Senior ministers Paul Boateng and Nigel Griffiths are heading a top-level line-up of speakers at Building's first Construction Client Convention on 3 February.
As chief secretary to the Treasury, Boateng (pictured) is effectively the construction industry's largest client, with responsibility for government investment in new buildings and other infrastructure. He recently met leading specialist contractors to discuss their campaign for a blanket ban on the use of retentions.

Griffiths (pictured) replaced Brian Wilson as construction minister in last year's reshuffle. He has a long-standing connection with the industry as a former chairman of Edinburgh's housing committee and through his campaign to raise funds to build 8000 homes in Kosovo.

Other speakers at the conference – chaired by BAA group technical director Tony Douglas – include Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester council; David Adamson, director of estates at Cambridge University; Peter Wearmouth, chief executive of NHS Estates; Geoff Wright, projects director of Hammerson; Roger Madelin, chief executive of Argent; and Jon Rouse, chief executive of CABE.

More details of the convention, to be staged at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, can be found on pages 42-43 and in the brochure that accompanies this week's issue of Building. Tickets are available from CreatEvents on 0870-2419 902, or by email at: info@createvents.co.uk.