Be Conference 2002
Be has concluded that a new vision for the construction industry of integrated solution providers can be delivered by strong supply side leadership coupled with individual action.
Speaking at the Be annual conference, Richard Saxon, Chairman of Be, said “Our vision sees the industry as built environment solution providers. Rather than wait all the time for clients to tell us what to do, a strong, proactive supply side can effect the changes needed to meet the requirements of all customers – whether large or small.”
Over 150 delegates debated the question ‘Just who should drive change in our industry?’ at the conference held at the British Library on Wednesday 27 November. During the course of the day, delegates also voted Sir John Egan top of the list of individuals doing most to lead the drive for change.
The conference was introduced by Tony Giddings, the chairman of the DBF during their merger with the RCF.
[Download introductory presentation]
Opening the day, Henry Bellingham MP (Opposition Spokesman for Small Businesses and Construction) pledged to make Britain a ‘better and safer place to do business’ should the Tories be returned to Government. Bellingham also outlined plans to set up a de-regulation commission to address the increasing levels of Red Tape in areas such as planning and health & safety.
Mark Dodds of Microsoft then urged the industry as a whole to take more seriously its responsibility to service its customers. Drawing on experience in the IT industry he suggested that a sign of a truly ‘strong’ industry was a culture of ‘co-opetition’, whereby companies compete around innovation but collaborate when it comes to the actual delivery of customer solutions.
Richard Saxon, the new Chairman of Be, then explained his vision for the ‘industry formerly known as construction’ and his model for a Built Environment Solution Provider which would deliver exceptional value to clients.
[Download Richard Saxons presentation - Part one - Part two]
Finally, Robin Priest, CEO of Mapeley, pondered the point of integration and considered the ‘Seeds of Destruction’ and ‘Route to Redemption’ for companies who deal in property outsourcing.
[Download Robin Priests presentation]
Don Ward introduced The Red Brick, a new audio programme for senior management in the construction industry. It's published on CD and cassette so you can listen in the car, keeping up-to-date on the move. The aim of the programme is to spread ideas, information and inspiration to help the industry's top managers to develop their companies. Conference delegates received complimentary copies of the red brick. Further copies may be ordered from Steve Hudson, Red Brick Project Manager, CBPP, PO Box 147, Bucknalls lane, Garston, Watford, WD25 9UZ or phone 0845 605 55 56.
[Download The Red Brick presentation]
A very lively and entertaining afternoon session, led by Paul Finch, saw breakout group leaders challenged on their claims as to where the responsibility for change should lie.
In summing up, Don Ward, Chief Executive of Be, said:
“This conference has confirmed the Be agenda: we need to explain our vision and what it means for our members, align our strategic research programme in support of this, further develop common processes for working together, and improve how we deliver training and education support to our members. All our members have their top-performing A teams, our job now is to help them spread that learning so that their ‘C teams’ become ‘A teams’ and eventually ‘Be teams’ - working with other Be members to deliver breakthrough performance”.
For press information, please contact James Harris or Andy Brown at Camargue on Tel: 01242 577277 or email jharris@camarguepr.com Photography will be available w/c 2nd December.
Editor’s notes
Be was formed from the merger of DBF and RCF on 31 October 2002. Its full name is Collaborating for the Built Environment.
Speakers:
Henry Bellingham MP, Shadow Construction Minister
Mark Dodds, Complex Infrastructure Group Manager, Microsoft
Richard Saxon, Marketing Director, BDP and Chairman of Be
Robin Priest, CEO, Mapeley
Morning chairman – Tony Giddings, Argent
Afternoon Chairman – Paul Finch, CABE
Breakout Group Leaders:
Vaughan Burnand, MD, Shepherd Construction.
Brian Moone, Director, CBP
Malcolm Dodds, Research Director, Be
Peter Lobban, Chief Executive, CITB
Kevin Thomas, R&D Director (WW Strategic Planning), GSK
Top 10 individuals driving change: (based on a straw poll of 150 delegates)
1. Sir John Egan
2. Sir Michael Latham
3. Richard Saxon
4. Tony Giddings
5. Peter Rogers
6. Zara Lamont
7. Stuart Lipton
8. Richard Rogers
9. Norman Foster
10. Alan Crane