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General
The Power of Early Contractor Involvement: Lessons from an Award-Winning Regeneration Scheme
Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
CCBP is set to release a Government-backed industry report examining the cost and programme impact of Early Contractor Involvement. The report will be released as part of a National Research Briefing on 3rd June.
New research into how contractor appointment timing influences cost certainty, programme performance, risk and delivery outcomes across public sector construction projects.
This forthcoming report examines the impact of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) by using project data from 412 projects, as well as case studies, and an analysis of industry sentiment. The report has already gained momentum and support from Central Government, and the findings will be released exclusively at a National Research Briefing in Manchester on 3rd June.
Process
Research Methodology
Our research began with a collaborative roundtable where our Industry and Academic Advisory Groups (IAG & AAG) identified Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) as the critical priority for the sector.
Under the governance of these advisory boards, we moved into a rigorous data phase of collection and analysis. We have collected 412 industry responses and Tier 1 case studies against RIBA stages to measure impacts on cost, risk, and sustainability.
CCBP undertook this research to generate an evidence-based understanding of how ECI affects public sector construction outcomes. While ECI has long been advocated in policy and industry reviews, the sector has lacked contemporary, project-level data showing the measurable impact of contractor appointment timing on cost, time, risk, buildability and programme certainty. Our aim was to fill that gap with rigorous, industry-derived evidence.
An additional aim of the research was to understand current practice: how contractors are actually being appointed today, what barriers prevent earlier involvement, and how these barriers interact with broader procurement and capability constraints identified in previous government reviews.
Ultimately, the intention of this research is to create a robust evidence base that can inform policy and practical delivery standards under the Procurement Act 2023. With billions of pounds of public capital investment committed to the UK’s infrastructure and healthcare estate, improving certainty and reducing avoidable waste is a public spending imperative.
The outcomes of this research will support government, clients and framework operators to make better-informed decisions about when contractors should be engaged, how projects should be procured, and how value can be maximised for taxpayers.
The starting point for the research began in August 2025. A collaborative roundtable event hosted with our Academic Advisory Group (AAG) and Industry Advisory Group (IAG) brought together leaders from across academia and the sector. The round table was able to identify the most pressing challenges facing the industry today. From that meeting Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) emerged consistently as a recurring priority among our members, we have designated it as a primary research focus to drive better project outcomes and more transparent collaboration.
The next stage of our research is rigorous data collection and analysis, designed to produce an evidence-based report on the measurable benefits of ECI for public sector projects.
Our findings are built on a robust foundation of quantitative data from 412 survey responses across 55 contractors and the wider supply chain, complemented by qualitative case studies from Tier 1 contractors. By benchmarking these insights against landmark industry reviews – such as the Latham and Egan reports and the Construction Playbook—we are specifically analysing how contractor appointment at different RIBA stages directly impacts cost, time, risk, and sustainability. This approach ensures our final recommendations provide a clear, data-driven roadmap for achieving total programme certainty.
The final stage will occur in May with the official publication of our research findings and a dedicated event will be held in Manchester. This provides a platform to present our data to the industry, demonstrating how the evidence we have gathered can be translated into practical, high-impact strategies for future development.
Governance
Strategic Alignment
The ECI research conducted by CCBP has been strategically aligned with our Industry and Academic Advisory group's. Each shape the direction of CCBP and the research we undertake. By bringing academia and industry together, we create a government backed research to deliver real-world impact.
Industry Advisory Group (IAG)
The Industry Advisory Group (IAG) is made up of senior representatives from BAM, Kier, Morgan Sindall, and Wates. Serving in a dedicated advisory capacity, this group will provide expert guidance and industry intelligence to help shape the Centre For Construction Best Practice's strategy and output moving forward.
Academic Advisory Group (AAG)
The Academic Advisory Group (AAG) is made up of some of the UK's most respected universities, including Queen's University Belfast, Loughborough University and the University of Leeds. The AAG provides CCBP with the insight and rigour needed to ensure our work reflects the latest research and best practice.
Government Backed Research Initiative
This research is fundamentally shaped by current government objectives for the built environment. By benchmarking our findings against reviews such as the Construction Playbook - we ensure our data serves as a practical tool for implementing the government’s vision for total programme certainty and better social value.
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