Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Tim Lamson, vice president at Clark Construction Group, has been named as a member of Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southeasts 2020 class of Top Young Professionals.

ENR Southeasts Top Young Professionals award recognizes young professionals who represent the best of the regions construction and design industries. The 2020 Top Young Professionals were judged by their leadership qualities, career progression, philanthropic efforts, and involvement in creating landmark projects.

In his role as vice president, Lamson oversees Clarks operations in Nashville, which has grown by more than 30 people over the past year. Clark Construction, which has been building in Nashville for a decade, is currently constructing multiple phases of Nashville Yards in a joint venture with Bell & Associates. The first phase includes a 24-story, 784,000-square-foot Grand Hyatt hotel. The second phase includes a 24-story office tower and associated parking garage. The Clark/Bell team is also providing preconstruction services for the remaining phases of the Nashville Yards project. The multi-phase, 17-acre mixed-use development project will ultimately feature office, retail, residential, and entertainment space. Once complete, this $1 billion project will be the largest private development in Nashvilles history.

In 2018, Lamson relocated to Tennessee to further solidify Clarks long-term building presence in Nashville. During his 15 years at Clark, he has worked on complex, high-profile projects throughout the eastern half of the United States, including Virginia, Washington, DC, Connecticut, and Illinois.

Lamsons career has been punctuated by mega projects that ultimately become iconic additions to the local landscape. Previously, Lamson led construction of the 1,205-room McCormick Place Marriott Marquis, a $350 million design-build hotel project in Chicago that the project team delivered in just 25 months. In addition, Lamson also served as project executive for the construction of the University of Connecticut Ambulatory Care Center. Despite an aggressive schedule, the facilitys parking garage was delivered a year ahead of schedule and the overall project was delivered on-time.

Outside of Clark, Lamson has helped to foster a growing relationship between the Clark/Bell team at Nashville Yards and Luke 14:12, a non-profit soup kitchen in Nashville. Currently, the team serves lunch at the kitchen twice per month. Lamson has also served as a Big Brother mentor for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area.

Learn more about ENR Southeasts 2020 class of Top Young Professionals program and winners at https://www.enr.com/articles/48434-enr-southeasts-2020-top-young-professionals.

About Clark Construction Group

Clark Construction Group, LLC is one of the nations most experienced and respected providers of construction services. American-owned and operated since 1906, Clark is consistently ranked by leading industry organizations as one of the largest general building and civil construction companies with annual revenues of approximately $5 billion. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company has offices strategically located to serve clients throughout the country. Over the last decade, Clark has built some of Nashvilles largest landmarks including Music City Center, Vanderbilt Universitys Engineering and Science Building, and is currently delivering multiple phases at Nashville Yards. With a growing team and experienced leadership, Clarks presence in Nashville continues to grow steadily.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200219005863/en/

Contacts

Erin Classenp: 202-756-7246e: Erin.Classen@allisonpr.com

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Clark Construction Groups Tim Lamson Named a Top Young Professional by ENR Southeast - Yahoo Finance

Just over a year ago, a raging fire and related smoke and heat damage destroyed the southern Vigo County home and most possessions of Sherri and Lee Armstrong, forever changing their lives.

Standing in their front yard on Jan. 31, 2019, they helplessly watched their home go up in flames, although volunteer fire departments valiantly working in extreme cold that night, saving part of the structure and salvaging what items they could.

I think I was in shock for several months, Sherri said Monday. They had lived in the home for 40 years, raised two children there, renovated and built additions. The home was near Paint Mill Lake.

They had to decide whether to rebuild on site, which they did.

But for months, Sherri struggled and insisted that things would never be the same; they had lost videos of their children growing up and sentimental pictures, items that took precious memories with them.

Tribune-Star file/Austen LeakePicking up the pieces: Sherri Armstrong surveys the damage in her living room after a fire claimed her home in January 2019.

Lee convinced her they had to move on. You cant change the past, he said. They had to focus on the present, rebuild, and hopefully the future will work out. And so far, it has.

