The tireless campaigning of three prominent figures in the design and engineering fields has helped to bring about a landmark deal to give countless companies some much-deserved recognition for the part they played in the success of the 2012 London Games.
The design and construction industries have seen a Supplier Recognition Scheme launched to provide companies with a chance to be acknowledged for the legacy they had a part in establishing. The move is designed to enhance the country’s economy by helping companies to boost a chance to land contracts on the back of their involvement with the Games. Until now, suppliers were forbidden to promote their London 2012 work in the media or to win new business.
Institution of Structural Engineers immediate past President Professor John Nolan alongside Angela Brady, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Peter Murray, Chairman of New London Architecture (NLA), are delighted after working tirelessly during and after the Olympics to ensure action was taken to lift the promotional ban.
Professor Nolan remarked: “The Olympics have received universal acclaim and are an excellent advertisement for not just ‘Construction GB’ but ‘Construction Design GB’. The export market for the design of temporary and permanent stadia is huge. “
Campaign success
The Olympics 2012 campaign was initiated in January 2012 by Building Magazine after they highlighted a complaint first raised by New London Architecture boss Peter Murray that firms could not take ‘due credit’ for their work. The trio of Nolan, Brady and Murray initially participated by protesting in August at RIBA headquarters by taping their mouths shut and unfurling a banner revealing the names of many of the companies and individuals involved. Success then came in the form of an approval from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to create a film documenting the input of structural engineers and architects in making the games a success. The latest move signifies the snowballing success that the campaign has generated.
Professor Nolan says: “British engineers and architects now have the opportunity to showcase their excellent work and expertise in the run up to Rio 2016 and beyond. The new Supplier Recognition Scheme licence, although late, is most welcome.”
The £2m agreement was between the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS), the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Culture Secretary Maria Miller and BOA Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe announced that the companies which helped build the park, venues and provided goods and services for the Games will be able to actively promote their work on the London 2012 Games.
RIBA President Angela Brady praised the move stating: “The new Supplier Recognition Scheme will give a real boost for companies big and small and enable them to really capitalise on their work in the design, delivery and legacy of the 2012 Games”.