Morgan Sindall Construction's managing director for Scotland, Stuart Parker, has been appointed to lead on procurement for Construction Scotland - the organisation recognised by Holyrood as the voice of the industry.

Stuart joins Construction Scotland's Industry Leadership Group (ILG), and assumes the role of chair of the procurement subgroup, at a pivotal time, as the organisation launches its innovative new Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool. Designed in partnership with the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Holyrood's non-departmental agency with a remit to improve public infrastructure, the tool facilitates greater visibility and transparency of project pipelines.

One of the key drivers behind it is to encourage more collaborative procurement, with a view to helping businesses and third-sector organisations of all sizes invest in future-fit skills and training; driving up productivity and encouraging innovation in the process.

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Over the past 18 months before joining Construction Scotland in this capacity, Stuart has been contributing to the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF); working with the Scottish government, the ILG and wider industry to devise the COVID-19 Construction Industry Recovery Plan.

Ken Gillespie, chair of Construction Scotland, said: "Stuart has been supporting Construction Scotland and our collaboration with the Scottish Government in various roles for many years. I'm delighted that he has agreed to join our Industry Leadership Group. As Chair of Procurement I have no doubt he will provide strong leadership in perhaps the most critical area of the transformation required within the sector to drive inclusive economic growth in Scotland."

Stuart Parker, MD For Scotland, said: "The next 12 months are pivotal for Scottish construction. There has been incredible collaboration between Construction Scotland, industry leaders and government to establish the COVID-19 recovery plan.

"With the world's eyes on COP26 in Glasgow in November, the climate emergency is rightfully centre stage. Decarbonising construction activity wherever possible and championing circular economy principles must become the standard, not the celebrated exception.

"But while the future of the planet should remain a focus, we cannot ignore the challenging trading conditions causing real hardship to many SMEs in towns and communities across Scotland in the here and now. Without proper action, material shortages and inflationary pressures threaten to bring our industry to a halt and send established businesses with to the wall.

"More collaborative, inclusive procurement practices can help construction make progress in both of these areas. I'm truly humbled to have been asked to lead on an agenda so critical to the future of our industry and will embrace the responsibility wholeheartedly."