Constructing Excellence Midlands

🎧 Max Wilkes, an Associate Director for AtkinsRéalis chats to Mark Wakeford on the meaning of the data that is available and the predictions that the current data shows. They review the productivity arguments as well as our position within the world, noting that wage inflation will continue to be a significant driver for cost increases and that material prices have risen faster in the UK than anywhere else in Europe. Listen to full podcast here:   https://lnkd.in/eRgNsmYf Max is a strong advocate that the data shows that companies need to train their staff, invest in IT and other equipment and focus on corporate performance over project results. His view is that the industry can do much to improve its performance and that we should not expect outside bodies, such as Government, to solve our issues for us. The construction industry is the largest separate sector in the UK, generating £139Bn of value in 2023, delivered by 365,000 VAT registered businesses, employing over 1.4M people and supported by over 750,000 self-employed staff. These numbers often mask the messages coming from the industry on what we have to do to stay ahead, as leaders focus on their experience and anecdotal case studies. As an established sector, there is a huge amount of data that is published on construction. However, many of us need a guide to advise on the origin, veracity and meaning of this data. 

Many thanks to Martyn Jones for this December article for our newsletter. Martyn writes a thought provoking piece every month for CE Midlands. Please do visit our website to sign up for our monthly newsletter and weekly event eshots. Link in the comments ⬇️

🎉 Don’t Miss Out! The G4C Midlands Awards Deadline is Approaching Fast! 🚨 Why wait? Submit your entry now and enjoy a stress-free holiday season! 🎄✨ Start 2024 on a high note by beating the January rush and putting yourself in the running for these prestigious awards. 📅 Key Deadlines: 💠 G4C Awards: 10th January 💠 West Awards: 28th February 💠 East Awards: 2nd May 🌟 Showcase your achievements and stand out in the industry! Links to enter are in the comments—it’s quick and simple! 💼 Our awards are proudly supported by the following headline sponsors: Salus (Building Control & Fire Safety Consultants) Ltd, SCAPE, and Rider Levett Bucknall RLB #CEAwards #G4C #Construction #ConstructionExcellence #Awards Mariam Elkaradia Molly Lydia Shaw Sophie Drinkwater

🎧 Construction is the largest industry in the UK and therefore an important industry for Government to understand and nurture. Government is also the sector’s largest customer and so one that the industry needs to respect as client and rule setter. Link in comments to listen to full episode ⬇️ Our industry often feels that government does not understand us, or that it fails to set the right environment for the industry to thrive. Government on the other hand can be bewildered by the sheer number of representative bodies and the variety of differing opinions that exist over some of the simplest of issues. Eddie Hughes, who was an MP and the Housing Minister under the last Conservative administration, talks to Mark Wakeford about how construction should interact with both government and politicians. He shows that there are ways of influencing politicians and through them the civil service to make decisions that have the best outcomes for our sector. He urges us all to “love our politician”, as without our long-term guidance we will not get the political attention we deserve or the accuracy of legislation that need to operate efficiently and effectively. Eddie’s view is that engaging with your local politician, ideally on site, will give you a steer on what is happening in Westminster and your politician first-hand knowledge of your issues.

🚨 Don’t Miss Out! The G4C Midlands Awards Deadline is Almost Here! 🚨 Why wait? Submit your entry today and breeze through the holiday season stress-free! 🎉 Kick off 2024 on a winning note by getting ahead of the January crunch. 👇 Entry links are in the comments – it’s quick and easy! Award Deadlines: 💠 G4C Awards – 10th January 💠 West Awards – 28th February 💠 East Awards – 2nd May 🌟 This is your chance to shine and showcase your excellence in the industry! Proudly supported by our headline sponsors: Salus (Building Control & Fire Safety Consultants) Ltd, SCAPE, and Rider Levett Bucknall RLB #CEAwards #G4C #Construction #ConstructionExcellence #Awards Mariam Elkaradia Molly Lydia Shaw Sophie Drinkwater

📢 Hurray! Our website is back online! ✨ We apologise for any inconvenience caused. You can now book events and enter award submissions via our website again!

Unfortunately we are having some technical issues with our website today so it has been put into maintenance mode whilst the team work to get it back to normal. We appreciate your patience and will let you know as soon as the site is back up and running.

🎧 “The second oldest profession in the world” has lost its mojo over the last fifty years and Architects have lost much of the authority that they used to enjoy. Link to listen in first comment ⬇️ James Pickard, Co-Founder and Principal at employee-owned of Cartwright Pickard talks to Mark Wakeford about the changing role of the Architect, the importance of recognising the values that the profession can provide and its opportunities to support the sector and its clients. James explores the Building Safety Act, technology and the ever increasing sustainability agenda, noting that only Architects are trained to discuss these competing priorities. James is very positive about the future and the potential for construction to change people’s lives for the better. #buildingsafety #architects #buildingsafetyact

The CE Midlands Team out for our Christmas lunch today following another successful year 🎄 Wishing you all seasons greetings 🌟

🚨 Don’t Miss Out! The G4C Midlands Awards Deadline is Almost Here! 🚨 Why wait? Submit your entry today and breeze through the holiday season stress-free! 🎉 Kick off 2024 on a winning note by getting ahead of the January crunch. 👇 Entry links are in the comments – it’s quick and easy! Award Deadlines: 💠 G4C Awards – 10th January 💠 West Awards – 28th February 💠 East Awards – 2nd May 🌟 This is your chance to shine and showcase your excellence in the industry! Proudly supported by our headline sponsors: Salus (Building Control & Fire Safety Consultants) Ltd, SCAPE, and Rider Levett Bucknall RLB #CEAwards #G4C #Construction #ConstructionExcellence #Awards Alexander Tabb Molly Lydia Shaw Sophie Drinkwater