Appointment of Chief Operating officer

eEnergy Group is pleased to confirm, further to the announcement of 11 December 2020, the appointment of Robert van Leeuwen as Chief Operating Officer. In this new role, he will report to Group CEO, Harvey Sinclair. As part of his role, van Leeuwen will oversee the integration of the Beond Group, which was acquired by eEnergy on 15 December 2020. Beond is a UK-based renewable energy consulting and procurement business, whose services aim to reduce clients’ costs and tackle climate change. Van Leeuwen will work closely with the Beond management team and oversee initiatives to accelerate growth, including enhancing the customer value proposition, growing revenues from existing customers and unlocking operational synergies and target stretch performance in lead generation and sales conversions. Van Leeuwen brings considerable experience to the role. He was the COO for Pan-European Energy Consultancy, EnergyQuote JHA. He led the businesses operations and technology development, helping expand client services into 22 countries. Acquired by Accenture in 2015, he led the operational and technology integrations, while developing the global services and technology platform for a further five years. Before working in energy, Van Leeuwen was the Group Operations Manager for a Pan-African logistics and commodities business. Commenting on the appointment, Harvey Sinclair, CEO, eEnergy says: “Since we admitted to trading on AIM in January, we have been focused on developing eEnergy into a broader energy services company. We have made significant headway, including making two acquisitions. With our exciting plans to capture the considerable opportunities we see in the energy efficiency market we are delighted to add someone of Rob’s calibre and experience to the team. He is well-known within the UK and global energy markets. Rob has spent his career helping businesses to grow using his expertise, understanding of operational process, and strong technology capability. I look forward to working closely with him as we work to deliver the Group’s ambitious strategy.” Rob van Leeuwen adds: “I am delighted to be joining the eEnergy Team at this exciting point in the Group’s development, following the acquisition of Beond. I am looking forward to working with Harvey and the rest of the team to deliver a sustainable future for our clients”.

West Ham bus garage goes electric

A fleet of five electric buses are now in operation from West Ham bus garage in east London, due to a new electric vehicle charging solution provided by UK Power Networks Services. The power infrastructure business, which includes electric vehicle consultancy, design, installation and maintenance solutions worked with bus operator, Stagecoach, to install power distribution and 80kW charge points that will power a new fleet of fully electric zero emission buses. The buses will serve route 323 from Canning Town to Mile End. UK Power Networks Services’ solution will charge the electric buses overnight and will continually monitor the amount of power available at the garage. This night time charging approach will reduce costs for the bus garage, as it will be able to draw its maximum power requirement between 11pm and 6am when local electricity demand is low and electricity prices are cheaper. West Ham's electric buses will operate within one of 12 Low Emission Bus Zones, introduced by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in 2018 to tackle air pollution hotspots in the city and represent a further expansion of what is one of Europe’s largest electric bus fleets. Having even more electric buses in operation in West Ham, will further contribute to improved air quality in the area, particularly as the route serves a number of large local schools including Bow School and St Paul’s Way Trust School. This is the latest installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure by UK Power Networks Services. The company has been supporting a number of industries, including public transport, aviation, rail and logistics operators, to meet their carbon net zero targets by 2050. Philip Heathcote, head of markets at UK Power Networks Services, comments: “This project is another signal of the capital’s intent for all buses to be zero-emission by 2037. We are delighted to play a key role in ensuring electric buses can take to the road and provide the area with a clean and sustainable mode of public transport.” Paul Lynch, Regional Director for Stagecoach London says: “We’re very proud of our strong track record of delivering sustainable public transport. Over the past decade, we’ve invested more than £1billion in 7,000 new greener vehicles across the country – more than any other operator in the UK - and this latest investment in London will help to ensure that we are continuing to lead the way in delivering cleaner air.” UK Power Networks Services has been delivering energy infrastructure solutions for clients for more than 50 years for Network Rail, London Underground and High Speed 1, the UK’s busiest airports, Ministry of Defence, Hinkley Point C, and ports and logistics companies.

