Deputy chairman of Wates Group promises new approach after being appointed president of office body
James Wates has said he will bring the 鈥渟avvy鈥� and 鈥減ragmatism鈥� of the construction industry to the British Council of Offices (BCO) after being appointed president of the body this week.
Wates 鈥� who is also deputy chairman of his family鈥檚 Wates Group - is the first contractor to head the BCO.
He told 好色先生TV his appointment gave 鈥済reater legitimacy鈥� to contractors鈥� involvement in the BCO 鈥� which also represents landlords and occupiers 鈥� and that he would bring a 鈥渃onstruction savvy鈥� approach to the organisation.
He said his main focus was to help 鈥渦nlock development finance鈥� and to get commercial projects moving.
Wates said he would also lobby to ensure the Bank of England鈥檚 quantitative easing funds made their way to 鈥減roductive use鈥� including office development rather than 鈥減ropping up bank balance sheets鈥�.
He added he would lobby to ease the planning process for developers and explore ways of building offices 鈥渋n the most economical way鈥�.
Current levels of office construction are 35% below the UK long-term average, according to recent Drivers Jonas Deloitte research.
Wates 鈥� who is also chairman of the industry鈥檚 training body CITB-ConstructionSkills and the UK Contractors Group 鈥� will chair the BCO鈥檚 board of management and executive board.
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