NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY RULES: A FIFTH OF PROPERTY IN LINE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM RENTAL AND LEASE MARKET.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2012.

NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY RULES: A FIFTH OF PROPERTY IN LINE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM RENTAL AND LEASE MARKET.

A fifth of commercial and residential property may be excluded from the rental and lease market as soon as 2015 unless owners move to comply with energy efficiency rules.

Legislation is already in place which states buildings with a rating of F or G on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) cannot be let out after 2018 without works having been carried out to raise the rating level.

But property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper says it has reason to believe the measure may actually be introduced as early as 2015 as part of the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions – something which ties in with the government’s track record of bringing forward some elements of new legislation.

“It might be considered an asset, but it may actually be a liability – and sooner than expected; in summary, if a commercial or residential property doesn’t comply, and its owner for whatever reason wants to switch it to being let out after the anticipated deadline, then he can’t. The owner can, however, renew existing leases, but that owner is potentially exposed should tenants decide to move out of an F- or G-rated building after the deadline date,” said Anthony Coumidis of McBains Cooper.

“We estimate that around one in five buildings fall into the F/G EPC category, including many listed or historical properties. Property owners therefore have only around 1,000 days to raise the efficiency ratings of F/G level buildings, or face them having to stand empty. In some cases, planning permission may be required, which, bearing in mind upgrade designs may need to be drawn up, can mean months of delays before work can actually start.”

In a bid to partly reduce the potential cost impact of the new EPC rules, the government’s “Green Deal” plan comes into operation in October 2012 - the basic concept being that residential and commercial property owners will be encouraged to upgrade the thermal values of the building fabric and to introduce higher efficiency, or renewable-based, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) technology.

Under the Green Deal, the capital cost of the approved works can be covered in the form of a loan which will be repaid over a set time period as an additional sum on the property’s energy bills.  The Green Deal finance is attached to the property rather than the occupant, and if a building is sold or let, the liability for repayment of outstanding Green Deal finance will fall upon the new incoming owner or tenant.

“But for some commercial properties in particular, the most appropriate and cost-effective means of upgrading efficiency ratings may not fall within the Green Deal criteria. What’s more, some owners and tenants may be uncomfortable with what is essentially a loan secured on their property - and may wish to fund improvement work direct,” said Anthony Coumidis.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

@McBainsCooper

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), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

MCBAINS COOPER MEXICO PRISONS PROJECT NAMED IN LATIN AMERICAN TOP 100

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

April 16, 2012.

MCBAINS COOPER MEXICO PRISONS PROJECT NAMED IN LATIN AMERICAN TOP 100.

A construction and development programme in Mexico advised upon by property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper has been named amongst the Top 100 Infrastructure Projects in Latin America.

The Mexican Government’s Public-Private Partnership programme of prison developments has been given the ranking by one of the region’s leading business magazines – America Economica.

McBains Cooper is based in London, but has a Latin American operation based in Miami, and has now been invited to make a presentation about the programme to the Latin American Infrastructure Forum in Lima, Peru, in May. McBains Cooper was technical advisor to the Mexican Ministry of Security which project managed the developments.

Santiago Klein, managing director of McBains Cooper International, says there’s a steady but growing flow of demand for UK construction consultancy expertise in Latin America for both public and private sector related projects with an especially positive forecast for Public-Private Partnerships.

“Every region of the world has a different way of going about doing business, and Latin America’s way is a complex mix of who you know, what language you speak and the pedigree of professional expertise. Latin America is dominated by two languages and a deep-seated enthusiasm for UK professionals – so we tick lots of boxes,” said Santiago Klein.

“We’re a long-established UK company, with on-the-ground presence and local business experience in several Latin American countries – and that makes us of great interest to the decision-makers.

“But crucial to the whole process is the who-you-know: in Latin America the deals are done between businesses and organisations who know and trust one-another, which is fundamental to protecting the integrity of the contract - and a general rule of thumb is that it’s necessary to have an in-depth understanding and business intelligence of the local markets to be successful in the region.

“We have vast experience across Latin America on both inward investment support and PPP bids and contracts – we have a compelling proposition to businesses and organisations not just in Mexico, but much further afield in Latin America.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

@McBainsCooper

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), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

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

CONSTRUCTION MUST LOOK TO CARMAKERS FOR INSPIRATION AS CABINET OFFICE CRITICISES INEFFICIENCIES.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

July, 6, 2011.

