Allen Westgate

🔴 ARJ Construction Limited set to enter administration. Financially the firm looked strong, but was there a key angle missed? ⬇ ARJ's most recent accounts, covering the 12 months to 30 April 2023, appeared healthy as revenue soared by 61% from £72.7m to £117m. However, the Company Watch TextScore® painted a slightly different picture (see comments below post). Whilst ARJ's financials looked strong, their TextScore® was deep in our Warning Area between July 2020 and January 2022... 🚨 ARJ's TextScore® was also narrowly sitting outside the Warning Area in its latest filing, July 2023, with a weak score of 31/100. TextScore® is our unique tool that harnesses the power of natural language processing (NLP) to help our clients uncover financial risk. It allows you to look at risk through a different lens, rather than focusing on purely financial analysis. 🕵‍♀️ This innovative tool delves deep into the text of the financial reports of publicly listed and large private UK companies. By analysing the sentiment of thousands of words and phrases, it extracts insights and flags stress indicators. 🔻 If the language or word patterns are similar to those of a company that has failed in the past, the company in question is likely to be at risk also. With interest rates remaining high and conflict escalating in the Middle East, uncertain times are set to continue. A simple credit check is not enough. A company's finances might look solid on the surface, but what’s lurking beneath? 🦈 TextScore® features our customer love: 🏗 Implied Industry Function - Often, the SIC code a company provides is not reflective of what the business actually does. We give our customers a percentage confidence match to an industry in seconds, based on the words and phrases contained within company reports, indicating the true industry the company is in. 📊 Word Phrase Count - TextScore® extracts a list of words and phrases occurring with high frequency. Our clients can easily spot any repeated negative words or phrases. For example, ‘fraud,’ ‘decreasing’, or ‘onerous provisions.’ 🔎 Search Function - For a document to be readable by TextScore®, it must go through an optical character recognition process. The document is then reconstructed. This process means that you can use the ‘ctrl + f’ function on the document to scan through any of the keywords TextScore® has flagged. Easy! At Company Watch, we’re constantly innovating so we can provide the latest and best solutions on the market, and our results speak for themselves. TextScore® is identifying a high number of insolvencies well in advance of distress events. ➡ To learn more about TextScore® and to arrange your free trial, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gWgjN5uv #insolvency #construction #creditrisk #duediligence https://lnkd.in/g-MXmgpR

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https://lnkd.in/eZyRrzPj The T Level qualification doesn't need reform it's how we teach this qualification and other qualifications that need looking at. A lesson on Health and Safety can be made so much more exciting by undergoing site visits, AI technology, immersive hubs and guest speakers. A lesson on Construction law doesn't have to be PowerPoint and a worksheet. This is a perfect recipe for debate, inclusion, group work and case study work. Students entering into these qualifications need exciting and guiding by enthusiastic and energetic role models that care as much about the students future as the students do themselves. We can all create an open day with glossy marketing images, videos, expensive technology that nobody knows how to use and make the specification sound amazing. Any teenager coming out of high school is going to pick something that looks like this. It's a no brainer. The reason that students drop out is because they aren't experiencing what was marketed to them. Their passion for the subject drops, their ambitions fade and they will remember that feeling for the rest of their lives. I can hand on heart say that out of 57 students studying the T Level Civil Engineering course I have 2 students drop out. I didn't give up on them because they wanted to do a more artisan based course. I looked at other colleges in the area and ensured they were happy. They will hopefully remember these conversations I had with them and remember my parting works off good luck 🤞 We need passionate teachers who care about every child to ensure that they all get amazing education and exactly what is offered to them on an open night. No false promises and no maybe next year's. I tell all parents and students on our open days that we offer the best T Level Civil Engineering course in the country, we have the best students and the best teachers. This may not be entirely true, as I am sure there are some amazing colleges out there doing equally good work. However I believe we are the best and we make it our goal every year to deliver on that promise. Offer them the best and deliver the best. Runshaw College

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Discover the leading suppliers in the public sector construction market and gain valuable insights to refine your B2G marketing approach for better engagement & success.

