In Merseyside alone the business, founded by one of the region’s best-known health and safety consultants, Alan Robson, is playing a key role in projects worth more than £100m. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool construction safety consultancy, Project Four, is working on property schemes worth in excess of £550m across the UK.
In Merseyside alone the business, founded by one of the region’s best-known health and safety consultants, Alan Robson, is playing a key role in projects worth more than £100m including hotels, apartment complexes and a new fire station.
Alan set up the business in October 2016 and was joined by co-director and specialist safety advisor and former surveyor, Max Meadows, in June 2017.
Specialist clients
Its development clients include Liverpool-based YPG, who is delivering a number of local schemes, and FI Real Estate, which is currently undertaking a £185m office-to-residential conversion in Croydon.
Project Four is also retained as designer lead by a number of specialist firms, including K2 Architects, JDA Architects, Shedkm Architectural in Liverpool and London, Boyes Rees in London and Cardiff, Zerum Consult in Manchester, Smith & Young Architects Liverpool, Fletcher Rae Architects.
Complex projects
Over the last few years Alan and Max have established a firm reputation for their expertise in helping to deliver complex projects, often involving multiple partners.
Project Four set up home in Avenue HQ in the shadow of the Three Graces, on Liverpool’s world famous waterfront, in 2017. And, from a standing start, the firm has already established itself as a formidable player in the construction sector in the North West and across the UK.
The business specialises in construction, design and management (CDM), which relates to the process whereby construction projects of all sizes and types are planned and delivered. New CDM regulations came into force in 2015 introducing greater accountability for the client and introducing a new role of principal designer.
“The industry is struggling to grasp the changes – we are seeing some really bad advice being given and former CDM coordinators taking on the new principal designer role, which is wrong,” says Alan.
Max adds: “Project Four have capitalised on this confusion in the industry by offering strategic CDM advice to various retained architect practices, contractors and developers.”
Common sense
Alan explained: “Embarking on any construction project – be it an apartment building, a school or a fire station – is a complex logistical process. Not only does it have to be delivered on time and within budget but it has to be meticulously planned with strict adherence to building and health and safety regulations.
“At Project Four we have an experienced team of CDM experts who, using a common sense approach, provide a vital resource to developers and contractors.”
“We are working with clients on a retained basis, which means fewer clients but a far more involved working relationship. This in turn reduces fees paid out on a project by project basis and offers greater levels of compliance and confidence for our clients.”
Principal designer
Project Four offers expert support to the ‘principal designer’ on each project. A principal designer is required under CDM regulations and his or her job is to plan, manage and monitor all aspects of health and safety.
Project Four also offers a full range of health and safety consultancy and can provide expert advice on asbestos risk management and legislative compliance. Project Four director Max Meadows provides high-level expertise on all asbestos-related issues.
Alan added: “In a short space of time we have put together one of the best CDM teams in the country with a level of expertise that is hard to match. We are proud to be playing a major role in the ongoing regeneration of our home city and we are now taking that know-how across the UK.”
“We look forward to announcing a new project appointment on a high profile scheme on the Liverpool waterfront, just a few steps from our office in the coming months.”