Look to the future now, it's only just begun...

Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall? Well, if you are looking at your future this Christmas, and a sales or marketing job in the building products industry is high on your wish list, you should write to us and let us know what you want in your stocking!

CHOOSE A PRESENT FROM OUR CHRISTMAS JOB LIST!>>

If you are interested in any our roles or are looking to develop your career, contact us today or take a look at our website for more details.

• Call us on 01480 405225 to discuss any of our current vacancies
• Email us on recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk
• Visit our website at www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk to find out about our full range of recruitment services for the building products sector.

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas closure: Please all be advised that we will be closed for Christmas from 12.30 pm Wed. 23rd Dec. 2015 but will be open again on Mon. 4th Jan. 2016 - all refreshed and ready for a great New Year!

However, please feel free to send your applications or register your interest in looking for a new job to recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk over the festive break and we'll contact you and help you get what you want.

Keep informed of ALL our latest jobs when they become available on our Facebook page. Remember to click LIKE! to ensure you receive the full benefits of news, jobs, entertainment, articles, events and promotions.

Image courtesy of tiverylucky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Christmas Job in Focus - Superb Sales & Marketing Director's position for Interior Finish Products (£120k)

Our Christmas Job in Focus is an incredible executive level career development opportunity to become the UK Sales and Marketing Director for a luxury brand of Interior Finish Products used mainly in the hotel sector.

You would be in charge of a team of Business Development Managers as well as a National Sales Manager. One of your key objectives would be to drive and build specifications. 

The role would be based in the South.

Our Construction & Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales & marketing construction and building materials job vacancies currently on our books. Job in Focus is also promoted on the home page of our website. www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk 

Job Title: Sales & Marketing Director
Job Ref: J6803
Product: Interior Finish
Location: National
Salary: £120k

EMPLOYER: Our client are a market leading Brand of Premium Interior products with a worldwide reputation for luxury and design. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: They are now looking to recruit a new Sales & Marketing Director to take full P&L responsibility for their UK division. This person will be responsible for driving the business forward from it's current solid foundations, managing sales through a team of experienced Business Development Managers via a National Sales Manager covering both Retail & Specification channels. The growth from their current position is likely to come by further developing their Specification channel so there will be a real push with Architects, Interior Designers, Developers and Hotel Groups especially within the London region. 

LOCATION: South - London, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxon, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire etc 

CANDIDATE: This is a critical appointment for our client as well as a fantastic career opportunity for the right person - we are seeking an extremely high calibre individual who is capable of taking a prestigious brand to new levels. This person is likely to have a background from a Premium / Luxury brand and be experienced managing a sales team focused on the major London Architects, Designers, Developers & Hotel Groups. 

PACKAGE: On offer is a Basic salary likely to be between the range of £80k to £120k plus excellent bonus scheme, quality car, pension, Bupa, laptop, iPad, mobile plus the opportunity to join an aspirational brand. 

For further information or to discuss your career options contact Colin Hoy on 01480 405225 or apply online

Search for more building products sales jobs >>>

One up, one down in the housing market!

Friday's figures from the ONS state that total construction output rose by 0.2% in October compared with September and was 1.0% higher than a year ago. The figures also clearly highlight the rise in private housing and the sharp fall in public housing.

Dr Noble Francis, Economics Director of the Construction Products Association, commented:  

“After the slowdown in construction activity in Q3, it was good to see an acceleration in activity for the construction industry on both a monthly and an annual basis. However, the figures also highlight contrasting fortunes for private and public house building. Private housing output rose 2.3% in October compared with September and was 4.6% higher than a year ago. Going forward, policies announced by the Chancellor in his recent Autumn Statement, such as London Help to Buy, should ensure further growth in private housing output by incentivising major house builders to increase building rates over the next 12 months. However, there are mounting concerns regarding affordability in the housing market, especially in London where average house prices are already 9.6 times average earnings.”


