The new office, located at Northspring, will be home to a team tasked with replicating Caddick Construction Group’s success in the North East, North West and Yorkshire. 

Taking a 5-year lease at the Temple Street office, the Group is set to target new projects in both the public and private sectors, building its portfolio of commercial, education, industrial, leisure, residential, care and retail projects.

The launch of the new office closely follows the appointment of Ray O’Sullivan as Regional Director for the Midlands, becoming the latest move in the Group’s ambitious growth strategy.

Paul Dodsworth, Construction Group Managing Director, commented: “Launching our Midlands office is an important milestone in our growth strategy; it’s a move that has been in the pipeline for some time and allows us to bring our business’ financial stability, expertise and quality to the regional market. Central to this is our appointment of Ray O’Sullivan to lead the team, and his expertise in the region sets us on a very strong footing as our business embarks on an exciting new chapter.”

Ray added: “There is a wealth of opportunity in the Midlands and Caddick’s established position in the industry places it as the perfect construction partner in the region. Launching our new office is just one piece of the puzzle, and myself and the team here in Birmingham will be spending the coming months building our project pipeline and working with the regional supply chain to support our growth.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Caddick Construction embarks on Midlands growth with regional office launch appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Behfar will lead the UK team as it continues to champion the adoption of sustainable heating technologies, offer comfort solutions, and support customers in their drive to reduce carbon emissions.

With distinguished roles at large organisations such as EDF, SSE, and E.ON, Behfar has a proven-track record of navigating intricate regulatory environments. By establishing collaborations with industry stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and government departments Behfar has previously secured funding for energy efficiency initiatives, particularly those backed by government schemes.

His profound understanding of heat network technologies will fortify Taconova UK’s commitment to delivering sustainable, cost-effective metering and billing solutions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Behfar to the Taconova UK team,” said Ralph Seewald, Managing Director of Taconova. “With over two decades of deep-rooted experience in energy efficiency, Behfar’s expertise is an invaluable addition to Taconova UK.”

Reflecting on his new role, Behfar remarked, “Being appointed as the General Manager for Taconova UK is a tremendous honour. The company, distinguished for its high-quality, resource-efficient products, caters to a diverse range of sectors – from residential properties to commercial edifices and public facilities. I am keenly looking forward to offering unparalleled service to our customers, harmonising sustainability with fiscal prudence.”

Under Behfar’s leadership, Taconova UK is well-positioned to continue its mission of offering reliable, low-maintenance, and highly efficient solutions that save customers time, effort, and money.

For more information about Taconova, its products and services, please visit http://www.taconova.com.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Taconova UK Strengthens Senior Leadership Team with General Manager Appointment appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Collaborating alongside long-standing director, Adrian Buttress, Duncan brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the roofing and building products industry, having held senior positions at the likes of Marley Building Materials, Icopal Limited and most recently as MD of Carlisle Construction Materials.  

Duncan said: “I’ve known of PermaGroup for many years and have always admired the business and Adrian’s vision for it. For me, now is the perfect time to take on this new challenge at a business that I really believe in. I just love roofing and have been passionate about it my entire career, but I’m equally excited to expand my knowledge to the other areas of the business including modular builds and fencing – I can see real opportunities to grow the group as a whole.”  

PermaGroup has plans to extend its products, services and training capabilities, with its successful PermaRoof Registered Installer Scheme potentially rolling out across other facets of the business.  

Duncan added: “With me being based in the south, I’ve got fantastic connections that can further expand PermaGroup’s presence down here and into London. Adrian and I already have ambitious plans that we can’t wait to action but for me, it starts internally.  

“Company culture is hugely important, and I’m eager to implement things that improve on what Adrian has already established across the group. Of course, no company growth can happen unless the employees and clients are brought on the journey too.” 

Duncan will take on much of the day-to-day activities working with Adrian on the strategic development plans.  

