MARK’SWAYFORWARD
INCOMING MANAGING DIRECTOR MARK SPENCE EXAMINES THE SEISMIC CHANGES TO OUR INDUSTRY AND SAYS THERE’S PLENTY OF WORK TO BE DONE... 2020 – the year of change
2 020 was always going to be a remarkable year for the CEF as we reached 75 years in our current form and also approached a changing of the guard after more than 15 years of leadership under John Armstrong who we thank sincerely for his many years of service to the Federation and the industry generally. When someone’s name becomes synonymous with the cause they serve, it is a testament to the impact they have had. Thus, the daunting challenge that faces me now is to step into what many people, albeit with good intentions, keep reminding me are ‘very big shoes’. Nevertheless, parking my natural imposter syndrome to one side, I am enormously grateful for the
opportunity to draw upon my diverse background in construction, having started out as a chartered accountant, project manager and consultant to both public sector and contractors. This year I start to develop my own contribution to the better understanding of the value of construction within wider society and look forward to working closely with members and others in this process. Beyond the CEF of course, the global environment has not been so widely impacted by a single phenomenon since the last world war. An invisible but deadly enemy is amongst us and likely will be for some time to come, having already stolen many lives and many more livelihoods. Construction has obviously been severely impacted
in terms of the effective shutdown and cautious return to work. However, I firmly believe we should take pride in the conduct of our members, and the industry generally, in the selfless manner in which it prioritised safety over cost at a time of great uncertainty. Personally, I took great comfort in the collegiate, almost family nature of joint working demonstrated by our members and other contributors in devising safe working procedures and sharing best practices which directly benefited the entire industry. At the outset of this maelstrom, when
I set up the member-led working groups on developing health and safety guidance, I could not have hoped for the degree of solidarity and
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