Welcome Nick Raynsford

This project has, in fact, been years in the planning and Bryan Franklin's tireless efforts to position CIBSE centre-stage to provide qualified expertise in support of revised Part L implementation deserve high praise. Bill Wright of the John Lewis Partnership and Dave Farebrother of Land Securities represented two major companies from 500 who have signed up so far and are showing leadership in the vital task of reducing carbon emissions.

CIBSE's TM22 - Energy assessment and reporting methodology has just been republished in a new edition, along with the new edition of Guide A: Environmental design. These two titles add to the growing prestige and value of CIBSE's publications portfolio and will be essential tools for our members.

Added to these developments is the welcome progress in the collaboration between industry bodies in the HVCA sector - responsible for an annual £20bn contribution to the UK's GDP.

CIBSE, together with BSRIA, HVCA, ECA and FETA, is collaborating with the Specialist Engineering Alliance (SEA) to ensure that our influence on government is increased - especially in areas of regulation, innovation and standards. Improvements in the area of retentions and input to the revisions of the Construction Act are among recent achievements of the SEA, and the focus in 2006 is on activities in support of revised Part L and the industry's contribution to reducing carbon emissions.

We are also delighted that Nick Raynsford MP was elected as new chairman of the Construction Industry Council. As deputy chairman since 2005, Nick has already been able to improve our access to ministers and select committees, and set out his agenda at the CIC Council Meeting on 8 June with the following headlines.

The Olympic Project 2012 and Thames Gateway both represent a fantastic opportunity for the construction and engineering industries to demonstrate their capabilities to deliver high-quality design, sustainable communities and an Olympic Games which leaves a fine legacy for the country - all on time and on budget. Too often, the media gloats on the problems of the Millennium Dome and Wembley, while the London GLA building, which has proved very successful (and was commissioned while Nick was Construction Minister) hardly merits a footnote. Again, in North London, the Arsenal Emirates Stadium at Highbury - the third largest football stadium in England has quietly been built, on time and on budget.

With a benign UK economy in recent years, Nick also considers that our industry has been able to avoid some of the problems associated with boom and bust - but still suffers from ‘lowest cost syndrome'. With government commissioning 40% of the total annual business, it has a vital leadership role in this area and DQIs (Design Quality Indicators) - championed by CIC - have had a very positive effect. The recent efforts by the Office of Government Commerce to promote whole life value in public procurement are to be applauded and supported.

Given that recent construction ministers seem to have a very short life span, it is good that Nick Raynsford is able to offer helpful advice to the current incumbent, Margaret Hodge. Not known for her knowledge of the construction industry, she will be able to rely on someone who has the highest respect for the sector. We have a true ally in the corridors of power. Although I will from now on be watching his progress from afar and I am sure I speak for all CIBSE members when I say we wish him all the very best in his new role.