Government to appoint chief construction adviser

The Government wants to have a chief construction adviser in place by November, it was announced today.

The Department for Business, Information and Skills has approved the role of a high ranking construction civil servant. following a Government consultation exercise.

Their tasks will include:

· Chairing a new Construction Category Board to oversee the implementation and further development of best value Government construction procurement.

· Chairing an enhanced sustainable construction strategy delivery board

· Working with the industry, through the Strategic Forum for Construction, to deliver the industry improvement agenda,

· Promoting innovation in the sector

· Co-ordinating the Whitehall response to reports featuring construction.

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

Construction minister Ian Lucas said that he had been hearing calls from the construction industry “loud and clear” and that the recruitment process is underway.