Staff News

The key at HOP has always been and will remain the fostering of long-term relationships; not short term gain but long-term survival and improvement. Our 25th anniversary year sees us in excellent shape with a good plan for structured growth not only of clients and projects but, most importantly, the people in the firm.

In spite of the recent economic climate, HOP has succeeded in rising to the challenge of working differently to suit changing times. Our learning and training ethos has enabled us to work in new areas - for example, writing technical manuals and the training of students in the use of Structural Eurocodes.

HOP have been using Building Information Models (BIMs) since 2006 and are now introducing their use across the firm with training for all and a programme of external lectures to raise awareness. (See Education & Training Zone).

---

HOP staff ran Brighton Marathon for Whoopsadaisy & National Autistic Society  

On a hot, sunny 10th April 2011, Jon Orrell, Nicole Parker and Alan Taylor completed the second Brighton Marathon for their chosen charities!  It was no mean feat, especially on the hottest day of the year so far! Over £12,000 was raised for the two charities, which is absolutely amazing; thank you to everyone who supported us!

Senior Structural Engineer, Jon Fox, ran the Szczecin half marathon in Poland at the end of August and was the only English participant finishing in a respectable 1 hour 40 mins!

Jon Fox and Owen Protheroe will be running in the Brighton Marathon 2012 too.

---

HOP Scoops Engineering Innovation Award

• HOP Civil Engineers are very pleased to have won the Institution of Civil Engineers (South) Geoffrey Osborne Award for Innovation presented by the then President of our Institution, Dr Jean Venables, on 19 June at the ICE South Awards Dinner.
  
  This was for the civil engineering design of the roads and permeable paving drainage for the new school access, car park and sports court at Hurstpierpoint College, incorporating reduced flood risk by using Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).
  
  The judges said that “... it was clear that the project paid a lot of attention to overcome problems to an exceptionally high innovative standard ... a number of exceptional innovative solutions...”.
  
  We have very strong Highways, Flood Risk, Marine and Civil Engineering teams here at HOP able to offer engineering advice for feasibility and planning applications through to construction stage.
  
  Our Civil Engineering teams have been quietly getting on with things like this for approaching 10 years now, so it’s nice to get a bit of recognition.
• AMEX Community Stadium - The Structural Steel Design Awards 2011 sponsored by Tata Steel and The British Constructional Steelwork Association – HOP were presented with a certificate as Concept Designers for the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, which received an Award for the high standard of design achieved.
• LEMO Building – HOP receives prestigious South East region Local Authority Building Control Award for Best Commercial Development

---

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE Review

As a measure of the training, nurturing and importance we give to staff, we have passed the second round of Investors in People’s reviews with flying colours, with our assessor using words like: ‘truly impressive’ in relation to our commitment to learning and development. HOP are pleased to employ top quality staff and only by proper investment in people can we continue to maintain and improve.

The assessor’s overriding impression of HOP was of a ‘professional and progressive firm where investing in people is seen as pivotal to on-going success’.

We are also members of CONSTRUCTION LINE and are a Construction Health and Safety (CHAS) registered contractor.

All members of staff who are likely to go on site now hold CSCS cards - keeping right up there with health and safety legislation and procedures.

---

Staff News

Despite the recession HOP have continued to invest in the recruitment and training of new staff to ensure the long-term health of the business into the future. We welcome back Liz Bulman as JonO’s Personal Assistant, Max Baker – Technician, Neil Chaston – Civil & Coastal Engineer, Robert Collett - Design Engineer and Senior Structural Engineer – Ramyata Paruchuri.

Our policy of learning and training, professional development of staff and internal promotions wherever possible has meant that our staff retention remains exceptionally good despite difficult times in the construction industry.

Adam Humphrey joins John Spearman, Jon Orrell and Alan Taylor as an Equity Director.

Our Associate Directors David Jones, Mark Naumann, Lee Stewart and Nigel Hosker bring special skills and assume specific responsibilities within the HOP organisation.

---

HOP and the ICE South Schools Initiative

Our presentation ‘The Rough Guide to Civil & Structural Engineering’ has been adopted by the Institution of Civil Engineers to show schoolchildren how interesting and fulfilling a career in Civil Engineering can be. See also Education and Training Zone.

---

HOP Sends the R.E’s to Normandy

We were recently pleased to sponsor the Royal Engineers Troop Commanders course via our own Ross Wendover, through Sandhurst and the Parachute Regiment, now with 9 Para RE. The lads took a section of World War II Bailey Bridge panel out to Le Grand Bunker in Normandy (Sword Beach), which proved to be a great photo opportunity for the French press as you can see.

HOP’s connection with the military extends back to D-Day when Lt Bob Orrell blew the doors of the main command bunker on Sword Beach, capturing 52 officers and men for which he received a King’s letter, a Mention in Despatches and promotion to Captain. This bunker is now the best museum of D-Day on the Normandy coast and features Bob Orrell RE and the work of the Royal Engineers at D-Day – well worth a visit.

‘Saving Private Ryan’s Landing Craft’
HOP procured a WWII Higgins boat, the actual one used in the dramatic opening sequence of the film ‘Saving Private Ryan’, saved from a naval scrapyard in Portsmouth.  Now on display as part of the sponsored landscaping of the Holmbush Roundabout, Shoreham. 

---

HOP and Brighton Pier

Even Zoe Ball is interested in HOP’s work under the pier. Our teams regularly check the structure and design all necessary repair, renewal and extension works. See www.brightonpier.co.uk

---