“The falls in public housing are a major concern, despite the Chancellor’s announcement of ‘400,000 new affordable homes’ in November’s Autumn Statement. Public housing output in October was 3.0% lower than September and 25.9% lower than a year ago. The ONS figures also highlight that new orders for public housing in Q3 were 26.7% lower than a year ago due to funding issues for housing associations as they face falling public sector funding, cuts in social rent and the extension of Right to Buy. As a result, the trend for public house building appears to be sharply negative over the next 12 months.”

Contract Kitchen sector is boiling hot at the moment!

Good news for the KBB market as a new report from JKMR reveals that there has been "substantial growth" during the past year for sales within the contract kitchen sector. They also predict that this trend is predicted to continue in 2016. The message is loud and clear, if you can stand the heat, get in the kitchen market now!

The report states that the contract sector will 'absorb' more than £750m worth of fitted kitchen products in 2015, equating to a 21% share of total market value.

The contract sector is now “out-performing the retail sector on a number of key measures”, JKMR says, which has been driven by the rising number of new builds and improving market place, allowing the average client spend to increase.

2015 has seem the sector achieve its highest level of market spend since 2007, which reached £840m. Total contract sector spend then began to decline in 2008, reaching less than £600m in 2011 before improvements began to be seen in 2012. Last year, sector value reached close to £700m.

If you are looking for a Sales Job in the KBB sector, you can find out more here>>

Picture: From FreeDigitalPhotos.net “Modern Apartment Kitchen” by artur84

Job in Focus for December: Divisional Sales Director for Heating Products to Merchants - Southern region. £75k + bonus

Our new Job in Focus, as we move towards Christmas, is a fantastic position to take responsibility for the for Sales function of the southern region as the new Divisional Sales Director of a manufacturer for Heating Products in the domestic and light commercial sector. 

The focus of the role is to develop the distribution channel, particularly independent and national merchants and buying groups.

Our Construction & Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales & marketing construction and building materials job vacancies currently on our books. Job in Focus is also promoted on the home page of our website. www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk 

Job Title: Divisional Sales Director
Job Ref: J6679
Product: Heating & Plumbing
Location: South 
Salary: £75k plus bonus

A fantastic opportunity to join a leading manufacturer in the heating sector in an influential position with great responsibility and high involvement in the growth of the company moving forward. With over 100 years experience in the sector the company provides an innovative product range with a focus on domestic and light commercial solutions. 

The selected candidate will take on the position of Southern Regional Sales Director, main responsibilities include identifying new opportunities through the supply chain, recommending and executing sales and marketing strategies across the Southern team and increasing over-all territory performance. Tasked with leading the one-off sales team and being the main point of contact for key decision makers from National and Independent merchants, buying groups and key members of the distribution network. Additional responsibilities are to coach and motivate a highly successful sales force across the South of the country, tracking performance and implementing corrective measures where appropriate. A fantastic opportunity to manage a very successful division of a highly respected and leading brand in the sector. 

The ideal candidate to take up this position must be highly structured with the ability to lead and advise at all levels with a great understanding of the heating sector. Current contacts across National and Independent Merchant and Buying Groups would be highly valued and a proven track record in leading a large external sales team is key to the success of the position. 

The area covered is the South of the UK including Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Middlesex, London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex. Potential candidates should be located in these locations, ideally based centrally. 

A fantastic package is offered comprising of a basic salary up to £75k plus bonus, company car or car allowance, mobile, laptop, healthcare, pension and additional company benefits. 

For further information or to discuss your career options contact Aaron on 01480 405225 or apply online.

Search for more building products sales jobs >>>

Lack of skilled workers and materials shortage hits the Construction sector in November

Growth momentum softened across the UK construction sector in November, with output, new business and employment all rising at slower rates than in the previous month. At 55.3, the headline seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) was down from 58.8 in October and signalled the slowest expansion of business activity for seven months. 

All three broad areas of construction activity experienced a slowdown in output growth during November. Residential building activity increased at the weakest pace since June 2013, while civil engineering activity rose at the slowest rate for six months and was the worst performing sub-category. Commercial construction activity topped the growth table, but the latest expansion was less marked than October’s eight-month high.

