CIC Board

Dr Wei Yang FAcSS, FRTPI, MCIHT, AOU, RIBA CLIENT ADVISER

Dr Wei Yang is an internationally renowned town planner and urban designer who champions a place-based whole systems approach to tackle the grand challenges of our times. She is an influential thought leader and a powerful advocate for climate actions, nature-based solutions, health & well-being, and social equality.

Wei has extensive experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and implementing large-scale regeneration and low carbon master planning projects in Britain and internationally. Her professional strengths lie in combining innovative planning inspirations with feasible implementation solutions. She is also a popular keynote speaker, an author, and a scholar.

Wei was President for 2021 of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). She champions a revival of spirit and a modernised planning profession to tackle the global challenges in a systematic way, and thus to achieve collective wellbeing and fulfilment for all.

Wei is a lead figure in researching, promoting, and implementing 21st Century Garden City and green & low-carbon development approach worldwide. She is co-author of a bestselling book, Humanistic Pure Land and Garden Cities (Shi & Yang, 2021).

Wei is also co-founder and CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning and co-author of A Digital Future for Planning – Spatial Planning Reimagined (Batty & Yang, 2022) which outlines blueprint for digital transformation of spatial planning and the sector’s future.

Through her leadership in various areas, Wei builds a bridge between research, development and policy via her understanding of and belief in the full potential of spatial panning as a pivotal applied science discipline.

She is a Fellow of Academy of Social Sciences, a Fellow of the RTPI, a Member of Chartered Institute of Highway and Transportation (CHIT), a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Client Advisor, and an Honorary Professor at University College London.

Wei also holds a number of board-level and advisory roles across different sectors. She is a board member of the British Library and Chair of its Capital Portfolio Committee, a Global Planner Networks (GPN) representative at the UN Habitat Professional Forum, and a Professionals Co-Chair of the UN Habitat World Urban Campaign Steering Committee.

Graham Watts OBE BA(Hons), HonFRIBA, HonRICS, HonFCIBSE, HonFICWCI, HonFBIID, HonMCIAT, Hon FCABE, HonFFB, HonFCInstCES FRSA, MCMI

Graham has been involved with CIC since 1989. Initially, as a member of the Council, it’s Executive Board and then as a Director. He was appointed Chief Executive and Secretary in October 1991. Prior to joining CIC, Graham was Chief Executive of the British Institute of Architectural Technologists (a member of CIC) from 1983.

Graham is responsible for the general policy and direction of the Council, for maintaining effective communication with Government, other external agencies and with members and for establishing and maintaining the CIC Secretariat and office.

Graham is an Honorary Fellow of RIBA, CIBSE, CABE, ICWCI, BIID, CICES and the Faculty of Building and an Honorary Member of the RICS and CIAT. He was awarded the President’s Medal of the CIOB in 2000 and the Peter Stone Award of the Association of Building Engineers in 1996.

Graham is currently a director of CIC Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR Ltd); Construction Umbrella Bodies (Holdings) Ltd; the Considerate Constructors’ Scheme; and Constructionarium Ltd. He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Northumbria for twelve years from 2000. He has been Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment since 2010.

Graham is a member of the Industry Response Group, set up by the MHCLG in the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and Chaired the Competence Working Group set up to assist Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. Following the report publication he is now Chair of the Steering Group charged with implementing the recommendations on improving competence for all those engaged in designing, construction, managing and maintaining higher-risk residential buildings, this includes oversight of the competence work being carried out in the Fire and Rescue Services.

Graham had a long involvement in the sport of fencing and his competitive career culminated with a Commonwealth Medal in 1990. In 1992, he captained the British Sabre team at the Barcelona Olympic Games. He was the Manager of the British Fencing Team from 1996 and the Performance Director of the British Olympic Fencing Team for 10 years from 2000 to 2010, and Team Leader at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics Games.

Outside of CIC, he is an established international dance writer and critic. He is a member of The Critics’ Circle, the UNESCO Dance Council, Dance UK and the Society of Dance Research. He has been Chairman of the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle since 2009 and of the National Dance Awards since 2010. In 2012, he was author of Daria Klimentová’s Autobiography “Agony and Ecstasy: My Life in Dance”.

Graham received an OBE in the New Years Honours in 2008 for his services to the construction industry.

Tel: 020 7399 7402

Ian Brant

Ian is a Director at Brant Construction Quantum Experts, a consultancy specialising in construction dispute avoidance, dispute resolution and drafting Expert quantum reports.

Ian is academically qualified, achieving a BSc (Hons) in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying at Wolverhampton University and Professionally qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Ian has served on National and International committees for the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and is currently serving as an elected Trustee. Ian currently Chairs the Nominations Committee and Chairs the Investigation Panel a crucial facet of the Professional Conduct Committee. Ian has also Chaired the External Affairs Board for two years.

A dedicated family man, Ian enjoys coaching, playing and watching Rugby Union and is training for a half marathon to raise money for Macmillan.

Les Copeland

Les is an established construction professional, his depth of knowledge of the construction industry is brought together by over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of roles and sectors, ranging from sub-contractor delivery to senior leadership positions within a number of the world’s largest construction and infrastructure companies. He now holds an Executive Director role in an International Engineering business RAMBØLL along with other board-level and advisory roles across the industry.

He has gained a wide range of experience and knowledge in the UK and international construction and infrastructure sectors, managing mainly Multi-Discipline Engineering, however, