October 16, 2024

Bosses are too cocky when it comes to modern risks to their businesses

CEOs face sleepwalking into reputational disaster through a concerning over-confidence which masks inadequate crisis planning to mitigate modern day risks, according to a new report [registration] from PHA Group. The survey questioned 150 CEOs across the UK’s £240bn professional services sector on confidence and planning in navigating business critical issues. Examining issues from workforce management and whistleblowing to climate change and regulation, CEOs from law firms, insurance, finance and accounting, consultancy and recruitment conveyed confidence but also revealed a lack of investment and planning. More →

July 6, 2024

Top careers with a master’s degree in public health

by Freddie Steele • Company news

Choosing to pursue a master’s degree in public health can open doors to a dynamic range of career opportunities that contribute meaningfully to society. These careers span across various facets of health, including data analysis, policy development, and direct community intervention. With the increasing complexity of public health challenges, professionals with advanced degrees are more in demand than ever. Individuals equipped with a higher level of knowledge and expertise are poised to take leadership roles in tackling these challenges head-on. In this article, we will discuss the promising career paths that a Master’s in Public Health can lead to. More →

June 25, 2024

Are these the top ten emerging technologies for 2024?

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News, Property, Technology

The World Economic Forum has published its annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report featuring technologies with the greatest potential to make a positive impact in the world in the next three to five years. Among the technologies mentioned in the report are AI (obv), immersive building tech, intelligent materials and microbes that can sequester carbon. More →

June 11, 2024

Fiona Cousins appointed new President of CIBSE

by Freddie Steele • Company news

CIBSE has announced the appointment of Fiona Cousins as its new President. Fiona, who holds several senior roles at Arup, brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to advancing sustainability and broadening the focus on building performance in the industry. Fiona takes over the presidency from Adrian Catchpole, to whom she extended heartfelt thanks for his contributions, especially in promoting STEM Ambassadors in schools and the certified practice initiatives. These efforts will continue to be a priority according to a statement from CIBSE. More →

May 30, 2024

Furniture Makers to hold next sustainability event focussed on ecodesign

by Freddie Steele • News, Workplace design

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is hosting its next sustainability event focussed on the issues surrounding ecodesign, including the implications of the new EU law, Ecodesign for Products Regulation (ESPR). More →

May 24, 2024

One in six people fall out with colleagues over politics

by Neil Franklin • News, Workplace

Following the recent confirmation of a date for the UK General Election, a new poll from HiBob claims there has been a sharp rise in the number of people who want to banish political chats from the office. The report also suggests there is a major generational split, with younger workers significantly most in favour of holding political discussions at work while also being the group far and away most likely to fall out with others. More →

May 19, 2024

International report calls for collaboration on AI, highlighting both benefits and risks

by Marvin Gort • AI, News, Technology

A landmark report claims to shed light on the double-edged sword of advanced artificial intelligence. Backed by over 30 nations, the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI paints a picture of a technology brimming with potential benefits, but also fraught with potential risks if safety isn’t prioritized. This first iteration of the report, launched at the AI Safety Summit, fulfils a key commitment set forth during the historic Bletchley Park discussions and the subsequent Bletchley Declaration. More →

May 13, 2024

Seven industry associations join forces to develop real estate carbon pricing strategy

by Jayne Smith • Environment, News

Seven real estate industry associations have announced a new taskforce to develop a comprehensive carbon pricing strategy for the sector that takes a value chain perspective and enables pricing to be incorporated into investment decision making and accelerate its adoption. More →

April 22, 2024

European and Asian cities dominate latest smart city rankings

by Marvin Gort • Cities, News, Technology

Zurich tops the 2024 Smart City Index, with European and Asian cities dominating the rankings. The report, released by the IMD World Competitiveness Center’s Smart City Observatory and the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), analyses data and resident surveys from 142 cities globally. Seven of the top 10 smartest cities hail from Europe. These leading cities prioritize initiatives that improve residents’ quality of life, such as green spaces, cultural events, and social engagement. Additionally, they focus on attracting talent, fostering sustainable investments, and tackling inequality. More →

April 19, 2024

Most people want to work in jobs that have a positive impact on the world

by Jayne Smith • Environment, News, Workplace

A new poll from hiring platform Indeed suggests that people now consider working in jobs that positively impact society (57 percent) and the environment (55 percent) more important than they did when they started their careers. Just over a quarter (26 percent) say they would take a pay cut and 44 percent would consider retraining to enter the environmental sustainability sector. The survey of more than 1,000 workers and job seekers and 500 employers in the UK, highlights the ongoing green skills challenge. Despite the clear appetite for sustainability-related jobs among working people, 42 percent believe there are still too many barriers to entry. More than a quarter (27 percent) have been trying to transition to the sector but have been unsuccessful so far. More →

April 9, 2024

Being furloughed affected people’s sense of time and relationship with work

by Victoria J E Jones • Features, Flexible working, Wellbeing, Workplace

Between March 2020 and September 2021, millions of workers furloughed under the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme lived what for many of us is a dream: being paid not to work. Through interviews, I’ve researched the impact of this time on 35 people who were furloughed under the scheme. I found that for some, furlough created opportunities for reflection and growth, but for most of my interviewees it was a time of uncertainty and disorientation. More →

March 21, 2024

Fitwel Announces 2024 Best in Building Health Awards

by Freddie Steele • Environment, News, Wellbeing

Fitwel, the building health certification system, has announced the winners of the 2024 Best in Building Health Awards. The awards are designed to honour the most innovative real estate companies and individuals ‘setting the standard for health and wellbeing in the built environment across the globe, leveraging the trusted Fitwel Standard to enhance quality of life and drive value through design and operational excellence’. This year’s winners include projects from Canada, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and the United States. More →