Author Archives: Stephanie Jones

Construction projects could soon be using the world’s first zero emissions cement, thanks to Cement 2 Zero (C2Z), a UK-based demonstrator project bringing together Cambridge University scientists with key industry figures.

The project, which secured £6.5m of government funding from UKRI as part of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, has officially launched and aims to demonstrate that concrete can be recycled to create a Slag Forming addition which could, when cooled rapidly, replace Portland cement.   

Portland clinker, one of the main ingredients in cement, is produced by firing limestone and other minerals in a kiln at extremely high temperatures (1,450 degrees Celsius), a process which accounts for more than 50% of the cement sector’s emissions. 

By contrast, Cement 2 Zero will use recycled cement as the flux in the electric steel recycling process – powered by an electric arc furnace which uses renewable energy – the by-product of which, when cooled and ground, produces Portland cement clinker, which is then blended to make ‘zero-emissions’ cement.  

This innovative product known as Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC) could be made in a virtuous recycling loop, that not only eliminates the significant emissions of cement and steel production, but also saves raw materials.

The two-year industrial trial for producing the cement on an industrial scale will test each stage of the production process, bringing together the expertise of the Materials Processing Institute and the University of Cambridge researchers Dr Cyrille Dunant, Professor Julian Allwood and Dr Philippa Horton, who invented the process. 

Key supply chain partners on the project involved in the testing stage before the product is introduced in a live UK construction project also include Atkins, Balfour Beatty, CELSA, Day Aggregates and Tarmac.  

Chris McDonald, chief executive officer of the Materials Processing Institute, said: “Cement 2 Zero has the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving a zero-carbon society, secure and increase jobs in the UK cement and steel sectors and challenge conventional production processes, creating high-value materials from demolition waste.” 

Dr Dunant, who made the crucial discovery that the chemical composition of used cement is virtually identical to that of the lime-flux used in the conventional electric arc furnace steel recycling process, added: “We take the built environment around us for granted, new homes, schools, hospitals, workplaces, roads and railways, as well as infrastructure that provides us with clean water, sanitation and energy – all require cement which is an essential building material. 

“It’s estimated that annual production equates to more than 500kg of concrete per person on the planet per year, and it is not currently possible to produce the material without creating CO2 emissions. 

“This breakthrough offers a positive move in cement production and will support the industry response to the UK’s legally binding commitment to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.”

The first phase of trial melts is being carried out by the Materials Processing Institute, initially in a 250kg induction furnace, before being scaled up to 6T. 

Once the process has been substantially trialled, developed and de-risked effectively, industrial scale melts will follow in CELSA’s electric arc furnace in Cardiff. 

Dr Philippa Horton, University of Cambridge, who created the project consortium, said: “If Cambridge Electric Cement lives up to the promise it has shown in early laboratory trials, when combined with other innovative technologies, it could be a pivotal point in the journey to a zero-emissions society. 

“The Cement 2 Zero project is an invaluable opportunity to collaborate across the entire construction supply chain, to expand CEC from the laboratory to its first commercial application.” 

Concrete is the most widely used material on earth after water, and it is fundamental to our way of life, our economy and shaping our world. 

However, the chemical and thermal combustion processes involved in the production of cement are a significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – with more than four billion tonnes of cement produced each year, accounting for around seven per cent of global CO2 emissions, according to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). 

Professor Julian Allwood, University of Cambridge and Cambridge Electric Cement, explained: “By combining steel and cement recycling in a single process powered by renewable electricity, we could supplement the global supply of the basic construction materials to support the infrastructure of a zero emissions world and to enable economic development where it is most needed.”

Article by Sarah Walker – www.infrastructure-intelligence.com

ICE Past President David Balmforth was among the flooding experts encouraging the UK government to take action on sustainable drainage.

A new approach to sustainable drainage has been announced by the UK government, following pressure from industry to act now.

The legislation relating to sustainable drainage systems (SuDs) will, according to the government, “reduce the risk of surface water flooding, pollution and help alleviate the pressures on our traditional drainage and sewerage systems”.

The move follows an open letter, sent to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in December, where industry experts “strongly urged” him to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

SuDS and Schedule 3

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) have long been recognised by civil engineers as an important way to manage surface water, to lower the risk of flooding.

Schedule 3 of the act, which the experts urged the government to implement, established a process to ensure that any new development includes high quality SuDS, and removed developers’ automatic right to connect to public sewers.

“As experts and delivery organisations in construction, planning, water management and environmental management, we strongly urge you to implement Schedule 3 after many years working with alternative approaches.

“Implementation is essential to addressing growing surface water flood risk, tackling the sewage pollution problem and is complementary to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and nutrient neutrality.

