Martin Burton, HVCA president, has called upon construction partners to help building services companies to contribute to the achievement of excellence.
Speaking at the HVCA's President's Luncheon, he urged building owners, architects, designers, principal contractors and all clients to help building services to strive to do their best work.

'In these difficult and demanding times, coping with challenges, and with constant change, has become part of our everyday working life. For, not only have we had to deal with one of the sharpest – as well as one of the deepest – economic downturns in our history.

'We are also coming under ever-increasing pressure from the UK's environmental commitment, and the need – during the next half-century – to meet carbon reduction targets that will surely the test the mettle, and the perseverance, of all concerned.

'Add to this the growing expectation that the industry must find effective solutions to its endemic waste problems - so as consistently to deliver 'more for less' – and you'll understand why there's never a dull moment for any of us.

'Of course, fulfilment of the government's promise of a sustainable built environment will require a genuine team effort - and I am pleased that representatives of every part of that team are present in this room today.

'For it gives me an excellent opportunity to assure you all that the building engineering services sector is ready, willing and fit for purpose to play a key role in the delivery of this much-desired low-carbon future.

'We have the skills, the competence and the expertise (as well as the determination) required to do this job. All we need is to be allowed to do it to the very best of our ability.

'Let me explain what I mean.

'You will recall that the specialist engineering sector was vocal in its support for the creation, by government, of the post of chief construction adviser. And we were among the first to applaud the subsequent appointment of Paul Morrell who I am delighted to welcome to his key role in the public procurement process.

'If I were asked to summarise Morrell's main objectives as the government's 'construction czar', I would describe them as: establishing whether UK construction in its present form is capable of delivering on the low-carbon vision; and identifying the reforms that will ensure that the industry is brought up to scratch.

'Morrell's first major report (which was published earlier this year) introduces the concept of a Low Carbon Transition Plan, which depends for its delivery on - and I quote - 'the industry working at its best'.

'It also outlines three principal tasks for all companies engaged in construction.

'First, we must de-carbonise our own businesses. Secondly, we must provide buildings that will enable our clients to lead more energy-efficient lives. And, thirdly, we must provide an infrastructure for the provision of clean energy and sustainable practices across the UK economy.

'The report goes on to urge the construction industry to take up a position of leadership, to adopt new ways of working, to develop its skills base, and to engage positively with the overall issue of sustainability.

'My response - on behalf of building engineering services in general and HVCA members in particular - is an enthusiastic 'count us in'.

'The fact is that - right across the sector - we are already taking a proactive role in promoting to clients the economic and environmental benefits of low-carbon products and systems.

'We are already adapting our working practices to accommodate the developing requirements of the sustainability agenda.

'We have already overhauled our vocational qualifications and our training infrastructure to incorporate the emerging renewable technologies.

'We are already working to rigorous technical standards and guides to good practice that have been conceived and written and published by the sector itself.

'We already have members qualified to self-certify 'controlled services' under the Building Regulations, reducing the need for LABC inspection and sign-off.

'And we are already taking very seriously indeed the crucial role we are - uniquely - qualified to play in the creation of a truly sustainable built environment.

'But (to return to my previous theme) there are a number of ways in which our partners in the construction process can help us to maximise our contribution to the achievement of excellence - some of which are alluded to in Morrell's report.

'In this context, I call on clients and building owners to think in the long as well as the short term, and to take into account whole-life cost, rather than simply initial capital outlay.

'I call on architects and designers to test their concepts with colleagues in building engineering services, so as to arrive at an energy-efficient design that will prove genuinely carbon-friendly in practice.

'And I encourage them to select for their tender partners services contractors registered with Competent Persons schemes.

'I call on principal contractors to involve their specialist sub-contractors early enough to bring their expertise to bear on a project, before too many decisions have been set in stone.

'I call on government, as the UK's largest construction client, to demonstrate best practice in terms of environmental responsibility, project management and fair payment.

'And I urge it to demonstrate both boldness and imagination by laying aside traditional procurement methods and by experimenting with alternative scenarios.

'And, finally, I call on all parties to the construction process:

to climb out of their self-imposed silos;

to lay aside negative working practices;

to embrace the reform agenda in all its aspects;

and to join with us in the creation of a new commercial environment in which fully integrated project teams operate in a collaborative spirit, to the enormous benefit of themselves, their clients, the building, the nation - and the planet.

'Of course, the publication next month of the government's public spending review will tell us exactly where the knife will cut most deeply.

'But it has already been made abundantly clear that Government is looking to construction to maximise its output and minimise its costs.

'Or, to put it in words made famous by another president in another place and another time, 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country'.'