‘We are a national contractor with the local agenda always at the heart of what we do’

In the UK, Morgan Sindall Construction is approaching a turnover of £1 billion, but despite its size, its focus –and strength – is working on a local level.

“We’re really proud of what we deliver in our local communities and, for us, that’s delivering value way beyond the build,” said Sally Bedwell, who has worked in the construction industry for 20 years, the past two at Morgan Sindall Construction as the area’s Senior Business Development Manager.

“Our purpose is to create inspiring places that enhance the communities in which we all live, work, learn, play, care and protect.”

The company joined Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce because it could see the partnership benefits, particularly with local supply chains.

“We’re a large business but we’re also a local employer,” she said.

“Many of our public sector customers are members alongside local supply chains. We really understand the needs of local employers and by being a member of the Chamber, we can hear first-hand the issues faced by these businesses, potentially from outside our industry, thus constantly having our fingers on the pulse.”

Locally, the firm has delivered Hertfordshire’s first net-zero Passivhaus school, sponsored the Construction and Property Summit held this summer, and has worked with the Chamber on the LSIP consultation on future skills.

“We don’t just talk about the skills and needs, we are proactive in how we can deliver that for the future,” added Sally.

“We are the voice and ear of the industry; it’s a two-way street.

“It’s really good to be able to understand what affects other businesses in the community.”

Although Morgan Sindall is in a “very privileged position” as a financially strong organisation, Sally says the greatest challenge is ensuring a sustainable business. It mitigates against labour shortages in the sector by treating the supply chain as partners; looking after their wellbeing and offering training at every opportunity. Ageing populations and people needing to work longer means that retraining and upskilling are important factors. Morgan Sindall provides a returneeship programme, which attracts people returning to work after extended periods of leave. They also have a strong focus on recruiting ex-Forces personnel and rehabilitating ex-offenders who are struggling to break into the jobs market. Its equality, diversity and inclusivity programme also actively encourages neurodiverse people to join the business.

“Being instinctively inclusive is a strong part of our culture,” added Sally, who is a mother of two neurodiverse children.

Her advice to people starting out in business is to “become a sponge”. “Learn from everyone around you,” she added.

“If anything, the last few years has taught us we need to continue being ‘learning’ organisations. Innovate not stagnate. Ensure you know what the local landscapes looks like, look at your customers to see if they mirror your values so you can foster a long-term relationship, have and maintain strong values, and actively support businesses in your supply chain on their own business journey.

“Join your local Chamber and meet people who have trodden that road before you and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.”

Sally is very confident about the growth of Morgan Sindall Construction, which has delivered significant regeneration in Hertfordshire. The firm uses a decentralised model to ensure that decisions are made on a local level, and the business can remain agile and customer-focused.

So, what is Sally’s leadership superpower?

“Others would say that I’m humble as a leader,” added Sally, who is also the Chair of Constructing Excellence (Cambridge Oxford Corridor) and launched the Generation for Change board this year.

“I’ve always been very inclusive in my thinking and ensuring the person with the quietest voice in the room is heard. As well as being peoplefocused, I encourage the team to be the best they can be. I’m also not afraid to challenge when I need to, although I’m always respectful. I am very passionate about what I do and I want to ensure the next generation has a voice.”

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For a conversation to discuss your individual requirements and our bespoke solutions, call Charlie on 01707 682670 or email : Charlie@reassurancesecurityservices.co.uk

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Dacorum is the destination of choice for over 8,000 businesses with ambition to attract many more

Dacorum Borough Council is committed to creating thriving and prosperous communities, ensuring economic growth and prosperity for residents and local enterprise. The council was created in 1974.

Dacorum borough encompasses Hemel Hempstead, the urban districts of Berkhamsted and Tring and surrounding villages with a population c.155,000 and low unemployment rates of 2.6 per cent (March 2023). It has more than 8,100 active businesses contributing to the local economy, 98 per cent small or micro, and a high concentration of information and communication, technology and construction business sectors, including large business headquarters such as Gama Healthcare, CAE, Smiths Detection, Epson, Britvic, Huel and Sir Robert McAlpine. Its strategic location near London and major national and international connectivity has ensured it is a destination of choice for a variety of companies, including global leaders in construction, logistics and technology.

