HICKTON GROUP
WELCOME TO OUR LATEST GROUP NEWSLETTER
A message from the directors...
As we near the end of a busy and successful 2024, we would like to thank you for all your hard work and efforts during the year. This is always much appreciated, and we are proud of the people and businesses that make up the Hickton Group. We have some exciting plans and ideas to implement in 2025, that will enable us to develop and improve our already fantastic businesses. You are all key to this success and your input and enthusiasm will be vital in bringing these ideas to reality.
As the holiday season approaches, we hope you are looking forward to taking some time to relax, recharge and enjoy a break with your family and friends. From Matt, Jim and Janet, thank you all again for your hard work, efforts, and support during the year.
Enjoy your break and see you all in 2025!!
From Janet, Jim & Matt
NEW OFFICE OPEN FOR COOK BROWN
BUILDING CONTROL IN NEW FOREST
Cook Brown Building Control is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in the New Forest!
This addition brings the total number of group offices nationwide to 11, further strengthening their ability to offer tailored and responsive services to clients in Hampshire and nearby regions. They look forward to showcasing their Building Control expertise and collaborating on your upcoming projects!
KEY INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AT COOK BROWN
BUILDING CONTROL’S CPD EVENT IN CARDIFF
Cook Brown Building Control hosted a fantastic CPD event at the Cardiff Future Inn. Technical Director Paul Armstrong and Registered Building Inspector Joshua Thomas led a highly engaging session covering the latest fire safety standards for new homes and key updates in the implementation of the Building Safety Act in Wales. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a valuable event!
COOK BROWN BUILDING CONTROL
CONFERENCE & CHRISTMAS PARTY
Cook Brown Building Control recently held their annual conference, celebrating an incredibly successful 2024. The event was a chance to reflect on key achievements, welcome new team members, and share insights while looking ahead to an exciting future. The day concluded with some engaging Christmas games, followed by a festive Christmas party in the evening – a fantastic way to wrap up the year together. Thank you to everyone who attended!
BRAND NEW WEBSITE FOR MORGAN LAMBERT
Morgan Lambert are proud to showcase their newly updated website, designed to offer a refreshed, modern look and an enhanced user experience. With improved navigation, it’s now easier than ever to explore our specialised services, find essential resources, and stay informed with the latest industry insights. Check out the new website here!
Supporting Yorkshire Children: Morgan Lambert and Hickton Group’s Charity Day
Our team from Morgan Lambert and Hickton Group recently joined forces for a meaningful charity day, helping to support children across Yorkshire.
Alan Parker, Sam Cockerham, Wendy Richardson, Jess Cram, and Debbie Marshall volunteered at a warehouse in Thorpe Arch, Wetherby, where they sorted and packed toys for underprivileged children at schools around the region. The team kept their spirits high with warm drinks, snacks, and festive tunes. A huge well done to the team for their hard work and dedication to such a fantastic cause!
MORGAN LAMBERT’S DAILY UPDATES FOR CARBON MONOXIDE AWARENESS
Morgan Lambert highlighted Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week by posting daily on social media to emphasise the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of safety measures. Each post aimed to raise awareness and remind followers of the need for regular checks and maintenance to prevent carbon monoxide incidents. For further information, check out our LinkedIn page, click here
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL SHOE BOX APPEAL
Hickton Quality Control is proud to contribute to the incredible Sheffield Shoebox Appeal, raising funds and creating shoeboxes to support those in need this festive season. The team donated 40 shoeboxes filled with over £400 worth of thoughtful gifts to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those in need.
These boxes will help make the season brighter for the homeless, people in hostels or temporary accommodation, safe refuges, and socially isolated elderly individuals. A massive thank you to the incredible team for their generosity and support – your kindness makes all the difference!
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL’S HALLOWEEN LOCK-IN
Hickton Quality Control recently hosted a Halloween Lock-In, creating a perfect opportunity to relax together and enjoy an evening away from usual work routines.
With a Halloween quiz, spooky karaoke, plenty of pizza, and a visit to the local pub, it was a night filled with team spirit, scares, and some impressive singing!
CHAMPIONING MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION
The team at Hickton Quality Control attended the London Build Expo and had the opportunity to join a fantastic seminar: “It’s OK Not to Be OK: Let’s Talk About Men’s Mental Health in Construction.”
