PR Company Founder Named One of UK’s Most Influential Independents

 

Recognition honours bold thinking, client impact and outstanding contribution to the PR profession

The founder of a marketing and PR company with clients in the construction and building products sector, has been named one of the 50 most influential independent consultants in the UK, as part of the inaugural Independent Impact 50.

This prestigious new accolade celebrates the extraordinary influence that independent practitioners have on the organisations they advise, on professional learning and development, and on the evolution of the PR and communications sector as a whole.

Alison Gallagher-Hughes, founder of Staffordshire-based Tillymint Marketing & PR, was recognised for her fearless, strategic counsel, her ability to help clients think differently, and her ongoing commitment to raising standards in communication practice. She was among the 50 honourees celebrated at a special event on Thursday 1 May, in the Balcony Room overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, at the Swan Theatre, London.

The event brought together a vibrant community of outstanding independents who are making a difference not only in the work they do for clients but in their generous support for peers and dedication to the profession. The judging panel, along with the CEO and representatives from 72 Point, the award’s sponsors, were also in attendance.

Alison is a former journalist (Liverpool Star, Hereford Times and Express & Star). She founded Tillymint Marketing & PR in 2020 after a PR career working in-house and agency. Her approach is grounded in insight, creativity, and a collaborative ethos that empowers clients and uplifts the wider industry. Alongside her consultancy work, she plays a key role in supporting the professional development of others and is Co-Chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Midlands Group.

“To be named in the Independent Impact 50 is both humbling and energising,” said Alison. “It was a privilege to be in the room with so many brilliant independents, each making their mark in their own way. This recognition reflects not just individual effort but the strength and generosity of the independent community.”

The Independent Impact 50 initiative is a much-needed celebration of freelancers and consultants who are helping to evolve and strengthen the PR and communications sector – through innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to professional excellence.

CLICK HERE for more information on Independent Impact 50

 

Earlier this week, it was announced that Tillymint was also a finalist the CIPR Excellence Awards for the fourth consecutive year.

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Spanish Blackout: The Vital Role of Electricity

The chaos in Portugal and Spain shines a very bright light on why we need to recognise the vital role that electricians play in the smooth functioning of society

 

By Alan Wilson

 

It has come as a shock of unprecedented voltage, not just in Spain and Portugal but across the Western world, that nations hit by the failure of their electricity grid could grind to a halt so swiftly, unexpectedly and comprehensively.

 

The electricity outages which paralysed two European nations this week have been the lead item on news outlets everywhere, with images of traffic chaos, empty supermarket shelves and bewildered passengers being led from stranded trains.

 

Cash machines stopped working, phones went down and the internet was no longer there at our fingertips. Water supplies powered by electric pumps dried up, lifts stopped mid-floor and even electric taxis and buses rolled quietly to a halt.

 

For now, the cause appears to be natural phenomena; an unforeseen combination of unusual circumstances rather than the result of human error or cyber attack.

 

And while lessons will hopefully be learned about the necessity of resilience and backup systems, these scenes of chaos and fear should open everyone’s eyes to the most obvious element – the vital importance of electricity and of those who keep the lights switched on.

 

This is exactly why SELECT, the trade association for the electrotechnical sector in Scotland, has spent years persistently campaigning for the professional recognition of electricians and their crucial role in sustaining the way we have all learned to live.

 

We used to say that the future was electric, but the scenes we all witnessed this week show that the NOW is electric – and we all depend on it to a staggering extent in every facet of our lives.

 

Spain and Portugal showed us in graphic detail just how vulnerable and dependent we are. And when systems fail – as they inevitably will again in the future – it is fully-trained and suitably skilled electrical professionals who will reconnect us with our lives and each other.

 

If ever there was a time to recognise their importance, it is now. And regulating the industry and providing protection of title for this crucial profession would be the best recognition of all.

 

Alan Wilson is Managing Director of SELECT.

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Multi-million-pound regeneration programme

 

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is looking to move forward with its multi-million-pound regeneration programme across the borough by appointing three specialist teams to lead change and drive growth.

The council is wanting to work with experts in urban masterplanning to deliver separate Urban Regeneration Frameworks in Plumstead, Woolwich and Abbey Wood – three areas where there continues to be plenty of potential to deliver positive change for existing and new communities.

Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:

“Greenwich is open for business, and it is open for investment, and now is the time to seriously engage with everyone who wants to help unlock the economic potential of our brilliant borough.

“It is why we have set aside over £700,000 in funding to bring forward new urban regeneration which will help drive that growth and investment.

“Greenwich is ready to play a key role in turbocharging London’s growth, from our riverfront, which holds so many development opportunities, to town centres such as Woolwich, Abbey Wood and Plumstead which have a rich heritage that is waiting to be added to.”

Cllr Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Regeneration, said:

“For our borough to thrive we need to find new ways of driving economic growth which will benefit our residents and those who choose to move to this part of London for generations to come.

“The three teams who are successful in winning these contracts will play a vital role in helping us to deliver our 10-year regeneration plan across the borough, ensuring that not only are the needs of local people met but that our area is attractive to inward investment and development opportunities.

“We are serious in our mission to unlock more economic potential across the borough and the teams we appoint will help bring fresh perspectives that will help us do exactly that.”

The teams will also be skilled in engaging with the local community and other key stakeholders which will help the council to shape the frameworks and agree a vision for each area.

The council is inviting proposals until 29 May, with the successful bidders awarded the contracts in July. Those wanting to register their interest can do so here:

royalgreenwich.gov.uk/urbanregenerationframeworkbids 

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Establishing Modular Interface Standards

 

The Center for Offsite Construction in the School of Architecture and Design is collaborating with the International Code Council to develop critical standards for modular construction. This effort aims to enhance quality, sustainability, resilience, and affordability in the construction industry by establishing clear guidelines for the connection and configuration of modular components.

Center for Offsite Construction’s executive director Jason Van Nest speaks about building consensus around standards at the center’s Future of Design and Delivery symposium in New York City.

The standard will address requirements such as the location and specifications of module-to-module and building-to-module connections for essential building systems; the standardization of dimensions for modular components; and coverage for componentized, panelized, and modularized elements.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Code Council on developing a standard that will transform how modular components are designed and connected,” says Jason Van Nest, M.Arch., director of the Center for Offsite Construction. “This partnership will support the growth of industrialized construction methods and ensure that offsite construction systems meet the highest standards of performance and interoperability.”

“The School of Architecture and Design is committed to preparing professionals who will shape the future of the built environment. Meaningful collaboration with industry partners is essential to our mission,” says Dean Maria R. Perbellini, M.Arch. “We are proud that the Center for Offsite Construction positions New York Tech among the first academic institutions in the nation entrusted to lead the development of standards. This partnership with the International Code Council not only highlights the importance of academic research in advancing industry practices but also reflects our dedication to fostering innovation and rigor and to making a significant impact on the field at the national level.”

“The Code Council is pleased to partner with the Center for Offsite Construction to create a standard that helps address some of the key challenges in advancing deployment of offsite construction, including supporting a project pipeline for factories, bringing certainty to developers through the availability of multiple sources for components, and increasing efficiency of the fabrication and approval processes,” says Ryan Colker, executive director, of energy, resilience, and innovation for the Code Council.

This collaboration reflects a shared vision of modernizing the construction industry by developing consistent and rigorous standards. By promoting compatibility and interoperability, the new standard is expected to accelerate the adoption of offsite construction practices in various applications, including multifamily housing, commercial developments, and institutional projects.

Source: New York Tech

 

 

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BCF’s Essential Coatings Campaign Returns to Parliament

On Wednesday 23rd April, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) took their Essential Coatings Campaign back to Parliament.
At a drop-in event in Parliament’s Portcullis House over a dozen MPs and their staff came in to learn more about coatings and why they are crucial to the UK economy and society. A number of BCF members were on hand to assist the BCF core team in showing different types of coatings, from decorative to marine and from intumescent coatings to printing inks. Conversations were had covering different benefits of coatings, especially around sustainability, preservation and protection.
Importantly, it was also an opportunity to speak to MPs directly about the key issues affecting the industry. Not the least of these was the need for a proportionate, clear and consistent post-Brexit, UK chemicals regulatory regime, especially vis-à-vis UK REACH, but also how the coatings sector might fit into and benefit a UK industrial strategy.
The Parliamentary room was booked for BCF by Newcastle-under-Lyme MP, Adam Jogee, who also spent time discussing the coatings sector’s needs with BCF members.
Speaking after the event, Tom Bowtell said:
“We launched our Essential Coatings campaign almost 18 months ago in Parliament. Since then, we have met many MPs 1-1 but this is the first time we have been back to make our case to a large number of Parliamentarians at a special event. It was a huge success as we managed to speak to a good number of MPs, many of whom we made contact with for the first time. We hope a number of those MPs will now also visit coatings companies in their constituencies and learn even more about coatings and the vital role they play in the UK economy and wider society.
“We are grateful for Adam Jogee MP for helping us make all the necessary arrangements and to the other MPs who gave up their time to drop-in and speak to us. We will continue to build our Parliamentary profile to ensure more Parliamentarians know about the essential nature of coatings as well as the key issues affecting our sector, such as the need for a resolution to UK REACH.”

