HVCA looks to a better future

‘A better construction industry, a better built environment, a better deal for members and a better outcome for the client,’ have been highlighted by the new president of the Heating & Ventilation Contractors’ Association, Mike McCloskey, as the association’s key goals during his presidential year. Speaking at the association’s annual dinner recently, he argued that a successful, well managed and profitable industry was crucial to the long-term survival, prosperity and well being of the entire construction process.’ He also stressed that, ‘The existence of a level playing field on which all members of the team could play their very best game could deliver benefits that would otherwise be out of everyone’s reach. ‘Much of our time, effort and resources will therefore continue to be directed at the creation, maintenance and delivery of a just and equitable culture — a culture in which participants in the construction process are treated with fairness and respect and in which everyone is equipped to operate at the very peak of their performance.’ Mr McCloskey also referred to the Government’s review of the Construction Act and acknowledged that during the decade that had passed since the introduction of this ‘ground-breaking’ legislation, it had become clear that the protections it offered were not as effective as many had hoped. ‘This review gives us a further opportunity to campaign for the reversal of a culture in which instances of contractual abuse, onerous contract conditions and unjustified late payment continue to abound — a culture in which more is spent on litigation and lawyers’ fees than on research and development.’