Latest news with #BarryLewis
Trade Arabia
3 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
ALEC report outlines operational excellence, resilience for sustainable growth
ALEC Holdings, a leading construction and related services company, has released its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Sustainability report, underscoring the company's commitment to responsible growth and sustained operational excellence across its UAE and KSA operations. The company's sustainability achievements have been recognised externally. ALEC was awarded the Dubai Chamber of Commerce ESG Label and earned the 'Committed' sustainability badge from EcoVadis. The EcoVadis assessment covered 21 criteria across Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, further validating ALEC's robust ESG posture. "We take pride in the results which showcase our maturing sustainability strategy that's fully integrated into our business model - not as a compliance exercise, but as a lever for resilience and regional growth," said Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC Holdings. "As ALEC continues to deliver complex, high-value projects across the region, our ESG commitments serve as a key enabler of operational excellence and stakeholder trust," he stated "Our 2024 report reflects the tangible progress we've made in enhancing transparency, building workforce resilience, and embedding sustainability into every level of the business — from our project sites to the boardroom," he added. ALEC's reputation for governance and compliance was further reinforced this year by the successful rollout of 'ALEC ALERT' — a secure whistleblowing platform enabling employees, subcontractors and vendors to report unethical conduct anonymously. With 73.5% of staff* in the UAE and KSA completing ethics training, ALEC is fostering a culture of accountability that supports robust decision-making. This ethical foundation directly contributes to transparent financial practices and sound business stewardship, offering confidence to partners and stakeholders alike. ALEC said it has completed a comprehensive double materiality assessment - a significant step in refining its ESG priorities. By engaging a wide array of internal and external stakeholders including employees, investors, clients, auditors, consultants, and community partners, the company ensured its ESG and decarbonisation approach reflects evolving risks, opportunities, and expectations, it stated. This emphasis on governance is matched by ALEC's enduring investment in people. In 2024, more than 4,600 workers were trained at ALEC's dedicated trade skills facility, contributing to a healthy pipeline of internal promotions from labour to staff roles and measurable employee career advancement. With 68 nationalities represented and nearly 40% of managers* having completed gender diversity training, ALEC is building an inclusive workforce that reflects the increasingly global nature of clients and communities it serves, it added. 'Talent is one of the most critical assets for a business like ours, and our ability to attract, retain and grow top-tier professionals directly impacts the quality of what we deliver,' remarked Lewis. 'By investing in both upskilling and wellbeing, we ensure ALEC remains an employer of choice — and a partner clients can rely on to bring visionary projects to life,' he added. On the environmental front, ALEC has taken impactful steps to decarbonise operations and strengthen climate resilience across its assets and operations. Most of the company's offices and factories in the UAE and KSA were refurbished in 2024, not just to improve energy and water efficiency, but also to enhance workplace experience. With solar-diesel hybrid generators and battery energy storage systems (BESS) deployed at four ALEC Construction project sites, ALEC is reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to power its sites while enhancing operational efficiency.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ALEC Holdings' 2024 ESG Report reflects operational excellence and resilience for sustainable, long-term growth
Dubai, UAE – ALEC Holdings (ALEC), a leading construction and related services company, today published its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Sustainability report, underscoring the company's commitment to responsible growth and sustained operational excellence across its UAE and KSA operations. The company's sustainability achievements have been recognised externally. ALEC was awarded the Dubai Chamber of Commerce ESG Label and earned the 'Committed' sustainability badge from EcoVadis. The EcoVadis assessment covered 21 criteria across Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, further validating ALEC's robust ESG posture. 'We take pride in the results which showcase our maturing sustainability strategy that's fully integrated into our business model — not as a compliance exercise, but as a lever for resilience and regional growth. As ALEC continues to deliver complex, high-value projects across the region, our ESG commitments serve as a key enabler of operational excellence and stakeholder trust,' said Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC Holdings. 