The new organisation being created from the merger of the UK Contractors Group and the National Specialist Contractors Council will be called Build UK.
Build UK membership will be made up of the major contractors that were previously in UKCG and the myriad specialist trade associations that were previously in the NSCC
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that there is overwhelming support from members of both NSCC and UKCG to join up the contracting supply chain and they will formally vote to effect the merger in June 2015.
Although NSCC and UKCG represent different ends of supply chain payment problems – victims and villain, simply put – they have worked together on the issue and appear keen to make things better for all.
In a joint statement, they said: “Government has consistently called for a more unified voice from the industry and over the last year NSCC and UKCG have found that they share a common position on a wide range of issues, including health and safety performance, skills shortages and the image of the industry. They have also worked together on the Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter and the industry-recognised logo for card schemes.
“Build UK, which will bring together UKCG Contractor Members and Trade Associations currently in membership of either NSCC or UKCG, will be ideally placed to deliver changes in these key areas and so improve conditions for the supply chain as well as the construction industry and its clients.”
An interim strategy board comprising members of both NSCC and UKCG has been set up to oversee the merger and the new organisation will be operational from 1st September 2015. Build UK will be chaired by Kevin Louch (NSCC president) and James Wates (UKCG chairman) and run by current NSCC chief executive Suzannah Nichol.
NSCC’s Kevin Louch said: “I believe that by sitting around the same table we will be able to have honest conversations about how projects can be delivered more effectively and Build UK offers the definite prospect of addressing major industry issues such as pre-qualification, skills and of course payment.”
UKCG’s James Wates said: “This is a huge step forward for the supply chain and, whilst there are some undeniable anxieties about how Build UK will function, all our discussions to date have been extremely positive.”
