August Overview – Richard Whittaker
Welcome to the CE Midlands (CEM) newsletter and thank you for taking the time to read it. There is so much affecting the construction industry in these unprecedented times that we have to recognise and pay tribute to everyone who has worked so hard and been so determined to deliver schemes to the best of their ability.
Citizen have delivered more affordable homes than previous years despite the challenges we all faced and we are not unique in that position. Collaboration, which is so close to the heart of Constructing Excellence, played a big part in that success for us all. Revising our ‘Safe Systems of work’ in conjunction with our developer partners crystalised the one team approach, developing partnering relationships even further and bringing much more openness in managing rather than passing risk.
The networking and fast track communications through the leadership groups and leaders meets webinars are really well attended and that makes me proud to be part of an organisation that brings professionals together at such a time of need. Indeed CEM has been around for a long time promoting best practice, supporting innovation and recognising individuals and companies through the CEM awards.
This year CEM are hosting two award evenings: the East Midlands Awards on 2nd September at the Athena Leicester and the West Midlands Awards which will be held at Edgbaston on 10th September. Isn’t it fantastic that we can meet in person to celebrate the achievements and success that is so well deserved. As a member of the judging panel it was so difficult to identify the winning entries because the standard was so high and the adoption of wider programme benefits, such as social responsibility, digitisation and modern methods of construction, show the absolute determination of the industry to evolve and embrace these new ways of working.
It’s still not all plain sailing, material deliveries are creating significant challenges. A presentation at our Construction Client’s group showed the global logistical nightmare of the impact of ports closing due to COVID, resulting in materials being unloaded at the remaining available ports that now have to be transported back to their original destination. That also means there is a shortage of containers to ship new orders, something which impacts on us all. It was really helpful to understand the wider implications of the material issues with the leaders meets and leadership groups providing a valuable source of knowledge and with attendance increasing it is fantastic that so many professionals are coming together under the banner of Constructing Excellence Midlands to support each other and the industry.
Thank you all for your support and please do invite your colleagues to be involved with CEM and did I mention the awards!. Look forward to seeing you there and congratulations to everyone who entered and has been shortlisted, you are changing the industry for the better. Well done.