety measures in place and we are looking for companies that can perform and mirror our performance. For instance, we have a small joinery business that supplied most of the material that we use in Abercrombie & Fitch in Saville Row. It’s a small company of about ten people and they have really bought in to the Castletech concept; we consider them to be a partner of ours, as we do with others.”

Health and safety is a high priority and subcontractors are expected to have the necessary accreditations. Added to that, as Jon explains, is a strict enforcement of standards to ensure the record of zero injuries on site is maintained: “We are absolutely rigid on PPE and we even log the amount of time people spend in their car. If they are travelling too far, that’s a threat and we need to be aware of it because a lot of our work is done overnight. On retail stores we are working through the night so we have to be aware of the amount of fatigue and we do monitor it.

Losing people through injury or ill health has an impact on them and on those around them and the work environment. So we don’t have a problem with health and safety legislation as long as everyone adheres to it and understands it; it is there for a purpose.”

Security is being enhanced through a trialling

ATTENTION TO DETAIL HAS ENABLED CASTLETECH GROUP TO UNDERTAKE SOME HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS

of a fingerprint system that will ensure only authorised people are allowed on site and their presence is always known, so there’s a link to the payment system. Added to that is an asset tagging system to manage equipment and ensure everything is where it should be. The emphasis on security is essential on sites such as Selfridges where every worker is security screened and all have to be on and off site at specific times.

Control is helped through the use of technology that includes a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone system to provide improved communications and the easy exchange of data.

The outcome is that each site office has all the information it needs immediately to hand.

HIGH PROFILE Attention to detail has enabled Castletech Group to undertake some high profile projects that include the roll out of Abercrombie & Fitch’s flagship stores throughout the UK and another to follow in Germany. Although they involve adherence to the brand, they are all different and present unique challenges. There are also concessions at Selfridges’ London store

castletech_feature 2 03/06/2014 12:28 Page 36

36 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Interiors: Castletech Group

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37 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Interiors: Castletech Group

“THERE WILL ALWAYS BE COMPANIES THAT WILL DO A JOB CHEAPER; WE CAN’T DO IT CHEAPER BUT WE CAN DO IT BETTER.”

consistently high standards. Jon says: “There will always be companies that will do a job cheaper; we can’t do it cheaper but we can do it better. We’ve operated very much under the radar so far in that we are not high profile although our Group turnover is around £20 million.

“We are now planning to expand, are activewhere Castletech has a permanent office for

“The joinery companies, for example, use off-

ly looking for new clients and have been quite

close working with the client. Outside of retail,

cuts and sawdust to heat their workshop rather

successful in that so far. We are being invited

it’s fitted out six kitchens at Imperial College

than just throwing them away. We have some-

to talk to some prospective new and large

and has an £800,000 contract to fit ceilings

one who’s dedicated to making sure targets are

clients because they’ve looked at Castletech,

and partitions at Oxford University.

met because all these green issues are ongoing

at the things we have done and what we

Working for such clients requires a commit-

and constantly changing so we have to keep

have achieved. Jason is now working with

ment to the environment that Castletech

pushing and looking for ways to be better.

Abercrombie & Fitch in America as well as with

demonstrates through Green Achiever and

Previously when refurbishing a store or build-

other companies where we are starting to look

Altius accreditations as well as other measures.

ing, existing radiators, heating systems and cop-

at schemes there. So Castletech will expand in

“We’re not out and out manufacturers apart

per wire would have gone in the skip. Now

America, certainly in California, and we are

from on the steel side so we drive our sub-con-

they’re reused or recycled because they have a

looking for more opportunities throughout the

tractors to achieve the required standards,”

value.”

UK and in Europe.”

explains Jon. “That’s part of their development

Castletech has achieved growth recently

to reduce energy, which is all part of the Green

with high-end clients and has only been able to

www.castletech.eu

Achiever programme.

do that by striving for excellence and attaining

Tel: 08456 808908

Green deal.qxp_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:31 Page 38

38 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: Green Deal

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39 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: Green Deal

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES HOME IMPROVEMENT FUND

Payments of thousands of pounds will be available to UK householders who install energy-saving measures such as insulation and new boilers from June, in a move designed to breathe new life into the Government’s flagship energy efficiency scheme.

