CIC Cascade

15 November 2007

1. CIC Commitment to Sustainable Construction
2. Happold Medal Lecture – Last few places remaining
3. Job Opportunities at CIC
4. DQI at SCALA 2007
5. UK Professional Services Survey Launch
6. Sir Michael Latham to chair ACE advisory group
7. CIOB seminar set to give insight into OFT investigation
8. Events

1. CIC Commitment to Sustainable Construction
CIC is set to increase its leadership role in sustainable construction following a commitment from design and engineering consultancy Atkins to donate the expertise of two of its people.

The lead resource will be Tony Iles, Associate Director in Atkins’ Environmental Management team, who will work three days a week for CIC over the next six months, from November 2007 to April 2008.  He will be supported by sustainability consultant Piotr Berebecki.

Tony’s first priority will be to lead CIC’s response to the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s (BERR) draft sustainable construction strategy, which will involve the co-ordination of members' views and input, liaison with the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) and overseeing the drafting process.  The next stage will be to help CIC support BERR in implementing the strategy. 

Graham Watts Chief Executive of CIC said: “Tony and Piotr will be a great asset to CIC in the key area of developing and implementing the sustainable construction strategy, as well as helping shape CIC priorities in relation to Climate Change and other environmental policies.”

Keith Clarke, Chief Executive of Atkins and Deputy Chairman of CIC said: “Atkins’ corporate responsibility policy is to share our expertise in areas which are fundamentally important to society, and this is a prime example. It is crucial that we develop a common way forward on sustainability between Government and the design community.”

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2. Happold Medal Lecture – Last few places remaining
Happold Medal Lecture: Sir Peter Hall on “House Building – A Lost English Art?”
Tuesday 27 November, 6.30pm at the RAeS (Royal Aeronautical Society), London.

If you would like to attend CIC’s Happold Medal Lecture and have not yet reserved a place, please do so by 5pm Tuesday 20 November. 

To reserve your place please complete the booking form on the CIC website at www.cic.org.uk/happold  or email tdale@cic.org.uk

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3. Job Opportunities at CIC
CIC are leading a programme of exciting projects designed to encourage recruitment into the professions and improve skills in the workplace. We are looking for new people to join our team in London in the following roles:

Project Manager (Skills)

Project Manager (Regions)

Skills and Regions Coordinator

The Project Manager (Skills) will take a lead role in planning and managing a range of projects, initiatives and events and supporting the work of Regional Employer Panels.

The Project Manager (Regions) will coordinate and support our activities in the regions, working with a range of stakeholders including our members and our partners in ConstructionSkills.

The Skills and Regions Coordinator will assist the coordination and delivery of projects and activities focussed upon careers, skills development and qualifications within the professional sector

These roles require self-motivation and good people skills, supported with experience of professional careers, training, events and the Built Environment sector.

Send your CV together with a covering statement regarding your suitability for the role to the Director of Skills at mway@cic.org.uk State clearly which position you are applying for.

Closing date for applications 23rd November 2007.  The interviews will take place within 2 weeks of the closing date

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4. DQI at SCALA 2007
DQI featured as one of a number of presentations at the recent 2007 Serving Construction & Architecture in Local Authorities (SCALA) conference and exhibition at the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow. The event was aimed at clients, designers and end users, along with elected representatives responsible for managing the public sector property portfolio and covered a number of themes including how design can be given greater prominence at the planning and briefing stage and whether end users should have a greater input into design? 

An introduction to the DQI was given by James Beevers, CIC, followed by a presentation by Dr. Chris French, a registered DQI facilitator, on the experiences of facilitating the DQI. Opening addresses were given by Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture and Ian Gilzean, Chief Architect of the Scottish Government.

For further information on SCALA please visit www.scala.org.uk

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5.  UK Professional Services Survey Launch
The Construction Industry Council would like to invite you to the launch of the UK Professional Skills Research Survey on Tuesday 4 December 2007, 6.30pm– 8.30pm at One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London SW1A 2HD.

The UK Professional Services Survey (2005/6) contains the findings of a cross section of Construction Professional Services firms (CPS). The survey addresses key issues that the CPSs face with regards to recruitment and skills gaps currently affecting professional services in the built environment. In addition the survey aims to provide an indication of firms’ expectations and concerns with respect to future workloads and skill needs.

The evening will provide an opportunity to hear the thoughts of the researchers in terms of the findings and methodology. They will also be on hand to answer any questions about the research and the implications it has on the built environment industry.

Places for the launch are limited – early booking is highly recommended. If you would like to attend, please contact Karen Syme via email ksyme@cic.org.uk

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6.  Sir Michael Latham to chair ACE advisory group
ConstructionSkills chairman Sir Michael Latham is to chair the Association for Consultancy and Engineering’s (ACE) advisory group, ACE chairman Michael Whitwell announced recently.

ACE’s advisory group gives guidance to the main ACE board on strategic issues and provides it with political and industry connections. Members consist of key individuals from a wide range of backgrounds representing politics, government, education, media, legal and financial institutions, as well as professional and industrial bodies and client interests. The group meets twice a year in London.

Commenting on his new role, Sir Michael Latham said: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to support ACE and engage with the key figures that sit on its advisory group. I have worked with ACE for some time now and becoming more closely involved with them will give us all the opportunity to develop our work further to the benefit of the main ACE board."

ACE chairman Michael Whitwell said: “Sir Michael has been assisting with the development of ACE strategy over the past two years and his taking the chair of the advisory group is a logical next step in his involvement with us. He has given valuable support and assistance to ACE’s chief executive Nelson Ogunshakin during a period when ACE has seen its standing and profile transformed in the marketplace. We are delighted to have Sir Michael on board and look forward to benefiting further from his input and unrivalled experience of our industry.”

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7. CIOB seminar set to give insight into OFT investigation
Following on from the 2006 CIOB research into corruption within the UK construction industry, the Institute is set to deliver a seminar on the progress and implications of the ongoing Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation.

Throughout England the OFT has been examining allegations of bid rigging by construction companies.  Dawn raids on over 50 companies, and many applications for leniency, are said to have generated evidence of bid rigging affecting thousands of tenders, worth a total of approximately £3 billion.  Several leading contractors have admitted that they are under investigation and face the prospect of heavy fines and significant adverse publicity.  Claims for substantial damages may well follow and individuals involved could face criminal prosecution and/or disqualification as directors.

The CIOB seminar on Monday 26th November at Adelaide House, London Bridge will present an update of the investigation and all its implications for the industry. Speakers will include the OFT’s Deputy Director of Cartels, who is currently responsible for the investigation, along with partners from Berwin Leighton Paisner’s EU & Competition team, who have advised on this investigation.

Attendance at the event is free but there is a need to register. Further information is available on the CIOB website at www.ciob.org.uk or by emailing eventregistration@ciob.org.uk

8. Events

The events page of the CIC website is frequently updated visit the events page for details.

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