It was under starter orders when colleagues from Wakemans and Indurent competed at the F1 Arcade Bar In Birmingham, pitting their wits against one another in the fast paced virtual world of F1 racing.

The event was organised by Wakemans to welcome our colleagues at Indurent following their move into new offices in the centre of Birmingham.

Indurent were victorious taking home the trophy and cracking open the champagne in typical Formula 1 style at the end of the evening.

Thank you to everyone who attended the evening.

The Champions League Final was an electrifying encounter, with Wakemans finishing as runners-up while raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity dedicated to supporting men affected by prostate cancer and advancing research into the disease.

Wakemans Football team
Wakemans Football team at the Business Fives Event August 2024

As the Birmingham Summer Season event drew to a close, it was clear that the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and charitable giving had been celebrated in full. Propel Finance, Wakemans, and OSB Group have all earned their spots at the National Final event in Birmingham on Friday, October 11th, where they will continue their quest for glory and further charitable contributions.

Jordan Hughes from Wakemans earned the Man of the Match award in the final, thanks to his incredible goal that was pivotal in the closely contested Champions League Final.

Jordan receives a trophy as 'man of the match' in the final.

The event was further enriched by the presence of Ian Taylor, a former professional footballer, sports pundit, and Aston Villa legend, who served as the Event Ambassador and guest speaker. His involvement added an extra layer of excitement and inspiration for all participants, making the day even more memorable.

The Wakemans Team receive their runners up medals.
The Wakemans Football Fives Team receive their runners up medals.

Wakemans extends a warm welcome to the latest member of the team Liam McKenna who joins us in the role of Divisional Director in our Residential, Retail and Public sector division.

Joining us from Real Estate company Avison Young where he had worked within the Building Consultancy and Project Management team since 2011, he brings to us a wealth of knowledge developed over his career in professional construction and property consultancy, working across all market sectors.  Liam has specialised in residential, commercial and public sector developments in particular. He brings his experience in these fields as he looks to widen our service offering in his new role with Wakemans.

Shaun Baugh – Joint Managing Director Shaun comments “Liam joins us as a key member of the senior management team, we are delighted he has chosen to work with us and drive our ambitions in the Residential, Retail and Public sector forward”.

Liam comments “I am delighted to be joining such a well-respected practice as Wakemans as Divisional Director.  There is already a very capable and experienced team in place to build upon.  I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity to contribute to the company’s vision and success.”.

I’m Kayleigh, one of the Senior Principal Designers at Wakemans.  At the start of June, I had the privilege of attending a Leadership Development Conference in Orlando Florida for charity volunteers, hosted annually by Foresters Financial. There were 500 attendees from all over the UK, America, and Canada.

Kayleigh Davenport - Charity Volunteer

Foresters Financial is a fraternal insurance company that undertakes various volunteer and social activities for its members and the local community. There are thousands of charity volunteers across all the 3 continents mentioned above and continue to use Foresters granting to be able to give back to a wide range of local charities, schools and community groups.

I began volunteering with my parents in 2004 and have been involved in charity work, primarily within the Worcestershire area, for over 20 years. Over the years, I have participated in and helped organize various charity events, including:

• Donating and restocking £2000 worth of food at the Worcester Food Bank
• Performing DIY and decorating tasks while refurbishing the kitchens at the Evesham Youth Centre
• Carrying out external improvements and garden work at Kidderminster Cricket Club
• Building teddy bears for donation to the Cash for Kids Birmingham Christmas event

I have also had the privilege of participating in numerous volunteer activities in the United States, such as:

• Producing craft products for the Give Kids the World charity based in Orlando, Florida
• Creating paintings for use in foster children’s accommodations and crisis centres in Houston, Texas

During this 2024 conference at Orlando, in partnership with US Hunger charity, conference attendees were challenged to packing 150,000 meals of jambalaya within a 2-hour time slot to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of Foresters giving back to families and their communities. This charity involvement challenge was very enjoyable, a fantastic opportunity and highly rewarding, especially once the final pile of food boxes was visible!

Kayleigh volunteering at the 2024 conference at Orlando, in partnership with US Hunger charity.

