Two new trade bodies planned for construction industry

The public face of the construction industry is set for a make over with the announcement of two new representative bodies.

Hoping to “unify” trade bodies, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced it will launch a Construction Council in September.

Headed by Carillion boss John McDonough, it will take the issues of everyone from builders to designers and manufacturers to decision makers in Westminster and Europe.

Following it, the Major Contractors Group (MCG) and National Contractors Federation (NCF) will merge next year to form new trade body the UK Contractors Group (UKCG).

Existing members have agreed to take up memberships in the new group, which will pursue a similar remit to the existing MCG.

A spokeswoman for the UKCG said it would launch January 1 and until then cast its net around the industry to determine if any other trade bodies also want to join.

MCG chairman John Spanswick said the new group was the first step towards cohesion in the industry.

“It has long been clear that we will only achieve a more powerful and cohesive voice if the industry’s various representational bodies act in a more concerted way – the establishment of the UKCG provides an excellent rallying point for contractors to make sure this happens,” he said.

Mr McDonough said: “The council’s new strategic role at the heart of the CBI will enable the whole sector to benefit from the CBI’s unrivalled access at the highest levels in Whitehall, Westminster and Brussels.”