Ideal Industries supports electrical re-skilling initiative

Ideal Industries is supporting a not-for-profit training initiative that aims to help people re-skill and up-skill in the electrical sector. Based in Widnes, Trade Training provides electrical training and qualifications, personal development, career advice and on-going support for people who want to start their journey to a career in the electrical sector, and electricians who want to up-skill and broaden their career prospects. Established by Greg Hoonahian, an experienced electrician and electrical trainer, the organisation delivers training for people from across the North West of England, providing evening and weekend courses to enable people to continue working while they learn. Impressed by Trade Training’s ethos and the calibre of training provided, general manager EMEA of Ideal Industries, Brett Smyth, has stepped in to help the training provider with donations of the company’s range of In-Sure Push-in, Lever and In-line connectors. Ideal Industries has also provided a number of Safe Isolation kits for use by students to practice locking out and tagging isolations. Smyth comments: “With the UK moving towards increased use of electric vehicles, smart technology and electric heating and hot water systems, there is a wealth of opportunity in the electrical sector. Meanwhile, the effects of the pandemic mean that many people are re-thinking their careers and looking for something that offers them a more reliable and sustainable career path: retraining as an electrician is an excellent option. “Trade Training is addressing both of those needs with affordable, accessible training that people of all skill levels can complete while continuing to work if they need to. That’s a great way to help new talent into the sector, because paying the bills while retraining is often a major obstacle for people who want to take their career in a new direction. We’re delighted to be able to support this brilliant initiative and I hope the partnership will continue to grow over time.” Hoonahian himself is proof that it’s possible to continue working while being involved with training. He runs the training centre and delivers courses at evenings and weekends, while working three days a week carrying out electrical safety inspections and tests. During his career, he has worked on the tools and as a trainer for both companies and further education colleges, and has used Ideal Industries’ In-Sure connectors for many years. “It’s brilliant that Ideal Industries have provided us with the In-Sure connectors because I know how much time they save on site and our students love them,” says Hoonahian; “Until I started discussing how we could work together with the Ideal Industries’ team I had no idea how many other products they make and I’m looking forward to getting the team in to demo some of the other innovative tools and accessories in their range. “We provide a high standard of accredited training delivered by myself and a number of experienced professionals, along with support and guidance to help students develop their career or become self-employed. As a not-for-profit organisation that aims to keep training as affordable as possible, however, it’s not always easy to fund the wide variety of quality products that students may use on site, so Ideal Industries’ support is absolutely invaluable.” Ideal Industries’ involvement with Trade Training initiative is the latest in the company’s programme of knowledge sharing partnerships with colleges and training providers, which includes Warrington & Vale Royal College and Coleg Cambria in Wrexham. Each relationship is tailored to the needs of the training provider and enables the Ideal Industries team to feed industry insight and user experience into its product development and marketing. Smyth adds: “We are passionate about offering products that make installations faster, safer and quality assured. Working with the skilled and experienced electricians that provide training and the people starting out on their electrical careers who will use our products in the future embeds genuine understanding of what the sector needs in our product development and customer interactions so that we can be more responsive to their requirements.”

Seeing through the COVID communications barrier

Helping people who need to see facial expressions through a mask, is the driving force for a new initiative by the UK’s biggest electricity distributor. UK Power Networks has equipped frontline workers on its customer service vans, with innovative see-through masks to help conversations flow more easily. In today’s Covid-conscious and socially-isolated world, the move is set to help a range of people including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and those with dementia or anxiety. As well as being able to lip read, people will now be able to see facial gestures such as a friendly smile, helping provide additional reassurance during power cuts. UK Power Networks is third in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers list for demonstrating best practice around diversity and inclusiveness through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The company, which delivers power to 8.3 million homes and businesses across the East of England, London and South East is the only distribution network operator to be National Equality Standard accredited. Its customer support vehicles already offer free refreshments, phone and tablet charging, and other practical assistance on site during power cuts. The vans are run in partnership with Haste, whose staff are wearing the fully transparent masks to break through the communications barrier created by opaque masks. Engineers have been using a specially designed app since the first UK lockdown, to help translate spoken words into written text on their phone, so transparent masks now boost that personal approach. The firm will still use see-through visors as an option should customers prefer that. Michael Horwood, stakeholder engagement manager at UK Power Networks, comments: “We are proud to be equipping frontline customer support staff with see-through masks. “We are always looking for new ways to help supporting customers and we know it’s a particularly difficult time for some people to communicate and connect on a personal level during the ongoing pandemic.” A spokesperson for the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD), one of UK Power Networks’ Power Partners, says: “Clear face masks provide accessibility for deaf people, and help make everyone more aware of the everyday challenges and barriers that deaf people face, with regards to lip-reading and effective communication, including seeing facial expressions. People are likely to feel more relaxed and confident when a clear mask is worn as it makes lip-reading possible. “Myself, especially being a lip reader and profoundly deaf, it is really helpful when people wear a clear face covering as it enables me to understand, unlike an ordinary mask that makes it impossible to lip-read. It also helps in the terms that we do not need to ask people to remove their face covering, or write things down.”

