£15K RAISED FOR MNDA
APPRENTICESHIPS & PLACEMENTS
CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE
WHOLE LIFE CARBON
SAY HELLO TO...
Annual Golf Day
Over the years, we’ve been proud to raise awareness and vital funds for some incredible charities, all made possible thanks to your support. Each year, we choose to champion a different cause that holds personal meaning for someone in our team.
For 2025, our chosen charity was the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
£15,292.87
On Friday 6th June, colleagues and friends came together in support of the incredible Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
This year, 23 teams took to Bromborough Golf Course to compete in the newly introduced Texas Scramble format. Coeus Insurance Management Ltd claimed the top spot, narrowly beating Vistry Group , who came in second, followed by Markhams in third.
The putting challenge proved tougher than ever, with only two participants making it through to the final. Ian Spencer of IJS Building Services LTD and John Quayle from Team Vistry went head-to-head in a tense showdown, with Ian ultimately taking home the coveted Taylor Made Spider Putter.
The final prize went to the Markhams team with Carl Minshall taking home a Taylor Made Qi35 Driver for the longest drive on the 18th Hole.
RAISED
Following the presentations, Alistair Laing of the MNDA delivered a heartfelt speech, offering a stark reminder of why we had all gathered:
There is no cure.
MND is a devastating disease that takes the lives of six people each and every day. Every penny raised will go where it is needed most – to support those living with MND and their families, while funding the vital research that gives us hope for future treatments.
Special thanks go to the Davies Partnership team behind the scenes for organising the event, Nicola McDonnell for providing the most delicious baked goods, Bromborough Golf Club for hosting, Melissa Cross for braving Jess’s driving and capturing the day, all sponsors & supporters and finally the 23 golf teams who competed on the day.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO...
AB Building & Electrical Ltd
AJ Field Mechanical & Electrical
Alan Johnston Partnership
Alex Duckers
Amnis Building Services
Armstrong Fluid Technology
Athertons
Bromborough Golf Club
CAE Ventilation Services Northern
Capstone Accountants
Carequick Limited
Carrier HVAC
Castlemead Group Ltd
Coeus Insurance Management Ltd
Concept Environmental Solutions
Davies FM
DC Emergency Systems Ltd
Edmundson Electrical Ltd
Flowtech Water Solutions
Grundfos
Hughes:O’Hanlon Architects
Ian & Anne Bailey
IJS Building Services Limited
INNSiDE by Meliá Liverpool
Ipsum
JDA Architects
John McKeown
Markhams
Merriott UK
Mersey Print
Mitsubishi Electric
Nuaire
Oakmere Timber
Opera House Bar & Grill
Paddock Johnson
Picow Engineering Group
SAS Daniels LLP
ScottishPower Business Energy
Soltherm External Insulations
Surefire Management Service
The Coach House Chester
Thorlux Lighting
Torsion Construction
Verde Services
Vistry Group
Westshield Limited
Worcester Bosch
Worldwide Hospitality Group Ltd
Keith and Lisa Jones from Wrexham are close friends of ours.
Keith played rugby union for Wrexham and, even at 60, kept himself fit and healthy. Devastatingly, in 2024 Keith was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Despite this, Keith and Lisa continue to face life with incredible strength and positivity, and have received great support from the MNDA. It has been our absolute pleasure to support both them and the charity this year.
Peter Lyke Operations Director
We are so grateful to the team at the Davies Partnership for choosing to support us with a charity golf day and look forward to helping raise important funds and awareness.
Every penny of that money will go where it is needed most – to support people living with MND and their families while funding the research which gives us hope for potential new treatments in the future.