Exactly one year after that Jan. 31, 2019 inferno, which started in the garage, they moved back into its replacement, rebuilt from the ground up on the same footprint, with some modification.

Our biggest concern was whether it would feel like home, Sherri said. It does. Thats the happy part. We still would go back to the old days and have our old house if we could. ... Wed do it in a heartbeat. But this is a nice replacement.

They learned they were under-insured, and while insurance ultimately covered the structure, they had to use savings for contents and furniture. People need to make sure they are covered for what they think they are covered, she said.

They also suggest people have a plan in case a fire does happen. When their children were young, they practiced fire drills, but after the kids left, that stopped and they found they werent prepared when fire broke out.

In addition, Lee now has four smoke detectors in the attached garage as well as a fire extinguisher. Before the fire, I wasnt fond of smoke detectors in the garage because of false triggers, he said. Also, whereas the prior garage wasnt finished inside, the new one has drywall that would help contain a fire.

The couple worked with Aaron Mackey on the homes design and Mark Clinkenbeard Construction.

A year after that devastating night, the Armstrongs are thanking the volunteer fire departments, especially the Pierson Township Fire Department, for their efforts. I cant say enough good about the firefighters, Sherri said. They got the fire out about halfway through the house, but the rest of the structure had severe heat and smoke damage.

The volunteers spent about 5 1/2 hours fighting the fire, which at times had flames shooting 30 feet in the air. The weather was especially cold, with temperatures falling below zero.

Firefighters worked to salvage what they could of items that included photos and jewelry.

Tribune-Star/Austen LeakeKeepsakes: Several photo albums that Sherri and Lee Armstrong saved from a house fire last year do show some damage.

That night and the next day, friends and strangers, churches and the Pierson Lions Club, reached out to help the Armstrongs, whether with gloves, hats and blankets the night of the fire or gift cards to help them get back on their feet. The American Red Cross also went to the scene.

Thats the neat thing about being in a small community ... they all came together for us, Sherri said.

In a letter to the editor, the Armstrongs are giving special thanks to the Pierson firefighters.

One year from the date of the fire, we moved back into our new home. Our lives have forever been changed. Because of their valiant efforts to protect us, we will forever be grateful. We thank them for being there for us throughout this journey.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at sue.loughlin@tribstar.com Follow Sue on Twitter @TribStarSue.

Tribune-Star file/Austen LeakeTotal loss: Sherri and Lee Armstrong southern Vigo County home was completely destroyed by a fire on January 31, 2019.

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Home again: A year after loss to fire, couple rebuilds and returns - Terre Haute Tribune Star

After slaying the Super Bowl halftime show with Shakira, Jennifer Lopez is doing something thats a little surprising opening a fitness club in Pittsburgh.

Lopez and baseball legend Alex Rodriguez are behind TruFusion, which will be opening at The Cork Factorys garage and retail complex in the Strip District.

The famously fit founders booming fitness franchise offers yoga, kettlebell, Pilates, barre, boot camp, boxing and cycling classes all under one roof. Its expected to open in early 2021.

While J. Lo and Alex Rodriguez are investors on a national level, this is very much a locally owned franchise, says Shannon Striner, the local franchisee. My husband and I have partnered with another couple (Adam and Chrissy Timko) in opening this business. We strongly believe in the power of fitness. Both of our families include children with disabilities. We have partnered up together for their futures. We plan on having classes for folks with disabilities.

The Striners live in Highland Park; the Timkos are from Shaler.

The location in the Strip has long been marked by vacancy since the former Martys Market grocery shut down several years ago.

GMH Capital Partners of suburban Philadelphia says that the entire 43,000-square-foot space will soon be fully-leased with the addition of TruFusion and Coop de Ville, a new concept from the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group.

DeShantz is behind some of Pittsburghs most popular restaurants: Meat & Potatoes, Butcher and the Rye, tk, Pork & Beans, Poulet Bleu and Fish nor Fowl.

Coop de Ville will focus on Southern cooking, and chicken in particular. It will also feature a sports bar atmosphere, with billiards tables and duckpin bowling. Its expected to open this spring.

Photo courtesy of Coop de Ville.

