Ministers have announced the Government's response to the recent consultation exercise on the appointment of a Chief Construction Officer.

The Government plans to appoint a Chief Adviser to Government on Construction to equip Britain's construction industry with the skills and knowledge to become competitive in the 21st century.

He/she will chair the Board responsible for securing value for money from the Government’s procurement of construction, promote innovation and sustainability in the industry, and be responsible for ensuring Government takes full account of the impacts of the regulatory regime on the construction industry.

The Chief Construction Adviser will be independent and report to BIS and HM Treasury Ministers.

The successful individual will:

• Chair a new Construction Category Board, which will build on the existing Public Sector Construction Clients Forum (PSCCF), to oversee the implementation and further development of best value Government construction procurement.
• Chair an enhanced sustainable construction strategy delivery board to help ensure policy regarding the industry is effectively co-ordinated.
• Assess the key barriers to growth in the UK’s Low Carbon construction sector to ensure the UK industry is well placed to serve developing needs and markets.
• Work with the industry, through the Strategic Forum for Construction, to deliver the industry improvement agenda, including the Construction Commitments.
• Promote innovation in the sector, working closely with the Technology Strategy Board and other funding bodies.
• Co-ordinate the Whitehall response to reports featuring construction.

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Ian Lucas, the Business Minister with responsibility for construction, said: "We have taken our time to get the role right to ensure that it fits well with a range of new and existing initiatives. But I have heard the calls from the Construction Industry loud and clear since my appointment in June. We are now pressing hard ahead with recruiting. I want to see a high quality individual in place by November."

Ian Pearson, the Economic Secretary, added: "This role will provide a central 'focal point' for the construction sector acknowledging the value of this sector and the importance of delivering a sustainable and low carbon economy that remains competitive.

"The Chief Construction Adviser will help ensure that Government secures maximum value for money in its procurement of construction and thus support the aims of the Operational Efficiency Programme."

(GK/BMcc)