The chief executive of Willmott Dixon, Rick Willmott has issued a statement highlighting the company’s approach to the coronavirus crisis
Many things that seemed important a week ago are now irrelevant, as Willmott Dixon focuses its business on tackling the threat posed to our society by Covid-19
According to the message from Willmott, the team at Willmott Dixon is ‘doing everything they can to ensure they have continuity of business while heeding the very latest government advice‘.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement on 23 March, most of its office-based people now work from home and avoid unnecessary travel unless it is essential they visit the office. Willmott Dixon is using the latest technology to share information and meet virtually in order to continue functioning effectively.
For construction projects, the government made it clear that construction and manufacturing are two key sectors that must continue working, a point emphasised by communities secretary Robert Jenrick.
Advice for the housing, construction & building maintenance industries:
🔹If you can work from home, do so.
🔹If you are working on site, you can continue to do so. But follow Public Health England guidance on social distancing.
🔹Outside of work, remember to #StayHomeSaveLives— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) March 23, 2020
Supply chain partners
Rick Willmott, group chief executive, said: “We appreciate the huge contribution of our supply chain to our business and are working with them so they can maintain a level of service despite the challenge to operations created by Covid-19.
“Each of our site team understands the pressures our suppliers face and are supportive of how we help them through this difficult time.
“We know how important cash flow is to the lifeblood of any business and as one of the construction industry’s more prompt payers, our supply chain partners will continue to benefit from their relationship with us, never has mutual reliance been more important.”
“I work with my senior team to monitor the evolving situation to ensure we have the right level of resource required for each site along with a reliable supply of materials. To provide resilience we have consistent arrangements across the country for alternating the attendance of project team members.”
Site Operating Procedures
The safety of people on sites is our number one priority. All projects must adhere to the Construction Leadership Council’s Site Operating Procedures to ensure social distancing requirements are met and minimise the risk of spread of infection.
Willmott Dixon says it has procedures in place to ensure everyone on site follows these measures, which falls within its existing H&S protocols.
The need to work two metres apart requires cooperation and Willmott Dixon says it is working teams with supply chain partners and other stakeholders to agree practices and programmes so will continue to operate in a safe environment.