“SuDS are internationally recognised as the most effective way of managing both surface water flood risk and storm-related pollution,” the letter to Sunak stated.

We need to ‘harness the full power of blue-green infrastructure’

The Flood and Water Management Act was passed in 2010 following serious flooding in the summer of 2007.

The floods affected 55,000 properties, led to 13 deaths, and left half a million people without mains power and water.

The SuDS requirement for new developments is also something that the ICE’s flooding community advisory board (CAB) has been calling for.

ICE flooding CAB chair Fiona Barbour said: “Implementing Schedule 3 is critical if we are to increase our resilience to flooding. 

“Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are not as complicated or as expensive as many developers fear and legislation is not at odds with housing requirements. 

“Many developers welcome the clarity it would bring. Civil engineers have an important role to play in designing the most efficient systems to reduce the risk of flooding and sewage spills.”

‘Do not waste any more time’

According to the letter to the prime minister, the SuDS part of the act was “relaxed” in 2014 and high quality SuDS have not been made mandatory so far due to “misconceptions on cost and applicability”.

“The [SuDS] approach could have been normalised as standard good practice many years ago.

“Please do not waste any more time; implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 further to the current government review,” the letter ends.

As well as Balmforth, the letter has been signed by a large cohort of experts including Terry Fuller, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, Christine McGourty, CEO of Water UK, and Professor Jim Hall, professor of climate and environmental risks at Oxford University.

Article written by Anh Nguyen, content strategy manager at ICE

Balfour Beatty has scooped the £1.2bn contract to deliver the Roads North of the Thames’ package of works for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.

The firm will be responsible for the design and delivery of over 10 miles of new highways, connecting the M25 at Junction 29 and the A13 with the proposed Lower Thames Crossing tunnel at Tilbury, Essex.

It beat rival bidder Kier Eiffage – Kier Highways and Eiffage Génie Civil – to take the two-stage design and build contract delivering the route from 1km north of the northern tunnel entrance to Junction 29 of the M25.

At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will directly employ a workforce of 2,000, including around 150 apprenticeship, graduate and trainee positions.

The major project will see Balfour deliver 49 structures including bridges and major viaducts.

Balfour Beatty will utilise modular construction techniques to build the structures offsite in a controlled factory environment, significantly reducing carbon emissions by minimising the number of lorry movements and material deliveries to and from site.

Throughout construction, Balfour Beatty will look to spend £500m with local businesses and supply chain partners and will set up an ‘Operator Skills Hub’ to provide innovative training programmes to upskill plant operators and inspire the next generation of talent in the UK.

Leo Quinn, group chief executive of Balfour Beatty, said: “Our deep domain knowledge and long-standing history in complex road construction, acquired through many years of successful delivery on behalf of National Highways, makes us ideally positioned to deliver this project to the highest standard.”

Subject to Development Consent Order and following an 18-month period of detailed design and pre-construction planning, notice to proceed on the mega project is expected in 2024.

The full value of the contract will then go into Balfour Beatty’s order book, with main construction scheduled to commence shortly after. Completion is expected between 2029 and 2030.

Article by Aaron Morby – www.constructionenquirer.com

More than 60,000 industry skills cards issued under the Grandfather Rights process will expire on 31st December 2024 and cannot be renewed.

The end of all CSCS Industry Accreditation cards issued from 1st Jan 2020 is part of the Construction Leadership Council’s drive for a fully trained and competent workforce.

Industry Accreditation (IA) allowed experienced workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employer recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification.

What each individual needs to do next depends on their occupation and what qualifications they may already hold.

An industry task group has published new guidance on the CSCS website that clearly sets out the next steps CSCS IA card holders must take before the deadline.

Sean Kearns, Chief Executive at CSCS said: “IA cardholders will not need to attend college as much of the assessment can be deliver remotely.

“Many IA cardholders will find it a straightforward process to replace their cards, such as moving across to the Academically or Professionally Qualified Persons cards. In addition, those who no longer attend site or are in non-construction related occupations will not require a card.”

A CLC statement said: “Building Safety and competence are two of the CLC’s priorities. As an industry, and in accordance with various sets of legislation including the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and the Building Safety Act, we must demonstrate to the regulator, our clients, building occupiers and the wider public that those designing, building, and maintaining the built environment are competent to do so.

“The CLC recommendation introduced in 2015 and updated in 2017 & 2020 set an expectation of all CSCS cards being achieved via qualification by the end of 2024.”

Kearns added: “CSCS is committed to playing its part in delivering a fully trained and qualified workforce. The removal of cards issued under IA represents another significant step in achieving this goal.

“The new guidance and support will help cardholders to either retain their card via the S/NVQ or to easily transition to another CSCS card. We would urge employers, trade associations, awarding organisations and training providers to put plans in place to support these workers ahead of the December 2024 withdrawal.”

