The future of construction interview with ECA CEO
|
| Future of Construction business report; The Times June 9 2022 |
[edit] The Future of Construction – interview with ECA CEO Steve Bratt
“Business can’t just focus on getting greener, or safer, or fairer”, says Steve Bratt, Group CEO of ECA, in today’s Future of Construction business report in The Times. Speaking on behalf of Actuate UK, the alliance representing engineering services, he says future success relies on acknowledging that safety, fairness and net zero go hand in hand.
Engineering services are the things that go into an infrastructure project and make it work. Many of the government's top priorities, such as the green agenda, energy efficiency, and monitoring of fire and safety systems, rely heavily on the sector.
He goes on to say to make progress industry must collaborate:
“The construction industry is a complex and fragmented arrangement”. We build a new product in a new place with new people every time. Imagine trying to build a car that way.”
“You need to bring the chain together so when we build this new thing in a new place with new people, they feel joined up, they feel like they're working for the same aim.”
Steve calls on the government to take a more rigorous approach to enforce the Building Regulations. For a law to work he says, it needs to reward responsible firms who are compliant and are doing things properly. He also wants the government to sort out the disputed term ‘competence’, so the industry knows what ‘competence’ looks like in the building safety regulations.
“If we can create an environment where people feel safe to innovate and invest, you're much more likely to get an outcome which is greener and safer and fairer for all”.
Against the backdrop of escalating energy prices, fuel poverty and net zero targets, ECA draws on its history to offer practical energy policy solutions and represent our Members at government and industry bodies, such as Actuate UK.
Article appears on the ECA news & blog site entitled "The Future of Construction – interview with ECA CEO Steve Bratt" dated June 9 2022.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Homes England creates largest housing-led site in the North
Successful, 34 hectare land acquisition with the residential allocation now completed.
Scottish apprenticeship training proposals
General support although better accountability and transparency is sought.
The history of building regulations
A story of belated action in response to crisis.
Moisture, fire safety and emerging trends in living walls
How wet is your wall?
Current policy explained and newly published consultation by the UK and Welsh Governments.
British architecture 1919–39. Book review.
Conservation of listed prefabs in Moseley.
Energy industry calls for urgent reform.
Heritage staff wellbeing at work survey.
A five minute introduction.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Showcasing the very best electrotechnical and engineering services for half a century.
Welsh government consults on HRBs and reg changes
Seeking feedback on a new regulatory regime and a broad range of issues.
CIOB Client Guide (2nd edition) March 2025
Free download covering statutory dutyholder roles under the Building Safety Act and much more.
Minister quizzed, as responsibility transfers to MHCLG and BSR publishes new building control guidance.
UK environmental regulations reform 2025
Amid wider new approaches to ensure regulators and regulation support growth.
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.