❱

The Green Deal, which launched in January

the assessment cost will now be refunded after works are

2013, was hailed by Ministers as “transforma-

undertaken, under the new plans.

tional” and the “biggest home improvement pro-

Davey said that the Government had got the focus on

gramme since the second world war”. But the scheme

loans wrong first time round, but lessons had been learned: "I

was dogged by administrative problems and even

still think the pay-as-you-save [financing] model has a really

Energy Secretary, Ed Davey, conceded earlier this year

important future. But what we got wrong was to say it was

that the financing that had been at the heart of the ini-

the only show in town. People want to finance it in different

tiative was ‘disappointing.’

ways, and you know what, I don’t care. What I care about is

A £500 payment will be offered for anyone who installs

people making their homes more efficient, and getting their

energy efficiency measures within 12 months of moving

energy bills down, and the Green Deal assessment has been

into a property. They will also get £1,000 for fitting any

key to doing that, and because of that the Green Deal has

combination of two measures from a list of twelve improve-

been a success.

ments, which include installing double glazing, cavity wall

The package of measures to be unveiled today were part

insulation, a new boiler, replacement doors and flat roof

of a round of horse-trading in Whitehall last winter, under a

insulation.

deal that saw changes to social and environmental levies

Householders with older homes that have solid walls

after David Cameron was reported as saying he wanted to

who undertake the much more expensive process of having

"get rid of the green crap" on energy bills. The deal saw tar-

solid wall insulation will be able to claim 75 per cent of the

gets for solid wall insulation reduced under the 'energy com-

cost, up to a maximum of £6,000, from the Government.

panies obligation' (ECO).

Davey said: “I think it’s much more generous [than

However, the package fell short of the type of reforms

before]. It’s also much simpler. We did a lot of research on

that some had been calling for, such as offering discounts on

what consumers would react to – to make their homes

council tax or stamp duty.

warmer and cheaper to run. This list approach, 'pick two

John Alker, director of Policy and Communications at the

from a list and get £1,000', research showed people liked

UK Green Building Council, said: “We welcome this package

that. We’ve gone for things that people most want – they

of measures which represents a genuine attempt to rescue

want a new boiler, double glazing, cavity wall insulation.”

the Green Deal and shows that Government remains com-

Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, said: “The Green

mitted to home energy efficiency. The increased cashback

Deal Home Improvement Fund is another way the

for solid wall insulation is particularly encouraging following

Government is making it simpler and cheaper for people to

the cuts to ECO. But this isn’t ‘problem solved’ for the Green

stay warm and improve their homes. I want households

Deal. The scheme’s initial cashback went unspent so it’s

across the country to benefit from more energy efficient

important that history doesn’t repeat itself.”

homes and reduced bills through the Green Deal, and that is what the new home incentive fund will do.”

Davey said he thought the incentives "more than offset the changes made [to ECO] last year."

Ministers and officials also appear to have addressed one

Household energy bills have risen regularly in recent

of the criticisms of the previous scheme, whereby people

years, leaving the average bill at £1,264 a year for electricity

had to pay £100-150 for an upfront assessment of their

and gas. The payments to be announced today will be guar-

home to see what measures would work best. Up to £100 of

anteed for the first £50 million the Government pays out.

muir_feature 2 09/06/2014 11:43 Page 40

40 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: Muir Timber Systems

THE FUTURE IS TIMBER FRAME TECHNOLOGY Muir Timber Systems is a market leader in the design, manufacture and supply of timber frame, floor cassettes, roof trusses, door sets and finishes and private individuals.

Muir Timber Systems (MTS), based in Fife,

❱

Having also developed and implemented a strict quali-

Scotland forms part of the Muir Group of compa-

ty management system (QMS) which meets the require-

nies launched in 1975. While initially established

ments of BD EN ISO 9001:2008, MTS consistently pro-

to service the structural timber frame requirements of

vides on-time delivery, accurate product information,

Muir Construction and Muir Homes Ltd, the company

technical support and complies with all statutory require-

has since expanded as a result of significant investment

ments while meeting each and every customer’s individual

and has added a range of house builders, housing associ-

specifications and requirements through the use of a ded-

ations and private individuals to its ever expanding

icated team of designers. These designers work hand-in-

client portfolio.

