Mark Crane

Managing Director

Mark has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the Breyer group. He is committed to ensuring Breyer achieves the highest standards in Health & Safety, Governance & Compliance and operational excellence. Mark is also an advocate for collaborative client and supply chain working practices. He is dedicated to maximising outcomes for all stakeholders through socially conscious and environmentally sensitive solutions.

Having started out as a trainee apprentice PQS straight from school, Mark has worked for over 30 years in the social housing, education, health and public buildings sector. His most recent experience includes numerous executive positions, including that of Commercial Director and regeneration director.

Key Facts

Contract Name: Lockwood House, Kennington Park Estate
Client: Hyde Housing Association
Value: £261,000
Works: Hyde Housing Roofing Framework Works

Project Overview

Our Roofing team undertook liquid waterproofing to the gutters and chimney stack repairs on this prominent South London residential property for Hyde Housing. Located next to the Oval cricket ground, which is surrounded architecturally impressive buildings, it was important that repairs were completed sensitively in order to ensure they blended in with the aesthetics of Lockwood House itself and the surrounding buildings.

The project was also delivered during the winter months, which was challenging. We had to monitor the weather carefully to ensure that we only installed the liquid waterproofing within the temperature parameters provided by the manufacturer. The results were well-received by both client and residents who provided us with 97.4% overall on satisfaction surveys. Keen to bring value to the residents beyond the improvement works, at the end of the contract we donated a wooden picnic bench for the residents to use in their communal garden area.

Key Facts

Contract Name: Pakington House, Stockwell
Client: Hyde Housing Association
Value: £432,000
Works: Hyde Housing Roofing Framework Works

Project Overview

Breyer Roofing was tasked with liquid waterproofing the gutters and replacing the Pitched Roof of Pakington House, a large London-based residential building. This sizeable block is located at the centre of the Stockwell Gardens Estate, which is a very built-up area. As a result, access for deliveries and skips was very tight during this contract, with parking also considerably limited. A children’s play area located in the centre, along with a community hub, made the area heavily pedestrianised too. With this in mind, the Site Manager had to carefully coordinate all large vehicles visiting the site to ensure the safety of all, which was made perhaps more challenging due to the level of crime in the surrounding area.

Despite these challenges, our Roofing team delivered the contract on time and with minimal impact to the residents. The success of our work was perhaps best evidenced by the huge 99.7% result on our resident satisfaction surveys.

Key Facts

Contract Name: Stonebridge School
Client: London Borough Of Brent
Value: £800,000
Works: Roofing, guttering and pipe works

Project Overview

Our Roofing team delivered a number of works for Brent-based Stonebridge Primary School. The existing Grade II Listed pitched roof to the main school was replaced, which included the replacement of several existing lead dormer tops and subsequent brick repairs or pointing to chimney stacks and gable walls. Specialist works were required to replace a copper dome with new copper and detailing and a number of other tasks were carried out including, guttering and timber fascia replacement; cast iron downpipe refurbishment; liquid coating application to various areas; tile repairs and lead work on a number of roof areas across the school.

Working on a live school posed a number of challenges, which were carefully navigated through strong communication and collaboration with school staff. To ensure minimal disruption to the school day, we booked deliveries around the school schedule and maintained strong relationships with teachers so that we knew when to keep noise to a minimum during tests or other quiet study time. We were also careful to ensure classrooms were vacated ahead of any roofing works and materials were not left in walkways. Perhaps our biggest challenge though came in the form of an adjacent new build project, which was responsible for closing the shared access road for about three months, causing delays and issues with deliveries and skip waste clearance. We worked around this to ensure the programme of works was still delivered to a high quality and with high client satisfaction. We also did a social value initiative with the children enabling them to paint tiles, which were then laid on the roof for future generations to find.

Key Facts

Contract Name: Alexandra House
Client: Evolve Housing/Archway
Value: £2.1m
Works: Recladding project

Project Overview

Our work on Alexandra House has seen the revival of this notable building’s distinctive exterior. By replacing the cladding with new copper and adding a fresh new terracotta tile system, the building has regained its attractive look and, more importantly, now has a safer ‘A’ fire rating.

The project was started only weeks before Covid hit, which led to a full reworking of the construction phase plan due to material and labour shortages. We also revised site rules to ensure Covid compliance and to enable works to resume quickly. The property’s location within a built-up area involved securing an oversailing license and the use of a nearby office for welfare. While its unusual modular build, copper cladding and tiling system required additional design and planning work to ensure the right finish. In addition to the contract work, we renovated the garden and installed benches at the front of the block for a more inviting community space.

“Despite the numerous challenges presented, the project was successfully delivered on time and on budget. The site management, the level of quality assurance and the subsequent quality of finish was excellent. Breyer has now developed a proven track record of the successful delivery of cladding remediation schemes.”

Daniel Griggs

from Archway Building Consultancy

Key Facts

Contract Name: Braithwaite House
Client: London Borough of Islington
Value: £1.3m
Works: Cladding replacement

Project Overview

Braithwaite House is a 19-storey residential block located close to the City of London. Breyer was approached at only 3-days’ notice to commence pre-construction work and emergency removal of Aluminium Composite Cladding. We worked over time with our established and trusted supply chain to meet this challenge. Our dedicated Design Manager collaborated with LB Islington, their Contract Administrator and Building Control to produce an A1 non-combustible design in what was a relatively unclear arena only a month after the Grenfell tragedy.

