Two major developers have joined the pan-industry contractors group Build UK, which aims to strengthen its representation of the whole construction supply chain.
Argent and Great Portland Estates are the first two organisations to join the trade body, and will work on the larger issues of payment, pre-qualification and the overall image of the industry.
Other private developers are also said to be taking an interest and will be joining soon.
Build UK was created in 2015 when the UK Contractors Group merged with the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC), which is itself a federation of 40 trade associations, to create a stronger voice representing a wider cross-section of the industry.
Those who led the merger decided that the issues that divide main contractors and subcontractors, notably payment abuses, were less significant than the issues that unite them, such as workloads.
Speaking about the recruitment of the contractors, Build UK chief executive Suzannah Nichol said: “Opening the Build UK discussions to construction clients will enable us to have the honest conversations our industry needs. This is particularly important if we want to change the industry for the better and to the benefit of the whole supply chain.”
According to Build UK, this collaborative approach to working within the construction industry will be more important then ever as Britain has taken the decision to leave the European Union.
James Pellatt, head of projects at Great Portland Estates, said: “As a leading construction client, we understand the value of working closely with our main contractors and trade contractors, paying them regularly and promptly and listening to their suggestions.
“With design teams needing increasing assistance to fully design buildings it is important to continue dialogue in a constructive and collaborative manner with our supply chain and Build UK provides us with a useful forum for debate.”
Phil Sullivan, construction director at Argent, said: “As a construction client we are looking for certainty when delivering across our projects, and as such we are keen to engage with the Build UK membership. We now have a fantastic opportunity to work more collaboratively with the contracting supply chain and improve the quality and performance of our built environment, and I would encourage more clients to join us and help deliver lasting results for the industry.”
