Construction deserves a bigger focus in government and is too often viewed as an \u201cafterthought\u201d, the outgoing boss of Wates Construction Group has said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor too long, for an industry that employs so many people and that adds so much to the economy, construction is seen as an afterthought by political parties,\u201d Paul Chandler, Wates<\/a> Construction Group\u00a0 executive managing director, told Construction News<\/em> in an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n Chandler is retiring from Wates Construction Group at the end of 2024 after eight years at the helm. He is also stepping back from Wates Group board at the end of the year, but he told CN <\/em>he is stepping back from day-to-day duties to spend more time with his family.<\/p>\n Chandler will be replaced by Steffan Battle, who was appointed as managing director at Wates Construction in March<\/a>. Battle will also join Wates\u2019 executive committee at the beginning of July.<\/p>\n SES Engineering Services meanwhile – currently part of Wates Construction Group – will become its own business division at Wates, with a new executive managing director.<\/p>\n Rob Clifford, the current managing director at SES, will become both the new executive managing director of SES, and will join the Wates Group executive board at the beginning of July.<\/p>\n Chandler told CN<\/em> that over his 42-year career in construction – and regardless of which party has been in Downing Street – the sector has \u201cnot been given the importance it deserves\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cMy plea would be, make construction important and put your weight behind it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The government should regularly talk to the biggest consultants, contractors and clients as well as the trade bodies representing the different parts of the industry, Chandler said.<\/p>\n