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Author: Siobhan Martin

BLOG | International Women’s Day 2024 – Interviews

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

It’s International Women’s Day 2024 and to celebrate we are pleased to present a series of interviews featuring the incredible voices of our female employees. From sharing their experiences, motivations, and perspectives, these interviews shed light on the diverse talents and strengths of the women who drive innovation and success within our company.

 

Interview – Siobhan Martin, Senior Brand Executive

 

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

As a woman in a male-dominated industry and also competing in a male-dominated sport, I think it’s truly important to highlight and encourage the limitless possibilities we have as females. Equality and empowerment are vital.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the construction industry?

After spending the first half of my career in Local Government, I moved location and fancied a challenge in a brand-new industry. Keystone Group stood out for me as a leading construction product manufacturer and I was keen to become part of something big and make an impact on the future of construction.

How do you think the construction industry can become more inclusive and diverse?

I think we are slowly but surely moving in the right direction however as an industry, we need to do more by targeting and advising young females from school age to highlight the career possibilities. This will also allow construction companies to access a broader range of skills and experience.

What’s your personal International Women’s Day message?

Go for it and don’t be worried! No matter which job you are interested in, your gender plays no role. We are all capable. We, as women, can accomplish anything. We just need to be brave enough to stand up and do so!

 

Interview – Judith Mitchell, Health & Safety Coordinator 

 

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me IWD is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the progress that has been made in empowering women in the workplace and to recognise some of the amazing talented female colleagues I work with.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the construction industry?

Choosing a Health and Safety role  in the construction industry offers a chance to make a significant difference to employee safety and the satisfaction of seeing tangible results from safe working practices being implemented across sites.

How do you think the construction industry can become more inclusive and diverse?

To be more inclusive the construction industry needs to ensure the same opportunities, recognition and rewards are given to women in the workplace as are given to men.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?

Never doubt your knowledge, don’t be afraid to speak up and express your concerns. It can be quite intimidating being a young women in what’s has always been considered a male environment but your  input is just as important and valuable as anyone else on the team.

What’s your personal International Women’s Day message?

“It took me a long time to find my voice and know my own strength but now I have it, I’m never going to be quiet or rely on anyone but myself, if I make mistakes along the way at least I’ll know they were mine to make”

 

Interview – Beverly Whiting, Area Sales Manager

 

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It’s the chance to celebrate and recognise the achievements of all women. For me personally to reflect on inspirational women in my life. Along side celebrating achievements it important to recognise the gender inequality that still exists and look at opportunities to overcome these.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the construction industry?

I fell into the construction industry after working in finance and found that I absolutely loved the industry so continued to pursue a career in it.

How do you think the construction industry can become more inclusive and diverse?

It has been great to see the rise in numbers of women in the construction industry workforce, however the percentage is still very low at around 16%. The diverse range of jobs need to be promoted through college’s, universities and apprenticeships to women.

Companies breaking down gender stereotypical roles by hiring women for positions previously perceived and a male role and supporting diversity.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?

Absolutely go for it. It’s an amazing industry to be part of. It’s incredibly interesting, challenging and there’s so much scope for career development.

What’s your personal International Women’s Day message?

Pursue your ambitions, be the author of your own destiny, smash through the barriers and be the most successful and happiest version of yourself.

BLOG | National Engineers Week 2024 – Maruf Khan Interview

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

National Engineers Week 2024 is drawing to a close so we’ve caught up with our final interviewee Maruf Khan to share his thoughts and experiences working in the industry as a Structural Engineer:

 

What made you want to get into engineering?

I was always fascinated by how things work and enjoyed solving mathematical physics problems in school / college. This curiosity naturally led me towards engineering. The idea of creating innovative solutions and contributing to the advancement of society appealed to me. I wanted a career that allowed me to apply mathematical and scientific principles to real-world challenges, and engineering offered the perfect blend of creativity and analytical thinking.

 

What does a typical working day look like for you?

A typical day in my role involves a mix of collaborative teamwork and individual tasks. I spend time analysing project requirements, designing solutions, and often working closely with cross-functional teams. Meetings, whether with colleagues or clients, are a crucial part of ensuring everyone is aligned. Additionally, problem-solving is a daily occurrence, and adaptability is key as priorities may shift.

 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The most enjoyable aspect of my job is the opportunity to bring ideas to life and witness the tangible impact of our work. I find satisfaction in overcoming challenges and seeing projects evolve from concept to reality. Collaborating with diverse teams and learning from each other’s expertise is also rewarding. Moreover, the continuous learning environment in engineering keeps me engaged and excited about the ever-evolving technologies and methodologies.