Construction companies mainly commented on supportive economic conditions and rising workloads at their units. However, there were some reports from survey respondents that cited a lack of new work to replace completed projects in November, which in turn acted as a drag on business activity growth. Reflecting this, latest data indicated a weaker rise in overall new business volumes. In some cases, construction firms suggested that more cautious spending patterns among clients had weighed on new order inflows.

Slower growth patterns across the construction sector contributed to a moderation in job creation from the 11-month high recorded during October. Although still strong in a historical context, the latest rise in staffing levels was the weakest September 2013. Sub-contractor usage continued to rise at a solid pace in November, but their average charges increased at the least marked pace for almost two years.

In line with the trends for output and new work, latest data highlighted a slowdown in input buying growth across the construction sector. Supplier performance continued to deteriorate in November, which survey respondents linked to stock shortages and pressure on capacity. That said, the latest lengthening of delivery times was modest in comparison to those seen on average so far this year. At the same time, input price inflation moderated in November and was well below the long-run survey average. Construction firms noted that lower prices for some raw materials (particularly metals) had partially offset rising labour costs.

Meanwhile, survey respondents remain highly upbeat about the business outlook, with over half (55%) forecasting a rise in output over the year ahead and only 5% expecting a fall. The degree of positive sentiment was down only slightly since October and still well above the post-crisis average.

Commenting on the report, David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said:

“Suppliers continued to struggle this month, citing shortages in key materials, supply chain capacity and skilled capability as the causes. But there is a question mark over the coming months as the housing sector, normally the star performer, may drag back on recovery along with the lack of availability of skilled staff. Many firms were forced to use more expensive contractors and, further combined with the hoped-for continued job growth failing to materialise, this may leave commentators wondering what’s next. 

“Though there will inevitably be some disappointment that last month’s strong activity has largely petered out, the sector still operates in a positive environment of low interest rates, low inflation and lower commodity prices which has been reflected by respondents’ continued optimism for a good future.” 

Builders’ merchant market is set for healthy 2016

A new report on the builders’ merchant market from MTW Research provides a fresh, comprehensive review of the UK Builders Merchants Market in 2015 with forecasts to 2019. It has found that 70% of merchants are experiencing growth in revenue and profitability in come the end of the year and also expect sales set to rise above inflation in 2016. 

The report has been written specifically for building product manufacturers, distributors and builders merchants, and is available now in a variety of formats for use in your market intelligence reports, presentations and is designed for sharing with colleagues.

The report represents a review of the UK builders merchants market providing statistically valid, reliable and vital market intelligence for any company selling to builders merchants or for the merchants themselves to undertake an in-depth review of their competitive environment.  

If you are are interested in a sales job in the builders' merchant market, you can find out more here.>>>

The methodology for this report is based on the last 3 years of financial data from more than 100 builders merchants, coupled with a wide range of secondary sources from websites, Companies House, HM Government, trade journals, credit reference agencies, industry commentators and our own experience of researching this market for more than a decade. The report is also unique in that a 2014 turnover and profit estimate is provided for every company reviewed. 

There was encouraging news for the building product manufacturers and suppliers as, based on industry sales, the research untaken for the report showed that their was sustained growth in heavyside sales this year. The report also revealed that key growth sectors have included domestic new build and commercial refurbishment.

The report forecasts market sales growth to 2019, and although this does vary across different markets, the general message is one of optimism for most building product sectors.

Contractors are set to increase their expenditure on tools and equipment in 2016 which should further boost the merchants next year.

Commenting on the findings, Mark Waddy, director at MTW Research, said: “There are clear indications of strengthening profitability for most merchants, tempered to some extent by rising debt levels. Nevertheless, our forecast models indicate that merchants profitability will rise by around 30% in the next few years, underlining a fundamental strength in the market for 2016 and beyond.”

Prospects are for builders’ merchants to benefit from growth in several end use sectors, notably the private house building market and private refurbishment within housing and non-housing applications.

While public expenditure will decline in the current Parliament, MTW Research indicates that this ‘slack’ will be more than accounted for by growth in the private sector refurbishment and newbuild sectors.

