Stuart O'Brien, Author at Facilities Management Forum | Forum Events Ltd - Page 66 of 87
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Stuart O'Brien

GUEST BLOG: Is it true that women are not fairly treated in construction?
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Recent research has found that one in five UK construction businesses have no women in senior positions, which is a cause for concern. But, what does the overall situation look like for women in this male-dominated industry?

Here to discuss women in construction and what the future may hold to create a more equal playing field is Niftylifts — a leading supplier of work platforms for a range of UK manufacturing and construction businesses…    

Women in construction: is gender inequality an issue?

When it comes to gender equality, it appears that the construction sector is not faring too well. According to Construction News, 50% of all construction firms claim they have never had a female manager. What is even more striking is that, when asking the women who did work within the industry, 48% claimed they had experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, with the most common example of this (28%) being inappropriate comments or behaviour from male colleagues. These are figures that prove that the industry still needs to enforce more regulations to change attitudes towards women in the industry and encourage equality.

How do construction firms handle equal wages? Nearly half of construction companies (42%) do not monitor equal pay between gender in the business and 68% were not aware of any initiatives to support women transitioning into senior roles. Furthermore, according to Randstad, 79% of men believe they earn the same as their female colleagues in the same position. However, 41% of women disagree — highlighting the need for better pay transparency within the industry to dispel perceptions that men are earning more.

The future of female roles in construction

But what do construction employees think about women’s roles in construction? 99% of roles in construction are filled by men, but 93% of construction workers believe having a female boss would not affect their jobs. In fact, they believe it would have a positive effect by improving the working environment.

All over the country, every sector is feeling the pressure of ensuring gender equality — could this help improve matters for women in construction? According to Randstad, female employees are anticipated to constitute just over 25% of the UK’s construction workforce by 2020. Also, employing more women could help ease the pressure of the sector’s low workforce numbers. With the industry raising concerns that it is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, 82% of people working in construction agree that there is a serious skills shortage. If demand is expected to require an additional million extra workers by 2020, women could account for a significant portion of that — especially in senior roles, which have previously been bias towards their male colleagues.

By 2020, there will be more women in senior roles within this industry — if research and predictions are to be trusted. In 2005, there were just 6% of women in senior roles within the UK’s construction industry, but by 2015, this rose to 16%. It’s also vital to consider progression, so that we can ensure women get the chance to develop their careers. Back in 2005, 79% of women in the industry were dissatisfied with the progression of their careers. However, in 2015, this number more than halved to just 29%. Some of this progression was even attributed to the fact that almost half of women in the industry (49%) believe their employer to be very supportive of women in construction.

Ranstad reports that there remains a tendency within the industry to exclude women from male conversations or social events, with 46% of females experiencing being sidelined. A further 28% said they had been offered a less important role and 25% reported being passed over for promotion. While there are clearly changes to be made, there are a handful of positives regarding women in construction. Three quarters of female workers say that they would recommend a construction job to a female friend, daughter or niece, and there has been a 60% increase in the average annual salary for women in the construction sector in the past decade.

If progress continues and more focus is on gender equality, there’s no reason why women should not have better paid and more fulfilling roles in construction. But, there’s still a long way to go. Hopefully, by 2020, we can report further positive developments, making roles more attractive to females and providing a solution to the lack of skilled workers in the industry right now.

Sources

https://www.randstad.co.uk/women-in-work/women-in-the-uk-construction-industry-in-2016.pdf

http://rg-group.co.uk/whitepaper-women-and-the-construction-industry/

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/analysis/cn-briefing/women-in-construction-what-do-the-numbers-say/10029022.article

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/best-practice/skills/trad-ceo-there-is-a-definite-prejudice-against-women/10028845.article?blocktitle=Women-in-construction&contentID=20127

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/analysis/editors-comment/tackling-gender-diversity-is-an-education-for-us-all/10028849.article?blocktitle=Expert-opinion&contentID=7125

Do you offer Energy Management services? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re be shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in June we’ll be focussing on Energy Management.

It’s all part of our new ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Energy Management services and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Lisa Carter on lisa.carter@mimrammedia.com.

Here are the areas we’ll be covering, month by month:

June – Energy Management

July – Security

August – Air Conditioning

September – Waste Management

October – Asset Management

November – FM Software

December – Business Continuity

For more information on any of the above, contact Lisa Carter on lisa.carter@mimrammedia.com.

