Matthew Richards
FeaturesTake your partners
As clients, councils tend to be one-night-stand types with a leering interest in the size of your tenders, or celibates who do everything themselves. But now the government is pairing them up with sexy private firms and shoving them under the mirrorball. We think this could be the start of ...
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Mott MacDonald enters the Beijing Olympics
Firm creates first-ever joint venture between Chinese and western multidisciplinary consultants.
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CIS appeals may cost £50,000
Contractors that are refused CIS tax scheme certificates may soon also lose their right to appeal against the decision
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Bovis wins gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy
Italian arm is awarded 29-month contract in joint bid with Turin engineering and construction firm.
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Major contractors hit back at union claims over PFI
Industry group issues robust denial of criticisms levelled in Unison report on PFI school construction.
FeaturesTop 250 Consultants 2003: Big hitters
This year’s consultants league table ranks the top 250 practices in the UK, then breaks it down into the top 100 architects, engineers and surveyors. But which have the class and the grace to punch above their weight? We report from the ringsideTables compiled by Martin Hewes
FeaturesThreat and response
Gangs of robbers, terrorists, politically motivated saboteurs … Contractors could be forgiven for thinking that their sites are under siege. But how can they fend off the enemy without blowing all their profit on security? ...
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Industry faces animal rights threat
A former Scotland Yard special branch detective has warned the construction industry to brace itself for a campaign of intimidation from violent animal rights activists
NewsHSE has warm words, but no money, for roving reps
Health and Safety Executive has no plans for national roll-out of successful worker safety advisers scheme.
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Mabey & Johnson sues top insurers over bridge repairs
Engineer takes insurance companies to court to recover costs for work on bridges in Africa and the Americas.
NewsTreasury to launch PFI charm offensive
The Treasury is planning to begin a PR offensive to counter unions' attacks on the PFI
FeaturesFrom Birmingham to Basra
One minute he was a QS in Birmingham, the next he was dodging Scuds in Iraq. Territorial Army lance corporal Craig Barker spoke to us about food rations, Saddam's yacht and keeping cool.
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The secret of our success
With the fastest-growing construction industry in Europe, Britain is the envy of its continental neighbours. And a revealing report shows that it's all down to the economy-transforming magic of the PFI.
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UK tops European league thanks to PFI, says report
Trade body calls British construction Europe's 'bright light', but warns of recession if public spending cuts go ahead.
FeaturesTowers of doom
Strange but true: countries that build the world's tallest building shortly afterwards suffer an economic catastrophe. Matthew Richards examines the link between skyscraper booms and economic bust – with special reference to the USA, Dubai, China and Taiwan
FeaturesComeback kid?
Down Kenneth Clarke may be, out he certainly isn't. The man who claims to have invented PFI is on bullish form and ready to take on contractors, civil servants, bankers – oh, and the Labour government, of course, for messing up his big idea.
NewsStar architects chosen for Crossrail station redesigns
McAslan and Wilkinson Eyre among practices appointed as Crossrail boss lays out PFI funding plan.
NewsLabour ruined PFI, says Clarke
Former Conservative chancellor Kenneth Clarke has accused the government of ruining the PFI by giving in to the trade unions