More Focus 鈥� Page 484
-
-
Features
Mild, green, fairly liquid
Lord Falconer's planning green paper was designed to clean up the system by cutting through stubborn layers of built-up bureaucracy – but turns out to be a bit of a wash-out.
-
Features
The generation game
Lessons learned as children affect our working lives – and we're not talking Tonka toys
-
Features
Five effects of company car tax changes
Large cars face heavier taxationFrom this April, tax on company cars will be based on carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre – so large vehicles with high fuel consumption will be hardest hit. A top-rate tax payer driving a 拢20,000 BMW 318 could end up 拢400 a year worse off.Employees could ...
-
FeaturesSwiss ease
From the land of chocolate and cheese comes another remarkable product – a slot-together modular building system, not unlike Lego, called Steko. Marcus Fairs went to see the first UK project to use the blocks – a cliff-top home in Cornwall
-
Features
The ABC of CPD
Eleanor Cochrane speaks to Joni Tyler, head of the RIBA CPD Providers Network, about how continuing professional development can benefit your business
-
Features
Appointments
Contractors CH Pearce has appointed Martyn Price, previously with Uniq, health and safety manager. Makers UK, part of the Keller Group, has appointed Andrew Hammond (left) managing director. Midas Group has appointed Murdo Mace managing director of Midas Construction and Paul Barber managing director of Midas Property Services.Mark Cardwell has ...
-
FeaturesHanif Kara
Hanif Kara, founding partner of structural engineer Adams Kara Taylor, knows that image can be crucial when you're building a business. So how come he's so nervous telling Marcus Fairs about his own?
-
Features
Flexibility benefits
Why companies that don't promote a work–life balance are making a false economy
-
Features
The Bickerton affair
Bickerton Construction went from thriving regional contractor to emaciated corpse in a matter of months. Tom Broughton investigates what many creditors suspect to be a very suspicious death …
-
Features
Builder's craic exposed
The dark winter days are upon us and we all need cheering up a bit. So for one week only, 精东影视 throws political correctness out of the window, gathers its readers round the hearth and tells tales of the funnier side of site life …
-
Features
The roads to freedom
The workplace can be a tyranny. If the customer comes first, workers must come second, and the result is stressed-out, miserable staff. Eleanor Cochrane looks at a scheme to give us our lives back, plus a chance to record your views and an account of a firm that's got it ...
-
Features
Five tips on how small firms can help staff juggle work and life
Develop clear guidelines - establish what the procedures are for changing hours, and outline which job roles have scope for flexible working. Clear guidelines will help counter any accusations that some employees appear to have more help than others.Consider the organisation’s culture - sometimes long hours are a necessity when ...
-
FeaturesWorking with Christopher Wren
Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College is arguably the finest collection of early modern buildings in the UK. After being taken over by Greenwich University, it became what must be the most sensitive refurbishment project in Britain. Thomas Lane finds out how it was done.
-
Features
Tender price forecast: Maintaining balance
So, how has the industry fared since the tumultuous events of 11 September? Surprisingly well, in fact. Despite continuing uncertainty, Davis Langdon & Everest reports that tender prices are still on the up, new orders are holding up and the private commercial sector is still leading robust growth
-
Features
Bending the rules
If government proposals on flexible working become law, what will the consequences be for employers? Angela Daw explains all you need to know
-
Features
Appointments
ContractorsMalcolm Ward, former southern area manager for Galliford Midlands, has joined Try Accord as commercial business unit director.Willmott Dixon has appointed John Cooper construction manager.HousebuildersJayne Turpin, previously with Alfred McAlpine Homes, has joined Cala Homes as field sales manager.Ward Homes Anglia has appointed Sue Dance area sales manager.Millwood Designer Homes ...
-
FeaturesA breakdown of trust
Last year, the tenants of a bleak, run-down south London estate voted overwhelmingly against a proposal to spend 拢243m on building them new homes – and cast a cloud over the government's urban regeneration plans. Phil Clark finds out what went wrong
-
Features
HBG hangs on to top with contracts worth 拢33m
Kier is hard on the heels of the Dutch-owned contractor, but the December lull is apparent across the board.
-
FeaturesThe benchmark
In the latest of our occasional series on best practice, Gazeley Properties reveals to Andy Pearson how it employed a tight supply chain, innovative partnering methods and a revolutionary steel frame to construct a brand new warehouse in 12 weeks – plus two industry experts give their verdict