Hobson & Porter, one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading construction contractors, has cemented its reputation for being a safe and responsible employer by receiving a Gold Medal at the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards 2017.

The Gold Medal is presented to companies achieving five or more consecutive gold awards through the prestigious annual initiative by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Construction is one of the most safety-critical of all industries, so it is vital that contractors and employers take a meticulous approach to safeguarding both its own people and everyone who comes into contact with a live site. The ROSPA Gold Medal underlines how Hobson & Porter consistently makes health and safety its overarching priority, with best practice in areas such as leadership, learning and workforce involvement.

The ROSPA Gold Medal was awarded just days after Hobson & Porter launched its new Safe Works brand. Safe Works is Hobson & Porter’s vision for a zero-accident safety culture, and is communicated through the business’s 12 lifesaving rules.

The initiative is based on the slogan ‘make TIME for safety’, with 12 key rules relating to the letters T (travel) I (In advance) M (moving around sites) and E (Executing work). It has been implemented to ensure that Hobson & Porter operates to the most robust safety standards to reflect best practice with the industry.

Joe Rymer, health and safety manager for Hobson & Porter, said: “As a responsible employer, we want to make sure every member of our team maximises his or her safety and minimises the risk of accidents on site. Over the recent weeks and months our Health & Safety Management team, in conjunction with the board of directors, has identified the 12 prominent risks which our people and our supply chain face on a daily basis.

“By following the 12 Lifesaving Rules – which cover getting to work, entering a live site, moving around a site and using equipment – our people will contribute towards a culture which reduces risk and aims to eliminate all accidents.

“It is our belief that anything other than a target of zero accidents demonstrates a willingness to accept levels of ‘inevitability’ and ‘unavoidable harm’, something we consider to be a complete failure of our duties to protect. Zero is the only acceptable level.”

Richard Hunter, managing director at Hobson & Porter, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Gold Medal from RoSPA, which is one of the most sought-after health and safety accolades a business can receive.

“Our corporate ethos surrounding health and safety is one which encompasses continuous improvement, best practice, and consistent levels of effort and resource. Health and safety is business-critical and our number one priority. Safety always comes before delivery, meaning if we can’t do it safely, we won’t do it.

“To continue driving forward our commitment to improving our safety culture we have now implemented our 12 Lifesaving Rules, with a robust set of communication KPIs to ensure Safe Works remains dominant throughout our business and our supply chain.”

Hobson & Porter is currently involved in a number of high-profile projects in the Humber region, including a multi-million-pound refurbishment of Hull’s popular Woodford Leisure Centre, and (insert relevant projects).

Congratulations to our team of athletes who successfully completed the Hull 10K this year!

A team of ten entered the race, which took place around Hull city centre on Sunday June 18^th. Despite the gruelling heat, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees centigrade, the team completed the run with a very respectable time of 46:03 (an average of the first three runners’ times).

Richard Hunter, Managing Director and part of the team, said: “The race was particularly tough this year because of the baking sun. There was no respite at all, but we dug deep and took on plenty of water. I’m pleased to say we all got to the finish line!”

This was Hobson & Porter’s eighth running of the Hull 10K, which has become one of East Yorkshire’s biggest charity road races. It is in support of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, and all runners were cheered on by a large crowd of spectators along the 6.2-mile route, helping to create a fantastic atmosphere on the day. Well done to everyone who took part in the race.

Hobson & Porter’s Hull 10k team:

Dan, Joe, Janice, Richard, Martin, Louise, Russell, Andrew, Jude and Rachael.

A young construction apprentice from Withernsea has been named runner-up at a prestigious national trades awards competition held by British builders’ merchants Jewson.

Harry Atkinson, 18, was chosen as runner-up in the Best Apprentice category of the Jewson Young Tradesperson of the Year 2017 awards.

Harry, who is currently studying a Level One Diploma in Bricklaying at Bishop Burton College, was nominated for the award after beginning an apprenticeship with Hull-based construction firm Hobson & Porter at the Foundations Live event which was held at the College in 2016.

Harry has worked on a number of building sites during his apprenticeship, including Hull’s Dry Dock development and Selby College, and has been praised for his attitude and commitment to his work, and professionalism which belies his age.

The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts and winners were announced at an exclusive awards event at the Custard Factory in Birmingham.

On being named runner-up, Harry said: “I’m really proud to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. To win ‘Best Apprentice’ would have been a fantastic achievement, but just reaching the final, given I’m still in training, is a great accolade and one that I know will spur me on as I enter my third and final year of my apprenticeship.

“I have been incredibly lucky to have been given lots of opportunities by my college tutors and my employer to put my skills into practice and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they have done for me.”

