Deadline extended for East Midlands fbe Awards 2017

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe awards 2016

Organisers of the East Midlands fbe Awards have extended the deadline for nominations by one week.

Companies now have until Friday 8^th September to put forward construction projects and nominate rising stars in the industry from across the region.

“We’ve had some exciting nominations for the East Midlands fbe Awards already and know that others are on their way, so we’re extending the deadline by one week to give applicants a little extra time in which to submit their entries,” said Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and MD of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers.

“In previous years, we’ve had a wide range of projects nominated, showcasing some of the very best development schemes that have been undertaken in the region. We are looking forward to highlighting some of the latest projects and also putting some of our brightest young professionals under the spotlight in our rising stars award category.”

The East Midlands fbe Awards recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best development projects across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

Free to enter, the awards feature the following categories: Regeneration, Residential, and Non-Residential developments, along with Rising Star of the Year. The winners of the first three categories will automatically form the shortlist for the Overall East Midlands Scheme & Team Award.

Tickets are also on sale for the East Midlands fbe Chairman’s Dinner & Awards night, held at the City Rooms in Leicester on 12^th October 2017, when the awards will be presented.

Around 150 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the ceremony, which will raise money for Wooden Spoon - the children's charity of rugby, which aims to positively transform the lives of children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland through the power of rugby.

As well as award entries now being open and tickets on sale for the ceremony, two sponsorship opportunities are also still available for the event. Sponsors already on board include main sponsor DW Hicks, BSD who is sponsoring the drinks reception, M-EC, who is sponsoring the Non-Residential Award and Arthur J Gallagher, who is sponsoring the Regeneration Award.

Details and nomination forms are available from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2017.htm or by contacting Mary Daw on 07883 033552.

The deadline for award nominations is now Friday 8^st September 2017.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the East Midlands branch also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Growing civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting invests in management training

Jef Todd and Charlotte Moreland

Six members of the BSP Consulting team are undertaking management and leadership training as part of staff and company development.

Another group of employees is being lined up to get involved in the second wave of training at the East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering firm, said business development director Jef Todd.

“As a company, BSP Consulting has been growing steadily and it’s important that we equip our teams with the necessary skills to support our continued development and to provide them with ongoing professional development too,” said Jef.

“We are committed to both staff and company development, reflecting on our wider commitment to offering the best service we can to our clients across the East Midlands and the UK.”

Those currently undertaking the Apprenticeship NVQ course, run by Training for Business, are structures director Paul Elphick, associate director – civils Matt Viggars, associate director – civils Tony Goddard, chartered civil engineer Carol Ell, principal transport planner Joanna Posnett and senior engineer Oliver Dike.

Based across BSP’s offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, the group will spend around 15 months completing the Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Management. The next group of employees is due to start the training in six months.

The Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Management is ideal for managers moving into a middle management position, who still retain responsibility for operational processes but are more removed from day-to-day line management duties. The qualification develops the knowledge and skills required to take on higher level responsibilities such as planning and implementing change.

Those involved will develop core leadership skills, take charge of personal and professional development, gain the skills to be able to plan and implement an operational plan, improve working relationships, and achieve a recognised qualification for personal development.

The course is governed by ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) and is being delivered to the BSP team as an Apprenticeship Framework which includes an NVQ by Nottingham-based Training for Business, an Ofsted rated #1 Outstanding training provider, which is part of the NHTA Group Ltd that provides apprenticeships across the East Midlands.

“Training for Business are passionate about the power of quality accredited qualifications to transform people and give them the skills they need for the future. We understand all people are different and need flexible suppliers of training to ensure each and every person reaches their full potential, and as such all our qualifications are delivered one-on-one in the work place and at a time convenient to both the learner and employer,” said Charlotte Moreland, managing director of Training for Business. “We are very pleased to be supporting the team at BSP Consulting.”

BSP and Training for Business organised the training after linking up through support from Nottingham City Council via Nottingham Jobs Hub.

BSP Consulting, which is based at Oxford Street, Nottingham, and has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents. It was founded in 1999 and operates across the UK.

For more information, visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

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Three reasons why small businesses should have a strategy, according to Construction Leaders Club

Terry O'Mahony

A business networking and development organisation for the East Midlands construction sector is highlighting three key reasons why it’s important for small businesses to plan.

