CIOB boss appointed co-chair of new members’ body focused on SMEs

The head of the CIOB has been appointed to co-chair a new members’ body focused on representing construction SMEs.

Chartered Institute of Building chief executive Victoria Hills and Construction Plant-hire Association chief executive Steven Mulholland have been named as co-chairs of the Construction Growth Coalition (CGC).   

The newly formed body said its mission is to bring together construction firms of all sizes, from sole traders to the largest contractors, and to give the whole industry an equal voice with government.

Hills said joining the CGC as a founding member was an “easy decision”, adding that it was “only right [SMEs} have an equal voice with larger companies when decisions that affect the entire industry are being made by government”.

“SMEs don’t always have the resources to support extra apprenticeships for example, so when Government is making plans to train up the next generation of construction workers, it’s vital their voices can be heard, and their views are listened to by policymakers and parliamentarians,” Hills said.

She added that the CGC will provide a platform for “open and honest conversations” around how the government can achieve sustainable growth in the construction industry.

Hills has led the CIOB since January this year and was previously chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute for eight years.