Adrian said: “Welcoming Duncan to the team is exactly the right move for us to take the next steps as a business. We both have the best interests of PermaGroup in mind, not just for the investors but for our team and clients too and we’re excited to unlock the business’ full potential. It’s fantastic to have Duncan’s expertise and a fresh pair of eyes on the PermaGroup, ready to drive it forward and I’m eager for us to start working together.” 

To find out more about PermaGroup, please visit: www.permagroup.co.uk/   

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Permagroup announces new managing director to spearhead growth  appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Mike joins the multi-disciplinary engineering specialist from Network Rail, where he has served as a route delivery director for the last six years.

In his new role, he will drive Spencer Group’s rail division forward as it delivers transformative projects across the UK.

Reflecting on his appointment, Mike said: “I’m delighted to be joining Spencer Group, which has a reputation for innovation and engineering excellence. I’ve spent the last six years with Network Rail, developing supply chain strategy and delivering projects – and will draw on this experience to grow and align Spencer’s rail division.

“My focus will be on the upfront development side of the business, and on realising the full potential of its internal design capabilities. I’m committed to ensuring that we truly align with and understand our clients, avoiding change and unnecessary delays in delivery.

Mike added: “I’ve spent most of my career as a contractor – but, after joining Network Rail, I gained invaluable client-side experience. Six years later, I’m confident that I understand the organisation’s requirements – and the needs of other rail clients. I began my rail career with Spencer Group and know that meeting these needs is in its DNA. Now, I’m really looking forward to shaping and building our rail offering with the help of my team.”

With 27 years of industry experience, qualified engineer Mike is well-equipped to lead Spencer Group’s rail division – a business he first joined in 1996. Over the course of 11 years, he helped to grow it into a Tier 1 contractor and was made a main board director.

During this time, Mike drew heavily on the skills he had acquired as an engineer on complex heavy civil engineering projects.

Helping to deliver highways and bridges, he also developed a solution-driven style and straight-talking approach.

After leaving Spencer Group in 2007, Mike became a private consultant – and was later offered the role of rail director at Story Engineering. By 2015, the business had become a well-established Tier 1 contractor and increased its turnover by 300 per cent.

During Mike’s tenure, it was also named Supplier of the Year by Network Rail.

He joined Network Rail in 2017, after a stint as infrastructure division lead at Wood Group. Serving as a route delivery director for the UK’s infrastructure owner and manager, Mike was responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of major projects.

Commenting on Mike’s appointment, Spencer Group Managing Director Gary Thornton said:

“I’m thrilled to welcome Mike to Spencer Group as our Managing Director of rail and to help drive forward our ambitions in the sector. Mike brings with him decades of valuable experience both contractor and client-side working for Network Rail and in his previous experience with Spencer Group.

“Mike’s strong engineering background places him ideally to lead our team and build on our already fantastic reputation for project delivery in the rail industry.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Spencer Group appoints Managing Director for rail appeared first on BDC Magazine.

James joins Baxi with a wealth of experience gained from previous roles within the construction industry, most recently as Business Development Director at Polypipe.

Rob Erwood, Commercial Sales and Specification Director at Baxi, said: “We’re delighted to welcome James as our new Head of Public Health, working alongside Anne Wraith, our Head of Building Services, and Michelle Wright, our Head of Key Accounts. Commercial hot water generation is a vital service with unique challenges and opportunities, and James’s appointment reflects our commitment to providing exceptional support for our customers in this sector.”

Experts in hot water systems and renewable/LZC technologies, Baxi’s Public Health team assists public health and mechanical engineers, contractors and commercial end-users in achieving the best solutions for every commercial hot water application. The company’s comprehensive commercial hot water portfolio includes Heatrae Sadia electric hot water solutions, Andrews Water Heaters gas-fired water heaters, buffer vessels and cylinders, Remeha air source heat pumps, and prefabricated packaged plant rooms.