Coop de Ville and TruFusion are welcome additions to the current upscale retail offerings at The Cork Factory, an exclusive living community with exceptional features and amenities in the highly-desirable Strip District, says Rand Ginsburg, senior vice president of asset services for GMH Capital Partners.

Other tenants include the seafood and chophouse Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar, the informal Italian eatery Osteria 2350the boutique fitness studio Meraki,and Sola Salon.

The Cork Factory which actually was once a cork factory called the Armstrong Cork Company was the first major housing redevelopment in the Strip District, an area now booming with living options. Its located at 2350 Railroad Street, and faces the Allegheny River.

It was built in 1901 and designed by renowned architect Frederick J. Osterling designer of the 1892 remodeling of Henry Clay Fricks house, Clayton, and the Union Trust Building in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Alex RodriguezCoop de VilleCork FactoryJennifer LopezRichard DeShantzStrip DistrictTruFusion

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TruFusion fitness studio backed by Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez opening franchise in the Strip - NEXTpittsburgh

A San Francisco startup is utilizing design and technology to make better use of the space in small apartments and condos.

While housing costs may be going up, Bumblebee Spaces is focused on what's coming down, literally. The company specializes in transforming one's ceiling into a place to store beds, books, clothes and other household items.

"How can we make the most out of space?" CEO Sankarshan Murthy said.

Efficiency is the name of the game at Bumblebee Spaces, which, in true Silicon Valley fashion, started in Murthy's garage.

"It started off as this home project for me to convince my wife we don't need more rooms," he said. "Let's make more out of the rooms."

People using Bumblebee's technology simply talk into their smartphone and then watch their items descend.

The company said it's working on designing both rentals and condos people can own. They're all small but feature hidden benefits.

"We liberate these walls and floors so you can live comfortably, yet all your stuff is there," Murthy said.

The company said its additions shouldn't add much to the cost of a residence because people will be able to live in a smaller space.

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SF Companys Technology Stores Beds, Closets in the Ceiling to Maximize Space - NBC Bay Area

What a difference a decade makes. After years of advances and setbacks, Lehigh Valley International Airport is emerging from a holding pattern on growth.

Part of that malaise can be traced to the airports mismanaged land-grab in the 1990s for an ill-fated runway expansion, forcing the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority to pay a $26 million court award to landowners.

Throw in the 9/11 attacks, the recession of 2008-09, and the retrenching of the major airlines, and you have a one-step-forward, two-steps-back approach to delivering the level of airport service justified by the growth of the Lehigh Valley.

The latest numbers are telling. LVIA has had 27 straight months of increased passenger traffic. Its poised to hit the 1 million annual passenger mark in 2020. The last time that many people flew in and out of LVIA was 2004.

The airports future was buoyed last week with the opening of a two-plane base by Allegiant Air, which will bring 66 new jobs and a $50 million local investment. Keeping two passenger jets stationed at LVIA means pilots and flight attendants can fly out of and return to the Lehigh Valley for the first time. Mechanics and ground staff will be added.

It also means Allegiant will be able to experiment with and add new destinations, both to vacation sites and to major hubs, where passengers can make connections. That lack of flexibility, coupled with noncompetitive fares, has diverted Valley residents to airports in Philadelphia, Newark and New York.

The demand is there. Market studies show people inside and outside the Lehigh Valley want to fly out of LVIA to Washington, D.C., Boston, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Austin, among other cities. Thomas Stoudt, executive director of the airport authority, says negotiations to expand the airports reach are continuing.

Allegiant, which has catered primarily to Florida vacation travelers, recently announced the startup of Allentown-Chicago flights. It also is expanding its network of bases around the country and has nine new destinations, including San Diego, Las Vegas and Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

These are welcome additions. Yet LVIA is still playing catch-up on infrastructure and other improvements that need attention.

Parking is still a sore spot, long after the elimination of an economy lot and shuttle service to the terminal. The security checkpoint between the terminal and boarding area is a bottleneck at peak times. Traffic on Airport Road and Route 22 is worsening with the addition of a FedEx distribution center nearby and funding delays to widen Route 22.