IRENA reveals latest renewable energy data
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Companies in 75 countries actively sourced 465 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable energy in 2017, an amount close to the overall electricity demand of France, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

With the continued decline in the costs of renewables, the report suggests, corporate demand will continue to increase as companies seek to reduce electricity bills, hedge against future price spikes and address sustainability concerns.

Corporate Sourcing of Renewables: Market and Industry Trends, the first global assessment of trends and policies in corporate sourcing of renewables, shows that renewable energy sourcing by private sector companies, made possible with the right policy framework in place, can be a key factor in the world’s pursuit of a sustainable energy transformation in line with the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement.

According to the report, environmental and sustainability concerns, social responsibility and reputation management and economic and financial objectives are the three primary drivers of corporate sourcing.

“Renewable energy sourcing has become a mainstream pillar of business strategy in recent years,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “While environmental concerns initiated this growing trend, the strengthening business case and price stability offered by renewables can deliver a competitive advantage to corporations, and support sustainable growth.”

The findings of the report show that half of the over 2,400 large companies analysed are voluntarily and actively procuring or investing in self-generation of renewable electricity for their operations. Of the companies in the study, more than 200 source at least half of their power from renewables. Electricity self-generation is the most common sourcing model, followed by unbundled energy attribute certificates (EACs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

“Corporations are responsible for around two-thirds of the world’s total final electricity demand, making them central to, and key actors in, the energy transformation,” continued Mr. Amin. “As governments all over the world recognise this vast potential, the development of policies that foster and encourage corporate sourcing in the electricity sector and beyond will inject additional needed investment in renewable energy.”

The report finds that the corporate sourcing trend is widespread and dynamic, with companies participating in the practice coming from various sectors. By volume, the majority of renewable electricity was consumed in the materials sector while the highest shares of renewable electricity consumption are found in the financial (24 per cent) and information technology (12 per cent) sectors. Countries in Europe and North America continue to account for the bulk of corporate sourcing.

Of the companies analysed in the report, only 17 per cent have a renewable electricity target in place. Three-quarters of those targets will expire before 2020, representing a significant opportunity for corporates to develop new medium to long-term renewable energy strategies and targets that factor in improvements in renewable energy technology and cost declines

The report is a contribution to the Clean Energy Ministerial “Corporate Sourcing of Renewables” campaign, co-led by China, Denmark and Germany and co-ordinated by IRENA.

View and download the Executive Summary of the report here.

BIFM steps up fire safety with accreditation and training
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The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has confirmed plans to develop a certified accreditation and suite of training for facilities managers in charge of life safety in buildings.

Responding to Building a Safer Future, the final report by Dame Judith Hackitt published earlier this month, the Institute wants to ensure that FMs have access to high quality training and professional development that can certify their competency to uphold the highest standards of life safety in the buildings they manage.

BIFM says it’s keen to work with other bodies representing the built environment to ensure a joined-up response.

The Institute’s Life Safety Working Group (LSWG) will play a role in the development of a specific competency programme for facilities managers, alongside relevant CPD. The Group has been a participant in the Hackitt Review team’s work, helping to articulate how fire safety can be achieved best when maintaining buildings as well as feeding into work to develop competency in such maintenance.

LSWG Chair Rob Greenfield said: “Given the vital role that FMs can and do play in ensuring high standards of life safety in buildings, it’s important to strengthen the competency of those involved. My experts group will lead work to develop a dedicated accreditation programme for a specific FM standard as a first step in ensuring that FM best practice plays a part in the response to Hackitt”.

CEO Linda Hausmanis said: “We are fully behind Dame Judith’s proposals to strengthen competencies in building management and across the wider construction and built environment professions. As the leading professional body for facilities management, I am keen to ensure that BIFM leads the way in setting and upholding fire and system related professional competencies for facilities managers; and that the Institute contributes fully in ensuring coherence across the piece”.

Building & Construction Summit

Add your name to a VIP guest list of senior FM professionals
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Taking place on July 2nd & 3rd at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester, the Facilities Management Forum is entirely FREE for you to attend.

MEET new suppliers based on your requirements and upcoming projects.

LEARN via our series of seminars from industry thought-leaders.

NETWORK with other senior FM professionals.

ENJOY full complimentary hospitality, including overnight accommodation, all meals & refreshments and an invitation to our gala dinner with entertainment.

We have a limited number of free places, so register today!

Alternatively, for more information contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374 079 or email p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Leon Lloyd

EVENT PREVIEW: Sports & Leisure Forum – Last call
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Time is running out to secure the remaining complimentary VIP delegate spaces and supplier stands at the Sports & Leisure Forum – plus learn from ex-England rugby international Leon Lloyd.

