I had to wait until 1988 for my chance: Prince Charles' "carbuncle" speech about the National Gallery extension. I then persuaded the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV Employers' Confederation in 1991 to publicly debate "ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV without Conflict", and from that conference came Sir Michael Latham and later Sir John Egan.
Then, last year, the strategic forum reopened the split between design and construction to maintain consultant supervision. So I penned a column in February last year, which said a lean industry cannot afford external consultants of any kind ("Feeding the parasites"). Howls of rage followed from the architects.
And what were the consequences? Hopefully, the industry has been nudged a little bit further towards full modernisation; my business has been refocused on much more productive, integrated and satisfying work.
Postscript
Colin Harding is chairman of Bournemouth-based contractor George & Harding.
No comments yet