Author Archives: Contributor

Stefan Desbordes is an associate covering safety, health and environmental regulation at law firm DAC Beachcroft The principal designer (PD) is a key role in the project structure set out in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). They must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety…

Iain Taylor is an associate in the construction and engineering department at law firm Fladgate Henry Construction Projects’ high-profile collapse has left creditors in its supply chain short of £43m. The company’s administrators have pointed to Ozel Group’s winding-up petition against Henry in May as the beginning of its downfall.…

Deborah Ruff (pictured above-left) is global leader of international arbitration and Charlotte Stewart-Jones (above-right) is senior associate at law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman London has long been the preeminent forum for complex, cross-jurisdictional construction and supply chain disputes. The High Court has a dedicated division that specialises in construction…

Jennifer Varley is a senior associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP The construction industry will continue to face rising material prices, volatile markets and inflation. Disputes go hand in hand with rising prices as projects become much more difficult to complete on time and within budget. However, contractors can…

Site managers and workers face a September and October of visits from safety inspectors cracking down on the proper moving and handling of materials. Construction News understands that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is planning to officially announce an intensification of safety checks at the end of August. Inspectors…

Joanna Hunt is head of immigration at Fieldfisher Recent developments in the immigration sector have been a bit of a mixed bag for the construction industry. When it was announced recently that several construction roles would be added to the shortage occupations list to enable companies to recruit overseas workers…

Robert Adjetey is a construction and engineering disputes partner at Osborne Clarke The construction sector and developers have gained more certainty on post-Grenfell safety work issues from a recent ruling. The judgment by the Court of Appeal in URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd has widened the avenues for…

Andrew Waddington is senior technical manager at Morgan Sindall Construction Given that teamwork, resilience and a strong work ethic are highly prized in the construction industry, it’s not surprising many employers recognise the value of recruiting people who have served in the armed forces. Morgan Sindall Construction is one of…

Danny Clarke is commercial director of the National Federation of Builders In a world where equality, diversity and inclusion have become central themes in discussions around the modern workplace, one facet often remains unexplored to the degree it should – neurodiversity. This vital aspect of human diversity, encompassing conditions such…

Allan Wilen is Glenigan’s economics director Construction faces a challenging economic environment this year, before conditions gradually improve from 2024. Stalled UK economic growth and higher interest rates are currently dampening private sector investment and housing market activity. However, brightening economic prospects are expected to lift construction project starts from…