Solomons Europe

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We're thrilled to kick off 2024 on a high note, and with great pleasure, we welcome aboard three fantastic individuals to the Solomons Europe family: David Basford, David Home, and Nathalie Silva LLM, BSc (Hons)!

At Solomons Europe, we believe in creating an environment where success is shared, and that's why we've ramped up our benefits, introduced a company bonus scheme, and crafted in-house training that stands out from the rest.

There has never been a more exciting time to embark on a journey with us! If you're seeking a workplace that values growth, development, and a supportive community, look no further.

Explore our current job opportunities on our website https://lnkd.in/dcZyGiV or reach out to our People & Performance Manager, Victoria Clements, for more insights.

We would like to wish our clients, contacts and colleagues a Merry Christmas and New Year! Best wishes for 2024

Our hunger for growth knows no bounds! We’ve welcomed eight – yes eight! – new recruits in the past two months as we end 2023 on a high.

The new arrivals span various tiers of Quantity Surveyors along with new specialist roles that will further bolster our industry leading expertise in the NEC® suite of contracts and enhance Solomons’ “big picture” approach to delivering project excellence and positive socioeconomic outcomes through its work with clients.

A big Team Solomons welcome to Lori Cockburn, Ben Quitman, Andrew Whittet, Tyler Holmes, Connor Keane, Richard Revell, Alexandra Savin and Kathryn Lawson. We’re looking forward to helping you grow and flourish.

And hats off to our People and Performance team, who have been flat our identifying, securing and then on-boarding this unprecedented influx of top talent. With another three more new recruits set to start in January to coincide with the start of fresh New Year recruitment campaign, we’re far from finished!

To read more about our latest recruitment success and get a head start in joining a dynamic and forward-thinking SME that’s really going places at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/11/solomons-welcomes-eight-new-recruits-as-growth-plans-take-root/

If the first annual Solomons team awards were a hit – then the second edition went off with a real bang! Not only was there a record number of nominations, but the quality rose to new heights as team members vied for honours across six award categories.

A huge well done to Rob Branwood (Cultural Ambassador), Mark Coburn (Mentor of the Year), Dawn Bowker (Secret Superhero – for the second year running!), Alex Sheldon (Community Impact Champion) and Carl Wright (Rising Star).

And a separate mention goes to Mike Millett, who picked up the Special Recognition Award for his NEC® Handbook – a real labour of love that will certainly be cherished by colleagues for many years to come.

Read more about the awards, along with profiles on each of the winners at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/11/superstars-and-superheroes-recognised-in-second-annual-solomons-team-awards/

2023 has been another busy but exciting year. The awards give us the chance to stop, reflect and celebrate what team members do, what they’ve achieved and recognise the hugely positive impact they have on the success of Solomons. The future is looking very bright!

It’s that time of year again – the return of the Solomons Europe Staff Awards, or as they have become affectionately known amongst the team as The Dom Oscars!

Six awards are up for grabs: Rising Star, Cultural Ambassador, Mentor of the Year, Secret Super Hero, Community Impact Champion (new for 2023) and last but not least, the highly coveted Special Recognition Award.

The winners are being announced internally today, and we’ll reveal all early next week.

Presentations will be made at the Solomons Christmas party which takes place tomorrow night, when team members from across our North West, North East and Cumbria regions will gather in their glad rags to celebrate another busy and successful year!

Let the celebrations commence!

Huge congratulations to Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service businesses who walked away with honours at the Britain’s Energy Coast Business Awards 2023, which took place in West Cumbria last night.

It was a cracking evening for PAR Systems, who won the Growing Business title and – alongside fellow Matchmaker SME Cumbria Operations and Maintenance Services (COMS) and Forth Engineering – scooped the Collaboration award for their joint venture Resolve Engineered Solutions.

The Centre for Leadership Performance picked up the hotly contested Inspiring People award, while RB Electrical Services was Highly Commended in the Microbusiness category.

It was clear that each award was tough to call, so congratulations also go to finalists William King Construction (Growing Business), RAF Engineering (Inspiring People), Lucy Harrison of the Harrison Network and Anand Puthran of McMenon Engineering (both Business Person of the Year) for making the final cut. And the same goes to Programme and Project Partners (Sustainability: Social Value) and Key Delivery Partner Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick (Sustainability: Environmental).

