University of Derby: Civil Engineering Construction Management Report

This report provides a detailed overview of Bowmer + Kirkland Ltd, a prominent British construction services and security firm. It covers the company's history, organizational structure, operations, and financial performance. The report delves into the company's quality management systems, emphasizing their commitment to client satisfaction and adherence to ISO9001:2015 standards. It also examines health, safety, and environmental management practices, highlighting the importance of regulatory compliance and employee safety. Furthermore, the report analyzes Bowmer + Kirkland's financial and commercial systems, including financial management systems (FMS) and commercial management systems (CMS), as well as human resources management. The report concludes with a discussion of ethics and sustainability within the company, emphasizing its commitment to ethical conduct and sustainable practices. References are provided for further research.

First Name Last Name
Instructor
civil engineering- construction management
10 April 2020
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
History.....................................................................................................................................................2
The organization structures.....................................................................................................................2
Operations...............................................................................................................................................2
Budget.....................................................................................................................................................3
Quality.........................................................................................................................................................3
Quality Management Systems.....................................................................................................................3
Health safety and environmental management..........................................................................................4
Financial and commercial systems..............................................................................................................5
Financial Management Systems, FMS.....................................................................................................5
Commercial Management Systems, CMS................................................................................................6
Human Resources Management.................................................................................................................7
Ethics and sustainability..............................................................................................................................8
Ethics.......................................................................................................................................................8
Sustainability...........................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................9
References.................................................................................................................................................11

Last Name 2
Coursework Assignment
Bowmer + Kirkland Ltd
Introduction
History
Bowmer + Kirkland Group (B+K) is a British construction services and security firm
founded in 1923 as a collaboration by Alfred Bowmer and Robert William Kirkland. Ever since,
it has evolved to be a prominent private development and construction company. There are 29
firms in the company, which are mostly construction-related, but there is a Homeland Security
Group, it has firms doing business in the United Kingdom and the United States. In November
2018, the organization rebranded, swapping colors and fonts and removing the stylized logo to a
plus symbol.
The organization structures
The business is based in Heage, Derbyshire, with B+K regional branch offices in
Scotland, Sunderland, London and Manchester. Bowmer + Kirkland has more than 1400 staff
and has been certified by Investors in People in 2001 and has been reaccredited in 2004, 2007,
2011 and 2016. The company is very much a family company with its culture, values and ethos
molded on the very basis that the company is family owned(2012).
The company is headed by eight board of directors under the chairmanship of Jack
Kirkland. The next level of management consists of eight regional directors with David Scorer
being the Group director of Construction. The next level constitutes a team of key personnel
including Frame Director Chris Arno, Group PR Manager, Group Business Development
Manager, Human Resource Manager, Group Director of Health and Safety, and Technical
Education and Environment Manager.
Operations
The company’s commitment to client satisfaction in its operations prides it to developing
into the largest and most successful privately owned development and construction groups in the
United Kingdom. In the past half-decade, the firm has secured projects valued at three billion
pounds with 63% of the projects being secured from returning clients. The firm serves both
public and private client base delivered locally through regional personnel team.
The company’s operations ranges in 10 key sectors such as; accommodations,
commercial properties, distribution properties such as go downs and warehouses, Educational

Last Name 3
both further and higher learning institutions education both primary and secondary level
institutions and facilities, Health facilities such laboratories, Hospitals etc., industrial properties
such as factories, warehouses, Leisure facilities such as tracks and pools, Mixed use properties,
Retail and Sport facilities.
The construction department, which accounts for eighty percent of the turnover, is an
Affiliate Member of the Constructors System. The business has won a range of Gold Awards
from RoSPA and has developed standards for Efficiency, Management Processes, Ethical Work,
Training and Growth, Sustainability and Climate, and the Code of Ethics for Subcontractors –
enabling the industry’s supply chain align with B+K's own operating practices and standards
(Walker, 2016).
Budget
The annual turnover 2019 was 938 million pounds, and a pretax profit of 54.5 million
pounds. The company net assets grew to 436 million pounds with a healthy cash balance being
achieved/ maintained- end year net cash position s at 409 million pounds.
Quality
Quality is key to retaining clients and preserving their trust such that future engagements
are more motivated. Quality services make a significant difference to long-term profits and
productivity (Halpin, Senior, & Lucko, 2019). Defining quality in companies is what really
counts and what makes the difference. Identifying the quality attributes of a service includes
breaking it down, calculating and monitoring it. Such measures are how organizations should
identify their product and develop, I prove and maintain a brand or a reputation in the market
(Brook, 2017). In this regard, Bowman and Kirkland Group employs a number of quality
management systems in their workings as discussed as follows;
Quality Management Systems
Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of organizational practices based on reliably
satisfying consumer needs and maximizing client satisfaction (ICE, 2019). This is consistent
with the objective and strategic strategy of the company (ISO9001:2015). Quality Management
System (QMS) in the construction company relates to production preparation, production
monitoring and quality management (Coffey, Willar, & Trigunarsyah, 2011). The primary goal

