The National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) and the UK Contractors Group (UKCG) are in talks to discuss the possibility of working more closely in the future to deliver a unified voice on key issues to both organisations’ members.
Possible merger talks were though to have begun in January 2015, when the two groups published a joint statement (please link to pdf) suggesting that their members had called for greater representation and opportunity for communication.
A new statement released by the NSCC suggests that talks on a range of issues remain ongoing, including the formation of a new organisation bringing together contractor members and trade associations currently in membership of either organisation. The NSCC says such close alignment has the potential to create a more productive business environment and could lead to the prospect of addressing issues such as the pre-qualification process and skills shortages from a common position.
Kevin Louch, president of NSCC, said:
“This proposal is visionary and I feel that it is an opportunity that offers substantial benefits to our sector. I have seen over the last two years as NSCC President just how we could transform our industry if the contracting sector presented a more united view.”
Stephen Radcliffe, director of the UKCG, is to step down in June 2015 and until then will work with Suzannah Nichol, chief executive of NSCC, to explore this opportunity for the contracting supply chain to work together more effectively.
Both groups have already proven that there is common ground between them following joint work on the Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter and the industry-recognised logo for card schemes.
The current proposal is currently out for consultation with NSCC member organisations and UKCG contractor and affiliate members.
