CECA marked its 30th anniversary yesterday with a packed reception in Westminster, bringing together members, policymakers, industry stakeholders and colleagues from across the UK infrastructure sector.
The event, held under the banner ‘Marking 30 Years Working for Infrastructure’, celebrated three decades of CECA representing the interests of the UK’s civil engineering contractors and making the case for the infrastructure networks that underpin economic growth, connectivity, resilience and quality of life.
Guests heard from Ben Goodwin, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at CECA; Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Industry at the Department for Business & Trade; Mike Reader MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Infrastructure; and Riana Hattrell, Section Engineer at Kier and representative of CECA’s Foundations Group.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those members who attended and contributed to the event being such a success.
The reception also saw the launch of CECA’s new Core Policy Positions 2026 paper, setting out the Association’s key policy asks for the year ahead and beyond. Developed following a series of member workshops held across CECA regions in England, the paper captures the priorities identified by civil engineering contractors operating across the UK and provides a clear framework for CECA’s engagement with Government, clients and decisionmakers.
The paper focuses on the action needed from Government, working in partnership with industry, to improve infrastructure development and delivery. It is structured around four key areas: planning, pipeline and procurement; delivery, skills and investment; business and supply chain practices; and managing economic shocks.
Among its central asks are urgent reform of the planning system to accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure; the development of a clear and accurate National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline; greater use of early contractor involvement; support for best-in-class frameworks; and action to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in pre-qualification and accreditation.
The paper also calls for infrastructure delivery to be better joined up with housing growth, for continued support for the transition to a net zero economy, and for increased investment in the skills and training needed to deliver the UK’s long-term infrastructure ambitions. It further highlights the need to rebalance infrastructure investment across all parts of the UK and to provide greater flexibility in asset management periods across the sector.
On business and supply chain practices, CECA’s policy positions include support for the abolition of cash retentions, the wider use of standard forms of contract, the minimisation of unnecessary Z-clauses, and opposition to unconditional on-demand bonds. The paper also argues that Government and industry must be better prepared to respond decisively when economic shocks occur. You can download and read CECA’s Core Policy Positions Paper below.
CECA Director of Policy & Public Affairs Ben Goodwin said: “CECA’s 30th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the contribution our members have made over the past three decades to delivering, maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure on which the UK depends.
“But it is also a moment to look forward. The challenges facing the sector are significant, from planning delays and pipeline uncertainty to skills pressures, supply chain risk and the transition to net zero. Our new Core Policy Positions paper sets out the practical steps that Government, clients and industry can take together to unlock delivery and support long-term economic growth.
“CECA members stand ready to deliver. What they need is a stable pipeline, fair and effective procurement, a skilled workforce, and a policy environment that enables investment, innovation and confidence.”
The launch of the policy paper forms part of CECA’s wider 30th anniversary programme, which will continue throughout 2026, celebrating the people, projects and policy achievements that have shaped the Association’s work since its foundation.
CECA has begun to roll-out its ’30 Under 30’ campaign, celebrating the young people who are the future of our industry, and our ’30 Projects for 30 Years’ series, which will highlight the schemes that have built Britain since CECA’s foundation and underpin our national prosperity.
As CECA looks ahead to the next 30 years, the message from yesterday’s reception was clear: infrastructure remains central to the UK’s future prosperity, CECA members will continue to play a vital role in delivering the networks and systems the country needs, and CECA will continue to work to make the case for infrastructure, act as the voice of our members, and champion the achievements of our industry, which does so much in serving communities and businesses across the country.
If you are a CECA member and would like to contribute to our ’30 under 30′ and ’30 Projects for 30 Years’ campaigns, or to know more, please e-mail enquiries@ceca.co.uk.