CHAS becomes “Veriforce CHAS”

Veriforce CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon 

Following the acquisition of CHAS by Veriforce in January 2023, CHAS has announced its company brand name will become ‘Veriforce CHAS’, reflecting its position as a key part of the Veriforce group.

 

The products and services of Veriforce CHAS, including its accreditation offerings and certification, will continue to be known as ‘CHAS’.

 

Being part of Veriforce enhances CHAS’s stability and market impact, enabling CHAS to expand its reach and influence and build on its position as the UK market leader in risk prevention, compliance and supply chain management.

 

Veriforce CHAS will continue to focus on delivering award-winning customer service while developing innovative products and services that help buyers, suppliers, and contractors thrive in an ever-changing market. This will include assisting customers in managing and mitigating risk across their supply chains in areas including health and safety, equal opportunities, diversity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

 

As CHAS has done for 25 years, notably as a co-founder and pioneer of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) and the Common Assessment Standard, Veriforce CHAS will remain at the forefront of setting compliance benchmarks that improve supply chain risk management standards. Meanwhile, contractors and suppliers will be able to continue to rely on Veriforce CHAS to help them comply with complex regulations and to provide recognised accreditations quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

 

Commenting on the name change, Veriforce CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon says: 

“We are extremely proud to become an increasingly integral part of the Veriforce family during an exciting period for both our business and our customers.

“The strength of Veriforce’s global experience will allow us to provide even more market-leading products and services. At the same time, it was important to us and our customers that the CHAS name, widely respected across industry and seen on 10s of thousands of vans all over the UK, was retained. Plus we will continue to maintain the outstanding customer service for which Veriforce CHAS is renowned.”

 

CEO of Veriforce Colby Lane adds: 

“CHAS has a formidable reputation in the UK as a leader in supply change risk management and pioneer in setting compliance benchmarks.

“We are excited to bring the Veriforce brand alongside CHAS’s very strong name and work together to deliver our mission to make the world of work a safer place for businesses, employees and the public.”

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

OR CALL 0345 521 9111

 

 

 

 

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Sentry Doors win at Construction Marketing Awards 2023

Sentry Doors have been announced as the winner of Best Branding & Positioning at the Construction Marketing Awards 2023.

 

Having just celebrated its 130-year heritage, Sentry Doors is the UK leader in timber fire safety and security doorsets. UK Manufacturers of bespoke, fully certified doorsets across the social housing, public sector, education, healthcare, commercial and residential markets.

 

Widely recognised as the secure choice for fire safety, Sentry Doors recognise the industry need for reliability and this is reflected in a vast portfolio of accreditation, a commitment to quality and an unrivalled approach to service.

 

Led by Head of Marketing & Strategy, Catherine Clarkson, the team launched a new brand identity; a move that positioned them as the secure choice for fire safety and today the UK leader in timber fire safety and security doorsets.

 

Utilising market intelligence, the team implemented a strategic marketing plan which brought all elements of the project together. The plan centred on the refreshed brand identity, new digital presence, and a multi-channel marketing campaign.

 

The judges said;

“Great branding comes from market understanding, and the research foundations of this entry were seriously impressive. Unsurprisingly, this led to fantastic results. Exemplary!”

 

Catherine Clarkson, Head of Marketing & Strategy said; “We are extremely proud to have been awarded this accolade. To bring home the trophy for Best Branding & Positioning in our first year of entry is a proud moment and testament to the team’s hard work, creativity, and commitment.”

 

Endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG), The Construction Marketing Awards showcase the construction industry’s creativity, innovation, and effectiveness in marketing.

 

Sentry Doors is honoured to have received this accolade in what is such a competitive category. With a record number of applicants this year, the team is proud to have come out on top at the most prestigious awards in the built environment.

 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUR MORE ABOUT SENTRY DOORS

 

 

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McAvoy celebrates award-studded year

 

 

Leading offsite manufacturer, McAvoy,  has garnered significant industry recognition, receiving multiple prestigious awards in quick succession.