Article by Grant Prior – constructionenquirer.com

In the current job market, unstable economy and rising costs, the need for skilled people remains an urgent need for most businesses.

Recent research from WithYouWithMe  showed that there is overlooked talent in underrepresented groups.

For example, their research showed that autistic individuals typically score 10 percent higher in key tech capabilities. Almost a third, 32 per cent, of neurodivergent individuals scoring higher in spatial awareness and 10 per cent higher in Digital Symbol Coding.

These key skills directly translate to careers in the Engineering and IT sectors to name a couple.

As evident by the stat above, organisations must continue to consider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion when it comes to recruitment.

Diversity in the workplace is necessary as it better represents the labour market.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion should always be at the centre of companies’ recruitment strategies and pursued in all areas of the business, including senior positions to help inspire employees. 

At Intersect Global we are involved in promoting and improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace.

Click here to see our guide to understanding the meaning of Fairness Inclusion and Respect.

We are currently recruiting for a variety of roles in the Construction, Civil Engineering, Telecoms and IT sectors, head over to our Job Board to find a selection of our vacancies.

Many of our vacancies are not advertised, so please get in touch with us for a confidential chat and let one of our consultants help you make the next step in your career.

Follow this link to our contact form alternatively connect with us on LinkedIn.

Despite an unstable economy and businesses tightening their belts in response; unemployment rates remain low and for every company that is going through redundancies, new jobs are being created elsewhere. 

Just because the economy is slowing down, that doesn’t mean there’s fewer jobs to fill.

Once the largest group of workers, baby boomers are now leaving the workforce in droves, having for the most part reached retirement age.

 With Gen X a smaller group, Millennials now make up the largest working force, while Gen Z enters the workforce.

This generational shift in the workplace signals a shift in communication styles, values and drivers. 

BBC Worklife’s article written by Ali Francis really explains what is important for Gen Z in the workplace: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220613-gen-z-the-workers-who-want-it-all#:~:text=According%20to%202022%20research%20by,hybrid%20or%20totally%20remote%20work

So, how does Intersect Global adapt its recruiting strategies to attract Gen Z’s into the workforce? 

Our approach is consultative, with a personal, efficient and informed service offering. As seasoned recruiters we fully recognise the need for a straightforward, honest and knowledgeable recruitment service. We therefore pride ourselves on our integrity and always consider transparency at the forefront in all of our dealings.

We believe our approach in part is the reason why we are frequently recommended by our clients and candidates.

 At Intersect Global, we are involved in promoting and improving Fairness, Inclusion and Respect in the workplace in the construction industry.

We encourage positive attitudes to diversity and Inclusion and promote a good work-life balance.

Together we can help the construction industry build a better world.

To read our clients’ and candidates’ testimonials, follow these links – Clients Testimonials and Candidate Testimonials

There is no easy answer to this question. But first things first, what is a counter offer?

A counter offer happens when your current employer offers you a higher salary, more company benefits or even a role promotion after you have tendered your resignation.

Some studies, such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), predict that every time a business replaces a salaried employee, it costs 6 to 9 months’ salary on average (this includes recruitment and training costs). To offer a salary increase cost less than recruiting a new employee.

Take your time before making any decisions and consider the following:

o   What made you go through the application and interview process in the first place? Maybe you were unhappy with the salary, or the working hours or even the culture in the office whatever your reason, will the counter offer resolve it?

It is very likely that most employees have more than one reason to consider working somewhere else.

It is worth asking yourself the question, why it has come to you tendering your resignation for your company to offer you a pay rise, better working conditions or the promise of a promotion ?

If you were truly valued then why are you only being offered these improvements now?

o   Seeing their colleague getting a pay rise may put in question other’s view of their own salary and create an atmosphere of unease in the office. Carefully consider what would happen if you accepted the counter offer. By accepting a counter offer, managers and work peers may see you as less dependable and a team player.

o   Moving on from your current position can be stressful, you’ll be moving into a culture where you are unproven, you may not know anyone there and you will have to adjust your work/travelling/WFH routine. Getting comfortable in a new job, learning new ways of working and getting to your new colleagues can be hard work.

That said, without stepping into the unknown and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll never know what other opportunities could be out there and know your true professional worth.

If you still have doubts, speak to us about your concerns, here at Intersect Global we value quality and nurture our relationship with both our clients and candidates.

To discuss any of the jobs listed on our site, contact us or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Ten new skyscrapers are being planned for London’s financial centre in a major sign of long-term economic confidence in the capital, the Standard can reveal.

Developers behind eight of the tower blocks are in confidential “pre application” discussions with the City of London Corporation while two others have recently submitted formal applications.