You’re all winners in our eyes!

116 SMEs have registered with the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service delivered by Solomons Europe, in a bid to secure work through PPP, a £7bn framework of megaprojects which aims to transform project delivery, the supply chain and socioeconomic landscape of West Cumbria.

Registered businesses are already on the top of their game – committed to delivering project excellence while at the same time investing in the local economy, whether that’s creating new jobs and apprentices, establishing new or expanding existing facilities and offices, or delivering social impact activities that make a real difference to the lives of local people.

So, it’s no surprise their work is recognised with awards such as this. Keep up the sterling work!

Learn more about the Service and the progress it is making at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/tags/swimming-with-the-big-fish/

A big congratulations to our first cohort of apprentices for passing the Level 7 MSc in Quantity Surveying and securing promotion to Intermediate Quantity Surveyor. Cameron Field and Carl Wright, both part of our North West team, along with North East team member Ryan Pringle are celebrating achieving this significant milestone on their journey towards RICS Chartership.

Get their reactions and read more about their ambitions for the future at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/11/promotions-and-msc-passes-for-first-solomons-europe-apprentice-cohort/

The trio are the first to undertake the Solomons Europe ‘MSc Apprenticeship Plus Programme’ – a new approach which is being delivered by the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) alongside enhanced training through Solomons’ in-house Future Skills Academy.

It’s just one of the many ways in which we’re trying to tackle the severe skills shortage in Quantity Surveying profession at a time when the profession’s expertise is at an all-time high. We’re committed to developing a new generation of Quantity Surveyors who will drive positive change in the construction industry.

It’s fair to say Alex Smith is loving life! Like many Solomons team members, he took the plunge and swapped careers to become a Quantity Surveyor with us.

After securing promotion to Project Quantity Surveyor this summer, he reveals his career story so far, how he’s found being part of our North West team and shares his tips to anyone considering a career change in this latest blog https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/11/my-career-conversion-story-alex-smith-project-quantity-surveyor-north-west/

An extremely insightful and informative presentation from Marie Whitehead on the big trends and themes Story Contracting is seeing in national procurement processes at today’s Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster meeting in West Cumbria. Unsurprisingly, the increasing importance of social impact when tendering for work, and the challenges and opportunities this presents SMEs (and those just outside the threshold), was a big topic of discussion.

Social impact is no longer a “nice to have” when it comes to Government procurement, and increasingly so in private sector processes. Our experience delivering the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service for Programme and Project Partners (PPP) at Sellafield has highlighted the crucial importance of not just committing to but delivering a whole host of socioeconomic outcomes as part of its incentivised commercial model.

At Solomons, we engage at all levels of the construction and engineering supply chain to actively encourage greater collaboration and innovative procurement approaches that deliver both commercial success and meaningful long-term socioeconomic benefit. SMEs are perfectly placed to deliver activities that make a positive and tangible difference to the lives and career prospects of people in local communities – they just need a “hand up”, not a “hand out”, when it comes to procurement processes. We passionately believe SMEs are key to the nation’s economic growth but require a playing field that allows them to unleash their power.

Learn more about our social impact work, company philosophy and Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service at https://www.solomonseurope.co.uk

We’re proud of the fact that we’re not your average Quantity Surveying practice. In fact, we are and do so much more than the rest!

Fuelled by a long-held belief that the construction industry and Quantity Surveying profession need an overhaul, Solomons Europe has evolved so it can help secure a brighter and more prosperous future for both.

Our approach is simple – we engage with all levels of the construction and engineering supply chain to actively encourage greater collaboration and innovative procurement approaches.

To achieve this, we arm our people with the skills, expertise, resilience and resourcefulness needed to directly support delivery models that build better futures for supply chain businesses, local communities and leave positive lasting positive legacies for generations to come.

Yes, it’s ambitious. And yes, it’s a tall order. But as a proud SME celebrating 25 years in business, we’ve never shied away from tough challenges and we won’t stop until we succeed!

