Insight

Following recent regulatory investigations into fake certificates for construction workers, corporate and financial crime specialist Ramsay Hall looks at the risk of fraud for organisations in the sector and the practical steps that can be taken to mitigate risk. In August 2019, it was reported that

Surveyor Tom Laurie talks about the many, but perhaps little known, exceptions that exist for Home Reports. Home Reports, now a wholly accepted part of Scotland’s residential property landscape, celebrated their tenth anniversary late last year. But, remarkably enough, there remains a signific

Prime-site developer Queensberry Properties’ design and technical manager, Kirsty Henderson, examines how the continual evolution of architecture provides a fascinating glimpse into how our lives and expectations have changed over time. Architecture has always played a critical role in both sh

Site manager Robbie Hunter talks about the opportunities the industry presents and his route to a flourishing career having progressed through the graduate scheme at Kier. Like many children, I liked playing with Lego and creating my own buildings, but it wasn’t until I started watching Grand

Gemma Syme, senior HR and recruitment adviser at CMS Windows, discusses the company’s progressive approach to training and apprenticeships. In 2018, CMS Window Systems opened its new CMS Academy and launched the Academy’s inaugural CMS Apprenticeship Programme.

David Rennie, relationship director, public sector & higher education Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, outlines the benefits of Project Bank Accounts in streamlining payments.  Since the policy governing Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) for construction projects in Scotland was introduced in 2

Sarah Lewis, associate director: architecture at Hamson Barron Smith (HBS), describes the company’s use of Passivhaus as its benchmark performance standard. Multi-award winning Passivhaus development Carrowbreck Meadow. Photo: Jefferson Smith

According to MIND, one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year and in 2017 the Centre for Mental Health reported that the overall cost of mental health problems to UK employers was almost £35 billion. Even more worryingly for the industry, the Office for National

HR manager Sally Orton highlights the support initiatives which Plastic Surgeon offers to help protect its workforce.  With World Mental Health Day taking place today, we are reminded of the deeply concerning statistics surrounding the poor mental health of those working in the UK con

Stephen Good, chief executive of the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, continues a series of blogs following the Scotland Excel ‘Accelerating the delivery of affordable new homes’ conference yesterday.

David Wilson from law firm MacRoberts considers the outcome of Mears Limited v Costplan Services and what it tells us about what constitutes practical completion. For the first time in recent years, the courts have considered the definition of practical completion in the case of Mears Limited v Cost

Sustainable housing can alleviate fuel poverty, therefore, the higher upfront costs should not rule out the use of energy-efficient materials, argues Scotframe’s Malcolm Thomson. Hands up if you’ve heard about the urgent need for new homes? Chances are most of the business community have

Well-meaning legislation put in place following Grenfell is proving a real challenge for the property/construction industry in practice, writes chartered surveyor Eric Curran. The Grenfell Tower tragedy horrified Britain, and our legislators – quite rightly and commendably – have concent

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) chief executive Sally Thomas speaks ahead of today’s Scotland Excel ‘Accelerating the delivery of affordable new homes’ conference. In the current political climate, where breaking news comes by the hour, it can be difficult not to

In the past five years, insolvency rates in the construction industry have increased more quickly than in other industries across the UK. Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) lawyers Simon Lewis and Philippa Jones consider the common causes of construction insolvency and how to protect your position if insol