High Concrete Group’s Post

This week, I’ve been raising awareness to drive action around human rights, all in the build up to today which is #AntiSlaveryDay. But the truth is, we need to talk about this topic more. #ModernSlavery, it’s a scary term, people often see it as something that happens somewhere else, to someone else, but it’s happening all around us. If you work in the #BuiltEnvironment, I urge you to check out these resources which have been launched this week: 🔹️The Operational Toolkit: Combatting Slavery in the Built Environment from Supply Chain Sustainability School (UK) and the phenomenal Emma-Jane (EJ) Allen AIEMA. https://lnkd.in/eErtqftK 🔹️A fantastic new video from Unseen UK – everyone should see this video, it’s less than 3 minutes long. #Share it with your colleagues, your supply chain, your customers. https://lnkd.in/e-w_6kVK On Wednesday I attended the Built Environment Against Slavery: Insights, Actions and Collaboration conference. I get so much out of co-chairing the working group with the fabulous María Fernández Cachafeiro but having the opportunity to meet face to face with people took it to a whole new level. It was incredible to be amongst some truly inspiring speakers John Bullivant, Elaine Mitchel-Hill, Dame Sara Thornton, Sally Taylor, Martin Buttle, and Phillip C. to name a few! The most inspiring and motivating of all was an incredibly brave #Survivor of modern slavery, who told her utterly horrifying story, it shook me. Thankfully, she (eventually) got the support she needed and with a lot of hardwork and determination has flourished. What struck me most was her answer to a simple question: ”What would have made a difference in your situation” and her response? “A conversation – a genuine, meaningful interaction with someone who took the time to ask how I am and really listen. The reality is, sometimes all it takes to change a life is a conversation. So next time you’re walking past someone and give them the casual “Alright?” as you're passing – please stop. Make eye contact. If you’re going to ask, take the time to actually listen. You might be the first person to engage with them in weeks or months. That simple act of noticing someone, could make all the difference to help them find a way out. It costs nothing, but it could mean everything. People are being exploited all around us – it’s often hidden, but it’s there. It’s an organised crime, and these criminals are very good at organising themselves to avoid detection. We can’t let it fade into the background once today is over. This is about lives, not statistics. Please don't look away. Let’s not wait until next year to talk about this again. Let’s do more than talk, let’s act. And make sure no one is left unheard or unseen. #AntiSlaveryDay #ModernSlavery #HumanRights #Sustainability #Construction #BuiltEnvironment #LabourExploitation

Let's celebrate reconciliation in action! Woodfibre LNG is dedicated to fostering meaningful partnerships with the Squamish Nation and creating a sustainable future together. The leadership at WLNG exemplifies a commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship, paving the way for a low-emission world we can all be proud of. In light of recent events highlighting disrespectful behavior towards local Chiefs and Elders during the April 23, 2024 public hearing, it's a stark reminder of the significant journey still ahead towards mutual understanding and genuine reconciliation. Why impede progress that brings equitable opportunities to local Indigenous communities? Let's wholeheartedly support our Indigenous partners in their quest for prosperity, self-determination, and economic empowerment. Chief Dale Harry remarks carry significant weight. Time stamp:(1:20:03 / 5:57:30) https://lnkd.in/gdVJ4M7d Chief Ian Campbell, MBA shares profound words. Time stamp:(3:11:01 / 5:57:30) https://lnkd.in/gCjm-p8B delay in feed (3:11:35-3:12:15) https://lnkd.in/gXfBm7g3 I strongly suggest the District of Squamish Council consider hosting training sessions on engaging with Indigenous leaders. Such efforts consistently yield positive results. Council's vote on the temporary use permit for the flotel. 5:50:00 / 5:57:30 https://lnkd.in/gH_mtMmN The Squamish community along with WLNG reps shared valuable insights. The innovative solution of the flotel and the diligent work of the Woodfibre gender safety committee are shining examples of the commitment to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. Together, let's work towards a future where collaboration, respect, and opportunity thrive for all. Join us in championing positive change and building a brighter tomorrow. Lets celebrate the diversity and rich heritage of the Indigenous peoples. By fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and collaboration, we can strive towards a future where all voices are heard, valued, and respected. Together, let's build a stronger, more inclusive community for generations to come. #ReconciliationInAction #ListenAndSupport #Empowerment #SafetyFirst

