Our Board

Members of the Board are responsible for governance, strategic direction and monitoring business performance.

The CITB Board is the key decision-making body and is a non-executive Board of Charitable Trustees.

Chairperson

Peter Lauener

Peter Lauener was appointed as CITB Chairman in May 2018. Peter came to CITB with a wealth of experience in the education and skills sector, having previously held the roles of Chief Executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and interim Chief Executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA), now the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Along with his work on the CITB Board, Peter has also been Chair of the Student Loans Company (SLC), since April 2020. SLC is a Government-owned non-profit-making company, which is also an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB). This organisation administers loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK.

Peter is also the Chair of Orchard Hill College, which is an independent special needs college based in South and West London. This college is a sponsor of a special needs academy trust with a number of academies in the same area.

In addition, Peter is a Trustee of Educators International, a small charity helping developing countries to improve their teaching technology and administration.

Employer members

Kevin McLoughlin - Managing Director, McLoughlin Group Holdings Ltd

Kevin McLoughlin MBE is the founder and Managing Director of London-based SME McLoughlin Group Holdings Ltd. The company is an avid supporter of apprenticeships.

Kevin was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to skills and apprenticeships and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Kevin is a member of GMB, Liveryman of Painters and Stainers, Freeman of the City of London, and a member of the Federation of Master Builders Training Group.

He is also a Partner of Maxine and Kevin Property Business Partnership.

Holly Price - Group Sustainability Director, Keltbray Group

Holly Price was the Training and Development Director at Keltbray Group from 2007 until 2022, playing a crucial role in engineering sustainable and considerable growth through getting the right people in the right place at the right time. Holly started her career in the demolition industry at aged just 17, training to be an engineer, and went on to become Europe’s only female explosives engineer in the sector. Throughout her time at Keltbray, Holly also took the lead on Social Value delivery and played an active role in industry partnerships with trade associations and other educational establishments promoting skills in the construction sector.

In early 2022 Holly was appointed as Group Sustainability Director and her collaborative leadership approach has best placed her to take responsibility for the implementation of Keltbray’s published targets for environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Holly actively promotes the need to widen the talent pool by embracing diversity and attracting newcomers from all backgrounds to the industry, and she tirelessly campaigns for continuous improvement of industry standards.

Holly is also an Honorary Life Vice President of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, which has financial management of the National Demolition Training Group, and benefits from CITB funding. She is also a Trustee of Construction Youth Trust, which receives CITB funds to support disadvantaged youth into construction jobs through training and mentoring.

Sophie Seddon - Non-Executive Director, Novus Property Solutions

Sophie Seddon has worked in construction for over 10 years, having joined her family business after graduating in Business Management. Starting her career at Seddon Property Services, Sophie was instrumental in the company’s rebrand to Novus. Since then she was appointed as the Head of Client Engagement and Communication in 2018, before becoming People and Culture Director in 2020 and then a Non-Executive Director in 2022. Sophie understands the importance of nurturing young talent, as Novus offers numerous routes into construction for young people. She is passionate about the use of new technology, improving sustainability issues, and encouraging inclusivity within the industry.

Sophie is also a shareholder of JSSH Ltd, the group holdings of Novus Property Solutions Ltd and a Director and a shareholder of Hall Estates Ltd, a property development company. In addition, Sophie is a Board member of WISH Women in Social Housing (NW), a body empowered to mentor, inspire and provide opportunities for women in social housing through networking and events.

Louisa Finlay - Chief People Officer, Kier Group

Louisa was appointed Chief People Officer at Kier Group in March 2023, following more than 30 years of continual service with the business. In this role, Louisa has responsibility for HR, environmental and social sustainability, health, safety and wellbeing as well as asset management and business assurance.

Before becoming Chief People Officer, Louisa worked in various national, regional and sector roles across its Construction business, including as Managing Director of the southern business and most recently as Managing Director of the clients and markets function.

Louisa started her career as a trainee engineer on a sandwich degree. She is passionate about delivering the next generation of infrastructure across the UK, and is committed to having a culture at Kier where everyone feels they belong, are supported and able to thrive.

Louisa is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Construction and Property Industry Mentoring Circle.

Owain Jones - Director, T. Richard Jones (Betws) Ltd

Owain Jones has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry having joined the family SME business after graduating initially in Business and Finance and latterly in Construction Management. Based in Southwest Wales, TRJ was recognized in 2015 as CITB Apprentice Employer of the Year for both Wales and Great Britain.

Owain is a founding trustee and Chairperson of Cyfle Building Skills, a charity which operates the largest Construction Shared Apprenticeship Scheme in the UK. Cyfle’s achievements were recognized with two Queens Awards, for innovation and for promoting opportunity in respect to social mobility. Owain has been an Executive Director of Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd since its inception and is passionate about upskilling the local workforce.

Owain is a Trustee of the Jac Lewis Foundation, a mental health and wellbeing charity. A fluent Welsh speaker, Owain is a passionate supporter of the Welsh language and culture.

Michael Green - Managing Director RED Systems Ltd

Michael Green has risen through the ranks, from his initial CITB Technicians Youth Training Scheme placement with Alfred McAlpine at Bircham Newton in 1989, to now, running his own, rapidly expanding glazing and curtain walling company, RED Systems.