The Construction Leaders Club believes that having a strategy is fundamental for success – even though situations can change rapidly in today’s fast-moving world. 

“Not so long ago, business owners and leaders created strategic plans that looked ahead five to ten years – a far longer-term perspective than would be appropriate today,” said Terry O’Mahony, founder of the Nottingham-based Construction Leaders Club. 

“However, having a plan today is still fundamental for any business to stay ahead of the competition and be truly successful. Although there are numerous tools to help develop a plan, there is no standard methodology, and it is down to business owners to choose tools that work for them.” 

He believes there are three main reasons why small businesses should draw up strategies for the future.

Firstly, it provides clarity and direction to give both business owners and employees alike the high-level priorities and objectives that they want to achieve over a specific time period, said Terry.

Secondly, it’s an opportunity to engage and motivate employees, while thirdly it can help to position a business, he added.

“Many business owners I have worked with have often said that when they have taken the time to develop a plan, they’ve made the mistake of putting it in their drawer where it doesn’t see daylight again,” said Terry. “This might not be because the plan wasn’t good. It could be that the plan may have been created for a specific purpose, for example to attract funding or similar, and, as and when the purpose has been served, they are unsure why it matters. But it does matter and having a plan can make a big difference.”

The Construction Leaders Club was established four years ago as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to, or associated with, the UK construction industry. As well as monthly networking events, CLC also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

CLC’s next networking events take place on 14^th September at The Grill at Twenty Five, Bostock Lane, Long Eaton, near Nottingham, from 10am, and on 15^th September at The Preparation Group, Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln, from 10am.

The organisation is supported by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM.

Earlier this year the CLC became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Construction Leaders Club has held the accolade of Chartered Building Consultancy status for the past three years but the CIOB asked holders to re-apply after setting down new and tighter rules for compliance in a bid to drive up standards within the sector.

For more details or to book any CLC events, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Focus Consultants’ role with Waterloo Housing Group continues

Old Leake project. Photo courtesy HWD Architecture 

Work has begun on site to build 22 new affordable homes in Lincolnshire – the latest project that Focus Consultants has undertaken for Waterloo Housing Group.

The team in the Boston office of Focus Consultants has been appointed to carry out a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy role on the development in Church Road in Old Leake.

It follows the completion ahead of schedule earlier this year of Phase Two of Broadfield Lane, Boston, when Focus Consultants acted as employer’s agent, principal designer, client CDM advisor and party wall surveyor on a scheme to build 123 houses for Waterloo Housing Group.

Also completed recently was a scheme for Waterloo Housing to provide 26 houses and apartments at Tytton Lane, Boston. Meanwhile, work is continuing on a project that Focus is also involved in to build 32 homes off Toot Lane, Boston, for the housing association.

“This latest appointment at Old Leake continues our ongoing relationship with Waterloo Housing Group and ESHA, helping to deliver a range of housing projects in the Lincolnshire area over a number of years,” said Trevor Newton, Partner in the Boston office of Focus.

“We were delighted with the completion ahead of schedule earlier this year of the second phase of a Waterloo Housing Group development, in Broadfield Lane, Boston, where Focus also had a multi-disciplinary role.

“As a company, Focus offers a range of building consultancy services from design, building surveying and quantity surveying through to project management, and we are very pleased that we have been able to support Waterloo Housing Group on so many projects.”

The Old Leake scheme, led by Waterloo Housing Group and ESHA Developments, will create a range of one, two, three and four bedroom houses, all available for rent or shared ownership. The project is being funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise partnership.

The village of Old Leake is situated approximately eight miles from the market town of Boston in Lincolnshire. The site was formerly occupied by a caravan and car park for the adjacent White Hart public house. The development includes the demolition of part of the pub which was remodelled to facilitate access for the new road.

The new homes have been designed to provide spacious modern accommodation and a range of parking options. In keeping with the area’s aesthetics, including a Grade I Listed church, the homes have been carefully designed to blend into the central village location. The housing development is due to be completed in March 2018. 

Nottingham-based Focus, which, as well as an office in Boston, also has branches in London and Leicester, offers a range of services in funding and economic development, project management, sustainable development and building surveying.

Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

J Tomlinson starts work on Midlands industrial and warehouse scheme

The Steelpark Trading Estate, Wednesfield

J Tomlinson has begun construction of a multimillion-pound speculative development of a range of industrial and warehouse units at a key Midlands site.

