The country has thus decided to use solar power itself as a means to diversify its renewable energy production. After generating 103% of its national electricity needs in March from renewables, the country has put a claim on proving its worth as a green energy leader in Europe. Most of Portugal’s renewable energy comes from hydro (55%) and wind (42%).

WElink Energy and China Triumph International Engineering Company’s new solar plant inauguration called Ourika!  Was inaugurated on July 26. Located in Ourique, Alentejo, it’s been operating since June following 11 months of construction and $39.8 mn in investment.

It is one of the largest solar plants in Europe. Its 142,000 solar panels will reportedly generate 80 gigawatts-hour of energy per year, which can power about 23,000 homes. Over its expected 30-year lifespan, Ourika! Is expected to produce a total of 46 megawatts of installed power.

It is also the first plant on the Iberian Peninsula – and one of the largest in Europe to connect to the main electricity grid without guaranteed tariffs or other public subsidies. Despite all this, the project does not come at any cost to consumers or taxpayers.

Speaking to the press during its inauguration, Economy Minister Manuel Caldeira Cabral said that Ourika! highlights Portugal’s competitive potential in renewable energies — emphasising that the country has some of the best conditions for solar energy production, not only in Europe, but in the whole world.

He stressed that there will be a wave of solar power plants popping up throughout the country following Ourika!’s lead, that will enable Portugal to “more than triple” solar energy production by 2022 and multiply its generation six-fold by 2025.

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Brian Hinchcliffe, Executive Chairman of BTL stated: “On behalf of the Board, we thank Guy for his leadership in the founding of the Company and for his hard work and dedication to BTL. We appreciate that Guy has offered to be available to the Board in the future to provide advice and his insight as required, and we wish him well in his future pursuits.”

BTL is a technology platform provider that owns Interbit, a third generation blockchain platform, which enables business applications to be built quickly, easily and with security. It is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and operates from both the Canada and the UK – with offices located in Vancouver and London.

“The last three years have been an incredible journey, and I would like to thank all of the management, board and executive team for all of the hard work that has gone into making BTL the leader that it is today.” Said Guy Halford-Thompson himself.

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The abrupt exit of Sir Martin Sorrell from advertising giant WPP – and his subsequent rapid return to the marketplace – has highlighted the risks faced by businesses where no effective succession plan is in place to replace a long-standing and influential leader.

Reports now suggest that Sorrell will quickly bounce back into the marketplace because of the nature of the contract he had at WPP.

James Beazley, managing director of global leadership advisory firm 6 Group, said: “A sliding share price, ambiguity over the future direction of the business and chaos in the boardroom are just some of the prices to be paid by getting it wrong. Shareholders in other companies will be looking at this ‘Sorrell effect’ and wondering if their investments are too closely aligned to the fate of single individuals rather than a corporate entity.

“Boardrooms at companies large and small have to put in place strong measures to de-risk the chance of senior figures leaving abruptly. It doesn’t matter whether the circumstances of an executive departure are planned or not. Shareholders are increasingly sensitive to this issue and I expect to see many boardrooms reviewing their succession planning, business continuity plan, crisis management and investor relations strategy as a result.”

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July 5, 2016: Independent professional services company Turner & Townsend has relocated its global head of major programmes to Singapore and appointed a new managing director for South East Asia to further strengthen business in the region.

Ashley Prail, who has led the consultancy’s major programmes across the world for the last five years and been in charge of aviation and rail in the region for the past two, is to permanently relocate to Singapore.

Prior to taking up his current global role, he was instrumental in growing the company’s project controls business in the UK to more than 200 staff. During his tenure, he supported high-profile clients in aviation, nuclear power, water, rail, mining, oil and gas, and property.

Mark Richards, who has held senior positions at Turner & Townsend for the past 16 years, has been appointed the region’s managing director after a highly successful three years heading up the business in India. He will still retain executive oversight for India.

He has extensive public and private sector experience both in the UK and internationally, having been responsible for programme management in Birmingham, UK for a decade before taking on the role of country manager in Kazakhstan and then managing director in India.

Both appointments underline the importance Turner & Townsend places on continuing growth in South and South East Asia with opportunities to expand in Malaysia, which is currently investing in major infrastructure and property projects. Combined with developments in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, the independent professional services company aims to strengthen its presence in the region.

Duncan Stone, Managing Director Asia for Turner & Townsend, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ashley and Mark to Singapore at such an exciting time in South East Asia.

“Their depth of knowledge and international experience leading some very significant projects and programmes within infrastructure, property and natural resources puts them in an excellent position to drive and grow the business in the region.

“The economic outlook in Singapore, according to our International Construction Market Survey 2016, looks positive in the finance and insurance industries with forecasts of 5.9 per cent growth. Wholesale and the retail trade are also expected to record solid growth with higher construction demand from the public sector.”

