2019 proved to be an exciting year for B&M with key projects getting underway, new staff joining and even an office move.
We continue to deliver a variety of projects from education and commercial to historic and community and we have seen a rise in the number of residential projects we are looking at as clients seek to provide housing in much needed areas.
Quarter 1
We were appointed to several projects at the beginning of the year, including Fort Burgoyne. This fantastic project will see us work alongside the Land Trust to bring the historic monument back into use.
We achieved Investors in People accreditation in March, something we are very proud of as we continue in our efforts to be an Employer of Choice and enable our staff to reach their potential.
We were shortlisted for several awards in this period including a Kent Invicta Chamber Award, a Kent Excellence in Business Award and the South East Constructing Excellence Awards.
Our ISO9001 accreditation was once again successfully renewed in January, with this being the 13th year we have had the quality management system in place. We also renewed our Constructionline membership, attaining Gold membership.
Quarter 2
It was an especially busy people focused quarter as we formally introduced a Health and Wellbeing policy across the business in May, which forms part of our ongoing commitment to mental health awareness and providing our staff a happy and healthy workplace to work in.
We took on several new members of staff including Anna, Alex and Sean, all Assistant Quantity Surveyors and Craig Nimmo, who joined as our Principal Designer. This takes our total number of staff up to 16.
We moved office and swapped floors in 18a Ivy Lane with our lovely neighbours Red Bullet. We now have a fantastic space in which to grow and deliver an even better service.
Finally, we attended the South East Constructing Excellence Awards (SECBE) in London and the RICS Awards in Southampton. We were shortlisted in the People Development award at SECBE and shortlisted for three awards in the Regeneration, Community Benefit and Residential categories at RICS.
Quarter 3
It was all about projects in Q3. Margate Caves was handed over in July following work to stabilise the caves and provide a new Visitors Centre. The Caves have been closed for several years following concerns over safety, however, they have been made available to the public again.
We also handed over Appleton Lodge to RBLI, a specialist care home in Aylesford offering homes for older people, that was later opened by Her Majesty the Queen in November to mark RBLI’s Centenary and Remembrance Sunday.
We were also formally appointed by The Fifth Trust to their Greenbanks scheme in August. Once complete, these new build facilities will provide specialist space for those with learning difficulties.
Quarter 4
Networking and fundraising have been a big part of the last few months of the year. We have worked with BuildAid to raise funds for their next project by hosting a Soiree for them and sponsoring their Winter Ball. These two events raised over £12,000 for the charity.
We continued our support of sport in the local community, increasing our sponsorship of Canterbury Rugby Club and becoming a sponsor of Folkestone Optimists Hockey Club for the next three years.
Our charitable fundraising continued as we attended the Construction Expo and CIOB dinner, took part in OSG’s inaugural netball tournament which raised funds for Brompton Hospital and attended the Donations With A Difference Kent Construction Charity Gala. We hosted a MacMillan Coffee Morning, Becky and Steph ran a half marathon raising over £1000 for the Fifth Trust and we took part in Christmas Jumper Day.
With a steady order book and exciting projects in the pipeline, we look forward to seeing what 2020 brings!
