CIOB: Where are the plaudits for UK construction?

Wednesday, 3 August 2011 11:03 AM

Where is UK construction in all those Olympic headlines? It’s easy to forget amongst the sports personalities and design critics the actual people who have built one of the UK’s most important and iconic regeneration developments of the 21st Century.

“The closest praise so far have been back-handed compliments that ‘at least it’s not another Wembley’, with only the architecture drawing any sort of recognition. Yet it’s the people of UK construction who have turned those five-ringed dreams into reality,” said Chris Blythe Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building.

The UK should be proud of its construction industry for creating a landmark development on time, on budget, and with an excellent health and safety record in tough economic times and with a barrage of complexity.

98% of the facilities for the Games have been built by British companies. That is almost £6bn worth of business, or 1,400 contracts, that have been directly awarded to UK companies as well as thousands more businesses further down the supply chain. Altogether an estimated 75,000 firms have won work related to the 2012 Olympics.

It should not be forgotten that the Government’s Plan for Growth, published alongside the Budget 2011, highlighted the critical importance of an efficient construction industry to the UK economy. The construction sector is a major part of our economy. It represents some 7% of GDP or £110bn per annum of expenditure - some 40% of this being in the public sector, with central Government being the industry’s biggest customer.

“The bigger picture at play here is that whilst UK construction is quietly, frustratingly so, delivering an eye-popping regeneration project it is setting new standards along the way. The truth is the Olympics are just a small part of what the construction industry delivers every day. The professional expertise within our industry is exported all over the world and it still leads the way.

“So while we naturally focus on London 2012 lets not forget the myriad of projects up and down the country and across the world that are delivered to world class standards. Brazil 2016 will have a hard act to follow, but it will be made easier because no doubt UK construction will be involved there too,” added Chris.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) represents for the public benefit the most diverse set of professionals in the construction industry.

Our Mission

To contribute to the creation of a modern, progressive, and responsible construction industry; able to meet the economic, environmental and social challenges faced in the 21st century.

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· Creating extraordinary people through professional learning and continuous personal development.

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· Achieving a sustainable future, worldwide.

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· Enabling our members to find an emotional resonance with the Institute; their success is our success.

We have over 47,000 members around the world and are considered to be the international voice of the building professional, representing an unequalled body of knowledge concerning the management of the total building process.

Chartered Member status is recognised internationally as the mark of a true, skilled professional in the construction industry and CIOB members have a common commitment to achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards within the built environment.

Further information is available by contacting Saul Townsend CIOB Press and Communications Manager on t: 01344 630 766 or e: stownsend@ciob.org.uk.

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Saul Townsend MCIPR

Press and Communications Manager

The Chartered Institute of Building

t: +44 (0) 1344 630 766 f: +44 (0) 1344 630 770

e: stownsend@ciob.org.uk Twitter: CIOBsaul

w: www.ciob.org www.artofbuilding.org

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