General

As our brilliant city continues to attract some major investors we have been fortunate to have played our part in the following schemes:- 2022 Commonwealth Games, HS2, Paradise and a number of high-end residential projects.

Supporting a wide spectrum of consultancies across the UK and Europe we have seen a real desire to invest and grow their offerings and last year our portfolio included the following areas, which continue to grow:-

• ARCHITECTURE
• STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
• CIVIL ENGINEERING
• ARCHAEOLOGY
• ECOLOGY
• TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND ENGINEERING
• RAIL
• HEALTH AND SAFETY
• NUCLEAR
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT

To explore our current roles further please visit us at:- www.jfmassociates.co.uk

(As the majority of our staff have continued to base themselves from home we have been fortunate in many ways to share images of the surroundings we have enjoyed over the past two years – `Olton Mere` is our first image taken by one of our keen amateurs).

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

UK construction output is expected to bounce back to 2.3% growth in 2019 after dipping by 0.6% this year.

The growth hiatus this year ends the five-year run enjoyed by the industry, fed mainly by private sector home building and strong commercial and industrial activity.

While forecast 2019 and 2020 growth will boost civils contractors and trade contractors working for house builders, commercial building contractors are expected to continue to feel the squeeze in both commercial and retail work opportunities.

The latest forecast from economists at the Construction Products Association, revises 2018 output down from stagnation to contraction, due mainly to bad weather and the fall-out from Carillion.

Forecasters predict growth will bounce back in 2019 and then expand by 1.9% in 2020.

Strong house building activity outside London will drive up activity in this sector by 5% in 2018 and 2% in 2019.

Infrastructure will also become a primary driver of growth for the whole industry, with output forecast to hit a historic high of £23.6bn by 2020, driven by large projects such as HS2 and Hinkley Point C.

As JFM gets ready to enter Q4 2018 we see a very encouraging increase in requirements across the country.  Key areas of growth continue to be in Highways, Transportation, Infrastructure, Structural Engineering, Building Services.

Our clients are all seeing a significant improvement in work for 2019 and are keen to make a number of critical appointments to their businesses in the coming months.

For more detailed information keep an eye on our vacancies page and speak to the team at JFM, even if you are possibly just contemplating a move, our consultants are well placed to advise you on the current market.

Following the green light towards the end of last year for the new 2026 Delivery Plan for Transport the West Midlands once again is thrust into the spotlight.

The document, prepared by Transport for West Midlands, sets out a blueprint for the region’s transport developments over the next decade and aims to ensure readiness for the arrival of High Speed 2 in 2026.

“Transport is key as we work to ensure the West Midlands punches its weight nationally and globally,” said the Combined Authority’s lead member for transport Roger Lawrence.

He added: “The Delivery Plan maps out the way forward for transport in this region in delivering future prosperity. Now that this blueprint has been approved we can get to work in putting it into action.”

The plan includes a mix of committed schemes, potential projects for which funding will be sought and a set of longer term proposed initiatives.

Projects to be built over the coming decade include £3.4Bn of Midland Metro tram extensions serving, among other places, a new High Speed 2 station at Birmingham Curzon Street as well as Solihull and Dudley & Sandwell.

Well known for our contribution to the transportation planning sector over the past 25 years JFM is in a strong position offering a host of opportunities across Planning, Modelling and Economics with a wide range of multidisciplinary consultancies as well as independent practices.

As investment in Birmingham continues – so it is now more than ever not only the best place to invest, but also to live.

Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine, said: “The Midlands UK delegation will show the world that the region is open for business.

“We are confident about the future and are ready to build on the Midlands commercial and trading history.

“Where else can you find one of the fastest growing regions in the world, sitting at the heart of one of the world’s largest economies, with a bed of skills and infrastructure in which to grow your business.

“By working together, Midlands UK will promote the region to investors and trade partners – delivering more growth, exports, jobs, and a better quality of life for those living in the region.”

Once again the region has proved to be key to the health of the economy in terms of growth and future stability. For many years deprived of investment and somewhat overlooked, our diverse range of skillsets, unrivalled location and passion for our region has become a focal point.

Having worked in the region for many years I have experienced a huge surge in requirements for all levels of design and project management specialists amongst other requests for legal and financial specialists. We are continually being called upon to support established and fledging companies – who are benefitting from the investment our region so richly deserves.

Whilst not on an Industrial Revolution scale, this is a new era for our region and showcases our endless talent and puts us firmly back on the map.

JFM welcomes approach from newly formed government organisation to join their advisory team on industry standards and recruitment practices. As GDPR becomes reality shortly, so the focus and importance of good practice is highly significant. JFM is proud to have been selected for their length and breadth of experience and true empathy with the industry.

JFM assists a global consultancy in locating a National Transport Leader for their modelling group. The role has been a critical one to the organisation for some time and so our client was delighted that were successful in locating a suitably skilled individual through our network of contacts throughout the transportation market.

Good times ahead for JFM as we start 2018 with a significant rise in requirements. Our five top roles
currently include the following:

• Head of Structural Engineering – Midlands
• Director for Transport – Manchester
• Director for Environmental Planning – London
• Principal Structural Engineer – Birmingham
• Technical Director – Transport Modelling – Midlands

See our website for further details, or call us now for more information on these roles and others
that currently exist.