CLICK HERE for more information about BCF’s Essential Coatings campaign

 
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Developer and Council in Conflict

Developer ordered to halt all work on controversial housing development – Council leaders had previously called the application ‘stupid’

Work on a major 239-home Leicestershire development has been halted after council officials said unauthorised construction had begun. Developers Persimmons Homes have been issued with a Temporary Stop Notice on all work – their second in less than a year – but they claim the notice is “unwarranted”.

The notice, which was served by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC), focuses on the 239-home Brascote Park development in Newbold Verdon which has proved controversial since it first emerged and has even been labelled a “stupid application” by the council’s leader. HBBC issued the stop notice on Thursday, April 17, with the move meaning all unauthorised construction, such as topsoil stripping, bunding creation, pond formation, and compound area construction, must be stopped.

It is the second such notice Permisson Homes have been given by the council in less than a year following similar action at a site in Earl Shilton last November. HBBC said it took action after Persimmon reportedly began construction before all necessary planning details had been agreed. Concerns around the application have been long-standing. When HBBC first refused phase one of the scheme in September 2023, Councillor Joyce Crooks said Newbold Verdon was already beset by traffic and parking problems and the prospect of another potential 400 vehicles was “just going to create mayhem”.

Following Permisson’s second failed attempt at planning permission, council leader Stuart Bray said it was “a stupid application last time and it’s a stupid application this time”. The developer eventually won permission on appeal in May last year before getting the site’s reserved matters approved in March this year. Nearly 90 objections were submitted before the development was approved by the planning inspector.

The borough council said the issuing of the Temporary Stop Notice is “one of the most powerful tools” available to local planning authorities, saying they are designed to prevent serious harm to the surrounding environment and safeguard public safety.

Chris Brown, head of planning at HBBC said:

“It is disappointing to see that once again Persimmon have gone above and beyond the enabling works they are allowed to carry out at this stage. The council are willing to work with housebuilders in the interests of our residents and to deliver much needed housing, but we will use our powers to prevent unauthorised works when necessary.”

If construction continues without prior council approval, HBBC said Permisson risks prosecution for breaching the notice. Council officers are now set to meet with Persimmon to address ongoing concerns.

The developer has hit out at the Temporary Stop Notice. A Persimmon Homes spokesperson told LeicestershireLive:

“We’re disappointed by the council’s decision to issue a Stop Notice at Brascote Park. We believe this decision is unwarranted and risks causing unnecessary delays to the delivery of much-needed new homes for local families on an allocated housing site.

“All works have been carried out entirely within the permissions. The Section 106 agreement, including the scope of enabling works, was set at the outline planning stage before Persimmon’s involvement in the site and we haven’t sought to make any alterations to this agreement. We’ve worked constructively with the council throughout and are keen to resolve this quickly.”

Source: Leicester Mecury

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Major UK Carbon Capture Pipeline Approved

(Image: Encyclis)

A deal to commence construction in Liverpool on infrastructure to transport captured CO2 emissions for undersea storage is touted as a vital development for lower carbon waste management.

The UK Government said that it had reached a deal with multinational energy group Eni to commerce construction on pipework to transport emissions extracted from industrial sites that includes an energy-from-waste (efW) plant in the region. These captured emissions will be buried deep at sea via the new network.

Eni, which has been appointed to operate the Transport and Storage network for the HyNet North West industrial cluster project, claimed the agreement would pave the way for the industrial-scale development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in the country.

Hynet is one of two areas set aside to be developed as priority areas for CCS developments that are being backed with around £21bn of government investment in line with its legal targets for ensure a net zero carbon transition by 2050.

