friday update

Good evening to you all.

As we find ourselves at the end of 13 weeks of lockdown it certainly feels as if there is light at the end of the tunnel and we are making sizeable steps forward to regain strength. As alluded to last week, our productivity rates are certainly inline or indeed exceeding industry averages and we are confident for the future as levels of new enquiries remain buoyant and we have a strong pipeline of secured work ahead of us.

Our current position is certainly more optimistic than we would have expected and as such has allowed us to reassess the salary reductions that were implemented at the point of furlough. I am therefore delighted to report that from 1st June 2020 (payable this month) all salaries have been increased to 90%, including those who remain furloughed. At this time, and until we are all reinstated to 100% , the Directors salaries will remain reduced to 50%.

Only a small number of staff remain furloughed at this time to further protect the business until we find ourselves back to 100% productivity which, whilst we are making good progress, may take some time so please do remain patient. I certainly appreciate that 13 weeks is a very long time to be away from work so please do stay motivated, engaged and in touch with your colleagues. The Directors and I remain on hand should you have any questions or concerns at this time.

Today has given me another opportunity to leave the office and visit a couple of our more local sites at Folkestone Seafront Development Phase 1 and Rose Lane, Stelling Minnis which were both a hive of activity. Once again it is encouraging to see how well our site teams have adapted to new ways of working and fully addressed their responsibilities in light of current circumstances. I know from reports from both Nick and Michael that this extends across all our sites which is hugely reassuring and I look forward to visiting more of you in coming weeks.

Works at Amberstone Road in Hailsham are also progressing well (as pictured below) and the development certainly flies our Sussex flag as we continue to push our geographical working boundaries outside of Kent with more work coming forwards in this region.

Additional praise must go to the General Works team led by Frank Slegg who have worked tirelessly to deliver fire protection works at the William Harvey Hospital over recent weeks. This project has been particularly challenging logistically amidst an incredibly sensitive and high-risk environment as the main hospital for COVID-19 care in the region, experiencing the true reality of the pandemic first-hand that most of us have thankfully been sheltered from. Night-working, careful programming and the utmost care and consideration for the patients and staff at the hospital has been essential. The project is now in the final stages with handover anticipated for 3rd July.

Over the past few months the team have worked incredibly hard to sign contracts on behalf of Kirk Estates Ltd at Springwood Road in Maidstone where we will be delivering 160 apartments to provide essential keyworker accommodation, with the enabling works commencing next month. Our ability to directly negotiate this opportunity with a new client truly reflects the strength of our business reputation, the excellent and trusted relations we can swiftly establish and also the quality of our workmanship having utilised our past projects at Montfort Manor (Ashford Care) and the Curious Brewery to showcase our capabilities.

The Jenner (Virtual) Roadtrip mileage has slowed somewhat this week which tells me it is time to draw this to a natural conclusion and announce Cuba as our final destination and which seems an ideal journey’s end. To achieve in excess of 7000 miles over the past few months is really positive and I hope it has gone someway to help keep everyone engaged and entertained during lockdown. Once again family Hodgson & Co have truly surpassed themselves with their efforts but I would like to express a huge thank you and well done to all who have participated. Of course please do continue to stay active and I’m sure we’ll have another challenge for you all before too long.

Lastly, but of course by no means least, it’s another opportunity to celebrate some more notable birthdays this week, that cannot go without mention. Happy Birthday to Sandra Lacey who yesterday celebrated her half century milestone and to Jim Gosbee who turned 65 a few weeks back, which slipped under the lockdown radar, so belated happy birthday wishes are sent from us all and thankfully no thoughts of retirement yet Jim!

That’s all from me for today other than to wish you all a relaxed and enjoyable weekend in the sunshine.