The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) in Scotland has announced the appointment of Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, as their new Chair.

The CLF said that the appointment of Mr Lochhead comes at a "crucial time" as the Forum embarks on co-developing a Transformation Plan to deliver on the commitments in the Construction Accord.

A refresh of the CLF membership has taken place to ensure the Forum has the talent and expertise to deliver for the industry in Scotland. It also offers improved gender and SME representation and greater geographical reach with a focus on net zero.

The new members bring expertise from areas such as retrofit, skills development, modern methods of construction, innovative products, technology, and data with a focus on meeting net zero targets, and becoming a more productive, diverse and equal sector.

This refreshed CLF met last week on 19th April for the first time.

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In October last year, the CLF launched the Construction Accord, a shared vision for the industry and the public sector working together to deliver key commitments in areas such as fair work, diversity and inclusion.

The CLF will continue its work by co-developing a transformation plan for the sector across the range of priority work areas listed in the Accord: net zero, fair work, procurement & supply chain, pipeline, digital, data, supply chain development, quality, workforce & skills, and modern methods of construction. A full membership list can be found on the CLF website.

If you are interested in the work of CLF and development and delivery of Transformation Plan, you can join the CLF Network or/and become an Accord Participant via the CLF website.

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Richard Lochhead said: "I am really pleased to be chairing the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) at such a pivotal time. We have a clear focus to transform the sector and deliver on the commitments in the Construction Accord which fully align with our National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

"Construction plays a key role in developing a wellbeing economy and helping to meet our net zero ambitions. I am keen for businesses across the sector to engage with the work of the CLF and I look forward to working together to drive our transformation work."

‍Jennifer Phin, Managing Director of A.C Whyte & Co, and new CLF member said: "I'm delighted to join the CLF and support the group in continuing the transformative work for a better sector in Scotland. Businesses of all types need to work together and share best practice and knowledge rather than working in silos. The CLF is a fantastic opportunity to do this, and I look forward to representing a Scottish contractor championing the skills development needed to be a more resilient sector."