The airport authority is planning changes expanding parking, which will probably mean a parking garage, and a $22 million terminal connector to get people through security more efficiently. It's also looking to move the entrance/exit on Airport Road and convert the former control tower site to a hotel and retail space, according to Stoudt.

Its taken a long time for the airport to shake off its economic baggage. The challenge now for the LVIA staff and county officials is to keep up with the demands of growth. The collaboration with Allegiant and proposed infrastructure changes look like a good start.

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Things are looking up at LVIA, but theres more work to do | Editorial - lehighvalleylive.com

All for the Animals, for All Animals: Pet Rock Fest Announces 22nd Annual Event

Pet Rock Fest is thrilled to announce that the 22nd annual festival will return for the fourth year in a row to the field at Wyman-Gordon in North Grafton, which we are happy to now call home.

This annual event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, from noon to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Wyman-Gordon plant, 244 Worcester St., North Grafton. With a return to this centrally-located and expansive venue, the event continues to grow in numerous ways, drawing more attendees and participants, both in variety and in numbers.

The event features all of the popular attractions, but includes additions to our offerings: from food to vendors to events to nonprofit participation. Pet Rock Fest continues to put the spotlight on the animal welfare organizations of New England that work hard to promote kindness to animals.

The Westborough State Hospital Memorial needs volunteers on Sunday, Feb. 16, from 10 AM to 4 PM on the old Westborough State Hospital grounds to help clear away overgrown brush from the location of an old State Reform School cemetery.

Our first clean up saw about 30 people come out to help, said the announcement, and hopefully well see both new and returning faces!

Before the grounds became Westborough State Hospital, from 1848 to 1884 it was the home of the State Reform School for Boys. Once the hospital took over it was abandoned, and its memory and very existence forgotten, said the announcement.

Our research has confirmed the existence of a State Reform School cemetery on the property, and we also have photos of the receiving tomb and headstones, it continued. In order to officially confirm the location with the appropriate equipment though we need to clear out decades of overgrown brush.

Bring shears and shovels if you have them!

Meet volunteers by Lake Chauncy on Hospital Road in Westborough behind the red storage building and an old garage.

Hey artists and baseball fans. Heres another fun way to enhance the community and contribute to the progression that is the Canal District. Join the WooSox and ArtReach on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to create two community murals that will enhance the construction fences surrounding Polar Park during construction.

From 6:30 PM -8:30 PM at Art Reach, 322 West Boylston St., Worcester, enjoy some popcorn, Polar seltzer and Table Talk apple pie, as we paint two murals and create WooSox history. Free drawings for opening day tickets, WooSox merchandise, and some other fun stuff celebrating Worcesters favorite pastime.

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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester Friday, Feb. 14 - This Week In Worcester

Laurie and Craig Stahlecker have formed a company to take over the hotel and are preparing to hold a soft opening on Wednesday, Feb. 19, with a regular opening date the following day. The Crookston Inn closed on Dec. 29, after previous owners Todd and Nicole Jacobson experienced difficulties repaying loans for remodeling and property taxes. Laurie Stahlecker was the general manager of the hotel before it closed.

Well yes and no, said Stahlecker, when asked if she owns the hotel. Im the owner of the business inside, the bank owns the building. I am pretty much managing it for a year, and then Ill go from there.

That bank is United Valley Bank in Grand Forks, from which Stahlecker is leasing the hotel with an option to buy.

Stahlecker said her new business is not affected by debts that dragged down the hotel in its previous incarnation.

That is a former owner issue, not mine, she said.

Angel Weasner, city finance director for Crookston, said the city is attempting to collect nearly $130,000 from previous owner Todd Jacobson, who took out loans through the city via a federal intermediary revolving loan program to pay for remodeling, as well as property taxes.

We have a personal guarantee, and so through legal channels, were calling the note, Weasner said.

The new business owner said she is not worried about competition from Crookstons three other hotels, the Golf Terrace Motel, AmericInn and Cobblestone Hotel and Suites.

I think I'll be fine, she said. Were a little bit different. I mean we have the event center.

