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Positive Outcomes

11 Jan
09:34

Workplace transformation as a catalyst for improved business performance

Submitted by Graham Kean, EC Harris, Head of Public

EC Harris is a previous winner of BIFM's prestigious "Impact on Organisation & Workplace" Award for our work with the Department for Education on its Sanctuary building. In this video from The BIFM Members' Day 2010, my colleague Bob Calver summarises the transformational impact the project has had on the Department's performance. To find out more details on this innovative project and how EC Harris can help you use workplace transformation... Read More

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Workplace transformation as a catalyst for improved business performance
3 Mar
10:34

Public Infrastructure needed for Arab world stability

Submitted by Andrew Jeffery, EC Harris, Location Leader, UAE

With reports of further unrest in the Arab world continuing to dominate the news agenda, it is easy to overlook one of the themes that is common and unifying to all of the protests; the dearth of public infrastructure including schools, hospitals, transportation and welfare facilities provision. If we look more closely across the wider GCC, it is clear that the region has definite room for improvement before it can claim to offer the public services that people in the developed and Western world... Read More

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Public Infrastructure needed for Arab world stability
23 Jun
10:53

The Government Construction Strategy

Submitted by Simon Rawlinson, EC Harris, Head of Strategic Research

The Government Construction Strategy is an ambitious programme aimed at making Government a leading construction client.  Applying a combination of established tools and radical thinking in connection with procurement and supply chain engagement, successful implementation of the strategy should enable the construction industry to make a significant contribution both to the delivery of cost effective infrastructure and to the wider UK economy. The public sector accounts for a large proportion... Read More

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The Government Construction Strategy
27 Jul
12:16

The Government’s SME Dilemma

Submitted by Amir Baharlou, EC Harris, Head of Service for Asset Performance and Facilities Management

In his speech on the 7th March 2011, David Cameron attacked public sector procurement managers who "think that the answer to everything is a big contract with a big business and who shut out millions of Britain's small- and medium-sized companies from a massive potential market". He then went on to make it clear that the coalition’s intention was to change this. He announced a number of initiatives such as the establishment of Contracts Finder, a government run website which... Read More

4 Comments (4 Ratings)
The Government’s SME Dilemma
2 Feb
09:56

UAE Government Reaffirms Plans

Submitted by Nick Smith, EC Harris, Head of Commerical - Middle East

Abu Dhabi Executive Committee’s (ADEC) decision to formally approve a number of high-profile development projects is undoubtedly positive news for both Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole, and reaffirms the government’s commitment to making the country an attractive, growing and sustainable market.  Many of the projects that were officially confirmed yesterday are already well known within the and it will have came as  no surprise to anyone that transport and social infrastructure... Read More

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UAE Government Reaffirms Plans
17 Feb
16:10

Government property savings – a drop in the ocean

Submitted by Alan Kemp, EC Harris, Head of Central Government

Francis Maude’s announcement  that the Government  has saved £130m on its property costs is good news and a step in the right direction, but it is still a drop in the ocean when compared to the circa £20 billion total cost of running the public sector estate. Most of the savings to date can be attributed to tighter control of new leases and new buildings as well as better use of the estate through initiatives such as the sharing of offices between different departments. However,... Read More

6 Comments (8 Ratings)
Government property savings – a drop in the ocean
22 Mar
01:16

Views on 2012 February Property price in China

Submitted by Mark Budden, EC Harris, Area Leader, North Asia

Here are some of my thoughts on last month Property Price report in China. On property prices As China’s Premier Wen Jiabao recently reiterated, the central government is determined to continue its efforts to curb real estate speculation. These policies are expected to be maintained for the foreseeable future. As a result, I believe that China’s property prices will likely continue their downward trend, likely going into the... Read More

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Views on 2012 February Property price in China
29 Mar
12:24

It's good to share

Submitted by Alan Kemp, EC Harris, Head of Central Government

The efficient use of property remains a key area where Government can make savings to reduce public sector spending.  However, more can be done to speed up the reduction of property costs, by sharing space and improving utilisation with improved technology in the workplace. The recent NAO report Improving the efficiency of central government office property supports these views, stating that that Government departments should stop managing their estates in isolation and estimating... Read More

3 Comments (7 Ratings)
It's good to share
12 Apr
19:26

NPPF: what will this mean for developers?

Submitted by Mark Farmer, EC Harris, Head of Private Residential

The retained ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ in the final National Policy Planning Framework  (NPPF) published yesterday has to be viewed as a positive step from a developer’s perspective. This will no doubt eliminate some of the risks associated with planning, whether you are developing large scale strategic land opportunities or compact city centre sites.  On the other hand, there is still likely to be some concern about how this change in... Read More

1 Comment (1 Rating)
NPPF: what will this mean for developers?
20 Apr
08:34

And prices continue to drop!

Submitted by Simon Baxter, EC Harris, Partner, Hong Kong

I was invited to be interviewed by Bernie Lo on CNBC Asia yesterday morning to talk about the property prices' drop in China. Below are few points I thought I could share with you regarding this, this is good follow up on last month blog written by our China Location Leader. Why are property prices across China dropping? Prices are decreasing due to a suite of measures that... Read More

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And prices continue to drop!