As part of the five-year anniversary of the Fair Payment Campaign, the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) has revealed its 'fair payment champions' who are recognised for 'their outstanding contribution to improving payment practices in the construction industry'.
The 14 fair payment champions are drawn from across the industry and include Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude MP, who is determining fair payment policy at the highest level within Government, and high profile clients such as Andrew Wolstenholme from Crossrail and Stephen Blakey from Network Rail.

A number of NSCC specialist contractors are also recognised for successfully implementing fair payment within their businesses.

Among the champions are Simon Roxburgh of ADCAS member Boyd & Co (Metalworkers).

Their achievements will be celebrated at the NSCC annual lunch on Wednesday 21 November.

NSCC claims that significant progress has been made in improving payment practices since the launch of its fair payment campaign in 2007, 'particularly in the public sector where 57 per cent of specialist contractors are securing nil retention and 44 per cent are receiving payment within 30 days on their projects'.

The Government is continuing its drive for prompt payment and Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon MP recently delivered a warning to big businesses that they will be publicly named for failing to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code.

NSCC president Kevin Louch said: 'The achievements of the Fair Payment Campaign to date would not have been possible without the commitment of individuals like our Fair Payment Champions to making a difference. By working together we can continue to improve payment practices and the NSCC Annual Lunch is a great opportunity for the industry to thank those who have led the way and provided a shining example to us all.'