Richard Parris Corporate Partnerships Development Manager for MND
Denbighshire and Flintshire Archives | Mold | Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils | Commercial
Parr Mount Court | St Helens | Torus | Residential
Baltic Phase 2 | Liverpool | Torus | Large Scale Residential
Runcorn Waterfront | Runcorn | Halton Housing | ICN Framework
Emmaline Court sits at the former Winstanley House site in Knutsford, Cheshire. Davies Partnership were engaged by Neo Projects to support with a Stage 3 Performance Design, Stage 4 / 5 Design Reviews, Site Inspections and the Witnessing Commissioning / Operation of the M & E systems. This development, owned by Peaks & Plains Housing Trust and delivered by Casey Construction, offers 22 affordable rent apartments and six shared ownership homes in one of Cheshire’s most sought-after locations.
This development marks a significant step forward in addressing Knutsford’s housing needs, delivering high-quality, sustainable homes. The scheme was made possible with grant funding from Homes England, supporting the creation of these much-needed homes.
The scheme received national recognition as winner of the large Apartment Scheme of the Year at the Cowgills Property & Construction NW Home Builder Awards.
Alan Williams, Electrical Associate Director, attended the ceremony alongside the design teams from Bowker Sadler, Sutcliffe, and RJD Associates (North West) Limited.
Emmaline Court | Knutsford | Peaks & Plains Housing Trust | Residential
This £10 million state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral facility is set to revolutionise sustainable farming education, offering learners and the wider agricultural community access to cutting-edge resources.
Located on the Llysfasi campus of Coleg Cambria, the building delivers a range of high-spec facilities, including IT and multimedia suites, laboratories, a coffee shop, meeting spaces, an atrium, and a wellbeing hub. Working alongside Read Construction, the project was fully designed and coordinated using a 3D Revit model, with MEP installations delivered by Athertons.
The scheme is expected to achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation and a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Llysfasi Agricultural Teaching Facility | Ruthin | Read Construction | Education
Apprenticeships Placements& cronton college DEC exhibition
Meeting the Next Generation of Emerging Talent
As part of our ongoing partnership with the Built Environment Programme at Cronton Sixth Form College, we were privileged to attend their Design, Engineer & Construct exhibition, which showcased the final projects of second-year students.
It was truly impressive to speak with the students, hear how each had thoughtfully approached a live brief, learn about their future aspirations, and discuss our own under-graduate opportunities.
Congratulations to all the students and staff at the college for delivering such excellent presentations.
applicant experience
Part of our application process for the Graduate Degree Apprenticeship includes the opportunity to join the business for a placement week across our Chester, Liverpool, and Conwy offices.
During this time, students have the chance to meet our engineers, business personnel, commercial team, and Directors.
For this year’s placement, we were pleased to welcome Harry Cartlidge, Senanur Kussan, Jessica Hoban, Emily Cavaliere, Sean Hagan, and Lilly Williams.
Highlights from their experience included:
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Working independently under the guidance of our tutor extraordinaire, Peter Hughes, using digital software to model our Chester office and complete heat loss calculations for a new heating system.
Collaborating with our Sustainability Manager, Rob Buchanan, to explore what sustainability means in practice and how it affects every stage of a building’s life, from initial conception through to in-use, and its eventual decommissioning, and demolition.
Attending a live site visit to one of our Decarbonisation projects at Rathbone Hospital. Richard Lewis and Peter Hughes guided students around the site, giving them real-world insight into how our designs are brought to life, while also walking them through the spatial design process.
editors experience
It has been a real pleasure to become so involved in the apprenticeship process. From the initial workshops with college students in their classrooms to seeing the journey unfold.
It’s genuinely exciting when applications start coming in, especially from students you first spoke to in those early sessions - students who liked what you had to say enough to put their trust in you to guide and support them on their learning journey.
College leavers often get a bad reputation for seeming entitled, but the young adults we’ve welcomed through our doors couldn’t be further from that stereotype. They are focused, extremely bright, confident, and interact with our team in a mature and professional manner. A credit not only to themselves but to the colleges they represent.
For 2025, we’re thrilled to welcome two new apprentices, both with exciting journeys ahead.