hand with architects, developers and builders from incep-

By replacing bricks and blocks with timber panels as the system to construct walls, flooring and roofing, MTS is

tion to completion and ensure that all project specifications are met.

able to offer a superior all-round service through

MTS provides a product and service that both meets

improved thermal performance, flexibility of design and in

and often exceeds all current building regulations, includ-

the overall construction speed ; this is achieved through

ing thermal bridging psi values as well as u-values while

the significantly simplified on-site construction, greater

allowing for great variation in thermal performance; this is

efficiency and supply chain integration that timber frame

achieved without necessarily altering the wall thickness

construction offers.

and enables MTS to easily meet requirements for building

Firm in the belief that timber frame technology is both

regulations and to provide varying levels of thermal per-

the best construction method for the present and the

formance on specification. Timber frame systems also per-

future, MTS has created a modern, 30,000 square foot

form very well in terms of fire and flood resistance whilst

manufacturing facility for timber frame systems and now

being the most environmentally friendly way to build and

possesses the technology, resources and expertise to pro-

offering the natural aesthetic quality that wood provides.

vide high quality wall panels, floor cassettes, roof trusses

In compliance with the EU ‘fitness for purpose’ stan-

and door sets to a variety of customers, both large and

dard, CE Marking, MTS is committed to providing a high

small. Through use of its established framework which

quality selection of timber products which meet the needs

annually sets and reviews quality objectives, MTS is com-

for purpose. Roughly speaking this encompasses the struc-

mitted to a continual improvement ethos that ensures it

tural design, durability and manufacturing tolerances of its

remains at the pinnacle of quality and excellence in the

products. Steven Streets, General Manager at MTS

industry.

explains: “A significant change in the industry standards

muir_feature 2 09/06/2014 11:43 Page 41

41 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: Muir Timber Systems

muir_feature 2 09/06/2014 11:44 Page 42

42 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: Muir Timber Systems

“IT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABILITY BY SHOWING THAT OUR TIMBER COMES FROM SUSTAINABLY MANAGED FORESTS”

sets are manufactured in-house from a selection of softwood and hardwood finishes, including iron-mongery, standards, stops, latches and fire seals. Trusses can be provided from simple duo-pitched roof designs and flat roofs to more complex designs using the latest MiTek design software. Flooring options include a range of whitewood joists and I-joists as pre-manufactured floor

has been brought about by the requirement to have CE

Quality assurance, however, is far from the only prior-

rently applies to roof trusses with the requirement for CE

ity for MTS who provides a range of wood-based products

marking for wall panels and floor cassettes is likely to

which are, by their very nature sustainable and environ-

become law in 2015, but the extensive quality and fitness

mentally sound. Steven explains that continued invest-

for purpose systems put in place to achieve CE marking for

ment in sustainable products and technology is para-

roof trusses has been put in place already, for wall panels

mount to MTS, stating: “It is necessary to provide sustain-

and floor cassettes, ensuring that the products leaving the

ability by showing that our timber comes from sustainably

factory are of the highest quality and will meet the fitness

managed forests. As such a chain of custody is in place, so

for purpose requirements as demanded by the customer.”

that any of our customers can check and see exactly

As part of its product portfolio, MTS offers a selection Muir Timber Systems Muir House Belleknowes Industrial Estate Inverkeithing, Fife KY11 1HY www.muirtimbersystems.co.uk Tel: 01383 416191

cassette, complete with factory fitted OSB decking.

marked products. Within the MTS Systems range, this cur-

where the timber came from.”

of wall solutions from a range of European or CLS timber

MTS Systems is a member of the Timber Research &

section sizes, OSB and plywood cladding options and a

Development Association (TRADA) and the Trussed

variety of breather membranes to suit each client’s indi-

Rafter Association (TRA), integrating them into the timber

vidual timber frame panel specification. All internal door

frame industry on multiple levels.

muir_feature 2 09/06/2014 11:44 Page 43

43 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: Muir Timber Systems

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Gframe_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:33 Page 44

44 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: G-frame Structures

SUSTAINABLE

FRAME SOLUTIONS G-frame is a totally new concept in the growing world of low carbon hybrid frames

❱

G-frame Structures is one of only a handful of

Timber (CLT) and Glulam as the primary materials. All

companies in the UK offering sustainable, low-car-

the connection plates are slipped onto the glue lami-

bon construction frame solutions. Using the latest

nated beams and columns, with no need for drilling or

technology to engineer their timbers, they provide an

bolting, joining plate to plate and plate to timber in one

alternative to traditional steel frames, offering clients a

movement. This operation is carried out using a battery

complete package, including design, value engineering,

tool only, meaning there is no requirement for power

supply, construction and project management services.

leads or air hoses.

