Company Profile     Seddon Group     News      Press Releases     Commitment     Contact Us Site Map     Links     Privacy Notice     Website Terms & Conditions

Local youngsters learn importance of regeneration site safety

Charlestown & Lower Kersal
New Deal for Communities

15 January 2008

G&J Seddon continued to embrace their partnerships within the city of Salford with a presentation to St Sebastian’s School recently. The pupils were given a safety talk by Training Manager Roy Cavanagh, and David Unsworth, Resident Liaison Officer, and were encouraged to enter a competition to design a safety poster.

The winning posters for the competition are now displayed at the site compound next to the school. The improvement works to nearby terraced homes are being carried out by G&J Seddon in partnership with and funded by New Deal for Communities (NDC). This is part of NDC’s £53million regeneration of the area, which is also supported by Salix Homes, Salford City Council and the Housing Market Renewal Fund. This is the latest phase of external refurbishment work which will take the total number of improved terraced properties in the NDC area to almost 1,000.

Training Manager Roy Cavanagh commented “Seddons organise these competitions for schools near to their sites. This year we have been as far and wide as Worcester and Kilmarnock, and were delighted with the response from the youngsters at St Sebastian’s. The New Deal for Communities team is also very supportive and we hope this is the first of many partnerships with them.”

Cllr Peter Connor, lead member for Housing and Board Member of NDC, said “It is important that children and the wider community have ownership of the regeneration that’s helping bring a brighter future to the area. Seddons are helping break down barriers through initiatives like these.”

G&J SEDDON HELP PUPILS AT ST CHAD’S HIGH SCHOOL TURN PAPER INTO PROPERTY

4th February 2008

On Wednesday 30th January students from St Chad’s Catholic High School in Runcorn rolled up their sleeves, put their thinking caps and considered how to tackle a construction challenge posed to them by Halton Education Business Partnership (EBP); to design and construct a stand-alone shelter which would accommodate 3 – 6 people, made completely out of used newspaper.

Pupils were not completely alone in their mission to turn paper into premises. Help was on hand from construction company G&J Seddon, who are currently working in the Castlefield and Halton Brook areas, along with representatives from the EBL Group and Construction Skills all of whom spent the day at St Chads offering help and advice to all participating teams.

The event was created by Halton EBP and was designed to provide pupils with a fun and informative introduction to the construction industry, encouraging students to consider the different opportunities available to further their careers.

Matthew Broadman, a pupil who took part in the competition said: `Building the shelter was fun and a completely new experience for us and it helped us have an idea of what construction is all about

Over 90 pupils took part in the competition which used rolled up old newspapers as a basic building material. The serious design and construction work got underway at 9.30am following a short presentation from G&J Seddon regarding career prospects in the construction industry highlighting, amongst other things, the growing opportunities for women to enter the industry.

Christina Sorensen of Halton EBP commented: “Events like this are a great way of introducing pupils to a specific area of work and demonstrating the varying types of opportunities that are available. Construction is still perceived to be a very male dominated environment, but it was great to hear from Seddons about the opportunities that are also available for women.

“We are very grateful to have been joined by G&J Seddon and have hopefully inspired some of the pupils from St Chads to consider the construction industry when they are looking to plan their future careers.”

Based in the North West G&J Seddon is a family run business now under the direction of the third and fourth generations. The company has a strong commitment to the training and development of young people and, through its trainee and apprenticeship programme which has been established for over 50 years, has 68 apprentices working in all areas of the business. It is currently constructing 63 new homes in nearby Castlefields and Halton Brook.

Ends

NOTE: G&J Seddon is part of The Seddon Group, one of the UK’s major privately owned construction groups, with a turnover in excess of £240 million, employing 1,700 people.

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

WORK STARTS ON SITE AT NEW HEALTH CENTRE

Construction company G&J Seddon has commenced work on a £2M health centre in Sale, Cheshire. To mark the occasion, local resident Mr Gent was invited to take control of the JCB and cut the first piece of land for the Firsway Health Centre which will provide new premises for the practices of Doctors Jackson, Drabble and Lukeman.