Established over 50 years ago, the company has delivered over 10 million square feet of high-quality space across the UK & Ireland to a range of sectors including healthcare, education and commercial.

McAvoy was awarded ‘Healthcare Project of the Year’ at the Offsite Awards for its project with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Using its SmartCare rental solution, the offsite manufacturing specialist delivered two 48-bed wards at Good Hope and Heartlands Hospital – which were delivered in 14 and 18 weeks respectively.

McAvoy’s commitment to innovation was recognised at the Digital Construction Live Awards where it secured ‘Best Offsite Modular Innovation’ for its recently launched SmartSpace offering – an adaptable space solution for rental or sale.

Developed following an increased demand for flexible space that could meet immediate needs, the range provides customers with ready-to-use space, delivered within a short timeframe – without having to make a large capital investment.

Its Merstham Park school project, was awarded ‘Sustainable Project of the Year’ at the Graphisoft UK Awards where McAvoy was recognised for its groundbreaking work delivering the purpose-designed 6,850m2 school within just 66 weeks.

The pioneering ‘Low Carbon Pathfinder’ project minimises energy usage by implementing the ‘Be Lean, Be Clean, Be Green’ energy hierarchy which focuses on reducing the demand for energy at source through passive measures before considering efficient systems and renewable technology.

The project was also honoured with the ‘Consideration of Net Zero using MMC Construction’ Award as well as being Highly Commended for ‘Project of the Year’ at the inaugural MMC Awards, which seek to celebrate excellence and achievement in Modern Methods of Construction.

Recognition of McAvoy’s achievements on Merstham Park School also extended to the prestigious Construction News Awards, where they were ‘Highly Commended’ in the ‘Project of the Year’ category.

These best-in-class awards recognise companies who not only deliver high-quality projects but deliver them on time and to budget.

Ron Clarke, CEO at McAvoy, said: “Winning these awards has showcased our ability to deliver state-of-the-art facilities and is testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in providing offsite solutions within multiple sectors. We couldn’t be prouder of our team.

“The winning projects present ground-breaking solutions, and their learnings will strongly influence the design and performance standards for modular buildings in the future.”

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE MCAVOY WEBSITE

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Government Dithering over Cash for Euston High Speed Delivery

A key figure leading delivery of the Euston High Speed 2 (HS2) station has accused the government of dithering over attempts to get private cash in to rescue the paused project.

Mace chief executive Mark Reynolds said chancellor Jeremy Hunt had called him asking for support with the plan to attract investment into the £6.5bn central London scheme, but had not followed through.

Ministers announced in October that HS2 would only go to Euston if private cash could be found to pay for the redevelopment of the station and its immediate site.

Reynolds said Mace – which is acting as main contractor on the HS2 Euston project, in a joint venture with Spanish firm Dragados – had expressed willingness to work with the government on the plan but heard nothing back.

“It’s gone into a black hole,” he told London business title City AM.

“The chancellor phones us up and says, ‘can we have your help? Can you come up with a private sector finance proposal?’

“We have a private sector finance proposal […] But they haven’t come back and spoken to us yet.

“While we are happy the government is working to get private money into the project, we’ve heard nothing from them on it yet. It’s a frustration.”

Reynolds said time was of the essence if HS2, which has already been substantially slashed down to a shuttle between west London and Birmingham, is to serve the centre of the capital when it eventually opens. This will require the boring of the 7.2km twin tunnels from Old Oak Common to Euston, which are currently paused until the government gives the green light.

“If you leave it for another six months, then you start running into a problem with Old Oak Common to Birmingham being completed, but Euston not being completed,” Reynolds warned.

“Every day a decision isn’t made […] is a day that HS2 won’t work as a full functioning London to Birmingham system.”

Rail operations consultant William Barter said ministers should prioritise construction of the rapid rail link to central London regardless of where the cash comes from.

