It has been another challenging year for the construction industry. Economic uncertainty, materials shortages and price rises have added to existing pressures, making construction more difficult to manage and deliver than ever before. But despite these hurdles, strong partnerships with our clients and supply chain have seen us hand over several major projects in 2022 and bolster our pipeline for 2023.
Enhancing local communities
Over the past 12 months, we have completed over 150 projects of varying sizes and have been awarded a further four this year. From minor repairs through to large-scale refurbishments and new builds, we have worked across the full spectrum of public sector construction, providing new and improved facilities for local communities.
Highlights include the completion of two large school projects – the £3.7m refurbishment of a primary school in Tottenham and an £8m extension and upgrade at an independent school in Surrey.
Across Haringey, our team has provided multiple facilities, including two library upgrades and a £1.1m project which has brought a new youth hub to Wood Green. This saw a redundant property repurposed into a safe and unique space for young people to socialise and learn new skills.
Streamlining procurement
Reflecting our specialist skills, we have continued to be appointed to public sector frameworks for services ranging from repairs and passive fire protection, through to retrofitting. Over the past 12 months, we secured places on a total of nine frameworks as well as a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) developed by the South East Consortium (SEC).
Shaping the future
Diamond Build’s new head office has rapidly taken shape this year and is scheduled to be complete in April 2023. This forms part of a £28m mixed-use scheme being built by Diamond Build PLC in Stamford Road, Tottenham.
Park North, the residential part of the scheme, is on track to achieve practical completion by 31 January 2023. Located in Stamford Road, the development comprises 48 new homes, including apartments and duplex houses ranging from one to four bedrooms. A total of 22 have already been sold with the first residents expected to start moving in next year.
A total of 13,000 sq ft of office space is being built on the development’s ground floor, which is due to be completed by April 2023. One half will become Diamond Build Group’s head office and the other half offered to local Haringey businesses at affordable rent.
Looking ahead
The past 12 months have, once again, taught us that it is almost impossible to predict what lies ahead. However, we remain optimistic about the future with a clear strategy focused on developing our people and delivering the best possible service to public sector clients.
Making sure our teams have the right skills to respond to challenges and opportunities, is key to our approach. This includes an ongoing training programme for all staff as well as an established apprenticeship and trainee scheme – which has been running for more than 40 years.
We currently have eight apprentices and three graduate trainees working for us, all supported by mentors to expand their industry knowledge and gain vital, practical experience. Following several new contract wins, we are seeking to recruit more trade apprentices in the year ahead.
For many of our local authority clients, refurbishing existing housing stock, upgrading schools and enhancing community facilities such as libraries will be the top priorities in 2023. The Diamond Build Group will be supporting them by responding quickly to instructions, providing specialist skills and developing programmes that minimise disruption in occupied sites.
A collaborative approach will enable us to overcome challenges and ensure new and existing clients can deliver their construction objectives quickly and effectively.