Commercial property company Goold Estates expects the scheme of about 70,000 sq ft of units at Steelpark Trading Estate, Wednesfield, in the West Midlands to attract significant investment and generate dozens of new jobs.

Managing director (construction) of Nottingham-based J Tomlinson, Martin Gallagher, said: “We are very pleased to be involved in this speculative development. As a company, J Tomlinson has wide experience of designing and constructing industrial and warehouse units across the Midlands for a range of clients. We are delighted to be working with Goold Estates for the first time.

“Our presence in the West Midlands has gone from strength to strength, supported by our growing office in Canwell, near Sutton Coldfield, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with existing clients in the region and also developing relationships with new clients like Goold Estates – helping them to create first-class developments.”   

The Steelpark Trading Estate development is expected to reach practical completion early in 2018.

Dominic Goold, managing director of Walsall-based Goold Estates, said: “It is great to see construction underway. We are looking forward to delivering a high-quality development, which will attract investment and jobs to the region.

“The Steelpark site, which is adjacent to the Tata Steel Automotive Service Centre, has been vacant and available for development for many years. We acquired it in September last year and we’ve acted quickly to secure planning consent and get the development underway. 

“All of the units are being built speculatively, for sale or lease, because we are confident there is a strong demand in the market. These will be high quality industrial units in a sought-after location with excellent access to the motorway network, being just 4.6 miles west of J10 M6 and four miles south of J1 M54.”

Finance Birmingham has arranged speculative development finance to help fund the project through the West Midlands Combined Authority Collective Investment Fund CIF. 

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “There is £3.7 billion of investment on site or in the pipeline in the City of Wolverhampton and this is another boost for our regeneration plans.

“The Steelpark Trading Estate development will bring back to life a site that has been redundant for many years, while at the same time protect wildlife in the area. It shows there is confidence in investing in Wolverhampton and most importantly it will bring dozens of jobs to the city.”

J Tomlinson, which last year opened a new West Midlands headquarters at Canwell after experiencing expansion in the region, provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management.  It operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

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Personal trainers are not just for the gym, says business coach and Construction Leaders Club founder

Terry O'Mahony

Business professionals are being urged to treat their business growth aspirations the way they treat their fitness programmes – and hire themselves a personal trainer/business growth coach.

Terry O’Mahony, who runs the East Midlands-based Construction Leaders Club, says that small business coaching helps small business owners reach their targets in just the same way as a personal trainer helps fitness fans to meet their physical goals.

“Many people have personal trainers at the gym or fitness club, who coach them in the best ways to get the most out of their workout,” said Terry. “Yet small business owners sometimes forget that they can do the same in their business life and hire a coach to help them make the most of their role and the businesses they run or own.

“As someone who has worked in the construction sector all my life, my mission is to get the whole construction industry coached because it can lead to tremendous benefits for business, the construction industry and society at large.”

Terry established The Construction Leaders Club in Nottingham four years ago as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to or associated with the UK construction industry.

As a business growth and development coach, he has worked with many professionals to develop their skills, and he believes business coaching can help with problem solving, overcoming challenges, client retention, building a dream team, generating additional revenue and implementing positive changes.

“I work with small business owners, primarily associated with the construction industry, who want to grow and develop themselves and their businesses. I only coach small business owners who are already successful but who want to get to the next level and beyond,” added Terry, who has 40 years in the construction industry operating at every level and at every phase in the construction process.

“The moment I first started coaching, it felt free. I love small business coaching and I love helping people grow, develop and get the results they want. Financially speaking I could retire right now, but I love what I do. I love coaching, learning and training. 

“Imagine this. If every small business owner was doing what they loved to do and what they were meant to do and were operating from their strengths, they would all be more successful, effective and profitable.”

The Construction Leaders Club was recently recognised for its high professional standards by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) by becoming what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

The next Construction Leaders Club networking events take place on 13^th April and 11^th May at The Grill at Twenty Five, 25 Bostock’s Lane, Long Eaton, near Nottingham. For more details or to book, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

J Tomlinson begins building work on a new specialist supported housing development in Coventry

J Tomlinson starts work on supported housing development

Building services company J Tomlinson has started work on a new multi-million pound specialist supported housing development for adults with learning and physical disabilities.

Leading members of Coventry City Council attended the ground-breaking ceremony to mark the launch of work on the scheme at Jardine Crescent, Tile Hill, Coventry.  

