Author Archives: Contributor

Stuart Byles is director at fit-out and refurbishment contractor Pexhurst   The Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 has now been in force for almost a year. However, the release of the JCT Design and Build Contract 2024 in April has highlighted a significant disconnect between standard-form construction contracts and the comprehensive…

Kelly Boorman is national head of construction and partner at RSM UK Given the government’s stated priorities to accelerate housing delivery and drive economic growth, it’s no surprise that last week’s Autumn Budget announced further plans to stimulate construction activity and improve social housing provision. The allocation of an additional…

Robbie Blackhurst launched Black Capital Group in 2017 after spending a decade at main contractor Kier. “It was interesting when I was on the other side of the fence seeing how different clients managed social value,” he says. “There were so many different approaches, it could be frustrating.” This then…

Parm Bhangal is managing director of Bhangals Construction Consultants and My Build Estimate During and following the pandemic, the construction industry was hit by a perfect storm of factors that it is struggling to bounce back from. In fact, 2024 has seen 4,310 UK construction firms become insolvent, according to…

A high-profile Parliamentary committee has announced a probe into the government’s progress in remediating high-rise buildings with dangerous cladding. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it would summon senior officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Homes England to give evidence. Its inquiry will delve…

By Gino Spocchia A criminal case brought against facade firm Lindner Prater, contractor Winvic and two other companies over the death of a man hit by a window falling from a building has been adjourned. The firms were due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this week (29 October)…

Allan Wilen is economics director at Glenigan The autumn 2024 Budget was hotly anticipated across the entire construction sector, especially as the election of a Labour government in July did not result in the sudden growth spurt some may have hoped for. Indeed, we found the value of construction projects…

There’s something about the gift of a hamper that feels extra special, particularly when it comes housed in a luxurious Harrods wicker gift basket. The ideal gift throughout the year to mark special celebrations – from weddings to new arrivals or honouring an employee’s long service – Harrods Corporate Service…

John Hayes is managing partner of employment and regulatory specialist law firm Constantine Law The Labour Government’s Employment Rights Bill (ERB) was published, as promised, within 100 days of Labour winning power, on 10 October. The ERB, when finished, will amount to the biggest changes in the world of work…

Gavin Mason is an operations director at multidisciplinary consultancy Pick Everard It’s been a gloomy time for the humble taxpayer in the run-up to this year’s Autumn Statement. Almost every day the chancellor appears to have dipped her toe into the waters to test another tax proposal in the press…