I am writing to you following your coverage of Sir Robert McAlpine, our current work on the Elizabeth Tower (otherwise known as Big Ben) and the potential contract for the complete renovation project (Report, 7 September).
As the new CEO of Sir Robert McAlpine, I want to take the opportunity to share with you our commitment to ensuring that blacklisting stays firmly in the past. Since my arrival, it has been one of my priorities to review the company’s HR and recruitment functions. I am pleased to confirm that Sir Robert McAlpine complies fully with all legislation to prevent blacklisting and is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. For the avoidance of doubt, I would also like to point out that we have no involvement with the Crossrail project.
Blacklisting in construction was, until 2009, an industry-wide issue. Sir Robert McAlpine admitted and apologised for its involvement with the Consulting Association and amended its HR practices, policies and operations to ensure that it can never happen again. Following the ICO action in 2009 to close down the Consulting Association, Sir Robert McAlpine was a founding member of the Construction Workers Compensation Scheme, established to provide workers with easy access to compensation. We were one of only eight companies that settled the claims brought by the unions and other groups in the High Court.
Sir Robert McAlpine, like all tendering contractors, is subject to significant and appropriate scrutiny before appointment to a project. Modern procurement practices carefully check all aspects of recruitment and employment to ensure that contractors comply fully with legislation and meet the standards required by the client. In turn, we carefully check the recruitment and employment practices of all our subcontractors to ensure they meet our own high standards. We have a zero tolerance policy towards blacklisting, illegal or unfair recruitment practices.
Paul Hamer
CEO, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
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