Coventry Mayor, Lindsley Harvard, officially opened the ceremony with a passionate speech about what the development will mean for the local population. 

The development has been commissioned by the Local Authority Adult Social Care team, to provide local adults with learning and physical disabilities with a safe home environment and is the result of a partnership between Inclusion Housing CIC, Lifeways Community Care and HB Villages.

Limbrick Place is a development, consisting of Willow House which will have eight apartments, Beech House which consists of 16 apartments and Ash House which will be home to ten adults who require high levels of complex care. The build and delivery of the development will be delivered by HB Villages, using contractor, J Tomlinson.

Martin Gallagher, Managing Director (Construction) at Nottingham-based J Tomlinson, said: “J Tomlinson is very pleased to have been appointed to build this scheme, our second development for HB Villages. It promises to provide much-welcomed, supported-living accommodation and we are delighted to be a part of the team that is creating it.”

Alastair Sheehan, Development Director of HB Villages, commented: “Limbrick Place will be one of the first developments for the city to provide homes which will allow vulnerable individuals the ability to live as independently as possible, not only in terms of the 24-hour support on a site located in a highly sustainable location, but one that will also have a comprehensive and bespoke assistive technology offering. It is with the greatest pleasure that we are able to see building work start, and we all look forward to following its progress and to meeting the tenants and their families once the build is completed.”

J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management.  It operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

The firm previously worked with HB Villages, Inclusion Housing CIC and Lifeways Community Care to create a £2.3 million development in Rushden, Northamptonshire, consisting of 16 apartments for adults with learning and physical disabilities.

For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

J Tomlinson completes care and nursing home project

Residential care and nursing home by J Tomlinson

Construction services company J Tomlinson has completed a 65-bed residential care and nursing home in the West Midlands.

The Nottingham-based firm handed over the scheme in Sutton Coldfield to Hamberley Development Ltd, who developed the care home for Welltower Inc. who will own the luxury facility, with Gracewell Healthcare operating and running it. This is one of 11 new care homes being developed for Welltower and Gracewell following the sale of 12 pre-existing Gracewell Healthcare care homes to Welltower back in 2014.

As well as developing the new residential care and nursing home on the site of the former Conservative Club building in Jockey Road, J Tomlinson also built a new Conservative Club at the rear of the site, which is also the home of Boldmere Tennis Club and Boldmere Bowls Club. This was completed in December 2015. 

The contracts had a combined value of approximately £6 million.

Martin Gallagher, managing director (construction), at J Tomlinson, said: “Nationwide, there is a current undersupply of high quality residential care and nursing homes, and this scheme provides much-needed luxury accommodation of this type in Sutton Coldfield. It is the latest of several care and extra-care facilities that J Tomlinson has built. I am very pleased that our role in this double development has received significant praise.”

The three-storey residential care and nursing home, designed by DWA Architects, features a bistro café, a hair and beauty salon, an in-house cinema room and an activity room, with a choice of en-suite bedrooms and apartments, including respite care and accommodation for couples. It will offer residential care, nursing care and dementia care.

Development director at Hamberley Development, John Austin, said: “Hamberley Development Ltd are very impressed with J Tomlinson’s company approach and project team. They have delivered a very demanding project for both the Sutton Coldfield Conservative Club over 12 months ago and the new 65-bed care home. Following the completion of the Conservative Club who occupied a rear site, J Tomlinson then had to build the care home whilst keeping the access and car parking for the Conservative Club live at all times throughout the programme. 

“The care home was built to a high standard and delivered on time which was a credit to Derek I’Anson and Craig Smallman along with their site team.” 

J Tomlinson recently moved its West Midlands office to larger premises at London Road, Canwell, near Sutton Coldfield, after experiencing growth in the region. 

Based from its head office in Beeston, near Nottingham, the company provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management.  It operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

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Focus Consultants gains key environmental accreditation

Focus partner Jason Redfearn

The teams at Focus Consultants have cemented their commitment to high environmental standards by achieving an internationally recognised environmental management accreditation.

The Leicester office of Focus has become the latest of the Focus offices to be awarded ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and follows the Nottingham and Boston offices, which also recently gained the standard.

The firm’s ECS Team, which provides energy and sustainability services, operates out of the Focus office in Leicester, based at Meridian Business Park.  

