business

Issue 148 June 4, 2013

update

We interview one of the teambehind Friars Walk

See page 6

Two join construction consultants to aid growth

Newport-based international construction consultants Lewis & Lewis Ltd has made two key appointments to bolster its team of specialists as its order book grows. The well-established chartered quantity surveyors business has recruited Shaun Haymer and Daniel Gregory as assistant quantity surveyors. Shaun, aged 38, from Port Talbot, is an architectural design and technology graduate of UWIC and University of the West of England, Bristol, quantity surveying diploma graduate. Shaun said: Since becoming involved with the construction industry I have worked for a well respected national architectural practice, cost and project management consultancies and a small home automation and electrical subcontracting business. I am now very pleased to be able to put the various experiences I have gained to best use at Lewis and Lewis. Daniel, aged 27, from Warwickshire, is a graduate in quantity surveying from Swansea Metropolitan University. He said: I gained experience with a leading international business advice organisation, where I worked in the department for fixed assets, advising clients of long and short term strategies to create profitability on their land or property assets. I am now very much looking forward to the opportunities presented at Lewis and Lewis. Lewis & Lewis Ltds director of corporate and client services for the UK & Middle East, Lewis Lewis, said: The two assistant quantity surveyors weve appointed both impressed us from the start with their flair and enthusiasm which weve immediately been able to put to very good here at Lewis and Lewis. Were heavily involved in a range of challenging and exciting projects which will certainly put the skills that the pair have to the test while helping to develop further their quantity surveying talents.

The right quantity: (left to right) Shaun Haymer, Lewis Lewis (back middle) and Daniel Gregory

Gocompare.com gears up for next stage of growth

By Jo Barnes
ocompare.com, the Newportbased price comparison website, has completed its relocation to Imperial House, a 26,000 sq ft, custom-fitted office at Imperial Park on the edge of the city. The move follows several years of significant growth for the company which, since launching in November 2006, has expanded its workforce from six to 173 employees. This substantial growth is thanks to the popularity of the website, which has seen Gocompare.com providing the equivalent of one quote per second for people looking to save money on insurance. The new offices blend a mix of fun, themed and technology-laden meeting rooms with the full amenities expected of a rapidly growing organisation, such as a

build our excellent canteen, climate control and showers. team. Hayley Parsons, founder It was also and chief executive of very important to Gocompare.com, said of the me that the new move: When we founded premises reflected the business in 2006, our company Gocompare.com consisted values and unique of just six of us working personality, which around my dining room table. blends technology In the six and a half and practicality years since weve had to with fun and move premises three times openness. to accommodate the rapid Businesses growth of the business. who were I am absolutely thrilled instrumental in the with the latest move to our companys Hayley Parsons new headquarters. relocation include Imperial House provides Paramount Office a custom-fitted, state-of-theInteriors; Capita Symonds; Office Image art base for all our staff, as well as room to and Jones Lang LaSalle. grow into as we continue to invest in and