Founded in 2003, the company has grown to become a £20m+ turnover business and is now one of the industry’s most respected specialist glazing contractors. A passionate advocate for training, development and professional advancement, with over 60% of his own team studying for some kind of qualification, he is committed to nurturing skills and attracting new talent to the industry. Now, with over 35 years’ experience in the industry, and having recently completed the most challenging step on his own educational journey, an MBA, Michael is now a member of the Chartered Management Institute.

Michael is also the Managing Director of RED Optimal Ltd and RED Open Ltd following recent acquisitions, Managing Director of M&A Property Ltd, and a Director of Peninsula Multi Academy Trust.

Herman Kok - Company Secretary, Lindum Group Ltd

Herman Kok is the Company Secretary at Lindum Group, where he has been instrumental in driving organisational strategy and governance. He joined Lindum in 1987, having previously been Finance Director for Almet Aluminium and head of Treasury for Pechiney Ugine Kuhlmann in the UK. He was born and educated in Holland where he read Economics and Literature at the University of Amsterdam. As Company Secretary for Lindum, he leads the training and community involvement activities.

Herman is Chairman of Investors in Lincoln Ltd, a public/private sector partnership dedicated to the regeneration of Greater Lincoln and a director of Lincoln City Football Club (the Imps). He held directorships of Greater Lincolnshire LEP (GLLEP), the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and was Chairman of the Employment and Skills Board for Lincolnshire.

Herman is a former county chess champion, as well as ex-World Circular Champion and has recently been voted as UK Social Value champion for 2023-24 by Social Value UK.

His expertise in corporate structure and his commitment to the construction sector will be invaluable to the CITB Board.

Rachael Cunningham - Bid Lead, Laing O’Rourke

Rachael is a Bid Lead at Laing O’Rourke. Her role combines all aspects of major project work winning within the Clients and Markets team, from bid management through to preconstruction project delivery.

During a 17-year career in the construction industry, Rachael has been responsible for winning many distinguished projects across the public and private sectors, as varied as swimming pools, high-rise residential, schools and universities, laboratories and defence estates portfolio projects.

Rachael is passionate about showcasing the construction sector as much more than bricks and mortar – it is an industry that delivers social change through building assets that shape how we live and work. Supporting the development of talent through the CITB will ensure that individuals have a chance to be part of that social change to future-proof the industry.

Stephen Gray - Head of Engineering Development, BAM Nuttall Ltd

Stephen Gray was appointed Head of Engineering Development at BAM Nuttall Ltd in 2023, following an operational career in the construction industry of more than 35 years.

Stephen started his career in 1988, as an assistant engineer with Edmund Nuttall Ltd and has held various engineering and project management roles throughout more than 30 years of service with BAM in southeast England and within the Major Projects business unit.

In his current role, Stephen is heavily involved with Early Careers technical apprentices, undergraduates and graduates, particularly civil engineers. He provides guidance on their technical and managerial careers as well as professional development routes within the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Throughout his career, Stephen has been passionate about training the workforce and staff members alike. With the current skills shortages, it is even more important to diversify talent pools which will also increase the need for more specific training. Stephen has acted as a mentor to many staff throughout his career and more recently plays an active role within BAM to support and improve the Mental Health and Wellbeing of employees.

Stephen is a Chartered Civil Engineer and member of the Institution of Civil Engineers where he plays an active role in reviewing Chartered and Incorporated Engineers as well as being an approved Assessor for accredited Apprenticeship End Point Assessments.

Independent members

Julia Heap - Principal and CEO, Hopwood Hall College and University Centre

Julia is the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Hopwood Hall College and University Centre. In her role heading a vibrant Further Education College Julia leads a vibrant, inclusive college that offers high-quality broad offer of technical, vocational, apprenticeships and Higher Education in Rochdale and North East Greater Manchester. Hopwood Hall College is an anchor institution in Rochdale and Julia works in partnership across Rochdale and Greater Manchester, with responsibility for strategic liaison with key public and industry stakeholders such as the Government, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Rochdale Council and GM Colleges Group.

Before joining Hopwood Hall College in 2015 and being appointed Principal and CEO in 2019, Julia was an Assistant Finance Director for Oldham Council. With over 25 years of financial experience in the public sector including Local Authorities and NHS, Julia has a wealth of experience in delivering multi-million complex revenue and capital programmes and supporting transformation projects working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Julia is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (FCPFA), a board member of the Rochdale Development Agency, an advisor on skills to Atom Valley Board, a Director of The Rochdale Pioneers Trust and is the lead for Careers for the GMColleges Group.

Nikki Davis - Principal and CEO, Leeds College of Building

Nikki is the Principal and CEO at Leeds College of Building. Her role at Leeds College of Building is to ensure high-quality delivery of education programmes to support the construction and built environment sector, with a particular focus on apprenticeships. The College is working to improve diversity in its student population and ensure that everyone can access career opportunities within the construction sector.

Before joining Leeds College of Building, Nikki worked at York College as Vice Principal of Technical and Professional Education, and preceding that has worked in Further Education for over 20 years, across several Colleges in West Yorkshire. Nikki started her career in the hospitality sector before training to teach in Further Education and is passionate about providing opportunities for all students.

Nikki is also a trustee of Leeds Art University and Leeds Learning Alliance, an education partnership focused on developing inclusive practice.