Focus Partner Jason Redfearn, who leads the ECS team, said: “We are pleased to add Leicester to the offices which operate ISO 14001; this continues our drive to minimise the impact of Focus’s business operation on the environment.”

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised environmental management standard to manage the immediate and long-term environmental impacts of an organisation’s operation and services. 

The cornerstone behind the standard is the minimisation of a company’s environmental footprint.

Focus has always promoted sustainable development through its commissions, using its team of qualified professionals to provide cost-effective solutions for regulation compliance, energy reduction or to meet carbon objectives.  

The ECS team provides regulation compliance services such as SAP and SBEM, and assessor services for HQM, CODE, BREEAM. Its air testing services continue to expand.

Focus Consultants, which has its headquarters at Phoenix Business Park in Nottingham, offers a range of support on all aspects of sustainable development, as well as services in funding and economic development, project management and building surveying.

For more information visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Maintenance contract at West Bromwich Building Society for J Tomlinson

J Tomlinson appointed by West Bromwich Building Society

J Tomlinson Ltd has been appointed by West Bromwich Building Society as maintenance contractor at its head office premises after successfully completing the mechanical and electrical work on the new building. 

The five-storey, 6,500sq m headquarters opened on a site at Providence Place in West Bromwich town centre earlier this year and has around 500 staff working in it.

J Tomlinson’s M&E department played a key role in the development, carrying out the £4.8 million M&E work at the building. Now the Black Country’s biggest building society has appointed the company on a one-year maintenance contract for the site.

“Coming on the back of the successful completion of the M&E services during the development phase of the building, this appointment for the maintenance contract is a ringing endorsement of the standard and quality of workmanship provided by the J Tomlinson team,” said J Tomlinson managing director for facilities management Steve Kirkland.

“The West Brom’s new headquarters is an impressive development and we are delighted to have been appointed to undertake the maintenance of it.”

Working across the West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire, J Tomlinson has its head office in Nottingham and provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E), and facilities management.  

The company has been expanding in recent times, partly as a result of winning an increasing number of contracts in the West Midlands, where it recently opened a new, larger office in Canwell, near Sutton Coldfield.

J Tomlinson has been appointed to a four-year framework contract by Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police which is now part of a joint property vehicle with four other public sector bodies known as Place Partnerships, covering servicing, maintenance, reactive repairs and minor works. The award has a potential value of up to £9.1 million over the lifetime of the agreement.

Last year, the firm won a five-year contract worth £10 million to replace kitchens and bathrooms in around 1,600 properties in Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke, Walsall and Wolverhampton for housing organisation Midland Heart, and has a £10 million gas servicing and repair contract with housing provider and social organisation Bromford. The firm is also constructing a new build care home for Hamberley Development and a new building for Sutton Coldfield Conservative Club on the same site in Sutton Coldfield, with a total value of £6 million.

In addition, J Tomlinson has mechanical and electrical maintenance contracts with the University of Birmingham and West Midlands Fire Service. 

Mark Brayford, Facilities Manager for West Bromwich Building Society said: “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of J Tomlinson on the maintenance contract at our new headquarters following the company’s key role in the development of the site.”

For more information, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based pr company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Finalists in East Midlands fbe Awards 2016 revealed

The finalists for this year’s East Midlands fbe Awards have been announced and include four university projects, a fire station and new residential accommodation for a nationwide charity.

Organisers of the annual awards which recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the region have just unveiled this year’s shortlisted entries.

The finalists in the Residential category are Tur Langton in Leicestershire, a scheme of six new build family homes on the site of the Old Bull’s Head, nominated by SGP Architects; Green Lane in Nottingham, which is a development of five low energy one-bedroom single storey flats for Framework Housing Association, put forward by North Midland Construction; Cathedral Court in Derby, a 350-ensuite study bedroom student accommodation scheme for the University of Derby, nominated by D W Hicks; and an accommodation block for national charity Canine Partners, which trains assistance dogs for disabled people, at Osgathorpe in North West Leicestershire, which was nominated by North Midland Construction.

The finalists in the Non-Residential category are Nottingham University Science Library, the extension and refurbishment of the George Green Library, put forward by Galliford Try; Nottingham Trent University’s Heart of Campus project at the Clifton campus which has provided two zero carbon buildings with excellent BREEAM ratings and which was nominated by Pulse Associates; and GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham,  a building unique in the UK in its design and focus on ‘green chemistry’, which was nominated by Morgan Sindall.

