Hobson & Porter were once again delighted to join forces with the Shoreline Housing Partnership on a council house regeneration project on the Southbank of the Humber. We have been refurbishing recently vacated council houses in both Grimsby and Immingham in preparation for new tenants to move in.

The regeneration scheme, which began last September and will continue well into spring, consists of various works including brickwork improvements, electrical installations and repairs to windows, doors and floors. The project is just one of multiple that we have worked on for Shoreline with others including glazing replacements, kitchen upgrades and external works contracts.

Given our vast experience working at multiple site locations, we have been able to identify real efficiencies throughout the course of the works which has been the key to our success here.

Jon Craven, Hobson & Porters’ Minor Works Director, who has overseen the project right from the start has expressed how great it has been to work with Shoreline again and to see our relationship with the company flourish over recent years.

We are delighted to be joining a number of other notable organisations in celebrating National Apprenticeship week.

The initiative is aimed at increasing awareness of apprenticeships as a valuable way into employment, and highlighting the scope for taking them anywhere, enhancing both personal development and the potential for career progression.

Hobson & Porter are not only celebrating apprenticeships per se, but are paying particular attention to the success of our own apprentices and to the launch of our own initiative the H&P Foundations Scheme whereby we will work in collaboration with our own supply chain and Bishop Burton College to support skills training in the area.

Here at Hobson & Porter we acutely aware of the vital need to continue supporting the development of skills within the construction industry. That is why we have invested in incorporating apprenticeships into our recruitment strategy, with three candidates proceeding with apprenticeship programmes within the business at the current time.

Matty Pearson is undertaking a multi-skilled apprenticeship, Jake Kerswell is midway through a joinery apprenticeship and Kieron Hutchinson is a bricklaying apprentice. Each is showing great enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to his programme and Pauline Steele, Hobson and Porter’s Employment and Skills Coordinator, is delighted with their progress so far.

“Our experience of the benefits the apprenticeship programmes bring to our business and the construction industry as a whole has influenced our decision to take more apprentices on board over the forthcoming weeks”, she explained.

“We have Lewis Kemp joining us on a design apprenticeship and Jordan Hadfield joining us as a Trainee Site Engineer within the next few weeks.  We welcome them to the business, and wish them success with each stage of their apprenticeship.”

2016 began in the same way 2015 ended for Hobson & Porter – in a position of great strength in the marketplace, on both sides of the Humber.

To consolidate our continued growth, we have appointed six new people over the last few weeks in a variety of roles. In our major works division:

• Andrew Steeper joined us in January 2016 as a Quantity Surveyor
• Jocelyn Marlow also joined us in January to take on the role of Buyer
• Pete Mills also began working with us in January as Design Manager

Within our minor works division, we have taken on an Estimator – Malcolm Revell, while the transfer of Pete Shaw to the division will provide extra support in contracts management.

Paul Baker has joined us in the pivotal position of Health and Safety Manager. We were also delighted to offer Callum Normington the position of Technical Assistant in minor works. Callum initially came to us on a work placement in December 2015. We were extremely impressed with his positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills, as well as his strong all-round ability; as a result, he is now beginning his new career with Hobson & Porter.

With the new employees joining our team and as we go from strength to strength at Hobson & Porter, we look forward to the exciting year ahead.

Students from Bishop Burton were given the opportunity to gain invaluable experience at one of Hobson & Porter’s live construction sites – Pocklington Arts Centre.

The award-winning construction firm has a long-standing relationship with Bishop Burton College, which enrols students on intermediate and advanced apprenticeships designed to equip them with vital construction skills.

The initiative was organised by Pauline Steele, Hobson & Porter’s Employment and Skills Coordinator, who arranged the visit to the site in Pocklington for seven students and two tutors from Bishop Burton College – one of the UK’s leading land-based colleges.

As well as being able to see Hobson & Porter’s construction staff at work, students and tutors were given information regarding the history of Pocklington Arts Centre, a tour of the site and an explanation of the works being undertaken. This includes a refurbishment of the projector room (phase 1), the addition of a link corridor for access to the bar (phase 2) and a full refurbishment of the first floor (phase 3).

The ongoing collaboration with Bishop Burton is part of the construction firms Foundations 2016 programme which is being formally launched in the coming weeks. Foundations is a scheme which positively contributes to the skills and training in construction for all ages and utilises a bank of good will from Hobson & Porter and their supply chain partners to provide real life experiences for students.

