As we move into the second half of the year, it’s been another busy and productive quarter across all areas of the practice. From staff achievements and new appointments to exciting projects and industry accreditations, here’s a round-up of what’s been happening at Lea Hough.
Cyber Essentials Accreditation Achieved
As part of our commitment to data protection and digital security, we’re proud to announce that Lea Hough has achieved Cyber Essentials Accreditation. This is a government-backed certification that demonstrates our ongoing efforts to guard against cyber threats and protect our clients’ information. Read more about the Cyber Essentials Accreditation and what it means for our clients.
Buckshaw Office Refurbishment Complete
Our Buckshaw Village office has undergone a full refurbishment, with a fresh new look that better supports our expanding team and modern working practices. The updated space reflects the professionalism and forward-thinking ethos of the firm, and we’re delighted with the results.
Team News
- Will Kay has recently achieved AssocRICS status – a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the hard work and dedication he’s put into his professional development.
- Big congratulations also to Mattie Holden who has achieved a first class Honours degree in Building Surveying, as we continue to invest in developing the next generation of property professionals.
- We’ve also taken a local surveyor from Hyndburn Borough Council on secondment. Tayo has been joining valuation site visits to gain valuable experience as part of his APC journey.
New Clients
We’re proud to have been appointed by a high-profile rural estate client, to provide all Building Surveying and project-management support on their prestigious, large estate in Lancashire.
Additionally, we’ve been appointed by a new Housing Association in Greater Manchester to undertake RTA/RTB valuations, enhancing our reputation for providing trusted valuation advice across the region.
CIF & SCA Bids Approved
It’s been a particularly strong quarter for our Education Team, with a number of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) and School Condition Allocation (SCA) bids being successfully approved. These will go towards much-needed improvements in school buildings and infrastructure across the region.
We’re also proud to be assisting multiple schools in delivering enhanced SEN (Special Educational Needs) provisions, including Northbrook, Wellfield, Brockholes, and Cromwell. Helping to create inclusive, high-quality learning environments remains a key priority for our education projects.
The quarter also saw the handover of the landmark extension project at Rochdale College. Lea Hough secured over £4m of Government funding for our client under the Post-16 Capacity Fund and have been overseeing the six storey build in a Project Management role. Our clients are delighted with the result.
Projects On-Site
Our Building Surveying and Project Management teams have remained busy on several exciting schemes:
- SSICB-funded project now on site at Walney
- Extension/expansion project progressing at Little Lever
- Ongoing heritage refurbishment at the Cross Keys Hotel in Burnley
- We have completed a number of quinquennial inspections of churches
- Numerous school projects now underway
Valuations Update
We’ve been active on a wide range of valuation projects this quarter, including:
- A Chapel of Rest valuation – an unusual and interesting instruction.
- A steady flow of secured lending valuations on commercial property
- Several Building Survey Reports on Victorian properties across Blackburn and East Lancashire – always a treat for those of us who love character architecture!
Staff Social – Preston Event
This quarter also saw the team come together for a well-earned social event in Preston. It was a great opportunity to unwind, catch up outside of work, and strengthen our team spirit at Fino Tapas and Chew’s Yard, in Preston.
End of Financial Year & Looking Ahead
Having completed our financial year, we are pleased to report a strong year with continued growth. With several major instructions secured and a packed pipeline of work, we’re looking forward to building on this momentum into the new financial year.
