Leadership is critical to any organisation, business or team – no matter how small and regardless of the project or task. It is also a topic much discussed in construction. The IoD is here to help.

As an industry, we need strong and competent leaders on site and in the boardroom and at all levels in between. Perhaps, most of all, we need the best leadership at the top – which is why CEW is urging people to take note of the IoD’s ‘manifestos’, outlining the priorities of the business community for General Election and beyond. 

One key message is around Director training. Directors at companies of all sizes can benefit from job-specific training, and after the election, the IoD wants to urge Government to increase the focus in this area. Revising the Corporate Governance Code to increase the expectation that directors had undertaken some formal training would be a positive step. 

You can take some steps yourselves. 

The IoD offers a range of courses about the role of Directors and the importance of corporate governance. At the moment, the UK Corporate Governance Code places only limited emphasis on the importance of training, stating that all Directors should “regularly update and refresh their skills and knowledge”. Regardless of experience, all Directors need help to understand the latest legal and regulatory parameters, as well as understanding their role, responsibilities and limitations at board level. This helps them as individuals, it also helps the development of their respective organisation and its people. 

What is being proposed is best practice for the management of the business or organisation at Director level – not just in terms of the construction process. 

Contact the IoD direct, or call CEW on 02920 493322 or visit the IoD web site and see what course might be right for you.

The CEW Awards are getting closer and closer and the next round of judging is complete with the Young Achievers being selected.

We might not know the winners yet but now the entire CEW Awards 2017 shortlist is published so there is really no excuse now for not sorting out just how big a splash you want to make at the CEW Awards 2017

Check your diaries because the presentation dates are available here.

We are pleased to announce that Costain & ABC Electrification are the headline sponsors for this year’s awards.

Think about how else you can get involved. Apart from booking a table for the 14th July and enjoying the fun why not become a sponsor? The CEW Awards dinner is the biggest night of the year for construction in Wales – if you want to be noticed, or you want to remind stakeholders what your organisation does for the industry in Wales then talk to Sue Selkirk about becoming a CEW Awards 2017 sponsor.

From Building magazine to the ICE and now the CIOB, everyone is making the case to the UK’s political parties to consider how important construction is to the UK and to promote its role in the debates around the UK General Election.

The CIOB is urging political parties and election candidates to make construction a priority in a manifesto announced ahead of the election. Its document, Building the Case for Construction, lists five priorities for an incoming government.

Among the points they are calling for is continued investment in training and skills as well as focus on quality in the nation’s construction programme. The CIOB is also calling on the government to recognise and address both the opportunities and risks that Brexit will bring.

Chris Blythe, Chief Executive of the CIOB, said: “The quality of our built environment affects every member of society. Construction creates and maintains the places that people live, work and play, the infrastructure that supports them and the services that sustain them. And it is vital that those elected to represent their constituents in Parliament understand this. Our manifesto showcases how construction can act as a solution to major policy issues. Our proposals are interlinked, showcasing the need for a collaborative approach to productivity, skills, quality, investment and Brexit.”

Meanwhile the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has also published its own manifesto as well as writing an open letter to party leaders, outlining the risks faced by the infrastructure sector and consequently the wider economy, ahead of the election.

ICE is calling on political leaders to address the sector’s needs, stating that infrastructure is the “bedrock” of economic growth and should be at the heart of UK economic policy.

They also state that any future government needs to ensure that the Brexit negotiation process does not disrupt the healthy pipeline of projects coming through and there needs to be a guarantee for the status of EU nationals working in the UK.

ICE Director General Nick Baveystock, said: “Effective, efficient and innovative infrastructure is at the heart of a thriving, successful and modern economy. The transport energy and housing that we all depend on would simply not function without it. That is why we are asking all parties now running for election to focus their efforts so we continue to deliver world-leading projects, on time and on budget, that change people lives for the better.”

Plans for the next phase of the Central Square regeneration scheme, with a new 12-storey office scheme that could house 2,000 workers and a public square featuring an outdoor cinema, have been revealed.

The proposed 267,000 sq. ft. office scheme, is the latest project from Cardiff-based property development firm Rightacres at its Central Square development, located immediately in front of Cardiff Central Railway Station.

Backed by financial services giant L&G, Central Square will eventually see one million sq. ft. of new office, residential and leisure space built.

The public can now have their say on its latest £80m project, located on the site of the former head office and printing presses of Media Wales on Park Street and the adjoining St David's House on Wood Street, as part of a month long consultation exercise - ahead of a planning application being submitted to Cardiff council. 

The proposed public square, on the site of the exiting St David's House which will be demolished, could extend to 33,000 sq. ft. to include:

• An outdoor cafe area.
• Hosting a weekend food market and other events.
• Accommodate at certain times of the year an ice rink, as well as an outdoor cinema and a big screen for showing major events, like sporting.

The building, designed by architectural firm Gensler, would have on its ground floor space for retail and cafe operators. It will also feature car parking and space for bikes.

The new building, which would be 55 metres tall, is expected to serve as the new headquarters for HMRC in Wales, housing more than 2,000 staff. During its construction phase the project is expected to create nearly 400 jobs. Subject to planning work on the project could start this autumn and be completed in the final quarter of 2019.

In 2015 HMRC announced that Cardiff would be one of 13 new super regional tax centres across the UK. It will see 2,000 staff, currently located at its main Ty Glas operation in Llanishen, Cardiff, relocating into a new headquarters in two years' time. And the process of moving staff out of Llanishen has already begun with the government department taking 50,000 sq. ft. of short-term office space at Brunel House in the centre of the city. 

Its move is being overseen by the property arm of the UK Government, the Government Property Unit (GPU). As part of a UK-wide property rationalising programme, the GPU is also considering bringing other civil service departments in Wales under one roof.

Following the expected HMRC relocation, the GPU could launch a new competitive tender exercise for developers to submit plans for new office schemes to house other non-devolved civil service departments.

As part of a wider master planning of Central Square next to the 12-storey building there are plans for a smaller 180,000 sq. ft. office scheme running up to the existing Media Wales building.

Along with other locations it could be a bidder if the GPU pushes ahead with further office rationalisation plans for departments such as the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Rhydian Morris of the Cardiff office of property advisory firm JLL, who is acting for the GPU, declined to comment when asked if the building would serve as the HQ for HMRC in Wales.

Port Talbot steelworks gets major research and development funding boost from Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government is investing more than £660,000 in research and development to help safeguard the long-term future of steel production in Wales. It is providing a grant to Indian-owned Tata Steel to develop higher-strength products at its sites in Port Talbot and Llanwern operations. The aim is to place Wales in the best position to meet demand for advanced steel goods for the automotive and construction sectors.

Ken Skates, Economy Secretary in the Welsh Government, said: "The Welsh Government has been working to support Wales' steel workers and this latest offer demonstrates our continued commitment to safeguarding a long-term future for the steel industry in Wales. Increasing the level of steel-related research and development taking place in Wales is critical if we are to meet the demands of the market and secure the long-term future of Welsh steel.

“Not only will increased research and development enable us to develop new products here in Wales it will also increase our competitiveness, help to reduce costs and enable us to reduce our carbon emissions. Ultimately it is part of our ongoing efforts to secure a long-term future for our steel workers, their families and the industry as a whole.”

This latest funding agreement is part of a wider package of support from Welsh Government for Tata that includes £4m of funding towards skills development activities across Tata’s Welsh operations and a further £8m investment in its Port Talbot plant which will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

Except for funding for skills, Welsh Government support will be subject to agreeing legally binding conditions with Tata.