Constructing Excellence Berkshire News

Tackling Modern Slavery in Construction - links

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 17:16:29 GMT

LONDON BUILD 2018

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 13:53:35 GMT

To all those that joined us at London Build many thanks.

Thames Lido Visit

Wed, 23 May 2018 15:59:54 GMT

Many thanks to Sam Kendon from Marshall & Kendon Architects for joining us at the Thames Lido to talk through the project.

http://www.marshallandkendon.co.uk/

A few pics below of the walk around.

VISIT READING 2050 @ http://livingreading.co.uk/reading-2050

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 11:43:19 GMT

Reading 2050 Launch

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 07:21:27 GMT

Reading 2050, a vision for a smart and sustainable Reading 2050, was launched yesterday in the stunning soon to open Thames Lido

Some piccies below and have a look at the R2050 Vision website

http://livingreading.co.uk/reading-2050

THAMES TOWER Tour & Talk

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 09:09:32 GMT

Many thanks to all that attended our visit of Thames Tower and a special thanks to Stuart McLarty and James Silver for hosting us and giving us such a great insight in to the design and delivery of what one of our members called 'Readings best building'.

some photos below

Thank you for joining us at the Oracle Riverside

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:26:29 GMT

Thank you to all who attended last night’s event at Oracle Riverside. A few pictures of the evening below, enjoying a couple of drinks in the lovely sunshine!

IET-Berkshire -Present Around The World Competition 2017

Mon, 22 May 2017 09:05:20 GMT

Present around the World (PATW) is the IET’s presentation competition for students, recent graduates, apprentices and young professionals. Competitors are asked to give a presentation for 10 minutes on a subject related to engineering and technology, and to answer questions for a further five minutes. To make it even easier, it is perfectly acceptable to use your final year project presentation, a presentation from your graduate scheme or any other presentation which you already have. The event is mainly to judge presentation skills, although the topic should be appropriate to the intended audience of students and young professionalsThe prizes are £150 for the winner and £100 for the runner-up. The runner-up prize will only be awarded if there are four or more competitors (maximum of eight). The winner and runner-up of the Local Network's Heat also receive one year’s free student or associate level membership of the IET. The winner will also qualify for the later stages of the worldwide competition, which offer greater prize money and the opportunity to travel.

Contact name: Mr.Nitin Gyanchandani (m 07570041484)

Date: Tuesday the 30th May 2017 at 7:30 PM (refreshments at

7:00PM)

Venue: UTC Reading, Crescent Road, Reading, RG1 5RQ

Registration: http://www.theiet.org/events/local/248115.cfm

PATW_30May17_v1.0.pdf

CITB Hub EVENT hosted by UTC Reading - come and join in

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 07:52:29 GMT

On 7^th June 2017 from 8am-1pm UTC Reading are hosting a CITB Hub. CITB Hub is a forum where stakeholders from education and the construction industry converge to discuss key trends and make action plans to work together to develop career aspirations in students. We would be delighted if you were able to attend and if you could circulate the attached flyer to those in your networks for whom you think this would be a useful opportunity.

The schedule for the morning is:

• 8-8.30 Coffee and bacon butties

• 8.30-9 Welcome talk and introductions,

• 9-9.30 CITB Briefing

• 9.30-10.30 Employers/Education networking

• 10.30-11 Coffee and final thoughts

• 11-1pm Speed networking with UTC Reading students

To register please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citb-hub-tickets-33050118795

Constructing Excellence in London and South East Awards

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:13:33 GMT

The 11^th Constructing Excellence in London and South East Awards is on its way, and calling for your entries (as written submissions) by Monday 6th March 2017.

They are open to the whole sector from buildings to infrastructure, all parts of the supply and demand chain, all disciplines, professions and trades in the London and South East regions: Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, IOW, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex.

These construction awards recognise the very best companies, collaborations and projects sharing best practice and inspiring others to adopt new and better ways of working that deliver outstanding results.

We encourage all our members to enter the award scheme.

http://www.ce-awards.co.uk/

EIA - Key Changes to the Construction Industry

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 11:00:00 GMT

Irrespective of Brexit, European legislation is changing the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. G4C invited Stefan Boss, Associate at Peter Brett Associates to talk to us about the forthcoming update and what it means to us in the construction industry.

Thanks to Stefan for his talk, and to those that attended.

A copy of the presentation is below:

160928 - EIA Presentation to G4C FINAL_Website.pdf

Closing the Performance Gap - Event Presentations and Images

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 08:41:02 GMT

Thank you to all who attended 'Closing the Performance Gap' event. Please find presentations and images of flip charts below.

Closing the performance Gap - Berkshire CE event 15-09-16.pptx

160915_C4C Reading with CE.pdf

The LEPs, Talent and Growth in Berkshire and Beyond - Event Review

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 15:09:31 GMT

We first introduced our local Thames Valley Berkshire LEP to members via a breakfast event in February 2014.

Since, we have sought to broaden our perspective; in February 2015 our 'LEP Update' included EnterpriseM3 and in 2016 the Oxfordshire LEP. Thus ensuring that we are expanding the discussion, geographically, in terms of understanding the annual progress and priorities for the LEPs, and by bringing a fresh perspective so that we can support and input into their activity.

Speaking from a Local Authority perspective this year was Councillor Tony Page (Lead for Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport for Reading Borough Council), and with LEP introductions from Bill Hicks of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP and Richard Byard from The OxLEP the focus was on 'Growth and Skills'.