Chris Reader, Branch Manager at Jewson’s Sutton Fields branch, said: “The Young Tradesperson of the Year competition is a national competition which seeks to showcase and celebrate the work of the building trade’s freshest talent.

“This year we had invitations to enter from over 800 branches across the country, so for Harry to be shortlisted is a fantastic achievement. The calibre of entries this year was particularly high so he has done incredibly well to get this far.

“Harry is great example of hard work and enthusiasm to learn paying dividends, and if he continues to develop his skills and work in the same manner I’m sure he will enjoy a long and prosperous career in the industry.”

Following the completion of his Level One Diploma Harry will begin an Advanced Apprenticeship, after which he will aim to become employed as a CITB-qualified construction professional.

Jeremy Hara, Course Manager for Construction at Bishop Burton College, said: “Throughout his two years at the College, Harry has excelled; largely as a result of his commitment, determination and professionalism to the course. This attitude followed through when Harry undertook a period of work experience with a local construction company; the company was so impressed with his efforts that they took him on as an apprentice.

“Since that time he has worked on a number of local projects including schools, hotels and colleges. He is due to complete his apprenticeship in November this year and will progress to the level three advanced apprenticeship in his final year. I feel very proud to be part of Harry’s education and I feel he has achieved so much in a short space of time.”

David Blades, Business Development Director for Hobson & Porter, said: “As part of our Foundations scheme which pledges to improve employability in the industry, we have worked closely with several of our partner businesses and organisations to host a number of events for students.

“Harry’s apprenticeship and involvement in the Young Tradesperson of the Year awards stemmed from last year’s Foundations Live event, which was held at the college, and saw more than 350 students meet with a host of industry professionals.

“It is great to see that increasing numbers of young people are choosing the construction industry as a career path, and Harry’s success at these awards is evidence of the potential talent we have in our region. We want the Foundations initiative to show young people how they can build a successful career in construction, either through apprenticeships or further education.”

In September Foundations will be hosting its next event at Bishop Burton’s construction workshop. Schools from across the region will be invited to meet with key industry professionals and supply chain partners to share careers advice and best practices.

Hobson & Porter is delighted to announce it has been awarded a Gold Medal at the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards 2017.

The Gold Medal is presented to companies achieving five or more consecutive gold awards through the prestigious annual initiative by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

To be successful in the scheme, entrants’ overarching health and safety systems are judged, with best practice in areas such as leadership, learning and workforce involvement considered.

They will be presented with the award during a ceremony at the ExCeL, London on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. The award was achieved during a special year for family-safety charity RoSPA, as it celebrates its centenary.

Through the RoSPA Awards scheme, which is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas, judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. The awards are now in its 61st year.

Richard Hunter, managing director at Hobson & Porter, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Gold Medal from RoSPA, which is one of the most sought after health and safety accolades a business can receive.

“It is a testament to the hard work our people put in day in day out to deliver our works to the highest health and safety standards possible, and I’d like to thank everyone for their efforts. Special thanks must go to our health and safety managers, Joe Rymer and Paul Barker, who make it their priority to ensure everything we deliver follows our stringent health and safety procedures.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards are the most prestigious in the world of occupational health and safety, and held in high regard around the world, as winning one demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record. Achieving the standard required is no mean feat.

“This is a special year in the history of RoSPA, and we congratulate all of our winners in this, our centenary year”.

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction are presented to organisations sustaining the high standards of the gold level over consecutive years. For the first time in 2017, the Patron’s Award has been presented to those organisations that have achieved consecutive gold awards for 25 years or more.

Construction students at Bishop Burton College have been given a showcase of industry leading products by national suppliers and businesses.

An exhibition took place at the college featuring a visit from leading interior lining supplier British Gypsum. The visit was organised and co-ordinated in partnership by Hull-based construction firm Hobson & Porter and UK materials supplier Jewson.

Students at the college received a presentation from British Gypsum staff and took part in a workshop where the supplier’s products were showcased in action. A series of demonstrations took place before students were given the chance to get hands-on experience of using plaster and plasterboard systems.

One of the products showcased was British Gypsum’s Thistle Magnetic Plaster, a unique plaster that provides an attraction to magnets, leaving a quality finish while also making walls magnetic.

Hobson & Porter Business Development Director David Blades said: “As part of our Foundations scheme which pledges to improve employability in the industry we have worked closely with our partner Bishop Burton College to host a number of events for students. This event has been invaluable for construction students, as they have gained knowledge from a key industry supplier and learnt practical skills in using its products.

The feedback from students was excellent, as they appreciated this unique insight into the industry. We are continuing to collaborate to host further initiatives and look forward to working with these businesses on other events like this later in the year.”

