Government's Chief Construction Adviser Paul Morrell visits Wolseley's Sustainable Building Center

Paul Morrell OBE, the UK government’s first Chief Construction Adviser visited Wolseley’s Sustainable Building Center (SBC) in Leamington Spa yesterday, Thursday, May 13.

Mr Morrell, who took up his newly-created post In November 2009, had a tour of the SBC –Wolseley’s unique showcase of the latest sustainable products and renewable technologies.

He was joined by Wolseley UK’s Grant Richardson, Sales Director for the Heavyside division, Phil O’Shea, Commercial Trading Director for Electric Center, Tim Pollard, Wolseley's Head of Sustainability and Michael Ankers, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association.

Tim Pollard, said:

We were delighted to welcome Paul Morrell to the SBC and to have the opportunity to highlight how Wolseley has taken the lead in the field of sustainability by establishing a UK-first facility. We also demonstrated how well-placed the company is to address the sustainability agenda, with access to a substantial range of products and technologies, and an efficient and established supply chain.

Mr Morrell said:

We know our current development model has to change and that we have to adopt a more sustainable approach to reduce the demand on resources and the environment because of the way we produce, use and waste those resources.

I firmly believe that the construction industry can make a huge contribution, for example in carbon reduction, but the market as a whole still needs to wake up to what is possible, which is where the SBC can play such an important role.

Michael Ankers, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association, who has been a regular visitor to the SBC added:

With the new government in place, the Association believes there is a great opportunity for the industry to make its case and possibly influence the political agenda on a range of issues facing the industry, not least sustainability.