In 2016, I was elected by local foresters’ members to become a Branch Councillor for the Central UK area. My responsibilities included encouraging greater member engagement within the local area, providing further communication and guidance to other charity workers, and assisting with local budgeting. In 2019, I was elected Vice President of the council, and in 2022, I was elected Branch President, a position I still hold. In this role, I manage a team of 10 members, carry out multiple monthly meetings, and assist with local charities and event holders.

Engaging in regular volunteer work is not only extremely rewarding and morale-boosting but also provides valuable insights into the local community, its issues, and its requirements. It teaches important skills such as overcoming challenges, effective teamwork, clear communication, and identifying team members’ strengths and weaknesses to ensure optimal contribution from everyone.

This volunteer experience, along with my role as a charity manager, has provided me with additional resources, training, and guidance on leadership. It has also equipped me with high-level experience and knowledge that I apply in my professional career as a Principal Designer and CDM Advisor at Wakemans.

Read about: Foresters Financial

 

Moving on up! –  April 2024

April has seen no less than 8 members of staff promoted as they progress their careers with Wakemans.

The Building Surveying Division has seen three of its members promoted; congratulations to Peter Wadley who is now Divisional Director, to Luke Burns who has been promoted to Principal Building Surveyor and Anthony Hayward who has gained the position of Building Surveyor.

Luke Burns, Peter Wadley and Anthony Hayward.
L to R – Luke Burns, Peter Wadley and Anthony Hayward.

Bradley Taylor who heads up our Principal Designer and CDM Advisory team has been promoted to become Divisional Director.

Our Project Management Division sees the promotion of Charles North, to the position of Associate Director.

Matt McWalter and Charles North
L to R – Matt McWalter Head of Project Management congratulates Charles North.

In our Accounts department Donna Caesar is promoted to Senior Accounts Manager.

Dylan Evans based in Caernarfon has been promoted to the position of Associate Director and Peter Berndes based in our Bristol office has been promoted to Senior Project Surveyor.

Chief Executive Dean Watson comments “Congratulations to all those who have been promoted, their achievements reflect the hard work, energy and ability that they have all shown. These promotions strengthen and support the growth of the business and the quality of service delivered and recognises the dedication of all of those concerned.”

Familiarisation with Health & Safety topics in the Construction and Property Industry are a priority and the first week of April marks Global Asbestos Awareness Week.  Something we should all be mindful of as construction and property professionals.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2024, aims to raise awareness of the risks of asbestos exposure and the need for prevention measures.

During Global Asbestos Awareness Week, organisations, support groups, medical professionals, and individuals unite to inform others about the risks associated with asbestos exposure, share information about asbestos-related diseases, and promote measures to prevent exposure.

Asbestos remains a hidden danger and has been the main cause of occupational health problems since 1950. The HSE reminds us that:

•  “Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is more than the number of people killed on the road.”
•  Around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure.”
•  “Asbestos is not just a problem of the past. It can be present today in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000.”

Current statistics, as provided by Mesothelioma UK, are that each year as many as 2,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer where 9/10 cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. Ultimately meaning that the majority of these cases could have been avoided through better asbestos management. A shocking statistic is that unfortunately up to 60% of people die in the first year after diagnosis!

The HSE provide an extensive amount of guidance and factual information regarding asbestos on their website, Asbestos – HSE, including the risks, duty holders and the law, common identification information, various control measures suggestions and much more.

By supporting Global Asbestos Awareness Week more lives can potentially be saved.

Resources:

https://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/dontletthedustsettle/

https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/15/keep-people-safe-from-future-dangers-of-asbestos-regulator-warns/

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/dangerous.htm

https://www.ukata.org.uk/news/global-asbestos-awareness-week-1-7-april-2024/

https://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/dontletthedustsettle/

Well done to our Business Fives Team who played valiantly well yesterday to reach the quarter finals of the Birmingham tournament. Finishing 2nd in their group and just missing out on reaching the semi finals by only 1 goal. Scoring 17 goals and only conceding 5. A brilliant performance.

 

 

It was a fantastic team event and Wakemans won the Top Fundraiser trophy for raising the most funds for our chosen charity Prostate Cancer UK. A massive thank you to all of you that made generous donations. Thus far the total has reached £1,230 (21-03-24). The Just Giving page remains open until the end of the month, as we continue to raise funds for March the Month also in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

Congratulations to Morgan Sindall Construction who won the Champions League, SOTI who won the Europa League and Wilkes who won the Europa Conference League.