Last Name 4
of the Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd is to ensure that development schemes are effectively executed
within the parameters of the highest standard, timeline and lowest potential costs.
The performance of QMS does not focus solely on establishing rules and keeping
records. While top management at Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd is very good at making
improvements and establishing policy, without adequate coordination and supervision of
procedures, the required consistency cannot be accomplished hence strong and well-defined
communication pathway exists with continuous review to guarantee efficiency in performance,
collaboration and monitoring of standards (Hughes, 2019). Proper monitoring and control are
achieved through department directors and chain managers in regards to projects and teams
progress and performance ( Rumane, 2017).
The company on bi-annual basis develops a project quality plans or review existing ones
as the project progress through the various phases coupled with proper resource allocation for
necessary mobilization and implementation as well as pre-defined responsibilities for each
project. The firm conducts quality audits, prepares schedules, progress report generation and
review as measures for quality control a monitoring (Neyestani, 2017). The firm provides
adequate technical expertise in all projects through relevant trainings and certifications in quality
management.
Health safety and environmental management
Safety, health and environmental concerns have important consequences on all
companies, markets and industries. Bowmer and Kirkland appreciates the need to ensure that
health, safety and environmental sustainability is carefully regulated and follows legislative
guidelines and established recommended practice, such as OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001
certification. The advancement of environmental health and safety, as a general move forward in
working environments, shows a crucial strategy, not just to guarantee the protection of
employees, but also to slowly motivate them to succeed (ASBURY, 2018).
The implementation of a robust organization system centered on the avoidance of
incidents that arise when operating in and with the respective areas. The policy minimizes
workplace-related mishaps and increases productivity by reducing and eliminating the sources of
hazards found in varied work settings (Friis, 2019). The company has set forth and continually
reviewed control and cautionary measures within the company through careful planning,
enforcement and control by the company’s occupational health, safety and environmental

Last Name 5
management specialists deployed in various projects with sufficient training and well versed to
project settings and possible risks measures and control (Glaholt, 2016). This is ensured through
ways such as:
a) clear definition of OHS roles and jurisdiction within the organization,
b) provision of suitable guidance on OHS,
c) sponsoring personnel trainings and instructions manuals on health safety and
environmental aspects of the project,
d) sufficient budget allocation to health safety and environment departments to
facilitate safety drills and training, personal protective equipment PPE such as
safety shoes, protective clothing acquisitions (Hull & Bowman, 2018),
e) vigilant monitoring and surveillance including reporting of any unsafe conditions,
practices and proper documentation as well as coming up with suitable mitigation
measures,
f) clearing, properly marking and cordoning of work sites equipped with first aid
box, antidote, fire extinguishers, and a medical attendant(s),
g) each work site equipped with HSE supervisor(s) who periodically undertake tasks
risk assessments and hazard analysis, and exploring mitigatory measures against
any possible risks (Pellicer, 2014),
h) regular assessments of safety and sustainable culture,
i) permit to work system for work at height, excavations, electrocution, welding,
crane operations etc. which tend to pose increased risk incidences such that these
tasks only are undertaken on strict monitoring and supervision by HSE supervisor
and progress records updated, etc.
Financial and commercial systems
Financial Management Systems, FMS.
Bowmer and Kirkland's cash balances rose by about a third to £ 408.6 million, up from the €
315.5 million reported in the preceding financial year. New accounts for the year ended 31
August 2019 revealed a fall in pre-tax income for the contractor and developer from about sixty
five million pounds (£ 64.4 m) to about fifty five million pounds (£ 54.5 m) as sales rose from
nine hundred and twenty eight million pounds (£ 928.3 m) to nine hundred and thirty seven
million pounds (£ 937.6 m). This left the organization with a pre-tax profit of 6%. The high cash

