Construction businesses were urged to work together to help drive much-needed change across the industry at the launch of the Constructing Excellence Surrey Club.
Over one hundred guests gathered at The Long Bar, Guildford Harbour Hotel on Thursday, November 30th, to hear from some leading experts in the field, and celebrate the start of an important moment for the county’s construction business.
The Constructing Excellence movement is a national platform aimed at stimulating debate and encouraging change in the construction sector. Earlier this year, a group of businesses agreed to form a Surrey Club to promote best practice across the county through a collaborative approach involving networking, thought-leadership talks, site tours and social events.
White Label were among an impressive portfolio of founding partners who co-funded the initial set-up and the launch event. They include: Charles Russell Speechlys, Faithful+Gould, Menzies, Savills, Scott Brownrigg, SECBE, Surrey County Council, Thomasons, White Label and Willmott Dixon.
The launch marked the first step on the ladder of the club’s overarching aim to connect businesses across the construction supply chain in Surrey and drive up industry standards to enhance the county’s built-environment.
Speaking at the event, Alison Nicholl, Associate Director, Constructing Excellence, said: “I’m delighted to be here to mark the launch of our Surrey Club.
“We’ve got a national movement made up of eight regions with about 35 best practise clubs. Each year across our clubs we get around 17,000 people attending over 250 events, so it’s a real movement for change across the country now. Collaboration is key to all of our work, we need everyone buying into this.”
Roger Forsdyke, Managing Director, Willmott Dixon South East commented: “Crucial lessons need to be learned from businesses that have gone into liquidation. With Brexit looming on the horizon, it is more important than ever to drive forward with change to ensure a better service and a better outcome for all involved in construction process.”
Tracie Evans, Executive Director for Economy, Growth and Commercial, Surrey County Council, said: “The club says everything about how we need to collaborate and how we need to work together in the future. Our residents really want to see growth, but they want to see sustainable growth. Surrey is a wealthy area but our growth is flatlining and we need do something about kickstarting that.
“We will be building an enormous amount in Surrey over the next few years and we will need construction partners to manage that out. Partnership working is really, really important for us.”
Rosie Miller, Chair, Constructing Excellence Surrey Club, said: “Tonight has been a really important occasion. It’s taken a few months to pull together but this is the first step on the way to ensuring the Surrey region promotes best practice in the construction industry. The club is a not-for-profit enterprise and thanks must go to all of our partners for helping to make the launch happen.
“The ongoing success of the club relies on the construction sector in the county now coming together and sharing ideas at our events. It’s all about teamwork and creating opportunities for people within the industry to share ideas, expertise and promoting best practise.”
The first Constructing Excellence Surrey Club event will be held early next year.
Entitled “Understanding and meeting construction client ambitions – what clients and supply chain partners need to do to succeed”, the networking breakfast will take place at Atkins’ offices in Woodcote Grove, Epsom on Wednesday, January 30th, from 8am – 11am.
For more information on the event, to learn more about the club or to register your interest to join, please visit – surreyconstructingexcellence.org.uk