The seed for G-frame was sown around 2008, when

Another advantage of this design is that changes in

director Lee Murphy was working with his family concrete

the construction phase are simple to incorporate and

business, providing concrete frames for residential apart-

levels of beams can be stepped to allow services to pass

ment blocks and commercial offices. Seeking to diversify,

without cutting. The plates transfer loads from column

Lee and his brothers Damien, Peter and Larry came

to column without loading the beams in between mean-

together with fellow G-frame director Paul Goodge and

ing multiple floors can be constructed without the

started developing a new range of products, as Lee

crushing of timber. It is also possible to partially con-

explains: ‘The area that really interested us was sustain-

nect the G-Frame structure at ground level, thus

able construction, so we started looking at ways we could

reducing crane time and costs.

develop a new, low-carbon frame. Engineered timber seemed the natural solution.’

Unit B2 Beckerings Business Park Lidlington Bedfordshire MK43 0RD www.g-frame.co.uk Tel: 01525 288015

However, it is not simply the speed and elegance of G-frame Structures that has helped win it an army of

Since that initial idea G-frame has evolved over time,

repeat customers over the last five years, as Lee explains.

developing its own range of innovative products. Today,

‘We have a very good reputation for offering excellent

G-frame is able to deliver a complete construction frame

service, high quality and an outstanding health and safe-

direct to construction sites, with no need for onsite cut-

ty record, qualities that mean customers come back, time

ting and drilling of materials using Cross Laminated

after time. What’s more, because of our wide industry

Gframe_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:33 Page 45

45 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: G-frame Structures

Gframe_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:33 Page 46

46 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: G-frame Structures

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Gframe_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:33 Page 47

47 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Sustainability: G-frame Structures experience we are able to get involved at the design stage, adding even more value to projects and helping clients every step of the way.’

You might expect that this level of service would come at the expense of time, yet the procurement route with G-Frame is actually shorter than other types of structural support frames. As Lee explains: ‘From concept to design and structural drawings can be as short as three to four weeks and once structural design drawings are in place the frame can be on site in three weeks.’

Aside from their reputation for outstanding customer service, it is G-frame Structure’s commitment to a sustainable future and the reduction of CO² within the construction industry that helps set it apart from competitors. For example, not only does the unique G-Frame plate design reduce the amount of timber required, but CLT and glulam are two examples of very few renewable building materials. Studies have shown that glulam uses two to three times less energy and six to twelve times less fossil fuels to manufac-

both the school and the residents, and further

ture than steel beams.

enhanced G-frame’s reputation as ‘a company

In addition to this, all of the timber used by

that cares.’

G-frame is sourced from well managed sustain-

It is this attention to detail that makes G-

able forests that are harvested and re-planted

frame stand out from the crowd, and has helped it

ensuring all of the timber used by G-frame is

position itself well for the future, as Lee explains,

certified by both The Forest Stewardship

‘We’re a growing company – but at a sensible

Council (FSC) and The Programme for the

pace. Naturally we are committed to providing

Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

the excellent level of service and quality our exist-

G-frame’s commitment to the environment

ing clients have come to expect, yet at the same

doesn’t end with renewable materials, but

time we are careful not to become complacent.

extends to every area of their business. For

We are constantly looking at areas where we can

example, on a recent primary school project, G-

innovate and develop. However, the main thing is

frame used a silent generator in order to min-

that people are waking up to the opportunities

imise the impact of noise pollution on local res-

engineered timber offers, helping to ensure a

idents, this along with the use of battery-oper-

cleaner, low-carbon and sustainable future for

ated tools created a positive response from

everyone. For me, that’s an exciting prospect!’

