Raymond Brown Group’s Communications & Marketing Manager, Kerry Smith has been selected as a finalist in the Marketing & PR category of the 2017 Hampshire Venus Awards.

The Venus Awards, dubbed by Channel 4 as “The Working Women’s Oscars” were created in 2009 to recognise, reward and celebrate local working women in business across regions within the UK.

Kerry Smith has been with the company for over 10 years and has progressed from Marketing Assistant up to Communications and Marketing Manager. She leads the Raymond Brown Group’s brand and reputation management and all marketing and communications activities across the businesses.

Kerry commented: “I could not be prouder to be a Finalist for the Hampshire Venus Awards. To be recognised for what I am so passionate about (both the importance of Marketing and PR as a profession and raising awareness of women in business) and working for a company which I love is just incredible.”

bandv Marketing, based in Southampton are the sponsors of the 2017 Marketing and PR Award category and their panel judged a number of Marketing Managers from a variety of local businesses, across a wide range of sectors.

Kerry and her two fellow finalists were selected for their outstanding achievements and their influence within the industry, they will now go through to the Venus Hampshire Awards Gala Dinner at the Solent Spark Building on 11 November 2017, where a winner will be announced.

Colin Breckenridge, Chairman of bandv commented: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Venus Awards for the second year running. bandv are proud to help promote the role of women in ‘Marketing and PR’ throughout Hampshire and we would like to say a huge congratulations to this year’s talented finalists.

This year the Marketing & PR category was once again full of some extraordinary individuals and the three finalists we have chosen are an outstanding example of the talent amongst women who work in Marketing and PR throughout Hampshire.”

Fortis’ A303 IBA Processing Facility is granted a 50% increase in throughput

Due to the success of the A303 IBA Processing Facility, Fortis are continuing to investigate options to increase the IBA throughput by processing similar material from outside the county.  In turn, this will significantly benefit Hampshire as the recycled aggregate will be made available to the local construction market, replacing primary aggregates.

Earlier this year, Fortis submitted a variation to the planning permission at the A303 Processing Facility.  The application included a variation to three conditions as shown below:

Condition 14  To increase the permitted annual limit on IBA processing from 120,000 tonnes to 180,000 tonnes

Condition 17  To vary the approved plans of the processing plant to include mobile pre-screening plant

Condition 2    To allow plant operation from 6.00am and HGV movements from 7.00am on Monday – Saturday.   The previous limitation was 7.30am for both plant operation and lorry movements.

The inclusion of the mobile pre-screening unit was to increase the efficiency of the IBA recycling plant, provide flexibility and improve the quality of the aggregate.  The addition in hours of working in the morning resulted from a review of Fortis staff working patterns, as well as to meet demand for the recycled aggregate more efficiently.

Following detailed assessments with regard to traffic, noise, dust and odour, engagement with the local community and the success of the site open day last year, permission was granted for the variation in the spring.

Rob Westell, Estates and Planning Director, commented: “We were delighted to assist the Fortis team in achieving a planning permission which allows a 50% increase in throughput, extended working hours and a new screen to remove the finer fraction of the material before the main plant process.

The throughput increase, together with operational efficiencies arising from the reduction in fines through the process, provides the platform for the Longparish plant to secure new contracts and improve profitability.”

Bronze FORS Accreditation achieved across the Fleet

We are delighted to announce that Raymond Brown has been assessed and has met the bronze level requirements of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

FORS is a voluntary accreditation scheme which promotes best practice for commercial vehicle operators. It encompasses all aspects of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection by encouraging and training fleet operators to measure, monitor and improve performance.

As a business, we are always looking for ways to improve and accreditations from industry standards help us benchmark our progress. FORS enables us to demonstrate to both our customers and the local communities that we work to standards above the legal minimum and that we are constantly trying to improve the way we work.

In order to achieve accreditation, we were required to meet the strict criteria set out in the FORS standards – a process that is verified by a rigorous formal company audit undertaken by an independent FORS auditor. Many thanks to Simon Webb, Steve Parker, Julie Davies, Nick Muir and Heather McLintock who worked very hard during the audit process and in helping us achieve this accreditation.

The FORS badge will sit on the rear of our vehicles, alongside the Project Pictogram symbols, demonstrating that we are a responsible and safe operator.

Raymond Brown picks up prestigious RoSPA Gold Medal Award

Raymond Brown are delighted to announce themselves as winners at the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards 2017.

The business achieved the Gold Medal for eight consecutive Golds Awards in the prestigious annual scheme run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The award was achieved during a special year for family-safety charity RoSPA, as it celebrates its centenary.

Through the RoSPA Awards scheme, which is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas, judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards are the most prestigious in the world of occupational health and safety, and held in high regard around the world, as winning one demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record. Achieving the standard required is no mean feat.

“This is a special year in the history of RoSPA, and we congratulate all of our winners in this, our centenary year”.

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction are presented to organisations sustaining the high standards of the gold level over consecutive years.

For more information about the RoSPA Awards visit www.rospa.com/awards

Raymond Brown’s Sarisbury CE Junior School lorry is branded at London’s 500th historic Cart Marking Ceremony

The Raymond Brown Sarisbury CE Junior School lorry was branded yesterday at the traditional Cart Marking Ceremony in the City of London.

The prestigious event which is in its 500th year, took place at London’s Guildhall Court Yard on 12th July and was attended by the Lord Mayor and hundreds of spectators and dignitaries.

The ancient tradition of cart marking dates back to the 16th century when all carts operating in the City of London were required to pay five shillings for the right to ply for hire in the City and have their axles branded – an early form of vehicle licensing.