Interested in joining us on our journey? Get in touch with the team to see how we can bring a whole host of benefits to your programme or project at https://www.solomonseurope.com/contact/

A huge thank you to Business Crack for publishing this hugely insightful and powerful blog penned by our Managing Director Dominic Doig on the challenges and triumphs of running a successful business with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder https://businesscrack.co.uk/2023/10/19/navigating-the-role-of-managing-director-with-adhd-the-challenges-and-triumphs/

ADHD Awareness Month is celebrated throughout October every year, and aims to raise awareness of the condition, remove the stigma and highlight support available. Without doubt, ADHD is challenging to live and work with, but it doesn’t and shouldn’t hold anyone back from realising their ambitions – as perfectly demonstrated by Dom.

You can read more thought leadership pieces on harnessing the unique skillsets of employees with neurodiverse conditions, along with other content related to workplace health, wellbeing and resilience at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/tags/wellbeing-resilience/

Navigating the role of managing director with ADHD – the challenges and triumphs - Business Crack As part of ADHD Awareness Month – and in celebration of the potential positive team impacts of neurodiversity – I thought it was time to share my own experience of Adult ADHD.

Last week was a hectic but exciting one for our Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service team. We hosted our busiest ever Quarterly Connect gathering and the Programme and Project Partners (PPP) announced the first batch of long-term SME framework awards – the result of a huge team effort that we’re proud to be part of. In amongst it all, Head of PPP Supply Chain and Executive Director of Solomons Europe, John Rossiter, presented a lively and engaging update to members of the Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster at the organisation’s Energy and Engineering Showcase.

“The PPP commercial model is designed to be inclusive of SMEs,” John told the audience.

“It gives them the opportunity to access long-term contracts – and hopefully build long-term relationships – that provide security and allow them to invest and grow. As we say a lot, it is giving SMEs a hand up, not a hand out. The hand up hasn’t always necessarily been there before.”

You can read further extracts from John’s presentation and download the presentation slides he delivered at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/10/supply-chain-head-delivers-key-programme-and-partners-update-to-becbc/

And you can learn more about the work of the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service and its work for PPP at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/tags/swimming-with-the-big-fish/

Huge congratulations to Process Pipework Services (Ulverston), Shepley Engineers Ltd, PPS Electrical and Alpha Engineering for securing the first SME frameworks awarded through the £7bn Programme and Project Partners initiative. The companies have secured long-term frameworks on the KDP3 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), KDP4 Electrical and Instrumentation and KDP5 Mechanical Pipework work packages working with appointed Key Delivery Partners for these packages, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, EJ Parker, NG Bailey and Altrad Babcock.

Our Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service team has provided support throughout the tender process, helping to ensure early matches made between SMEs and KDPs matured into contracts.

Solomons Managing Director, Dominic Doig, says: “We’re delighted to see the first SME frameworks signed and sealed. This is a significant milestone for PPP and the culmination of a huge effort by the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service working closely with PPP’s appointed Key Delivery Partners.”

For a full response from Dominic and to read the full press release from PPP, go to https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/10/matchmaker-service-welcomes-first-programme-and-project-partners-sme-frameworks/

Brilliant to see a packed house at our Papcastle Depot offices for our fourth Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service Quarterly Connect meeting today. More than 50 people turned out representing Matchmaker SMEs, Programme and Project Partners and its appointed Key Delivery Partners.

There were updates on SME framework agreements and hot commercial and contractual topics delivered by Dominic Doig and Ewan Peacock from Solomons respectively, along with a progress presentation from Tom Wiseman at PPP. Meanwhile, Claire Louise Chapman of The Shared Value Business pressed home the importance of not just building social value into your business, but also monitoring, measuring and communicating the activities delivered to include in bids and tenders. And Cumbrian mental health charity and organic farming enterprise Growing Well capped off the presentations section by detailing their plans for a new site in Egremont and the type of support they need to realise their expansion plans.

There was also plenty of time for networking, with businesses making the most of the opportunity to learn more about each other and explore opportunities to collaborate. That is ultimately what the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service family is all about!

