Member Article

Question Time event champions North East industry

Leading figures from the construction industry, together with key political figures in the North East, have come together for a Question Time event championing the industry in the region.

The event, which was hosted by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and chaired by Graham Robb, Institute of Directors (IoD) North East Chairman, featured a panel that included Nicholas Brown, the Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Newcastle upon Tyne East, Lord Shipley OBE, Liberal Democrat, and Simon Kitchen the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Newcastle Central.

The debate focussed on the North East’s role in the Northern Powerhouse outlined by George Osborne in the Budget, and covered a wide range of topics, from housing, infrastructure and placemaking, to construction safety and skills.

Organised by Constructing Excellence in the North East (CENE), the event was supported by a range of construction industry bodies including the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Forum for the Built Environment (FBE), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Senior representatives of the construction industry from across the North East attended the event, along with national industry leaders, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWiC) President Siobhan McMahon, and ICE President Professor David Balmforth.

John Nielsen, Construction Industry Council chair for the North East said: “This event provided a great opportunity for the industry to speak with one voice, and let the politicians know what we need from them going forward.”

“The Northern Powerhouse is a positive initiative for this region, and our industry needs to be clear about how we can play our part and support our regional economy, through infrastructure, housing, apprenticeships and much more. The event provided a great platform to discuss a wide range of construction related topics, and showcase the positivity in the region from such a well-respected political panel and industry leaders.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Penny Marshall .