 

Any advice for aspiring engineers?

My advice to aspiring engineers is to foster a strong foundation in mathematics and science. Cultivate a passion for problem-solving and embrace a mindset of continuous learning. Seek internships or projects that provide hands-on experience, as practical knowledge is invaluable. Communication skills are equally important, so practice expressing complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. Stay curious, be adaptable, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges – they often lead to the most significant growth in your career. Finally, build a professional network and learn from mentors who can guide you on your journey.

For more information on our career opportunities, visit our careers page.

BLOG | National Engineers Week 2024 – Mathew Cooper Interview

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

National Engineers Week 2024 (18 – 24) rolls on so we caught up with our Graduate Design Engineer Mathew Cooper to get the perspective of graduates who are getting started in the industry:

 

What made you want to get into engineering?

My interest in Mathematics combined with my love for Architecture is what propelled me to pursue a career in the engineering industry. The fact that Engineering is considered one of the most valuable degrees currently played a big role in my decision-making.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

A typical working day for me usually consists of looking over architectural and structural drawings and dealing with customer emails and calls regarding information or queries addressing our products.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The most enjoyable aspect of my job would be the team I work with, there’s always a great atmosphere in the office. Also having the ability to create a bespoke design and having to back it up with structural understanding is always a rewarding challenge.

Any advice for aspiring engineers?

My advice to any aspiring engineers would be to take each and every opportunity that comes your way as you might find it of interest for a future career!

For more information on our career opportunities, visit our careers page.

BLOG | National Engineers Week 2024 – Fausto Braccio Interview

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

National Engineers Week 2024 continues and up next we have our Senior Project Engineer Fausto Braccio who believes aspiring engineers should continuously seek opportunities to learn and expand their skill set:

 

What made you want to get into engineering?

I was drawn to civil engineering because I have always been fascinated by the idea of being part of the process of designing and building structures that benefit society and improve people’s lives.

 What does a typical working day look like for you?

A typical day for me starts with planning the day and organising tasks based on priority. It also involves coordinating and attending internal and external meetings, answering to customer’s queries, helping them with their request for additional products, checking and processing product packs before they go into manufacture, among others. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I enjoy the most of my job is the possibility of working in diverse projects from small residential houses to large building complexes, resulting in learning something new every day and having the chance to work with many professionals along the way. I also find satisfaction in witnessing the tangible results of our efforts when doing site visits or looking at our customer’s site photos, which is particularly rewarding.

Any advice for aspiring engineers?

For aspiring engineers I recommend a strong foundation in project management and continuously seek opportunities to learn and expand their skill set.

For more information on our career opportunities, visit our careers page

BLOG | National Engineers Week 2024 – Grace Miller Interview

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

It’s National Engineers Week (18 – 24) and we’re celebrating. To mark the occasion, we asked our Engineers to share what they’ve learned about their careers in the construction industry, as well as some tips for aspiring engineers looking to enter the field. Check out what our Technical Engineer Grace Miller had to say:

 

What made you want to get into engineering?

Growing up on a farm, I saw first-hand how buildings were constructed and this ignited my passion to understand how they were designed. At secondary school, my aptitude for STEM subjects, especially Mathematics and Physics, taught me to structure my approach to practical problem solving – an important skill for a Structural Engineer.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

As a Technical Engineer, I’m involved in estimating, structural engineering, and project engineering, working on both English and Irish projects. I thrive on the challenges of preparing accurate and competitive quotations, checking the structural integrity of my solutions, and managing my live projects. Being able to turn to an experienced and approachable team makes my job more pleasurable!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy liaising with customers and industry professionals during design team meetings and on the telephone, as well as collaborating with the IG team, designing and delivering practical solutions. I particularly enjoy the journey of working on a project from the initial enquiry stage right through to the manufacture and delivery of product.

 Any advice for aspiring engineers?

My advice would be to relish every project, design team meeting, site visit, and conversation in the workplace – there is something new to learn every single day!

For more information on our career opportunities, visit our careers page.

 

NEWS | Sponsorship continues for The Association of Brickwork Contractors Awards 2024

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

IG Masonry Support is delighted to announce its continuous sponsorship of the Association of Brickwork Contractors Awards. 

The annual event, which celebrates the very best of the bricklaying industry, will be hosted at the St. Pancras Hotel in London on Friday 23rd February.

The finalists have been carefully selected by an esteemed panel of judges overseeing this year’s nominations those being Ian Wilson, Michael Driver, Mick Heir, and Gerard Lynch. The five award categories up for grabs are Supplier of the Year, Commitment to Training & Development, Project of the Year, Craftsperson of the Year, and Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year.