LIA's new safety certification scheme

The LIA’s new Safety Certification Scheme (LIASC) was created to focus on product safety and compliance and we are excited to announce that the first company to achieve such certification is Fox Lux Emergency Lighting. After listening to customers who regularly use the LIA Laboratory for safety testing, the LIA Compliance team identified a requirement of certification based solely around product safety. So the LIASC Certificate, the LIASC and the LIASC+ Schemes, which are easily accessible and affordable, have been launched to meet these requirements. Fox Lux’s ‘FXS Microwave Motion Sensor’ underwent vigorous Safety Testing to the relevant standards. Fox Lux then submitted the required quality information and passed the evaluations to successfully obtain the LIASC Certified Status. In return for its commitment to compliance, the ‘FXS Microwave Motion Sensor range’ is listed on the Product Conformity Scheme LIASC register here and can showcase its dedicated LIASC Logo. When asked why Fox Lux Emergency Lighting got involved in the scheme, Simon Fox, Managing Director of Fox Lux Emergency Lighting comments: “Fox Lux is proud to receive the first LIASC Certification for its range of daylight and microwave sensors under the latest LIA Safety Certification scheme.  The scheme provides an opportunity to have products, the manufacturing facility and supporting documentation, independently assessed with ongoing surveillance to ensure continuous compliance. This independent assessment, combined with our 5-year warranty, will reinforce our customer’s confidence when buying from Fox Lux. We fully support the LIA in its quest to improve product compliance and awareness in the market, and will be submitting more controls and luminaires for assessment under the LIA and ICEL Certification schemes.”

ISD solutions provides firewall at the new UK vaccines centre

Installation of ISD Solutions firewalls at the new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC). Fire safety construction specialists ISD Solutions are delivering a fast-track firewall element at the UK’s new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) at Harwell in Oxfordshire. The firewall division of the Gloucester firm was recently contracted to provide the two-storey building with almost 5,000m2 of extensive certified fireproof separation walls. VMIC was established to provide the UK’s first strategic vaccine development and advanced manufacturing capability. It has taken a leading role in advising Government teams on vaccines manufacturing in response to Covid-19. Once operationally ready, the 7,400m2 facility, at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, will have capacity to manufacture up to 70 million doses of a pandemic vaccine within a six  month timeframe. Demand for the site accelerated when the pandemic started, construction was backed by UK Government and Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the site in September. It was around this time that ISD was selected through a tender process as the supplier of the fireproofing elements of the building. The VMIC facility is due to open in summer 2021, a year ahead of schedule. Brett Harrington, Manager of ISD Solutions’ Firewall Division, says: “The VMIC facility is a vital weapon in the UK’s fight against coronavirus and, as such, security and safety is crucial. “This was an exciting opportunity to be involved in a project of such importance. The compressed timelines have added to the challenge but we have sufficient resources in house and quickly mobilised our design and project management teams. Working with our supply chain we were able to support the synchronisation of material ordering and delivery, even while the design phase was ongoing.” “We are all proud to have played a role in the nation’s future recovery from the pandemic.” During the past 12 months ISD Solutions has doubled down on its in-house fire expertise, part of its strategy to provide specialist services required by the market. Both Mr Harrington and managing director Adrian Smith becoming among the first worldwide to have passed the new Level 3 Certificate in Passive Fire Protection from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE). The qualifications put ISD Solutions as one of a select group of UK construction contractors to be at the pinnacle of fire safety expertise. “Our expertise is becoming more widely recognised and, combined with our relationships with product suppliers, this makes ISD a reliable provider for such urgent work,” comments Mr Harrington. “Our clients receive surety in our installations, which are designed and installed to LPS 1500/1531 standards from the BRE, with a third party backed certificate of conformity.” Glencar Construction is the main contractor at VMIC in Harwell and began on-site ground works in early April, with the base build ready for access for fit-out a few weeks ago. Eddie McGillycuddy, Managing Director of Glencar Construction explains: “Glencar is pleased to collaborate with stakeholders including ISD Solutions to deliver this critical project. We have made an accelerated start and reduced our construction programme with the support of our partners, making this project an excellent example of all that is good about our industry.” Chris Lucas, Chief Operating Officer at VMIC says: “The programme acceleration to allow VMIC to open its doors in 2021, a year ahead of schedule, has been made possible by an extraordinary level of cooperation by all concerned. “We have focussed on collaboration to deliver this critical resource both in the battle against pandemic viruses and the rejuvenation of the vaccines industry in the UK.”

