A total of 78 individuals are now involved with the influential group, representing 48 different official construction bodies from across Scotland and beyond, including Government agencies, private companies, professional services firms and training bodies.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, the Finishes and Interiors Sector, the Scottish Plant Owners Association, the Construction Plant Hire Association and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering are the latest organisations to join the Forum, taking the total number of full members to 22.

In addition, some 26 other organisations are now represented on the Forum’s seven sub-groups which help shape guidance and support on mission-critical aspects such as employment, health and safety, skills, client liaison and future planning.

Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, research and public affairs at the CIOB, said: “In a very short space of time the CICV Forum has demonstrated its effectiveness and, as the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, we are very keen to be able to play our part in supporting the industry at this trying time.”

The Forum, which was formed only last month, has already played a major role in clarifying conflicting information for the sector and issuing practical guidance for companies, clients and employees. Its sub-groups now provide further insight into the wealth of talent and experience to which it now has access.

Representatives from the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) and the Scottish Building Contract Committee are playing a key role in the commercial sub-group.

The skills sub-group now includes experts from Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust, Skills Development Scotland and the Construction Industry Training Board.

Lending their insight to the health & safety sub-group are the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists & Construction Industry Council, Building Safety Group, McConnell, Hardies, Fisher Group and ISG Construction.

The Forum’s future planning sub-group enjoys contributions from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group Scotland, the Scottish Government, the Scottish Futures Trust, Gardiner & Theobald LLP, James Frew, Hardies, Interserve and Currie Brown.

And the communications sub-group is now benefiting from the input of key staff members from Blueprint Media and the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre.

A new clients sub-group has also been created, helmed by experienced arbitrator and adjudicator Len Bunton of Bunton Consulting, which contains representatives from the Society of Construction and Quantity Surveyors, Scottish Property Federation, NHS, SFHA, SFT and Gardiner & Theobald LLP.

The employment group is currently made up of full Forum members.

Stephanie Lowe, head of employment services at Forum member SNIPEF, said: “It is no surprise that the CICV Forum continues to attract such influential support, since the work it has done to back the industry since it was established has been quite remarkable.”

Ian Cuthbert, programme manager for the Energy Saving Trust, added: “The growth of the CICV Forum is a classic illustration of just what can be achieved if the many disparate elements of our vital construction industry work together for the good of the sector as a whole.”

Anne Galbraith, CEO of the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust, added: “A great deal of talent and expertise has been assembled in a very short time in response to an unprecedented emergency and it is clear that the CICV Forum is reacting in a cohesive and considered manner. I think we can expect more good work from this body.”

Other members of the Forum, which was set up last month, include SELECT, SNIPEF, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA - Scotland), the Lift and Escalator Industry Association, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Scotland, the Scottish Building Federation, the Federation of Master Builders, the Scaffolding Association, the Stone Federation, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, the Electrical Distributors’ Association, the Builders Merchants Federation, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, the Scottish Contractors Group and the British Constructional Steelwork Association.

SELECT managing director Alan Wilson, who chairs the CICV Forum, said: “The Forum has been delighted with the speed, willingness and efficiency with which agencies and individuals have contributed their experience and expertise in the wider interests of the industry.”

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