James said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Baxi, given the increasing focus on decarbonising heating and hot water in buildings. From specification to supply and commissioning, I am looking forward to leading my team in providing the best solutions and technical support for our existing and new customers as they transition to a low/zero carbon future.”

For more information on the Baxi range of commercial hot water products, click here.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Baxi appoints new Head of Public Health appeared first on BDC Magazine.

In line with an increased project portfolio and capabilities, a milestone for the consultancy came with the appointment of director Richard Osbond at the end of 2022, spearheading Hexa’s growth into Leeds and the north of England.   

Richard, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, has since been working to build the team further. Three new experts have joined bringing a wealth of experience and skills from a mix of engineering backgrounds, which follows the appointment of senior technician Jake Adams in May, 

Bringing with them varied backgrounds in the industry, principal engineers Matt Freeman and Alex Hopton are now supporting Hexa’s capabilities in sectors including commercial, industrial and education. Alex experience is in building structures, while Matt has previously specialised in sustainable drainage systems and highway design.  

Speaking on his time with Hexa so far, Matt said: “Since joining the Hexa team in Leeds, I’ve been able to apply the knowledge I’ve earned throughout my career while also gaining new insight and skills.  

“From my first day, I’ve been excited by what we’re planning to achieve. I’ve had the opportunity to work on innovative projects, such as the civil engineering design for the UK’s first Passivhaus hotel in Runswick Bay; the kind of project every engineer wishes for when starting their career.” 

Balancing work and study, Usaama Yate, a project structural engineer is the third newest addition. Usaama has a background in various engineering realms including developing design concepts and ensuring compliance. Having spent five years in the sector, Usaama is also studying part time for a civil engineering degree at Leeds Beckett University.   

The team now reside at Studio 22 at 46, The Calls in Leeds City Centre, with Richard at the helm.  

Richard said: “Hexa’s expansion to the north started as a small idea and to now have an established team of five in total with a project portfolio that has grown organically, is something I am exceptionally proud of.  

“We’re lucky that with our Hexa North team, we’ve all had the pleasure of working with each other before, so we have those strong relationships that we’re able to continuously build on.”  

Since establishing its team in Leeds, Hexa has been working on several projects in the region including a multi-storey car park and multi-storey office block as part of the redevelopment of Whitehall Riverside. Hexa North is also involved in a number of high-level projects across England, alongside colleagues based at the Hexa head office in Nottingham city centre. 

For more information about Hexa, please visit https://www.hexaconsulting.co.uk/  

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Engineering Consultancy Increases Northern Presence as Team Grows in Number and Knowledge  appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Ronnie Wake and Chris Hole have joined the team as buyer and senior quantity surveyor respectively, bringing together 13 years of industry experience.

Since launching in December last year, the new appointments mean that Lovell’s North East team has already grown to a 30-strong unit, with further plans to continue its expansion over the coming months.

Ronnie will be responsible for the buying, and sourcing of materials for the region’s sites, which will include researching the market, analysing sales data, and building relationships with both new and existing suppliers.

Ronnie said: “Housebuilding and construction have always been a passion. I really enjoy sourcing the best quality products to enable us to build high-quality homes.

“I’m so excited about my journey with Lovell and being part of the North East region as I’ve only heard good things about them. It is a team that is growing fast and has some great people in the business; and I’m delighted to be a part of that. I look forward to bringing some added value to help the supply chain increase its options, to ensure Lovell continues to produce the highest possible product that meets our customers’ aspirations for their future home.” 

Chris will be overseeing the commercial function, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently to support the developer’s ambitions for growth.

Chris said: “What attracted me to the role was the opportunity to join a business with a new expanding team, with exciting but sustained growth plans. There are so many upcoming sites, which in the competitive market we find ourselves in, is excellent to see.

“I hope to add some value to the region and play an important role in helping it achieve its strategy and success, whilst obviously not forgetting the day-to-day task of commercial robustness across the sites. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Lovell team and help deliver a five star product across the region.”

