The National Federation of Builders (NFB) is to hold its annual conference for its larger members, the Principal Contractors' Group (PCG) on Tuesday 23 October 2012 in association with CITB-ConstructionSkills.

The PCG is made up of the largest contractor members of the NFB, with a combined turnover of £2.7 billion. This year's conference, entitled 'UK Construction: The Road to Recovery' will be taking a positive approach to meeting the challenges facing the industry in the midst of a severe and prolonged recession. From the need to improve procurement practices and regulation, to the continuing drive for excellence in training and in health and safety, our speakers and our audience will have the chance to map out the industry’s route back to growth.

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The event is to be hosted by well known Olympic medallist Roger Black MBE. Delegates will also hear from the Rt. Hon Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, as well as the Government’s Chief Construction Adviser, Paul Morrell. Other speakers include Philip White, the Health and Safety Executive’s Chief Inspector of Construction, Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills and Lord Curry, Chair of the Better Regulation Executive.

Central to the challenges faced by many firms is the changing world of public procurement, not least the tendency for frameworks to 'bundle' projects together, presenting ever higher barriers to all but the very largest contractors. However, the tide is slowly turning in favour of more intelligent procurement, influenced by the extensive work done by the Federation, and its productive and ongoing dialogue with government departments, local authorities and industry partners.

(CD/GK)