Latest news with #KierConstruction
ME Construction
24-07-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
Kier Group's Chief Executive Andrew Davies announced retirement
Industry News Kier Group's Chief Executive Andrew Davies announced retirement By Following a thorough internal and external selection process, the board appointed Togwell as its new Chief Executive, the firm said Kier has appointed Stuart Togwell as its new Chief Executive. Togwell will assume the role on 1 November 2025, following the retirement of Andrew Davies. Currently, Togwell serves as Kier's Executive Director and Group Managing Director of Kier Construction. 'I would like to thank Andrew for his exceptional leadership over the last six years, which has transformed Kier. We proudly remain one of the UK's leading infrastructure services, construction and property groups. Under Andrew's leadership the group has increased its resilience, strengthened its financial position and currently has a record order book of over US $14.8bn. Furthermore, during his tenure, Kier returned to the FTSE250 and recommenced dividend payments and has built a culture based on safety, delivery, discipline and performance excellence. On behalf of the board and all his colleagues, I wish him the very best in everything he does,' said Kier Group's Board Chairman Matthew Lester. He added, 'Andrew and his management team set out a clear strategy, purpose and vision for the group, initially to deliver its medium-term value creation plan and latterly to deliver long-term sustainable growth and with invigorated and motivated colleagues, Kier is realising this ambition. Although Togwell was always the inside man, Lester said he was not the only candidate considered. Following a thorough internal and external selection process, the board is delighted to appoint Stuart Togwell as its new Chief Executive. Stuart has played a pivotal role in Kier's transformation and the board is confident that his skill set is ideally suited to leading Kier through the next chapter of its development and to deliver long-term sustainable growth.' Davies commented, 'It has been an absolute privilege to lead Kier and to transform the group into a strong and sustainable business that benefits all stakeholders. I want to thank all the colleagues for their support, hard work and commitment over the last six years in building the foundations to ensure Kier remains a leading infrastructure services, construction and property company that is vital to the UK and is better placed than ever to succeed.' Togwell remarked, 'I am honoured to be appointed as the next Chief Executive and look forward to working with Kier's exceptional teams to drive success and growth and deliver for our customers, our communities and this industry that I am so passionate about.' Togwell, a chartered surveyor, commenced his career as an apprentice surveyor with Wates Group, where he remained for 32 years until 2019. He joined Kier as the Group Commercial Director, in December 2022, and was appointed as the Managing Director of Kier Construction in October 2024. He joined the group main board, alongside Davies and Chief Financial Officer Simon Kesterton.
The Guardian
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘I learn faster through real-life situations': why degree apprenticeships are proving so appealing
'Having finished my apprenticeship in 2023, I now have a degree, more than five years' industry experience and have been the commercial lead on a project – amazing considering I had no industry experience prior,' says quantity surveyor Evie Marsden, who completed her degree apprenticeship at Sheffield Hallam University while working for Kier Construction. Having already completed a maths degree, she says the apprenticeship boosted her employability significantly. 'It not only shows I have the knowledge of the subject area, but I also have the skills and behaviours to carry out the role appropriately. After all, I've demonstrated that to my employer for five years now and continue to develop.' Apprenticeships are increasingly seen as a way of helping people overcome barriers to landing roles or careers that may otherwise be unattainable. Particularly in traditionally male-dominated areas such as construction where, for example, figures show that between 2018-19 and 2023-24 the number of women starting construction apprenticeships increased by almost two-thirds to 2,420. In-job training often means a boost in confidence for apprentices that academic learning alone can't match. 'The main challenge I faced during my apprenticeship was being a young female in the construction industry,' says Marsden. 'I found when working with new people I worked harder than my peers to be listened to and taken seriously. The apprenticeship helped me overcome this barrier, giving me confidence in my ability so I can work in a team where I'm both the youngest person and only female without feeling it's a disadvantage.' The numbers starting UK apprenticeship programmes for those aged 16 and over rose to 202,520 in the 2024-25 academic year, slightly up from 200,550 the previous year. Higher apprenticeship starts increased by 8.7% to 76,970 and degree apprenticeships starts by 12.5% to 36,570. The schemes give apprentices the chance to experience a real work environment – and earn an income – while gaining a recognised qualification. Sheffield Hallam University is home to the National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships and is one of the largest providers of higher and degree apprenticeships. It has been running degree apprenticeships since 2015, receiving accolades including the Educate North 2024 Apprenticeship Award and Training Provider/Programme of the Year at South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards For Creative Industries 2024. Sharon Smith is director of skills and partnerships at Sheffield Hallam and is responsible for the apprenticeship and work-based learning coach team – at Hallam, academic teams deliver the degree element of the course and a team of apprenticeship 'coaches' support the apprentice alongside 'workplace mentors'. The university offers apprenticeships for more than 37 programmes (or roles). 