Better informed clients will avoid what he calls the ‘million pound mistake’ occurring, when budgets increase due to wrong estimates or a failure to scope construction projects properly.

“The London 2012 Olympics actually got the estimate right for the core infrastructure. However, its budget had to increase to allow for issues such as cost of land and VAT. Better procurement could have got the estimate right in the first place,” he said.

Orr strongly backs the use of ICE’s New Engineering Contract (NEC) as way of achieving procurement excellence.

Linked to procurement, Orr is calling for Government to look at streamlining the planning process so vital infrastructure needed by the nation can be developed.