CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES
wisdom that even minor problems or hold ups can lead to a company making a loss on a project , but it is an attitude that Hunt and HKA are attempting to change . “ It is something I have always questioned ,” says Hunt . “ If you kept the records and you ’ ve identified where the problems are – if the problems are yours then you should be able to mitigate and overcome them yourself . If the problems are not yours then you should have a contractual mechanism to get more time and / or money . I think that ’ s where the industry really had to wise up a little bit . Maybe this Carillion collapse will be the start of that .” The UK market is one understandably close to Hunt ’ s heart , and one of the jewels in the crown of HKA ’ s European portfolio . But any discussion about its prospects must incorporate the divisive subject of Brexit . How does Hunt think it will affect the UK ’ s construction industry ? “ I think that overall the future for the sector is quite rosy , although I foresee a struggle for both skilled and unskilled labour as our industry is heavily reliant on that foreign labour market . If that labour is stopped in some way it will
‘ That utilisation of UK construction skills and expertise is already being sought by companies round the world ’
have quite a large impact , I think in particular for the supply chain . Some projects could stall , as a number of big contractors don ’ t actually carry out a huge percentage of the work themselves , they subcontract a large amount of work . If they can ’ t do that then there will be a slowdown .” However , Hunt says this could also lead to opportunities . “ When you import it , there ’ s less impetus to actually grow your local skills economy . I think we ’ ll find that there ’ ll be quite a lot of investment
16 March 2018