The report also points to an increase in demand from the industrial construction and refurbishment sector as business confidence strengthens, sustaining demand growth for builders’ merchants.

The report forecasts relatively healthy sales growth for the next few years to 2019 and indicates that profitability has now fully recovered from the legacy of the recession when income troughed at 60% of current levels. While there remains turbulence for some sectors in the builders’ merchants market, MTW Research’s report presents a generally positive view of current trading conditions, identifies several opportunities for growth and forecasts positive future prospects for builders’ merchants and their suppliers.

Prospects are for builders merchants to benefit from growth in several end use sectors, notably the private house building market and private refurbishment within housing and non-housing applications. Whilst public expenditure will decline in the current Parliament, MTW indicate that this ‘slack’ will be more than accounted for by growth in the private sector refurbishment and new build sectors.   The report also points to an increase in demand from the industrial construction and refurbishment sector as business confidence strengthens, sustaining demand growth for builders merchants.

The research report is available now from MTW Research’s website here, or by calling 0845 652 4324.

CPA predicts more Construction output growth

The Construction Products Association has announced that despite activity slowing in Q3 this year, they expect further growth for the construction industry in the coming months.

Construction output is expected to increase 3.6% and 3.8% in 2015 and 2016, respectively, revised down from 4.9% and 4.2% in the Summer Forecast. The slowdown in Q3 activity is expected to be temporary and construction output is expected to rise by 19.7% between 2015 and 2019, driven by growth in the three largest construction sectors; private housing, commercial and infrastructure. 

Highlights from the forecasts include a total construction output forecast to rise 3.6% in 2015 and 3.8% in 2016, and private housing starts anticipated to rise 7.0% in 2015 and 5.0% in 2016. 

Take a look at the latest construction products sales jobs >>>

Public housing starts are expected to fall 10.0% in 2015 and 5.0% in 2016, and infrastructure output is forecast to rise 13.2% in 2015 and 7.6% in 2016. As expected, the key risks include skills shortages and government austerity. 

Dr Noble Francis, economics director at the CPA, said: "We remain positive about prospects for the construction industry. The slowdown in Q3 activity is expected to be temporary and construction output is expected to rise by 19.7% between 2015 and 2019, driven by growth in the three largest construction sectors; private housing, commercial and infrastructure. 

"Private housing starts are forecast to rise, with major house builders signalling their intention to build more homes over the next 12-18 months. Help to Buy accounts for one quarter of new build purchases and will help to sustain demand. House prices continue to increase in most regions, especially in London and the South East, illustrating a strong underlying demand. 

"Public housing, however, is expected to be adversely affected by uncertainty and a lack of funding due to the extension of Right to Buy to housing associations and cuts to social rent. As a result, public housing starts are estimated to fall 10.0% in 2015 and a further 5.0% in 2016. 

"The commercial sector is forecast to enjoy growth from 2016 averaging 3.9% per year through to 2019. New offices construction is expected to be the primary driver of this growth, with increasing activity in cities such as Birmingham and Manchester as well as growth in the capital. Retail construction is expected to improve but a consolidation of expansion plans by major supermarket chains will constrain growth rates. 

"Infrastructure activity continues to thrive. Output in the sector is forecast to grow 11.2% on average per year between 2015 and 2019, supported in large part by the £411 billion National Infrastructure Plan. The roads and energy sub-sectors will be strongest but work is forecast to increase throughout the forecast period in all key sub-sectors; roads, energy, rail, water and sewerage. 

"Whilst growth prospects in construction remain positive, there are significant risks. Government austerity focuses on current spending rather than capital investment but the risk remains that if government cannot reduce current spending as much as it anticipates, it may cut public construction projects to achieve its aims of eliminating the public sector deficit. 

"In addition, within the construction industry, the key concerns regard skills shortages, which have already been reported in the housing sector but may become more prevalent across the wider industry over the next 12-18 months due to the forecast growth."

Skype: A quicker and greener way to be interviewed. Find out more...

It is our best practice, as part of our thorough appraisal process, to meet face-to-face with any new candidate on our books. 