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Stobbarts Limited marks a significant milestone within the construction sector! 🏗️✨ Stobbarts is celebrating a key achievement with the announcement of its 15-year partnership, valued at up to £40 million, with Sellafield's Programme and Project Partners (PPP). This alliance is projected to significantly bolster Stobbart's growth and commitment to cultivating local talent through extensive community involvement. The essence of this partnership transcends mere foundational work and concrete support for Sir Robert McAlpine. It ushers in a promising era where Stobbart can enhance recruitment efforts, particularly in employing the local workforce and strengthening its apprenticeship schemes. What makes this partnership noteworthy? It resonates with Stobbart's core belief: investing in people equates to constructing a better future. 🌱 Moreover, Stobbarts is keen on expansion, aiming to develop its existing sites while seeking opportunities to establish new premises. This strategy is rooted in a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community development. Since establishing the PPP framework, the initiative has boosted the profiles of nearly 200 UK suppliers, with a pronounced emphasis on bolstering North-Western businesses and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Astonishingly, 40% of partnerships originated from the North-West, and almost 70% consist of SMEs, showcasing PPP's fervent support for the vitality of regional commerce. Adam Stobbart, the company's director, perfectly embodies the firm's ambitions: "Being a part of a long-term framework with PPP allows us to continue employing local people and expanding our apprentice numbers." This statement highlights Stobbart's dedication to fostering local economies and leading the forefront of industry excellence. John Rossiter, a representative from PPP, has expressed, "As we start to see the growth of our Tier 3 layer of suppliers joining the enterprise," signalling that Stobbarts has become an integral element in this visionary delivery model and is at the forefront of collaborative progress within major projects. Stobbarts is geared up and excited to initiate what is poised to be a groundbreaking chapter in the UK construction industry's story. 🇬🇧 We invite your insights on how industry alliances can reshape growth and community development. Feel free to comment below or connect to discuss collaborative methods to advance the construction sector. #UKConstruction #GrowthStrategy 🛠️🌟🔄 #BuildingTalent

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You're a Specialist Subcontractor (SC) working on a project for a Main Contractor (MC).... Do the following conversations occur regularly towards the end of a project.....? MC "We need more resources on Site, you're behind..." SC "I've not had an up to date programme in weeks..." MC "Site is open longer hours and weekend..." SC "I'm not able to resource the job properly without clear dates, duration's and sequencing..." MC "You need more operatives on Site, I'm not convinced you've resourced the job properly..." Lets actually get to the nub of the issue, lets cut through the smoke and mirrors.... lets get to the truth.... ...the MC is under pressure to complete, historic delays have impacted the programme and the old "if I shout at everyone it'll get the job done" bully boy tactics come out..... Amnesia has set in, all the impacts to the SC's works have been forgotten and the gun sights are firmly on them to pressure them is on... ...into accelerating, into committing more resource, into committing more cost, into eroding their margin, into spending their cash to make up for the MC's shortcomings of the past.... Do you stand firm.... or do you crumble....? More money is lost by so called “Bad Performance” than as a result of others The majority of losses can be avoided or mitigated if basic routines are in place and consistently maintained throughout the life of the Contract. This week I'll be delivering training to a specialist contractor client on #Programming and #Time for #Completion, with Managing the Process, as part of our #commercial #awareness #training programme, delivered in partnership with RCC Limited Does training like this sound like it'll benefit your business...? Help you to improve delivery and avoid any banana skins on the route to Completion....? Message me and perhaps we can work together to elevate project delivery in your business... #construction #training #mentor #coaching #programme #insight #obligations #notices

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Our skilled team of chartered surveyors has extensive experience managing and advising on service charge budgets and expenditure management. We can use our expertise to think strategically and ‘outside the box’ to identify opportunities for generating further income, for example, recommending implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce utility costs, installing advertising space, or renting out unused areas of the property. #ServiceChargeManagement #ServiceCharge #Budget

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Great turnout Thursday morning at the BECT Building Contractors Ltd, Severn Quay project for our presentation on Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)! This session directly supports our April SMART objective of informing workers about HAVS, a serious condition caused by prolonged exposure to vibration in the workplace. What is HAVS? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines HAVS as a condition affecting the hands and forearms due to prolonged use of vibrating tools. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, and reduced nerve sensitivity. Why is HAVS Awareness Important? Understanding HAVS is crucial for creating a safe work environment and protecting employee well-being. Employers can play a vital role by prioritising ✴ Education - Equipping workers with knowledge to identify risks and symptoms. ✴ Risk Assessment - Evaluating tasks and tools to minimize vibration exposure. ✴ Preventive Measures - Utilising low-vibration tools, implementing work breaks, and providing PPE. At Green Hat Consulting we believe in protecting people, business and society through education, influence and inspiration We're committed to helping businesses achieve their safety goals and protect their workforce. #HAVS #ConstructionSafety #EmployeeWellbeing #GreenHatConsulting

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If you missed Monday's webinar on how to embed a quality culture in construction organisations, the recording is now available to view on the GIRI Youtube channel - featuring insights from Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) and Morgan Sindall Construction. WATCH: https://bit.ly/4dknABv #construction #qualityculture #rightfirsttime