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February 4, 2016: In just five years, the Blue Mountain Group has reached the pinnacle of success and has become a dynamic leader in Sri Lanka’s real estate industry. The group comprises four large-scale companies with turnover in excess of Rs. 14 billion and seven other large companies that handle the diverse aspects of real estate and enable the group to offer a comprehensive range of services. Blue Mountain provides employment to nearly 2,100 individuals in various capacities and today, the brand has become a household name synonymous with trust, innovation and reliability.

A diverse service offering

Established in 2010, the Blue Mountain Group specialises in offering a wide range of land and real estate services in Sri Lanka. This includes real estate, land sales, apartment/condominiums, construction, property management, valuation, surveying, legal services and so much more. Blue Mountain Properties currently enjoys a market share in excess of 30% in the real estate market in Sri Lanka while boasting a 32% top of the mind recall within the sector.

A legacy built on quality and innovation

The company is renowned for its commitment to delivering exceptional quality and innovative design in all aspects of its developments. The company was one of the pioneers in introducing the gated community housing concept in Sri Lanka. Blue Mountain was recognised for this concept at the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards Summit (APPAS), which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2015. At the event, Blue Mountain was awarded the highly coveted 5-Star Award in the ‘Property Consultancy Marketing’ category for its innovative take on gated community developments.

Blue Mountain Properties

Blue Mountain Properties employs over 600 staff and is one of the pioneers in mega residential project development and gated communities in Sri Lanka. Our concepts in mega township developments and city planning are indeed innovative. Blue Mountain Properties has been growing significantly over the last five years with a growth rate that is much faster than the average market growth rate. The company offers unparalleled levels of customer service and a trusted after-sales service that can seldom be matched.

Blue Mountain Apartments

Blue Mountain Apartments was incorporated in 2014 to cater to a growing need in the Sri Lankan real estate market for affordable and luxurious apartments. The inaugural project ‘Sovrano 39’ in Kohuwela created history as all available apartment slots were sold out within five hours, raising a staggering Rs. 800 million in five hours. Its next project, the Grandsburg in Colombo 7, also sold out in a few hours and the company’s latest mega project in Bambalapitiya is also expected to be sold out. The project is a massive venture with 440 ultra-luxury apartment units, a conference centre and a shopping mall. Designed by architects from Singapore, the project features design elements that will be used in Sri Lanka for the very first time. All Blue Mountain Apartments promise luxury at an affordable price and offer ultimate value for money.

Other companies

Aside from Blue Mountain Properties and Blue Mountain Apartments, other key companies include Blue Mountain Constructions and Blue Mountain Landlords, all of which complement the company’s iconic work in changing the landscape of Sri Lanka forever. Blue Mountain’s sister companies work hand-in-hand to constantly deliver excellence while its dynamic team members strive to passionately satisfy customers.

Technologically advanced

All of Blue Mountain’s core systems and resource planning are linked to ERP applications and the company is considered the most reliable on-time player in the real estate industry in Sri Lanka. Blue Mountain also recently introduced its IT squad, which was developed under the leadership of internationally recognised Pakistani consultants, who facilitated the use of an IFS system valued at Rs. 100 million. The company also took measures to enhance its digital presence by launching a new website, which features an attractive interface and easy-to-navigate features that provide customers with access to Blue Mountain’s wide array of real estate services.

Partnerships

Blue Mountain recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Singapore-based P&T Group in a bid to pioneer landmark real estate projects in the country. The P&T Group is recognised as one of the largest international architectural and engineering practices in the world. The high-profile joint venture will provide Blue Mountain with the opportunity to consult P&T on all of its high-end projects in order to offer greater value and an enhanced experience to its clients.

Investing in its brand

Blue Mountain has embarked on a branding and integrated communications campaign to strengthen its position as a leader in Sri Lanka’s dynamic real estate industry. Following a competitive pitch process, Leo Burnett was selected as Blue Mountain’s partner and will execute a holistic marketing communications campaign for the brand and its numerous real estate projects across Sri Lanka. Leo Burnett will deploy an integrated campaign comprising advertising, branding, media, digital and PR tactics to effectively strengthen its brand equity.

Also Read:

Building the Blue Mountain brand in Sri Lanka

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January 28, 2016: Sri Lanka’s leading real estate giant, the Blue Mountain Group, recently selected Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI), as its marketing communications partner. Blue Mountain has embarked on a branding and integrated communications campaign to strengthen its position as a leader in Sri Lanka’s dynamic real estate industry and will thereafter focus on strengthening its global brand presence.

Following a competitive pitch process, Leo Burnett was selected as Blue Mountain’s partner and is now executing a holistic marketing communications campaign for the brand and its numerous real estate projects across Sri Lanka. Leo Burnett is deploying an integrated campaign that has been designed to create awareness of the Blue Mountain brand and build its reputation.