Mike Jacobson, who said he is not related to the previous Crookston Inn owner Todd Jacobson, owns the AmericInn hotel in Crookston. He said his hotel is running at 46% occupancy for the month, even with the Crookston Inn closed. The occupancy rate needs to be in the mid-fifties to break even, he said.

When you have a $20,000-a-month payment, and you're only bringing in $30,000 or $40,000 and you got to pay bills and taxes and everything else, you just can't make it happen, Jacobson said.

Stahlecker, for her part, said she is glad to be reopening and has brought back about 25 Crookston Inn employees. She noted a number of cosmetic improvements have been done at the hotel in preparation for reopening, including new paint and some room updates.

Its got our own touch and feel to it, she said.

The hotel has 74 rooms and the event center can accommodate up to 400 people.

Stahlecker said she has events such as weddings lined up and is preparing to host a Darts and Divas event Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22. The event, a womens dart tournament, should bring more than 30 people to the hotel and event center.

The Crookston Inn also has a new menu and point-of-sale technology that allows a server to accept credit cards at a guests table.

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Crookston Inn and Convention Center to reopen - Grand Forks Herald

The Sterling Heights Public Library is preparing to undergo renovations over the next several months.

Black markings are visible on pillars outside the librarys entrance. According to city officials, the markings will be covered up once the weather breaks and painting can be done.

Photo by Deb Jacques

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STERLING HEIGHTS A new chapter of change is underway as the Sterling Heights Public Library begins a remodeling process. But library staff members are warning that not all of it will be quiet.

The city officials recently announced that a season of library renovations would be kicking off soon. Sterling Heights Purchasing and Facilities Maintenance Manager Jared Beaudoin said in an emailed statement that the decision to renovate stemmed from the citys 2017 Facilities Conditions Assessment. He said the city conducted a workflow study so that renovating work spaces would ensure efficiencies.

In 2018, the Sterling Heights City Council agreed to issue capital improvement bonds for the renovations, Beaudoin explained. He said the funding covers new furniture, building finishes, HVAC replacement and upgrades, electrical work, plumbing, security, and the fire alarm and IT systems.

The estimated cost for these renovations at the public library is $4.1 million, Beaudoin said. These are the first library renovations in 20 years. The last renovations in 1999 added more than 8,200 square feet to the facility.

Jason Groth, the librarys public relations and programs coordinator, said the renovation work will include new lighting, furniture and carpeting, as well as fresh paint.

He said a new glass-enclosed teen room on the first floor will be a place where young people may study and socialize. More study rooms and a makerspace room for craftwork and tech-related projects will be added.

Based on patron feedback, many residents want to boost the librarys role as a community space, Groth said. The renovations are working toward that end.

Groth assured patrons that the library building will generally stay open throughout the renovation period, though at times sections will be closed off while workers get the construction done. For instance, at times, the programming center will be blocked off, but affected library programs will temporarily take place at the new Community Center building across the street, he explained.

Groth assured residents that all normal library materials may still be checked out. In cases where the materials would normally be in a walled-off area, a librarian may access them, he explained.

Groth said he believes that the librarys core renovations could last roughly from March until November, though he emphasized that the timeline is not firm.

We also do not know which sections will be closed first, he said.

Groth warned that patrons might have to bear with noise and other inconveniences during the period, and he hopes that people will pardon any dust that occurs.

We hope our construction crew will minimize such nuisances, but we cant guarantee that theyll be eliminated, he said.

Learn more about the Sterling Heights Public Library, 40255 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights, by visiting shpl.net or by calling (586) 446-2665.

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Sterling Heights library turns page on building construction - C&G Newspapers

You spent the holidays binging on HGTV, and now visions of shiplap accent walls and freestanding soaking tubs are dancing through your head.

Dont let your desire to upgrade your home downgrade your home's market value. Before you make a renovation fantasy a reality, consider whether the project will pay off when you're ready to sell. Plenty of home improvements add value, but others like these five can hurt it.

