2017 was a rollercoaster year for the construction industry and its workers. From Brexit, zero growth predictions and reports suggesting that the sector is struggling, to seemingly climbing out of a recession thanks to a surge in house-building, it’s fair to say we’ve had quite a year, says Steve Mansour, CEO of construction insurance specialist CRL.

The use of cash retentions is commonplace in the construction industry. Some £3bn of retentions remain outstanding in the UK construction industry at any one time. With the collapse of Carillion, however, has the industry had enough? Jonathan Hyndman, Partner at Rosling King, investigates.

As cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, businesses are seeking Cyber Essentials Plus certification to prove their commitment to cybersecurity. According to Matt Rhodes, Commercial Services Manager at Quiss Technology, simply claiming proficiency in dealing with potential attacks is no longer acceptable, as clients are adopting stricter vetting processes when it comes to selecting a supplier.

The skills shortage in the UK is well-documented, with the shortage most acute in the engineering and manufacturing sector. Too few trainees are entering the industry from education and, with an ageing workforce nationally, the growth of the sectors are at risk of being stunted by a chronic lack of skills, explains Richard Allen, General Manager at voestalpine Metsec.

With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) just around the corner, businesses must be proactive in preparing for the new regulation, which comes into effect next May, says Paula Tighe, Information Governance Director at UK-leading law firm Wright Hassall.