The Save Construction Initiative (SCI) Co-CEO, Dr Tim Whitehill, recently joined industry leaders at a roundtable discussion hosted by BE News, in partnership with Begbies Traynor Group and Freeths, during UKREiiF to discuss one of the sector’s most pressing challenges – the growing construction insolvency crisis.
The discussion brought together experts from across construction, finance and legal sectors to explore why insolvencies continue to rise and, more importantly, how the industry can galvanise itself into positive action. Key themes included payment culture, organisational resilience, transparency, accountability and the need for greater collaboration across the supply chain.
During the debate, Tim highlighted research following the collapse of Carillion that identified a “normalisation of deviance” within some organisations, driven by aggressive accounting practices, shareholder pressures and late payment of suppliers. He emphasised the importance of integrated supply chains, collaborative partnerships and focused business models that enable greater control, resilience and long-term sustainability.
“It’s innovation rather than regulation – genuinely. Payment is changing in every sector, so there’s no reason it wouldn’t change in the construction industry too.” – Dr. Tim Whitehill
Looking ahead, Tim also called for the industry to embrace innovation, particularly the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, noting that change is already transforming other sectors and that construction must not be left behind.
The conversation reinforced SCI’s mission to challenge outdated practices and champion a more collaborative, transparent and sustainable construction industry. While the sector still faces significant challenges, discussions like these demonstrate a growing appetite for meaningful change and collective action.
Read the full BE News report: “Construction Crisis: How Do We Galvanise the Industry into Action?”