Networking

To succeed, companies have to supply services in a way that is responsive to the needs of different stakeholders. CIRIA brings these different groups together in ways that encourage the exchange of views and ideas. “No single sector holds all the answers, but CIRIA’s collaborative cross-disciplinary approach can help identify solutions”.

Supply chains
The construction industry is complicated, consisting of numerous professional and trade bodies and with complex supply chains.

Clients
Construction clients also vary from large corporate or government bodies whose weekly construction spend can be measured in millions to occasional clients.

Government and regulators
The construction process can have large impacts on neighbourhoods as can the buildings and structures that are produced.

Stakeholder groups
Campaign groups capture the public imagination and have the ear of Government by focusing on issues that have, hitherto, been easier to ignore than to tackle. CIRIA’s collaborative approach helps the industry engage with environmental social groups to identify solutions and avoid confrontation.

Universities and the wider research community
Few construction organisations retain the R&D capabilities that were common a few decades ago. Pooling resources through Core Membership is an obvious solution. However, forging good links with the academic and research community is also important. University membership of CIRIA is growing and membership now includes all top-rated UK built environment departments.

With colleagues in similar roles
Construction is not the domain of any single profession or trade, and CIRIA does not focus solely on construction professionals. The industry and its organisations rely on a number of professions. CIRIA activities provide opportunities for a range of groups to come together, including information managers, librarians, training managers and financial managers.