Health and Safety Expert, Arco advises on this weather

With shorter days and bad weather, workers are spending more of their day working in dangerous conditions. Freezing temperatures, heavy rain and strong winds can hamper decision-making and performance, causing irrational and unsafe behaviour that aggravates the risk of existing hazards. Arco, the UK’s leading health and safety expert, wants individuals and business owners to understand how worker safety can be compromised and more importantly - restored. Studies show that accidents may increase by up to 35% when people experience excessive cold while working. Thermal comfort is key to worker productivity and maintaining a consistent body temperature is essential. Wearing three layers, a base layer, mid-layer and outer layer, is the perfect way to ensure outdoor clothing is suitable for the winter. These layers should include: A breathable base layer that sits next to the skin and wicks away moisture, keeping the body warm and dry The mid layer, known as the ‘insulating layer’ should provide warmth. This layer should be fitted to allow minimum air movement, which ensures that maximum heat is retained, while still letting perspiration escape from the base layer An outer layer to shield against wind, rain and abrasion People who spend time working outdoors should be prepared to not only ensure that they are warm in winter, but that they can be seen as well. Ill-equipped employees are at a highly increased risk of being victim to a workplace injury if they are not noticeable. Every year there are over 2,500 RIDDOR incidents involving transport in the workplace and being struck by a vehicle is one of the most common causes of fatal workplace accidents. Hi-vis clothing attracts the attention of vehicle operators, gives them more time to react and reduces the risk of people being hit. It is therefore essential that employers ensure workers are supplied with EN compliant and role-suitable hi-visibility clothing. The higher risk the environment, the more hi-vis clothing is required. Hi-vis should be suitable for the job, comfortable for the wearer and it shouldn’t interfere with other PPE. Genuine hi-vis has two features which aid discernibility: fluorescent material providing day-time visibility, and retro-reflective tape which reflects light directly back toward light sources. Whilst dark weather conditions seem the most natural time to wear hi-vis, it should be worn in all light conditions to ensure workers are protected. The EN standard for hi-vis clothing is EN 20471, which sets the minimum standards of visual performance and durability needed for high visibility clothing worn in the workplace. The standard is based on a series of tests including colour fastness, colour measurement, dimensional stability, reflective tape testing and garment assessment, all of which affect whether hi-vis offers the highest possible level of protection (class 3), or low level protection (class 1). Arco also warns that it’s crucial to review the condition of hi-vis clothing regularly, to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Arco has released an Expert Guide to help employers get the best results from their garments because thoroughly waterproof clothing means less downtime, less sick leave and the job gets done no matter what the weather.