HSE_feature 2 02/06/2014 17:16 Page 48

48 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Health and Safety: Regulations

SIMPLIFYING HEALTH AND SAFETY Health and safety regualtions have been amended as part of wider reforms to help employers understand quickly and easily what they need to do to manage workplace risks

❱

The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous

they need to do to manage workplace risks.

Repeals, Revocations and Amendments)

HSE is taking action to raise awareness of the

Regulations 2013 were laid before

changes. This includes working with the con-

Parliament on 4 March and came into force

struction industry (particularly small contrac-

on 6 April. These Regulations repeal one Act

tors) to ensure that it understands the continu-

and revoke twelve instruments (plus a related

ing need for employers to provide hard hats

provision in the Factories Act 1961). These

and ensure they are worn on construction

measures are being removed because they

sites. Hard hats remain vital in protecting con-

have either been overtaken by more up to

struction workers from head injuries. Employers

date Regulations, are redundant or do not

will need to comply with the requirements of the

deliver the intended benefits.

Personal Protective Equipment Regulations

These changes do not compromise essential

1992 which have been amended so that they

health and safety protections. The aim is to make

cover the provision and use of head protection

the legislative framework simpler and clearer.

on construction sites thus maintaining the level

This work is part of wider reforms to help employers understand quickly and easily what

of legal protection when the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations are revoked.

HSE_feature 2 02/06/2014 17:16 Page 49

49 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Health and Safety: Regulations

THE FULL LIST OF MEASURES BEING REMOVED ARE: 4Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 4Gasholders (Record of Examinations) Order 1938 4Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960 4Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations 1974 4Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Exemptions) Regulations 1980 4Gasholders and Steam Boilers (Metrication) Regulations 1981 4Locomotives etc Regulations 1906 (Metrication) Regulations 1981 4Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982 4Docks, Shipbuilding etc (Metrication) Regulations 1983 4Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 4Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances (Amendment) Regulations 2002Â 4Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations 2010 4Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes (Amendment) Regulations 2010

FMshow_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:36 Page 50

50 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Facilities management: FM Show 2014

FM SHOW ON THE MOVE

Fifteen years at the heart of the facilities management industry

FMshow_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:36 Page 51

51 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Facilities management: FM Show 2014

❱

Facilities Show is on the move, relocating to the stunning London ExCel in the capital’s docklands area. The numbers for this year have rock-

eted – 40% more visitors registered and 19% more space sold. So what’s behind the growth?

London is a very well connected spot. True, it can be expensive if you leave it until last minute to book but travelling off-peak can really help with saving money. It’s also probably worth bearing in mind that the event has extended opening on the evening of the 2nd day, Wednesday June 18.

There will be lots to see at the event with over 350 companies exhibiting. Not to mention, the other 1,100 companies involved in the co-located shows of IFSEC International (security), FIREX International (fire safety), Safety & Health Expo, Energy & Environment Expo and Service Management Expo.

London ExCel is an easy venue to move around. Yes, it is big but unlike the NEC there are no walls dividing the shows. So, visitors can check out the latest news from fire safety on the enormous 25 foot FIREX TV, stop off at the BIFM Networking Hub, pick up some CPD points in the BIFM Knowledge Theatre, listen to DECC talk about the

Facilities Show Keynote Theatre, The BIFM Knowledge

latest on the Renewable Heating Initiative (RHI) and

Theatre and the latest addition, The Interiors Zone

watch top lawyers doing a mock trial on a health and safe-

Seminar Theatre. One of the big events of the 3 days will

ty incident. Cross the boulevard and the world of com-

be a panel discussion with Martyn Freeman, MD, Mitie

mercial and government security is at your fingertips with

Facilities Management; Gareth Rhys Williams, CEO, PHS

the gigantic IFSEC International exhibition.

Group and Martin Holt, CEO, Bellrock.

With 6 expos, all under one roof, what can be achieved

There is also a number of interesting sessions for the

in one visit has increased. You can shop for goods on the

rising FM including Ian Higgins from Hays Recruitment

showfloor, build your knowledge in the theatres and net-

speaking about personal development and Manhattan

work in every square inch of the building.

