Peter Hansford appointed chief construction adviser

Former Institution of Civil Engineers president Peter Hansford has been appointed as the new government chief construction adviser, in place of Paul Morrell who will step down later this year.

Hansford is A former president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and chaired ICE’s expert panel contributing to the government’s Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth report.

The government said Hansford would work with government and industry “to ensure Britain’s construction sector is equipped with the knowledge, skills and best practice it needs in its transition to a low carbon economy”.

Business minister Mark Prisk said: “I welcome Peter to the role of chief construction adviser. He is well-known and respected in the construction sector, and his wealth of experience will prove an invaluable asset as we move forward with our construction agenda.

“I’d like to thank Paul Morrell for his dedicated service to the role over the last three years. He has been instrumental in leading the implementation of the Government’s five year construction strategy.

“He also oversaw many notable milestones including the publication of the Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth Team Report, the introduction of cost benchmarking and the establishment of procurement models for industry. I wish him the best in his future endeavours.”

Hansford said: “I am delighted to have been selected as the government’s new chief construction adviser, building on the excellent foundation created by Paul Morrell. I am excited by the challenge of working with industry to deliver the construction agenda, and to progress the transition to a low carbon economy. I look forward to taking up the role in December.”

Hansford will report to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Cabinet Office ministers. He will assume the role in December 2012.