Both sites have now been granted approval for construction work to proceed, with Eni cjarged to develop supply chain contracts that are expected to create jobs employing an estimated 2,000 people to support the development to build CCS capabilities.

The UK-based Climate Change Committee (CCC), an independent watchdog that advises and scrutinises the government on its lower carbon policy and funding plans, recently backed the potential integration of CCS technologies with EfW plants to help support national decarbonisation plans.

Among the recommendations outlined in CCC’s report on the upcoming Seventh Carbon Budget was an argument for using CCS to address emissions in the management of waste that was deemed too complex or unsuitable for effective recycling.

The UK Government has meanwhile described CCS as a “proven technology” to support national aims for climate change mitigation. It also cited the views of the CCC that carbon capture and storage was a “necessity, not an option” in national plans for achieving net zero transition by 2050.

The pledge to invest in the development of two initial CCS clusters that includes the Hynet project is a component of the current Government’s ‘Plan for Change’ develooment strategy.

Encyclis, a UK-based provider of EfW operations, will be among the company’s connecting to the Liverpool Bay CCS project via its Protos Energy Recovery Facility (ERF).

Company chief executive Owen Michaelson welcomed the announcement approving the construction of the pipeline at the site that he said would enable carbon capture functions at “full commercial scale”.

He said:

“The deployment of carbon capture provides the UK with an unprecedented opportunity to address climate change, create new economic opportunities and help revitalise important industrial heartlands.”

“As the lead emitter project in the HyNet North West decarbonisation cluster, we continue to work closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) towards a final investment decision and financial close on the carbon capture plant that will capture CO2 from Protos ERF, which is in the final stages of its build programme. Once we have the final go-ahead from all internal and external stakeholders for our adjoining carbon capture plant, we look forward to starting construction and turning the vision of carbon capture into reality.”

Source: MRW

 

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Aerial Robots could Revolutionise the Construction Industry

Image credit: Yusuf Furkan Kaya

Research examines how aerial robots could revolutionise the construction industry

New research led by Imperial College London and co-authored by the University of Bristol, has revealed that aerial robotics could provide wide-ranging benefits to the safety, sustainability and scale of construction.

The research examines the emerging field of using drones for mid-air material deposition in the construction industry – a process known as Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial AM).

This is looking to address pressing global housing and infrastructure challenges using aerial robots equipped with advanced manipulators that can overcome the limitations of traditional construction methods and ground-based robotic systems.

These innovations promise enhanced productivity, environmental sustainability, and access to elevated heights, hard to reach areas or hazardous locations – all while reducing waste and energy consumption.

Unlike conventional construction techniques or ground-based robotic systems, aerial robots operate within an unrestricted work envelope which allows them to build at greater heights and in challenging terrains that are otherwise inaccessible.

The paper, published today in the journal Science Robotics, introduces an autonomy framework tailored for Aerial AM, addressing critical challenges such as flight coordination, material deposition precision, and scalability in large-scale manufacturing tasks.

Dr Basaran Bahadir Kocer, co-author from the University of Bristol’s School of School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, said:

“Despite promising advancements, the deployment of aerial robots for large-scale autonomous construction remains in its infancy. Key obstacles include material durability, localisation systems for outdoor environments, and coordination among multiple aerial units.

“Addressing these challenges is essential to unlocking the full potential of Aerial AM in real-world applications. However, early-stage demonstrations of Aerial AM have already showcased capabilities such as rapid on-demand repairs and modular assembly techniques, paving the way for broader adoption across industries.”

The new technology is being tested at the DroneHub, which is based in Switzerland at EMPA – the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials, Science and Technology which provides a platform on which flying construction machines can be tested outside the laboratory for the first time.

Successful collaboration between the University of Bristol and EMPA through fully-funded PhD studentships allows for further utilisation of this resource, in addition to infrastructures at the University of Bristol, including the Flight Lab, Bristol Robotics Lab and Aerial Robotics Group.

Source: University of Bristol

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Keyfix once again proud sponsors of Super Trowel 2025

As a company that prides itself on innovation and supporting real craftsmanship, Keyfix is proud to announce it is one of the companies sponsoring this year’s Super Trowel bricklaying competition and exhibition – for the second year in a row.  

The 2025 Super Trowel Grand Final will take place at Stoneleigh Park in Kenilworth on Wednesday 13th August, seeing 12 bricklayers from across the UK competing and showcasing their precision, creativity, and skill in a series of challenging tasks. In what is set to be a hotly-contested event – as it is every year – the contestants will be battling it out to take home the first-place prize of £15,000.

