Mowlem chief backs majors group

John Marshall, chief executive of Mowlem, this week voiced strong support for the formal constitution of a new Major Contractors Group to speak for the industry's top dozen firms.

The group already exists on an informal basis. Further moves to draw up a constitution are expected later this month. It has been agreed in principal that the group should be separately represented on a revamped Construction Industry Employers Council.

'I hope the majors' group will be properly established,' commented Marshall.

In that case, he said he would consult with his managers on continued membership of the Building Employers Confederation and the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. 'Personally, however, I wouldn't see the need to belong to all three organisations,' he declared.

A 'very good response' was also reported this week to the formation of a new Federation of Civil Engineering Specialist Contractors (see CJ, 11 May).

Adrian Drewe, chairman of Stenoak Fencing, who heads the federation, said the aim was to encompass a wide variety of specialist firms including, for example, earthmoving contractors, concrete layers, diamond cutters, drainage contractors.

'I am not particularly interested in numbers at this stage,' he continued. 'I would rather see one or two firms from as wide a spread of specialist activities as possible.'