Emily Cavaliere will join the team as our first female apprentice, following a mechanical route into Building Services. Only 18% of students enrolling in engineering degrees are women, and just 14% of first-year undergraduates in Mechanical Engineering are female, so Emily’s presence marks a significant milestone for us.
Harry Cartlidge will join as our first Electrical Apprentice, also enrolled on the Building Services Engineering degree at LJMU. Harry will receive additional support from City of Liverpool College to help build his foundational understanding of Electrical Engineering, ensuring he’s equipped for success in a programme that leans heavily toward mechanical studies.
This year’s applicant pool was the strongest we’ve seen to date. The level of talent was exceptional, and it has been incredibly rewarding to not only help shape these individuals’ careers but also to challenge outdated stereotypes about today’s young people.
work experience
In February we were joined by David Margas, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer from Liverpool John Moores university. David joined the engineering team for 2 weeks gaining valuable real work experience and learning about our industry.
In June, Jack Davis, a Year 10 student, completed his work experience week with us. He worked alongside Peter Hughes, Elliot Dorgan, and Chris Brooks, completing a series of tasks that included cable calculations and gaining hands-on experience using Hevacomp and ElecOM software.
We’re delighted to announce that our apprentice, Elliot Dorgan, was shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at this year’s Halton Chamber of Commerce Awards.
This achievement is a true testament to Elliot’s drive, work ethic, and positive attitude. His commitment to learning and growth within the industry has truly stood out, and we are thrilled to see his hard work being recognised.
The category was one of the most competitive, receiving the highest number of submissions across all awards. Although Elliot narrowly missed out on the top prize, we couldn’t be prouder of his nomination and everything he has accomplished so far.
We’re excited to see what the future holds for Elliot and all the incredible things he will continue to achieve in his career.
halton chamber awards
iso accreditations
Following another successful audit in the Spring we are extremely pleased to report that we retained our ISO 9001 (quality) , 45001 (Health and Safety) and 14001 (Environmental) accreditations. This is testament to the processes that we have in place that ensure our business operates efficiently, safely, and responsibly every day.
These standards don’t just shape how we work, they shape how we train. For apprentices and work experience students, this provides a valuable opportunity to learn within a structured, accredited environment that prioritises best practice, compliance, and continuous improvement.
By embedding them in a culture that champions quality, safety, and sustainability, we’re helping to develop the next generation of professionals with the right mindset and skills from day one.
Rebecca Dolan five minutes with...
Business & HR Administrator
Chester Office
Rebecca keeps the business running smoothly with her dedication, organisation, and magic touch for keeping things on track. She’s a huge support to the whole team.
How would you describe your job role?
Working as a Business Support Administrator involves a wide variety of responsibilities, which is something I really enjoy. No two days are the same. The role requires a lot of organisation, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks.
What do you enjoy most about working at DP?
I enjoy learning new skills - Gemma has been fantastic at showing me the ropes and helping me grow in the role. It’s great to feel like I’m constantly developing while working alongside such a fun and encouraging group of people.
How did you get into the industry?
I got into the industry through a family member who worked for the company and introduced me to Davies Partnership.
What is your favourite part of your job & why?
My favourite part of working as a Business Support Administrator is being part of such a friendly and supportive team. Everyone’s always approachable and up for a good chat!
If you were not an business administrator, what would you be?
I would have probably gone into working within a primary school.
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work I like to visit Anglesey, I have spent many years visiting the island. This is my happy place.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To be more confident!
Director Commendation
“Rebecca joined Davies Partnership in October 2018 as an Admin Assistant and was deservedly promoted to Business & HR Administrator in December 2023. Since day one, she has shown dedication, a proactive attitude, and a genuine willingness to support those around her. Her positivity and eagerness to learn make her a real asset, and her contribution is valued both in our department and across the wider business. Rebecca is an important and popular member of the team — known not only for her efficiency and professionalism, but also for her ability to make the team smile, whether it’s through her singing in the office, or helping keep the biscuit tin well stocked!
