Another Challenging Year

2012 was a tough year for most of us and as a company Ashford has finally felt the turndown with a 9% reduction in turnover, the first drop in 16 years of trading. This year is looking much better however, with new orders already topping the £5M mark for 2013/ 2014. The line up of prestigious projects starts with The Francis Crick Institute formally known as the UKCMRI (the United Kingdom Centre for Medical Research and Innovation).

The Francis Crick Institute is an interdisciplinary medical research facility currently being built in the heart of London by Laing O'Rourke and funded by a consortium of six of the UK's most successful scientific and academic organisations — the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King's College London. The project represents an investment of £650M and when complete will employ 1,500 staff, including 1,250 scientists and have an operating budget of over £100 million.

Other secured projects include the £520M build fifty-four storey Leadenhall Building (aka the Cheese-grater); 20 Fenchurch Street (aka the walkie-talkie), the 37 storey "building with more up top"; the £600M Heathrow Terminal T2B, which will add 16 new aircraft stands and 10,000 cubic metres of retail, CIP lounges and ops accommodation as part of the £2bn investment by BAA; an £80M private hospital in Maidstone for the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery (KIMS); Blackfriars Tower, the first phase of the £70M development at 240 Blackfriars Road; and last but not least, phase two of the Royal London Hospital, part of the £1bn Barts and The London Redevelopment.

Finally, as always, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their continued commitment and support, without whose hard work we would not be the successful company we are! So here's for a more rewarding 2013!

Roger J Carlin
Managing Director

Jason Bruce—completes his Brentwood half marathon!

Jason participated in the 2011 Equity Brentwood Charity Half Marathon and Fun Run in March. Over 3500 runners entered the Race in excellent running weather.

Organisers expect to raise well over £45,000 for local, national and international charities and many participants raised money for their own causes.

Now in its 30th year a total of well over £1 million pounds has been raised!

Jason ran over the finish line in just under 2hours and 30mins—a very respectable time!

Ashford Sponsors Team Collins

This year saw Ashford venturing into Supercross, sponsoring a young lad from Kingsfold West Sussex with aspirations to be the best in the sport. Jake Collins, son of Richard Collins, a project manager for Phoenix Electrical is only 9 years old, but is already making an impression in the sport.

Read more: Ashford Sponsors Team Collins

Grand Opening for the Savoy

The Savoy finally opened its doors again in October this year after almost 3 years and one of the most mbitious restorations in British history. An icon since 1889, The Savoy has once again taken its place on the world stage after structural problems delayed completion and ballooned the original budget to £220 million. The 268 rooms and suites are the last word in style and luxury.

Ashford commenced works in September 2009 and only achieved target handover dates by working 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week for periods of the project.

The flushing and hydronic commissioning works were undertaken on behalf of Chorus, the main contractor, and the airside commissioning for Airtech.

A big thank you to all the guys involved with particular mention to the managers and guys who put the hours in, particularly the nightshift: Paul Card, Gary Adams, Danny Welch, Robbie Sitch, Colin Peters, Lynden Smith, Jim Hutchinson, Asa Parker, Richard Stokes, Tony Davis

SHARON'S’ RACE FOR LIFE!

Sharon and friend Tanya took part in the ‘Race for Life’ on Sunday 10th July on what was a glorious sunny day!

Read more: SHARON'S’ RACE FOR LIFE!

Nomura Completes on time

Nomura signed a 20 year lease to occupy the whole of Watermark Place in September 2009. Works on the fit-out of the 500,000 sq.ft office space began immediately. One of our major clients, Michael J Lonsdale, were awarded the reported £25M mechanical services fit-out and began works immediately.

We commenced the extremely ambitious flushing and commissioning programme in April 2010 including 7 day working and 24 hour shifts. Staged handover started in August with the client moving in behind us as we went. Much to everyone's credit, every date has been met. The last two areas of Level 7 and 8 (contractors and storage) will complete by the end of this month with the official handover in January 2011.

Lois Webber Memorial Golf Day

The day was organised by Jason Conner with all proceeds going to Tommy's charity. We were kindly invited to put a team together for the day by George Cattini of Michael J Lonsdale.

Read more: Lois Webber Memorial Golf Day

ASHFORD WINS QUADRANT 3

 

Sharon's race for life!

Race for life is the larg-est women only fund-raising event in the UK-their goal for 2011 is to raise £1 million for can-cer research to help save lives.

Sharon will be running the 5K race in Kempton Park on 10th July and wants to raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause. So, she is calling in the favours she has done for you all in the past and is requesting you all donate, any amount would be really appreciated.

To donate, please visit:- www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/sharoncarlin1510

As you are UK taxpayers, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when donating as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no cost to you. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer so this is a way you can help.

Every pound you donate really does make a difference – so please sponsor Sharon now!

Cancer Research UK is entirely funded by the public and has given hope to people affected by cancer.

Royal Parks Half Marathon