The Forum, which takes place on June 18th& 19that the Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted, is a highly-focused event that brings sports facilities and operations professionals together for one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

Register Here.

Over two working days delegates will meet with credible suppliers who will be able to talk through projects, concerns and obstacles, offering the best advice as well cost saving solutions.

Confirmed suppliers include EXF Fitness Performance & Flooring, Performance Health Systems, Omnico, LED Light Vision, Jordan Fitness, Encompass Safety Solutions, Core Health & Fitness, Total Swimming, Lantei, BKH Accounting, PlanDay, Centrica, Delabie, Horne Engineering, DaleSauna, Indigo Fitness, 20.20 Limited, S&C Slatter, Modulek, Cap2 Solutions, Stages Cycling, Gymkit UK, Alternative Systems Protection, Amber Energy, Rubicon Sports, iViewIT, SYX Automations/Gantner, Fitness on Demand 247, Nortek Global HVAC, Excell Group, Physical Company, Vistech Systems Ltd, Eurosite Power, Taylor Made Designs, ABUS, Innoventive, eGym and more.

Confirmed delegates include representatives from Berkshire College of Agriculture, Blue Wave Swim School, Body Coach Fitness, China Fleet Country Club, Coventry Sports Foundation, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, easyGym, Hilton, Huddersfield Giants, Impulse Leisure, London South Bank University, MyTime Active, Nuffield Health, oneSource, Pace Health Club, Peterborough City Council, Richmond-Upon-Thames College, Royal Automobile Club, Shropshire Council, Sport Aberdeen, SportsAble, The Football Association, The Winston Churchill School, Watford Football Club, Wentworth Club Ltd, West Berkshire Council, Worcester Warriors and more.

Delegates will also learn about the latest sports facilities trends in educational seminar sessions led by some of the industry’s leading lights, including:-

From Boot Room to Board Room

Leon Lloyd, CEO, Switch the Play (Former England and Leicester Tigers Rugby Player)

Healthy nutrition, supplements and energy drinks in the health and leisure sector

Sharon Clare, Specialist Healthy Lifestyle & Sports Performance Coach, Body Coach Fitness

Gender trends in group fitness and what this means for your facility

Matthew Miller, Founder, Broga the original fitness yoga

Luke Webster, Group Sales Manager at Forum Events, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by demand, with technological innovations in the industry driving the need for this kind of business and networking event – we look forward to welcoming everyone on the day.”

To secure a complimentary delegate place, call Gillian Small on 01992 374073 or email g.small@forumevents.co.uk.

To attend as a supplier, call Luke Webster on 01992 374074 or email l.webster@forumevents.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.sportsandleisureforum.co.uk.

World FM Day 2018: Everything you need to know
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Today (May 16th) is World FM Day, a celebration of everything we love about our industry, so we’ve pulled together a digest of the key information you’ll need to get involved, plus the best of social media.

In the words of our friends at BIFM, World FM Day ‘aims to raise the profile of FM around the globe, promoting facilities management’s ideals, not only within the profession and industry, but also among governments and the general business community.’

What’s not to like about that? In fact, the BIFM website is a great place to start, with oodles of profile pieces on industry personalities, case studies, information on FM advocates around the world and FAQs on how to get involved.

You can also keep up to date with events real time on social media – If you’re a fan of Twitter, get involved by following the @WorldFMDay account and the #WorldFMDay hashtag.

We’ll be updating this story with links to the best of World FM Day on social media over the next 24 hours – So stay tuned!

 

Westgrove Group aiming to double turnover by 2021
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Facilities management specialist The Westgrove Group is aiming to more than double its turnover to £40 million by the end of 2021.

The company is expanding across its core service areas of security, cleaning and customer service teams, with a goal of increasing its market share in shopping centres and moving into new sectors as it heads in 2018.

Turnover is expected to top £25million in the current financial year, representing an increase of 30% from the previous 12 month period.

The business is established in the property management sector and Westgrove says the recent growth secures its position as one of the largest independent security and cleaning companies operating alongside larger PLCs.

Based in Warrington in the North West, the company – which celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year – employs over 1,000 people in over 50 shopping centres across the UK, working with major landlords and managing agents including CBRE and Savills UK.

It was recently appointed as the soft services Partner for The Lexicon redevelopment project in Bracknell. The scheme, a redevelopment of Bracknell town centre, is managed by Cushman and Wakefield.