The sod cutting ceremony, which took place on 15 April 2008, was attended by representatives from Trafford Primary Care Trust, G&J Seddon, Brackley Investments and representatives from the three surgeries who will be locating to the new facilities; all of whom helped Mr Gent mark the official start on site.

G&J Seddon are contractor for Brackley Investments Ltd who have worked with the Doctors and the PCT since 2003 to bring this new state of the art medical centre to the area. With construction now under way, completion is expected in Spring 2009. The project includes all necessary infrastructure works and patient car parking facilities. The development removes the currently derelict site adjacent to the north-west corner of the recreation and playing fields at the junction of Firsway and Goodwood Avenue. The building is of a contemporary design and when constructed will become a building which makes a strong contemporary statement for the area in the view across the open space. As the construction works progress the site will be transformed with a building of a civic scale and importance but that still respects the residential context in which it sits, as befits the much valued community service it will provide.

Says Jonathan Seddon, Managing Director of G&J Seddon: “As with all projects a lot of planning has already gone into the design for the Firsway Health Centre, but it`s the start on site that everyone looks forward to. We are delighted to be joined by Mr Gent who has helped get things under way.”

Comments Andrew Sharp From Trafford Primary Care Trust: “It is great to see work begin on this project which will provide Sale with a state-of-the-art primary health care facility. Doctors Jackson, Drabble and Lukeman, and their partners, are all looking forward to relocating their practices to the new health centre, which will be an attractive, modern facility for all their patients.”

Comment from Matthew Roberts, Managing Director of Brackley Investments Ltd “Brackley Investments have

worked with the Doctors and PCT for over 4 years to overcome a number of hurdles to deliver this much

needed new building. The delivery of the new health centre rewards the commitment of all parties and

will allow the Doctors to provide an expanded and improved range of serves to their patients.”



Ends
For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

G&J SEDDON’S ANNA ON THE SHORTLIST FOR PLUMB AWARD

28th February 2008

In a world which is still very male dominated, Anna Wong has proved she is a match for anyone when it comes to plumbing. As an apprentice with construction company G&J Seddon, Anna’s skills have been acknowledged by the prestigious Women in Construction awards.

Anna has been shortlisted for the title of Best Apprentice and will learn whether she has been successful in winning the title at the black tie event which is due to take place in March. The prestigious award ceremony is in its second year and will be hotly contested with strong competition from construction companies throughout the country.

Says Anna: “I am really happy and also a little bit taken aback to have been nominated for such a prestigious award. I decided to embark on a new career in 2005 and was delighted to be taken on as an apprentice plumber by G&J Seddon. Before I started I didn’t know the difference between a flush valve and an overflow pipe, but I now know so much and enjoy working alongside my colleagues in a trade that I love.”

The 40 year old, who is a married mum of two has been a member of the Seddon team for the last three years and is due to complete her apprenticeship in 2009. As part of her training Anna attends college where her tutors are full of admiration regarding her ability and attitude.

Says Jonathan Seddon, Managing Director at G&J Seddon: “Anna has demonstrated a real desire to succeed. Everyone at G&J feels she is a first class tradesperson and certainly has the drive and personality to achieve her goal. We are all looking forward to the award ceremony and hope that others see in Anna what we at Seddon already know.”

Ends

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 540 496

RUNNING AGAIN FOR CHRISTIES

April 2008

Jonathan Seddon, Managing Director of G&J Seddon, one of the region’s largest and longest established construction companies, completed his first Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April 2008 in 4 hours 10 mins, raising £10,000 for Christies. Hospital.

2008 is the second year that a representative of Seddons have run the gruelling event for the charity. Vanessa Barlow, PA to Christopher Seddon, completed the event in 2007 raising £5000 for the charity. The company raising a total of £15,000 in 12 months for Christies.

Most of the financial support for Jonathan this year came from local companies who have been extremely generous.

Jonathan says “The support I have received from our suppliers, subcontractors and the professionals who work with us has been fabulous and I thank them all. A number of them have sent me their own personal messages telling me how the care provided by Christies has touched their lives. The whole experience of competing in the marathon supporting Christies was magnificent..