CONSTRUCTION MUST LOOK TO CARMAKERS FOR INSPIRATION AS CABINET OFFICE CRITICISES INEFFICIENCIES.

The UK construction sector should be looking to the revitalised domestic car manufacturing industry for inspiration to drive efficiencies and cost savings without compromising quality.

Mark Leeson, a director of property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper, says that criticism in the Cabinet Office’s Government Construction Strategy document of the efficiency, value, fragmentation, poor procurement processes and chaotic supply chain relationships hint at stretched patience with the UK construction industry.

“We saw it before with UK car manufacturing – but look where we stand now: more and more foreign manufacturers are investing in car and parts production in the UK, and, what’s more, if you take the car manufacturing sector globally, then there is no longer any such thing as a ‘bad’ car,” said Mark Leeson.

“Design, procurement, production and delivery of perfectly constructed and massively reliable cars is a seamless process. Construction is in many ways as logistically and technically demanding, so perhaps we as an industry should be looking to the UK-based car manufacturing plants for inspiration.

“We need to act, though. There are big hints of growing government intolerance that the construction sector is underperforming and grossly inefficient, with duplication, poor supplier/resource planning, bad communication, high levels of waste and lost opportunity because of chaotic processes and relationships. The Public Sector is not a cash cow or a golden goose, and the government wants better and better standards of delivery at keener and keener prices.

“Quality of process is plain to see in some projects, but many are disjointed from end-to-end. The government is going to drive costs down come hell or high water, and the construction sector has to realign itself accordingly.

“Every organisation in construction needs to take a deeper and more committed stake in the process from end-to-end – suppliers need to understand the implications of a bad or disorganised start to a project, clients need to appreciate the impact of inefficient design, planning, construction and over-budget finished product. Standardisation is a crucial developmental requirement.

“But, in contradiction, there is a strong case for building up to a standard rather than down to a price; it needs a fundamental change in approach - both driving cost-efficient standardisation, and improving quality - perhaps we need look no further than the car industry to see that mainstream manufacturers are designing and producing cars to a standard in 2011 that even the premium brands could only dream about just ten years ago.

“Perhaps a fact-finding mission into the car manufacturing industry to see how they’ve dealt with the efficiency, standardisation and improved quality issue is long overdue. Perhaps the construction sector should swallow its pride and invite the car industry in to look at inefficiencies we don’t even notice.

“The answer is in technology: a root and branch revision - paid for by tax breaks or grants for innovation - of the technologies used in design and construction, maybe even developing a standardisation in software across the entire industry to ensure collaborative design and planning, plus procurement and duplication avoidance, are of a common standard.

“But, crucially, what the report is saying is that there’s a need for what we would describe as a seamless interdisciplinary approach across the industry.

“But there is also a polarisation occurring where consolidation at the top is creating behemoths that are unfriendly to all but the largest of departments or  clients and are organised on discipline or sector-based structures, and at the bottom, greater and greater numbers of SME’s - 300,000 businesses with 2,000,000 employees, an average of 6 people per business - who lack the critical mass to deliver significant projects but might have the ‘common’ touch crucial to creating the icing on a construction project cake, or a very specialist strand in an important development.”

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

BRIBERY ACT COULD BRING DOWN A BUSINESS OR PROPERTY DEAL FOR THE PRICE OF A PINT.

BIRCHAM DYSON BELL LLP,

SOLICITORS

PRESS RELEASE

January 17, 2011.

BRIBERY ACT COULD BRING DOWN A BUSINESS OR DEAL FOR THE PRICE OF A PINT.

The forthcoming Bribery Act 2010, due on the statute books in April 2011, could bring down a property business or deal for the price of a pint.

Michael Parker, Head of Real Estate at law firm Bircham Dyson Bell, says that the range of potential “offences” under the Act is so vast and subjective that it could even generate acts of entrapment between competitors.

Companies, he says, now need to start thinking about “super-pre-emptive governance and training” to prevent exposure to bribery allegation and accusation.

“They will also need to carefully consider joint venture partners on any deal as their activities will also become their responsibility under this Act,” said Michael Parker.

“This is a very difficult scenario for all businesses. There is no escape or excuse for a business unaware of an employee considered to be offering, accepting or soliciting advantage, but then again company policy and culture may mean there is a business development budget employees are encouraged to use in the networking process but which is seen or defined as a bribery budget by another firm, or a competitor.

