Opinion

Lucy Clarke is chief executive of recruitment firm Fixed Construction Receiving construction training while earning a salary in Canada, Australia or New Zealand for two years is a very attractive proposition. Faced with that option versus those available in the UK, it’s highly likely that young people aged 18-35 would…

James Mapley is an associate at Devonshires Solicitors  Contractors likely winced upon reading the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s damming assessment of Rydon’s performance as the primary contractor on the refurbishment of the building prior to the blaze that engulfed it in 2017. ‘Failed’, ‘inexperienced’, ‘complacent’ – these descriptions are diametrically opposed…

Dr Bernard Rimmer, construction commentator The Grenfell Tower Inquiry uncovered dishonesty and misleading information in relation to the supply of the aluminium composite material (ACM) panels. The sort of information it uncovered would not normally be available in construction disputes (over the failure of facades) and will be useful to…

Tim Seal is head of construction at law firm Ridgemont July marked the 30th anniversary of Sir Michael Latham’s 1994 seminal report Constructing the Team. As such, now is a good time to reflect on how one of its recommendations – the introduction of statutory adjudication – is faring today.…

Sarah Bolton is chief executive of Lighthouse Charity As we mark World Suicide Prevention Day, I am conscious that there will be a huge focus on what could or should be done to support our industry’s workforce. Greater awareness of some of the issues can only be a positive thing.…

Georgina Jones is deputy chief executive of charity SOS Silence of Suicide The new Labour government’s target of building 1.5 million homes over five years has been welcomed in many quarters, but what does this really mean for the welfare of construction workers in an industry that is already encountering…

Liam Spencer is co-founder of Anomaly Architects Over the past few years, the retrofit movement has grown arms and legs. A term that was once reserved for a fairly niche group of design and project teams now spans wide across the industry and beyond to a public audience. We have…

Simon Shaw is a senior associate at Mayer Brown  On 17 May 2018, Dame Judith Hackitt declared that the Building Regulations regime in the UK was “not fit for purpose”. Following this, there have been a number of cases and legislative changes relating to fire-safety matters for the industry to…

Nicola Hodkinson is the owner and director of Seddon  The Bank of England’s recent base rate cut to 5 per cent is being hailed as positive for the industry, particularly for simulating the mortgage market and the construction of new housing. The move also has the potential to attract pension…

Pictured left to right: Alison Short, partner, Richard Black, partner, and Jennifer Fitzmaurice, principal associate PSL, Eversheds Sutherland Construction in the UK is heavily reliant on the importation of goods and materials. Unfortunately, the process of sourcing, acquiring and paying for goods has recently been beset by problems, such as…