The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has welcomed four senior leaders from across the sector to drive industry transformation and address the sector’s biggest challenges.

Last autumn, the CLC confirmed that it would focus on four long-term priorities to boost productivity, growth and improve resilience: Building Safety; People and Skills; Net Zero and Bio-Diversity; and Next Generation Delivery.

Now the CLC has announced the appointment of four Industry Sponsors, who have agreed to lead the delivery of these priorities. Five Young Ambassadors will also ensure the voice of young professionals is at the heart of the CLC’s work, while four Industry Chairs will lead the workstreams.

The Industry Sponsors will join a refreshed CLC Board, within a new CLC governance structure. They are:

  • Karl Whiteman, Divisional Managing Director, Berkeley Group - Building Safety
  • Nick Roberts, CEO, Travis Perkins Plc - People and Skills
  • Matt Palmer, Executive Director, Lower Thames Crossing, National Highways - Net Zero and Bio-Diversity
  • Isabel Coman, Director, Engineering and Asset Strategy, Transport for London - Next Generation Delivery

Nick Roberts, CEO of Travis Perkins plc, commenting on his appointment as Industry Sponsor for People and Skills, said: “I'm delighted to be appointed industry sponsor for Skills & People at the Construction Leadership Council. Skills are one of our most significant and growing opportunities as the industry evolves and innovates to meet the changing requirements of the UK’s built environment.

“This evolution will be made possible by the development of skills, old and new, and offers endless opportunities and diverse career paths. I look forward to working alongside the Department for Business and Trade and collaborating with colleagues from across the construction landscape to ensure our industry has the skills it needs to thrive.”

Nusrat Ghani MP, CLC Co-Chair and Minister for Business and Trade, said: “Today’s announcement is a key step forward in helping the Council's priorities to boost productivity, growth and improve resilience.

"The Construction Leadership Council will continue to work in partnership with Government and industry, intensifying its efforts as we drive change on the biggest challenges facing the sector.”

Mark Reynolds, CLC Co-Chair and Mace Group Chairman and CEO,  and Richard Robinson, CLC Deputy Co-Chair CEO of Atkins UK and Europe, said: “Having set out a clear vision for the CLC, our focus now is to deliver visible action against our four priorities for the benefit of the whole construction sector.

“As such, these appointments represent a significant milestone as we look to accelerate the change needed to address the building safety changes, help deliver a green economy, drive productivity, and enhance our skills to achieve growth across UK construction.

“We welcome our Industry Chairs and Young Ambassadors, and now look forward to working with our Industry Sponsors - Karl, Nick, Matt and Isabel - whose experience and expertise will be invaluable to the CLC and its wider network.”

The Industry Chairs will act as advocates for the CLC, overseeing the delivery of the sector workstreams.

The new Industry Chairs are:

  • Mark Thurston, CEO, High Speed 2 Ltd - Infrastructure
  • Anna Scothern, CEO, National Home Improvement Council - Domestic RMI
  • Mike Woolliscroft, Vistry - Housing
  • Helen Hare, Director of Projects, Great Portland Estates Plc - Buildings and Places

The five young professionals who will act as ambassadors for the CLC, working with the Industry Sponsors on each priority are:

  • Madeleine Coman, Strategy and Transformation, Laing O’Rourke - Building Safety
  • Lydia McGuiness, Site Manager, Wates - People and Skills
  • Micheala Chan, Engineer, Arcadis - Net Zero and Bio-Diversity
  • Mila Duncheva Business Development Manager of UK & Ireland, Stora Enso Wood Products and Hollie Rowland, Construction Products Group Manager, BSI Group - Next Generation Delivery