In a timely boost for its member companies in the electrotechnical sector, SELECT, has moved swiftly to secure the services of one of the UK’s foremost construction experts to guide and advise its members.

Scotland’s largest construction trade association has appointed Professor Rudi Klein to act as a consultant, in a move which once again significantly strengthens the service that it provides to its 1,250 member businesses.

For more than 30 years, Professor Klein has championed the interests of all specialists in the construction sector, latterly as chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group, a role from which he stepped down this month.

As a tireless campaigner and major force in driving industry improvement, his wealth of experience will now be on tap for SELECT members as he assists the association on the reform of payment systems, encourages the uptake of project bank accounts (PBAs) and supports work on the reform of retentions and the regulation of electricians in Scotland.

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “This appointment is a major coup for our organisation. Professor Klein is universally acknowledged as a foremost expert in his field and has worked tirelessly to improve the trading conditions of businesses large and small.

“He has been a driving force for change as the leading UK authority on the use of PBAs and he has led calls for the reform of the practice of retentions in construction, a system increasingly regarded as obsolete.

“Professor Klein and SELECT already have an established relationship and have worked together closely for more than three decades. He will now be available to provide enhanced support and guidance to members on relevant contractual issues, potentially saving them a great deal of time and money on dealing with complex problems.”

A barrister by profession, Professor Klein is a former academic and visiting professor of construction law at the University of Wolverhampton.

He developed the SEC Group into an influential lobbying body in both Westminster and the devolved administrations and was presented in 2016 with a Lifetime Achievement award by SELECT in recognition of his contribution to the industry.

He will work with SELECT on one day a month, initially for one year, and will also assist in drafting briefing notes, producing advice, supporting necessary lobbying and will continue to prepare articles for SELECT’s website and influential stakeholder magazine, CABLEtalk.

Professor Klein said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work even more closely with SELECT and its members, working both face-to-face and behind the scenes to help improve the payment landscape for firms of all sizes.

“The issue of late and withheld payments is one that continues to dog the construction industry, and hopefully I can offer guidance to hard-working business to help them receive the monies they so rightfully deserve.”