Gemma Davies, Finance Director
City of Liverpool
It’s always a pleasure to attend a Downtown In Business event, especially when the conversation centres on the ambitious plans to transform North Liverpool.
Joined by Cllr. Liam Robinson and Cllr. Marion Atkinson, the audience experienced a spotlight session outlining the vision to develop brownfield sites and reimagine older buildings sensitively and in collaboration with the local communities who already make use of these spaces.
Also in attendance was Elaine Bowker from The City of Liverpool College. Elaine echoed the importance of investing in the community and its people, emphasising the need for apprenticeship opportunities and continued training.
We are currently engaged in a new partnership with The City of Liverpool College to help address the skills gap in our sector.
Davies has long been committed to nurturing emerging talent, and for the first time, we will take on not one, but two Level 4 apprentices. Both students will enrol in the Building Services Engineering degree at LJMU. One following a traditional Mechanical Engineering route, and the other specialising in Electrical Engineering.
The degree programme is heavily weighted towards mechanical studies, so we required a tailored solution to properly support our electrical engineering apprentice. Together with The City of Liverpool College, we are developing additional modules focused on delivering the foundational principles and core concepts of electrical engineering.
The construction industry is currently facing a nationwide skills shortage across the board, from skilled tradespeople to technical consultants.
According to CITB, an additional 250,000 construction workers will be required by 2028 to meet demand. While 200,000 new workers entered the industry in 2023, over 210,000 left the sector in the same year.
Liverpool College
A solid understanding of currents, cabling, and electrical systems, areas not covered in sufficient depth in the standard Building Services degree is essential, so we sought additional support from the college.
Traditionally, electrical engineers at Davies have come through trade backgrounds, while mechanical engineers have followed more academic routes. Apprenticeships now allow both disciplines to be trained through the same academic and practical framework, levelling the playing field with consistent, real-world training.
We hope that by opening up this new route of learning, other Building Services consultancies will be encouraged to consider a similar approach. If more businesses across the region come on board, this new course has the potential to become a staple of the academic offering.
If this is something that interests you, please get in touch with Jessica for more details.
Vaillant supports the college by providing the latest heating system technology for students to learn and train with.
A view into the electrical learning space at City of Liverpool College.
Whole Life Carbon is no longer the future –
it’s now.
The event reinforced our belief that the construction industry and its value chain are ready for a monumental shift – from operational carbon (Approved Document L) to Whole Life Carbon (draft Document Z).
London is leading this transition, with Whole Life Carbon assessments now mandated for certain project types and scales. Unlike just a few years ago, we now have the material data, software tools, and expert consultants to do this properly. The excuses are gone – the time is now.
If, like us, you believe it’s time to acknowledge the ‘elephant in the room’, please consider adding your support to draft Part Z:
https://part-z.uk/support
The goal is to reach 2,000 supporters to push central government toward adopting this as an Approved Document. This is carbon critical.
If you’re looking for support with Whole Life Carbon assessments or simply want to better understand what this means for your projects, our team is here to help.
We offer a uniquely integrated approach – combining Architectural WLC and operational carbon expertise with our MEP team to deliver optimised, coordinated solutions. With Shriyamdha joining our sustainability team, we’re now even better equipped to speak the language of architects and bridge the gap across disciplines.
One Click LCA hosts first-class seminar at Kings Place, London on Whole Life Carbon in the construction industry.
Richard Lewis, our Technical & Quality Director, attended with Rob Buchanan and Shriyamdha Natarajan from our sustainability team.
Say Hello To...
Joe Collins
Mechanical Associate
Joe was part of the Davies Partnership team in the early days in Farndon, so it’s been a real pleasure to welcome him back. With over 15 years of industry experience, he has seamlessly rejoined the team and has already made significant contributions to a wide range of projects across the commercial, residential, education, and industrial sectors.
