New Strategic Forum chief named next month

Sir John Egan's replacement as head of the Strategic Forum will be named on 24 July.

Speculation in the press this week had led the industry to believe had that the new leader of the industry body was to be named following a meeting of the five umbrella bodies earlier today to finalise the details of Accelerating Change, the sequel to Rethinking Construction.

Wates chief executive Struan Robertson, Stanhope operations director Peter Rogers and Sir David John, chairman of industrial gases group BOC, were names mentioned to succeed Sir John who took on a new post with the Confederation of British Industry last month.

But an industry source confirmed to CJ  today (Thursday) that no decision will be made until the end of next month.

He confirmed: "There was absolutely no intention by Forum members to make a decision today. We are still discussing the prime candidates formally and professionally.

"There was debate about Sir John's successor, but the main objective of the meeting was to discuss the issues and targets outlined in Accelerating Change following the completion of the consultation period.

"Everybody is absolutely delighted at how things are developing and everybody was genuinely warm in their applause for Sir John's efforts over the past 12 months."