Software’s session on flexible working and IWMS. The

There are 3 days of expert educational seminars with

more senior FM can avail of sessions such as challenges

industry presenters and panel members including

of International FM by Stan Mitchell, CEO, Key FM and

ExCeL London Royal Victoria Dock 1 Western Gateway London E16 1XL www.facilitiesshow.com

FMshow_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:36 Page 52

52 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Facilities management: FM Show 2014 scenarios planning by Oliver Baxter, Hermann Miller Insight Group.

And everyone should be interested in hearing from Jamie Quinn, a trained Al Gore Ambassador, giving a snapshot on what climate change means for FM with the latest scientific research to hand.

Also, Katy Dowding from Skanska who has been undertaking substantial work on behavioural change will be presenting at the show.

Other great speakers include: Sharon Parsons, B&Q presenting on managing retail waste and Jos Knops, Global Marketing Director, Planon speaking about what global companies need for IWMS and Julie Kortens, Head of Corporate Services, Channel 4 and Liz Kentish will be doing a session called “A change will do you good”.

A great new feature is the De-Ice Arena, which is the main focal point for networking and entertainment during the show. It is a 400m2 replica football stadium with VIP area, networking bar and even a penalty shoot out competition. It will house the Social Media Buying Request Service, which will match visitors’ purchasing requirements with exhibitors’ products and services live via Twitter, arranging a meeting there and then onsite. We are also delighted to be hosting a “Meet The Buyer Zone”, which will be an area specifically dedicated to meeting procurement teams from the TFM community.

Innovation Trails are a key new feature for this year. In response to visitor demands for new ideas, new products are being reviewed by a committee and will be awarded innovation status if they meet certain criteria. With the show app, visitors will be able to follow the trail right the way round the ExCel. The event organisers, UBM Live, have invested heavily in this move so it promises to be a special affair. One example of that is the feature area in Facilities Show that will be themed as a football stadium. We will even be having a penalty shoot-out so be sure not to miss out.

FMshow_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:36 Page 53

Judd Ferris_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:37 Page 54

54 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT Facilities Management: Judd Farris

GLOBAL SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT Established in 1998, Judd Farris has grown to become one of the world’s largest specialist property related recruitment consultancies

❱

date-driven and has a shortage of skills in certain areas.

Rather than relying on in-house recruiters, companies need to employ specialists to find the right candidates and that’s what’s driving the market.”

FM in particular is concerned with maximising efficiencies and reducing costs so there’s a need to recruit appropriate staff. Judd Farris’s aim is to build relationships with

As the country moves out of recession, recruit-

clients and it also supports organisations such as the

ing the right people for jobs is crucial and that’s

BIFM that is putting in place recognised career standards.

where companies like Judd Farris have an

That enables it to meet challenges, such as environmental

important role to play. “We specialise solely in the

London/SE/SW Tel: 02076340199

As the market grows more positive, it’s becoming candi-

and compliance issues, and to move forward.

property, construction and FM markets, delivering

“We canvas opinions and offer feedback to clients,”

permanent and temporary recruitment,” states Senior

says Amanda. “We aim to understand more about

Consultant Amanda Kontzle. “We have a global net-

clients and candidates, capitalising on relationships and

work of offices and place people worldwide.”

managing repeat business. Relationships with clients can

Recruitment services are provided to a mixture of clients

always be improved and the only successful way is to

that include property consultancies and developers, main

really get under the skin of a business when recruiting

contractors, FM providers, financial organisations and retail-

for them.”

ers. Matching people to jobs correctly is particularly demand-

Judd Farris specialize only in FM, Property and

ing and is achieved by having specialist teams covering the

Construction recruitment with industry qualified consult-

Midlands/Wales Tel: 0121 2000800

likes of project management and delivery, planning and FM.

ants who understand your market from first-hand experi-

They comprise people with relevant industry experience to

ence. With connections based at key locations across the

Scotland Tel: 0131 5249060

ensure they can provide the exact service clients need.

UK you can expect us to keep you informed of emerging

www.juddfarris.co.uk

those needs are changing: “FM is very varied and cyclical.

NW/NE/Yorkshire Tel: 0161 2428899

That’s especially important when, as Amanda outlines,

trends from the outset, whether you’re looking for a career move or recruiting for your team.

Judd Ferris_feature 2 02/06/2014 09:37 Page 55

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