'The vast majority align to government policy around economic growth and growth priority sectors,' says Smith. Indeed, apprenticeships are playing a significant role in supporting economic growth across industries and sectors crying out for skilled workers, from construction and engineering to healthcare and tech. 'That includes roles like advanced clinical practitioner, becoming a nurse or police constable, construction site management or jobs in town planning, for example,' says Smith. 'There's a real range that aligns to the priority sectors of the South Yorkshire local skills improvement plan and the national industrial strategy.' In general, it takes between three and four years to complete a degree apprenticeship (apprenticeships vary in length, depending on the level and professional body involved). There are significant benefits, besides learning while you earn, points out Smith. 'Because apprentices are studying at university, they're not just benefiting from their academic lecturers and coaches, but their peers too, who are doing similar jobs in different sectors. So they're learning about best practice from other workplaces and employers. And their workplace mentor offers additional support within the workplace, so they've got a very comprehensive support circle to help them to develop and progress.' Career progression is notable. 'Our workplace mentors tell us apprentices often progress in job roles quicker,' says Smith. 'And because apprentices complete work-based learning projects while at university, often they bring the outcomes or benefits of those into the workplace, making a huge difference, and increasing productivity and adding value.' Daisy Garfit completed her digital and technology solutions degree apprenticeship while working as an apprentice software developer at the digital consultancy DeeperThanBlue in Sheffield. She says the mix of work and study suited her well: 'I found the experience of learning through practical, workplace situations insightful and feel I learn faster through real-life situations. I never intended to go to university because I didn't believe it was a good fit for me. However, I did consider the prospect of an apprenticeship, allowing me to learn while working, something that aligned with my kinaesthetic learning style.' Her apprenticeship at DeeperThanBlue meant she was given the hands-on experience a traditional academic route wouldn't necessarily provide. 'I was involved in several customer projects where I developed and tested software solutions. This allowed me to use programming languages and tools learned during my studies in a practical setting while applying them to real-world problems. I also worked collaboratively with other developers, within my team and with external partners, helping me understand the importance of communication and collaboration in software development.' The structure of Sheffield Hallam's apprenticeship programme means there's a diverse population of apprentices at the university. 'Some of our apprentices are school leavers, who've left school with A-levels or level 3 vocational qualifications,' says Smith. 'Conversely, some employers give existing staff or mature students a chance to upskill or retrain with us via an apprenticeship, adding value for both the employee and employer. Many are also the first generation from their family to go to university. 'One of the employers we partner with is Barratt Redrow, the construction company, helping them recruit school leavers for their recruitment and assessment centres. We also help fill positions within NHS trusts, where many apprenticeships take the form of re-training existing employees in order for them to take on higher roles, like advanced clinical practitioner or senior leaders. Many of our employers also inform programme design to meet their skills needs, and influence the work-based projects the apprentices complete so they can then make a difference back in their workplace.' The scheme proves so successful for many employers that a long-term working relationship emerges and they become key employer partners. 'We get a lot of repeat business – for example, we have a really strong partnership with South Yorkshire Police and train their police constables – they now co-design and deliver the programme with us,' says Smith. 'For larger employers we might take on 20 apprentices every year, but for a smaller company it may be just one – but for that small business it improves productivity and for that one apprentice it can be really lifechanging. It all demonstrates how degree apprenticeships have a real impact on meeting skills needs and economic growth – locally, regionally and nationally.' Learn more about degree apprenticeships at Sheffield Hallam
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HMP Glasgow: Cost of replacement jail for HMP Barlinnie soars to almost £1bn