Starting initially in cleaning in 1998, Westgrove moved into security in 2008 as a natural service partner and now operates a ‘dual service’ model of both cleaning and security on the majority of its sites.

Managing Director Claire McKinley Smith said: “Offering a dual service approach has been significant in terms of growing our business and enabling us to develop a consistent culture. Most sites we work with require both security and cleaning so it makes sense to use one provider – or Partner as we prefer to refer to ourselves.

“There is one point of contact and the teams have exposure to the same colleague benefits such as training and development, reward and recognition, and service excellence initiatives. We believe this has been pivotal to our success over recent years and we have certainly seen a preference from our partners to work this way.”

The company launched its bespoke service provision Synergy by Westgrove in 2016, focusing on added value, strategic contract management and innovation, which has led to a number of contract wins including The Galleries Shopping Centre in Bristol and St Johns Shopping Centre in Liverpool with Munroe K Asset Management Ltd (MKAML), plus Media City in Salford Quays and Doncaster and Sheffield Airport with Peel Land and Property.

The latter contract win sees Westgrove moving into aviation, too. The contract includes the provision of cleaning and PRM (Persons with Reduce Mobility) services showing how the company is adapting to new requirements from its Partners.

Westgrove Group Joint Chairmen Steve Fives said: “We have worked incredibly hard over the past 20 years and have seen the business grow from a team of six to over 1,000 colleagues today across the UK.

“We never want to stand still and the move into aviation and PRM demonstrates our progressive approach. We are always striving to improve the business and grow through innovation and quality of service.

“Remaining independent has been a massive strength. It gives a much greater personal feel to our business and we can offer a level of flexibility and transparency without compromising on service.”

McKinley Smith added: “We really believe in the Westgrove brand which is very much about passion, dynamism and a ‘can do’ ethos. Our teams are our colleagues. Our clients become our partners. This is very much the bedrock of our success alongside our principle that volume will never take precedence over quality.”

Sports & Leisure Forum – Secure your free place today
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Time is running out to claim your free VIP delegate place at the Sports & Leisure Forum – you’ll be able to source new suppliers and network with fellow facilities professionals.

This unique event, which takes place on June 18th & 19th 2018, will also give you the opportunity to learn from the best during a series of seminar sessions – including a keynote address from former England, Barbarian and Leicester Tigers player Leon Lloyd.

As our VIP guest, you will be one of just 60 delegates. The Forum will allow you to:

  • Source innovative and budget-saving suppliers
  • Network with like-minded peers
  • Enjoy full hospitality, including lunch and all refreshments, overnight accommodation and an invitation to our gala dinner with entertainment

Click here to confirm your place today.

Alternatively, find out more about attending as a delegate or supplier by contacting Gillian Small on 01992 374073 or email g.small@forumevents.co.uk.

FM Forum

SAVE THE DATE: Total Security Summit – Manchester
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Registration is now open for VIP delegate spaces or supplier stands at the Total Security Summit, which takes place on October 8th & 9th 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel in Manchester.

The Summit is a highly focused event that brings security professionals together for one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

Throughout two working days delegates will meet with credible so-lution providers who will be able to talk through requirements, con-cerns and obstacles, offering the best advice as well cost saving solu-tions.

Attendees will also learn about the latest security trends in educational seminar sessions led by some of the industry’s leading lights. Here’s what delegates thought of the 2017 event:

“As always, a well organised event, although it is their remit to do so Forum Events are well organised and I believe a leader in organising such events”
Thames Valley Police

“First time at the TSS and was a worthwhile time spent with colleagues and potential suppliers helping to think outside the box”
Merlin Entertainment

“Very useful and informative pleased to attend, great networking opportunity and information gathering exercise”
Woodgreen The Animal Charity

“Very good excellent networking very enjoyable, it was a pleasure to attend and very eye opening with change upon us”
Jaguar Land Rover

Luke Webster, Event Manager at Forum Events, said: “As a security professional we know your time is precious, valuable and limited. You tell us who you want to meet. We handle all the details.

“The Total Security Summit is also a tremendous opportunity to learn new skills and network with peers – we look forward to welcoming everyone on the day.”

To secure a complimentary delegate place, call Leanne Webster on 01992 374066 or email leanne.webster@forumevents.co.uk.

To attend as a supplier, call Haydn Boxall on 01992 374084 or email h.boxall@forumevents.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.totalsecuritysummit.co.uk.