'Our 2024 report reflects the tangible progress we've made in enhancing transparency, building workforce resilience, and embedding sustainability into every level of the business — from our project sites to the boardroom.' ALEC's reputation for governance and compliance was further reinforced this year by the successful rollout of 'ALEC ALERT' — a secure whistleblowing platform enabling employees, subcontractors and vendors to report unethical conduct anonymously. With 73.5% of staff* in the UAE and KSA completing ethics training, ALEC is fostering a culture of accountability that supports robust decision-making. This ethical foundation directly contributes to transparent financial practices and sound business stewardship, offering confidence to partners and stakeholders alike. ALEC completed a comprehensive double materiality assessment — a significant step in refining its ESG priorities. By engaging a wide array of internal and external stakeholders including employees, investors, clients, auditors, consultants, and community partners, the company ensured its ESG and decarbonisation approach reflects evolving risks, opportunities, and expectations. This emphasis on governance is matched by ALEC's enduring investment in people. In 2024, more than 4,600 workers were trained at ALEC's dedicated trade skills facility, contributing to a healthy pipeline of internal promotions from labour to staff roles and measurable employee career advancement. With 68 nationalities represented and nearly 40% of managers* having completed gender diversity training, ALEC is building an inclusive workforce that reflects the increasingly global nature of clients and communities it serves. 'Talent is one of the most critical assets for a business like ours, and our ability to attract, retain and grow top-tier professionals directly impacts the quality of what we deliver,' added Lewis. 'By investing in both upskilling and wellbeing, we ensure ALEC remains an employer of choice — and a partner clients can rely on to bring visionary projects to life.' On the environmental front, ALEC has taken impactful steps to decarbonise operations and strengthen climate resilience across its assets and operations. Most of the company's offices and factories in the UAE and KSA were refurbished in 2024, not just to improve energy and water efficiency, but also to enhance workplace experience. With solar-diesel hybrid generators and battery energy storage systems (BESS) deployed at four ALEC Construction project sites, ALEC is reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to power its sites while enhancing operational efficiency. These efforts align with national renewable energy strategies in both major markets for the company. Eight ALEC projects achieved LEED certification and five received a Pearl Estidama rating, with more under review. Beyond operations, ALEC continues to play an active role in enriching communities. Over 1,100 employees participated in CSR activities last year, contributing more than 548 volunteering hours that positively impacted over 6,300 people. Through partnerships with Dubai Cares, SmartLife (NPO/NGO) and Emirates Red Crescent, ALEC directed hundreds of thousands of dirhams towards education, labour welfare, and humanitarian initiatives in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Nepal. 'As we target an aggressive phase of regional growth, we believe our ESG strategy not only protects value, but actively drives it,' said Lewis. 'Our goal is to set the benchmark for sustainable construction operations in the Middle East — delivering world-class projects while raising the bar for ethics, environmental responsibility and workforce empowerment.' Methodology ALEC Holdings 2024 ESG report covers the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 and relates to the company's UAE and KSA operations. The report partially aligns with leading global ESG frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the United Nations Global Compact's 10 principles, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Engineering & Construction Services metrics, and the Dubai Financial Market's ESG reporting guidelines. About ALEC ALEC Holdings, part of the Investment Corporate of Dubai (ICD), is a leading construction and related businesses group operating in the UAE and KSA. The company builds and provides construction solutions that set industry benchmarks for quality, safety, functionality, and aesthetics. ALEC Holdings offers its clients complete turnkey solutions in construction, MEP, fit-out, marine, oil & gas, modular construction, energy efficiency and solar projects, heavy equipment rental, technology systems and asset maintenance. With these capabilities, the company successfully serves a diverse range of sectors including airports, retail, hotels & resorts, high-rise buildings, and themed projects.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform takes control of Derbyshire County Council