“Private finance must not be made a sine qua non of completing HS2 to Euston,” he insisted. “To run any serious train service on HS2, Euston is vital both operationally and commercially, and the government is absolutely wrong to see Euston as a property project with a station as a side-hustle.”

He added: “If ministers really sees private finance as essential, you would expect them to be pursuing it enthusiastically.”

The government paused HS2 work at Euston earlier this year after costs escalated wildly. Reynolds said in September that the decision came “out of nowhere”.

“We had to demobilise 200 people, supply chain and contractors,” he added.

The messaging from within government has been extremely positive on the possibility of attracting private finance for the Euston project.

Transport secretary Mark Harper told the Transport Committee in November that “the interest in delivering Euston with the Development Corporation has actually been very extensive” while rail minister Huw Merriman said he was confident the government could “harness the power of the private sector” to deliver a transformative “life science quarter” at Euston.

Other parties have been less positive. London mayor Sadiq Khan last month poured scorn on the government’s plan to get other parties to fund the Euston development, which is also proposed to include thousands of homes.

“There’s not a cat in hell’s chance of the private sector completely paying the £6.5bn,” he said.

“Who’s going to build the tunnel from Euston to Euston Square? Who’s going to build the connection from Euston to Old Oak Common? Who’s going to improve the public realm? Who’s going to give permission for 10,000 homes and the impact on the local community?”

National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt also told the Financial Times that he thought it unlikely that the private finance plan would succeed.

“At the end of the day the government will need to be ready to fund the core civil engineering for the final miles of the project,” Armitt told the FT.

A Department for Transport spokesperson insisted this week:

“As has always been the case, the line will finish at Euston.

“The new plan for Euston represents a world class regeneration opportunity that offers greater value for money for taxpayers. Our approach has been successfully carried out recently – including in regenerating Battersea Power Station and King’s Cross – and there has already been significant interest from the private sector to invest.”

Source: Civil Engineer

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Retirement for stalwart Saniflo MD, Tim Pestell

Everyone at Saniflo wishes Tim a long and happy retirement

 

The end of 2023 culminated in the final few days of a long and distinguished career for Saniflo MD, Tim Pestell who joined the company very early in 2007 as Sales Director. Prior to joining Saniflo Tim climbed the ladder in sales both in the merchant and bathroom manufacturing sectors, including spells at Aqualisa and Ideal Standard. He subsequently became Managing Director in January 2013.

Over the 17 years that Tim worked at Saniflo, the company consolidated its position as UK market leader in the macerator sector. He not only oversaw the upgrade of the complete domestic Saniflo range, but also the introduction of multiple new products in the commercial range, including underground pumps and floor standing lifting stations. He has also championed the Kinedo shower brand and oversaw the emergence of the all-in-one cubicle product offering that was pioneered by Kinedo.

An avid cyclist, Tim, along with several of his Saniflo colleagues, has raised thousands for charity during epic cycle rides from the Saniflo offices to Paris; the last one undertaken in September 2023. He will now have more time to indulge his cycling passion and also intends to continue with various charity endeavours as well as being a volunteer for his local church. No doubt he will wonder how he used to find time to work.

Everyone at Saniflo wishes Tim a long and happy retirement. He is succeeded by Dave Cook, ex-Baxi, who joined Saniflo in May 2023 and has been working alongside Tim as Sales Director. 

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE SANIFLO WEBSITE

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‘Industry first’ insurance service that rewards careful contractors and tradespeople

Alex Minett, Head of New Global Markets at CHAS

 

CHAS and Towergate unite to launch ‘industry first’ insurance service that rewards careful contractors and tradespeople

 

CHAS has joined forces with Towergate to introduce CHAS Protect, an innovative insurance service designed specifically for contractors and tradespeople, that rewards careful contractors.

