The Design Build Federation and the Reading Construction Forum this week announced they have established a formal partnership with a view to an eventual merger.
The bodies believe that they are best suited to champion industry reform by acting in tandem. The DBF concentrates on promoting the integration of design and construction, and the RCF has a broader aim of increasing industry effectiveness.

RCF chairman Richard Saxon said that changes in the government after the election meant that the two bodies had to take up the initiative.

He said: "There is still much to do to transform the industry into one that truly serves its customers, businesses, members, people and society as a whole. Government is reducing its role in leading this charge and we need to pick up the baton together."

Barry Holmes, director-general of the DBF, added that the organisations began to meet regularly at the turn of the year when they established the basis of their relationship. Holmes expects the bodies to form a single organisation in the future.

The two are drawing up a co-ordinated calendar of activity and an integrated corporate business plan.

The bodies are already linked as they were both formed as a result of Reading University initiatives in the mid-1990s.