British Land joins RQSC

Steel contractors may need to be members of the Register of Qualified Steel Contractors (RQSC) scheme to tender for work with British Land.
The property developer has joined the scheme administered by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA).
RQSC administrator Gillian Mitchell said steelwork contractors must undergo rigorous annual tests before inclusion on the scheme. "These people are physically visited. We look for staff who understand what they're doing, and companies with the proper machinery."
She added the register produced a more efficient tendering process. "We want to ensure the right people are getting on tender lists. We're not trying to keep people out, but why have a tender list of 50, when only 30 are competent?"
In 2001, the Highways Agency made RQSC-accreditation mandatory for steelwork contractors hoping to win bridge works.
n At tomorrow's AGM, the BCSA will announce Mitchell's promotion from director of operations to the new role of deputy director general.
She will look after the association in the absence of director general Derek Tordoff this summer, while he takes a travelling sabbatical with the BCSA's sister organisations in the US and Canada.
Mitchell will also take responsibility for the Steel Construction Certification Scheme, the National Contractors' Group and commercial relationships with Corus.