Established in 1897, G&J Seddon is now one of the region’s leading building contractors, employing a workforce of over 550.

Ends

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

G&J SEDDON ONE OF BEST CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS IN THE UK

30th April 2008

Bolton based, G&J Seddon has officially been acknowledged as one of the best construction employers in the country, having been short listed in this year’s Contract Journal Best Places to Work in Construction awards.

Following an extensive research survey that has been carried out by award organisers and leading industry publication, Contract Journal, G&J Seddon has been announced as one of five finalists in the category for those with a workforce of over 501.

G&J Seddon has already beaten off strong competition from throughout the UK and is the only construction company representing the North West. Aimed at ‘the industry’s most forward thinking construction companies’ the awards are judged only by employees, providing a powerful measure of their employers’ success.

Says Jonathan Seddon, Managing Director of G&J Seddon: `Contract Journal carried out a very detailed and independent survey amongst our employees. To reach the last 5 is a fantastic achievement and we are obviously very proud, however, the report will also show us areas for improvement which is the fundamental reason for entering. We will use this information to improve as a company and employer.”

G&J Seddon is one of the largest and longest established construction companies in the region and also employs a workforce of 650, including several generations from a number of different families. Approximately 10% of the workforce are either father, son, brother, husband, wife and daughter.
Says Jonathan: “We, as a company, embrace innovation within our industry and value our workforce. We treat our people with respect, and believe this is why we have had such a positive response in these awards.”

In addition to the Best Places to Work in Construction Awards, G&J Seddon has also been short listed in the Customer Care category at the forthcoming Northern Housing Awards. Says Jonathan: “To be short listed in both these award categories is fantastic, but we couldn’t have achieved either without our people. We have a great team who are directly responsible for our excellent level of customer care and fully deserve this recognition.”


Ends
For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

G&J SEDDON CELEBRATE 1000th HANDOVER

21st April 2008

In May Mrs Alice White, from Rushey Fold Court in Bolton welcomed representatives from G&J Seddon into her newly refurbished kitchen, to celebrate the construction company’s 1000th handover for client Anchor Trust.

Anchor Trust is the UK’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing, support and care for the over 50s, and since April 2006 G&J Seddon has been working on an extensive improvement programme to residents’ homes throughout the North West.

The work on the Anchor properties includes the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms with new fixtures and fittings, flooring, tiling and paintwork. Bolton based Alice White was the 1000th resident to benefit from the improvement works and to mark the occasion G&J Seddon visited her home to present Alice with a bouquet of flowers.

Says Andrew Wilcox, Contracts Director at G&J Seddon: “It is great to have the opportunity to meet the people who benefit from our work and we are delighted that Mrs White has been able to help us celebrate this landmark achievement.”

Says Mrs White: “The team from Seddons were all very considerate and made every effort to minimise the disruption for which I would like to thank them and of course for surprising me with these wonderful flowers. I didn’t realise my home marked such a landmark achievement!”

The improvement works are part of an on-going partnering agreement between Anchor and G&J Seddon which began in April 2006 and will continue until April 2009.

Jason Young from Anchor adds: “The nature of this type of work will always cause some level of disruption, but G&J Seddon always ensure it is kept to an absolute minimum. The tradespeople who work in our homes are always very friendly and ensure our residents are kept informed of what is happening, which is greatly appreciated by everyone.”

Ends

For more information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

DOUBLE SUCCESS IN G&J SEDDON’S HOME TOWN

2nd July 2008

G&J Seddon has commenced work at Bolton School, the second high-profile project currently underway in the construction company’s home town of Bolton. The Bolton School contract, together with prestigious new premises for the BMW car dealership Williams, have a total overall value of £11M.

Work at Bolton School, one of the North’s leading independent day schools, will see the construction of the first phase of an extensive project, which consists of a state-of-the-art new Infants School together with extensions and alterations to the existing Boys’ Division Junior School. The 20,000 sq ft project is due to welcome pupils from April 2009. The second phase of the project will see the construction of a new Junior Girls’ School.

