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and kitchen pods slotted into hotels and flats, could provide a low cost solution that could be integrated into outdated or unused tower blocks.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

UK PENSIONERS TRAPPED IN “A FINANCIAL CRUSHER”.

ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

November 11, 2010.

UK PENSIONERS TRAPPED IN “A FINANCIAL CRUSHER”.

A two-speed economy – tough for the main body of population, even tougher for over-60s – has devastated older people’s savings and inflated their basic living costs.

Economist Ros Altmann, Director General of Saga, says pensioners are trapped in a financial crusher squeezing them from every angle, and their spending power has been slashed by nearly a third since 2003.

“If you look at the figures of inflation for over-60s they show that since 2003 inflation for pensioners has risen by 30 per cent. The effect of inflation is incredibly damaging for pensioners,” said Ros Altmann.

“Not only are the price rises they face much higher than for the rest of us - because they spend less on consumer goods that have fallen in price and more on basics and insurances where price rises have been much higher - but they have also seen a dramatic fall in their savings income as interest rates have been cut.

“Pensioners have no way of making up for their lost purchasing power. If government benefits are uprated with consumer or retail prices that do not reflect the price rises facing those living on these benefits, then policy will risk leaving more pensioners unable to afford their basic necessities.

“The government had recently announced changing pension uprating to increase in line with CPI (Consumer Prices Index), but this could seriously damage pensioner income over time.

“Pensioners have no other way of making up their income shortfalls as they are stuck on benefits and income from savings. In addition to this, millions of pensioners are living on pension income from annuities which stay fixed each year.

“Even low inflation rates will seriously erode the spending power in just a few years.

“As the Bank of England yesterday admitted that inflation will continue to overshoot its target, we at Saga are warning of the dangers facing millions of older people facing sharp rises in food, fuel and basic living costs that are not properly reflected in official measures.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

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

UK NEWSPAPERS REPORT STEM CELL FIRST FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.

SMART CELLS INTERNATIONAL

November 9, 2010.

UK NEWSPAPERS REPORT STEM CELL FIRST FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1327635/Sasha-3-infused-stem-cells-umbilical-cord-treat-cerebral-palsy.html

A three-year-old British girl has taken part in the first-ever trial to treat cerebral palsy with stem cells collected from the umbilical cord and stored at birth.Doctors at Duke University in North Carolina, USA, conducted the trial a year ago, but now the parents of Sasha Browne, Tania and Richard Browne, who live in Dubai, say they are seeing improvements in her walking ability, motor skills and signs of improvement in vision and cognitive ability.

Several UK newspapers have reported the story. The treatment involved umbilical cord stem cells collected and stored by Smart Cells International.

Ends

Iain Macauley
+447788 978800
im@pressrelations.co.uk
www.smartcells.com

EMPLOYERS IN CRISIS – LEARN FROM THE CHILEAN MINERS RESCUE.

MANAGEMENT INTELLIGENCE

PRESS RELEASE

November 9, 2010.

EMPLOYERS IN CRISIS – LEARN FROM THE CHILEAN MINERS RESCUE.

Video: Full interview.

Video: Short interview.

Employers could learn a great deal from the ordeal and rescue of the trapped Chilean miners, says Bridget Biggar, of “management engineering” organisation Management Intelligence www.miconsulting.co.uk .

“One of the most high-profile people crises of 2010 was turned into one of the biggest successes of 2010 – and if organisations currently going through the stress of recession adopted the lessons learnt from that ordeal and rescue, then businesses in trouble could actually find themselves in upturn,” said Bridget.

Management Intelligence helps managers and employees understand their behaviour in everyday situations and when under stress, and “engineers” management teams for optimum performance. Bridget says that both the way the trapped miners managed their situation and how the Chilean authorities supported families and rescuers is a tremendous lesson for business.

“The trapped miners elected people to be put in charge of food, spirituality and physical well-being by looking at each person’s strengths and choosing the person with the right skills to lead in each of those areas - and then they followed each other so that they were disciplined and so enhanced their resilience,” said Bridget.

“In business, we want to follow people who we believe in, we want to follow people who we see with certain strengths, people who make us feel good, feel optimistic.

“If we look at organisations that are doing great work in the world, staff really want to work for them, particularly Generation Y.

“People want to work for a manager and work with colleagues who are constantly looking for what they do best and making sure that they are putting those strengths to work, and that’s what happened down in that mine.

“The world’s bosses can also learn from the President of Chile; he did it for political capital, of course, but he was there holding hands, literally, with the families; he garnered the world’s press, got the best rescue teams from around the world.

“The message to bosses is ‘be there, say the right things, and really mean it’. A billion people got behind those Chilean miners and their rescuers – that can work for business in crisis too.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

+44 (0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.miconsulting.co.uk

ROS ALTMANN: WE’RE HEADING FOR A CARE CRISIS TO OUTSTRIP THE PENSIONS CRISIS.

ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR GENERAL, SAGA

SAGA RESPITE FOR CARERS TRUST

PRESS RELEASE

November 8, 2010.

ROS ALTMANN: WE’RE HEADING FOR A CARE CRISIS TO OUTSTRIP THE PENSIONS CRISIS.

Ros Altmann, who warned the last government of an impending pensions crisis, says that care could escalate to become a bigger financial crisis than pensions unless the current government gets an iron grip on care funding.

Dr Altmann, Director General of Saga, and a director of the Saga Respite for Carers Trust, warned: “The care issue is a time bomb. We can hear it ticking, and there is a clear strand of inevitability: it is not going to go away, it is going to get bigger – every statistic says that.

“There seems to be a great deal going on relating to care, but nothing actually happening. Every care- and age-related charity or support group and now the media itself – in the form of the BBC, no less – is acutely aware and extremely active in highlighting the current plight and future dangers associated with a growing elderly population,” said Ros Altmann.

“The people most affected, and their carers, are literally running out of time. There needs to be a decisive change in how care is provided and paid for. There is a complete lack of joined-up thinking between NHS and local government-provided care, with the problem being passed from one authority to another.

“The government’s political horizon is a great deal closer than the care horizon. Those in government allegedly tackling the care issue should be starting to think like statesmen rather than politicians, and look beyond that political horizon.

“Saga is in a unique position of being expert in both financial- and care-related issues. We can see this problem looming; other care and age issue experts can see it, but I fear the government can’t see it. Because it’s not visible or relevant to the majority of people, there seems to be no sense of urgency.

“We saw precisely that with the pensions crisis and the lending crisis; things were allowed to escalate unchecked, and cost billions of pounds to sort out when a much smaller investment at the outset would have prevented what became a massive problem.

“But we must not lose sight of the victims of the care shortfall. That around 80% of local authorities surveyed by the BBC say they are changing how much they spend on care is not just provoking uncertainty amongst the elderly and their carers, but potentially a postcode lottery too. What if, for example, of two neighbouring local authorities one declares it is cutting care spending and the other increasing it? There’s potentially a cross-boundary stampede which will make a complex situation even more complicated.

“The impact could be vast – it must be sorted out, and the next financial time bomb defused before it’s too late for the elderly and infirm, their carers – and the British economy.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk