Report comment

This is the best piece I have read for years and, if Beth's suggestions are taken up, the public sector would stop being dumb clients. I have been saying myself that clients, of whatever kind, public or private, should be regarded as the "producers" of buildings since they are the leaders of a supply-chain of their choice and make all the major decisions on a project. They are even de facto chief designers since they make all the big design calls. Clients can, and do, lean on consultants to help but they can never delegate their major role . Inexperienced clients are greatly at risk of disappointment and over-spends. World-class clients produce world-class developments and great results will never happen using the civil service approach of promoting lay people into client roles.
I would suggest that the new organisation Beth proposes also covers Housing Associations. Some have been disastrous in the past as clients, being involved with using flammable cladding on flats. With professionally qualified clients this sort of thing would never happen.