IPA David Hancock new Chair of NEC Users’ Group

We are delighted to announce that Dr. David Hancock, Construction Director for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), which reports to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, will be joining the NEC Users’ Group as chair.

David has experience working in the private, public and voluntary sectors having been Head of Risk for Transport for London, with responsibility for risk and project services across their £15 billion capital portfolio. Prior to this he has been Director of Risk and Assurance for two London Mayors and Executive Director for Halcrow (now CH2M).

The Government Construction Board already recommends that public sector organisations use the NEC contracts, and in particular the new NEC4 Suite of Contracts, where appropriate for construction procurement. The recommendation says that using NEC should help deliver efficiencies and promote behaviours that are in line with the principles of the Government Construction Strategy – a plan to deliver £1.7bn efficiencies in government construction by 2020.

Speaking at the Users’ Group Annual Conference in June, Dr. David Hancock said that “our priority is to deliver projects to the highest standard, on time and on budget. To do this there needs to be collaborative working and a shared understanding, something that is at the heart of the new NEC4.”

Rekha Thawrani, general manager for NEC, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Dr. David Hancock to the Users’ Group. We feel very privileged to have him taking up the role as our chair."

“David will succeed Beth West as chair and we would like to offer our deepest thanks to Beth who has provided valuable input to the Users’ Group throughout her time in this role.”

Dr. David Hancock said “I am excited to share government perspectives on the NEC Contracts with the wider NEC Users’ Group.”

“The use of NEC4 on public sector projects will help improve central government’s capability as a construction client, increase productivity in the sector and get good quality projects and better value for money for the taxpayer.”