Congratulations to Mark Renault, Environmental Permitting Manager, for winning the MPA Outstanding Contribution by an Employee Award. Mark has been with the business for 27 years and is one of the company’s longest serving employees. He has a particular passion for Brickworth Quarry in Wiltshire, having spent 20 years out of his 27 year career based on site there. In 1998, he was initially employed at Brickworth Quarry as the Weighbridge Clerk, he then developed to Plant Operative and later, progressed to Quarry Manager. In 2018, Mark’s proactive approach and enthusiasm for biodiversity and nature across all of the Raymond Brown quarries led to his promotion to the role of Environmental Permitting Manager.

Mark has leveraged his operational expertise and environmental knowledge to enhance ecology and biodiversity across all Raymond Brown quarries and has played a key role in developing new mineral reserves, managing the closure of restored quarries and overseeing ecological management. Mark recognises the importance of diverse, sensitive and unique habitats and uses his practical strengths and ‘hands on’ approach to directly deliver biodiversity benefits. He has used his site experience to contribute his knowledge and ideas to shape the ever changing habitats within the quarrying sector. With 27 years of commitment to the industry, this award is incredibly well deserved, congratulations Mark.

Rob Westell, Estates and Planning Director commented: “Biodiversity creation is now central to any planning application, but delivery relies on people. We are immensely proud of our on-site teams and all they do to give mother nature a boost, but sometimes an individual stands out for going that bit further. Mark is an asset to our Planning & Estates team and the business and I am extremely pleased that his ‘above and beyond’ efforts have been rewarded with this prestigious award. Well done Mark.”

Fortis IBA achieves Constructionline Gold

Fortis IBA has achieved Constructionline Gold Membership, an achievement that reflects its commitment and dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards across our operations.

Constructionline Gold is a prestigious recognised accreditation that demonstrates commitment to maintaining the highest standards of HSQE, governance, risk management, operational efficiency and ethical responsibilities. It is used by leading contractors, local authorities, and government bodies.

Achieving this membership means our organisation has been subjected to increased scrutiny via an enhanced assessment process and meets the requirements to operate at this level and the Common Assessment Standard. The process goes above and beyond PAS 91 (which has now been withdrawn by the British Standards Institution (BSI), using an enhanced assessment). As part of its Constructionline Gold membership, Fortis has also gained SSIP accreditation (Safety Schemes in Procurement), through Acclaim Accreditation’s assessment of its health and safety documentation and processes.

SSIP is a membership body for health and safety assessment schemes, aiming to improve health and safety standards across the UK and reduce duplication in health and safety assessments. Our certification shows that we meet the required standard for health and safety compliance across the industry.

“Achieving Constructionline Gold reflects our dedication to operational excellence and is a distinction earned by only a few aggregate manufacturers,” commented Mark Oliver, Chairman. “It is a testament to the hard work of our employees and shows our commitment to industry best practices and to providing exceptional quality to our customers.”

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place in the UK each May.  This year, it ran from 13-19 May and the theme was Movement: Moving more for our mental health.  Fortis IBA is committed to establishing, promoting, protecting and maintaining the mental health and wellbeing of all employees through workplace practices.

In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, all Fortis IBA staff were given a branded water bottle with card to remind them to move more for their mental health.  Toolbox Talks were undertaken across the business and sites to raise awareness on mental health awareness and to look at different activities we can do to help improve our mental health.

Mental Health First Aiders, Steve Laight (HSQE Manager), Gemma Taylorson (HR Manager) and Mandy Frost (PA to Directors) provide additional guidance within the business on mental health awareness and different ways of engaging with and supporting employees.  The business also has an Employee Assistance Programme which employees can utilise should they require support from trained counsellors. This is a confidential 24-hour, 7 day a week advice and counselling phone line which offers support for any mental health issues.

We were delighted to welcome Cllr Robert Humby; Leader of Hampshire County Council and Natalie Wigman; Assistant Director for Regeneration and Growth to our A303 IBA Processing Facility in Hampshire.  Along with a guided tour of our facility, discussions focussed on the critical role that Fortis play in ensuring that Hampshire’s household waste is transformed into low carbon construction materials that are used in road building and developments across the county.

Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) is a residual output from Hampshire’s three energy recovery facilities (Marchwood, Chineham and Portsmouth). These energy recovery facilities process the county’s non-recyclable household waste, whilst also creating 38MW of electricity annually, enough to power over 50,000 homes each year. Rather than going to landfill, the IBA produced from this process is transported to Fortis’s A303 IBA Processing Facility, where it is recycled.

Fortis IBA Ltd recover metals from the IBA which are reused worldwide to relieve the burden on mass extraction of low yielding virgin metal ores and manufacture construction aggregate called Fortistone® IBA Aggregate, which is used as a low carbon and sustainable alternative in the construction industry.

Fortistone® IBA Aggregate complies with the Specification for Highways Works 600 and 800 Series and is one of the most sustainable construction aggregates available, potentially offering substantial CO2 savings for construction projects. Its use in construction is an integral part of the collective ambitions of local authorities and industry in minimising waste and encouraging recycling, repurposing and re-use.

Raymond Brown Quarry Products Ltd has again been awarded the Bronze accreditation under FORS.
The accreditation follows an extensive re-approval audit which ensures we meet the strict criteria set out by the FORS standards which encompass all aspects of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. Thank you to all staff, particularly the Transport Team for their help in maintaining our high standards and their dedication to the safety and effective monitoring of efficiency.

FORS is a voluntary accreditation scheme for fleet operators. It aims to improve standards within fleet operations and demonstrate which operators are achieving exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency and environmental protection.