News Archive

We are delighted to announce that Project Manager Nick Hopwood has been promoted to a senior management role within Project Kitchens.

Nick has been appointed as Contracts Manager, reporting directly to the business Directors.

Belinda Sewell comments,

“Nick joined the business in 2015 and has played a pivotal role in strategically managing jobs through to final installation. The Contracts Manager’s role is varied, providing practical input on a variety of levels to the Directors, whilst continuing to offer site support.

“Nick has developed relationships with many of our long-standing clients and his attention to detail is fantastic. He will take responsibility for our project management function nationally, ensuring the smooth running of multiple sites on a day-to-day basis and developing our exacting standards.

“He will also support the sales team with technical knowledge and act as a guide to other members of staff. Reporting to Director Amanda Dagg, Nick will develop systems and best practice in terms of our project management and site performance throughout the business. Congratulations Nick – a well-deserved promotion!”

Nick Hopwood comments,

“The opportunity to take on the Contracts Manager role at Project Kitchens is a superb step in my career and demonstrates the forward-thinking nature of the business. We constantly strive to improve our standards to deliver results for our Clients nationally through our collaborative approach to work, exceptional accreditations and innovative work practices and I am highly motivated to push our brand even further.”

Project Kitchens has recently rebranded, launching our new, streamlined, modern look at Inter Pro Social 2018, to over 300 members of the NW property community.

As part of the process and in line with our brand values, we have significantly enhanced our Manchester head office, streamlining workspace and creating a creative and inspiring environment for our growing team.

Sales Manager Nick Daffy, who has a background in interior fit-outs and space planning, headed up the project. Nick and Managing Director Belinda Sewell have delivered a space that is more compatible with Project Kitchens’ way of working and helps deliver even better results for clients.

Nick Daffy comments,

“We were keen to make better use of the office space above our Manchester showroom and create a far more pleasant working environment with zoned work areas, additional meeting spaces and a fresher, more modern look. Tones of green, grey, brown, bronze, amber and white combine to give an earthy, natural feel with modern desking, comfortable seating and a funky meeting pod.”

Belinda Sewell adds,

“I’m pleased with the result of this project from a business perspective and for the team at Project Kitchens. What Nick and I set out to do was deliver a more efficient workspace, alongside practical features that would enhance our every day working.

“We all spend a lot of time in our office so it needs to be the best it can! Each feature was carefully considered, from the slate grey blinds, to the crisp white desks, to the tub planting – in order to bring a sense of calm and nature into each working day. Of course the kitchen is second to none with 2 dishwashers, a seating area, oven and microwaves, so every person in the team gets to experience what we sell every day – perfection.”

Practically, workspaces are zoned with planting, creating natural screens and teams are collected together to make work practices more focused and dialogue seamless. More storage has also been incorporated with specific sliding storage cupboards and a huge job board (for all our work to feature), to enhance communication and keep us all up to date.

A new 14 person boardroom allows for more effective internal and external meetings and the partitions between offices are ultra-modern, using full height glazing to the walls and doors.

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you around soon!

What a space, what a great bunch of people and what a fun night! We were delighted to partner the InterPro Social 2018 on 6 June at Capital&Centric’s Talbot Mill, Manchester.

Over 300 members of the NW property community filled the huge space, before its restoration later this year. We chatted to architects, contractors, surveyors, planners, interior designers, structural engineers…the list is endless. Big thanks to RTPI, Manchester Architects, RICS, RIBA, ICE, CIOB, IHBC, IStructE, CIBSE, TPS, CILT, CIHT and IoA for promoting the event and encouraging members to attend.

The Mexican street food supplied by El Kantina was delicious, the musicians Suzy & Alex went down a storm and everyone had fun testing themselves against the human buzz wire, grabbing some friends and a few props for the photo booth, taking on the competition at the air hockey table and whacking a donkey with a stick (piñata obviously!).

Congratulations to Peter Purcell of Abode Architects who managed the top score on the buzz wire of just 12 seconds.  And a huge thanks to Lisa Mcfarlane of Seven Architects for pulling the whole event together! You and the team did a fantastic job and we can’t wait for next year.

As we all know a Project Manager’s job is varied and requires a multitude of skills. At Project Kitchens, our PM’s are not only the linchpin between design and installation, but also the key point of contact with our clients. Their role is to make sure that we deliver on our promises and that the highest standards of installation are maintained.

Quality is so important to us here at Project Kitchens, that we have recently raised the bar in the kitchens and construction sector, by being awarded Constructionline Gold and Achilles accreditation. We are the most highly accredited supplier of SieMatic in the UK and our clients know that we are aligned to the latest industry and government standards. With this comes the confidence that projects are managed, monitored and delivered to the highest standards possible.

We make sure that we employ the best team in the industry too and that they receive the very latest training and support to continue to deliver to these standards.

We caught up with Nick Hopwood, Project Manager in our Manchester office, to find out more…

“My role is to efficiently manage the job through to final installation. I become the key contact for our developer client or their main contractor, build a relationship with the on site team and make sure that there are no hitches with delivery and installation. I liaise internally with our Distribution function and keep Sales informed of progress.

“I also organise our highly qualified installation teams, liaise with the contractor to make sure the rooms are ready for installation and check and double check all measurements against the plans from our design team and the architects’ plans. I closely monitor the project, walk site and feedback progress at every stage, through meetings and regular reports.

“I effectively take ownership of the project and the site to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Consistent project management needs a detailed understanding of the design process, our SieMatic product range and the construction process. It is a job I have been undertaking for over 4 years and I’m pleased to say is different every day. I’m currently working on delivery of several exciting projects, including two for London Square – Streatham Hill and Canada Water – plus a second phase new build project for Audley Villages in Malvern. These schemes are varying in pace but still require the same attention to detail and of course travel.”

If you would like to find out more about the highest standards in project management please contact nickd@projectkitchens.com.