Friday update

Friday is upon us once again and the weeks really do continue to pass very quickly, which I feel must be a good indication that we remain industrious, focused and making sizeable steps forwards. With many aspects of normality returning week by week I have been giving due consideration as to whether my ‘Friday Update’ should continue, given the original purpose of these being to communicate, inform and reassure during the uncertainty of furlough.

Many of you have offered positive feedback that the updates have been welcomed, enjoyed and offered a degree of reassurance during anxious and difficult times to keep everyone feeling included and engaged, which is really encouraging to hear. Now the vast majority of you are back to work I would welcome your thoughts on whether or not you feel the updates are beneficial, and as such would request you all to take a moment to complete a short survey to gauge opinion on our levels of communication, as well as to assess in your view the more general matter of the companys performance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Your opinions are incredibly important to ensure we are efficient and effective going forwards and to understand and inform any areas of improvement we may need to make.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Jenner_COVID19

Whilst we continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, as I believe we will continue to do for some time to come with many aspects of change here to stay, I sincerely hope that the upbeat focus surrounding the construction industry and the Chancellor’s recent statement unveiling a raft of measures to keep construction moving and ensure the housing market remains buoyant, will offer some comfort for the future. With reports of the sharpest improvements in construction output since June 2018 and headlines claiming “Builders are the stars of the UK economy as lockdown is eased” I feel we should rightly remain optimistic for the future and continue with the same enthusiasm of recent months. I unreservedly express the huge pride that I and my co-Directors have in the whole Jenner team which continues to shape us as one of the most respected and admired South East Contractors and an employer of choice, which I regard incredibly highly.

Considering approximately 200,000 people across Kent remain furloughed at this time, I think we are doing exceptionally well with just a small percentage of staff who remain in the scheme. The furlough process has proved critical to our recovery and as we continue to adapt and respond to the ever changing circumstances it is good to know we still have the security of this scheme to protect employment and the business until the end of October should we need it.

Having assessed performance over the past economic quarter since lockdown commenced, the trend is surprisingly positive showing continuous improvement in construction output and a projected stabilisation of profitability, and this has allowed us, earlier than anticipated, to once again reassess the salary reductions that were necessarily imposed. It is with great pleasure that I can announce that all salaries will be reinstated to 100% full salary from 1st July, which I hope you will recognise as tangible evidence of our recovery and undoubtedly something to celebrate. I hope this will offer greater financial relief personally and thank you all for your patience, acceptance and understanding that this measure was absolutely essential to safeguard the business for future longevity.

Taking a look at performance across our sites, once again it is reassuring to see that everyone continues to play their part in driving our projects forward with many rapidly reaching handover to our clients. With William Harvey Hospital Fire Protection Works, Beaver Road Ashford refurbishment, Rye Day Care Centre and Valley Park Sports Hall all completing in the coming weeks it is an incredibly busy time, and the tireless efforts to push these projects over the line most certainly do not go unnoticed. Rye Day Care Centre, as just one example is pictured below and looking fantastic.

Having recently achieved such a positive Considerate Constructors report, the team at William Muge and Snelgrove are storming ahead with the project reaching its ‘Topping-Out’ milestone and firm progress being made with the interior fit-out. Sadly current circumstance means this will go without the usual gathering of local dignitaries to mark the occasion but the press release by Dover District Council below will be issued to local media and we will ensure an even bigger celebration when the project completes next year.

https://www.dover.gov.uk/News/Press-Releases/2020/Affordable-housing-project-meets-key-construction-milestone.aspx

That’s all from me for another week. No milestone birthdays, childbirths or other momentous occasions that I’m aware of (other than tattoo parlours reopening next week which might please some of you!) Please do take a moment to complete the survey, it shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes and is anonymous so you can be as honest and candid as you wish.

I hope you will all continue to stay safe and well, and I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend that promises to deliver the recently absent sunshine back to us.