Dacorum is also home to Herts Innovation Quarter, the Enterprise Zone (EZ) for the county focused on attracting a cluster of clean tech, smart construction and envirotech businesses to the area, harnessing the leading-edge expertise of building sciences specialists BRE Group, agricultural pioneers Rothamsted Research and the University of Hertfordshire; the EZ has various sites on Maylands Business Park.

The intention is to build on this pedigree to ensure Hemel Hempstead is a beacon for business, attracting companies looking to relocate but also encouraging entrepreneurs to establish themselves in the centre and area.

The town and area have a huge opportunity to grow their enterprise and commercial offer. Hemel Garden Communities will take the best of the existing new town and have a transformational impact on the place with over 11,000 homes and creating 10,000 jobs. The Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter will be at its heart. Our ‘Hemel Hempstead Town Centre Vision’ is an overarching framework that sets out our aims and ambitions for the town centre. We want to transform it into a thriving and vibrant place with a mix of uses including affordable homes, leisure and cultural spaces, workspaces, restaurants, bars and of course retail.

The Town Centre Vision also looks to build on our quality green and blue spaces, providing attractive areas easily accessible to all, supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors as well as enhancing the attractiveness of our town centre.

As the town centre is developed and repurposed, reflecting changes in shopping habits and the pandemic legacy, there is a wonderful chance to create shared work space, studios and offices bringing business into town. Given that people want more affordable, non-city dependent work options with accessibility to countryside, as well as London, this puts Dacorum in a great position to be the place for business and commerce.

The council is committed to a placeshaping approach. They will work with partners and the community on an action plan focusing on the key priorities for delivery in the town centre. Some of these will be short-term experiments, which will improve public spaces and capitalise on the creative energy from the community to generate new uses and revenue for the town centre. The council states that it will ensure that the vision for Hemel Hempstead town centre is at the heart of the town and included in the new Dacorum Local Plan and other strategic programmes. Moving forward, the council is working on a Masterplan to regenerate, create a design and development future for Maylands Business Park. This will establish an immediate opportunity plan, a 20 year vision and design code for the development transforming the traditional and successful employment area and allowing it to embrace new challenges and opportunities.

The council’s Economic Development Team provides a high level of business support and advice to assist local businesses to achieve growth and enhance new businesses’ rates of survival.

By building an understanding of the economic picture and business needs in the locality, the team can assist with a range of support such as connecting businesses, networking, local knowledge, and the range of services from the council, including planning, development and regeneration.

The council runs two business centres within the Maylands Business Park in Hemel Hempstead, providing modern, serviced facilities to startup, micro or small businesses. The services extend to those businesses who are not yet ready to take on premises, through their hot desk, mail handling, virtual office facilities and meeting room hire.

The council runs the Dacorum’s Den grant fund, its local version of the popular TV show Dragon’s Den, where small businesses can pitch for funding to help them grow or make a new idea into reality. Now in its 10th year, Dacorum’s Den has awarded over £90,000 to more than 70 local businesses and has created additional jobs in the borough.

Our business engagement support enables the council to connect with local businesses of all sizes and sectors, ensuring local intelligence is gathered to shape future plans and including the voice of business leaders in the economic and planning development strategies.

Dacorum is perfectly placed on the edge of London, within around a 30-minute drive or train ride to the capital, benefitting from the road links of the M1, M25, A41 and A1, four mainline rail stations, along with easy access to five airports.

Dacorum and Hemel Hempstead is a place of significant opportunity and beauty, set within beautiful countryside including the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town and area offer a fantastic and great value quality of life with attractions for all the family. Apart from the numerous green spaces and award-winning parks, people enjoy the range of leisure facilities on offer such as the Snow Centre, XC and Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre.

The Bugler Group is a family owned multi-disciplinary construction and property development business with an enviable track record spanning over four decades of creating high quality new build homes throughout London and the South East.

We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with Dacorum Borough Council. Together, we are delivering high quality, safe, sustainable and a ordable homes that people are proud to live in. Our social value commitments to numerous local causes have also seen us make positive impacts across the Borough as part of our partnership, which we hope will last for many years to come.

To find out more about us, get in touch at www.bugler.co.uk