Scott Denham, Sales Director for IG Masonry Support, commented: “We are delighted to be continuing our sponsorship of the annual ABC Awards. We look forward to celebrating the exceptional talent and dedicated professionals within the bricklaying community who are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and high craftsmanship.

“The Association of Brickwork Contractors serves as a hub of learning excellence with their continuous training and development opportunities aimed at advancing the careers of current and future bricklayers. We are pleased to be part of that journey.”

The distinguished panel of judges will reconvene in January to determine the deserving winners. The award ceremony promises to be a night of recognition, inspiration, and celebration of craftsmanship.

View the full Award Shortlist.

NEWS | Hailing Brick Awards Success of ‘Highly Articulated’ Mixed-Use Development

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

We are proud to announce that Kindred House, a 25-storey mixed-use development in Croydon, benefitted from our innovative masonry support and brick slip systems, and was judged winner of the ‘Large Housing Development’ category at the 2023 Brick Development Association (BDA) Brick Awards.

Our bespoke products were deemed integral to the building’s high-quality brickwork finish to create a façade described as ‘highly articulated’ by judges.

Scott Denham, our Sales Director, said: “As a proud sponsor of the Large Housing Development category at the 2023 BDA Brick Awards, we’re delighted at Kindred House’s success. The project is an outstanding example of the striking, imaginative designs that can be fulfilled with brick, thanks in part to the evolution of evermore innovative masonry support. Congratulations to all involved.”

Kindred House, designed by Pitman Tozer Architects, is built on the site of a former car park adjacent to a flyover in Central Croydon. It comprises 128 apartments, 60 of which are affordable accommodation. Retail and public space, and 10,000sqft of office accommodation also form part of the development, which was constructed using more than half a million Zircon bricks manufactured by Wienerberger.

The building’s standout stepped form was instrumental in breaking up the building’s mass and creating an attractive composition of adjoining slender proportions. The building’s distinctive silhouette heralds a gateway to south Croydon’s Old Town.

Scott Denham continued: “We’re proud of our involvement with this outstanding project. It’s a credit to the ingenuity and collaborative efforts of each stakeholder that its execution earned the plaudits of the BDA Brick Awards esteemed judges.”

To read about our full product package for this project, view our case study.

EVENT | Join us at Specifi 2024 ‘tech-talk’ events

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

Specifi’s built environment ‘tech-talk’ events are back for 2024 and three of the Keystone Group Steel Division brands have secured spots at several locations throughout the series.

The series of architecture ‘tech-talk’ events bring together architects and industry experts to discuss the latest challenges and trends within the industry. Attendees are allocated 10 minutes with each industry expert to find out more about their products and services.

IG Masonry Support, Keyfix and Keystone Lintels will be in attendance at various locations throughout the year:

  • London – Monday 29th January – The Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0EA – IG Masonry Support
  • Edinburgh – Wednesday 14th February – Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, EH2 2LR – Keystone Lintels
  • Leeds – Wednesday 13th March – Hilton Leeds City, Neville St, LS1 4BX – IG Masonry Support
  • Nottingham – Wednesday 10th April – The Albert Hall Conference Centre, North Circus St, NG1 5AA – Keystone Lintels
  • Bristol – Tuesday 30th April – The Bristol Hotel, Prince St, BS1 4QF – Keystone Lintels and IG Masonry Support and Keyfix
  • Glasgow – Tuesday 11th June – Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall St, G2 3NY – IG Masonry Support
  • Newcastle – Tuesday 25th June – St James’ Park, Barrack Rd, NE14ST – IG Masonry Support
  • Dublin – Monday 1st July – Camden Court Hotel, Camden Street, D02 W086 – Keystone Lintels and Keyfix
  • Belfast – Wednesday 3rd July – Clayton Hotel Belfast, 22 Ormeau Avenue, BT2 8HS – IG Masonry Support, Keyfix and Keystone Lintels
  • London – Wednesday 21st August – The Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0EA – Keystone Lintels and Keyfix
  • Birmingham – Thursday 12th September – Fazeley Studios, 191 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, B5 5SE – IG Masonry Support, Keyfix and Keystone Lintels
  • Cardiff – Monday 30th September – The Parkgate Hotel, Westgate St, CF10 1DA – Keystone Lintels
  • Manchester – Wednesday 23rd October – Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel, Water St, M3 4JQ – IG Masonry Support and Keyfix
  • Liverpool – Wednesday 13th November – Marriott Hotel City Centre, Queen Square, L1 1RH – Keyfix

Event spaces are limited. If you are interested in attending any of these events, you should register on the Specifi website.

