Skills spotlight
This month's Housebuilder SWOT analysis identifies skills shortages as the major Threat facing the industry. Suzie Mayes looks at what housebuilders are doing to address the labour gap – including recruiting from other sectors and boosting the image of housebuilding
Products on parade
The second Housebuilder Product Awards were held at Edgbaston cricket stadium this month (July). Suzie Mayes reveals the winners and highly commended entrants
Aiming for certainty
In 2009, the AIMC4 consortium was formed to deliver low cost Code level four homes through the fabric. Suzie Mayes attended the End of Project conference to find out what the partnership learned from the experience
Zero Heroes
On the back of recent announcements about the zero carbon homes policy, Suzie Mayes visits Vista, a zero carbon homes scheme initiated by the previous government's Carbon Challenge programme. And on pages 24-25 she finds out about the learnings from another prominent low carbon project, AIMC4
Seasonal blockbuster
The traditional build market suddenly found itself busy last year when the market turned. Suzie Mayes looks at the supply situation a year on and discovers the solutions the brick and block industry has for the latest challenge – Part L
Sizing up the market
The task of increasing output must be taken on by housebuilders of all sizes. But for small to medium sized firms this is not so easy. Suzie Mayes looks at the challenges that SMEs face to building more homes and growing their business
Recovery under the spotlight
Housebuilding continues to lead the news agenda, but now it is the threat of an "overheated" housing market that sits under the spotlight.
Marvellous City
At the end of last year, Mar City changed from housing contractor to pure housebuilder. Suzie Mayes speaks to ceo Tony Ryan who plans to make his mark in the industry with quality modular building for the lower end of the market
Hertfordshire hero
Suzie Mayes talks to two housebuilders with growth plans who – while different to each other – share a love for design-led housing and are headed by passionate, hands-on bosses. On this page, Heronslea ceo Jason Rishover talks about his two-year mission in the affluent outer London area. And on page 33, Mar City has designs on the middle to lower end of the market
Party time
In just a year, the general election will take place. The battle for No.10 is well underway but what should the parties do to win the industry's vote, and how could the opposition win its fight? Suzie Mayes finds out
