The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has acquired the Building a Safer Future (BSF) organisation, marking a significant industry shift.
- CCS, starting as a modest initiative, has expanded its role to broadly enhance the image of the construction industry.
- BSF, established after the Grenfell Tower fire, aims to foster safety-first attitudes across all construction sectors.
- This acquisition reflects the ongoing alliance between CCS and BSF, both under the Construction Umbrella Bodies.
- Industry leaders affirm that the merger underscores a shared commitment to safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has strategically acquired the Building a Safer Future (BSF) organisation, highlighting a noteworthy transition within the construction industry landscape. This move signifies CCS’s evolution from its initial role as a tidy site initiative in the 1990s to a broader mission of improving the overall image of the construction sector. CCS’s ownership by the Construction Products Association and the Construction Industry Council ensures its independence from actual construction firms.
Established in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster, BSF’s purpose has been to instigate a culture change prioritising safety over profit within the construction industry. Although originally concentrating on high-rise residential buildings, its remit has since broadened to encompass all construction activities. CCS and BSF have maintained a close relationship, both being under the Construction Umbrella Bodies. This umbrella also includes the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), an initiative similar in its intent to bolster the industry’s post-Grenfell reputation.
In 2020, CCS was entrusted with the management of the BSF charter, which urged companies to endorse its principles. Subsequently, CCS formed Building a Safer Future Ltd, a not-for-profit entity with an independent governance structure, aimed at furthering the charter’s objectives.
Peter Caplehorn, chief executive of the Construction Products Association and a non-executive director at CCS, emphasised the acquisition as a decisive step towards enhancing safety and standards. He remarked that having managed the charter previously, CCS was the logical new home for BSF’s operations, staff, and clientele. Despite differing focuses, the organisations unite under common goals concerning safety, collaboration, and fostering a culture of improvement.
Graham Watts, CEO of the Construction Industry Council and director of both CCS and BSF, highlighted the shared mission of both entities in aiding organisations to meet industry requirements. He pointed out CCS’s unique role as an independent advocate for change, making it the ideal custodian for BSF.
This strategic acquisition by CCS aims to fortify safety standards within the construction industry.