Please check our Just Giving Page to see the latest total raised and if you would like to donate to the charity Prostate Cancer UK

Photo caption: Lee Hendrie presents the Top Fund Raiser trophy to the team.

L to R: Andy O’Connor (organiser and coach), Brad Taylor, Steven Allen, Jordan Hughes, Matt McWalter (Manager) and Sean Bennett. Lee Hendrie presents the Trophy for highest charity donation raised.

 

Wakemans Business Fives Team
Jordan Hughes, Steven Allen, Matt McWalter, Brad Taylor, Chris Marsland, Charles North, Mohammed Umar, Gurjeevan Dhariwal, Sean Bennett (Andy O’Connor not pictured)

 

Anyone for Cricket

Wakemans assist Travelodge to deliver Travelodge London Oval

The latest hotel opening for Travelodge is the London Oval, situated opposite to the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, ideal for avid Cricket Fans and tourists alike with its close links to Central London and the underground tube network.  The hotel represents Travelodge’s 600th hotel in its extensive portfolio.

Hotel - The Oval, London

Wakemans feel proud to have been retained by the hotelier on this project in the role of Tenant’s Agent.  The hotel has 95 rooms on offer and includes the latest Bar 85 option offering an attractive food and beverage venue for its guests along with the hoteliers SuperRooms offering it is bound to be popular.  Notably the hotel has been developed and is situated on land owned by Surrey County Cricket Club also plays host to a cricket themed display of memorabilia.

Bar Café 85
Travelodge – Bar 85

London’s Northern Underground extension line runs underneath the new building and a vibration specialist was retained to ensure that the structural foundations of the building are suitable for the hotel’s situation.

Hotel can be found at Travelodge, and Travelodge Property Development Site

Business Fives

Wakemans has signed up for its second year participating in the Birmingham ‘Business Fives’ football event due to take place on: – Tuesday 19th March 2024 at the Powerleague, Birmingham. Business Fives is a fantastic opportunity for the football community to bond partaking in their favourite sport, competing against local business’s and raising funds and awareness for a chosen charity. This year we will be supporting the charity ‘Prostate Cancer UK’.

Last year we had a great tournament and finished in the Europa league, just missing out for promotion to the Champions league (due to injury and not lack of talent), so this year we are training with a view to going all the way.

The event Is led by Matt McWalter, Andy O’Connor and Steve Allen who are currently busy selecting the final squad from our keen participants and getting them in training for the big event.

Read more about Birmingham Event – Business Fives here.

Go to our Just Giving fundraising page.

 

March the Month

Alongside ‘Business Fives’ several of us, namely those with little football talent are getting involved with the ‘March the Month’ event organised by Prostate Cancer UK. The aim is to do at least 11,000 steps a day during March. 11,000 represents more than 11,000 dads, brothers, grandads, partners and mates who succumb to prostate cancer every year.

We cannot guarantee that everyone will reach the 11,000 steps a day, but it is the taking part that matters and most importantly supporting the charity.

Good Luck to everyone taking up the challenge. We will keep you posted.

Go to our Just Giving fundraising page.

We are delighted to announce that Steven Allen has been promoted (January 2024) to the role of Project Manager within our dedicated team of Project Management professionals.

Steven joined Wakemans in May 2022 as a Graduate Project Manager and has worked diligently to gain his promotion.  Originally, Steven came from a background in topographical surveying and project coordination in the utilities and infrastructure industry. Whilst with us Steven has honed his skills and is currently working on a wide range of construction projects with a number of our developer partners.

Matt McWalter Head of our Project Management Division comments: “Steven has demonstrated a high-level of versatility easily fitting in with the team and progressing within his job to achieve this promotion, I am really happy to see him develop within his role”.

Matt McWalter congratulates Steven Allen
Matt McWalter, Head of Project Management congratulates Steven Allen on his promotion to Project Manager.

Steven adds “I am pleased with my promotion. I am looking forward to the year ahead having established my role with Wakemans and gaining a broad range of experience thus far”.

Congratulations to Steve from Wakemans and the team!