Executive opinion Pulling together
ECA group chief executive offi cer Steve Bratt welcomes great member feedback for The Big Survey – and hopes for another positive response from a very different initiative
I
t’s all very well for me to tell you why membership of the ECA is valuable for your business, but as we’ve been analysing the results of our biggest ever research project – The Big Survey – it’s become clear that our members,
too, appreciate the true worth of the association. I mentioned The Big Survey in the last issue of ECA
Today, and I have to say, the response has been extremely pleasing – thank you to everyone who has taken the time to participate. One in three of the ECA’s membership has taken part in this important project to fi nd out your opinions on the association and the services it delivers. It is vital that we ensure that the ECA’s extensive range of services remain relevant, useful and accessible to our members – and deliver value for their businesses.
Even in times when budgets are tight, more than two-thirds
of respondents to The Big Survey expressed the opinion that ECA membership represented very good or good value for money. We were pleased with the loyalty shown by members, with a high proportion willing to recommend ECA services to others. Many identifi ed our fi rst class technical services as the one prized the most but, overall, we had extremely positive feedback on all our services. However, that doesn’t mean we are complacent – far from it. Although these are great headlines, we will be looking deeply into the comments and opinions of our members and taking them onboard as we tailor our service offerings going forward. We are determined to ensure that the ECA gives it members a clear advantage in the electrical contracting industry.
Industry action Nonetheless, it’s also important for the association to work with our partners in industry to help create growth in our recession-hit economy. The latest revised fi gures for UK economic performance make grim reading. Overall, GDP fell by 0.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2012, impacted by a 3.9 per cent decline in construction output. With this in mind, the ECA has joined other leading
industry members in supporting the UK Contractors’ Group’s (UKCG) recently launched campaign – Creating Britain’s Future – that highlights the contribution the construction industry can make to help get the country back into growth. The UKCG initiative is calling on government to take action to support the industry, boosting spending on infrastructure to help stimulate the wider economy. In support of the campaign I, as group CEO of the ECA, was one of the signatories of an open letter to government
Key role
We were pleased with the loyalty shown by members, with a high proportion willing to recommend ECA services to others
On a related note, the government has recently announced that Peter Hansford will take over as Chief Construction Advisor (CCA) from Paul Morrell, who steps down at the end of November. Peter Hansford is a previous president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and his background in the industry should bring a wealth of experience to the role. The ECA welcomes the appointment, while also acknowledging the contribution of Paul Morrell as CCA – particularly the progress made with prompt payment. The CCA is charged with ensuring Britain’s construction sector is equipped with the knowledge, skills and best practice it needs in its transition to a low carbon economy, as well as with the delivery of the National Infrastructure Plan. It is a key role, particularly in the current climate. As he prepares to take up the position, we would like to see him: Influence government to prioritise expenditure on ‘shovel ready’ projects that will have an immediate positive impact on the construction sector, as well as the economy as a whole;
About the author
Steve Bratt Steve Bratt was appointed group chief executive offi cer of the ECA in October 2010. He joined the ECA as chief operating offi cer in 2007, and became deputy CEO in February 2010.
Ensure that the government sticks to its sustainability plan and green agenda;
Ensure that UK industry has the relevant skills needed to serve developing needs and markets; and
Ensure that the progress on central government prompt payment reforms are extended to the whole public sector.
With the UK construction sector continuing to suffer, it’s vital that government takes all measures available to boost the industry, as a way of kickstarting the economy and creating jobs.
September 2012 ECA Today 19
from leading members of the construction sector that was published in The Daily Telegraph in July. This emphasised the important contribution that the construction industry makes to the economic wellbeing of the UK. According to UKCG fi gures, for every £1 invested in construction, £2.84 is generated in economic activity and growth, and the annual turnover of the UK construction industry amounts to £100 billion – representing 10 per cent of GDP. It employs more than three million people – 350,000 in the electrical industry – and 300,000 fi rms are involved, the vast majority SMEs. Even within current public sector spending restraints, we believe there is more that could be done to stimulate construction and create growth – by speeding up decision- making and fi nding new ways of fi nancing projects.
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