In 2015, Raymond Brown’s Wareham St Mary Lorry was branded at the event and since then the lorries have been rebranded as part of the company’s commitment to a new road safety initiative and to ensure that they are more visible on the roads.

The commentary highlighted Raymond Brown’s engagement with the local community and the business’ approach to safety, particularly the commitment to the Project Pictogram road safety initiative which has been rolled out across the fleet.

This year it was the brand new Sarisbury CE Junior School lorry, driven by Mark Attwood, and designed by the children of the school as part of our Community Matters initiative.  The lorry was paraded for the Master’s inspection in front of the spectators before being branded by the Master Carman.

Afterwards, the Sheriff, Master Carman and Wardens doff their caps as each vehicle passes the rostrum, and the Carmen, partners and guests join in fellowship for lunch in the Great Hall.

The event was attended by Steve Clasby, Chief Operating Officer, Simon Webb, Transport Manager and Steve Parker, Transport Support Manager.

Waste now being converted to Solid Recovered Fuel

Raymond Brown Waste Solutions have commenced a new contract with Oakleaf Recycling to supply over 3,000 tonnes of our residual waste which they will convert into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) for energy production.  We will be one of the first customers for Oakleaf’s new state-of-the-art recovery facility, near Heathrow airport.

Over the years, the business has invested heavily into our recycling capabilities to maximise recovery rates and minimise the volumes of waste sent to landfill.  This new agreement is anticipated to half those volumes sent to landfill in 2017-18 from our A303 Materials Recovery Facility.

This is a huge step forward towards our vision of achieving zero waste to landfill and we will continue maximising the opportunities to increase the volumes of residual waste which we can divert for SRF processing.

12 Employees undergo professional and personal development in Management Development Programme

As part of our ongoing commitment to the development of Raymond Brown employees and our continued drive to set new industry standards, 12 of our managers and site supervisors were given the opportunity to attend a nine-month comprehensive Management Development Programme.

Congratulations to the participants, who were given the opportunity to share experiences, gain practical management tools and techniques, and further strengthening their mentoring and management styles.

The programme was delivered by leading UK coach and mentor, Jane Michel, of Emphasis HR & Training, with content tailored specifically to the group’s organisational goals and objectives, as well as reflecting our
internal corporate culture. Jane commented: “This programme gave the participants the opportunity to try new approaches in a safe and supportive environment. The focus was on practical application – how to make this work back in the workplace. Although it was a nine month programme, it was clear from feedback that the participants (and their teams) were benefiting from day one. It was a pleasure to hear about their successes and see their improved confidence in tackling staff management issues.”

Skips donated to Barton Stacey Primary School

Raymond Brown were pleased to donate two skips to Barton Stacey Primary School to help them clear an area which will become a learning and discovery zone as part of their new Landscape Strategy.

The school have been working on their Landscape Strategy for a number of months and members of teaching staff, support staff, parents, governors and neighbours have all worked with the County Council to come up with a long-term plan to better utilise the school grounds.

The school has recently started to focus on one of the key areas highlighted in this project, the use of the field area formally known as the Sensory Garden or Millennium Garden.  The Landscape Strategy highlighted this area as a potential outdoor learning and discovery zone.  Their long-term vision for the area is to make it a usable space for learning in a variety of curriculum areas with resources that enhance discovery and hands on learning and which also sit comfortably with the natural environment and natural strengths that our school grounds provide.

Raymond Brown were delighted to offer their support in the form of skips to ensure that the school could clear the area in preparation as they progress with their outdoor learning and discovery zones.

Rob Westell joins the business as Estates & Planning Director

Rob is a Chartered Minerals Surveyor and joins Raymond Brown from Aggregate Industries, where he was based for over 17 years and held responsibility for the Planning and Estates Department across the UK, the Channel Islands and Norway.

Rob’s appointment comes at an exciting time when the business has several projects in the pipeline.

He will lead on planning strategy within the business, focusing on developing existing sites and new areas of opportunity whilst ensuring that as plans evolve, and throughout, community engagement remains a key priority.

Raymond Brown commit to new road safety initiative as tipper lorries are rebranded to a more visible colour

Raymond Brown announce commitment to the new road safety initiative as tipper lorries are rebranded to a more visible colour.

Raymond Brown have announced their commitment the Project Pictogram road safety initiative as they rebrand their tipper lorries to a more visible colour.

Project Pictogram is a fleet, business and community road safety communication aimed at reducing risks across our roads.  It is focussed on the ‘Fatal Factor’ driver behaviour risks present in almost all Killed or Serious Injury (KSI) collisions.  Raymond Brown is applying the five Pictogram stickers to all 82 of its vehicles and by doing so will provide daily on-road reminders of these key risks to all motorists on every journey.  The business will also be taking the road safety messages into local schools as part of its Community Matters initiative.

Chief Operating Officer, Steve Clasby commented: “We are very excited to be rolling out Project Pictogram across our entire fleet of vehicles.  Safety is at the forefront of everything we do and engaging with the community has always been a key priority for our business.  It creates an industry standard to which our fleet can align and ties in with the rebrand of our tipper lorries to a fresh new colour, promoting our commitment to sustainability and ensuring that our vehicles are clearly visible on roads.  Project Pictogram is an excellent road safety communication initiative which promotes safer, freer flowing roads.”

Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey & Southampton North joined the Raymond Brown team for the unveiling of their new safety focused livery which incorporates the pictograms.  An active supporter of the initiative since 2015, she echoed the Prime Minister’s calls for cultural change: “This sort of community engagement initiative is exactly the type of motivator which can shift understanding of risks. Instinctively we all know which activities are dangerous whilst driving, and the pictograms will provide daily reminders of what we all have to pay much more heed to.”