We will also try and do the same to guide and brief existing candidates before we decide to put them forward for a particular role, and during the selection process. 

Due to either time constraints or convenience and location factors, it is not always possible for face-to-face meetings. There is a solution to this.

Skype is rapidly becoming a cost-saving and greener way to discuss roles with potential candidates, quickly and on a face-to-face basis, during the early stages of the recruitment process. 

It is a tool we are beginning to adopt and usually proves significantly more beneficial for both parties than a traditional telephone conversation and without lots of lost time, travel, and money spent on fuel, the benefits of Skype are realised by all parties. 

We are also finding that many of our clients are using Skype as part of their recruitment process. Therefore, it is important we fully embrace what Skype can offer. 

At Pinnacle Consulting, we can arrange a Skype consultation with a candidate almost immediately. If you are a candidate, it allows us to help you more quickly and with added clarity and understanding. This ultimately helps us to assess your needs and aspirations in greater detail than a phone call, CV and covering email. 

It also allows us to react effectively to a live recruitment situation, ensuring you don’t miss out on a potentially superb career changing opportunity.

In most instances, we would still arrange to meet you physically face-to-face at a later date, as this further enhances the close and long-term relationships we build with all our candidates. It is our philosophy to help candidates develop throughout their entire career in the building and construction industry. In addition to providing opportunities for future alternative positions, we also provide, advice on training, share industry trends, and help you progress with current employers. 

A Skype interview is a very useful tool in working with our candidates, but it also has many potential pitfalls, and these could create a disadvantage for you before you even start.

Guide to Skype calls with potential employers
As a general guide, you should try and do your own risk assessment of everything that could go wrong, and try and reduce or negate their negative impact.

Here are a few things to consider, before either an agency consultation or more usefully an actual real live Skype interview with an employer.

Consider your Skype name, mood message and profile photograph
It is obvious, but if your Skype name is a little too informal or personal, perhaps you should set up one for professional use for interviews and detailing on your CV. Keep it simple and based around your actual name.

Check, remove or change your ‘mood message’. You really don’t want a potential employer to see something like: “Still hung-over from last night.”

A profile photograph should also be business like, not you on the beers or the vino, having fun and looking a little worse for wear from your holiday excesses. 

Physical surroundings and environment
Again most of this advice is just common sense, but it is amazing how often we find that common sense, can leave even the most sensible of us!

Make sure you tell people in your home that you are having a Skype call; you do not want the sound of your partner shouting from the next room or your kids running riot. Make sure that nobody is watching TV or has music blasting in earshot, resulting in the background noise being rather off-putting for all parties during the interview.

Turn off all your notification sounds on your computer, tablet and mobile, likewise with your landline, and do not start reading and answering emails; however discreet you think you might be. Just shut down your email client and concentrate on the interview.

Check the physical background of your room that will be seen by the webcam, check the lighting too and the ambience it creates. Move anything you would  rather not be seen out of the way – you know the kind of thing we’re talking about! Check your bookcase, pictures, and posters, and the cleanliness of the room. Don’t make a silly error that could cause embarrassment.

Preparation
As Skype interviews are still quite new, it is best to take extra time to prepare and practice.

To help you with this, we suggest you call a friend for a dry run; make sure you look into the webcam, rather than the screen, and ask your friend how you look, sound and what your general demeanour and body language is like. Listen to their feedback and fine tune or adjust your camera angle, your body posture, the background, your eye contact and hand movements, as well as your voice volume, clarity, and pacing.  

It might also be advisable to record and video yourself and then critique. You will be your own biggest critic, but you will improve by doing this, and remember your opinion of watching yourself is always much worse than what others think.

Watch what you are doing when you are not speaking. Make sure you look attentive and interested in the interviewing party. Don’t forget to smile either!

Try and use a laptop or desktop if possible and plug into the mains, rather than use a mobile or tablet, it will give you much better results. If you do have to use a tablet, make sure it is on a plinth and not handheld. Be wary of battery life. 

