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Medical research has achieved some extraordinary breakthroughs over the past few years and collaboration between clinicians, researchers and the pharmaceutical sector means that effective treatments are improving outcomes for patients faster than ever. The use of HPAPI (high potency active pharmaceutical ingredients), often highly toxic compounds that target unhealthy cells without damaging healthy cells, has become an area of huge potential for innovation.
As a continuation of the 'Meet our design team' campaign, we'd like to present a short interview with another key member of BES team, our Architecture Subject Matter Expert, Graham Pomfret. Graham has over 40 years experience in the construction industry, initially working for a number of architectural practices in the North West before moving into the pharmaceutical/healthcare sector over 25 years ago. He works closely with clients to develop and finalise the facility layout, material/personnel flows and finishes, and alongside the BES multi-disciplined design team through to construction to ensure that value management and quality assurance processes were applied to the project. Graham has an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical and healthcare facilities coupled with a strong technical background in construction.
As part of our campaign 'Meet Our Design Team', we'd like to introduce Martina Antalova, our Design Lead. Martina leads the design delivery, ensuring the design's technical and commercial success; responsible for all aspects of the HVAC design, she guides our multidisciplinary dedicated project teams to produce fully integrated design solutions. Martina provides technical expertise and innovation through all stages of the project from front end consultancy to detailed design. Her role requires strong communication skills, as she works closely with the clients to develop and finalise specialist projects. In her interview, Martina tells us about her role and current projects; she explains what she appreciates the most about her work and what qualities are required to be successful in her role.
As part of our campaign 'Meet BES Design Team', we'd like to introduce Neil Pulman, our Principal Architect. Neil guides our multidisciplinary design teams and clients to ensure effective design of large scale, complex projects with a focus on satisfying client requirements beyond regulatory compliance, to create effective buildings. Neil's work is mainly centred around the feasibility and concept stages of design with an emphasis on site and master planning, and building organization. His experience allows him to break down clients complex requirements in to simple components to provide eloquent solutions that become easy to construct. Here, Neil answers questions about his role, the current projects he's working on and industry challenges.
As part of our campaign 'Meet Our Design Team', we'd like to introduce Marcus Francis, our Design Lead. Marcus leads a multidisciplinary design team from appointment to completion of a project, and is responsible for the designs technical and commercial success. Guiding the design team to produce a coordinated design solution with due regard to both design and construction programmes and budgetary requirements, he provides technical expertise and innovation through all stages of the project including Concept, Basic and Detailed design and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. In delivering projects for major Blue Chip Clients Marcus has been praised for his innovative approach and attention to detail. In his interview, Marcus talks about his approach to design of pharmaceutical and healthcare sophisticated environments and explains why he enjoys working in the industry.
Our BD Manager, Garry Horrocks discusses the importance of managing the financial and operational risk associated with hospital clean room and aseptic facilities, highlighting an example in the Middle East where lack of specialist expertise in the original design led to costly and time-consuming re-design, strip out and retrofit.
With a continued reliance on digital communication and more sophisticated planning software, project delivery needs real face to face interaction more than ever. The BES 'Plan Do Review' or 'PDR' process is a tried and tested forum which encourages communication and collaboration and is an integral part of our project delivery.
The engineering industry is currently suffering a skills shortage as there is a lack of young people entering the sector. According to reports, to meet demand UK businesses will require over 186,000 people with engineering skills every year from 2017 to 2024. Could increasing awareness of apprenticeships help solve the skills shortage? Here, Josh Collins, our mechanical design engineer, answers questions about his experiences as an apprentice and the benefits of choosing this route into engineering.
For many years, the construction industry was said to be behind the times in adopting new technology. Whilst the automotive, energy and aerospace industries evolved and incorporated concepts such as Industry 4.0, construction was left behind. Neil Pullman, principal architect at, Boulting Environmental Services, explores the differences between BIM Levels, their benefits and what it means for the pharmaceutical sector.
From 2013 to 2014 only 3.4 per cent of those applying for engineering apprenticeships were women. National Women in Engineering Day (NWED) takes place on June 23, celebrating female engineering role models. Here, Martina Antalova MSc in Building Services, and lead mechanical design engineer at cleanroom and laboratory design and construction specialist, Boulting Environmental Services, explains how we can encourage more women to become engineers.