Senior industry leaders in Manchester are cautiously optimistic

Gleeds, the international construction management consultants in Manchester, helped host a dinner for senior figures from the North West construction industry recently. The group debated the future of the industry with the general feeling that finally the construction industry is emerging out of recession.

Gleeds Director, Geoff Woods, also Chairman of the North West Forum of the Built Environment, who was responsible for the event, said: “With new and worrying inflation figures being released this week, it was a timely opportunity to gauge the opinion of 40 leading businesses from the property and construction sectors, who debated the future of the industry. Those attending included senior business leaser from a cross section of the industry including Manchester City Council, Universities, Argent, Muse; as well as professional consultants including Mace, Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Stephenson Bell and contractors, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Laing, McAlpine, Wates and Carillion.”

He went on to add: “The debate predicted a cautiously optimistic outlook for the industry in the North West with some mixed feelings about the short to medium term for the Manchester region. Generally the market remains very challenging, securing available opportunities is more important than ever and it is imperative that businesses remain competitive and profitable by delivering smarter and improved operational efficiencies.”

Among industry representatives were senior managers from companies responsible for the developments across the UK including the construction of offices in Birmingham at Brindleyplace, in Manchester at Piccadilly Place and some 4.9m sq ft of new office space in Central London at King’s Cross Central. Participants were able to offer their experience in the development of 125,000 sq ft of office space in Liverpool at St Paul’s Square and 550,000 sq ft office space in Swindon at Union Square.

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Posted by Dan