UK EXPERTISE AND US PACE – BUILD BRITAIN OUT OF DOWNTURN, SAYS "RE-IMPORTED" MCBAINS COOPER DIRECTOR

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 11, 2011.

UK EXPERTISE AND US PACE – BUILD BRITAIN OUT OF DOWNTURN, SAYS NEW MCBAINS COOPER DIRECTOR.

What happens in the USA today has to happen in the UK tomorrow – and nowhere is it more critical than in the property and construction sector.

That’s the considered but urgent view of Richard Fewings, newly-appointed director of London-based international property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper, who joins the firm after nine years’ gathered scar tissue working in the fastest, toughest property market in the world – Manhattan, New York.

“My brief at McBains Cooper is cost management and quantity surveying on current and forthcoming major projects in the UK and internationally, and while I was ‘exported’ to the USA because they have immense respect for the expertise and experience of the British construction industry, I’ve ‘re-imported’ myself into the UK and realised just how devastatingly dominant we could be as an international design and construction power if we combined UK expertise with US-style pace and urgency,” said Richard.

“In fact, having been exposed to big projects on both sides of the Atlantic, I believe UK construction and property expertise combined with a bit of Manhattan-level pace could establish Britain as the absolutely dominant source of professional consultancy, worldwide, for generations.

“That may sound a little aloof or ambitious, but UK construction professionals are the best in the world. When you combine that with the aggressive accelerated delivery New York is noted for, it’s a very strong package.”

Richard, who has worked on blue chip office, residential, hotel, retail in the USA – sectors he’ll be focussing on in the UK and internationally - believes that one of the areas where pace and cost management can be improved is by being as demanding on behalf of UK project clients and investors as the most demanding investors in Manhattan - where he was involved in billions of dollars worth of construction projects.

“We have to take every opportunity to squeeze the procurement and delivery process, such as far more frequent progress and co-ordination meetings than is the UK norm, fully exploiting pre-ordering opportunities, and maximising use of overseas suppliers to drive competition,” he said.

“The upside: faster turnover and delivery of projects will further enhance the reputation of UK professionals abroad.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

BEST B&B ROOMS IN WIGAN – THE PRICE? A PAIR OF PINK FLUFFY SLIPPERS

NUMBER FIFTEENS BAR, BISTRO AND ROOMS.

SWINLEY, WIGAN.

PRESS RELEASE

April 27, 2010.

BEST B&B ROOMS IN WIGAN – THE PRICE? A PAIR OF PINK FLUFFY SLIPPERS.

They’re the best B&B rooms in Wigan, but the bargain price of £23.50 comes at a price – guests have to kick off their boots or shoes and wear pink fluffy slippers when they check in.

Owner Tony Callaghan has applied a rich and luxurious design and style to the rooms above Number Fifteen bar and bistro in Upper Dicconson Street, Swinley, Wigan – and says that’s the way they’re going to stay.

“Pound for pound, these are the best-quality B&B rooms in Wigan, and we intend them to stay that way – not only is the location superb, but the décor and furnishings are of a standard you’d expect in a bouquet hotel,” said Tony Callaghan.

“The pricing means that during the week we get builders and contractors, and sometimes proper businessmen in their top-of-the-range Mondeos staying with us while they’re working on important construction projects or big business deals in Wigan.

“The businessmen aren’t so bad because they wipe their feet, but contractors have been known to traipse in half a building site of mud on their boots.

“Tracy Marsden, the manager, is a scary old battleaxe, and she’s insisting on male guests wearing slippers. If they don’t, then they get a right ear-bashing, and she takes their telly remotes off them.”

Prices from £23.50 a night include a continental breakfast and wireless internet access, as well as the loan of slippers.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.fifteensrooms.co.uk