More will be revealed about our work with Growing Well in West Cumbria over the coming weeks.

And keep your eyes peeled for some very exciting news on PPP SME frameworks coming very soon…

It’s Dyslexia Awareness Week. Around 3.3 million adults in the UK workplace have Dyslexia, although the numbers could be much higher due to under diagnosis.

In this very personal, thought provoking and inspiring blog, our People and Performance Manager Victoria Clements outlines what businesses need to do to support people with neurodiverse conditions and harness their unique skillsets https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/10/team-insights-embracing-neurodiversity-and-unique-qualities-in-the-workplace/

“AI is not going to take a Quantity Surveyor’s job but somebody using AI might.” A really interesting and thought-provoking podcast from the RICS exploring the impact AI could have on our profession https://www.rics.org/news-insights/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-quantity-surveying?cid=smo|linkedin-newsletter|Tech-Partner|rics.org|newsletter|global|28-sep

The debate around AI has intensified in recent months and whether it is a force for good or bad. And while there are tools out there that can reduce time spent on mundane tasks, nothing will take away the quality and added value a highly skilled and top performing Quantity Surveyor brings to the table.

Our Future Skills Academy isn’t just about keeping up with advances in the profession but staying ahead of the curve. We’re proud of the industry leading expertise within our teams and the fact they live and breathe our values of being client focused, part of the bigger picture and constantly striving for excellence.

AI may have its place, but nothing can replace the (right) human touch!

Learn more about the Future Skills Academy at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/tags/future-skills-academy/

And get in touch to explore how we can support and enhance your project or programme at https://www.solomonseurope.com/contact/

Artificial Intelligence and the future of Quantity Surveying Paul Heming speaks with Andrew Knight as they discuss how a Quantity Surveyor’s skillset is already changing regarding cost estimation, take-offs and more while focusing on Chat GPT and a recent report on AI by Boston Consulting Group.

Solomons Managing Director Dominic Doig will press the case for the full potential of SMEs to be unleashed at a high profile RICS event next month.

Dom will be part of a panel discussion at the RICS SME Support Group networking event in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 18, to share his passion for proactive SME procurement on major programmes and projects – allowing them to demonstrate their prowess while at the same time delivering long-term socioeconomic impact. He will share the knowledge and experiences gained through the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service and TeesSMEs alliance with an audience of RICS delegates from across the UK.

Dom says: “I’m honoured to be part of this panel. It’s easy to be passionate about something, but we’ve turned a desire to unleash the full potential of SMEs into practical approaches which if embraced more widely, could have meaningful positive impact on the career and life prospects of local people in regions where major projects are being delivered.”

Read the full story at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/9/solomons-chief-will-press-the-case-for-sme-potential-to-be-unleashed-at-high-profile-rics-event/

And register for the event at https://www.rics.org/training-events/networking-events/its-all-about-sme

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The winds of change are blowing. The Government’s effective ban on onshore windfarms in England introduced in 2015 appears to be relaxing in a bid to help build “a cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy system”.

Having pledged to “halt the spread” through strict requirements for proposed developments to comply with local authority designations and to receive full local community backing, planning policy changes are being made that permit additional avenues for the identification of suitable onshore windfarm sites.

Member of the Solomons North West team, Cameron Field focused on the contentious issue in his recent MSc dissertation with the University College of Estate Management.

He says: “Last week’s announcement may be appreciably celebrated as win for critics of the Government’s prevailing stance on onshore wind. However, the devil is always in the detail. And it is that detail which has already led many to highlight their reservations about what these changes will actually mean in practice.

“In particular, the retention of rather ambiguous wording in the updated planning policy regarding the requirement for proposals to demonstrate the receival of local community support stands out to me as a likely source of continued difficulty for developers. It appears, at this present time at least, few are expecting a dramatic change in direction for onshore wind and reading between the lines I’d be inclined to agree.