The finalists in the Regeneration category are Hollygate Park at Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, the first section of phase one of a total of around 450 homes being built on the site of the former Cotgrave Colliery, nominated by BSP Consulting; London Road Fire Station in Nottingham, a new three-storey, energy efficient building for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service on a former brownfield site, nominated by J Tomlinson Ltd; and Dakeyne Street, Sneinton, in Nottingham, a new creative hub following the major refurbishment and modernisation of 18th and 19th Century buildings that have created workspace for SMEs in creative and digital industries, nominated by architects Maber.

The finalists in the Best Rising Star category are Alexsandra Perobelli, graduate mechanical engineer at BSD, Joe Gent trainee electrical estimator at J Tomlinson Ltd and Sarah Grocock part II architectural assistant at RG+P.

The winners will be revealed at a sold-out awards ceremony on 6^th October at the City Rooms in Leicester – an annual event which has become a firm fixture on the calendar for the region’s construction, development and property sector.

“We had an excellent array of nominations from across the region and across a range of sectors, illustrating the high standard of developments that are being completed in the East Midlands,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and business development director at civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting.

“Our criteria for the nominated projects focused on sustainability, good design, and interaction and engagement with the local community.

“The judges were particularly pleased to read about the entries in the Best Rising Star category, our new category for this year, and to see the younger generation of professionals who are making a significant contribution to the built environment.

“I’d like to thank all the teams who nominated projects and individuals, and congratulate the finalists on their success.”

More than 120 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the awards ceremony, which will be hosted once again by former BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess, who is now honorary professor in politics at the University of Nottingham.

All tickets have now been sold for the event. The awards have been sponsored by D W Hicks Building Co Ltd, integrated building solutions company J Tomlinson Ltd, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineers BSD, engineering and environmental consultants M-EC Consulting Development Engineers and chartered accountants and business advisers Duncan & Toplis. Civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has sponsored the drinks reception.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Launch of East Midlands fbe Awards 2016

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe awards 2015

Nominations are now being invited for the annual East Midlands fbe Awards which recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the region.

New for this year is an additional category – Best Rising Star – which will shine the light on the construction and development sector’s most promising young professionals.

Entries for the awards are expected from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. 

The categories include Regeneration, Residential, Non-Residential and Rising Star of the Year. The winners of the first three categories will automatically form the shortlist for the Overall East Midlands Scheme & Team Award.

Free to enter, the awards will be presented at an event run by the East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) on 6^thOctober 2016 at the City Rooms in Leicester. More than 120 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the ceremony, which will be hosted once again by former BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess, who is now honorary professor in politics at the University of Nottingham.

“The East Midlands fbe Awards are a firm fixture on the calendar of the region’s construction sector, having been staged for several years now. They are the chance for us to recognise and celebrate some of the region’s excellent projects, as well as the teams behind them,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and business development director at civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting.

“I’m delighted that this year we are introducing for the first time the Rising Star of the Year Award, which is open to individuals working within the construction sector in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire, who are under 30 years of age and who have shown outstanding achievements in their field, whether that be in construction, design or associated professional or support services for the industry. We are looking for role models who have made a significant contribution to the built environment so that we can recognise and celebrate the next generation of leaders and influencers in the East Midlands construction sector.”

Details about the awards and entry forms, as well as sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the awards ceremony, are available from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2016.htm The deadline for award nominations is Friday 19^th August 2016.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

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Construction sector networking event held in Nottingham

Three companies working across the development and construction sector joined forces to stage a networking event in Nottingham.

Civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting, planning consultancy DLP Planning and Roythornes Solicitors came together to host the event for 50 guests at the Riverbank Bar & Kitchen, near Trent Bridge.

The BBQ and networking evening provided the chance for professionals in the sector to catch up on the latest trends and news for the development and construction industry, and to chat about existing and upcoming projects and opportunities in the East Midlands.

“It’s good to get together with others who work in development, in an informal environment, and everyone seemed to enjoy renewing acquaintances and making new contacts,” said BSP Consulting business development director Jef Todd. “It’s an exciting time in the sector, with lots of key schemes underway in the region and others in the pipeline.”