Nexans to supply nuclear rated cables to bring carbon-free electricity to six million UK homes

Nexans is supplying a variety of custom-designed, nuclear-rated cables for the Hinkley Point C site, including medium voltage and low voltage power, control and instrumentation cables for pumps, valves, safety systems, power supplies and control room monitoring. They will be installed inside and outside of the nuclear containment area. It is vital that the cables continue to perform safely and reliably under the demanding environmental conditions corresponding to normal, accidental and/or post-accidental plant operating conditions. Oliver Dervout, Nexans Market Segment Director for Power Generation says: “We are very excited to be involved in this ground-breaking project for the UK’s nuclear power program. We have already gained considerable experience as a supplier of nuclear-qualified cables for EPR projects worldwide, such as Flamanville (FA3) in France and Taishan in China. Winning the contract for Hinkley Point C confirms our  solid reputation in the nuclear segment. The key to our success is the ability to combine technical expertise, high level products and extensive industrial design and manufacturing capability.” To satisfy the most rigorous safety standards, Nexans ENERGEN NUC halogen-free cables that comply with the Euroclass requirements for reaction to fire have been specified. They will be manufactured at the Nexans factory in Mehun-sur-Yèvre, France.

CICV forum asks industry to reveal their Christmas wish list for 2021

Cooperation and collaboration, greater worker welfare and a top-to-bottom revolution of the construction sector are all top of the Christmas wish-list for members of the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum. With a year of massive and unprecedented upheaval drawing to a close, the unique collective asked its 100-plus members to reveal their greatest wishes for 2021 – with the answers as varied as the body itself. While the pandemic undoubtedly brought a staggering level of challenges, it also ushered in a new era of cooperation which saw the group of more than 70 organisations pull together to help Scotland’s building sector get safely back to work. And as the Forum released a round-up of its accomplishments and achievements in 2020, many members said their biggest wish is for this teamwork and togetherness to continue. Alan Wilson, CICV Forum Chair and Managing Director of electrical trade association SELECT, says: “It’s been amazing to see so many different groups and individuals working in a collaborative way with the sole aim of helping the construction industry recover from the current crisis. My wish is that this spirit of collaboration continues in whatever landscape we face in 2021 and beyond.” Vaughan Hart, Managing Director of the Scottish Building Federation, comments: “The way that sections of our industry, not renowned for sharing resources and information, have come together has shown that we do have the potential to improve things for whole construction sector. My wish is that we don’t revert to the ‘old normality’ once this crisis is over.” Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, echoes his sentiment, saying: “As we all know, necessity is the mother of invention, and the Forum was born out of necessity when the pandemic first struck. Ever since, we’ve seen unprecedented levels of cooperation and my wish is that this becomes the norm in 2021 and beyond.” David Logue, Partner at Gardiner & Theobald LLP, wishes: “Like others on the Forum, my wish is that productive partnerships continue into 2021. Only by working together can we make real changes to the construction industry that will benefit not just the firms and individuals that work in our sector but also our clients and customers.” Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board, adds: “My wish for 2021 is the same as every year – collaboration, collaboration and more collaboration. Now more than ever, we need everyone to recognise that we’re in this together and we’ll only recover and rebuild by cooperating closely.” For other members of the Forum, their wish-list included the health of both the industry itself and the thousands of professionals who work across it. John McKinney, Secretary of the NFRC, the Stone Federation and the Scottish Contractors Group, says: “The most important thing is coming out of the pandemic with the least possible number of deaths. I hope the industry takes the time to look at how it operates to ensure that any further instances don’t have the same impact. In future, it’s vital that all parts of the sector are resilient enough to ensure we can continue business as usual.” Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), comments: “I would like to see our industry recover from the pandemic with a plentiful supply of work and, with the push towards low-carbon technologies, there are certainly huge opportunities for plumbing and heating businesses.” Other Forum members, such as Len Bunton, construction consultant and host of the Forum’s recent commercial webinars, hoped that the pandemic would bring about real change in the industry itself. He says: “What has become evident is that the sector needs massive change and a top-to-bottom overhaul. My concerns are that we just go back to the old ways, so my Christmas wish is for the emergence of people with enormous energy who will be relentless in seeking to change the old order.” Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of the Finishes and Interiors Sector, continues the theme, saying: “All I want for Christmas is for construction to put the ‘r’ in evolution, admit the process is broken and commit to be different in 2021. We only need a small reset to start thinking ‘us’ instead of ‘me’, front load, plan and programme to engage expertise early and stop looking for ways to pay late. If enough do it, we’ll deliver the roadmap to recovery. The alternative is an unthinkable regression to ‘normal’ – and who wants to be normal?” Peter Walker, Director of Health, Safety & Training at the British Constructional Steelwork Association, agrees, saying: “We need a new breed of leadership that is prepared to make the industry open, honest and transparent. This may seem to be too basic to have any significant impact on a longstanding problem but if all those involved at every level are fairly treated and rewarded then we’ll have a construction industry that will be world class.” Ian Honeyman, Commercial Director of the Scottish Building Federation, had a specific request from Santa, saying: “My wish is that, when amendments to standard forms of contract are made which significantly change the intended risk profile, these amendments should be identified and the procuring body should state the reason for them, together with their impact on the tendering party. This would provide greater clarity for everyone.” The final word went to Grahame Barn, Chief Executive of CECA Scotland, who concludes: “I dream of being able to again enjoy my winter treat of a few home brewed pints with friends at the Moulin Inn near Pitlochry. In between slavering nonsense and eating good food in front of a roaring fire, I’ll toast the achievements of everyone who worked collaboratively under the banner of the CICV Forum to protect our industry during this awful pandemic.” Made up of more than 70 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, the CICV Forum has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and making appeals to Government Ministers. Iain Mason, Chair of the Forum’s Communications Sub-Group and Director of Communications at SELECT, says: “It is perhaps unsurprising that, given the quite remarkable success of the Forum’s inclusive and collaborative approach, many of its members are keen for it to continue more widely than ever across the sector. “The Forum has demonstrated just what can be achieved by working together, rather than against each other. Whatever the coming year brings, the Forum’s achievements show that our industry can emerge from this crisis robust, resilient and, hopefully, fully recovered.”