If your built-in camera and microphone are not of the quality they should be, buy a separate microphone and webcam. Tell the retailer why you need them and take advice on the best solution. It won’t be very expensive.

You should still research the company, the market, and the role; think how you can help them and what their needs are, prepare questions too - just like you would do in a physical interview. So don’t forget this aspect. Prepare, prepare, and prepare again.

You can have notes and reminders with you, preferably out of camera shot; you could also have them on screen – which can be quite advantageous. Please use these discreetly, though, and only if you must. 

It is polite and a good idea to ask if they mind if you can take notes, this might also give you a discreet way to check your guide notes and prompts too.

Your interviewer will make some allowances because of the different type of interview environment, so don’t get too nervous about it all, but the more comfortable and relaxed in this you can look, the more professional you will come across.  

You are in your own space, and this should help you relax, but make sure you are in position and on-line in advance of the agreed call time, you don’t want any last minute panics with your computer taking ages to fire up or connecting to the internet for the Skype connection. Make sure you have a glass of water available, and a handkerchief!

Dress code
Your attire should be professional, relevant and appropriate. Wash and brush your hair, clean your teeth too, in other words, do exactly as you would do if you were going to a physical interview.

You may have heard stories of newsreaders doing their broadcasts only dressed from the waist up, or wearing shorts or jogging bottoms, don’t follow this trend! If you did need to get up to get something during the interview or needed to reconnect or check a cable, you really don’t want your potential employer to see you in your Darth Vader boxer shorts. Even Jedi mind tricks won’t help you then!

Technology problems
As with any form of technology, there is always the chance of problems. If you cannot hear the interviewer due to a poor connection, ask them to repeat the question or suggest you end the call and make a new connection. It is vital not to let the interview continue when there are sound issues; both parties could miss something important.

If you completely lose your connection during the call or there is another issue, be calm, use the free moments to take stock, have a sip of water, and collect yourself.  When resolved, call them or wait for them to call back, and explain what happened at your end. 

Remember if the problem is not quickly resolvable, it might be advisable to use a phone line to call them and let them know. Sometimes how you act when things go wrong are the things that impress.

Post Interview
Thank the interviewer(s) at the end, just like you would in a traditional interview, and ask about the next stage of the recruitment process. 

It is good practice to send a thank you letter ‘post-Skype’ interview too, and email is the preferred and recommended option for this. It is amazing how many people do not do this, but quick and simple things like this show you are professional, polite and care about the people you have meetings with – that will give them confidence, especially if the job you are going for is in Sales. So don’t forget to do it. Moreover make sure you get their names and spellings correct.

Don’t delay; arrange a Skype Consultation with us today!
If you see a job you are interested in, or want a comprehensive consultation about your future career, contact us to arrange a Skype consultation appointment. 

We will promise to be nice and understanding about using this form of communication. After all, we’re still in adoption mode with it too. However, it will become more and more common as you progress your career, so a more informal practice with us can only help prepare you to shine in a more formal Skype interview with a potential employer. It will happen, so embrace and hone your skills, starting today. 

Call us on 01480 405225 or email us at recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

It could be the most important appointment of your career!

Chancellor announces biggest housing drive since Thatcher came to power in 1979.

George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has announced in his eagerly anticipated Autumn Statement the government's plans to deliver 400,000 new affordable homes by 2020. He summed this up with the soundbite "we are the builders". The drive is part of the biggest drive on affordable housing since 1979 - the year Thatcher walked into No. 10.

He stated that half these new homes will be sold as starter homes which will be sold at a 20% discount. Osbourne also tried to help the housing crisis in London, stating that the capital's new Help to Buy scheme will give a 40% interest-free loan to buyers with a 5% deposit.

Housing was targeted as Mr Osborne's key area for focus, he said: "In the end Spending Reviews like this come down to choices about what your priorities are.

"And I am clear: in this Spending Review, we choose housing. Above all, we choose homes that people can buy for there is a crisis of home ownership in our country.

"We made a start in the last Parliament, and with schemes like Help to Buy the number of first-time buyers rose by 60 per cent.