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📢👥💡We are delighted to present our next British Water Thought Leadership+ interview with Alasdair Reisner, CECA (The Civil Engineering Contractors Association), Chief Executive Officer. Alasdair discusses changes in procurement to ensure more efficient delivery, shares his views on opportunities for collaboration in safeguarding our environment, and talks about helping to deliver the social contract for the communities we serve, among other topics. ‘When we have looked at the evolution of that (enterprise) model, it’s been a huge success to those who have implemented it, and our members have found good quality working relationships with their customers, with their supply chain. We are seeing that gather pace in the water sector (…) We’ll see more of that kind of model as we get into AMP8.’ Alasdair Reisner, Chief Executive Officer, The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Hosted by British Water's Chair, Dr Mark Fletcher FREng, Thought Leadership+ focuses on expanding our understanding of key challenges to help shape the future of the industry. Mark will be speaking to a range of key influencers in the water industry as part of British Water's commitment to create a common, sector purpose. Watch British Water Thought Leadership+ interview with Alasdair Reisner, CEO, CECA, here: https://lnkd.in/e6Kxv9Xa #waterandwastewater #collaboration #amp8 #contractors

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This is a problem that most if not all employment sectors have with the workforce available for today's markets. We face an ever decreasing pool of talent not only in the area of experienced working people but also in the recruitment of newcomers into our industries. The problems are far outreaching and will take a monumental effort on educating a nation in regards to work ethics which are word that were never used when I was growing up because it was a given in our household. We need to educate and re-educate constantly about effort & reward from directors downward as retention of good employees is becoming more and more difficult. Ultimately it will come down to the employer to lower expectations in order to find the ones with potential and spend the time and effort turning a rock into a diamond. Although this is very satisfying it all comes at a cost.

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NG Bailey attributes its return to profitability to a robust performance from its Services arm following an impressive showing in the #constructionsector. Key Takeaways from Construction Wave: - Turnover for the year ending 1 March 2024 reached £600m, a significant increase from the previous year's £532m, accompanied by an underlying operating profit of £11.2m, marking a notable turnaround from the £17.3 million loss in FY2023. - The group's order book strengthened, rising to £1.4bn from £1.3bn in 2023. - The balance sheet reflected net assets valued at £129m, up from £121m in the prior year, with cash investments totaling £370m (compared to £83m in FY2023) and no external debt as of March 2023. The Engineering business also returned to profitability during the financial period, with a strategic focus on risk management, quality margins, and enhanced governance. Looking ahead, key markets for the Engineering division will encompass #Nuclear, #Aviation, #Education, #Defence, #Healthcare, #Custodial, #Rail, and #OffsiteConstruction, driving continued growth and success.

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🌟 Attending DCW this week? Don't miss the chance to see our progress with the IM mandate review, following up on the BIM 2016 mandate. A lot has changed in the past 8 years. How can this work support a whole life cycle future for our country and beyond? Come find out and join the conversation! #DCW2024 #Innovation #IMMandate #BIM2016 #Sustainability #FutureReady #LifecycleManagement

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The figures are in… we had a total of 88 contractor spot checks throughout April, our best month yet!! 🎉 Contractor spot checks are unplanned and unscheduled inspections of a contractor's work during a project. The purpose of these checks is to assess the contractor's performance to ensure health and safety compliance and that work is being carried out to the agreed terms and quality standards. Contractor spot checks are important for several reasons:   - Compliance: They help ensure that contractors are following relevant regulations, policies, and procedures in accordance with approved risk and method statements (RAMS). - Risk Management: Regularly checking the work of contractors can help identify potential risks or issues early on, allowing us to address them before they escalate into bigger problems.  - Quality Assurance: Spot checks allow us to verify that the contractor's work meets the required quality standards and specifications. - Performance Evaluation: The checks provide an opportunity to assess the contractor's performance and reliability. This information can be valuable for future contracting decisions.   Overall contractor spot checks play a crucial role in maintaining health and safety, quality, and compliance, as well as managing risks and ensuring the successful delivery of work. These checks are just another example of how POD go above and beyond to provide the best service for our residents 🌟 #contractorchecks #propertymanagement #PODmanagement

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Question for my network.... Contractor RAMS (Risk Assessments & Method Statements). Is there anything specific out there that stipulates who checks what? Don't get me wrong, we (Structural Engineers) do check various RAMS elements, Demo, Temp Works etc. where applicable. But the question was raised as we were filling out a bit on our competency document and we didn't know the answer - where this specific requirement comes from, where its stated etc. Best I've found so far are the responsibilities of the Principal Designer in the CDM Regs, ensuring that a competent Contractor is being appointed. Gone through the H&S website, nothing there, checked various Responsibility Matrices from old jobs which state RAMS should be done, but assigns no checking responsibility, the IStructE say reviewing contractor RAMS is a core task in work stage 4.5 - but that's it. Nothing specific. If anyone could point me in the right direction, or shed any light on it, it would be much appreciated. . . . . #refurbishment #design #london #structures #structuralengineering #construction #building #structuraldesign #structure

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