Conor O’Hanlon, regional commercial manager at Lovell Partnerships in the North East, said: “It’s great to have Ronnie and Chris on board, and be part of the commercial team. It’s been extremely positive to have so many new recruits that are bringing fresh ideas and knowledge to the North East region.

“They both have such vast experience in the sector and have already impressed the team. I’m really looking forward to working with them to support their continued journey in their career whilst realising our business ambitions.”

The new appointments follow what has proven to be a strong year for the region, which this spring broke ground on its first development Cornish Park, in Spennymoor, County Durham.

Once complete, Cornish Park will offer a selection of two, three, and four-bedroom new homes to suit a range of different buyers – 71 of which will be available on the open market, with the remaining 53 offering affordable housing.

To find out more about Lovell Partnerships, please visit: https://corporate.lovell.co.uk/.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Lovell Partnerships Grows Team to 30 With Two New Hires appeared first on BDC Magazine.

This new role will deliver focused local support to the company’s existing and prospective clients across the UK life sciences and industrial sectors. Richard will be tasked with nurturing current client relationships and overseeing the delivery of their programmes of work, as well as developing new business opportunities in the region. This appointment follows on from the expansion of BakerHicks’ Life Sciences & Industry division across Europe. He will work closely with the business’ Swiss, German, Austrian and Belgian operations to continue building the company’s impressive portfolio.

Richard has over 30 years’ experience of working in multi-disciplinary engineering and project management environments for high profile life sciences and industry clients. His career began as a civil & structural engineer, working on a range of projects in the pharma, chemical and heavy industrial process engineering industries. Amongst his previous roles, he was Head of Engineering for WSP CEL and, most recently, was the director responsible for the EMEA region at Integrated Project Services (IPS).

Richard says he has been immediately impressed with the BakerHicks team: “They have developed a strong reputation as a trusted and reliable partner in a number of very high-profile projects, and I am very much looking forward to the opportunity of building on this success. The scale of opportunity for an organisation with this level of multi-disciplinary skills and a proven track record is significant, and what is more, everyone in the organisation is truly engaged and committed towards its success. This, above all else, makes me excited about getting started.”

Mark Dickson, Managing Director for Life Sciences & Industry at BakerHicks, says Richard’s experience of working with blue chip clients in the sector will be invaluable: “We work with global brands to bring new thinking to the design and delivery of complex process, manufacturing, and science facilities. This requires in-depth industry knowledge and Richard knows the sector inside out, having worked with clients with a significant portfolio in this industry for many years. His understanding of the need to get to know our clients to deliver solutions that work for them is what makes him the ideal candidate to lead our UK sector. I look forward to working with him to continue growing the sector over the coming years.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post BakerHicks strengthen Life Sciences team with senior appointment in UK appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Longstanding Lovell employee Beth Bundonis has been made regional managing director to oversee the growth of the East Midlands team, stepping up from regional commercial director. Continuing the upward trajectory, former regional technical director Lewis Charity has also been promoted to land and technical director helping to spearhead continued growth.  

To ensure the ongoing market success of the business, the regional office has also secured three senior hires – commercial manager Dan Buller, refurbishment manager James Phillips and sales and marketing manager, Mark Blake.  

Dan Buller has returned to Lovell having originally started his career with the firm in 2005 as a trainee quantity surveyor. After holding senior commercial roles for the past eight years within another housebuilding association, Dan has taken the opportunity to rejoin Lovell to help drive forward success for the East Midlands.  

He said: “I have always held Lovell in high regard, so I am very keen to get stuck back in and help Beth and the team achieve our growth plans, while also continuing to develop our commercial team and building key relationships with stakeholders and subcontractors in the region.”  

With more than 20 years’ industry experience, James Phillips has been appointed as refurbishment manager having spent the past 10 years working in the region and is keen to harness the potential for Lovell. This service arm is designed to help partners to make best use of their existing property portfolios through repurposing spaces and using retrofit services to create more sustainable homes.  

