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Willmott Dixon has been listed for the third consecutive time by The Times as one of the UK’s top 50 places to work for women, in recognition of its focus on being a workplace that’s inclusive for all people. Companies appear on the list after a thorough process of evaluation that identifies companies which make gender equality a key part of their business strategy, accessing companies in a range of areas, including approach to recruitment, family friendly policies and championing gender equality in the context of the pandemic. Rick Willmott, Group Chief Executive at Willmott Dixon said: “This is an important benchmark, not only for us, but the entire construction industry, to promote career opportunities available for people from all parts of our community, to enjoy as we say, ‘a career of a lifetime’, and create a long-term impact on society that increases the life opportunities for many thousands of people.” www.willmottdixon.co.uk Willmott Dixon named as one of UK’s best employers for women NEWS Reflecting on a productive, useful and surprising year After marking the anniversary of its first meeting, key members of the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum have revealed their personal highlights of working together for the ever- expanding collective. The collaboration of trade associations, which includes FIS, professional bodies, companies and individuals has helped guide the industry and public through a year of massive upheaval with a wealth of information and teamwork. The Forum marked its anniversary by releasing a round-up of its accomplishments over the past 12 months. Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS, said: “I was delighted to see the quick realisation that any information had to be disseminated in a simple, easily digestible form, which would resonate throughout the hugely disparate elements of the sector.” www.cicvforum.co.uk CLC floats rationing materials as shortages worsen Heriot-Watt University spin-out firm, Kenoteq, has secured funding to commercialise production of its revolutionary brick made of recycled construction waste. Made from over 90% recycled demolition and construction waste materials, the K-Briq produces a tenth of the CO2 emissions of a traditional fired brick and requires less than a tenth of the energy in its manufacture. SamChapman, Managing Director, Kenoteq said: “The K-Briq presents an opportunity for the construction sector to reduce landfill, limit reliance on finite resources and take advantage of wastematerials to create amore sustainable and ecologically viable built environment. “By using recycled pigments, it can be made in a range of colours providing flexibility to architects and designers.” The K-Briq was conceived by Professor Gabriela Medero from Heriot-Watt University following more than a decade of research and development into creating innovative, low-carbon products from recycled construction waste, and the £1m in funding from ZeroWaste Scotland will allowmore than two million K-Briqs to be produced annually. www.kenoteq.com Crackdown on late payments Liz Barclay has been named as the Small Business Commissioner to champion small businesses and spearhead the national effort to crack down on delayed invoice payments – which cause thousands of small businesses to close every year. She said: “We need a real culture change around business payments in the UK to take pressure off our phenomenal entrepreneurs. People who have already delivered goods and services have to be able to turn their attention to their next client and next order rather than chasing up late payments and worrying about their cashflow. I know from personal experience how damaging that can be to mental and emotional health. “By working with businesses and ensuring their concerns are listened to I hope to be able to deliver a payment regime that keeps cash flowing and works for everyone.” Life beyond the pandemic Key findings in Deloitte’s Summer 2021 London Office Crane Survey—a report that measures the volume of office development taking place across central London and emerging London submarkets, concluded that: • New office starts are up to 3.1m ft², above the survey long-term average • For the second consecutive survey, a majority of new starts were refurbishments • Speculative new starts are up, suggesting a relative confidence in the prime office market • West End and Midtown account for majority of new construction, while other submarkets are quiet • Completions reach 4.5m ft², the highest volume in 18 years • Volume under construction remains above average due to more new starts and previous delay. • Occupiers continue to ‘buy time’ through lease renewals or extensions, with others looking to capitalise on the market disruption to secure more favourable lease terms • The majority of developers think leasing demand has improved. Read the full report at https://tinyurl.com/39j6mmmw 6 www.thefis.org FIS Chief Executive, Iain McIlwee