CIOB is working with clients to help them achieve better project outcomes, and the whole industry will benefit, writes Caroline Gumble.
CIOB’s immediate past president, Mike Foy OBE, chose client and client-contractor relationships as the theme for his presidential term, making the case that “clients are key to all our big challenges as an industry”.
The continuing drive to raise quality standards, the push to achieve net zero, encouraging innovation, delivering greater diversity – these are just some of the issues where clients can potentially be a force for good.
If you read the interview with my colleague Linda Stevens, head of client development, (CM, January), you’ll know that the work Mike started is now an area of strategic focus, with the goal of helping clients to achieve better project outcomes for them, the environment and society at large.
The great news is that we’ve now published the first of our online resources for clients. This includes a guide for clients with less experience who are given responsibility for a large construction project. It will also be useful for SMEs working in a third-party capacity.
To launch the guide, we went to FutureBuild in London a few weeks ago, hosting a panel discussion on ‘What Construction Clients Want and Need’. It was a great session, highlighting the range of issues where client decisions can have an impact.
Our panellists offered insights and practical advice. David Haimes, formerly programme director with Highways England, noted that it’s so simple but so important to talk the right language. Let’s avoid the jargon and try to speak the same language.
A people business
This was emphasised by Jennifer Makkreel, deputy head of capital projects at University of Oxford, in response to a question about what academia can do to support built environment students in being better as clients or with clients. Jennifer commented that we’re in “a people business” and good communication skills are very valuable.
Neil Pennell, head of design innovation at Landsec, offered up a key point. He said we “need to have trust to collaborate”, while also being mindful that our sector is not always able to facilitate that. There was also talk of construction being a “team sport”, which I loved hearing.
You can download the client guide – for free – from our website. Our content to support clients will continue to develop over time so watch this space for more resources.
My thanks to all those who supported our launch event and to all the members who contributed to the development of our new guide.
Caroline Gumble is CEO of CIOB.
Download the CIOB Client Guide at www.ciob.org.
