CONSTRUCTION PRIORITIES AT INDUSTRY SUMMIT SET OUT BY MINISTERS

MORE than 500 delegates attended UBM’s Government Construction Summit 2012 with leading construction industry figures hailing it as the sector’s most important construction event of the year.

The event was organised by Building Magazine in conjunction with the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills to encourage greater levels of dialogue between the construction sector and Government departments.

Attendees heard keynote speeches from Government Construction Advisor Paul Morrell and Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt. Hon. Francis Maude MP, as well as Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise.

The inaugural one-day event was held at Park Plaza, Westminster, in London. Tom Broughton, Brand Director, Building, said: “We’ve had a fantastic turn out to the event confirming the Government Construction Summit’s place at the heart of the construction agenda. “We want to see the pubic and private sector work better together and this conference is a sign of that improving relationship. Building magazine will be checking on its progress in the coming months.”

A stellar line up of industry speakers set out their thoughts on how to better procure major public projects and increase value. Dr Uwe Krueger, Atkins’ Chief Executive Officer, said: "The UK Government has again made it clear the infrastructure sector must continue to create efficiencies for the public purse. Partnership is key, with the Government continuing to cut the red tape that can act as a drag on its supplies, and the sector must respond by showing the world-class innovation that the UK is famed for. “With London 2012 just 25 days away, we must emulate the best athletes and create a fitter industry capable of beating all-comers.”

Mike Putnam, President & CEO of Skanska UK, said: "Around 40 percent of the projects we deliver as an industry are procured by the public sector. I believe that by sharing best practice across a number of areas, we can help both the future of the construction sector in the UK and, in the longer term, the British Economy. “The Government Construction Summit has been a great way for us to facilitate such collaboration.”

Autodesk and Atkins were Platinum sponsors of the event, with Skanska, CITB Construction Skills and Laing O’Rourke as Gold Sponsors.