"But frankly we need to do much more. Today, we set out our bold plan to back families who aspire to buy their own home."

Ministers are to change planning rules to release land specifically for developing starter homes. And developers are to be offered cash from the Government to construct starter homes and regenerate 'brownfield' land.

The Chancellor also committed to 135,000 new "shared ownership" homes. Buyers will be able to buy an initial stake in a new property and increase their share over time if they are able to.

The Government will provide £4 billion for housing associations, local authorities and private-sector developers to build shared-ownership dwellings. These properties will be available to families with an income of £80,000 outside London or £90,000 in London..

And he promised £400 million for housing associations and private developers to build 8,000 homes specifically designed for older residents or those with disabilities.

Treasury officials said the package will represent "the largest programme of affordable housebuilding by a government since at least 1979, and the biggest ever programme of government building of homes for sale."

Building Industry Featured Jobs for November 2015: Focus on Executive/Director level positions

November 2015: We currently have some fantastic executive level vacancies available in the building and construction industry and we feature some of them below.

If you are interested in any of these roles or are looking to develop your career, contact us or take a look at our website for more details on our construction sales jobs and recruitment services.

• Call us on 01480 405225 to discuss any of our current vacancies
• Email us on recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

Keep informed of ALL our latest jobs when they become available on our Facebook page. Remember to click LIKE! to ensure you receive the full benefits of news, jobs, entertainment, articles, events and promotions.

See below for full details of our featured jobs (click 'Read more' if required).

Commercial construction output growth in October results in the fasted rate of new work in 12 months

A new report shows that October data highlighted another upturn in overall UK building and construction industry output, alongside a rebound in new order growth and the fastest pace of job creation for almost a year. Commercial building work was a key growth driver in October, as housing and civil engineering activity both expanded at slower rates than in September.

Despite a robust and accelerated rise in input buying, latest data indicated the lowest strain on supplier delivery times for almost five years. Meanwhile, relatively subdued cost inflation continued in October, helped by falling raw material prices (especially metals).

The headline seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) registered 58.8 in October, which was down from 59.9 in September but still well above the 50.0 no-change threshold. As a result, the latest survey marked two-and-a-half years of sustained output growth across the UK construction sector. While the pace of expansion remained weaker than seen on average in 2014, the latest reading was comfortably above the pre-election low recorded in April (54.2).

Higher levels of activity were recorded across all three broad categories of construction monitored by the survey. However, housing activity growth eased from September’s 12-month high, and the latest rise in civil engineering was the slowest since May. Commercial building work increased at the sharpest pace for eight months.

Reports from survey respondents suggested that greater output volumes reflected a strong pipeline of work-in-hand, alongside faster new order growth over the month. The latest rise in incoming new work was the steepest since October 2014, with construction companies highlighting new project wins from both public and private sector clients. 

Looking ahead, construction companies remain highly upbeat about their prospects for growth over the next 12 months, with more than half (59%) forecasting a rise in business activity and only 7% expecting a decline. Anecdotal evidence cited an encouraging number of new invitations to tender and expectations of solid spending levels among key clients. 

Construction companies responded to the rebound in new business growth by taking on staff at a faster pace. Moreover, some firms commented on efforts to reduce their reliance on sub-contractors. Latest data pointed to a fall in sub-contractor availability for the twenty-eighth month running, which is the longest continuous period since 2003. 

Input buying increased at the steepest rate for nine months in October. However, supplier performance deteriorated to the least marked degree since November 2010. A number of construction firms noted that greater capacity among suppliers had helped to alleviate the pressure on average lead times for raw materials. 

Commenting on the report, David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “Supplier performance deteriorated to the least marked extent for almost five years in October, as capacity was increased to meet an upsurge in purchasing activity – the strongest for nine months.

“Prompted by a rise in new orders, pipeline work, low raw material costs and more marketing activity, the sector also experienced the speediest expansion in staffing levels since November 2014 to meet this increased volume of contract demands.

“With sustained growth now for two-and-a-half years, respondents also reported more confidence in the sector and from clients, and an expectation of an even stronger performance next year.”