“The property deal may be worth many millions of pounds with correspondingly high fees, but the Act provides for the offering, promising, giving, requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting an advantage – so even buying somebody a pint or glass or wine might be seen by a malicious deal influencer, a malicious observer or a malicious competitor as an attempt to bribe. Fundamentally, it could create the opportunity for entrapment because the issue is intent.

“The key question is where does hospitality end and bribery begin?

“The property sector thrives on networking; it is so massively competitive, and good deals are so scarce, that networking has always been a crucial element not just in terms of identifying and driving deals, but also driving the UK economy.

“The question is whether buying somebody a pint or glass of wine as part of the networking process might be seen as a bribe; if the relationship is new or strained or there is animosity, then it might be considered offensive; but then not hosting a closing dinner involving partner businesses may be seen as equally offensive. It’s all subjective.

“However, ironically, I would say that next to no property deals are influenced by the simple act of paying for a round of drinks, a dinner, a night out or a day at the races. Deals are started with personal or corporate chemistry, concluded on professional performance, and celebrated vigorously given the highly stressful and challenging nature of driving through sometimes complicated and expensive property deals. At least two of those stages might be construed as being open to influence through the offering or acceptance of advantage.

“The Act says a commercial organisation will be guilty if a person associated with it bribes another person to obtain or retain business or a business advantage for the organisation.

“The offence is a strict liability offence so a company can be guilty even if no-one within the company knew of the ‘bribery’. In addition, senior managers and directors can be held personally liable under the Act for offences committed by the commercial organisation if they are found to have consented to or connived in the commission of a bribery offence.

“So, somebody buys somebody else a drink in the hope of establishing a relationship, a manager signs off the expenses claim, but the ‘somebody else’ takes offence and complains they were subject to a bribery attempt.

“The ‘offence’ could be genuine or trumped up, but the person it is claimed is offering or accepting advantage could find themselves at least suspended – thereby potentially impacting upon the operations of the company as a whole.

“Under the Act the maximum penalty for all the offences except the offence relating to commercial organisations has been increased to 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine for individuals. Commercial organisations that fail to prevent bribery face an unlimited fine. Apart from the financial penalties, a successful prosecution under the Act could leave a company permanently debarred from tendering for public sector contracts and also with serious reputational damage from the adverse publicity.

“Guidance from the Secretary of State is to be given, but as always it will be the courts who decide if the organisation had adequate procedures in place. More bureaucracy is possible.

“There’s always a tipping point. Could something as mundane as a pint of beer could be it?”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.bdb-law.co.uk

1960S BLOCKS AND YACHT DESIGN - THE LIFELINE FOR IMMINENT BENEFIT-CUT HOMELESS.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

November 11, 2010.

1960S BLOCKS AND YACHT DESIGN - THE LIFELINE FOR IMMINENT BENEFIT-CUT HOMELESS.

Video, click here.

Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper says the building industry and private sector developers could play a crucial role in throwing a lifeline to people falling off the bottom of the housing ladder, or forced out of work, as CSR measures start to bite.

Mark Leeson, a director of McBains Cooper, says that a combination of yacht interior design technology and 60s and 70s tower blocks could play an unexpected part in keeping a roof over the head of those most likely to be affected by spending and benefit cuts.

He says that pre-assembled pods in the form of complete but compact apartments, similar in concept to bathroom and kitchen pods slotted into hotels and flats, could provide a low cost solution that could be integrated into outdated or unused tower blocks.

The pods cost a fraction of the price of a traditional ‘new build’ apartment, and the specification can be tailored at pre-assembly stage for a vast range of demographics. Shorter development completion times mean additional cost-saving, and decisions on precisely the format of the pods can be delayed by developers until last minute according to the market.

“It’s time now to look at a new model for housing, moving away from traditional one and two bedroomed apartments, and perhaps look at something akin to student accommodation where there are much smaller units in clusters, maybe pre-assembled, modularly constructed, such as the pods we’ve been developing with a number of our partners,” said Mark Leeson.

“They can slide into 60s and 70s buildings, maybe even 80s buildings, bringing them back into use, but providing accommodation tailored for those people who are now going to fall off the bottom of the housing ladder.”

He describes pre-assembled pods which are slid into existing buildings’ frames, good quality and perfectly tuned for the imminent market. As people lose income or benefits, these smaller units mean lower rental costs – but they can also help initiate and drive a sense of community.

