Stuart Togwell, chief executive of Kier Group, has been appointed deputy co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
The appointment follows an open recruitment process and the recommendation of an independent industry panel. It was approved by CLC co-chairs Chris McDonald MP, minister for industry, and Mark Reynolds CBE, executive chairman of Mace Construct.
The CLC also announced two new industry sponsors. Lilly Gallafent, chief operating officer of Cast Consulting, becomes industry sponsor for the digitalisation of planning and building control systems, while Paul Beeston, partner and head of industry and service insight at Rider Levett Bucknall, takes on the industry sponsor role for business model reform.
Togwell brings nearly 40 years’ experience to the role, having led one of the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure contractors. Kier Group works extensively with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up over 80% of its supply chain, including partnerships to deliver regional frameworks.
He will oversee CLC delivery of three of its five priorities: net zero, biodiversity and circular economy, supported by industry sponsor Matt Palmer, chief executive of the Lower Thames Crossing; business model reform, supported by Beeston; and digitalisation of planning and building control, supported by Gallafent.
Togwell, Gallafent and Beeston will all join the CLC Board, working alongside McDonald and Reynolds to support the government’s growth mission, including delivery of its infrastructure commitments.
The CLC thanked Richard Robinson, regional president for Africa, Middle East and Asia at AtkinsRealis, for his contribution as the outgoing deputy co-chair.
McDonald said: “Stuart Togwell brings a wealth of experience from across the construction and infrastructure sector, and I’m pleased to welcome him to this role. His leadership will be key as we work with industry to deliver the homes, infrastructure and growth our country needs, while improving productivity, safety and sustainability.
“Through the Construction Leadership Council, we’re working with industry to boost recruitment and build a more modern, productive and low carbon construction sector for the future.”
Reynolds said: “The CLC’s biennial report, published earlier this year, laid out our priorities for the next two years and set a clear path forward for a transformed industry. Stuart, Lilly and Paul are going to make a huge contribution to that journey and I am thrilled to have them join us on the CLC Board.
“I would like to thank everyone who applied for these roles, and to our board members and industry panellists who supported the recruitment process. The depth of expertise and experience in the candidates we interviewed was exemplary and this was a very difficult decision.”
Togwell said: “The construction and infrastructure industry is the backbone of the UK, with what we deliver supporting, enabling, protecting and bolstering communities across the country.
“With nearly 40 years’ experience in this fantastic sector as well as leading one of the UK’s largest contractors, I am delighted to be joining the CLC and being a voice for the industry as well as bringing together all parts of it to find solutions for some of the most pressing issues.”
Image credit: Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock
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