A surge in new work across the UK construction industry in October cheered financial markets and sent the pound close to a 10-week high against a basket of currencies.

Tim Moore, a senior economist at Markit, said: “Another relatively buoyant construction PMI reading indicates that the sector remains in rude health. Rather than acting as a drag on the economy, as suggested by recent GDP estimates, the sector is continuing to act as an important driving force behind the ongoing UK economic upturn.”

He said construction companies noted a rebound in new business flows in October and responded by taking on extra staff at the fastest rate for almost a year.

“Shortages of skilled staff persisted as a result, with the current period of falling subcontractor availability the longest seen in over a decade,” he said.

• Stock Photo from Shutterstock.com Sky and clouds reflected in a modern building glass facade Image ID: 129478415
• Copyright: Turhan

Shower equipment market estimated to grow by 4% in the UK says new report

The KBB market is one of the most vibrant in the industry and it is also a sector where we have see a very large increase in sales jobs in the last few months. The shower equipment market has been particularly healthy and this is confirmed by a new report from AMA Research.

The report predicts that in 2015, the value of the UK shower equipment market is expected to have increased by around 4% compared to 2014, reflecting the growth in the building & home improvement markets. 

Between 2010 and 2012, the market for showering products was relatively volatile, but since 2013 there has been a notable increase, with demand picking up as the housing market recovers and consumer confidence levels improve. 

Showers are more popular
The majority of UK households now have at least one shower installation in their property, the number climbing since the 1990's to 89% in 2014, equivalent to 23.8 million UK homes. 

The growing popularity of showers has been driven by a number of factors such as smaller average household size, smaller average property size, and a rising proportion of houses, flats, and apartments that have small bathrooms.

In addition, the trend towards multi-generational living has positively impacted on demand for accessible solutions that make bathrooms more functional. 

Other factors include rising disposable incomes and lifestyle changes, product development focused on quality, and design with a trend towards higher value products and contemporary styles. 

At the luxury end, these products include large rainfall shower heads, steam hydro-massage shower cabins, digital shower controls, and minimalist wet room areas. 

The energy-saving effect
Sustainability and water efficiency has also become a major concern with UK householders, and as a result, water saving shower equipment is in greater demand.

Shower controls account for the greatest proportion of the overall shower equipment market, though enclosures, screens, and trays account for only moderately less than the shower controls sector. 

Time for an upgrade!
As a result of the maturing shower market and high level of shower usage, replacement products such as shower accessories have grown share to 13%. Many products are now designed specifically for retrofit purposes with ease of installation an important consideration. 

Great news for on-line and in-store sales
Shower products for the domestic and commercial sectors are distributed through a wide range of channels. The main distribution channel continues to be builders and plumbers merchants, with the DIY multiples also holding a substantial share. 

Other retail channels include bathroom specialists, grocery multiples, mail order retailers, and department stores. 

On-line retailers are also important as consumers use the internet to source the best deals. Manufacturers are also selling spare parts and accessories direct to the consumer online. 

Hayley Thornley, AMA research manager, said: "There has been a continued growth in the popularity of showering over the last decade, and showers have become an essential fixture in the modern home. 

"While showers are now installed as standard in most new build homes, as the market matures it is the replacement market that is likely to hold the most potential for growth. An increasing number of shower products are now designed specifically for retrofit purposes" 

The outlook for the UK shower equipment market in 2015 looks positive with growth of 3-5% per annum anticipated into the medium-longer term. 

However, pricing pressures are likely to remain intense due to rising levels of imported products and an increasingly competitive distribution market. 

Wetrooms are the future
Future trends include the growth in wetrooms and walk-in shower areas, the increasing popularity of digital showers and forecast growing demand for 'inclusive' shower products due to the ageing UK population. 

Other trends include the growth of water efficient shower controls driven by the introduction of the Water Label on shower products from 2014.

You can order the report here.

• Stock Photo: Floor drain, running water in shower, tinted black and white image Image ID: 162994757
• Copyright: Jari Hindstroem. Shutterstock