EVENTS | KEYSTONE LIVE VISITS IRELAND

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

This month, Keystone Group, the UK’s largest steel lintel manufacturer and Europe’s fastest growing roof window manufacturer, is to hit the road to share ideas and innovations that are core to supporting fabric first construction and achieving net zero.

‘Keystone Live’ will visit venues in three cities across Ireland. It features a series of free, insightful live webinar debates as part of a four-hour CPD experience. Leading discussions will be a stellar cast of industry speakers with the passion and knowhow to deliver thought-provoking views on topics including offsite construction, provision of net zero housing, designing with non-combustible and how the industry is tackling climate change.

Ciaran McAliskey, Keystone’s Specification Manager, said: “We cannot wait to take the Keystone Live show on the road. For audiences, it’s not only a chance to learn about products that are designed to facilitate a low carbon approach to construction, it will look at behaviours the industry needs to adopt to achieve net zero. Therefore, whatever your supply chain sector, this is an event not to be missed.”

Keystone Live is a fact-packed morning-only event. Each attendee will receive a certificate upon completing the programme that contains an in-depth reveal of Keystone Group products specifically developed with net zero and building regulation compliance in mind. They include a look at the Keystone Lintels thermally efficient Hi-therm Lintel and its low psi value, IG Masonry Support’s A1 Fire Rated Brick Slip System, Keyfix’s Non-Combustible Cavity Tray systems and also the patented Thermal Collar on the Keylite Roof Window, bringing events to a fitting conclusion.

Tea, coffee and other light refreshments will be available throughout the morning, which will be followed by a leisurely network lunch where d the conversational cut-and-thrust will continue.

Ciaran McAliskey continued: “At Keystone Group we are always looking at ways to manufacture construction solutions that are smarter and more effective than others on the market. This, coupled with the need to increase awareness of how the drive for net zero will inevitably change our approach to construction – particularly in respect of fabric first – is why Keystone Live is hallmarked as a premier industry gathering.”

Keystone Live takes place between 9am and 1.30pm on the following dates:

  • Galway – Wednesday, 22ndNovember – Maldron Hotel, Sand Road
  • Cork – Thursday, 23rdNovember – Maldron Hotel, South Mall
  • Dublin – Tuesday, 28thNovember – Camden Court Hotel

Spaces are limited, so do not delay in registering your attendance here: https://keystonegroup.co.uk/the-fabric-first-approach-keystone-live-event

Continue reading “EVENTS | KEYSTONE LIVE VISITS IRELAND”

NEWS | Swift Brickwork apprentices gain inspiration and tools to kick-start career

Posted on by Siobhan Martin

IG Masonry Support and the wider Keystone Group steel division have joined forces with other key influencers in the construction sector to provide a day of inspiration for Swift Brickwork Contractor‘s new cohort of brickwork apprentices.

The highlight of the day was a tour of a live site managed by the prestigious Canary Wharf Group. The apprentices had the opportunity to witness first-hand the intricacies of brickwork in a real-world setting. From observing skilled craftsmen at work to understanding the importance of precision and attention to detail, the apprentices were able to gain valuable insights into the profession.

In addition to the site tour, Keystone Group companies IG Masonry Support and Keyfix also provided product demonstrations to showcase the latest advancements in brickwork technology. The apprentices were able to witness the market-leading technology and techniques used in the industry, providing them with a glimpse into the future of their trade.

To ensure the apprentices had the best start to their apprenticeship, the Keystone Group companies generously provided them with a full bag of brickwork tools. This gesture was made possible by the Group’s Keyskills Education Initiative which aims to equip brickwork apprentices with the necessary knowledge and tools to excel in their training and future careers.

Dean Degun, Swift Brickwork’s Contracts Manager and the driving force behind the event, expressed his gratitude to all participants: “We were delighted to hold an inspiration day for our new cohort of apprentices at Canary Wharf Group. The event has been supported by many key influencers within the sector including Canary Wharf Group, IG Masonry Support, Keyfix, the wider Keystone Group, New City College, Brick Development Association, Band of Builders, and the Association of Brickwork Contractors. We are ever so grateful for the donation of the brickwork tools from the Keystone Group for all of the apprentices.”

Andy Neal, Managing Director of IG Masonry Support who also attended the day, said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of the Apprentice Inspiration Day and we thank Swift Brickwork Contractors for including us. Witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of these apprentices was truly inspiring. We are delighted to be able to contribute to their bright future in bricklaying by donating tools that will support their journey.”

With the support of influential stakeholders, the day, organised by Swift Brickwork Contractors, was a great success and their apprentices are well on their way to a promising future in the world of brickwork.