All articles by Sir Michael Latham

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    A lesson in subeconomics

    2011-04-21T00:00:00Z

    Cost consultants whisper in their client’s ear, ’take the lowest bid’. But by the time they’ve paid for poor quality products and claims and variations, it just doesn’t stack up

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    Any which way

    2010-07-30T00:00:00Z

    As money for schemes is squeezed, clients will opt for lowest price tenders. But contractors will then seek to boost their income through claims and variations, warns Sir Michael Latham

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    What politicians really think

    2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

    It is in a government’s nature to cut capital spending before public revenue. But the Charter 284 cause can be served by appealing to politicians’ worst instincts

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    Sir Michael Latham: The triumph of ConstructionSkills’ diploma

    2010-02-12T00:00:00Z

    ConstructionSkills’ diploma is already proving a success with pupils. If employers continue to back it, it will make a huge difference to our training effort, says Sir Michael Latham

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    Vive la restoration: Sir Michael Latham on the importance of heritage stock

    2009-12-04T00:00:00Z

    What better time than now, when the construction of new buildings is at a low ebb, to focus on the restoration and maintenance of heritage structures

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    Keeping on keeping on: Sir Michael Latham on training

    2009-09-04T00:00:00Z

    ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø facilities for the wider education sector is one thing, but construction also has to make sure it keeps its own training system up to scratch

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    Too much monkey business

    2009-06-12T00:00:00Z

    It seems that clients are reverting to the primitive practice of lowest cost single-stage tendering. Trouble is, lowest cost means guaranteed minimum quality

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    A confederacy of dunces

    2009-03-06T00:00:00Z

    The post of a chief construction officer is a splendid idea, but it will only work if the holder has real power – and Whitehall may not be willing to let that happen

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    How to stay healthy

    2009-02-13T00:00:00Z

    Hands up all those who have been tempted to cut training on safety during the downturn? Do so and your business will suffer

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    Bad old days

    2008-11-28T00:00:00Z

    The lack of cash in construction could usher in a return to mutual mistrust between contractors and clients

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    Let’s work together

    2008-10-17T00:00:00Z

    Sir Michael Latham The business and enterprise select committee’s proposal for a chief construction offer has been taken up. Now we need to push for integrated teams

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    Who will be the champion?

    2008-08-15T00:00:00Z

    The most important proposal in the Construction Matters report is that construction should have a champion in government. Sir Michael Latham sets out a job description

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    Learn as you go

    2008-04-11T00:00:00Z

    The construction and built environment diploma is to be launched this September, and the industry is working well with colleges to expand its reach. But how do we make sure it succeeds?

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    Foresight saga

    2008-03-07T00:00:00Z

    Analysis by the Construction Skills Network has revealed that there will be little or no construction growth by 2012. Sir Michael Latham explains why getting to grips with forecasting data is essential for future business

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    Living in harmony

    2008-01-25T00:00:00Z

    The Olympic park can be completed on time and without conflict between the sectors – but the strategies to ensure good relations must be sorted now.

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    Trust exercise

    2007-10-05T00:00:00Z

    Sir Michael Latham recalls his lobbying for a construction contract based on fairness and trust and is pleased to see that a new JCT form is underpinned by these very qualities

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    Skoolz in

    2007-08-31T00:00:00Z

    The new construction diploma will lead thousands of youngsters to careers in the industry. Now we just need to persuade teachers and employers to support it

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    Get it together

    2007-05-25T00:00:00Z

    A subcontractor that feels ripped off by the main contractor will hardly sing the praises of partnering. But as long as the whole team is involved, it really can work

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    Bring back the DoE

    2007-03-09T00:00:00Z

    Construction has been bounced around portfolios since 2001. But this industry needs a dedicated minister, working out of a strong Department of the Environment. Come on, Gordon, do the right thing

  • Michael Latham
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    Cracking it

    2006-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Sir Michael Latham CITB–ConstructionSkills is doing more than ever before to provide the construction industry with a highly skilled modern workforce. Here’s how...