Constructing Excellence

In collaboration with BRE Academy, we are delighted to announce that the Constructing the Gold Standard Training Course is now live. Visit the BRE Academy website to access the training. This online course provides comprehensive training on Constructing the Gold Standard, an independent review of construction frameworks by Prof David Mosey CBE, implementing Construction Playbook policy commitments, endorsed by Cabinet Office and over 50 industry bodies.

Constructing Excellence’s Performance Measurement Working Group met on 25 June 2026 for a detailed discussion on how major clients are using performance data to drive improvement across the construction sector, with a spotlight presentation from Andrew Blackett, Supply Performance Lead at National Highways.

For its first meeting with Malcolm Lewis, Commercial Director at the Great Grid Upgrade as chair, the Constructing Excellence Major Projects Group explored how the industry can attract, develop and retain the workforce needed to deliver the UK’s major infrastructure pipeline. The discussion focused on skills shortages, future demand, education and training, and the need for a stronger, more inclusive careers narrative.

Can construction deliver more than completed projects? A CE Procurement Group discussion, featuring one of the architects of the Construction Playbook, Huda As’ad, examined why outcomes-based contracting could be key to unlocking greater public value.

Constructing Excellence welcomed the Construction Clients’ Leadership Group (CCLG) to BRE Science Park in Watford this week for an event focused on client leadership, collaboration and the future of the built environment. The event provided an opportunity to thank Gren Tipper and Gary O’Brien for their longstanding leadership in building CCLG into a respected forum for progressive clients committed to driving excellence.

Constructing Excellence and ARCOM kicked off its collaboration with a deep dive into safety culture, showcasing the work of Dr Emmanuel Aboagye-Nimo of Birmingham City University. The key question: how do we create a stronger safety culture when the people delivering the work are too often the least heard? The session highlighted the need to connect formal systems with the realities of site delivery, and to make more space for frontline experience, practical insight and shared learning.

The Department for Education has achieved Constructing the Gold Standard Full Verification for its CF25 Construction Framework, the first to be procured under the new Procurement Act. CF25 Construction Framework is a multi-supplier, multi-lot, extended term, closed framework with a ceiling value of £15.4bn, designed as the DfE’s primary procurement vehicle for high volume and value (above works threshold, PPN 023), design and build construction projects, across the national educational estate.

Over the 12 months following Full Verification, DfE will enhance the current collaborative processes and systems of CF25 by creating, agreeing with suppliers and commencing implementation of a Gold Standard action plan that will: Establish binding terms of reference for the CF25 Panel Forum and specific Panel Sub-Forums (each comprising representatives from the DfE, any frequent framework users and the framework suppliers) to convert DfE framework objectives into actions Establish and manage...

At the latest Constructing Excellence Climate Action Group meeting, members explored how artificial intelligence can support faster, smarter progress toward more sustainable buildings and infrastructure. The session was led by Nick Tune of Optimise AI, who shared practical examples of how digital twins, machine learning and large language models are being applied to improve energy and water performance across building portfolios.

We’re delighted to announce that Fusion21 Ltd has joined Constructing Excellence as National Members. Fusion21 provides procurement with purpose, helping public sector organisations buy smarter through compliant, ready-to-use commercial tools that deliver faster, more efficient and sustainable outcomes.