Show me the money

A high-level group of bosses and academics has convened to help the industry get its hands on millions of pounds in research money which the European Union and the Department of Trade and Industry are eager to hand out.

The EU is keen for its industries to play hard in the global marketplace. According to the European Construction Technology Platform, European construction companies do more international business than both their Japanese and North American counterparts. But to stay competitive, investment is needed in research and development (R&D), which is why, in its next round of funding, the union is making £45bn available across all industry sectors.

The problem is that the construction industry has a poor record of attracting R&D money. For example, £350m is already available from the DTI each year in the UK for industrial R&D, but very little finds its way into construction.

Determined not to miss out on the EU handouts, however, Constructing Excellence has organised the National Platform. Bob White, chief executive of Constructing Excellence, explains: "The UK has been excluded on a great amount of national and European research funding because a structure doesn't exist to bid for it. Regrettably we have lost at least 10 years of attempting to raise the standard of research. However, I am confident that the National Platform provides us with the means to redress this balance and establish research as a critical business process for successful UK industry organisations."

Beth Morgan, research director of the National Platform, says UK construction has largely ignored longer-term, strategic research, and any bids for funding have been ineffective because they lack a co-operative, long-term vision. She says construction could learn something from the pharmaceutical industry.

"They will do large, collaborative research projects, notably the human genome project, and make the results publicly available. As with any research, it's not the findings that give a particular company an advantage, it's how you turn it into a commercial application."

Research needs

The National Platform aims to change attitudes to R&D. It is chaired by Atkins chief executive Keith Clarke and also includes Steve Hindley of Midas, Tim Peach of Taylor Woodrow and Andy McNaughton of Balfour Beatty. It has identified sustainability, client service, IT and greater mechanisation as areas needing R&D if the industry is to stay competitive.

In the next month it will survey approximately 200 senior executives of companies and membership organisations, asking specifically what they would like to know, under the broad categories it has already specified. It will then look for clusters of concerns and encourage companies with similar interests to work together. "We'll be a bit like a dating agency," adds Morgan.

The National Platform will also encourage universities to get involved. Morgan stresses that this is extra money, separate from academic funding, and should be viewed as an additional opportunity for higher education institutions.

Group chairman Keith Clarke says: "Our mission is to significantly increase the level of business-led, relevant research applicable to the built environment. The profile of the construction industry must be raised, and now, with joined expertise and cross industry support, we have the opportunity to identify research interests at a European level."

Also in the National Platform are: Paul Lormor of Corus, Terry Hill of Arup, Ian Ritchie of Ian Ritchie Architects, Richard Petrie of BAA, Dr Julia King of Imperial College, Elizabeth Watmore from the DTI, and Bob White, Constructing Excellence and Mace.

They will operate together with the input of clients, architects and materials producers.