BSP Consulting, which is based in Oxford Street in Nottingham, and also has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides civil, structural, traffic, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering services across the construction industry.

An award-winning business, the firm operates across all the major sectors including health, education, residential, leisure, retail, rail and industrial.

DLP Planning operates from nine offices across the UK, specialising in providing town planning and development advice to a broad range of private and public sector clients throughout the UK. DLP Planning Ltd has extensive and wide-ranging experience in all forms of planning and development from small scale domestic projects to major strategic growth proposals, in both urban and rural areas.  

The East Midlands office opened in 2013 and originally operated from Castle Donington, Leicestershire. In May 2015, due to expansion, the East Midlands office relocated to Nottingham city centre. 

Roythornes solicitors is one of the leading property law firms in the UK with clients including some of the country’s biggest developers, as well as major blue-chip companies, family businesses and private individuals. Roythornes provides a comprehensive range of property services, including planning, infrastructure, social housing, environmental and dispute resolution. The firm has a strategic and objective approach meaning it offers not just legal advice, but commercial risk management and extensive industry expertise and experience.

For more information, visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk www.dlpconsultants.co.uk or www.roythorne.co.uk

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New Partners appointed as Focus Consultants celebrates 21 years with news of Nottinghamshire County Council grant of more than £83,000

Economic development and construction consultancy Focus Consultants has appointed two new Partners.

Heather Frecklington, who is based at the Nottingham headquarters of Focus, and Eleanor Clarke, who works from the firm’s London office, are the first two female Partners in the company’s 21-year history.

Alongside Jason Redfearn, who leads the Energy Team at Focus and who was also recently appointed a Partner, and Partners Keith Butler and Steven Fletcher, they will be part of the team of five who will spearhead the development of the company.

They will be supported by founding Partners Kevin Osbon, Ian Stevens and Karl Marriott, and Partners Richard Aston and Trevor Newton as part of a succession planning process which will be implemented between now and 2018.

“Since being founded in 1994 in Nottingham, Focus Consultants has developed into a thriving business that offers a unique set of services to clients locally, regionally and across the UK,” said Kevin Osbon. “We are delighted to have appointed our first two female Partners as part of the new leadership team. As we move through a transitional phase, the team will be mentored and supported by the Partners who have shaped Focus into the successful business it is today.”   

The news coincides with an announcement from Nottinghamshire County Council that it is awarding Focus Consultants an £83,468 grant from its Nottinghamshire Economic Development Capital Fund – a £3million pot which is supporting businesses across the county to innovate, grow and create new jobs.

Focus will use the grant to radically overhaul the ICT it uses, investing in a new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, BIM (Building Information Modelling) software to enable 3D modelling and mobile technology. The investment will create four new jobs and two apprenticeships at the company, which is based at Phoenix Business Park and has branches in Holborn in London, Leicester, and Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire.

New Focus Partner, Heather Frecklington, said: “For 21 years Focus has been based in Nottinghamshire. We are delighted to work with the County Council on the next stage of the Focus story - this grant will co-finance a huge step change in our performance through investment in the very latest technologies. It will enable us to grow, create new jobs, open exciting opportunities and compete with the major national consultancies.”

Focus specialises in funding and economic development including area regeneration strategies, funding applications, economic impact appraisals, business plans, and research and evaluation.  Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

It has secured more than £200 million for projects in its home city of Nottingham alone since it was launched in 1994 – helping to create jobs, preserve heritage, improve the environment, support businesses and develop communities.

“Without Focus, quite simply Nottingham would not be the city it is today,” added Kevin Osbon.

The company, which employs 65 people, has been behind numerous local and national construction and economic development projects, including securing £12.98 million of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for Nottingham Castle, £9.5 million for the City Creative Quarter, £2.8 million for the NBV Enterprise Solutions workspace on David's Lane, Basford, and project managing the innovative Trent Basin regeneration development, which are all in Nottingham.

Nationally, Focus has also taken forward exciting developments for the Imperial War Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Curve in Leicester after helping Leicester City Council to secure the £60 million funding package for the theatre and performing arts centre, and is currently overseeing a £35 million masterplan project for Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, which will breathe new life into the town’s major attractions.

It also offers services to the property and construction industry, including building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, CDM Co-ordinator services and sustainable development support. 

The latest company announcements were made during a 21^st birthday celebration for employees held on a Nottingham Princess River Trent cruise.

For more information visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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