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New CBI Forum calls for action on construction in Yorkshire & Humber

21 June 2011

Construction will be a significant measure of economic recovery in Yorkshire & Humber, but the sector and government need to do more together to encourage a revival, according to a newly created CBI Construction Forum for the region which recently had its first meeting hosted by Martin McKervey and James Duckworth, construction partners at law firm Nabarro LLP in Sheffield.

Attended by major contractors including Carillion, Henry Boot, Kier Northern, Morgan Sindell, Shepherd Group, Vinci Construction and Wates (full list of attendees attached), the Forum is a who's who of the construction sector across the region and a new, powerful voice for change with a direct line into the CBI Construction Council.

With construction output in Yorkshire & Humber forecast to decline by 0.6% per annum between now and 2015 (source: Experian Labour Market Intelligence), one of the key priorities identified by the Forum was for the government to drive out inefficiencies in the public procurement process, particularly in the light of the Government Construction Strategy published on 31 May.

The public sector represents 40% of construction industry contracts and many firms in the region have been badly hit by government cutbacks to initiatives like Building Schools for the Future.

Despite acknowledging the need for cuts in public spending, many believe the drive to slash the cost of construction projects to the bone is short-sighted, leading to a negative impact on quality and a dwindling investment in skills and IT in the sector which has a vital part to play in securing jobs and economic recovery. But the sector also recognises it needs to do more in relation to the education and skills agenda, if a future generation is to choose to enter construction, engineering or manufacturing.

Andrew Palmer, CBI Regional Director who chairs the Forum, said:

"This CBI Regional Construction Forum has already set itself an agenda to support the sector. This is no talking-shop; this is a Forum for change and action. We have agreed to identify a five point plan on vital issues such as procurement, skills and how best to work with Local Enterprise Partnerships. This will form the thrust of a concerted campaign to get the voice of the construction industry in the region heard loud and clear at the heart of government."

James Duckworth, construction partner at law firm Nabarro LLP in Sheffield, said:

"We welcome this CBI initiative and recognise the need for action. While the construction sector in London appears to be thriving, there is a significant danger that local cities like Hull, Leeds and Sheffield will be relegated to the second division for years to come. We all need to pull together to prevent a North-South construction divide.

"At the heart of the issue locally is the public procurement process which is often time-consuming, wasteful and inefficient. Anything this Forum can do to improve that situation will be of huge benefit to the construction sector and the region as a whole."

The full list of attendees at the first CBI Regional Construction Forum for Yorkshire and Humberside:

Ian Anfield, Hudson Contract Services
Tony Barnes, Sladen Estates
Simon Carr, Henry Boot
Kieren Curry, Carillion
James Duckworth, Nabarro LLP
Gary Edwards, Shepherd Group
Dominic Gibbons, Wykeland Group
John Huddleson, CBI
Alison Kinna, Outokumpu Stainless
Tom Love, Harworth Estates
Martin McKervey, Nabarro LLP
Danny Murray, Morgan Sindell
Gayle Oakes-Voysey, Swanke Hayden Connell
Andrew Palmer, CBI
David Price, Wates
Steve Radcliffe, Clugston Group
Keith Shivers, Vinci Construction
Gary Wintersgill, Kier Northern

The next meeting of the Forum will take place during August.

For further information, please contact:
Andrew Palmer
Regional Director, CBI
KevParkin@aol.com
T: 0113 264 4242		 Alex Bellinger
PR & E-Communications Manager
a.bellinger@nabarro.com
T +44 (0)20 7524 6391