1. A CHEF-QUALITY KITCHEN

If you love to cook, a high-end kitchen could be the ultimate gift for you. But if you think a massive overhaul will majorly impact resale value, you might be in for a surprise. An upscale kitchen renovation recoups just 54% of its cost in added value, according to Remodeling magazine's 2020 Cost vs. Value report.

"If you do marble countertops and high-end appliances, you could spend $100,000, and it doesn't necessarily mean your house is worth an extra $100,000," says Beatrice de Jong, a consumer trends expert for Opendoor, a San Francisco-based direct home buyer and seller.

Smaller kitchen upgrades could yield a bigger payoff. Chris Arienti, broker and owner of Remax Executive Realty near Boston, suggests keeping updates reasonable: Think granite rather than marble, and GE instead of Sub-Zero.

2. DIY PAINTING

A bold statement wall can say the wrong thing to potential buyers if the workmanship is questionable. Streaky, chipped or low-quality paint can knock $1,700 off a home's sale price, according to Opendoor data that looked at home offers made from June 2018 to June 2019.

"A good paint job is not easy," says Sarah Cunningham, a real estate agent with Ethos Design + Remodel in Boise, Idaho. "It is all in the prep work, and most people don't want to do the prep work." Hiring a professional to paint can help ensure a more attractive result.

3. AN EXPANDED MASTER SUITE

Knocking down a wall to create an oversize master bedroom or stealing closet space to build out a spa-style bathroom may sound dreamy. But how about as a selling point? "If you go from five bedrooms to four, and you can make it work, no big deal," Arienti says. But he cautions that losing a bedroom in a smaller house could mean a lower selling price.

As for cutting into closet space, residential building codes don't mandate that bedrooms have closets. But, Arienti says, "Once you take the closet out of a bedroom, to a buyer, that no longer looks like a bedroom."

4. PLUSH WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING

Carpet can be especially unattractive to first-time home buyers, who may be used to landlords updating carpet between renters, de Jong says.

"In general, people are grossed out by (carpeting). It can make a room look a little bit dated."

It can also ding your sale price. Carpet as the primary flooring in a house drops the value by $3,900 and carpeting in the master bedroom causes a $3,800 plunge, according to Opendoor. Conversely, a 2019 report from the National Association of Realtors estimated that sellers could recoup the entire cost of refinishing hardwood floors. New wood flooring could actually add value, with sellers getting $1.06 for every dollar spent according to NAR.

5. A SWIMMING POOL

It doesn't matter if it's infinity edge or above-ground: Any pool can be seen as a drawback by buyers who don't want to deal with maintenance or insurance. Even in Florida, a pool doesn't add value, Liede DeValdivielso, a real estate agent with the Keyes Company in Miami-Dade, said via email. If you're thinking resale, it's not worth it you'll never recoup the cost, DeValdivielso said. But if you'll use it and enjoy it, put in a pool.

HOW TO DECIDE IF A RENOVATION IS WORTH THE COST

To ensure youre making an informed decision:

CONSIDER YOUR TIMELINE. "If you're going to be in the home for 30 years, you can do anything, because at that point, your mortgage is paid off," Arienti says. Looking to sell in the near future? Pay closer attention to whether your choices will appeal to a potential buyer.

CONSULT AN EXPERT. "Talk to a professional so you aren't making misinformed choices that are going to work against you in five to 10 years," Cunningham says. A designer can help you tell fleeting trends from future classics; a contractor can explain what kind of work a proposed renovation would entail.

COMPARE HOME FEATURES IN YOUR AREA. De Jong suggests looking at comparable homes for sale near you and going to open houses to make sure your improvements align with the norms for your neighborhood.

GET AN APPRAISAL. A licensed appraiser can do a feasibility study to estimate your home's current value and its likely value after the improvements.

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Kate Wood is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: kwood@nerdwallet.com

RELATED LINKS:

NerdWallet: Find out how much your home is really worth

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NerdWallet: Tips for first-time home buyers

http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-tips-first-time-home-buyers

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5 home improvements that may not pay off when you sell - ABC News

Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, has reshuffled his cabinet. But among all the sackings and appointments, the big news of the day was Sajid Javids resignation as chancellor of the exchequer. Javid was reportedly told by the prime minister that he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with No 10 special advisers to make it one team, which he refused to do, instead choosing to resign. He has been replaced by his deputy, Rishi Sunak.