Work to convert a former Cleethorpes school into a 74-bed care home has begun.

We are delivering the project on behalf of Yorkare Homes Ltd and started demolition work at the old Lower Lindsey School in the town in July.

Part of the building, which was built in 1925, will remain intact and be the subject of a complete refurbishment to make way for the care home as well as a dementia unit.

Dan Dowling-Brown, regional manager – Lincolnshire at Hobson & Porter, said: “Yorkare recently completed a new build care home in Hedon, East Yorkshire, which won Care Home of the Year at the 2015 Pinders Healthcare Design Awards so we have a high standard to live up to.

“This project will transform a building that has stood empty for more than five years into a modern care home that will really benefit the community it serves and we are delighted to have been contracted to breathe new life into the site. Demolition work is now well underway at the site and we are expecting the project to be complete by the end of June next year.”

Many of the features of the original building are being retained, repaired or replaced in a fashion which will provide modern performance with a traditional look and effect.

Laurence Garton, of Yorkare, said: “We have been looking forward to working with Hobson & Porter on this project. The layout and size of the different rooms within the original school building is allowing us to be really innovative when it comes to providing the best care environment.

“We are developing a full shopping arcade and street scene which will include a pub, cinema, post office, hair dressers, charity shop and more. We believe this will be the first care home to offer all these facilities together in the UK.”

The new £3m Emmaus Hull community has its hat on after VIPs laid the final roof tile today (July 22, 2015).

The homeless charity, in partnership with Chevin Housing Association (a member of the Together Group), welcomed Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull Councillor Anita Harrison and her Consort Councillor Peter Lord to place the final tile on the roof of The Orchard building in Lockwood Street, which is being developed by Hobson & Porter.

The development is being funded by Chevin Housing Association and other organisations including the Homes and Communities Agency, Hull City Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, ARCO, Emmaus UK and many local organisations and individuals.

Hobson & Porter has been developing a brownfield industrial site on Lockwood Street, which was kindly gifted by Hull City Council, to provide accommodation and work for approximately 30 formerly homeless people, in the Hull and East Riding area.

Kevin Ruth, Together Housing Group Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The Together Housing Group is far more than just bricks and mortar, we help to build communities. The Emmaus movement does great work in helping the most vulnerable people in our communities and it’s something we’re delighted to support. “The new centre will provide a fantastic service to the people of Hull and we’re delighted to be able to play our part.”

Graham Beal, Managing Director – Hobson & Porter, said “Hobson & Porter are proud to be involved in such a rewarding project. We strive to make a positive difference in the communities in which we work and projects like ‘The Orchard’ for Emmaus brings real benefits to the local area. It’s not just about buildings it’s about providing opportunities for social integration.”

Patrick Doyle, Chair of Emmaus Hull, said: “Putting the roof on our home is an important step towards providing shelter and work for those who are experiencing homelessness in our community. He went on to say “We would like to thank all our partners, donors, volunteers and supporters who have made this momentous step possible and appeal for more people to help us by hosting an event, like a coffee morning, sponsoring a room or donating goods, so if you can help please contact Helen McGill, Project Director 07870642730”.

The scheme expects to open its doors this autumn.

Construction firm Hobson & Porter has appointed three new directors to its board as it looks to continue its rapid growth.

Following one of the company’s most successful months – Hobson & Porter secured £18m worth of work in May, it has welcomed Jon Craven as Minor Works Director, Richard Hunter as Commercial Director and Mike Gibbin as Financial Director.

Mr Craven and Mr Hunter have been appointed to the board having held previous positions within the company; eight months and two years respectively. Mr Gibbin will join Hobson & Porter in July.

Graham Beal, managing director at Hobson & Porter, said: “I am delighted that Jon, Richard and Mike will be taking on director roles within the business. Our continued growth and very positive performance of late has allowed us to strengthen the board as we look to maintain that momentum. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all three of them on their appointments.”

Hobson & Porter has been recognised at the prestigious Family Business of the Year Awards 2015.

The Hull construction firm was announced as the runner-up in the People’s Choice Award at a glittering awards ceremony in London on Thursday night (June 11, 2015).

Hobson & Porter was first shortlisted by the awards’ judging panel before the eventual winners in each category were determined by public vote.

The Family Business of the Year Awards, which are hosted by Family Business United, the leading online magazine and resource centre for family firms in the UK, were created to celebrate the family business sector, to recognise the diversity of family firms across the country and to celebrate the contribution that they make.