Adam Wellstead, Area Sales Manager for British Gypsum, said: “In our industry new products are constantly being developed to meet regulatory requirements and keep pace with building methods, so there is a need to continuously develop training content and delivery.

“Forging close links with further education providers is crucial to ensure tutors and students are up to date with knowledge and skills development to give apprentices and students the best start to a career within plastering and drylining systems.

“We are pleased to have been able to visit Bishop Burton College to showcase our latest product range and share best practices with the students. They were very responsive and it was a pleasure to work with them.”

Jeremy Hara, Course Manager for Construction at Bishop Burton College, said: “We are delighted to have been able to host this event which shared knowledge and expertise from a key supplier, and brought together several industry organisations to educate and inspire our students.

“This year has seen an increase in the number of people showing an interest in plastering courses at the college and we are always looking for ways to implement high-quality training and teaching practices.

“I must thank Hobson & Porter and Jewson for collaborating on this event, and of course British Gypsum for taking the time to put on this exhibition.”

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm to complete third project for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter is nearing completion of works to Bransholme Fire Station, marking the third project completed for Humberside Fire and Rescue (HFRS) in the last two years.

Thanks to many years of experience working on high profile, large and busy public sector buildings, the company was chosen to carry out three new fire station projects for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service; Clough Road and Bransholme, both in Hull, and Immingham West in North Lincolnshire.

Immingham West Fire Station
For the first time in nearly a decade, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has recruited new full-time firefighters. To complement the new intake, a significant investment was agreed to transform Immingham West into a purpose-built training facility.

HFRS Director of Service Support Steve Topham says that thanks to Hobson & Porter, the station extension was able to be completed in time for the New Year, despite a very tight programme of works.

He said: “It was essential that the facility was completed in time for the beginning of our 13 week firefighter course. Any delay would have meant serious disruption to the tight training schedule.

“It looked as though we may have been delayed at one point, but Hobson & Porter pulled out all stops to ensure the project was ready and the facility open on-schedule. The team’s professionalism and dedication to completing their work was outstanding, and their communication with the Service was second to none.”

The Immingham West facility has been fitted out with a host of new amenities, including living quarters, modernised shower and changing facilities, improved break-out areas and a bespoke teaching classroom.

A refurbished outdoor training area has been developed with a marine firefighting unit, compartment fire behaviour training units, BA chamber complex, HGV trailer, open water facilities and a silo, which ensures that new recruits will be put through their paces in a safe, challenging and realistic environment.

Clough Road Fire Station

In 2015, Hobson & Porter delivered a £2 million state-of-the-art station at Clough Road in North Hull. The building was shortlisted in the RICS Yorkshire & Humber Awards.

The building was a modern replacement to the Service’s previous station, which was built in 1959 and was in a state of disrepair. After demolition of the old building, Hobson & Porter erected a two-storey facility complete with dormitories, kitchen, canteen and a state-of-the-art fitness suite.

Bransholme Fire Station

In November 2016, Hobson & Porter began an internal refurbishment worth nearly £500,000 at Bransholme Fire Station in Hull. The station was built in 1976 and is occupied by 24 full-time personnel. Hobson & Porter is in the process of upgrading the station’s internal facilities, fitting a new boiler room, gymnasium, welfare pods, appliance bay, dormitories and shower facilities, and refurbishing the existing kitchen. The project is taking place while the station remains operational, and is due to be completed in July 2017.

Hobson & Porter’s business development director David Blades, said:

“For the projects at Clough Road and Immingham West we were required to work to a tight programme in order to get the new facilities open and ready for operation as soon as possible.

“The refurbishment of Bransholme Fire Station requires a phased set of works in order to keep the facility open during works. This is a challenging project as there are many considerations for the team to take into account – such as access for the public and Fire Service staff, restricting of work areas, noise pollution and much more.

“We have a very good relationship with Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and we are working closely with them to ensure the new facilities are ready for use as soon as possible. We have received positive feedback from our work at Clough Road and Immingham West Fire Stations and we hope the upgrade at Bransholme will be just as well-received when work is complete.”

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service covers the four unitary authority areas of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, serving a population of almost one million people spread over more than 1,350 square miles.

Media Contact: For more information, please contact Philip Loades on 01482 782287. E: philip.loades@mercury-group.co.uk

We had a very exciting visit to Immingham West Fire Station this week to see their new training facility put to the test by Humberside Fire and Rescue Services’ newest recruits.

Hobson & Porter recently carried out a refurbishment project at the facility, transforming the former operational station into a state-of-the-art training centre for both new and existing firefighters. The project consisted of; the creation of new living quarters, 2 new teaching classrooms, enhanced shower and welfare facilities and an extended outdoor training ground.