The session featured inspiring speakers, including Jonathan Eddery, Associate Consultant at AtkinsRéalis, and Russell McIver, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at Movember. They shared powerful insights into how we approach men’s mental health, the importance of changing language, fostering peer engagement, and creating safe spaces to be vulnerable.
It’s a great reminder of the impact of perspective and openness. Are we doing enough in the workplace to support men in construction with their mental health and wellbeing? Let’s continue this important conversation.
HICKTON QUALITY CONTROL CELEBRATES A YEAR OF SUCCESS AND GROWTH
This year, Hickton Quality Control has enjoyed incredible success, welcoming new starters, taking part in charity days, and even completing the Sheffield 10K. The team set an ambitious revenue target for the year, which was not only met but exceeded by an impressive £80,000+.
This outstanding achievement highlights the commitment and drive of everyone involved, setting a strong foundation for continued success as we move into 2025. Well done to the whole team!
QUALITAS COMPLIANCE REFLECTS ON A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT AND PROGRESS
Qualitas Compliance has had a fantastic year, marked by growth, key appointments, and strong demand for services. Whilst the Fire Consultancy team was established in 2023, a general Building Regulation consultancy was added to the business in January 2024. Changes in the regulatory landscape have been a catalyst for expanding the Qualitas Compliance family, with Andy Clark joining in January and Andrew Bullen in early August. The team has bonded well, united by a shared vision of building a firstclass consultancy for Fire Safety and Building Regulations that attracts quality clients and secures repeat business. Demand for services has been strong and encouraging, with both practices undertaking recruitment throughout 2024 and new appointments expected at the end of this year and early next year.
The range of enquiries and appointments has been diverse throughout 2024, spanning projects of all sizes across sectors including education, healthcare, office, retail, leisure, MOD, and residential developments. Qualitas Compliance has also signed several key framework agreements, including with Stannah Lift Holdings Ltd, MACE, Vinci, and Mitchells & Butlers. Projected turnover for 2024 is approximately £400k, with ambitious growth plans ahead. We look forward to building on this success in 2025!
QUALITAS COMPLIANCE LEADS CPD SESSIONS ON REGULATORY CHANGES
Qualitas Compliance recently provided a comprehensive CPD session for ETS Group, highlighting the updated responsibilities under Part 2A of the amended Building Regulations.
Based in Bristol, ETS Group offers a broad range of services, including electrical installations, refit programmes, and construction. As principal contractors and designers, they are actively adapting to these significant regulatory changes. Qualitas Compliance was on hand to ensure they remain informed and aligned with the latest compliance requirements.
Andy Clark, Managing Building Regulation Consultant at Qualitas Compliance, recently hosted an insightful CPD session on the Building Safety Act 2022 and recent regulatory changes. This was a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and connect with industry professionals committed to advancing safety standards. A big thank you to Lisa Fone, Director at Black Cat Building Consultancy for the invitation.
To find out more about our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions, click here.
GET TO KNOW
MARK DAVIS
Principal Building Regulation Consultant
Can you tell us a little about your background and career journey so far?
I am originally from a trade background and served a full apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery. After a few bad winters on site I changed direction and secured a trainee building control position at Birmingham City Council. I subsequently worked as a building inspector for three different local authorities until I moved across to the private sector and joined Salus Approved Inspectors, where I have worked for 16 years.
What attracted you to join our team?
The Cook Brown reputation, and an opportunity to use my technical skills and knowledge in a positive way to assist clients in producing compliant Building Regulation submissions to submit to their chosen Building Control Approver.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Working with my new colleagues, helping clients to achieve Building Regulation compliance, and resolving any technical issues and problems. This is the part of the Building Control job I enjoy the most.
What skills or experiences do you bring that you’re excited to share with us?
During my 35 years in Building Control, I have dealt with a wide range of projects, including some complex, unusual, and exciting ones. During this time, I have had dealings with a lot of construction workers and professionals at all levels, I have some good stories to tell! I hope that this experience and the communication skills I have gained during this period will be put to good use in my new role.
Do you have any particular goals or aspirations for your work here?
To be part of the growing team that develops and promotes the business, building relationships with clients, and providing a top class service which exceeds client expectations and helps to make Qualitas the Building Regulation Consultancy service of choice.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any hobbies or interests?
I enjoy spending time with my family, I am also a keen fisherman, and I love anything to do with aviation and flying.
What’s one interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?
I have had aerobatics flights in gliders and vintage aircraft.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto that inspires you?
