As winter’s grip softened and March’s tentative light broke through, we kept our focus on the moments that unfolded. From canal towpath bike rides to energised client collaborations, nurturing connections and crafting progress, one purposeful step and shared insight at a time.
To Our Week of Skipping Across County Boundaries
Monday
Our week started in earnest with vital administration to ensure client requirements are suitably resourced while continually improving our terms of delivery. This included the first of two demonstrations this week of software designed to manage the ‘Golden Thread’ of project information. For clients working in non-higher risk buildings, this focuses on Health & Safety Files, Operation & Maintenance Manuals, verifying competence for all project roles, and creating a Building Regulation Inspection & Test Plan – watch this space!
We also assisted clients with SSiP renewals and system updates, plus team familiarisation with our updated BSA 22 Awareness course, set to roll out online for the first time next week.
Tuesday
We returned to the training room to deliver the one-day CITB Health and Safety Awareness course for MS Safety. All delegates successfully completed it with strong engagement—well done, Leon!
Our first county boundary excursion took us to inspect site health and safety compliance during the removal of stacked Portacabins at Porton Down. This was followed by a trip from Wiltshire into Somerset for an initial scheme visit currently in tender. We have been appointed by the client to provide CDM consultancy to the project architects for the refurbishment of a Grade 2* listed building. A perfect match for our expertise and interests, and a fantastic opportunity for the team.
Still in Somerset, Lee attended the pitching event for Engineer Your Fit extracurricular workshops at the University of Bath Faculty of Engineering & Design, mentoring for the third-year running. It is a privilege to witness the students’ skill and confidence.
From there, a short, fast downhill e-bike ride led to overnight accommodation and supper with Sami Mustafa, a former Bath student and initiative participant who introduced Lee to the department. Always enriching to connect, hear of Sami’s growth as an Engineer at Taylor Woodrow, and receive the unexpected gift of The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters, aligning with shared reading interests.
Meanwhile, the team supported clients across various needs, from developing project health and safety planning documents to check-in phone calls.
Wednesday
The day began with an early e-bike ride as the sun rose over the horizon. A steep climb over Claverton Down, followed by another fast descent, this time to the Kennet & Avon canal towpath. An invigorating start before returning to load the car and drive back to a client’s premises in Hampshire for a reflective meeting on continual improvement.
We conducted the second ‘Golden Thread’ software demonstration and finalised adjustments to our fee calculator for compiling and managing H&S Files and O&M Manuals. The software selection completes the fee structure, offering clients full transparency and project-tailored options.
We advanced a client’s non-ISO quality management system, due for delivery with training in the coming weeks, while refining a clients ISO system in development based on thier feedback regarding certification scope.
Collaboration remains central to our philosophy, ensuring we precisely meet every brief.
Thursday
Out of county again, this time by train and bike to a historic property in Berkshire for a health and safety compliance tour. These monthly tours are vital for assessing the site health and safety ‘climate’ and supporting clients in continually improving their practices and systems. We collect substantial data to identify strategic and trade-specific trends, to better understanding risks and to develop targeted defensive measures.
Not only did we reach Berkshire; we also crossed from Southampton to Cowes on the Isle of Wight via the fast RedJet service with a client team for a pre-contract meeting on a new project along the River Medina. Solutions to specific project challenges are now taking shape.
After the team’s outings by rail and sea, we reconvened via Teams to allocate resources across numerous projects and discuss promising new opportunities on the horizon.
Friday
Back on the road to a different stretch of the Kennet and Avon canal. This time in Berkshire for a health and safety compliance tour at a new build property with unique challenges, nestled between canal and river.
We also visited a client site north of Hampshire, joining their weekly coordination meeting and conducting a health, safety, and environmental tour – strong progress noted, well done team. This tour involved further client collaboration to enhance Procore and Breadcrumb use, streamlining management tasks and ensuring contractors receive and provide information at the right time.
Throughout, we provided ongoing CDM support to various clients and drafted a health and safety management plan for an upcoming project.
Closing Thought
In the Plan – Do – Check – Act theme of our week, planning Golden Threads and tender wins, acting across counties by bike, train, and ferry, checking climates and collaborations, then adjusting for tomorrow’s briefs, we find Stoic wisdom:
Control what lies in our power, the effort and insight, while embracing the week’s unpredictable gifts, from steep descents to shared books. Thus balanced, we turn obstacles into progress, ever attentive to purpose amid the flow.