This is a very swift promotion for Sunak and is a role that will immediately come with a lot of work given the budget is only four weeks away. This replacement is seen by many as the prime ministers move to take more control of economic policy. And, by replacing a chancellor who had, at times, different views to him, Johnson now has someone with limited political and cabinet experience at No 11 a move that has caused former Tory MP David Gauke to take to Twitter to warn Whitehall to remember the importance of its independence. He said: the chancellor and the Treasury has to be strong enough to say No to the PM or anyone else.

Research further supports the importance of a strong chancellor. In cross-country studies that have looked at the role of finance ministers, it has been found that strong ministers keep lower levels of debt and deficit and are able to block rises in social welfare spending.

Why the reshuffle?

Typically, prime ministers reshuffle when their popularity goes down and when they cannot effectively control their cabinet or their backbench. So the timing of this reshuffle may seem unusual as it comes only two months after the formation of a new government from a prime minister who enjoys high approval ratings and a large parliamentary majority.

Yet its not as abnormal as it seems given that the prime minister kept his team of ministers after Decembers election so this is effectively his first opportunity for a post-electoral reshuffle.

The profile of cabinet ministers reflects the PMs policy priorities. Johnsons July 2019 cabinet sent a very clear message: he was determined to deliver Brexit, and accordingly he appointed ministers with strong pro-Brexit stances. Now that the UK has technically left the European Union, it was expected that he would want to replace some of these ministers with ministers who share his policy vision beyond Brexit. Nonetheless, it appears Brexit is still a prominent issue for Johnson as a lot of high-profile appointments include vocal supporters of Brexit.

MPs policy expertise, professional background, political experience and past performance are all factors that matter when deciding who to appoint.

Indeed, Theresa Villiers is out as environment secretary, replaced by George Eustice MP for Camborne and Redruth in Cornwall. This appointment could have significant consequences for the countrys environmental policy as evidence suggests that the people that prime ministers appoint to ministerial portfolios matter for policy outcomes. Although Eustice has policy experience as a former minister for agriculture, his public profile speaks louder of his opposition to the EUs agricultural policy than of his environmental record.

Friends with political goals

Johnson is faced with a very different party and country than in July 2019. He has a large parliamentary majority and a parliamentary group that is more unified than before the December elections. This allows him to appoint ministers who are ideologically close to him without worrying too much about satisfying party factions.

Policy objectives, however, are not the sole or the primary reason for reshuffles. Prime ministers seek to balance a number of important goals when they decide who to appoint to cabinet. And prime ministers often use cabinet appointments to reward their friends and those loyal to them.

Johnson clearly wants to send a strong signal that he values loyalty above everything else. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, for example, has been rewarded with a more senior appointment from minister for the armed forces to secretary of state for international development. Similarly Oliver Dowden has been promoted to culture secretary. Geoffrey Cox on the other hand has lost his job as attorney general for openly disagreeing with the PM over the parliaments prorogation.

Reshuffles are also the only way to fire ministers who have drifted from the prime ministers agenda or who openly disagree with the prime minister. Indeed, probably most of those whove been sacked were ministers who had stood up to the prime minister in cabinet meetings.

And of course, not all ministers are high performers. Its the prime ministers responsibility to replace low-performing ministers particularly in high-priority portfolios and reshuffles offer than opportunity.

So of the ministers would have remained in post, such as international trade secretary Liz Truss, education secretary Gavin Williamson and health secretary Matt Hancock, its safe to say they have either performed sufficiently well and have avoided scandals. Or it could simply be theyve been kept where they are because the prime minister considers their areas to be low priority where policy stability is expected time will only tell.

Despina Alexiadou, Chancellors Fellow at the School of Government and Public Policy, University of Strathclyde

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image: Reuters

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British Politics Primer: Who's Who in Johnson's Reshuffled Cabinet? - The National Interest Online