As a proud sponsor of the Super Trowel competition, Keyfix will be sponsoring the VIP lounge. This exclusive area will give guests the ideal vantage point from which to witness the hard-fought Super Trowel competition and look over all other areas of the exhibition while enjoying refreshments.

The exclusive VIP experience will also offer the ultimate networking opportunity, enabling guests to connect with other industry professionals, forge valuable partnerships, and discuss industry trends and challenges.

Alongside the annual showcase of skill and precision, Super Trowel 2025 will also include a bustling exhibition, featuring more than 60 exhibitors from across the construction industry. This highly educational and informative event will give attendees the chance to discover cutting-edge materials and tools, the latest advancements in masonry and bricklaying, and innovative new services and systems.

To keep visitors up-to-date with industry developments and the ever-changing landscape of the construction sector, exhibitors will offer stunning live demonstrations of their innovations and products – enabling guests to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of their skills and capabilities.

Tickets are still available but are expected to sell out quickly

 

  CLICK HERE to secure your tickets today

 

   You can also find out more about the 2025 Super Trowel bricklaying competition and exhibition by

 

  CLICKING HERE to visit the website

Keyfix is also delighted to announce its sponsorship of this year’s Subbie Cup – a competition exclusively for the UK’s specialist brickwork subcontractors.

Running alongside the Super Trowel regional series, the Subbie Cup is open to subcontractors who meet the requirements of the Bricklayers Social Club (BSC) Subcontractor Agreement. Taking place on Friday 25th April, the Subbie Cup will see 10 elite subcontractors competing to claim the title of the UK’s Top Subbie, and a place in the Super Trowel Final that will take place at Super Trowel 2025.

Joining Keyfix in sponsoring the VIP lounge and the Subbie Cup are the company’s sister brands – IG Masonry Support and Keystone Lintels. The three businesses make up Keystone Group’s Steel Division, a one-stop-shop solution for the external cavity.

John Duffin, Managing Director at Keyfix, revealed anticipation was already building for what’s set to be yet another incredible event. He said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be sponsoring Super Trowel 2025, including the Subbie Cup and the VIP lounge. Last year’s event was great and I’m expecting it to be no different this time around.

“The Super Trowel contest is always an incredible event to watch. The innovation and craftsmanship on display, not just in the competition but also from the other exhibitors, is inspiring. We’re looking forward to meeting plenty of other professionals in the industry and discussing the challenges and trends facing our sector.”

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Tariff Uncertainty Slows Construction

Construction project starts continued to fall in Q1 2025, according to Glenigan’s April 2025 Construction Review, as the value of project starts dropped 4% compared to the previous three months and fell sharply by 21% year-on-year.

Fewer major (£100m-plus) projects are making it through to the construction stage and underlying (less than £100m) schemes have also underperformed both quarterly and annually.

While sectors like community and amenity have shown promise, with main contract awards growing 26% year-on-year, Glenigan says these wins haven’t yet translated into on-site momentum.

The review claims that delays in moving projects from contract award to construction start are prolonging a sluggish start to the year.

Planning approvals rose 8% compared to the previous quarter, with several sectors such as hospitality and leisure, showing solid growth.

According to Glenigan, these figures suggest that confidence is slowly returning to early-stage project planning which could support a recovery in project starts in the second half of the year.

The data provider’s review says that the introduction of new US tariffs on UK building materials adds further uncertainty.

UK goods now face a 10% tariff, rising to 25% for steel and aluminium, materials that accounted for a significant portion of the UK’s £1.01bn construction materials export market to the US in 2023.

Glenigan warns that a sharp decline in trade could cost the industry over £130m, while displaced global suppliers may shift focus to the UK and European markets, increasing the risk of oversupply and pricing volatility.

According to the review, the short-term outlook remains challenging for firms dependent on new project starts, but rising planning approvals and increased public sector investment provide some cautious optimism.

Allan Wilen, economics director at Glenigan, commented:

“The sharp drop in project starts reflects the ongoing struggles within the industry.

“While the surge in major contract awards and detailed planning approvals suggests a strengthening pipeline, real, sustained growth hinges on improved market confidence and the smooth conversion of approvals into on-site activity.”

Source: Development Finance

 

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