We have been chosen to deliver a major housing project in Stoke-on-Trent in a deal worth around £14million.   Our Stoke-on-Trent team will be building 85 apartments and 43 houses in partnership with Fortior Homes, the housing company owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, on Lichfield Street, Hanley.   Work on the site will begin in December with completion set for September 2020. The development will consist of a range of two and three-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom apartments.   Novus were appointed to the contract following a competitive tendering process.   Dean Povey, Operations Manager at Novus, said: “As a national contractor that calls Stoke its home, we can’t wait to get started on this exciting project.   “The development will provide quality homes for private rent and market sale [DA(1] for the city’s people a stone’s throw from Stoke-on-Trent’s shopping, nightlife and business centre.   “As the first project we’ve worked on with Fortior Homes we’re looking forward to building a lasting relationship.”   Councillor Randy Conteh, the city council’s cabinet member for housing, communities and safer city, said: “We are committed to providing quality housing for our residents at all stages of life – and to ensuring that different types of accommodation are available to meet everyone’s needs. By providing new-build homes in this location we will be making sure we don’t lose people to other areas who want to live in this kind of accommodation, but are struggling to find somewhere suitable.   “There has been a significant amount of investment in the city centre and the infrastructure to support businesses. This is a way of continuing that support by providing the homes for those attracted to the city by the new business environment in a spot readily accessible from the centre.   “It is also fantastic news that a local company, Novus, has successfully won the contract for this development. Helping local businesses to grow means more jobs and opportunities for local people. It raises people’s quality of life, and it supports our economy.”   Councillor Ann James, leader of the city council and a board member of Fortior Homes, said: “The development of this site will allow us to deliver on our objective for significant investment in new housing.   “We aim to provide high quality homes within Stoke-on-Trent, and the Lichfield Street site presents an exciting opportunity for the delivery of a new and aspirational private rental and market sale offer in a key location.”  [DA(1]Are you ok with us adding this to Dean’s comment? We’d like to include it in our PR too.

A newly-refurbished community hub in Livingston has reopened following the end of a £20,000 charity competition held by contractor Novus.   Refurbishment and Redecoration Works Works at the Riverside Community Wing, which is predominantly used by the West Lothian Youth Action Project, include replacing the kitchen, refurbishing its foyer and IT suite and a complete redecoration. It will offer training workshops, summer activities and music projects in the building, as well as mentoring to vulnerable youngsters and distributing surplus food to people in the community. The project has been completed in just two weeks by Novus’ workforce in Scotland in partnership with its suppliers, which include Howdens, Travis Perkins, Dulux and West Cross Carpets.   Novus Big Five Initiative The West Lothian Youth Action Project provides support and advice to young people aged between 10 and 21. It was chosen as part of Novus’ ‘Big Five’ initiative to mark its fifth birthday, where the firm has spent £20,000 each on individual projects across the UK.   Client Feedback Barbara Boertien, Community Engagement Officer at Almond Housing Assocation, who nominated the wing for the refurbishment, said: “The Riverside Community Wing has served Livingston for 50 years but needed a repair to help it continue to benefit the community in the future. “We’re really pleased with the finished project and grateful to everyone at Novus for their hard work.”   Charlie Cooley, strategic operations manager at Novus in Scotland, said: “The West Lothian Youth Action Project is a fantastic initiative that helps young people realise their full potential. It’s been a pleasure to transform the building into a place that will be used by the community for years to come.” Novus worked alongside its suppliers McMaster’s Electrical, West Cross Carpets, GPE Environmental, Dulux, Howdens, Travis Perkins, Howard Jessop Blinds, Aramark Defence Services and Parker Signs to deliver the project.

A new community learning hub has opened at Bromley Pensnett Primary School in Dudley following a £20,000 competition by contractor Novus. School Refurbishments Work Works at the school include a full refurbishment of the previously derelict building that saw our team of 10 install a new roof, repair and redecorate the interior and exterior, fit new steps, replace doors and flooring, and install a new kitchen. We have completed the hub in just two weeks as part of a competition by Novus to support worthwhile projects in the communities we operate in, as voted for by people in the area. We refurbished the school in Pensnett’s community learning centre, which has been closed for the past five years after falling into a state of disrepair. Learning Hub Services The new Novus Learning Hub offers a space where parents and carers can visit for support and advice. The building now provides the facilities for parents to complete health checks and weigh-in sessions and attend breast feeding clinics. It was chosen as part of the Novus’ ‘Big Five’ initiative to mark our fifth birthday, with £20,000 being spent on five individual local community projects across the UK. The project was also made possible by donations from Novus’ supply chain from Crown Paints, Eurocell, Howdens Joinery and Acorn Spencer. Head Teacher Feedback Helen Tomlinson, headteacher at Bromley Pensnett Primary School, said: “The new Novus Learning Hub provides a centre for our community that it was once lacking. We’re grateful to Novus for taking the building out of its derelict state and refurbishing it to the highest standards. “Everyone at the school is really happy with the finished project and we’re looking forward to seeing the ongoing benefits it will bring to the community.” Site Supervisor Feedback Dani Roberts-Wright, site supervisor at Novus, said: “Delivering the new Novus Learning Hub at Bromley Pensnett school was an honour to work on and we’re all really pleased with the final results. “As part of our commitment to the communities we operate in we’ve been working hard to deliver projects that local people could be proud of and use for years to come. This new community centre achieves that.” Bromley Pensnett Primary School Bromley Pensnett Primary School caters for 320 children aged between three and 11 years old in Pensnett and the surrounding areas. In 2015 it partnered with drb Ignite Multi Academy Trust to become a sponsored academy.