When I moved to #Scotland, I knew about three people. I came here to join my teammates at DC Thomson as we work together on two hugely ambitious challenges. 📢 Delivering quality paywalled digital local news to better serve our communities. Our The Courier and The Press and Journal under the guidance of Tom Miller are now global case studies in how to counter the rise of news deserts. ⚡ Launching E-FWD, a B2B energy community with a mission to accelerate the transition to secure, clean energy. Now growing exponentially at the centre of a new DC Thomson community powered by Energy Voice and the amazing team at Fifth Ring. One of the first people I connected with was Russell Dalgleish, thanks to LinkedIn. He was the first person I met for a coffee, and yesterday, we caught up to reflect on my journey so far. I have found Scotland to be a nation of problem solvers. Its business community that really pulls together to keep things moving forwards is built on: 👩💻 A world-class workforce. 🔬 Cutting-edge research. ⚡ A shared commitment to delivering a secure clean energy future. Scotland has been the perfect place to execute these ambitious projects for DC Thomson and its innovative spirit and collaborative ecosystem make it a brilliant place to launch and grow businesses. Thank you, Russell, for your advice, encouragement, and for being one of the first people to make me feel welcome here. Glad that we worked Timber Engineering UK in there too Caryn Gibson! Mike Soutar how will we top this backdrop for our Linkedin video collaboration? 💬 What’s been your experience of starting or growing a business in Scotland? Let’s go 2025! 🚀 #Scotland #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CleanEnergy Tim Allan CBE | Dr Marie Mary Stewart Macklin CBE | Russell Dalgleish | Liz McAreavey | Keith Anderson | Alistair Phillips-Davies | Evelyn McDonald | Claire Baird | Sarah Medcraf | Douglas McCabe | Joanna Campbell | Stephen Leckie | Rodney Ayre | Janette Harkess | Karen Somerville | Poonam Gupta OBE | Kirsty Thomson FRSA | Charandeep Singh BEM | Cameron McKendrick Mary Ann Smith

Accurate #cost-of-living information is diverse by nature. https://lnkd.in/gfgQ3z4Z

Polco's Community Livability Snapshot (CLS) is a powerful tool that visually represents your city's quality of life. This data-driven snapshot offers a clear and concise assessment of your government's performance, highlighting areas for improvement. By leveraging Polco's CLS, your city can make informed decisions, prioritize resources effectively, and continuously enhance your community. Any community can access their CLS and other resources by registering for a Free Polco account here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Bq9Np0 #Polco #Government #Policy #CommunityLivability #PolcoCLS #LocalGovernment #CommunityEngagement #DataDriven #DataDrivenDecisions #SmartCities #GovernmentTransparency #CommunityDevelopment

This month's issue of Smart Business Network #Cleveland highlights the important collaboration demonstrated by the region's business, community and governmental resources. Read ahead for key insights from Citymark Capital CEO Daniel Walsh into the leaders and organizations striving to help our great city reach its full potential: https://bit.ly/47tCzq8 #CEOInsights #SmartBusiness #SmartBusinessCleveland For relevant disclosures, please refer to: https://lnkd.in/eKJMERt

An ASX-listed business commissioned me some time ago to update and expand upon its rich history. The result was a 55,000-word book that included in-depth interviews with former and current chairs, CEOs and employees and extensive archival research. The book was recently published by Allen & Unwin. Understanding your organisation's history can provide valuable lessons and insights into its past, present and future. Documenting an organisation's achievements and challenges, as well as its people and stories, can also give employees and stakeholders a richer sense of its ethos and purpose. Such an exercise does not have to take the form of a book. It could be a series of articles, additional website pages, or social media posts. If you value your organisation's history and believe it is worth recording, contact me to discuss what might work best for you and your organisation.

First Nation Leadership, CEOs, and Managers: You can't do it all. Heck, I've been there as a CEO and Manager. I have been working with three great companies that would be an asset to your First Nation. Reach out to me to set up an introduction. #pamihtaw #indigenousbusiness #partnerships #mou #jointventure #firstnations

Future Cities Forum recently held its ‘Cultural Cities’ discussion event at the British Film Institute (BFI), and the topics of discussion were how current arts funding is encouraging diversity and inclusion, and the use of sustainable materials for art installations and heritage experience. Andrew Wylie, partner, Buro Happold, contributed to the discussion referring to two projects where we have worked with the environment rather than against it. He used the recent ‘wrapping’ of the Barbican as an example of this, saying, “As the Barbican is a listed building, we could not fix any of the material to it and you cannot drill into concrete because then you start to create problems. So, we added weights and subframes to the material and hundreds of kilometres of ratchet straps. There was the challenge of wind speeds to deal with, so we worked on the risk management as if we were sailors, enabling the fabric to be lifted and lowered with the wind speed, like trimming sails.” Andrew also discussed the Bath Abbey Footprint project and how it is heated all year round, he said, “The solution lay in the great drain from the Roman Baths which flows out into the river at 25 degrees centigrade. We wanted to use it to heat the Abbey so used a heat pump to raise the temperature to 50 degrees and dug low level trenches to give a background warmth and prevent damp. The challenge was not to subject people to bugs in the water and also to stop the systems from calcifying.” Read the ‘Cultural Cities 2024’ report in full here: https://buro.im/3xQzNxJ Find out more about the Bath Abbey Footprint here: https://buro.im/bafp Find out more about the ‘wrapping’ of the Barbican here: https://lnkd.in/eppr7M8k #culturalsector #heritagebuildings #sustainability #Barbican #Bathabbey

During this upcoming week of reflection, consider how committing '5 for the Future' could benefit our community. 5fortheFutureofIowa.org