Despite losing a few to injuries, fourteen Sandwood employees completed the British 10k in central London to raise much needed funds for the London Centre for Children with Celebral Palsy (LCCCP), a small charity based in Muswell Hill. The runners represented a third of the workforce and to date have raised £6,172 which includes £2,711 from Sandwood as part of our employee volunteering scheme where individual contributions are matched by Sandwood.

On a serious note, the London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy offer essential services to families affected by cerebral palsy and provides services including one to one support for babies and toddlers, parent and child groups, a school for 3-11 year olds and holiday schemes for other children who cannot attend the Centre on a regular basis. The charity relies on donations and grants for most of their income so support from companies such as Sandwood is invaluable. It's not too late to contribute by visiting www.justgiving.com/sandwoodconstruction, where donations are accepted via credit/debit cards.

We would like to thank everyone that has generously sponsored the Sandwood team and in particular thank Tiger Supplies for providing the specially printed t-shirts worn by the runners.

Sandwood has been has been awarded the highly prestigious Platinum Award in recognition of our commitment to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). This is a fantastic achievement and proof of Sandwood’s commitment to developing a competent workforce able to meet the requirements of its customers, employees and the construction industry.

 

CSCS was set up to help the construction industry to improve quality and reduce accidents.  CSCS cards are increasingly in demand as proof of occupational competence and health and safety knowledge by contractors, public, private clients and others.
 
CSCS award organisations a Gold Award when 75% of their staff have received CSCS cards. However, Sandwood has surpassed this mark to be awarded with a Platinum Award. To obtain the Platinum Award over 90% of our operational staff now hold a CSCS card. This award emphasises our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible service to our customers by ensuring that our employees are trained to the highest industry standards. This is a fantastic award for us to obtain and we are proud of our achievement.

Sandwood's KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) associate Basant Mertia was among the winners at Loughborough University's 2010 Enterprise Awards, held at the University’s Science and Enterprise Park. His achievements in introducing lean construction techniques to Sandwood, enabling the company to stay one step ahead of the competition in a challenging climate were acknowledged in front of an audience of over 100 guests including many of the public and private sector organisations with whom the University works in partnership, together with academics and graduates, gathered for the annual awards, which recognises the impact of university research on society.

Loughborough University Pro-Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Phill Dickens, revealed the winners, saying:  “The finalists’ achievements are fantastic examples of how the University’s work can be applied – to help industry to innovate and thrive, to bring new businesses and products to market and to benefit society.’’

Loughborough University Chancellor and chairman of BAA Sir Nigel Rudd also paid tribute to the finalists, saying:  “Tonight’s Enterprise Awards show the value of the University’s role in society.  They are a wonderful celebration of the enterprising culture that is such an integral part of Loughborough University.  At every level, there are staff and students undertaking innovative and creative activities within a lively research culture that allows talent to thrive, and those same staff and students are also seeking opportunities to ensure that there is the maximum impact of their work in society.’’

Below: Sandwood's Basant Mertia (left) with Richard Garland (second right) and Christine Pasquire and Stephen Emmitt of Loughborough University