Christmas is coming. You can tell because the amount of networking increases at this time of year and everyone is short of time as priorities are shifted to accommodate the season of goodwill. So, my message to you this week is that if you are meeting colleagues, partners, associates or potential customers make sure you tell them how great Welsh construction is – be sure to remind them that it is the great enabling tool for us all to create a dynamic and world beating economy for Wales.

What’s more, if they give you a quizzical look you can prove it to them. Only last week at the Senedd celebration of the best in Welsh construction the Minister for Finance and Government Business Jane Hutt AM praised our industry. We showcased the winners of the CEW Awards from 2015 alongside the best projects from ICE and CECA Wales.

So, do not be left out – next week the call for entries for the 2016 CEW Awards goes live. You will have from Monday 14th December to the end of February, leap year day, to complete your entries.

Our construction industry has a great future with every opportunity to build on the successes on show at the Senedd last week. We can also boast a thriving group of young and emerging professionals that can guide Welsh construction in years to come. The CEW G4C group is a great example of the energy and passion our industry is proud of – they have ideas, a desire to improve and commitment to best practice and a willingness to go the extra mile. They proved that again last Thursday, when at their Christmas party, instead of just celebrating and having a great time they raised £360 for the Construction Youth Trust.

A great example of what an early resolution in the season of goodwill can achieve.