Buiding consultants are safe as houses

DAWN Consulting, a Mossley-based project management and building surveying consultancy, has received SAFEcontractor accreditation.

Established in Salford in June 2002, the business, owned by Ross and Jo Bennett, relocated to the Beacon Business Centre in Arundel Street in their home town in June, last year.

SAFEcontractor is a programme which recognises high standards of health and safe practice among UK contractors.

Managing director Mr Bennett said: “More than ever there is a need to take health and safety seriously. We have a legal obligation to ensure that service providers as well as contractors working on client premises operate in a safe way which is why we choose to have our competency assessed by this scheme.”

He added that more and more of the larger civil and construction companies are requiring sub-contractors, suppliers and specialist services to have this accreditation.

Darran Hughes, operations director of SAFEcontractor, added: “Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove they have sound health and safety policies.”

Specialising in the property and construction industries, Dawn Consulting employs eight staff and clients include Tesco, Co-op Financial Services, Bruntwood and Manchester and Salford Diocese.

Predominantly, the team of chartered surveyors and project managers work in the fields of education, the church, commercial developments, retail and banks.


Looking up?

BUSINESS confidence has stopped its negative slide, according to the latest quarterly economic survey from Greater Manchester Chamber. Despite a continuing negative trend in all other indicators, the survey found the gap between those who said confidence was low and those who felt more positive had narrowed.


Chinese chance awaits

companies interested in hosting a visit from a delegation of officials from China are being sought by Oldham Council.

The council’s business liaison team, based at Oldham Business Centre, Cromwell Street, also wants to get in touch with business people who wish to be involved in a round-table discussion with Chinese visitors in order to explore the potential for future trade and collaborative activity.

There is support, advice and guidance available at all stages of working with Chinese companies and briefings will be available prior to the visit.

The council is hosting the delegation from Xishan District, part of the Wuxi City Economic Development Zone, between Monday, May 18 and Friday, May 22, to focus on progress of the educational and economic collaboration by a Friendship Agreement signed in 2006.

Companies and organisations requiring more information should e-mail june.smith@oldham.gov.uk or call June on 0161-770 5164.


Networking lunch date

OLDHAM members of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce can attend a networking lunch at the Biz Space Hollinwood Business Centre in Albert Street, Hollinwood, on Wednesday, May 13.

Registration is from noon and the event will run until 2pm.

Carol Hopkins, the Chamber’s Oldham policy manager, said: “If you are looking for new contacts and networking opportunities then our Chamber lunch is for you.”

The cost is £10 +VAT. E-mail pauline.pawlykiwskyj@business-support-solutions.co.uk or visit gmchamber. co.uk to register.


Karl’s top honour

A YOUNG apprentice from Chadderton has scooped a top training award.

Karl Lewis (18), who has been with Garvin Print in Shaw Road, Oldham, for two years, was named the best apprentice by the North Lancashire Training Group in Performing Manufacturing Operations.

He received a certificate presented by his boss, Garvin Crabtree.

Karl beat competition from 140 other apprentices across the North-West to be named Apprentice of the Year.


Green air boost
Airlines in the Lufthansa Group are among the top environmental performers at Manchester Airport. Lufthansa CityLine and Eurowings recorded 100 per cent records for observing the preferred flight paths during take off, helping reduce noise for residents living close to the airport. Lufthansa CityLine was named Best European Airline at Manchester Airport’s annual Skyliner awards as the German carrier operated more departures (986) compared with Eurowings (755).