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About us
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Purpose
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About the board
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Network, influence and development for professional construction clients
Bygherreforeningen / The Danish Association of Construction Clients (DACC) is an interest group for professional construction clients in Denmark. As an active stakeholder in the construction sector we influence the framework of the sector through dialogue and cooperation with other interest groups, public agencies, ministries, and end-users.
The association represents 290+ public-, non-profit-, and private members, whose employees consists of more than 2.000 decision-makers within the construction sector.
The association focuses on improving constructional development and handle the political and cross-sector interest of construction clients. We aim to take responsibility of the development in a key sector in the Danish society, particulary in areas like economy, employment, environment and health.
three strategic areas: political influence, strong communities, and a continued development of the industry.
As a member, you gain access to a unique network of likeminded professionals, courses and education, exclusive members’ events, and free online tools.
The association was established in 1999 by 28 leading (mostly public sector) clients with support from the Ministry of Housing with the goal to influence and improve the Danish construction sector.
The historical background was a public wish for increased demand for productivity improvements and greater customer orientation in construction.
Below are some key figures:
Significant economic impact
Building owners and construction clients have significant impact on the employment rate and the economy. In 2017 construction- and infrastructure projects fore more than 218 billion DKK were launched. Around half of the it were initiated by professional construction clients. The activities account for 5-8% of the Danish GDP, whereas buildings and infrastructure account for 80% of the national wealth. The projects of building owners and construction clients employ ca. 260.000 people, which is around 10% of the total workforce in Denmark.
Great impact on environment and climate
Construction is an important part of the solution of the current and future challenges faced both on a national level and on a global level. Particulary challenges related to climate change and resource management. The construction industry account fx. for 40% of the Danish energy consumption and produces more than one third of all waste.
Impact on indoor climate, health and productivity
Danes spend 90% of their time inside the buildings constructed by our members. Therefore, the design and indoor climate plays a crucial role in relation to the health, well-being and accessability of the population. It is both the framework for social interaction and cohesion, but also the fundament for better learning at schools and productivity/efficiency at workplaces.
Purpose – Articles of association
DACC’s purpose is to promote positive, socially responsible development in Danish construction including improvement of architecture, quality and productivity as an influental voice.
And furthermore:
- To be a forum for discussion, generation and communication of common beliefs of professional Danish construction clients with the purpose of promoting the construction clients’ interests
- To influence the laws and regulations concerning construction through informed dialogue, active participation and co-operation
- To establish and promote systematic exchange of experience between the members
- To participate in developing new knowledge and tools to support the work of the members
- To organise professional development for the employees of the members
Strategy 2028
The world has become less predictable, and the processes within the construction industry are growing way more complex. This makes the challenge of delivering value-creating construction even greater. Therefore, the new strategy of DACC – Strategy 2028 – aim to provide a more manageable sector for the Danish construction clients. We aim to make it easier to navigate in a changing world with new legislation, evolving framwork conditions and rising expecations from society. We aim to strenghten the identity, self-perception and competences of construction clients, and asserts our impact as decision-makers and agents of change in construction and in society.
Strategic focus areas
To convert the strategy into concrete action, we work with five strategic focus areas, which complement and reinforce each other. The implementation happens in collaboraton between members, the secretariat and through partnership with others.
1. Clearer identity
We aim to support our member’s individual development and connection to the association through different memberprofiles offering knowledge and advices on career paths and career development.
2. Stronger client academy
We want to develop our course- and educationoffers to a common academy with more educationprograms, which strenghten the knowledge of our members. This includes formal, certified educationprograms containing international elements, and collaborations with universities and knowledge institutions. The client academy should appear as an independent brand.
3. Further development of our knowledge hub
We will intensify our effort producing relevant knowledge for the Danish construction clients – with members as co-creators. This knowledge increases the relevance of construction clients in their own organizations and in the society as a whole. It may include develpmentprograms about socially relevant and business-critical areas, where construction plays a key role, fx in climate, welfare or economic sustainability.
4. Identifying trends and tendencies
We aim to increase our ability to identify future trends and tendencies. With greater knowledge about opportunities and barriers both members and the association are able to obtain a cental societal role and becomming relevant on both a local and a national plan. This will be achieved through analyses and parcipatory processes and may involve topics such as access to labor, ressources or safety.
5. The construction client as a societal actor
We want to make the voice of construction clients more prominent in society and strenghten the dialogue with policymakers. We wish to play an active part in addressing the societal and industry challenges, and creating optimal framework conditions. This includes enhancing the client’s image as a problem-solver and value-creator in society, as well as increasing the dialogue with policymakers in collaboration with other organizations.
Within each main focus area specific sub-focus areas has been defined, and objectives will be prepared and review continiously by the board.
Core values
The Danish Association of Construction Clients improves the development in regards to architecture, quality and productivity in favor for the Danish society, and influence the societal debate as a significant voice.
The Danish Association of Construction Clients is a indispensable partner for stakeholders in construction, and contributes to great credibility to balance the interest between those who produce and those who use buildings and infrastructure.
The association aim to professionalize Danish clients and to enhance the understanding of the role and meaning of construction clients. Members of the association is respected as professional, competente and responsible in concrete projects and in the society as a whole.