During the visit, we received a guided tour of the station, which is now occupied by 20 new recruits who are in week 4 of a 13 week training programme. We were also lucky enough to see a live training exercise in which the new recruits demonstrated how they would go about extinguishing a fire from a great height.

Attending the new facility was an absolute honour, especially given that this marked the first time in almost a decade that the Fire Services have taken on new firefighters.

We would like to thank everyone at the Station for this experience and will look forward to working with you again in the future!

An urban agriculture project supported by local businesses and public sector organisations is now underway in the centre of Hull.
Rooted is a unique concept based on a “farm in a box”, transforming vacant land into a micro-agriculture enterprise in the heart of the city.

The Rooted project has seen the transformation of derelict land on St Peter Street near to the site of the demolished Rank Hovis Mill building. Its purpose is to support and make improvements in physical and mental health, through knowledge and experience of food; particularly for those affected by poverty.

Work on the site has been taking place since last year and the first container has been installed on Monday 23rd January. Hull College students have been working on containers for the project, providing them with an opportunity for their work to be used by hundreds of people and gain valuable work experience.

Hull-based construction firm Hobson & Porter has helped Rooted establish contacts for the project, and has partnered with national building supplier Jewson to provide materials for the building structures.
Jewson has donated materials for the construction of the project’s containers, as well as committing longer term support to the project.
Jewson Sutton Fields Branch Manager Chris Reader said: “Our branch has worked closely with Hobson & Porter to help provide the timber to get this project off the ground. We are proud to be involved in an initiative that benefits the city of Hull and its residents.

“We are also strong advocates of educating people about the construction industry and believe Rooted is an excellent example of this. The construction students from Hull College will benefit from working on the site, developing their skills and industry experience.”

Students from Hull College Group have been working on the first containers to be installed on the site, panelling them with wood, installing electrics and painting and decorating the interiors and exteriors. The first container will be used as a meeting room and office space, and a second container that will house a kitchen and café is due to be fitted by Spring.

Graham Towse, Principal of Hull College said, “Projects like these really help to instil a sense of pride in our students and they can all be immensely proud of their contribution to the community, and their help in raising aspirations and building communities.

“Hull College has an excellent relationship with local employers and organisations to help us provide relevant and worthy work experience to our students and this is another example of the variety and rewards these can also provide. “

Future containers will also incorporate modern and innovative growing and food processing facilities. Hull College’s students have also been involved in the development of mobile raised beds to create multiple agricultural structures.

The project has also garnered support from other local businesses, including Bonus Electrical, Boston Renewables and VIP Communications. Hudgell Solicitors provided funding for the construction of the first container, and has shown a keen interest in supporting further work with Rooted as part of its pledge to assist community projects.
Co-director of the project, Adrian Fisher, said: “This first container is a milestone for Rooted as it is the first example of our partners working together to provide a community space in that can be enjoyed by people in our region.

“It is great to see private sector companies in Hull working in unison with Hull College Group and Emmaus Hull to collaborate on a project that will have a positive impact on the city.”
Hobson & Porter’s Business Development Director, David Blades, said: “We have been working closely with Rooted for some time now and it is good to see that the site is progressing with the first structure now ready on site.

“The project will be a wonderful community initiative; not only does it benefit local families with its fresh food produce, it has helped to educate students about the construction industry and allowed them to develop their practical skills in building the containers.
“This work is in line with our Foundations scheme, which aims to provide opportunities for people to gain valuable experience in the construction industry in order to bridge the skills gap and inspire more young people to start a career in construction.”

We are delighted to announce that one of our projects, Phase 2 of Riseholme Showground Campus, a part of Bishop Burton College has been shortlisted at the Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2017.

The project has been shortlisted in two categories, Development Project of the Year (over £5m) and Sustainable Project of Year at the prestigious awards which celebrate outstanding performance in Construction & Property throughout Greater Lincolnshire.

Completed in September 2016, the project involved the construction of two brand new, state-of-the-art educational buildings. The first consists of a new sports facility complete with a Sports England Certified Sports Hall designed for a wide range of activities including; football, basketball, volleyball and gym. The second building is a three storey food and nutrition facility with microbiology labs, commercial kitchen and open teaching space. Externally, we erected a large, floodlit 3G sports pitch for football and rugby.

The resounding success of this project comes as a result of our fantastic working relationship with the College and Architects CAD Associates, whom we also worked collaboratively with to deliver the award-winning Phase 1 of the scheme in 2015.

The team at Hobson & Porter are really looking forward to the gala which is taking place on the 7^th February were the winners will be announced.