Shravan Joshi, chairman of the City’s planning and transportation committee, told the Standard: “They are all substantial buildings that will change the skyline of the City once more – or add to it.”

The applications that have been made public are for a 63-storey development at 55 Bishopsgate – which at 285m (935ft) above sea level would be one of the tallest in the Square Mile – and a 32-storey tower at 85 Gracechurch Street, beside Leadenhall Market.

The City’s aim is to ensure that schemes “are not just for vanity” but deliver positive benefits to London and the wider UK.

But the 55 Bishopsgate scheme, which includes an adjacent 22 storey tower, has already sparked formal objections from Historic England and Westminster council due to its potential impact on protected views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the wider city skyline.

Most of the proposed tower blocks are in the City’s “eastern cluster”, which already has the Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe, “Walkie Talkie” at 20 Fenchurch Street, “Cheesegrater” at 122 Leadenhall Street and “Scalpel” at 52 Lime Street among its landmarks.

All new proposals are at least 75m tall (almost 250ft), thus meeting the City’s definition of a “tall building”.

Mr Joshi said the number of applications this year exceeded both those made in 2020 and 2021 and was an encouraging sign of the Square Mile’s post-pandemic resilience.

“They are continuing regardless of the macroeconomic threats that are out there,” he said. “That is a point of confidence, not just in the current state of economic affairs but in the longer term state that the City and London provide a secure base for property development.”

He said demand was being driven for “grade-A, really high quality office space” – and not just from financial services firms normally found in the City. New industries being attracted to the Square Mile included technology, creative arts, media and education firms, he said. Many of the proposed towers also had secured “anchor” tenants.

Mr Joshi declined to say whether the eight included the controversial scheme for a 16-storey tower block on top of Liverpool Street station.

This is proposed by Sellar, whose Shard at London Bridge remains the capital’s tallest building at 310m (1,017ft).

55 Bishopsgate would be 10m (33ft) shorter than 22 Bishopsgate, which was completed two years ago and is currently the tallest building in the Square Mile.

Other tower blocks already in construction include One Leadenhall, a 35-storey tower north of Leadenhall Market.

A 33-storey tower was approved for 70 Gracechurch Street last year, a 150m (492ft) tower at 50 Fenchurch Street also has approval and another is proposed near the Walkie Talkie.

Historic England wants the height of the proposed tower block at 55 Bishopsgate to be reduced. It says the current scheme “would harm both the City’s historic environment and the wider London skyline”, in particular views of St Paul’s from Waterloo Bridge and of Whitehall when viewed across the St James’ Park lake.

Mr Joshi said the City Corporation, in determining planning applications, would safeguard historic buildings while seeking to ensure the provision of the most modern work spaces.

“We have got to get a balance in the Square Mile,” he said. “We are not Manhattan, in the sense we have a Roman history to preserve; we have heritage buildings to look after.

“We have a responsibility to maintain that historical and cultural fabric that makes the Square Mile what it is.”

Asked about the scale of demand for new office space, he said Bloomberg’s “Pret index”, which uses the sandwich shop’s sales figures to compare global cities, showed London’s economy had “come back harder and stronger” than rivals such as New York and Tokyo.

This was backed up by Transport for London passenger data showing journeys were about 80 per cent of normal, though fewer workers came into the office on Mondays and Fridays.

The City Corporation now requires developers to consider whether office buildings can be retro-fitted before it will allow proposals that seek to demolish tower blocks to be considered.

“I think this is probably the biggest agenda item we are going to have to tackle in planning terms in the commercial real estate world,” Mr Joshi said.

“We expect developers to come to us primarily with a retrofit argument. You have got to have a good argument to explain why that building cannot be retrofitted and you cannot use the existing embodied carbon to recover that building to a commercial state.

“They have to cross that hurdle before we get into any sort of pre-application discussion on development schemes.”

Peter Murray, co-founder of New London Architecture, said the new developments were “good news” and countered perceptions that “everything had stopped dead” due to the pandemic and economic downturn.

He said: “There are a number of reasons for this. One is the ‘flight to quality’ – firms whose leases are coming up are looking to move into the latest offices and improve [staff] wellbeing.

“This means there will be second-hand office space, which is slightly more problematic. But there is a feeling among [property] agents in the City that when these new buildings come to completion in five years, there will be a shortage of office space rather than a glut.

“Firms in Canary Wharf, such as HSBC, are reviewing their location and looking for something smaller. Maybe the City of London becomes more appealing as a location for larger corporates.”

He said the 300^th anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren next year would bring visitors from around the world to London.

“The City of London is very different to most European ‘old town’ areas, such as Madrid, Rome and Paris, which are kept in aspic and hardly touched,” Mr Murray said. “The City of London has always been responsive to the needs of business.”

Article by Ross Lydall for the Evening Standard