Hansom: Liberté, égalité, fraternité

Let them eat cake

Concern has mounted recently around the prospects for progress on EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point nuclear project, with reported delays to major contracts leading people to question the firm’s appetite for investment. Luckily, newly inaugurated socialist French president François Hollande may have found a chunk of cash it could invest - from the CEO’s salary. Hollande has decreed that no top officer in a state-owned company should be paid more than 20 times the salary of the lowest paid worker. EDF’s boss stands to lose 68% of his salary. Likewise, the head of Areva, the French nuclear reactor provider for Hinkley Point, who will see his salary slashed by 49%. That should make funding the £10bn investment a piece of gateau.

Not a dog’s dinner

Building was pleased to attend the National Federation of Builders’ (NFB) inaugural awards, held recently at London’s swanky Connaught Rooms. Apparently the NFB was preceded in its use of the venue by luxury label Ralph Lauren, fashion mag Elle and TV show Britain’s Got Talent. Sadly there were no dancing dogs here, but lots of reasons to cheer the achievements of SMEs, a part of the market that’s been hit hard by the downturn. My hack also noted that the bosses of CSCS and CITB - two organisations that fell out last year over the skills card scheme - sat next to each other at the top table. Perhaps a sign of improving relations?

High and dry

I hear Gleeds New York’s recent launch party came close to ending in disaster due to the sheer number of guests who turned up. The penthouse venue - boasting a swimming pool on its roof terrace - was chosen for its panoramic views of Manhattan rather than its size. As the evening wore on, and the cocktails began to take their toll, one observer noted Gleeds chairman Richard Steer begin to assume the role of lifeguard as he frantically shepherded guests teetering on the edge of the pool out of danger. Organisers breathed a sigh of relief when guests departed dry and unscathed at the end of the night.

Bon appetit

It was briefly nicknamed “the Vol-au-Vent”, so it was apt that Olympic stadium architect Rod Sheard made an appearance on the Great British Menu last week. The show sees chefs from around the UK compete to deliver an Olympic banquet. In last week’s South-west heats, one chef wanted to present his fish dish on a two-tiered stadium-style platter. Populous’ senior principal happily discussed the logistics of this unusual serving idea - advising a classic coliseum structure. Let’s hope the real thing goes down as well as the successful Olympic-style vessel for battered monkfish cheek.

Rockin’ Rockwool

News reaches me of an admirable attempt by insulation giant Rockwool to reunite a teenager and his drumkit. Tewkesbury council confiscated 15-year-old Dom Sweet’s drums when neighbours complained about the din. Rockwool, sensing an opportunity to help Dom and doubtless gain a bit of publicity, stepped in and offered to soundproof his garden shed for free. It is not yet known if this slightly dubious act of kindness will win round the council and see the drums returned.