Shriyamdha Natarajan
Sustainability Consultant
A qualified architect for over seven years, Shriyamdha has spent most of her career working on projects in the commercial and residential sectors. During this time, she developed a strong interest in sustainable materials and passive design strategies. Her passion for these areas led her to pursue a master’s degree in advanced Sustainable Design at the University of Edinburgh, where she explored how thoughtful architectural design can contribute to improved environmental outcomes.
Chris Brooks
Electrical Engineer
Chris began his engineering career as a security systems designer. With extensive experience across multiple sectors nationwide, Chris has developed a strong reputation for delivering practical, and innovative engineering solutions. His multidisciplinary background gives him a unique perspective on project challenges.
Industry
28th March 2025
CIBSE Luncheon
A big thank you to our guests Gary Tinsley, Paul Cooper, Mike Ainscough, Paul Worthington, and John Barrow for joining us at the annual CIBSE luncheon. As always, it was a fabulous day filled with great company and engaging conversation, topped off with a fantastic set from Paul Sinha.
It was a pleasure to spend time with friends, colleagues, and clients from the building services industry, sharing insights and celebrating our sector.
Thank you to CIBSE Merseyside & North Wales for a superb day.
24th April 2025
Save Construction Initiative
Collectives like SCI play a vital role in driving change and championing a new way of thinking in the construction industry. We often say, “Early engagement is key”- and while it may seem obvious, the real question is: if it’s so obvious, why isn’t it happening at the scale we need?
Clear communication between Colleges, Consultancies, Contractors, and Communities is essential to delivering homes that are more sustainable, user-friendly, cost-effective, and high quality.
Calendar
7th May 2025 Chester Races
An absolutely beautiful day for Chester Races. Perfect weather, great company, and a couple of winners! Huge thanks to all of our guests who joined us; Stephen Glover, Paul Cooper, Chris Tolley, Paul Cooper, Keith Mullen, Paul Dolan and Mark Jones.
24th-26th June 2025
Housing 25
Another successful trip to Manchester for Housing 25.
A brilliant opportunity to connect with others across the housing sector and discuss the evolving role of M&E in shaping sustainable, future-ready communities.
From decarbonisation strategies to modern methods of construction, it was encouraging to see a clear focus on collaboration, innovation, and practical delivery.
Thank you to all those who attended our Unofficial Wrap Party co-hosted with AJP and Paddock Johnson at Alberts Schloss on the Wednesday evening. As always a fantastic night with great company.
20th-22nd May 2025
UK REiiF
The UK’s leading event connecting people, places, and businesses shaping the future of the built environment.
This year we co-hosted a fabulous lunch alongside JDA Architects and Markhams at The Lost and Found Leeds Club.
It was a pleasure to connect, share ideas, and enjoy great conversation with industry friends who are passionate about shaping the future of the built environment. Events like UKREiiF remind us of the power of collaboration and the importance of creating space for meaningful dialogue.
Awards
Chief Executive’s Award at this year’s Cheshire & North Wales Business Awards
The inaugural Cheshire & North Wales Business Awards celebrate the region’s most outstanding companies, business leaders, and entrepreneurs - recognising their valuable contributions to the growth of the local economy.
As long-standing members of the Downtown in Business community, winning this award in our hometown makes it even more meaningful.
We’re also proud to have supported the event as sponsors of the Social Impact Award, which recognises those making a real difference in the region. Congratulations to Storyhouse on your well-deserved win!
Large Apartment Scheme of the Year at the Cowgills Property & Construction NW Home Builder Awards
Emmaline Court sits at the former Winstanley House site in Knutsford, Cheshire. This development, owned by Peaks & Plains Housing Trust and delivered by Casey Construction, offers 22 affordable rent apartments and six shared ownership homes in one of Cheshire’s most sought-after locations.
A pleasure to collaborate with all involved –Neo Projects, Bowker Sadler, Sutcliffe, and RJD Associates (North West) Limited.