He says that as people claw their way back up the ladder, they can rent bigger clusters of pods, or bigger pod units.

“These would be affordable for those on housing benefit as a result of their reduced size; they would benefit from a 'community' shared laundry facilities and the like, and when they start work, the rooms could be purchased on a shared ownership basis or purchased outright as a leasehold progressively allowing people to move up the property ladder,” said Mark Leeson.

“A flexible design would also allow rooms to be joined together allowing people to grow within the building, progressively owning not only a larger percentage of the space, but also a larger space overall.

“I think this is perfectly aligned with the coalition’s aim to get people into work and off benefits, but also solves the affordability issue that many will face when benefits are reduced or cut altogether.

“The challenge for the property industry is to convince the currently very conservative funding sources - institutional investors or funds – that this model will deliver a level of return that makes it worthwhile considering. This will only happen when the industry embraces modern methods of construction, and uses them in new and innovative ways.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

POST-CSR: STOP MUTTERING, START TALKING.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

NEWS FEATURE

November 11, 2010.

POST-CSR: STOP MUTTERING, START TALKING.

Mark Leeson, a director of interdisciplinary property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper, says that the design and construction industry, post-Comprehensive Spending Review, needs to stop muttering and make itself leaner, meaner and more creative. How? By getting all branches and disciplines in the sector to talk more, and talk more often. But there may be an art to it.

“Architecture has long been defined as both the art and the science of designing and constructing buildings, and that definition has now also been widely adopted and embraced by the structural engineering community.

“There is natural symbiosis between architecture and structural engineering, resulting from a desire within both professions to marry form and function together into one harmonious composition. But what of the other disciplines and strands that make up the now well recognised ‘supply chain’?

“If we start with mechanical and electrical engineer (building services), the relationship between form and function has always been a difficult one. There are as always, some exceptions – Pompidou, the Lloyds Building to name two. Here the collaboration between architect, structural and services engineers resulted in some of the most iconic and provocative buildings since the turn of the century. So, given the now critical input of the services engineer, why do we not see more Pompidous?

“What about surveyors? Where is there within their training and professional development the opportunity to hear about, consider and understand design in its widest sense? How can a surveyor advise clients on value, without considering the wider aspects of this most difficult, yet most important aspect of property consultancy? The Value Handbook offer excellent advice for public sector clients, but where is the equivalent advice for the private sector?

“What about contractors? This is less clear. Great strides have been made following Latham and Egan in raising awareness of the importance of collaborative working within the contracting arena; however, there is still mistrust of consultants. There is still a real sense that it might be better to keep everyone at arms length – that true collaboration carries more risk than token efforts.

“My own view is that the education system and relationship between the professions is in such disrepair, that communication, never mind collaboration, seems to be actively discouraged rather than encouraged. Where do architects, engineers and surveyors get the chance to meet, debate, discuss and engage with one another? As an industry we remain fragmented, disjointed and locked in disciplinary cells, with most not seeking a way out.

“We now face cuts in government spending, many initiatives are under threat. There is only one cross-industry body striving to bring the professions together – Constructing Excellence. Is this enough to really change the industry? I would argue not. At risk of sounding like I’m fishing for a commercial plug, I’ll say that at McBains Cooper our aim is to change the industry and the way property consultants approach the design and delivery of buildings and places.

“We offer a place where professionals from across the construction industry spectrum come together because they want to collaborate – not once, on one project, but continuously, relentlessly – blurring the boundaries between disciplines, so the best elements of each profession rubs off on the neighbouring professions not just for the benefit of the individual, but for the wider industry as a whole.

“So, to come back to the title – the art and science of interdisciplinary design – what does this mean and how can we turn this ancient idea into a meaningful guide to the approach we should take to move the industry on? Well, art is often inaccessible to all but the most open minded – yet design has to have art at its core. Without art, there is no meaning, without meaning, projects are hollow, they lack impact. So we need to spend time communicating our art in ways that are understood by all. Science is better understood in the round, but the ‘why’ is often not well communicated by those that do understand it in detail. Communication again…

“So actually bringing art and science together is really about communicating – and any advantage we can gain in the aftermath of the CSR is an advantage worth having. A well-designed and perfectly executed project is always as a result of excellent communication between project team members. The architect is able to explain his ideas in a way that allows the engineering disciplines to complement, support and frame the design, the surveyor understands the inherent value that the design is creating and can explain this (with the architect) to the client, and the contractor knows how to build it, and buys in to the concept and wants to deliver the design to the best of their ability. An industry in harmony. So let’s start talking.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY MCBAINS COOPER APPOINTS NEW SCOTLAND HEAD.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

November 10, 2010.

INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY MCBAINS COOPER APPOINTS NEW SCOTLAND HEAD.

McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, has appointed David Guy to head up its operations in Scotland.

David, 40, who will be based in McBains Cooper’s Glasgow office, joins after working his way to senior management roles in some of Scotland’s leading building and property consultancy businesses including CB Richard Ells – where he was director – and Savills and GVA Grimley.

“McBains Cooper is an ‘inter-disciplinary’ consultancy, which is deeply distinct from the more common multi-disciplinary operations. The difference is seamless operation between teams working together for one business, as opposed to teams from different organisations brought together by a project manager, and which can often mean a clash of cultures and the consequent inevitable delays – and rising costs,” said David Guy.

“It’s the way forward in terms of both cost and time efficiency, and, I believe, an approach to professional consultancy services – building surveying, architecture, cost management, structural, civil and engineering – that will play a significant part in driving recovery in the building and related industries in Scotland.

“McBains Cooper has a fantastic track record on very some high-profile instructions with some of the very best clients,” said David.

“Our market sector tends to be dominated either by building consultancy teams within the larger transaction-led organisations who do not see building consultancy as their core business, or by smaller niche practices who simply do not have the resources to deliver on larger projects.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

CONSTRUCTION: GOVERNMENT MUST DRIVE COST SAVING AND QUALITY TO DRIVE RECOVERY, SAYS MCBAINS COOPER CEO.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2010.

CONSTRUCTION: GOVERNMENT MUST DRIVE COST SAVING AND QUALITY TO DRIVE RECOVERY, SAYS MCBAINS COOPER CEO.

Watch video interview.

A senior figure in the property and construction professional consultancy sector is warning both the government and the building industry not to cut corners on quality as it battles to cut costs to the bone following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says the government should be investigating, understanding and driving the proven-efficient inter-disciplinary approach to government-funded building projects to help match or even exceed its cash saving plans.

“The government is looking for savings everywhere, but while there are some very good top-line ideas, the key is to ensuring specialists – with specialist understanding – drill down and get to grips with where efficiencies can be driven without compromising quality,” said Michael Thirkettle.

“I believe many building and construction projects shelved by the government could be resurrected, with cost efficiencies identified, allowing those projects to be delivered to precisely the standard envisaged at brief stage, but to the same high quality.

“Where does the money come from? Through savings identified and driven in projects which have been given the green light, and where the inter-disciplinary approach can be applied equally effectively.

“While it is driving austerity measures following the CSR, the government should recognise the benefits to be gained by balancing cost-saving with maintenance of quality – and Ministers, even with a reduced level of investment in public sector building projects, can still influence that balance.

“The market needs and requires an inter-d approach to achieve cost savings and efficiencies, but also to maintain the quality of the product over the next three to five years.”

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, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 14, 2010.

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT.

Video: Watch interview.

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says that now is the time for the property and construction sector to adopt the inter-disciplinary approach to project design and delivery.

Since developing and adopting “inter-d” over the past ten years, McBains Cooper has not only weathered the UK downturn, but has also seen considered growth and expansion abroad, with new operations in Greece and the USA, and expanded teams dealing with growth in Latin America.

“There are true efficiencies in time, cost and quality to be gained by adopting the inter-disciplinary approach, with seamless integrated teams working as one to achieve a collective excellence rather than the nightmare that can be multi-disciplinary in which, at best, projects can be slowed by different teams from different organisations working to different agendas pulling against each other, or, at worst, causing massive delay, design inefficiencies and substantial loss of cost management,” said Michael Thirkettle.

“The current environment is demanding efficiency, to deliver improved quality and cost savings, and that efficiency and quality can be delivered through the inter-disciplinary approach, creating the cost savings clients desire.

“The added value is the behavioural and cultural side, so what you don’t end up with is a very litigious project where people are spending time covering their back as a product of the multi-disciplinary approach, as opposed to focusing time into the project. And at the end of the project you don’t end up with a huge claim against a myriad of parties, because, in the current economic climate, the construction industry is very much going towards that.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com