The Latham Report - Constructing the team - a fundamental shift needed

The Latham Report, titled Constructing the Team (1994), was a landmark review of procurement and contractual arrangements in the UK construction industry. It identified inefficiencies, adversarial relationships, and a lack of collaboration as key problems, which led to cost overruns, delays, and disputes. Latham called for a fundamental shift towards teamwork, better procurement practices, and clearer contract structures. He recommended using partnering and integrated project teams to improve communication and reduce conflicts. The report also stressed the importance of fair payment practices and the need for standardised contracts like the New Engineering Contract (NEC) to replace overly complex bespoke agreements.

To drive industry reform, Latham proposed a series of measures, including the adoption of performance-based contracting, improved dispute resolution through adjudication, and greater client leadership in promoting best practices. He also called for a Construction Clients’ Forum to represent client interests and ensure their needs were central to industry improvements. The report’s recommendations paved the way for significant reforms, influencing later initiatives such as the Egan Report and government policies aimed at improving efficiency, quality, and collaboration in construction.

https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/constructing-the-team-the-latham-report/