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NASC Registered in England: 4866191 Registered Address: |
The NASC are the first trade association to join the newly formed UKCG
The UK Contractors Group (UKCG) will be launched on 5 January 2009 and preparations are well underway to deliver its objectives.
This includes the appointment of both James Wates as its Chairman and Stephen Ratcliffe as Director. Both have stepped down from their current positions at the Construction Confederation. They will be supported by Rachel Done, formerly Director of Corporate Services at the Housebuilders Federation.
Membership of UKCG is open to both companies and trade associations. Founder members include former members of the Major Contractors Group and the National Contractors Confederation. The first trade association member is the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC).
UKCG’s aim is to be the leading trade body for UK contractors and it will work closely with the CBI Construction Council to deliver a stronger voice for construction. The CBI will concentrate on general business issues such as the economy, procurement, and labour market flexibility. UKCG will concentrate on construction industry specific issues.
Members have agreed a new business plan which sets out work on targeted activities including health and safety, the environment, recruitment and training and IT.
UKCG has also signalled its intention to work alongside other industry trade bodies on pan industry issues such as the CIJC Working Rule Agreement, the Joint Taxation Committee and the JCT.
Speaking about his appointment James Wates said: “We now have the building blocks in place to boost the construction industry’s profile amongst decision makers and opinion formers. At a time when economic conditions are becoming more challenging we need a voice that will be heard above the fray. This is the first step in delivering a single voice for the industry. I urge everyone who has been frustrated by industry fragmentation to come and join us.”
Speaking about their decision to join Kevin Mouatt, NASC’s President said: “We share UKCG’s vision for a united and powerful voice and want to be part of it. Whilst construction is undoubtedly fragmented the various members of the supply chain have much more in common than divides them. We want to build on the commonalities and reduce the divisions.”
Notes for editors
1. UKCG’s role is to support contractors on sector specific issues and it will work closely with the CBI Council on more general business issues. Membership is open to all contracting companies and to construction trade associations.
2. UKCG will be based at the CBI’s offices in Centre Point.
3. The key players supporting UKCG’s activities are:
James Wates is Deputy Chairman of the Wates Group and is involved in several industry bodies. He is on the London Region Council and Construction Council of the CBI, he is a Board Member of CITB-ConstructionSkills, Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Building and formerly chaired the Construction Confederation. He is also a Board Member and Treasurer of the British Council for Offices. In addition he is a Governor of Emanuel School, a trustee of the Wates Foundation and the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for the Disabled, a member of the London Skills and Employment Board and also sits on the London Regional Council of The Prince’s Trust.
Stephen Ratcliffe, was previously Chief Executive of the Construction Confederation. He is also a director of Constructing Better Health. Prior to joining the Construction Confederation he was a senior civil servant and has extensive experience of working with government;
Rachel Done, was previously Director of Corporate Services at the Housebuilders Federation. For the past three years Rachel has worked as a consultant working with trade associations, publishers, charities, construction industry bodies and housing associations.