The campaign is aligned with the company’s organisational objectives and will strive to increase awareness of the corporate brand whilst simultaneously building Blue Mountain’s reputation. It highlights how the company is on par with leading international real estate giants and has an asset base of over Rs. 14 billion, over 30,000 land plots and nearly 200,000 satisfied customers. The campaign also features the company’s accomplishments, key partnerships, its commitment to the environment and sustainability as well as the advances it has made in applying the latest technology and design concepts to the real estate industry in Sri Lanka.

Diverse offering

Blue Mountain specialises in land sales and real estate developments ranging from luxury residential plots to commercial properties and world class apartments. The company focuses on delivering excellence through innovative design, superior standards of construction and customer service with a focus on the community and environment. Its commitment to give back to the environment by dedicating 10 perches of the land area of each project to nature is an important commitment that the company has taken as a responsible real estate developer which is conscious of the country and its future.

It has already received high acclaim for its vast service offering and its gated community development concept. It recently won international recognition with a 5-Star award at the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards Summit (APPAS). The company is now focused on strengthening its brand presence both in Sri Lanka and Australia. Leo Burnett will work closely with the team at Blue Mountain to deliver the brand’s promise through a variety of touch points.

Brand’s strategic focus

The communications strategy was developed to effectively convey Blue Mountain’s strengths, USPs, accomplishments and pioneering spirit. The key objective of the campaign was to elevate Blue Mountain’s corporate brand and establish its unique prowess and prestige. The campaign features a mix of integrated tactics and incorporates brand planning, mass media, PR, digital media, outdoor hoardings and activations to target a diverse array of stakeholders.

A new partnership

Blue Mountain’s partnership with Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI) has grown from strength to strength through the delivery of this cutting-edge campaign. LBSI, the local office of the global advertising network Leo Burnett Worldwide, is one of the most awarded and recognised agencies in the country. Leo Burnett works with a prestigious portfolio of local and global brands. Its HumanKind approach helps the agency build powerful brands and meaningful partnerships with its clients. The agency is celebrating 16 years of success in Sri Lanka this year. Leo Burnett recently won the highly coveted Graphite Pencil at the D&AD (Design and Art Direction) Awards 2015. The agency has also received significant recognition at the world’s most reputed creative communications awards shows, including the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Campaign Asia, Spikes Asia, ADFEST, AD STARS, the CLIOs, LIA, Red Apple and many more.

Commenting on Blue Mountain’s partnership with Leo Burnett, Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi (MBBS-Colombo & MBA-Australia), Chairman, Blue Mountain, stated, “We are delighted to embark on this new partnership with Leo Burnett. The agency was selected after a thorough evaluation process. The integrated campaign proposed by the agency aptly answered our brief. Leo Burnett is a highly respected agency in the marketing communications industry and we are happy to establish a partnership with an agency of this repute. I hope that this partnership will help strengthen the Blue Mountain brand, enabling us be known as the leader in the real estate industry, especially in Sri Lanka.”

Ranil de Silva, Managing Director of Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI), stated, “It is an honour that we have been selected to partner a visionary 21^st century company such as Blue Mountain. The vision of its Chairman Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi is very inspiring. We are committed to helping him take Blue Mountain to greater heights. The brief and the challenges posed to us are very exciting. We look forward to building a mutually rewarding partnership with Dr. Hettiarachchi and his team.”

Advancements in the digital arena

The company recently forged ahead with its ongoing digital expansion effort by launching its new Facebook page. Developed by the illustrious ‘We are Designers’ studio, this digital platform complements the recently launched website. It showcases Blue Mountain’s diverse offering and provides a more engagement driven customer experience. The Facebook page not only strengthens Blue Mountain’s online presence, it provides real-time interaction with customers and provides them with a means of addressing their concerns and inquiries. The Facebook page has a modern, chic and elegant look and showcases the group’s activities whilst communicating its core values of quality, integrity, and professionalism.

The new Facebook page will help the group to engage with existing and potential clients, by providing regular updates on operations, such as new land launches, and even new promotions and special offers. Customers will also be able to identify investment opportunities and enlist professional assistance from the group to find a property or land solution within their budget, in the location of their choice.

Blue Mountain also recently launched its new website, which truly reflects the professional services and international standard of the company’s real estate offering. Developed by RukiZone, a leading web solutions company in Sri Lanka, it has an attractive interface and easy-to-navigate features to facilitate access to Blue Mountain’s wide array of real estate services. Blue Mountain is revolutionising the local real estate industry through its expertise and knowledge in the domain, and the launch of this world-class website will enable prospective and existing customers to sample the superior service they can expect from the company.

About the company

Blue Mountain is a full service real estate company in Sri Lanka which has diversified operations that extend across the areas of land sales, apartment development and construction. The company is one of the most trusted and reliable real estate companies in the country, with a total asset value of Rs. 14 billion and an employee force of 2,100. The company uses high-tech information systems and has set the benchmark in the industry by being the first ERP based real estate company in the country. It recently introduced its IT squad, which was developed under the leadership of internationally recognised consultants, who facilitated the use of an IFS system which is valued at Rs. 100 million.

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