Welcome to another issue packed with tales of construction management professionals leading by example. I’d like to draw your attention in particular to how Pearce Retail Services uses psychometric testing not just at the recruitment stage, but to put effective project teams together. It’s common in the wider world of British industry, but as far as we’re aware Pearce is the only UK construction company doing it.

You may think it’s no big deal, but by using the tool Pearce can demonstrate a determination to make better decisions about where to place people to give clients optimum service. This can only be reassuring for new recruits because they see their employer matching business needs with what they personally have to offer, rather than forcing square pegs into round holes.

The management skills crisis doesn’t show any sign of abating and companies like Pearce, who get the edge over others in providing rational work settings and structured career paths, will regularly outperform companies who fail to treat their human resource seriously.

All change
Fond farewells to assistant editor Jenny Hampton, who is taking a well-earned career break to explore Peru. An award-winning feature writer, Jenny has worked tirelessly on Construction Manager since the Builder Group began publishing it on behalf of the CIOB in April 2000. We’ll miss her hard work, sharp eye, and sense of fun.

From next month, we welcome Kristina Smith, who joins as deputy editor. Kristina brings a wealth of experience, starting out as an engineer and construction manager and moving on to write and edit for Construction News and Property Week. We’re confident you’ll be getting even more out of your magazine in 2003.