Pro Installer September 2015 - Issue 30 | Page 32

32 SEPTEMBER 2015 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY “The unique opportunity to travel as a Fellow means I can learn from talented craftspeople and professionals with a diverse range of skills” - 2015 Fellow Ben Hornberger A country-wide conservation tour offering committed craftspeople hands-on experience in the repair of historic buildings – that’s what successful applicants can look forward to as a SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) 2016 William Morris Craft Fellow. Up to four successful candidates will travel together across the country to learn more about traditional building crafts from masters of the trades. This is a unique, life-changing opportunity - the only scheme of its kind! We’re looking for craftspeople with a passion for old buildings and conservative repair. Applicants must have completed their apprenticeship and demonstrate a high level of competence. The Fellowship is an advanced training programme, devised to encourage and nurture craftspeople at the beginning of their careers, who are employed in any trade relating to the repair of historic buildings. The programme is now more relevant than ever given the lack of skilled people needed to care for Britain’s historic buildings and structures. The six-month practical training is divided into three blocks of two months, enabling the Fellows to return to their employment between each block. During the first two blocks they travel as a group, making daily site visits, studying repair projects, and meeting professionals, contractors and craftsmen. The final block is devoted to the individual needs and interests of each Fellow in consultation with their employers. Since 1986 SPAB has organised and administered the Fellowship to promote and develop the specialised skills required for the repair and maintenance of historic buildings and to promote understanding of the importance of conservative repair. Former Fellows have included carpenters, masons, thatchers, plasterers, leadworkers and glaziers. There are no course fees as training and administration costs New appointment makes an impact Bringing broad experience to his role, Len has worked in a number of diverse manufacturing sectors, including architectural windows. He said of his appointment: “Phoenix has a strong and committed team, which was a key attraction for me to join the company. Plus, as a growing and successful business, it has a requirement for new accounting systems to be put in pla ce, which is what I enjoy doing.” Haydon Statham, Phoenix Doors’ Sales Director, commented: “2015 has certainly been a busy year for us as the introduction of new products, such as Meridian, our new double-rebated premium composite door range, continues to drive growth. Len’s expertise and efficiency is already having a beneficial impact as we integrate our operations further within the Group.” The closing date for applications is 1 December 2015 and interviews are held at 37 Spital Square, London on 3 February 2016. For further information visit http://www.spab.org.uk/ education-training/fellowship/ or email: [email protected] Lights, camera, action! Liniar, the innovative and increasingly popular brand of PVCu products, is on its way to become a household name due to a stream of appearances on national television. Phoenix Doors, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of GRP composite doors and PVC panel doors has appointed Len Betts as Financial Controller. Len’s primary role is to implement new financial reporting structures at the Cambridgeshire-based firm in line with those of its parent company, the MASCO UK Window Group. are borne by SPAB as part of the award. Fellows also receive a bursary in the region of £5,800 towards basic travel and living expenses. The packed 2016 programme will run from 14 March to 9 December 2016. SPAB is inviting applications now for the 2016 William Morris Craft Fellowship. HL Plastics, Liniar’s trading company, was selected by BBC News to take part in a headline story this summer, the report was about an increase in the UK’s quarterly Gross Domestic Product results and the success driven by manufacturing firms now the recession is over. HL Plastics was chosen as an ideal example of a British industry success story due For more information, please call Phoenix Doors on 01487 740469, email info@phoenixdoorpanels. co.uk or visit the website at www. phoenixdoorpanels.co.uk to its consistent growth through difficult economic times. Extensive factory and vehicle footage was used to illustrate the news story, along with a short interview with CEO Roger Hartshorn. Roger said: “Manufacturing is the lifeblood of this country and we’re proud to be helping to lead the way with the economic recovery.” Hot on the heels of appearing on the national news, Liniar windows featured heavily in the BBC 2 programme ‘The House That £100k Built’ on 4th August. The show followed South Lincolnshire couple Andrew and Jo’ann Thompson’s attempts to not only build a house from scratch for less than £100k, but for the house to never generate a heating or electricity bill. The couple chose Liniar’s energy efficient triple glazed windows to help with the ambitious project. Still to be aired is a Liniar fabricator’s charitable involvement with BBC 1 show ‘DIY SOS – The Big Build’. Answering an appeal for Derbyshire companies to assist in a major construction project, Langley Mill-based Glazedale offered its services. To find out more visit www.liniar.co.uk or call 01332 883900