Willmott Dixon, Stanhope and Bennetts Associates are among the founding members of the UK Green Building Council, which met last week

Contractor Willmott Dixon, developer Stanhope and architect Bennetts Associates are among 20 founding members of a new green national coalition body.

The UK Green Building Council, which met for the first time last week, aims to act as an umbrella body for existing built environment eco organisations. It says it will act as a champion for green buildings and boost profit for the environmental business.

Other founding organisations include developers British Land, Canary Wharf Group and Hammerson, consultant Faber Maunsel as well as environmental consultants Atelier Ten, Battle McCarthy and Fulcrum Consulting.

Each founding organisation had to pledge £30,000 over the first two years. The move was criticised by smaller companies that could not afford the fees.

In response to this, the UKGBC has said it will establish different categories of membership. It is also asking professional institutions, trade associations and specialist interest groups, all previously excluded from becoming founding members, to join newly established committees.

The four sub groups will look at:

  • advocacy
  • marketing,
  • technical issues
  • education, training, best practice and research.
The UKGBC is in the process of recruiting a chief executive and is looking for a chairman. BRE will provide secretariat support.