JCT Interviews…Evelyn Scott
In the ‘JCT Interviews…’ series we shine the spotlight on some of the key people who are involved with or give their time to support JCT, showing the diverse range of disciplines across the construction industry that our members represent and the collaborative work that contributes to the development of our contracts. We look at how our interviewees contribute to JCT specifically and gain their views on the wider industry and JCT’s role within it.
Evelyn Scott
member, JCT Board – SBCC representative
Current job title and company/position: director, Ewing Somerville Partnership Ltd
Bio: I am a quantity surveyor and company director of Ewing Somerville Partnership, primarily specialising in public procurement within the social housing sector. Prior to this, I worked across a range of sectors from petrochemical to large-scale commercial projects. I have always had a strong interest in construction contracts and, as my career progressed, this became a key area of focus, leading me to undertake post-graduate studies in construction law.
JCT: Evelyn, how did you first come to be involved with JCT? Why do you think it is important to be involved?
ES: I became involved through my role representing the RICS as a board director on the Scottish Building Contracts Committee, which is a college of JCT. I believe it is important to be involved with JCT as it provides an opportunity to contribute to knowledge-sharing, support a fair and balanced contractual approach between the contract parties, and promote best practice across the industry.
JCT: In your time in being involved with JCT, are there any specific projects, areas of interest or activities that you have enjoyed being part of?
ES: As a relatively new member of JCT, I have spent much of my time observing the group’s work. One of the most enjoyable aspects has been joining the JCT Drafting Sub-Committee and gaining insight into the process of developing new contracts. I particularly value the opportunity to listen to key members of the sub-committee, whose expertise I have admired for years and whose published material I studied as a student, now sharing their insights firsthand in the same room. Other areas of involvement include supporting the rollout of the new SBCC suite of contracts and I hope to contribute to the development of training aimed at raising awareness among parties entering contracts, as well as consultants and other users of the forms within Scotland.
JCT: Do you have any personal career highlights?
ES: Highlights of my career include key milestones that have provided a solid foundation for my work. My undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, delivered by English and Scottish universities respectively, gave me insight into both legal systems—particularly relevant at the interface between SBCC and JCT contracts. Becoming chartered was an intense but invaluable process, preparing me to become a director of Ewing Somerville Partnership Ltd. Other highlights include becoming an RICS chair assessor for the APC process, and most recently, joining JCT represents a significant professional milestone and an opportunity to continue contributing to the industry.
JCT: What are you most proud of about the construction industry as a whole and where do you think it most needs to improve?
ES: What I most admire about the construction industry is the way so many different people contribute to a single project. The creativity of designers, the expertise of contractors to manage and deliver, and the dedication of the workforce on the ground all come together, combining energy and focus to deliver a project within various constraints and meeting unexpected challenges along the way.
I feel there are recurring challenges; client briefs are often rushed, not fully reflecting the Egan Report’s recommendations on early planning and stakeholder engagement. Funding pressures compress key stages, and communication between parties can be unclear.
JCT: What do you see as the main challenges for the construction industry over the next five years?
ES: Several key challenges I would envisage over the next five years include ongoing resourcing issues, particularly skills shortages within both consultancy roles and skilled trades. Funding pressures – combining the challenges of achieving net zero while controlling rising costs and staying within budget – can prevent projects from starting, even while there is a drive to meet demand for more construction. This highlights a need for thoughtful approaches and adaptability across projects.
JCT: Does JCT have a wider role to play in the industry beyond producing contracts?
ES: I believe JCT already plays a wider role in the industry by supporting training and professional development, running initiatives like the Young Professionals Group, and providing practical guidance on weather in partnership with the Met Office. JCT also engages with the broader community through initiatives like mental health research, and I expect JCT will continue to contribute positively to the industry.