“For those interested in delving deeper, I’d wholeheartedly recommend this easy to digest briefing https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/onshore-wind-england-easy-digest-briefing-latest%3FtrackingId=d8gQOHjaJ1cvUjISCXg69A%253D%253D/?trackingId=d8gQOHjaJ1cvUjISCXg69A%3D%3D”

Solomons has a strong pedigree in supporting the renewable energy sector. Discover more about our work on this area at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/power-energy-and-renewables/

Our message for greater SME involvement in the delivery of major programmes and projects proved a hit at the latest meeting of ACostE’s North West group.

More than 20 delegates attended the “Unlocking maximum socioeconomic value from strategic SME procurement” presentation delivered by Solomons Managing Director Dominic Doig and Claire Louise Chapman of The Shared Value Business yesterday evening.

The message was clear – give SMEs a “hand up” not a “hand out” and they’ll deliver projects excellence and long-term socioeconomic impact.

Read all about it at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/9/swimming-with-the-big-fish-message-proves-a-hit-at-acoste-north-west-group-meeting/

Just two days to go until the inspiring and thought-provoking Swimming with the Big Fish concept comes under the spotlight at the latest ACostE North West group’s in-person event.

Solomons Europe Managing Director Dominic Doig and Claire Louise Chapman of The Shared Value Business will focus on the socioeconomic value from strategic SME procurement and showcase work currently being delivered in Cumbria to a wider regional audience.

To book a last-minute place head to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlocking-maximum-socioeconomic-value-from-strategic-sme-procurement-tickets-679287927477?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_term=Unlocking+Maximum+Socioeconomic+Value+from+Strategic+SME+Procurement&aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail

For any inquiries or assistance regarding registration, please don't hesitate to contact ACostE’s event coordinators at [email protected]

We’re delighted to have joined Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. Having been part of county’s business community since our inception, we’ve now grown to a team of 11 based at two offices and have our sights firmly fixed on further growth to meet client demand and seize new opportunities.

Membership not only offers us access to the support, guidance and networking offered by Cumbria Chamber. It also enables us to promote opportunities for SMEs to secure long-term transformational contracts through our Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service, which has been successfully supporting businesses to secure frameworks and other contracts through the Programme and Project Partners at Sellafield. Eager to expand the service to across Cumbria and beyond, we want to help high performing SMEs unleash their full potential while at the same time deliver meaningful socioeconomic impact.

Our Strategic Director Kerry Doig reveals more about our intention to be an “active and progressive” member of Cumbria Chamber in this newly published blog post https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/8/sme-champion-solomons-joins-cumbria-chamber-of-commerce-network/

For some SMEs are “little fish”, but for us they’re in fact “small giants”!

To celebrate our 25th year in business, Solomons has revolutionised its employee benefits to create a truly unique and flexible package.

From an annual ‘All4One’ bonus scheme, flex allowance and opportunity to design your dream career pathway, to private medical insurance and health cash plan, electric vehicle options, family friendly benefits and the chance to recharge your batteries at our luxury company lodge in the heart of the Lake District – the list goes on!

Our benefits package is specially designed to offer something for everyone. You’re in complete control of what you take based on the needs of you and your nearest and dearest.

Check it out at https://indd.adobe.com/view/e6b8aff9-1b07-492d-a563-6447144cd8c3?startpage=1&allowFullscreen=true

All worth bearing in mind if you’re interested in the current opportunities to join our North West, Cumbria and North East teams listed at https://www.solomonseurope.com/join-us/

Be part of our journey.

Three weeks today we’ll be taking the Swimming with the Big Fish message on the road! Our Managing Director Dominic Doig and Claire Louise Chapman of The Shared Value Business will present “Unlocking maximum socioeconomic value from strategic SME procurement” to the ACostE North West group at The Engine Rooms at Birchwood Park, Risley on September 13.

Spaces are going quickly, so don’t miss out! The event is open to non ACostE members.

Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlocking-maximum-socioeconomic-value-from-strategic-sme-procurement-tickets-679287927477?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_term=Unlocking+Maximum+Socioeconomic+Value+from+Strategic+SME+Procurement&aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail

Learn more about the inspiring back story to the pressing need for greater involvement of SMEs in the delivery of major programmes and projects at https://www.solomonseurope.com/blog/blogs-articles-opinion/2023/7/socioeconomic-value-of-sme-procurement-in-the-spotlight-at-acoste-event/