Applying CHAS’s experience in supply chain risk management and Towergate’s proficiency as a specialist business insurance broker, this collaboration aims to provide CHAS members with a bespoke insurance offering that recognises their commitment to operating responsibly.

The lower risk profile associated with holding CHAS accreditation grants CHAS members access to contractor-friendly insurance premiums and customised policy enhancements under the CHAS Protect policy. This comprehensive coverage spans business, tools, equipment, and vehicles and features exclusive additional perks for CHAS members. These include extended ‘new for old’ replacement for stolen or damaged equipment, complimentary tax advice, and 24-hour legal support as well as mental health support for both business owners and their employees.

At a time when the economic climate is extremely challenging and the cost of claims is soaring due to rising labour and material costs, CHAS Protect is designed to help CHAS contractors to safeguard their business, tools, vehicles and livelihood.

Commenting on the launch of CHAS Protect, Alex Minett, Head of New Global Markets at CHAS, says: “

This partnership between CHAS and Towergate marks true innovation in the industry, offering insurance products tailored to reward our CHAS members’ lower risk profiles. The contractor-friendly premiums and personalised policy enhancements showcase one of the many ways CHAS adds value to its members as part of their accreditation.”

Towergate’s Managing Director of Affinity Partnerships, Paul Buckle adds,

“It’s not every day you get the chance to support a leading risk management company in delivering real industry innovation. We have worked closely with CHAS to deliver an insurance service which recognises the lower risk profile of CHAS members and is tailored to them.”

 

CLICK HERE

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a CHAS member

OR call CHAS now on 0345 521 9111

 

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Inflation falls to lowest level in two years – what does this mean for the property market?

 

As two-year fixed mortgage rates begin to edge below 5% – could we be witnessing a return to a buyer’s market?

 

David Hannah, Chairman of Cornerstone Tax, discusses what today’s news means for prospective first-time buyers

Today’s data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the November’s inflation rate stood at 3.9% – down from 4.6% in October. This news follows the Bank of England’s decision earlier this month to continue holding interest rates at 5.25%. As inflation continues to fall, pressure is easing on the BoE to pursue further hikes to interest rates as the UK economy maintains its strong recovery. David Hannah, Chairman of the UK’s leading property tax experts, Cornerstone Tax, asserts that the BoE should look to reduce interest rates at their next meeting in a bid to encourage prospective first-time buyers to take their first step on the housing ladder.

Since the BoE’s initial decision to pause interest rate hikes, the UK’s mortgage market has shown considerable signs of recovery. This past week has seen major lenders across the country offering a new range of mortgage deals, with Halifax, First Direct and HSBC being among the banks that are slashing their rates and offering deals below 5%. Alongside the continued trend of a nationwide year-on-year fall in house prices, property experts are asserting that hope may be on the horizon for prospective first-time buyers.

According to David Hannah, today’s announcement from the ONS should provide a stroke of confidence to the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee ahead of their next meeting in December, asserting that policymakers ought to prioritise first time buyers by further reducing interest rates to 4.75% in a move that would allow the housing market to recover whilst also delivering greater opportunities for those looking to escape an overheated rental market.

Chairman of Cornerstone Tax, David Hannah, comments:

“November inflation figures and mortgage approvals should indicate an overall cooling off of the UK economy which, if we are to avoid a recession next year, must be acknowledged by the BoE and, in an effort to avoid a sudden crash of inflation, will increase pressure on the MPC to start reducing interest rates sooner rather than later.

“Economies have momentum, with the rate of inflation continuing its downward trajectory towards the BoE’s threshold of 2% – the MPC must look ahead to the new year and start thinking about the optimum time to cut rates. Research from Rightmove last week found that housing prices are tipped to continue falling by the end of the new year, implying that prospective buyers will still be put off by high mortgage rates. I’d urge the MPC to seriously consider cutting the interest rate in their next meeting, even a reduction by a quarter percentage point would signal optimism within the UK economy, with a target base rate of 3-3.5% being the overall goal if the BoE want to truly prioritise prospective buyers in the new year.”

