As we approach the end of 2023, our Director, Rob Scholes, reflects on the past year, its successes and future plans for Rossi Long.
How would you describe Rossi Long’s year?
It has certainly been a successful year for the company. We started 2023 being very busy on many different projects and the year has ended much the same.
We were proud to be recognised in several award categories, both alone and in conjunction with our clients, and were delighted to receive the Norfolk Constructing Excellence Award for Project of the Year and Excellence in Innovation for the conservation of National Trust’s Oxburgh Hall.
The year has seen several members of staff celebrating success within their qualifications leading to promotions – we’re extremely proud of their hard work and dedication to their careers.
We have also had a few new faces join the Rossi Long family. This has helped expand our capability to support additional projects, particularly within Building Surveying where the team has grown.
What has been the greatest achievements for Rossi Long in 2023?
We have achieved a lot over the last 12 months, so it is hard to pinpoint one exact achievement. Receiving positive feedback from our clients and knowing we are meeting their needs is high on the list as well as being shortlisted for and winning several industry awards.
We have also been successful on winning three frameworks this year for the University of East Anglia, Cambridge University and NHS Shared Business Services and we look forward to the opportunities these bring in the new year.
Was there any stand out moments this year?
It is hard to choose, but a few which spring to mind are seeing the completion of the much-anticipated Pricilla Bacon Lodge and its official opening by King Charles, being able to support the NHS and healthcare projects in their growth and expansion to aid local communities and seeing the residential development Carrow Quarter completed which has been in the making for ten years. We were involved from the start with planning and have supported the project throughout t
he design and the five-year construction phase, so it has been brilliant to see this one over the line.
We have also enjoyed some fantastic social events this year which have given the team some time to relax and get to know each other outside of the office. Paddleboarding on the Broads has been my particular highlight!
What are the biggest challenges for the business and the industry in 2024?
One challenge that we are already planning for is the introduction of the new Building Safety Act which means there will be new responsibilities for duty holders. As an industry, and as a company, we will need to embrace and adapt to these additional requirements.
Ensuring we continue to meet our targets to develop sustainable designs will also be at the forefront of our minds. Our team will be working closely with our clients to share our knowledge and provide innovative solutions for low carbon design options. We will also help inform the stakeholders of methods to reduce embodied carbon, produce designs which are compatible with low energy operation and construction and that maintain good value.
Our Planning and Civil Engineering team continue to face challenges associated with changes to planning policy and compliance with the Four Pillars of SuDS. We pride ourselves on achieving a very good success rate for our clients by developing stronger relationships with the various consultees.
We are all now very familiar with the term ‘Nutrient Neutrality’ (NN) which has resulted in a significant decline on the number of dwellings constructed since March 2022. NN continues to impact the industry but there now appears to be light at the end of a very long tunnel which we all hope will kick-start the local housing industry in 2024.
What are the plans for Rossi Long in 2024?
One of our biggest plans for the new year is focusing on reducing our carbon emissions. We have already been looking at our energy consumption and are in the advanced stages of having solar PV panels installed at the office. These will be capable of supplying a large proportion of our energy demand, helping us take steps towards our 2030 NZC target.