The Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC), has held a meeting for the first time under new Chairman Lord Martin O’Neill, and has outlined its priorities for 2012.

At its meeting on Forum members committed to provide a single clear voice from industry to support and guide Government efforts to reform the sector.

Chief Construction Advisor Paul Morrell joined the meeting to hear representatives from the industry's contractors, professionals, specialists and products suppliers confirm that they would work together to co-ordinate views from across the sector on a range of key activities including:


the industry-wide implementation of Building Information Modelling the roll-out of reforms identified in the Government Construction Strategy the work of the new Green Construction Board the development of accurate market statistics for the industry a continuing focus on health & safety, training and environmental concerns Lord O'Neill, a former MP whose time in Parliament included a ten-year stint as Chairman of the influential Trade and Industry Select Committee, is also a past Chairman of the Nuclear Industry Association. He is the current President of the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group, and brings with him to the SFfC a wealth of industry experience, as well as crucial links to politicians and an excellent knowledge of the working of Parliament.

Speaking on his appointment as Chairman, Lord O'Neill commented: "I am looking

forward to working closely with the industry and the Government on a range of key

strategic issues. The Forum sees the Government Construction Strategy as an opportunity to move the industry forward."

(CD/GK)