Hugh Try, Chairman of Try Group plc, has been elected Chairman of the Foundation for the Built Environment (FBE). He replaces Tony Palmer who stood down as Chairman towards the end of last year.

"I am delighted to have been elected FBE Chairman," said Mr Try. "I am very conscious of the important and developing role of the organisation in ensuring the independence of Building Research Establishment (BRE) and in sponsoring construction research. The FBE will make a significant contribution to bringing about the step change in quality and value for money in which the industry is engaging."

Try Group is active in construction and house building. Mr Try is also Chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board and Chairman of the Building Centre Trust.

The FBE is made up of some 140 members - firms, professional bodies and other organisations drawn from a wide spectrum of construction, building owner and associated interests. It is a non-profit-distributing body with the legal status of a Company Limited by Guarantee. The FBE was created to ensure BRE's independence of specific commercial interests after its privatisation, and to protect its reputation for objectivity and impartiality in research and advice.

Anna Lagerkvist