Last Name 6
balance was key in funding new development projects. The cash flow has allowed Bowmer &
Kirkland to grow the construction segment with the purchase of Munro Building Services, a
thirty-two million pounds turnover heating and electrical operation. As a mitigatory measures
against Brexit, the company has been renting temporary storage facilities as well as negotiating
project delivery schedule/ dates.
Bowmer + Kirkland functions with the fundamental principle that all corporate activities have to
be undertaken in full accordance with British rules and regulations – including UK tax laws.
When applied by the 'Code of Conduct' community, no conduct should be entered which may
deceive the United Kingdom tax authorities (George, Robert, & Michael, 2018).
UK tax uncertainties are reduced by ensuring an appropriate monitoring system. In order to
identify the possible tax threats to the UK that the company is exposed to, a comprehensive risk
management procedure is conducted, including, when appropriate, collaborating in collaboration
with external advisors. Subsequently, appropriate protocols and controls are developed to
minimize these risks.
UK tax law is analyzed in the corporate decision-making phase to ensure that the tax
consequences are recognized and that the applicable tax regulation is completely complied with.
The Community strives to take tax-efficient roles and to use UK tax benefits whilst ensuring
complete conformity and recognizing our obligations with respect to UK tax legislation.
Commercial Management Systems, CMS.
The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM) translates commercial management as:
'Identifying and creating market markets and handling ventures and contracts profitably, from
start-up to completion’. Commercial management typically relates to the monitoring and control
of the financing of the enterprise as it proceeds (REISS, 2007). It may also apply to the long-
term management of market prospects that will allow the company to expand and grow.
Due to complexity of costing and valuing projects in construction, the Bowmer and Kirkland
Group confers the task of commercial management to team of quantity surveyors identified as
commercial managers (Ritchie, 2019). They ensure that respective projects are timely delivered,
to budget and to the required standards (Klee, 2015). Such strategies are carefully hinged and
balanced with the organization’s long-term strategy and the client’s commercial drivers.

Last Name 7
Human Resources Management
Human resource management (HRM) is the system of handling employees within a corporation.
In construction, HRM is particularly concerned with determining that the project has adequate
human capital, with the appropriate expertise and experience, to ensure that the task is effectively
accomplished (Beardwell & Holden, 2010).
The company has a team of human resource managers with responsibility of identifying and
documenting respective project responsibilities, and roles, come up with a description plan of
end to end process necessary on a given project or series of projects so as to effectively
determine the human resource supplies. The team is responsible for the following;
a) Analysis of roles and specification,
b) Employee training,
c) Selection and recruitment of staff,
d) Development and training,
e) Renumeration,
f) Performance, payroll, benefits, and compensation management,
g) Performance evaluations,
h) Legal obligations,
i) Dispute resolutions,
j) Ensuring well maintenance and suitability of employee facilities, etc.
The Organization is dedicated to reducing prejudice and promoting diversity within its workers
and with those people and organizations functioning at Bowmer and Kirkland sites or employed
on Bowmer and Kirkland developments. It must guarantee equity and justice for all its workers
and not discriminate on grounds of age, impairment, gender reallocation, marriage and civil
union, maternity, race, sex, or religion.
The company adopts a number of rules and regulations such as;
a) Only use correct tool/equipment
b) Do not tamper with the equipment,
c) Report all near misses and mishaps/ defects to the site supervisor immediately
d) Do not work in unsafe conditions or areas
e) Strictly observe safe work procedures, site safety signages and guidelines
f) Keep at tidy site hence unsafe or high risk setting at site

Last Name 8
g) Do not start work without an induction
h) Do not engage at work unless clearly aware of the work to be done
i) Work only when all permit to work requirements and licensed are confirmed ready
j) Always wear personal protective equipment when you enter site.
Ethics and sustainability
Ethics
Ethics is a subset of moral philosophy that incorporates standards for directing and prescribing
conduct and practices. Ethics has evolved at both the individual and corporate level in the
building industry. Professionals such as attorneys, technicians, etc. have ethical codes to follow
as relevant of their occupation, as do corporations (Lock, 2018).
Ethics is a central aspect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) that must be followed.
However, growing focus on sustainability and the ecosystem in development allows businesses
to extend ethical principles to their operations (Cooke & Williams, 2009).
At Bowmer and Kirkland, all regional mangers are charged with promoting professional and
organizational ethics. They are expected to act ethically hence present a good model and
precedence to the workforce. This is ensured through practices such as encouraging honesty in
dealings, fairness from all facets, fair reward of work, services reliability, regard of public
interest by acting in utmost integrity, objectivity through perceiving any potential conflict of
interest and pursuing most suitable resolution, and accountability by provision of appropriate
information to allow for effective actions to be considered. This is in line with the International
Ethic Standard IES coalition (2016).
Sustainability
The company attains sustainability through;
a) Green buildings, well insulated building designs and energy efficient HVAC. The
construction of the building must be closely regarded, since the measures made at this
point have a long-term effect on the environmental footprint. Well-isolated buildings use
fewer electricity to heat up and cool down. Energy effective HVAC, electrical equipment
and water saving activities can minimize usage and expenses until the building is
functional. The organization reacts to growing consumer and industry demand for green
structures by delivering more constructed buildings that use less energy, have less
hazardous products, accommodate natural ventilation and light, and lower running costs.