Work is already well underway on a prestigious £6.8m new home for BMW and mini; the second such project for the William’s dealership. The new showroom on Manchester Road in Bolton will replace the existing Williams buildings on Bradshaw Gate in the town centre.

Says Jonathan Seddon, Managing Director of G&J Seddon: “Bolton School is a building that is full of character and visually very attractive and we are delighted to be involved with its latest development, which we will be a modern and well-designed facility for the pupils at the school.

“A large percentage of our workforce live in Bolton and it is great to be working on two such high profile development sin our home town.”
Ends

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

PERSONAL SAFETY A PRIORITY FOR G&J SEDDON

12th March 2008

With personal safety at work working its way up the national agenda construction company G&J Seddon is seeking out ways in which it can further improve its already high standards of care for both employees and customers. The company has developed a highly innovative programme which goes beyond traditional `talk and chalk` training and brings real life situations into the classroom to help its front line staff to deal with difficult or conflict situations.

The two day programme, which has been designed in partnership with Summit HR and the Construction Knowledge Exchange (an enterprise centre of the School of the Built Environment at the University of Salford), with input from Greater Manchester Police and their personal Safety Awareness Training scheme, has been tailored to the very specific needs of site based construction staff.

It uses professional actors to recreate real life situations, providing a challenging approach in order to develop the specific skills required to deal with a diverse range of customers. As well as learning about aggressive situations, participants also learn to identify how they occur, threat recognition, personal awareness and the law in relation to the use of force.

A further session deals with practical issues such as the parking of cars, awareness in dark environments, positioning and proximities to individuals, awareness of potential weapons and possible techniques to get away if exits are blocked.

A second day of training uses actors to facilitate the development of customer care skills, playing out scenarios that could occur on site. G&J Seddon`s team are taught how to develop their skills in dealing with assertive and aggressive trades staff, how to handle different types of tenants, how to deal with complaints and best practice dos and don`ts. A mobility suit is also used which allows the wearer to experience a taste of life with limited hearing or mobility, raising awareness of the issues that affect people who live with similar difficulties on a day to day basis.

Says Jonathan Seddon, Managing Director of G&J Seddon: “Good quality customer service and after care is fundamental to the success of any business. We have established an excellent reputation in both of these areas, but we are always looking at ways in which we can improve. The new training programme aims to develop existing skills and to challenge and adapt our behaviours, attitudes and work practices for the better.

“Not only will it help our overall service but more importantly it will enhance the safety of our front line staff. It is unfortunate, but aggressive situations arise in all walks of life and the construction industry is no exception. We want our staff to be as safe as possible when at work and we hope this training will help them to identify and handle difficult situations as effectively as possible.”

G&J Seddon will be using the feedback generated in the training sessions to produce a detailed action plan which will incorporated into the existing customer service and after care procedures.

Ends

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293
Vanessa Barlow G&J Seddon 01204 570 496

ConstructionSkills launches Recognition Scheme for Diploma in Construction and Built Environment

ConstructionSkills, the lead partner in the development of the new Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (C&BE) has today launched a Recognition Scheme to identify and reward partner businesses on board to deliver the Diploma.

The Recognition Scheme will enable supporting companies to showcase their commitment in helping develop tomorrow’s workforce.

Firms will receive a certificate and a recognition mark that they will be able to use in their marketing material as a badge of pride in their efforts to help young people prepare for a future in work or higher education.

The Recognition Scheme pack will be sent to all 44 of the successful 2008 consortia who between them are working with the support of hundreds of employers across England and as more consortia are successful the pack will be rolled out across the Country.

Nick Gooderson, Head of Standards and Qualifications at ConstructionSkills, said: “The Recognition Scheme has been developed to congratulate companies up and down the country who have committed their time and effort to improve the skills base of the future.”

Already nearly 300 firms have committed to support the Construction and Built Environment Diploma including Major contractors; Seddon Group, Bovis, Laing O’Rourke, Lovell, Wates, Rok, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Persimmon Homes and Carillion.