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” - Winston Churchill.
OUR TEAMS EXPANDING
We’re pleased to welcome Isaac Hodgson, our newest Registered Building Inspector, to the Tewkesbury team at Cook Brown Building Control! Isaac completed his first-day induction last Monday and is pictured here alongside Building Control Director Dave Allen.
A warm welcome to all our new team members! We’re pleased to have you join the team and can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll bring to our projects.
We are excited to welcome several new starters across the group. Mollie Gibbard has joined us as Team Technical Administrator, and at Qualitas Compliance, we’re pleased to welcome Mark Davis as Principal Building Regulation Consultant.
At Hickton Quality Control, we’re excited to announce the arrival of Ross Neale as Bid Administrator, Amy Sharman as Resource Administrator, Jade Etherington as Proposal Manager, Jessica Clark as Resource Manager, Emily Horrocks as Resource and Development Co-ordinator, and Rebecca Lund as Commercial Administrator. Welcome to the team everyone!
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?
We are a company that believes in collaboration and the self-development of our staff. We believe our success comes from encouraging people to succeed and in sharing their experiences we are able to learn and grow. We also understand that supporting a healthy work-life balance is valuable to the production of our work.
We promote a healthy office environment and provide everything necessary to help you do a good job. Support is on hand when you need it with our ‘open door’ policy. We foster an environment that encourages the sharing of all ideas and will make time to listen. It’s not all work and no play, we have after-work get-togethers, raise money for various charities from different events, and try our best to accommodate the most elaborate of ideas.
We employ people who embrace and deliver our core Group values: Quality, Client Focus, Honesty, Integrity, Competency, Teamwork, Development, Accountability, and Exceptional Service. If this sounds like a team that you would like to be a part of, in return, we will provide the following:
+ Holiday accrual scheme
+ A friendly and professional environment
+ Competitive salary
+ Continuous personal development (CPD) opportunities
+ Health cover
+ Enhanced employer pension contributions
+ Octopus Electric Vehicle Scheme
We spoke with Cook Brown Building Control’s Senior Administrator, Rebecca Richards about her experience at Cook Brown Building Control, Rebecca shares: “There are many things I enjoy about working at Cook Brown Building Control. Firstly, I work with supportive colleagues who make me smile. I work in an area that interests me and inspires me to learn and I believe my work has an impact on the company as a whole. My manager appreciates my efforts and encourages my development and there is a clear progression should you want to move forward.”
CURRENT VACANCIES
Registered Building Inspector (Class 2)
Company: Cook Brown Building Control
Location: South-West region
Due to continued growth, we have exciting vacancies for experienced Commercial Building Control Surveyors in our SouthWest region.
Principal Building Regulations Consultant
Company: Qualitas Compliance
Location: Remote/Hybrid/On-site
We are a rapidly growing Building Regulations and Fire Safety Consultancy in search of a Building Regulations Consultant with responsibility for delivering our core services on a variety of project work.
Clerk of Works
Company: Hickton Quality Control
Location: Nationwide
We are actively seeking Clerk of Works on an on-going basis or full-time and part-time projects. Hickton Quality Control work on projects across the UK, to provide Quality Site Inspections for our clients.
Commercial Gas Quality Control Auditor
Company: Morgan Lambert
Location: Nationwide
The role of a Commercial Gas Quality Control Auditor will entail quality control inspections, stock condition surveys, intrusive third party opinion inspections carried out for social housing providers nationwide.
Senior/Principal Registered Building Inspector (Class 3)
Company: Cook Brown Building Control
Location: Bristol & London
We are seeking a Senior/Principal
Registered Building Inspector to join our London office and Bristol office. The role offers exciting opportunities to work on a wide range of projects, and work as part of a dynamic team of surveyors.
Principal Fire Safety Consultant
Company: Qualitas Compliance
Location: Remote/Hybrid/On-site
Due to continued success and growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join Qualitas Compliance as a Principal Fire Consultant. This role offers the chance to contribute to high-profile projects while advancing your career in a dynamic and supportive environment
HELP AND SUPPORT
Life can be challenging at times, but remember: you’re never alone. Whether you’re facing personal struggles or just need someone to talk to, there is always support available. From friends and family to professional counselors or support groups, reaching out for help can make all the difference. Don’t hesitate to lean on others or seek out resources that can guide you through tough moments.
HICKTON GROUP
Championing Excellence in the Built Environment
