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Well its come around to me to write again and I simply can’t believe we have reached Christmas and the end of the year. Its had its moments, as no doubt has been the experience for most businesses in recent years since recession kicked in but we really feel pretty fortunate to still be working on some great projects and with some bright prospects for 2012.
We have only recently heard that the Interserve team, of which we are a part, has effectively won (by becoming ‘preferred bidder’) the PFI contract to design, build and operate 3 major HQ and Training facility projects for West Yorks Police, something for which we have done a tremendous amount of up front work already. The MIRA (Motor Industry Research Asssociation) business park project on which we provided Landscape and EIA input should also hit the ground next year after succesfully achieving both planning and government infrastructure funding.
Overseas the Cyprus Cultural Centre in Nicosia and Kuwait Beach House projects should also hit the ground, as should numerous schools, housing and mixed use projects in this country.
Alshamsi terra firma continues our presence in the Gulf with the massive Al Muneera project completing in January, the new Hard Rock Hotel in Abu Dhabi hopefully commencing construction next year and detailed design well underway for various other projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia (where we are assisting on the interior landscape for the new Riyadh Stock Exchange).
Highlights this year have included the weddings of both Martin and Tom; both Ramune’s and Tom’s success in gaining Chartership status; awards for a Portsmouth University Dentistry Outreach Centre (pictured below) and a garden in Surrey; the opening of Swansea Maggies Centre and as ever, the joy of working in such a varied and exciting field and with such great people.
Let me take the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and with very best wishes for 2012.
Lionel