Last Name 9
b) Integrating Low-Impact Building Materials. The company is continuously advocating for
low-impact building products, including reclaimed and renewable goods to its clients.
The usage of products derived from naturally existing elements, including recycled
content and waste, such as soaked paper insulation or coming from other building sites,
both leads to the elimination of waste (McGeorge, Zou, & Palmer, 2013). There has also
been intensive use of modular buildings hence significantly encouraging sustainable
construction.
c) Energy efficient equipment. The firm uses energy efficient equipment such as extensive
renewable energy sources in its designs and blue prints and promoting such alternatives
in its operations.
d) Reducing construction wastes. This is achieved through waste minimization programs
such as materials reuse, and recycling as well as well advanced planning schedules,
working with suppliers to return unused supplies, avoid excessive packaging etc.
Conclusion
Construction management takes very many aspects which correlate with one another such that
each has a bearing on the overall progress, performance of a company and hence efficiency in its
operations. Bowmer and Kirkland success is attributable to solid quality, safety, financial, human
resource, ethics and human sustainability management systems and practices guided by existing
methodologies, criterion, codes of practice, regulations as well as developing trends in earning a
mark in the sector as among the most notable construction company in the United Kingdom. In
addition to the noted measures, I encourage the organization to consider the following three areas
for improvement;
i. Practice inter-company sustainability: the company should consider implementing
ecofriendly building through seeking LEED certification to their offices and staff
training on green building.
ii. ‘find and fix’ approach to site hazards; Reference is made to the key elements
"Hazard Classification" and "Hazard Prevention and Control." Due to the broad range
of site environments, these two main components will be applied on a location-
specific basis in order to identify and fix hazards efficiently.

Last Name 10
iii. Create protocols for tracking system performance, checking plan execution, and
recognizing system defects and potential for change.

Last Name 11
References
ASBURY, S.T.E.P.H.E.N. (2018) HEALTH AND SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND
QUALITY AUDITS: a risk-based approach. Place of publication not identified,
GARLAND Science.
Beardwell, I. & Holden, L. (2010) Human resource management a
contemporary perspective. Harlow, Pearson.
Anon (2012) Bowmer & Kirkland: Page 7 of 8. [Online]. 27 April 2012.
Construction News. Available from:
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/subject/bowmer-kirkland/page/7/
[Accessed: 10 April 2020].
Brook, M. (2017) Estimating and tendering for construction work. Abingdon,
Oxon, Routledge.
Anon (2019) CESMM4: Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement.
London, ICE Publishing.
Coffey, V., Willar, D. & Trigunarsyah, B. (2011) Quality management system
and construction performance. 2011 IEEE International Conference on
Quality and Reliability. [Online] Available from:
doi:10.1109/icqr.2011.6031750.
Cooke, B. & Williams, P. (2009) Construction planning, programming and
control. Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell.

Last Name 12
Freelancer, F.F.- A., Freelancer, F.F.- A., Employee, C.E.- A. & Employee, C.E.-
A. (2018) Bowmer & Kirkland Reviews. [Online]. 2 March 2018. Glassdoor.
Available from: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Reviews/Bowmer-and-Kirkland-
Reviews-E35629.htm [Accessed: 10 April 2020].
Friis, R.H. (2019) Essentials of environmental health. Burlington, MA, Jones &
Bartlett Learning.
George, W., Robert, P. & Michael, B. (2018) Part II Financial Services
Regulation, 15 Financial Regulation in Commercial Disputes. Financial
Services Law. [Online] Available from:
doi:10.1093/law/9780198793809.003.0015.
Glaholt, D. (2016) Safety Measures in Design and Operation. Health, Safety,
and Environmental Management in Offshore and Petroleum Engineering.
[Online] 177–209. Available from: doi:10.1002/9781119221449.ch4.
Halpin, D.W., Senior, B.A. & Lucko, G. (2019) Construction management.
Hoboken, NJ, Wiley.
Hughes, K. (2019) Understanding the NEC4 ECC contract: a practical
handbook. London, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Hull, M. & Bowman, D. (2018) Environmental health and safety: risks,
regulation, and management. Amsterdam, Netherlands, Elsevier.
Klee, L. (2015) International construction contract law. Hoboken, Wiley
Blackwell.