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Mortgages on properties affected by building safety issues

Three high street lenders to offer mortgages on properties affected by building safety issues

Over three quarters of mortgage lending in the country is now covered by the commitment, helping more people get on with their lives.

Three high street lenders, Virgin Money, TSB and Skipton Building Society, have joined the commitment to offer mortgages on properties affected by building safety issues.

The three lenders will now consider mortgage applications for properties in buildings that are yet to be remediated, or where leaseholders are protected from remediation costs. This gives those looking to buy, sell and remortgage more choice, allowing people to get on with their lives.

Over three quarters of mortgage lending within England is now covered by the commitment, with the three new lenders recognising the impact of the Government’s reforms and progress in delivering building safety for those who live in high rise properties.

Supported by UK Finance and the Building Societies Association, Virgin Money, TSB and Skipton Building Society are among the latest lenders to add their names to the statement, a year after the first six largest lenders made the same public commitment.

Minister for Building Safety, Lee Rowley, said:

I am extremely pleased to see three new lenders doing the right thing and supporting leaseholders who are stuck in homes with building safety defects.

This is a further sign of the market’s confidence in the solutions that we have put in place to protect leaseholders.

From today, customers impacted by building safety issues will have more choice when looking to buy or re-mortgage. I would encourage more banks and building societies to join the commitment made by Virgin Money, TSB and Skipton.

Karen Appleton, Head of Mortgage Lending at Skipton Building Society, said:

I’m really proud that Skipton Building Society has worked with DLUHC and industry experts to make it possible to sign up to the joint statement, in order to further support customers impacted by the cladding crisis and to play a part in opening up the lending market for flats.

Julian Adams, Head of Property Risk at TSB, said:

TSB is pleased to support the Industry Statement and to offer borrowers greater choice when seeking a mortgage.

Craig Calder, Head of Secured Lending at Virgin Money said:

We’re always looking for ways to support our customers. Working closely with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and e.surv, our valuation Panel Manager, we’ve streamlined our lending processes and signed up to the joint statement on cladding to ensure customers impacted by the cladding crisis receive the additional support they require.

Valuation firms have also played their part in the efforts to improve customers’ journeys. For example Virgin Money’s valuation Panel Manager, e.surv, is the latest to work with the Department to receive and exchange information on affected buildings which will help streamline their valuation processes. Along with other lenders and valuation firms this will ensure a smooth experience for customers looking to buy, sell or re-mortgage their property.

This latest announcement demonstrates that protecting leaseholders in buildings with fire safety defects from unfair costs remains a Government priority.

The department has taken a number of steps to protect innocent leaseholders from remediation costs since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, introducing some of the toughest building safety regulations in the world through our landmark Building Safety Act.

The Act confirmed that those responsible for unsafe cladding, and not blameless leaseholders, will be the ones to pay to fix it.

Moreover, in October this year, the department announced that the Government has agreed a pledge with five-sector leading insurance brokers, which could lead to thousands of leaseholders in buildings with identified fire safety issues seeing a significant reduction in their insurance premiums.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, introduced to Parliament last month, will help us go even further to protect leaseholders by delivering the Government’s manifesto commitments on leasehold reform.

The Bill will include measures to amend the Building Safety Act 2022 to make it easier to ensure that those who caused building safety defects in enfranchised buildings are made to pay, and that the leaseholder protections are not unfairly weighted against those who own properties jointly.

Within this legislation, we will ban building insurance commissions for freeholders and managing agents and replace these with transparent handling fees to stop leaseholders being charged excessive and opaque commissions.

The Government is also already consulting on options to cap ground rents for existing leases that will protect leaseholders from facing unregulated ground rents for no service in return. The consultation closes on 21 December and the Government will respond shortly afterwards.

