Built Environment Sector Urged to Respond to Government Call for Evidence as Deadline Looms
London, UK – With only days remaining, the built environment sector is facing a critical juncture as the government’s call for evidence on the future of built environment professions, trades, and occupations rapidly approaches its deadline. Industry leaders are stressing the urgency for comprehensive engagement, warning that a failure to do so could lead to incomplete conclusions and potentially misdirected policy.
The consultation is far from a routine exercise. In the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, the outcomes of this call for evidence will profoundly shape the landscape of accountability and responsibility across the entire built environment. For multidisciplinary consultancies like Hollis, situated at the nexus of clients, designers, contractors, funders, occupiers, and regulators, the opportunity to offer valuable insights is particularly significant.
Andy Hay, CEO of Hollis, emphasizes the unique position of consultancies. "We see how national policy, local market conditions, commercial pressures, and on-site realities interact, from design and construction, through to handover, operation, and ultimately sale or disposal," Hay explains. This holistic perspective, he argues, is crucial to providing a nuanced and accurate picture of the industry’s complexities.
The Peril of Siloed Responses
A significant concern highlighted by Hollis is the risk of "siloed responses." Historically, different segments of the industry tend to respond to consultations by focusing primarily on areas that directly impact them. Building safety, for instance, saw professional bodies concentrating on registration and standards, while developers and funders considered scheme viability, and contractors focused on supply-chain capability.
"Where consultants can really add value is in the ability to offer wider perspectives and tie together these multiple viewpoints," states Hay. Without this broader perspective, there’s a real danger that the government could draw incomplete conclusions, leading to policies that fail to achieve their intended outcomes.
Decoding Capability and Accountability
The government’s call for evidence seeks to understand accountability, organisational capability, and competence throughout the project lifecycle. This presents numerous avenues for consultants to contribute.
A key area of focus is the relationship between clients and the industry, alongside issues of culture, behavior, and risk allocation. While this framing is useful, Hay cautions against oversimplification. "This should not be about clients versus industry. This should be about whether projects correctly balance liability, accountability, and reward," he asserts.
Competence is another paramount theme in the consultation. The move towards demonstrating ongoing competence throughout careers is broadly welcomed as a sensible and appropriate development. However, the existing market presents challenges, with a proliferation of accreditation schemes, legislative approaches, and voluntary codes of practice.
We cannot end up in an industry that just adds badges without improving project outcomes
"We cannot end up in an industry that just adds badges without improving project outcomes," Hay warns. New requirements inevitably translate into increased responsibility for consultants and professionals, necessitating a careful consideration of the commercial drivers at play. This includes the influence on procurement, project scope, time, cost, liability, and ultimately, fee levels.
Furthermore, the consultation delves into the broader skills question, examining appropriate qualifications, training, and development for the future. This will have direct implications for recruitment strategies, team structures, retention efforts, and remuneration across the sector.
A Crucial Opportunity for Influence
The call for evidence represents a rare opportunity for the government to actively seek input to deepen its understanding of the built environment. The information gathered during this period will serve as the foundation for a new strategy slated for release next spring, with far-reaching consequences for all stakeholders.
Andy Hay concludes with a powerful call to action: "If consultants do not engage, we are missing a huge opportunity. Our place at the front line of delivery means that we can explain how projects are commissioned, designed, built and managed, and where professional responsibility sits in practice." The next few days are therefore critical for shaping the future of the built environment.