He said: “The planned refurbishment and maintenance works in the region is a key focus for many social housing and local authorities within the region. With the introduction of the SHDF for installing energy measures to reduce energy consumption, I’m keen to position us as the go-to refurbishment partner in the region to really unlock the potential in the existing building stock, build on the great existing partnerships to see where we can add more value to our clients and its local communities. I will also be developing my own team and am really looking forward to nurturing new talent.” 

The third senior appointment is Mark Blake, who joins Lovell as sales and marketing manager with extensive experience within the housebuilding sector. His appointment marks significant strides for multiple developments as they go on sale across the region.   

The team changes reflect the progression of several key developments with housing partners such as EMH, Riverside and Compendium Living. Most notably, the Castleward development – a major regeneration in Derby city centre under the Compendium brand – has announced the launch of 83 homes for phase 3 and planning permission for phase 4. Once completed, the scheme will deliver 800 new homes, as well as schools and commercial space in a once underused area of the city. 

Mark said: “The reputation at Lovell is well known in the industry, and as it is currently in a phase of huge growth it felt like an exciting time to join. I’m keen to hit the ground running with sites already selling well, as well as helping with bids to acquire and expand on new land. With Derby’s Castleward progressing and St Aidan’s Garden in the pipeline – a new development in Burton-upon-Trent – there is plenty to get stuck into.  

“It’s certainly a challenging time for developers, however, I am confident in finding innovative ways to overcome and help deliver fantastic communities for the region.” 

In addition to the senior team, Gareth Bevan and Rory McPheators have been promoted to land and preconstruction manager and procurement manager respectively, both having spent more than 15 years with the business. 

Beth Bundonis, regional managing director at Lovell in the East Midlands, said: “I’m proud of the progress the East Midlands team has made since opening its dedicated office just last year. We have a diverse mix of projects happening, strong partnerships and a highly experienced and committed group of people to deliver for them. I welcome all the new additions to our team – the combined knowledge of Dan, James and Mark will help to ensure we can reach the goals we have set for this year, and really shine a spotlight on Lovell in the East Midlands.”  

For more information, please visit https://corporate.lovell.co.uk/  

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Lovell Strengthens East Midlands Office with Multiple Senior Appointments and Promotions  appeared first on BDC Magazine.

With a track record of over a decade in compliance and risk management, Lee has assisted numerous clients worldwide in enhancing their supply chain risk management practices. Lee’s expertise in sales strategy, adept team leadership, and change management make him a valuable addition to CHAS as they expand their solutions to a broader international audience following their acquisition by Veriforce in January 2023.

As a seasoned Sales Leader, with over 20 years of experience across all disciplines of sales, Lee specialises in new business development, major market expansion, and fostering high-performance sales teams. His leadership skills and passion for building partnerships will play a pivotal role in overseeing CHAS’s sales organisation across EMEA.

 
Lee’s recent career highlights include overseeing the introduction of a new carbon product which has enjoyed rapid success. Lee has also been proactive in interfacing with trade bodies across the infrastructure sector to champion industry best practice, inform on upcoming legislation and provide industry perspective.

Eager to engage with both new and existing customers, Lee is excited about launching innovative products tailored to meet the needs of the construction, utilities, and facilities management sectors in the UK and beyond.

Lee comments: “I’m thrilled to be joining CHAS and to have the opportunity to play a part in their expansion plans.

“CHAS has earned an excellent reputation for driving advancements in supply chain risk management within their operating sectors. I am eager to build upon this success both in the UK and overseas.”

Welcoming Lee aboard, CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon adds: “Lee is a formidable leader with extensive experience in the supply chain risk management space. We are delighted to have him join us at this exciting time in our company’s history.

“Lee’s experience and enthusiasm will be of great value as we strive to expand our product offering and our audience.” 

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post CHAS appoints Lee Brunsden to strengthen growth plans appeared first on BDC Magazine.