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have joined ACE in truly fascinating times for the industry. Whilst not quite in a post-pandemic world, we are nevertheless beginning to return to something that is closer to normality than it has been in the last year and a half. I won’t attempt to predict where the pandemic will take society next, but a solid vaccination programme is rightly generating business confidence.

However, as one crisis starts to subside, another rises. The impact of post-Brexit trading rules, a new immigration regime, and issues with global supply chains are all impacting on the wider industry’s ability to make the most of this positivity as construction activity starts to stall.

It’s certainly a topic that has raised its head at the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) meetings that I’ve attended recently where I have been representing ACE. While many of the issues we are currently facing are outside of our direct control, there are still collective measures the industry can take to soften their impact.

Furthermore, I hope that the collaborative culture and spirit – which helped us through the worst of the pandemic – will continue as we tackle the short, medium and longer-term issues we all face as an industry.

Joining an organisation with a strong and welcoming leadership team and full programme of activity for the rest of the year has made my arrival far easier.  As well as meeting and supporting my new colleagues, I have particularly enjoyed interacting with members and groups.

I hope that the collaborative culture and spirit – which helped us through the worst of the pandemic – will continue as we tackle the short, medium and longer-term issues we all face as an industry Laurence Brett, interim CEO, ACE

The enthusiasm shown by the emerging professionals has been particularly inspiring and I hope that, calendars permitting over the coming weeks, I will be able to join more group meetings. This will help me paint a true picture of our strengths and weaknesses for the future CEO.

While my strategy is very much about ensuring ‘business as usual’ for ACE and EIC, as an employee of a member I have also impressed on my new colleagues the need to continually strive to meet members’ needs. This approach will ensure we remain as impactful as possible as we continue to build on the positive momentum built up over the years.

I will continue to bang this drum – on behalf of members – within the organisation as we await news of a new, permanent chief executive later in the year. Until then, I am very much at your disposal – please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments, questions or queries.

Laurence Brett is interim CEO at the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE). Tihis blog originally appeared in the Septmeber edition of Infrastructure Intelligence.