The projected cost of a new prison replacing Scotland's notorious HMP Barlinnie has more than doubled to almost £1bn. The opening of HMP Glasgow has also been delayed again to 2028, three years later than originally planned. The new jail is set to be built in the city's Provanmill and will be able to hold 1,344 prisoners, 357 more than 143-year-old Barlinnie. Angela Constance, the justice secretary in Scotland, revealed the updated cost of the project as she announced the construction contract had been signed by Kier Construction. In a letter to the criminal justice committee on Wednesday, Ms Constance said the contract had risen to £683.8m (excluding VAT) - taking the total cost to £998.4m, which includes land acquisition. She wrote: "This is a significant increase from the previous 2019 estimate which calculated that the project would cost at £400m." The new cost is nearly 10 times the original 2014 estimate of £100m, which was cited by an auditor to a Holyrood committee in 2023. In response, the Scottish Conservatives branded it a "jaw-dropping admission" as it accused the SNP of "squandering taxpayers' money on a scandalous scale". Ms Constance said the overall cost was in line with similar projects elsewhere in the UK, citing the effects of inflation caused by Brexit and the COVID pandemic. The justice secretary said: "HMP Glasgow is a bold vision for the future of Scottish that will help reduce reoffending, contribute to less crime, while delivering a considerable economic boost for the city and beyond. "The new modern establishment will replace a Victorian-age prison that is no longer fit for purpose. "It will increase prison capacity and transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, as well as considerably improving staff working conditions." The developer has committed to providing local employment, including apprenticeships, training and work placements for ex-offenders, as well as supporting local businesses. Ms Constance said the project will deliver £450m worth of economic benefits, with 50% of the project spend expected to benefit the local supply chain. She added: "The project's cost has been extensively scrutinised, with independent benchmarking analysis finding the costs are comparable with similar prison projects elsewhere in the UK." Read more from Sky News: Barlinnie is largest prison and houses male inmates. HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) previously reported it is no longer fit for purpose. It comes amid overcrowding concerns across the nation's prison estate. According to the latest Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data, Scotland's prison population was 8,260 on 31 January - above the target operating capacity of 8,007. A number of measures have been taken to ease the pressure, including the early release of prisoners - . HMP was initially scheduled to open in 2025, but that was pushed back a year before this latest delay. The Scottish Conservatives are calling for Ms Constance to make a statement to the Scottish parliament on the cost of the new jail. Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP added: "This is a jaw-dropping admission from the SNP justice secretary. "The SNP are squandering taxpayers' money on a scandalous scale, and the public are going to pay a colossal price for the nationalists' financial incompetence."
Sky News
05-02-2025
- Business
- Sky News
HMP Glasgow: Cost of replacement jail for HMP Barlinnie soars to almost £1bn
The projected cost of a new prison replacing Scotland's notorious HMP Barlinnie has more than doubled to almost £1bn. The opening of HMP Glasgow has also been delayed again to 2028, three years later than originally planned. The new jail is set to be built in the city's Provanmill and will be able to hold 1,344 prisoners, 357 more than 143-year-old Barlinnie. Angela Constance, the justice secretary in Scotland, revealed the updated cost of the project as she announced the construction contract had been signed by Kier Construction. In a letter to the criminal justice committee on Wednesday, Ms Constance said the contract had risen to £683.8m (excluding VAT) - taking the total cost to £998.4m, which includes land acquisition. She wrote: "This is a significant increase from the previous 2019 estimate which calculated that the project would cost at £400m." The new cost is nearly 10 times the original 2014 estimate of £100m, which was cited by an auditor to a Holyrood committee in 2023. In response, the Scottish Conservatives branded it a "jaw-dropping admission" as it accused the SNP of "squandering taxpayers' money on a scandalous scale". Ms Constance said the overall cost was in line with similar projects elsewhere in the UK, citing the effects of inflation caused by Brexit and the COVID pandemic. The justice secretary said: "HMP Glasgow is a bold vision for the future of Scottish prisons that will help reduce reoffending, contribute to less crime, while delivering a considerable economic boost for the city and beyond. "The new modern establishment will replace a Victorian-age prison that is no longer fit for purpose. "It will increase prison capacity and transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, as well as considerably improving staff working conditions." The developer has committed to providing local employment, including apprenticeships, training and work placements for ex-offenders, as well as supporting local businesses. Ms Constance said the project will deliver £450m worth of economic benefits, with 50% of the project spend expected to benefit the local supply chain. She added: "The project's cost has been extensively scrutinised, with independent benchmarking analysis finding the costs are comparable with similar prison projects elsewhere in the UK." Barlinnie is Scotland's largest prison and houses male inmates. HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) previously reported it is no longer fit for purpose. It comes amid overcrowding concerns across the nation's prison estate. According to the latest Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data, Scotland's prison population was 8,260 on 31 January - above the target operating capacity of 8,007. A number of measures have been taken to ease the pressure, including the early release of prisoners - which will continue this month. HMP Glasgow was initially scheduled to open in 2025, but that was pushed back a year before this latest delay. The Scottish Conservatives are calling for Ms Constance to make a statement to the Scottish parliament on the cost of the new jail. Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP added: "This is a jaw-dropping admission from the SNP justice secretary. "The SNP are squandering taxpayers' money on a scandalous scale, and the public are going to pay a colossal price for the nationalists' financial incompetence."
