Reeves will head CCF review

A fast "root and branch" review of the working of the Construction Clients' Forum is to be undertaken by a team headed by CCF deputy chairman Ian Reeves.

High on the agenda are likely to be structural changes to ensure a stronger voice for small and occasional construction clients.

Their apparent sidelining, when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott set up the Egan Task Force representing major clients, triggered crisis meetings with the Government in the summer and a threat by Reeves to resign over the issue.

As a result, the role of the Construction Industry Board was strengthened with its chairman Tony Jackson being given one of four seats on the Task Force steering group led by Sir John Egan to disseminate best practice.

Reeves, who is also deputy chairman and group chief executive of High-Point Rendel, is passionately committed to ensuring that the four-year slog to achieve industry change is implemented without dilution. "Getting the changes implemented is now the big problem," he said.

"We have issued reports and guidance and now have to implement things industry-wide. The CCF represents all clients, repeat and occasional, both large and small. The smaller and occasional clients have more difficulties than large ones."

The review will also look to forge closer links with the Construction Round Table, which represents major private sector clients including Railtrack.