While there were distinct differences each spoke with conviction about talent, skills and growth and through the subsequent debate these themes connected back to broader visions for the Thames Valley. It was a pleasure to see the conversation encompassing the property and construction industries plus the big issue of affordable housing.

It is this silo busting that we strive for; facilitating a dialogue between the private and public sectors, enabling conversations across institutional, organisational and geographical boundaries. More than an update on ‘Growth Deals’ and funding opportunities this was silo busting with immediate and direct impact; Cllr. Tony Page reminded Oxfordshire that a third vehicular river crossing is essential; recruiters in our audience persuaded practitioners to participate in their new cross sector research; home grown engineering consultancy JDP is now feeding directly back to Reading and Oxfordshire Councils on recruitment, growth and business rates; and Derek Rees of SECBE /Constructing Excellence petitioned for a new construction network connecting the three organisations.

As always the powerpoint presentations are the starting point, the word ‘tech’ appeared on the screen a number of times but there is diversity across the two markets; TVBLEP referred to tech in the digital / computer industry while Oxfordshire is now leading the way in ‘Space Tech’ and, as a by-product, their electronics sector is gaining significant momentum too.

The LEPs are clearly helping to identify and promote the factors that distinguish our regions, be they economic opportunities or niche sectors. Did you know that Reading Buses offer a social dividend instead of a financial one to their Local Authority? An innovative idea, right. By understanding the nuances of each interconnection and providing the support required we can build strong growth in the years to come.

We need more innovative ideas. The LEPs work at a strategic level to address long term stability and opportunity as well as immediate challenges. There is a lot of activity in our region today, all helping to drive these ideas, be it Reading CIC from an economic growth perspective or visioning exercises such as Reading 2050, Futurebuild and many more. As local practitioners and businesses we need to try to understand and actively feed into the work of the LEPs.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts; the face-to-face conversations that enliven and move the debate forwards happen when you are in the same room. In the meantime can you contribute by making one new cross sector introduction? Come on, get involved!

Many thanks to Kier Group and Oxford Properties for their generous sponsorship of this event.

By Jen Forakis (HOOP / Constructing Excellence Berkshire) and Jenni Montgomery (Barton Willmore / Thames Valley Women in Property)

Readings Future Potential, Challenges and Changes - EVENT REVIEW

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 14:39:22 GMT

Councillor Tony Page (Deputy Leader of the Council & Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport) and Nigel Horton-Baker, Executive Director from Reading UK CIC (The Economic Development Company for Reading), talked through the recent projects they’ve been involved in and their aspirations and concerns for the Towns futures.

The presentations and Q&A that followed highlighted a number of projects occurring in and around Reading and the opportunities for the town in the near future. However, Councillor Page and Nigel also made aware a number of issues the town continues to face and stressed the importance of addressing these.

Following the presentations delegates enjoyed wine, beer and an opportunity to network.

Presentation link below:

Const Excellence Event Oct 15.ppt

Post Occupancy Evaluation event at Reading University

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:00:00 GMT

Slides from the event

Master_Presentation_2015 Reading CoE.PDF

A step closer to collaborative working

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:24:04 GMT

Ever wondered what your colleagues in the construction industry get up to at work?

Well, that’s exactly what attendees of our latest G4C Berkshire event wanted to find out. Seven willing volunteers from a range of companies and disciplines across the industry each gave a ten minute presentation about their career to date and how they got there. We heard about what a typical day involves, what's great about their jobs and what part of their roles others just don’t realise or appreciate.

Generation for Change (G4C) is a branch of Constructing Excellence for young passionate people who want to change the construction industry for the better. Learning about what others do reflected the need for collaborative working and was very beneficial in encouraging this.

Feedback from the event has been very positive and we hope to repeat the event in 2016. Watch this space!

Many thanks to everyone that attended, not forgetting our speakers:

* Planner - Zahra Alrashed, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners
* Cost Manager - Daniel Bland, Clarkson Alliance
* Environmental Scientist - Neil Young, Peter Brett Associates
* Solicitor - Victoria Kempthorne, Clarkslegal
* Acoustics Consultant - Nicholas Jones, Hilson Moran
* Design Manager - James Hole, Kier Construction
* Architect - Neha Abayawardana, Barton Willmore

FutureBuild FutureWorking

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 19:12:03 GMT

On 25th June 2015 we enjoyed a wonderful evening of great speakers, Lego, entertaining conversations, beers and cheeses!

Technological progress and demographic shifts mean that the workplace and labour markets are changing rapidly. From Letratone and Rotring pens via floppy disks, 35mm slides to online technologies and remote working our working practices are changing beyond recognition.

Our speakers were:

Paul Wilkinson pwcom.co.uk
Professor Derek Clements-Croome Universty of Reading
Ben Ward of Love Hz

The evening was a multidisciplinary event put together by Jen Forakis (HOOP Architecture/ CE Berkshire ), Claire Thirlwall (Thirlwall Associates /CE Berkshire) and Georgina Wilmott (Kier / G4C Berkshire).

With the support of Lorraine Farrelly (Foundation Professor of Architecture, University of Reading) and sponsored by Atlas Cloud Construction, The BIM Enablement Platform.

This was the first event ever to be held in the new School of Architecture and was a great opportunity to see the impressive Library building before it's make-over and opening in 2016.

Scroll through the Storify links below to find out more about our speakers, their talks and see photos from the event.