New outsourcing firm offers more than just HR – and it specialises in construction issues

[RESPONDING TO AN observed customer demand, Construction Industry HR (CIHR) was established in 2020 as a separate division of Lanes Employment Solutions Ltd, which was itself founded by Dawn Simpson Lane (pictured second left opposite) in 2018.

Although there was no specific targeted marketing, it soon became apparent that 85% of the client base were in some way connected to the construction industry. So the company set about separating and expanding to specifically support the construction industry, which has very few dedicated, outsourced HR and business consultants in the UK providing expert advice explicitly to the industry.

The two owners of the company have over 55 years of knowledge working across a variety of businesses across the industry – from oneman-bands to international, multi-billion-pound market leaders.

In addition to creating the new Construction HR division, the managing director has now expanded the business further to include a broader service portfolio by acquiring additional construction industry expertise in payroll, accountancy, health and safety, environment and quality, construction learning and development, and rescue and growth experts. In effect, the company has become the ‘one-stop’ service provider for the industry.

With their in-depth knowledge and expertise within the construction sector, the team at CIHR fully understand the need for businesses to be able to access support services with the flexibility to adapt to the daily changes and challenges that are faced in this increasingly demanding and challenging industry.

Dawn Simpson Lane, who is a Women In Construction Ambassador, explained: “In an industry where skills are diminishing with each new generation, implementing good HR engagement in construction now will give businesses that much-needed competitive edge in securing their business success for the future.

“HR isn’t just for office workers or large companies; it’s vitally important for any company that has employees, and as the war for talent continues to grow at an unbelievable pace, alongside it being an employee’s market, it will be the companies that look after their human assets by implementing good management now that are going to be the winners in the end.”

With people being a company’s biggest asset, HR has a huge role to play and even more so when considering some facts about employment in the construction industry: • Construction is one of our major employers, • with around 3.1 million or 9% of the • workforce employed in the industry • Of the current UK construction workforce, • 32% are aged over 50 – which provokes • issues surrounding retirement and health • and the future succession of their skills • Despite the overall size of the construction • industry, the workforce remains one of the • least diverse, with 86% of construction • workers being male and 94% of white origin

Non-executive director Mike Simpson Lane (pictured below left with Dawn) says that the company took the decision to broaden the service portfolio as the challenges within construction are wider than just the shortage of talent at an operational and skill level. There are numerous critical challenges facing the industry which need to be managed by highlyskilled and experienced strong managers and business owners.

Management now have to be able to navigate their way successfully through a myriad of issues impacting the construction industry which today include having to battle the way out of a pandemic, having a severely disrupted supply chain and a substantial shortage of materials and drivers, alongside trying to circumnavigate the enormous challenges and changes to paperwork and processes for export post-Brexit.

CIHR supports the entire construction industry from vision to completion across the UK. Their current clients range from new start-ups through to multi-national organisations and include architects, scaffolders, fenestration systems, fabrication, installation, building material suppliers, engineers, modular builds, fire and acoustic conversions, carpenters, bricklayers, interior finishers, metal suppliers, main contractors and large-scale developers, among others.

With their extensive experience in the construction industry they understand the many challenges that come into play when delivering effective HR services for companies in this sector.

Dawn says: “We ask our clients why they chose us to be their partners and the resounding feedback is because we are just not like any other HR provider. We know the industry; we know the tone; we know the problems the industry faces and the manner in which some issues are dealt with.

“HR can be a serious subject, but our clients tell us that they value our relaxed and engaging approach; however, we aren’t afraid to ask challenging questions or be straight-talking in our advice. But we also pride ourselves on being really friendly, down to earth and fun to work with. We offer completely bespoke packages, but our experienced teams will always know the best solution for each respective part of the sector and advise accordingly.

“We look forward to meeting you at Stand F40 of the London Build exhibition – where fun will be guaranteed.” q