Construction News Read UK Construction Industry News, Analysis, Opinion and data Rolling with the punches: Beard reviews recruitment plans
Beard is reviewing its recruitment plans after the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions
People Moves
‘The culture isn’t just toxic for women – it’s toxic for men’
A new book by Faye Allen blends survey data, personal testimonies and practical recommendations in an attempt to make the sector a better place to work
NASC boss: untroubled at the top
After a series of roles in various sectors, Clive Dickin found his rhythm by returning to construction In 2017, National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) boss Clive Dickin was struggling to relax on a beach in the south of France. Following a spate of terrorism incidents, the pressures of his…
Bible study: how Wates is optimising its business
Main contractor Wates may have posted record turnover in 2024 – plus a pre-tax profit for the 25th consecutive year – but its chief executive isn’t resting on his laurels. Speaking to Construction News on 8 April after Wates released its financial results for the 2024 calendar year, Eoghan O’Lionaird…
Seddon warns of training trouble
Director Nicola Hodkinson says changes to employers’ NI and the minimum wage will not help the skills crisis Nicola Hodkinson is not happy.This April brings a double whammy of costs for contractors, with increases in both employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage. In her first Budget announcement last…
How small projects grew Glencar’s bottom line
Its founders may be used to winning £100m-plus projects, but Glencar’s swift rise is down to jobs worth less than £10m Glencar’s latest annual results, released in January, revealed higher pre-tax profit from stable turnover for the year to 30 September 2024. The industrial and logistics contractor saw its profit…
Better together: a decade of Build UK
A decade after her organisation was formed, Build UK boss Suzannah Nichol on the challenges and rewards of representing both main and sub-contractors I meet Build UK chief executive Suzannah Nichol, along with her long-serving deputy Jo Fautley, over a cup of tea in a swish London hotel bar. Nichol…
Reds10 chair: Searching for the Holy Grail of productivity
Reds10 chairman Paul Ruddick is on a mission to make modular work better for everyone Offsite production could enable the construction industry to crack its productivity problem – but getting it off the ground has proven easier said than done, given the string of business failures in the sector over…
Mark Farmer on why Construction Industry Training Board reform is needed
Mark Farmer’s review of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) was released today (30 January). In an interview with Construction News, he explains his recommendations, and why improving quality is important in driving up the number of people employed in construction. You recommend a merger between the Engineering Construction Industry…
Why a US private equity firm snapped up Lendlease UK
A senior executive at Atlas Holdings reveals the reason behind the purchase and the future plans for the contractor A greyscale photo of papermaking machinery hangs on the wall of Atlas Holdings’ UK office in the heart of Mayfair. It illustrates the private equity firm’s beginnings – its 2002 purchase…