Reform UK has taken control of Derbyshire County Council from the Conservatives. The party needed 33 of county's 64 seats to claim overall majority, which it surpassed, winning 42 in total. The Conservatives lost 33 seats, leaving them with 12, while Labour are down to three. The Derbyshire leaders of both parties - Conservative Barry Lewis and Labour's Joan Dixon, lost their seats to Reform. Stephen Reed, Derbyshire's Reform spokesman, said: "People keep saying it's a protest vote, I think there's no doubt people are protesting at how politics currently runs." Reed, who won the Clay Cross and Tupton division with 1,353 votes, added: "There is an element that people want change so it's a message to other parties to say, look, we're not happy with the way things are going." Responding to the Conservatives' loss, outgoing group leader Lewis said: "It's something of a wipe-out for us, I think - nationally and locally." He put it down difficulties over numerous years "a fractured party" and the party's poor result after holding a general election in 2024. "We need to rebuild trust with our residents and voters who've lost faith with us," he added. Live: Follow latest on local elections Who won the local election in my area? What's happened so far and what's still to come? Labour's Dixon said leading the Derbyshire group had been "a massive privilege" adding that it "fought tooth and nail" this election. She said: "I will continue to be a champion for children with SEND as the stories of parents who have struggled to get the best outcomes for their children has left a profound impression on me. "Thank you to every resident who has supported me over the years. It has been an honour to serve you and serve our beautiful county." By Georgia Roberts, BBC Derby political reporter Reform UK have now officially got a majority on Derbyshire County Council. The casualties they've inflicted include Labour's leader in Derbyshire and potentially (there's a recount it's that close), the current Conservative leader of the council Barry Lewis. There's a feeling here that Reform have managed to mobilised people that don't normally turn out to vote in Derbyshire, and this has helped them along to victory - turnout was higher than expectations. But Conservatives here also say they don't feel they could've fought against the strong sentiment for Reform and sympathy for their national policies. Labour and the Conservative are equally hurting, but for Labour this is a particular blow. A year ago they were expecting to take this council , riding high off the back of recent victories in district and borough councils and a clean sweep of Labour MPs in the general election . One Labour figure here tells me the party now need to do some serious soul searching as to how things have gone "so wrong, so rapidly". Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Derbyshire County Council
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform takes control of Derbyshire County Council
Reform UK has taken control of Derbyshire County Council from the party needed 33 of county's 64 seats to claim overall majority, which it surpassed, winning 42 in total. The Conservatives lost 33 seats, leaving them with 12, while Labour are down to Derbyshire leaders of both parties - Conservative Barry Lewis and Labour's Joan Dixon, lost their seats to Reform. Live: Follow latest on local elections Who won the local election in my area?What's happened so far and what's still to come?Stephen Reed, Derbyshire's Reform spokesman, said: "People keep saying it's a protest vote, I think there's no doubt people are protesting at how politics currently runs."Reed, who won the Clay Cross and Tupton division with 1,353 votes, added: "There is an element that people want change so it's a message to other parties to say, look, we're not happy with the way things are going." Analysis By Georgia Roberts, BBC Derby political reporterReform UK have now officially got a majority on Derbyshire County casualties they've inflicted include Labour's leader in Derbyshire and potentially (there's a recount it's that close), the current Conservative leader of the council Barry a feeling here that Reform have managed to mobilised people that don't normally turn out to vote in Derbyshire, and this has helped them along to victory - turnout was higher than Conservatives here also say they don't feel they could've fought against the strong sentiment for Reform and sympathy for their national and the Conservative are equally hurting, but for Labour this is a particular blow.A year ago they were expecting to take this council , riding high off the back of recent victories in district and borough councils and a clean sweep of Labour MPs in the general election .One Labour figure here tells me the party now need to do some serious soul searching as to how things have gone "so wrong, so rapidly".
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Counting starts for local elections in Derbyshire
Council leader under pressure Georgia Roberts Political reporter, BBC Derby Where I am in North East Derbyshire, lots of eyes will be on the Conservative leader and current leader of the council, Barry Lewis. He is standing in Shirland and Wingerworth South, and faces a fight on several different fronts. For one, there's a challenge from a Green candidate who's well-known locally. The Greens came second last time they contested the ward four years ago, and think they have a good shot this time with less energised support for the Conservatives clearing the way. But a lot's changed since 2021 – Reform also have their eye on dethroning the leader. There's a lot of sympathy for the party's national messages on immigration in the area (even though it's one of those issues that technically isn't on the ballot paper). Finally, a newly formed local independent group is fielding a candidate who's also a familiar face to locals. Both the Reform and Independent candidates are former Conservative councillors. It's perhaps a reflection of the tricky spot the Conservatives find themselves in nationally that their leader in Derbyshire faces shedding support in these very different directions.