Residents urged to 'be winter ready'

Coronavirus has changed many people’s circumstances this year, with the pandemic hitting some households in multiple ways - including enduring impacts on health and wealth. This is why the public should be 'winter ready'. Power cuts are rare these days, but for some, dealing with such an inconvenience at this difficult time, could be more worrying due to their personal circumstances, especially in winter. So UK Power Networks is urging residents to help spread the word about its free Priority Services Register so those eligible can receive free extra help during a power cut. The company wants to make sure that it can provide extra support in such circumstances, plus give people peace of mind that help will be there if needed. Staff can also put people in touch with experts offering advice on energy bills and energy saving tips, and people can even sign up on a temporary basis - such as after a bereavement, divorce, redundancy or hospital stay. UK Power Networks has improved the reliability of its local energy networks to 99.9% through significant investment, and on average, people now experience a power cut once in nearly three years compared to once every 18 months in 2010/11. However, some extreme conditions can damage cables and cause power cuts. That’s why UK Power Networks has collaborated with other utilities and the Energy Networks Association to launch the Be Winter Ready campaign. Giulia Privitera, social sustainability strategy and programme manager at UK Power Networks, says: “This winter the free services provided through our Priority Services Register will be more important than ever, and I would urge everyone to check if they or their friends and family are eligible to sign up. “The register also allows us to support people who may need extra help for a short period of time, for example if they are recovering from medical treatment. If your circumstances have changed due to Covid-19, you might be eligible for priority support this winter. “We are working with other utilities too, so that together we can provide our customers in vulnerable circumstances the best support and make a real difference during emergency situations.” To Be Winter Ready: Store the free emergency number 105 in your phone – in a power cut dial 105 for help and information. There are over 20 other ways to reach us too including twitter and whatsapp. Sign up to the Priority Service Register – To sign up for the Register please see ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority, ring 105, or email psr@ukpowernetworks.co.uk. Those eligible include pensioners, anyone disabled or chronically sick, or with a long-term medical condition, with a child under five, with a hearing or visual impairment or additional communication needs. Plus people experiencing redundancy, recent bereavement or recovery from medical treatment may be able to register for a temporary period. Prepare your home – keep a torch and the 105 number handy Be aware – watch the weather forecast and, if you have a power cut please check on your neighbours and stay safe The company people pay their water bills to also offers free additional support to customers that need it, so it's a good idea to register with them too.