CIC Chief Executive gives keynote address at CABE Conference

CIC's Chief Executive, Graham Watts OBE, gave the Key Note Speech at the first Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Annual Conference Emergence, Evolution and Development, last month, in Swindon, to an enthusiastic audience numbering over 150, including members and guests from the UK and overseas. He began by congratulating CABE on achieving its Royal Charter.

Addressing the theme of the conference Mr Watts spoke about the huge opportunities presented by the global construction market which is forecast to grow by over 70% by 2025, alongside the challenges of developing markets in a politically volatile world and one with economic, sustainability and climate change imperatives. His speech concluded with some big pre-Election messages, showcasing construction as an engine for growth; construction as an enabling sector (every £1 spent on construction generates £2.86 in the local economy); how a better built environment improves the quality of life for society; the importance of taking a long term view, not stop/start; and the importance of good design.

Other speakers and presenters included Lord Lytton, Parton of CABE who opened the conference, and Martin Irvine, Kevin Easton, Gavin Dunn, Francois Samuel, CABE Deputy Chief Executive Kevin Blunden, Ross Holleron, Andy Jobling, Richard Harral, Stephen Radley and Steve Davies.

The two day conference attendees debated Building Control Service provision amid changing standards, particularly in the housing sector and how the industry can attempt to meet the challenges imposed by that change. In his closing speech CABE President Michael Wadood addressed the need for an industry with a joined-up approach to provide better buildings, delivered by skilled professionals, and he called on members to continue to share knowledge, raise standards and ensure that there is a sufficient flow of skilled new recruits.