A Dundee University professor has joined the board of a major new Scottish centre dedicated to driving innovation in the construction industry.
Professor Rod Jones, director of Dundee University’s Concrete Technology Unit, is one of 10 “industry influencers” who will help guide strategy at the new £7.5 million Construction Scotland Innovation Centre.
The centre aims to strengthen ties between commercial construction firms and academia to drive best practice and make innovation a watchword for the industry as a whole.
“Our role as a board is to guide the direction of the organisation as we implement our strategic plan to leverage construction innovation as an engine of economic growth,” interim innovation centre chairman Bill McBride said.
“We aim in large part to achieve this by connecting the 31,000-plus businesses in the Scottish construction industry with the unparalled world-class academic expertise which we will make available to them.”
A total of 11 Scottish universities are providing input into Construction Scotland and it is hoped the Innovation Centre will eventually become a “one-stop shop” for building firms large and small that are keen to improve the way they go about their business.
Mr McBride said the make-up of the Innovation Centre’s board was key to its long-term success.
“Our focus is very much on helping to create a step change in the innovation landscape in Scottish construction, and we will achieve this culture change by bringing people together, business leaders, academic experts, professionals and trade bodies.”
Mr McBride added: “In my experience people want to work towards a more innovative, sustainable and profitable sector here in Scotland and beyond. We are here to assist that process.
“I am very grateful to our new board members for their passionate enthusiasm for change and for lending their considerable experience to ensure the Innovation Centre is a success.
“These individuals from construction clients, contractors, sub-contractors and academics by taking on these challenges on an unpaid voluntary basis are reflective of the passion and desire to drive our industry sector forward for future generations.
“We will ensure that the four key areas I see as central to the Innovation Centre’s success people, process, product and service are addressed from the outset, and I am very much looking forward to working with them all for the foreseeable future.”
In addition to Professor Jones, the centre’s board includes Dr John McGurk of CIPD Scotland, Stephen Good of CCG, Forster Group chairman John Forster, Balfour Beatty commercial director for Scotland Paul McAloon, Alistair McKinnon of Scottish Enterprise and Keith McDonald of the Scottish Funding Council.