History and articles of association
The association was established in 1999 by 28 leading (mostly public sector) clients with support from the Ministry of Housing with the goal to influence and improve the Danish construction sector. The historical background was a public wish for increased demand for productivity improvements and greater customer orientation in construction. The association focuses on three strategic areas: political influence, strong communities, and a continued development of the industry.As a member, you gain access to a unique network of likeminded professionals, courses and education, exclusive members’ events, and free online tools.
Board of Directors
The board of Directors carries the overall responsable of the association’s work. The board review applications for new memberships and set new initiatives in motion, they establishes commitees and comment on current topics etc. The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction in regards of the work of the secretariat.
The Board of Directors consist of nine members and up to two alternatives. The board is elected at the annual meeting of the association among employees at member organizations. It is composed to represent each type of client among membersships.
Board meeting are held around six times a year.
The composition of the Board of Directors
Chairman, Peter Fangel Poulsen, Partner and Director, BAUHERR
Deputy chairman, Pia Nielsen, Deputy Managing Director, Boligkontoret Danmark
Board member, Ole Kristian Bottheim
Board member, Gitte Elefsen, Head of Leasing and Property Management, DSB Ejendomme
Board member, Peter Munk, Senior Project and Development Manager, Sweco
Board member, Erik Stoklund Larsen, Director of Construction, Vejdirektoratet
Board member, Ingvar Sejr Hansen, Development and Sales Director, By & Havn
Board member, Anne Steen Brinch Sonnichsen, Head of Project Development, NREP
Board member, Mette Thiberg, Strategic Client Adviser, emcon
Substitute, Henrik Rudfeld, Head of the Client Division, Department of Technology and Environment, Aarhus Kommune
The more I have worked with the industry, the more I have realised how central a role the client plays in the construction process. In that regard, I believe the Danish Association of Construction Clients is becoming an increasingly strong voice, actor, and platform.
The secretariat and initiatives relating to the association
To develop knowledge and remain an active part of the societal agenda, the association runs ongoing initiatives, projects and secretariats along with serving its members. This creates a strong professional synergy towards other initiatives, while also supporting and advertising the interest of the association’s members.
We are currently running the initiatives listed below:
The Danish Association for Responsible Construction (ARC)
The association works to ensure that the entire property, construction, and civil engineering sector takes greater social responsibility. The aim is for the various actors to a much larger extent make sustainable solutions, decent working conditions, educational opportunities, and sound business practices the foundation for healthy competition in the industry. The association disseminates relevant knowledge, develops new tools, and supports the exchange of good practices. Its members include developers, consultants, contractors, and material suppliers.
Contact: Director, Christina Schultz, cs@fbsa.dk
Value Creating Construction Process
Value Creating Construction Process is a development program that, since 2008, has brought together the entire construction value chain to find solutions to a number of challenges in the industry, including value loss in the construction process. Value Creating Construction Process main focus is to involve construction practitioners across the value chain in identifying effective solutions and recommendations for a shared, value-creating construction process. The recommendations are published as guidelines, and with the industry organizations as joint publishers, they serve as a common best practice. Value Creating Construction Process is supported by the Danish Association of Construction Clients together with the BAT Cartel, DI Construction, the Association of Danish Architectural Firms, the Association of Consulting Engineers (FRI), and TEKNIQ Employers.
Contact: Program Director, Rolf Simonsen, rs@vaerdibyg.dk
Renovation on the agenda
New construction has traditionally received the most attention when it comes to industry development, education, and regulatory frameworks. This is despite the fact that turnover within renovation is more than twice as large as in new construction. Through the partner-driven initiative Renovation on the Agenda, 12 of the construction sector’s key organizations work together to highlight renovation to the public, politicians, and the industry. Since 2011, the project has produced analyses, white papers, and reports, and has organized conferences, seminars, workshops, dialogue meetings, as well as conducted political advocacy. In addition, the initiative runs a shared blog, www.renoveringpaadagsordenen.dk, where the sector can exchange knowledge and experiences on topics relevant to renovation.
Contact: Project Manager, Graves Simonsen, gks@bygherreforeningen.dk
Lean Construction Denmark
Lean Construction DK is a network under Value Creating Construction Process that works to promote and implement lean principles in Danish construction, as well as to disseminate both Danish and international experiences with streamlined construction processes. The network consists of a wide range of industry actors, including both large and small companies, and its members include clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, industry organizations, and educational institutions. The network develops guidelines and courses on improving productivity and collaboration, as well as hosting networking events that address current issues and challenges in the construction process.
Contact: Project Manager, Morten Skaarup Jensen, msj@vaerdibyg.dk
Construction Clients create apprenticeship opportunities
There is a shortage of labour in the construction industry, and too few young people are currently being trained to meet the future demand for skilled workers. According to the Confederation of Danish Employers, by 2030 there will be a shortage of 30,000 skilled workers in construction companies, which will have major consequences for the industry and negatively impact societal development. We have therefore gathered a range of tools and templates that clients can use to help change this trend.
Here, we offer support and guidance to clients, contractors, and vocational schools. We can offer clients partnerships and collaboration that ensure greater ownership and influence over how many young people are trained on their own construction projects. In addition, we develop tools and guidelines that can be used across the entire industry.
Contact: Mette Kristensen, mek@bygherreforeningen.dk.
