We are doing OK. Welsh construction is in a good place. We have come a long way, but we remain restless to improve. We cannot rest on our laurels and we must continuously seek improvements in performance – right across the social, economic and environmental agenda.

What’s more we need to keep the message about best practice alive. Whilst we have many supporters there are new people entering the industry on the client side, suppliers and new politicians joining the debate after fresh elections who all need educating, reminding and cajoling that collaborative working and long term value driven approach to construction is best.

We have known for some time, instinctively almost, that the approach taken by many CEW stakeholders is moving construction in Wales forward. The change agenda driven onwards by our team and by you the industry has made a real difference. Industry leaders, politicians, client decision makers in government, local authorities and other public sector bodies (still the biggest client in Wales) have all been influenced by our work – but most of all by the examples provided by what is often exemplar construction work.

That is why we are even more committed than ever to drive change. It is why we remain 100% behind the Demonstration & Exemplar Programmes and why we are keen to recruit someone that shares our vision and values to lead this critical part of our work. It is why we remain convinced that the CEW Awards is not just a great celebration of what makes our industry so good, but that it plays a critical part in the sharing of best practice.

Arguably, one reason Welsh construction has come so far and has improved so much in the ten years of the CEW Awards is due to sharing the lessons learned and making the best practice from these outstanding award winning projects public. Ten years of brilliant construction projects showcased via the CEW Awards has put our industry right in the public eye.

So, why not get involved? Join or attend one of our Best Practice Clubs, attend our events, enter the CEW Awards (entries close on 29th February) – but stay committed to the cause. Because we need to champion the concept of best practice now more than ever.