2015 already looks like being an exciting twelve months with positive talk about economic recovery and strong signs that the UK construction industry is gearing itself up for more work in both the private and public sectors. Whilst the election in May might mean there is a lot of political talk, we have strong signs that order books are filling up in Wales as well as across the rest of the UK, giving all of the opportunity to make our actions louder than the words of politicians.

But we must remain steadfast in our commitment to collaborative working and the principles of best practice. Just because the industry has turned a corner is no excuse for easing the pressure on clients and stakeholders up and down the supply chain. Indeed, we know that our work is achieving results so why would we let up on our campaigning and advising.

Our work to support the investment in 21^st Century Schools is a great example of the Government’s commitment not just to education, but to the construction industry’s ability to deliver world class education facilities. Our work on waste is gaining traction and proof that the surplus waste scheme is a success is shown in the opening of the centre in Swansea. Green Compass too has proved itself a winner and we believe it might also begin to gain traction beyond Wales.

But most of all we need to emphasise the need for clients to be as consistent as they can be when planning and procuring schemes. That’s why we will be reporting in the next few months on our review of progress made against the recommendations made within the No Turning Back report first published in 2010.

Five years on and Wales and the UK might have turned a corner, but all of the stakeholders in Welsh construction need to heed the lessons learned across those 60 months.