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ZENTIA TAKES HOME PRESTIGIOUS CONSTRUCTION MARKETING AWARD

ZENTIA TAKES HOME PRESTIGIOUS CONSTRUCTION MARKETING AWARD 2023 FOR BEST APPLICATION OF MARKETING TECHNOLOGY

 

Zentia, the UK’s market-leading ceilings solutions provider, has secured a win at the Construction Marketing Awards 2023 in the Best Use of Marketing Technology category. This accolade recognises Zentia’s groundbreaking approach to digital marketing and technology, particularly its innovative Sonify 3D Studio – a cutting-edge platform that has propelled the design and specification experience for suspended ceilings. 

 

The Best Application of Marketing Technology category recognises any campaign which uses marketing technologies to achieve a significant marketing goal, alongside a high degree of sophistication and integration with other marketing elements and organisational activity.

The Sonify 3D Studio took home the trophy by hitting all the marks and impressing the judges. It is a seamless specification experience for Zentia’s clients, combining parametric design and creativity with simple integration into digital workflows to allow clients to experiment and design discontinuous suspended ceilings in a simple, risk-free process.

Graham Taylor, Sales & Marketing Director at Zentia said: “We are exceptionally proud of the entire Zentia team, and especially the project team that worked tirelessly to bring our Sonify 3D Studio to life. Winning at the Construction Marketing Awards affirms our dedication to creating exceptional processes and experiences for our customers, and we cannot wait to continue innovating.”

To find out more about Zentia click here.

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NFB Warns Mandatory Solar Panels will Drive up Costs

Making solar panels mandatory will drive up the cost of housebuilding, warns NFB

Millions will be added to the cost of housing developments should mandatory solar panels come into effect under newly released proposals, warns the National Federation of Builders.

The trade body is unhappy with a proposal that they could become mandatory under the Future Homes and Building Standards consultation released this week.

NFB head of policy and market insight Rico Wojtulewicz said:

“They’ve pushed photovoltaic panels as a great thing, but they aren’t if they’re merely an add-on and the environment for delivery is flawed.”

He said this would require developers to apply to distribution network operators who are licensed to bring electricity from the National Grid to homes and businesses, adding: “This could involve investment in reinforcing the grid or installing three-phase electricity. There would also be the challenge of finding and paying for an accredited installer.”

Mr Wojtulewicz said that a better use of resources would be for housebuilders to invest more in insulation and the technical details of a home such as the weight of the doors, wall thickness plus air tightness.

“This is why we have always preached a fabric first approach while lobbying for reform of solar policy.”, he said.

The UK Green Building Council, UKGBC, said the government couldn’t describe their proposals as a ‘future’ standard as they had opted for the least ambitious option possible.

UKGBC deputy chief executive Simon McWhirter said:

“It’s unconscionable that the Government is consulting on scrapping the expectation that new roofs should have solar panels when this is already widely delivered through current regulations.”

Consultation document leaves out key measures

Mr Wojtulewicz highlighted that while the government is requiring that all homes are ready for electrification by 2025 it hadn’t looked at the warranty period for heat pumps and induction hobs. He said these electrical features could have a shorter life span than their gas counterparts.

The UKGBC said it was disappointed that despite the delay in the consultation the government had not included measures to reduce embodied carbon emissions from construction. Mr McWhirter said this accounted for one in ten tonnes of the UK’s climate emissions.

He explained:

“Nor has it moved to tackle flood risk or end the huge water waste from new builds that are driving shortages and so much ecological damage.

“The best developers have spent years and millions gearing up for modern green building standards which shows that higher standards are possible.”

Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders were keen to fund SME developers who have often proved particularly innovative when it comes to reducing a home’s carbon footprint.

Consultation on the proposals, which includes changes to Part 6, L and F of building regulations and evidence on Par O, closes on the 6th of March next year. The government has said that once introduced there would be no further work needed for new buildings to meet the UK’s 2050 net zero target

 

Source: Property Reporter

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