As well as replacing the façade of the building, the programme of works included emergency ACM removal, window overhaul, fire safety doors and other solutions, concrete repairs and validation of FRA surveys. Due to the lack of site space, Breyer staff used public transport and bikes for travel to work and our site offices comprised of two-storey containers. What’s more, with considerably restricted access, we used scaffold solutions alongside mast climbers to ensure works could be carried out safely.

Key Facts

Contract Name: Kelvedon House
Client: London Borough of Lambeth
Value: £4.5m
Works: External refurbishment

Project Overview

Our work on Kelvedon House focused on replacement cladding with a Wetherby A1 fire-rated system, which not only made the building safer but also restored its distinctive two-tone look. We installed automatically-operated smoke vents and replaced the roof, as well as fitted new UPVC windows throughout the property in just half a day. In addition, despite access to the block being challenging, we installed a temporary ramp to maintain disabled entry; provided uninterrupted access for residents to the undercroft parking areas; and ensured deliveries could continue being made.

Despite the works starting only weeks before the pandemic hit, resident satisfaction and communication was strong throughout. This was supported by a close-working relationship with both clients and consultants. In response to the restrictions, we fully reworked the construction phase plan and site rules to make it Covid compliant, so that works could resume swiftly. With many residents now forced to work at home during the improvements, we also carried out internal checks using a decibel meter to assess and manage noise levels in individual flats. Finally, as a good will gesture, Breyer redecorated the ground floor community hall and entry area.

“Works have been carried out to an exceptionally good standard and Breyer has been proactive in providing solutions to any issues arising…”

Robert McMillan

Partner at Pellings and Contract Administrator

Key Facts

Contract Name: Evan Cook Close in Southwark
Client: Wandle Housing Association
Value: £1.5m
Works: Fire safety improvements

Project Overview

As the main contractor for this fire remediation contract, we worked closely with the client and our supply chain to ensure the best sustainable solutions were delivered. Surveys on the low-rise blocks at Evan Cook Close highlighted a need to replace the many timber-decked walkways, raised flowerbeds, resident balconies and communal roof area with materials that would better meet current fire safety standards. Despite a lack of architectural drawings available for the original building beneath the existing decking, we were able to create a detailed overview of the project requirements, as well as concept artwork, providing the client with a presentation of the finished work.

As well as installing sleek new aluminium decking, we undertook waterproofing of all internal communal walkways, minor damp proofing and drainage solutions.The results were dramatic. Residents now have new balconies, roof terraces and common walkways that both look good and are also fire safe, damp proof and sustainable.

Evan Cook Close balcony before in Southwark

Evan Cook Close balcony after in Southwark

Key Facts

Contract Name: Mybase building in Southwark
Client: My Base 1 RTM Company LTD
Value: £9.5m
Works: Cladding remediation works

Project Overview

This live Central London contract involves full cladding remediation, featuring a mix of over 10,000 aluminium panels and Hardie plank, with additional fire proofing works. The built up, busy location of this project has required careful logistical planning with large amounts of materials stored at an industrial unit based several miles away and transported to site as needed. Arrangements are also made for materials stripped from the block to be loaded directly into waiting lorries and taken for recycling.

The project has kept to programme with strong client and consultant relationships supported by an online “weekly progress updates” section within the Breyer website. This features photographs, works updates and safety information for residents and leaseholders living remotely. To ensure the building remains safe while the flammable insulation is removed and cleared from site, we have also installed 72 CCTV cameras to the scaffolding, along with heat detectors, connected to a fire detection system. With additional social value in mind, we hosted a Jobs Fair in Waterloo for the local community to attend.

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say how well the site team are delivering the works down at Webber Street. They are managing the communication with the residents very well and have good level of professionalism in front of the client.”

Chris Belton

Archway Building Consultancy

Key Facts

Contract Name: Oxford – Energy Efficiency Measures
Client: Oxford City Council
Value: £1 million
Works: Retrofit works

Project Overview

This £1m contract saw us undertake surveys and subsequent works across 160 Oxford City Council properties, bringing them up to a new “C” rating. We managed the full PAS2030 standards and covered a range of retrofit roles, including Retrofit Assessor, Coordinator, Adviser, Designer and Installer, right through to completion post EPC. As a result of our experience within the retrofit market, we are currently running a number of site visits and discussion groups to help clients share in lessons learnt, particularly as we look to deliver the second phase of Green Deal Funding.

As part of the contract, we considered various new technologies such as Q-Bot, which uses robots to spray insulation under floors with minimal disruption to residents and a reduction in overall costs to clients, when compared with traditional under floor insulation methods. In addition, we assisted the Council with a “Cost of Living” event, where we consulted on how Green Deal Funding was meeting Government targets and met with residents to discuss ways of mitigating cost of living challenges.

“The LAD1b programme in Oxford has been very challenging but Breyer have always gone above and beyond. As energy bills rise, it is very difficult to reduce bills by changing energy companies so retrofitting and improving insulation is critical. I was also very impressed that Stephen Rogers (Contracts Manager) and Hiral Patel (Technical Coordinator) offered their time and expertise for our cost-of-living event to help the people struggling in Oxford.”

Paul Neale

Senior Surveyor, Housing Services at Oxford City Council

Braithwaite House

Key Facts

Braithwaite House

More Case Studies

Evolve Housing/Archway

London Borough of Islington

London Borough of Lambeth

Wandle Housing Association

My Base 1 RTM Company LTD

Oxford City Council

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