Official would chair board overseeing value for money in procurement and promote innovation and sustainability

A chief adviser on construction could be in place by November, ministers announced today.

The revelation followed the consultation released by the government earlier in the year.

In a statement released today, the government said the chosen individual would chair the board responsible for securing value for money from the government's procurement of construction, promote innovation and sustainability in the industry.

The position will be independent and report to business and innovation department and HM Treasury ministers. The successful individual will:

  • Chair a new Construction Category Board, which will build on the existing Public Sector Construction Clients Forum (PSCCF), to oversee the implementation and further development of best value Government construction procurement
  • Chair an enhanced sustainable construction strategy delivery board to help ensure policy regarding the industry is effectively co-ordinated
  • Assess the key barriers to growth in the UK's low-carbon construction sector to ensure the UK industry is well placed to serve developing needs and markets
  • Work with the industry, through the Strategic Forum for Construction, to deliver the industry improvement agenda, including the Construction Commitments
  • Promote innovation in the sector, working closely with the Technology Strategy Board and other funding bodies
  • Co-ordinate the Whitehall response to reports featuring construction.

Commenting on the announcement, construction minister Ian Lucas said: “We have taken our time to get the role right to ensure that it fits well with a range of new and existing initiatives. We are now pressing hard ahead with recruiting. I want to see a high quality individual in place by November”.

Gillian Charleswort, director of external affairs at RICS said: "Appointing a chief construction adviser recognises the importance of construction to the wider economy and will enable the built environment professions and the commercial construction industry to have a greater impact with government. One of the key challenges will be ensuring the efficiency of procurement processes and the relationship with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) will be of vital importance to the success of the role."

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