CIOB Supports RIBA Client Initiative

The Chartered Institute of Building lends its support to the Royal Institute of British Architects newly launched Client & Architect report. The RIBA initiative looks to enhance the relationship between architects and clients and points the way to developing greater collaboration across the industry.

Speaking about the report Chris Blythe Chief Executive at the CIOB said: “Relationships are critical to the construction industry, which can so easily be riven by conflicts. CIOB members, as construction managers working for contractors, increasingly find themselves cast as clients for architects. Strong relationships are key. They separate good teams from poor and, so often, the best projects from the also-rans.

He added, “As fellow professionals, our members recognise and respect the value architects bring. They recognise too that in the uncertain, complex, often fraught environment of a building project conflicts arise and compromise is necessary. Tribal and narrow commercial interests can easily trump good judgement and problem solving. All professionals must guard against this.”

The CIOB was invited by RIBA to take part in its Client Liaison Group. This group is gathering evidence from different sectors and regions, with the aim of identifying the tools that architects need to improve their service to clients. The report will be launched at a formal event on 15 September 2015 at RIBA - hosted by RIBA Immediate Past President Stephen Hodder MBE, and with CIOB Senior Vice President Paul Nash in attendance.

Later this month the CIOB will publish its own report highlighting the value of professionals within the built environment and the Professional Bodies that represent them.  This report is set to be launched at the Conservative and Labour Political Party Conferences.