Roy Cavanagh, Training Manager of Seddon Group and Diploma Employer Champion said: “We are offering work experience placements, on-site and school visits but it’s entirely up to the business how involved they are. Firms recognise this is an excellent opportunity to raise their profile within their local communities. It’s also a way of developing new recruitment channels.”

VICTORIA SQUARE’S LASTING LEGACY RECEIVES A SILVER MEDAL

24th July 2008

With so much focus being paid to bringing homes and buildings into line with the new disability laws how much attention is being paid to the outside environment? That was the thought of the Residents at Victoria Square, a supported housing scheme in Ancoats, Manchester whose idea for an accessible, raised flower bed is now celebrating a Silver Award at the Tatton Flower Show.

Residents at Victoria Square were approached by IMPACT Manchester, who are currently working on improvements at the Northwards Housing scheme, in September 2007 with a proposal to enter a flower bed design into the 2008 RHS Flower Show.

The proposal received an enthusiast response and residents worked with IMPACT and Groundwork in Manchester, who offered their support to the project, to create a flower bed that would not only meet competition criteria but would have the ability to be transformed into a lasting legacy for Victoria Square.

Following initial meetings with residents, Groundwork created a truly flexible design which uses specially designed planted containers; a first for the Flower Bed competition and a crucial element in ensuring a legacy project. Says Stella Ball, xx at Groundwork: “The containers provide raised access for ease of maintenance and have the ability to be transported back to Victoria Square on closure of the Show. This will ensure their pleasure continues long after the show has ended.”

John Feddon from IMPACT Manchester adds: “The design for the planters has helped increase community involvement as a proportion of the planting could take place at Victoria Square prior to the show. This encouraged residents who were unable to attend the show to get involved. We are all absolutely delighted with our Silver Award; it is a real recognition of all the hard work and commitment that has gone into creating this very special flower bed.”

In contrast to the bespoke planters, two of the original chimney pots, which were once a prominent sight on the Manchester skyline, were rescued from the building and used as a focal point of the design, providing the Victoria Square Flower Bed with a sense of identity and locality.

IMPACT Manchester, which is a consortium of local housing companies who are working with six of the North West’s leading construction firms, was formed in 2006 to deliver Decent Homes and community benefits in the Greater Manchester region. It has been working on improvements at Victoria Square since the beginning of June 2008.

Ends

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293

A TOUCH OF HOLLYWOOD AT BENORE CARE HOME

On Monday 11th August 2008, guests celebrated Hollywood style at the official opening of Benore Care Home, a state-of-the-art nursing home facility built by G&J Seddon in Lochore, Scotland. Prime Minister Gordon Brown MP and Adrian Hendry, Director of Avondale Care Scotland, made hand prints in a paving stone which will be laid at the entrance to the second phase.

Bolton based construction company, G&J Seddon is currently working on phase II, a specially designed dementia unit, which is due to open in 2009.

Before making his mark on the site the Prime Minister was taken on a guided tour of the home which is in the Prime Minister’s Kirkaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency. It is the latest development by Avondale Care Scotland, providing nursing care for frail, elderly and dementia patients.

Said Gordon Brown MP: “It was great to meet the team at Benore and extremely satisfying to hear first hand from some of the residents. Benore is a great facility and provides its residents with a fantastic level of care which was very evident in my visit today.”

The event was held to celebrate the official opening of the nursing home facility, which has 40 en-suite bedrooms with their own shower, 4 part electric profiling beds and the latest pressure relieving mattresses.

Almost 60 guests attended the event, including representatives from the care home owners, contractors G&J Seddon and residents and their families. Said Adrian Hendry, Director: “We are delighted with how successful the event has been and extremely grateful and honoured that Gordon Brown was able to join us to celebrate our official opening.

“We have a great working relationship with G&J Seddon, who are already well underway with the second phase of the care home. We are looking forward to being able to lay the paving stone at its entrance; it will make a great feature!”

Ends

For further information contact:
Anna Ellam Just Be PR 0161 281 3293