Novus has marked its fifth birthday by announcing sales of £148.6m in 2017 (2016: £130.3m) following four consecutive years’ growth in revenues and profits. For the first time, the Stoke-headquartered contractor has been recognised in the annual Sunday Times Top Track 250 league table (206th) for having achieved some of the biggest sales among privately-owned mid-market growth companies in the UK. The business, which traces its origins to the founding of Seddon more than 120 years ago, was formed in 2013 after the Seddon Group restructured into two independent businesses – Novus and Seddon. In the first year, Novus achieved sales of £96.9m and recorded profit before tax of £2.3m. In 2017, the business achieved sales of £148.6M and profit before tax of £5.4m. The company, which employs 1,000 people nationally, is entirely financed by its own cashflow, with no bank debt. In 2016, £1.5m was invested into a new modern headquarters building in Stoke-on-Trent. Novus Locations Novus operates from 30 locations across the UK with revenues coming from the refurbishment and maintenance of buildings for housing associations, local authorities, the NHS and the hotel, leisure and grocery retail sectors, as well as construction and new build projects across the Midlands and North West of England. Chief Executive Neil Hand’s View Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive Neil Hand said: “We’re delighted to have achieved industry-leading organic growth in every year since we became an independent business. And being recognised as one of the stand-out performers among privately-owned British companies is the icing on our fifth birthday cake.  “Central to the way we do things is a risk governed, measured and controlled approach to managing our finances. This gives us the flexibility to take long-term decisions that are in the best interests of our employees and clients. “Part of this includes a commitment to paying our suppliers according to their terms and, critically, on time. We’re very proud of our record and it’s why we have a loyal supply chain built on long-term relationships.  “Like every business in our sector, cost inflation is a significant headwind. Our procurement team continues to do excellent work in managing our materials supply contracts and we always police our working capital closely. This means that we can maintain our financial independence, allowing us to run our business according to our values.” Neil continued: “There are signs of a slowdown in construction and we remain mindful of this, even if maintenance continues to be an area where demand is fairly robust. We believe growth is achievable again this year but the strength of our financial position means we don’t need to pursue it at all costs. “Our focus is on nurturing our existing relationships through a partnership-led approach to working with clients. We find that customers and suppliers return to us because of trust and an understanding that we will work together to solve problems.    “To ensure we have the right platform in place for another five years of success, we’re making significant investments in the business, particularly in two key areas: people and technology.  Both are crucial to our continuing evolution and ensuring we remain at the leading edge of innovation in the sector. We’re very excited by the potential of enhancing our IT infrastructure to make life easier for our people and clients. “Regionally, we are also investing in senior talent to join our Scottish business as we anticipate further growth in that market this year. “We’re proud at how our business has developed as an independent entity under the Novus brand since the Seddon Group restructured. I joined the business as a 15-year old apprentice and 37 years later I lead a fantastic team of people working towards the same vision - being the best contractor to work with and the best contractor to work for.”

Contractor Novus has appointed John Palfreyman, a former IBM director, as a non-executive director. His appointment will see him support the Stoke-headquartered contractor’s board with strategic decision making and integrate information-led innovations into project delivery and business management. John Palfreyman’s Background Palfreyman, an independent cybersecurity and emerging technology consultant, has combined general management with emerging technology leadership roles over his 40-year career in IT. Neil Hand, chief executive of Novus, said: “John brings a wealth of experience to Novus. At IBM he led the strategic direction of some of its key emerging technology businesses globally and the board is looking forward to gaining this different perspective. “Every industry, not least construction, is witnessing massive change because of technological innovation. While the sector may have lagged behind others in this respect in previous years, we’re now seeing an explosion in the use of data and insight in the delivery of construction projects. His experience working for one of the world’s largest data and technology firms will undoubtedly prove invaluable over the coming years.” John Palfreyman’s View on Novus John added: “Novus has a history of innovation which has seen it embrace change and adapt to meet new challenges. It’s an exciting time to join the business as it looks to improve efficiencies through digitization and leverage information for strategic advantage.”

We have been appointed to deliver a refurbishment programme to the Pendle and Grizedale accommodation blocks at Lancaster University’s Bailrigg campus totalling £1.5 million. The project will see Novus refurbish the common areas including new flooring, handrails, suspended ceilings, communal entrance doors, door systems, installation of new power sources and data provision throughout the halls. Works will run over the summer and be completed before students arrive in September. Lancaster University Lancaster University is a top 10 university as ranked by the Complete University Guide. The project is designed to help the accommodation maintain its award-winning status having won the Best University Halls in the National Student Housing Awards 2017 for the seventh year running. Novus University Projects Liam Cox, contracts manager at Novus, said: “This new contract follows our work on a series of projects with Lancaster University over the past 10 years. “Students are universities’ lifeblood and many institutions are making investments in their accommodation and facilities to help them attract greater numbers from around the world. We’ve been appointed to over £12 million worth of projects in the sector in the past 12 months, as a result.” Lancaster University Feedback Helen Wood, senior project manager, facilities division at Lancaster University, said: “Ensuring our campus provides our students with a great experience throughout their university life is key. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished facilities come together ahead of our 2018 students joining after summer.”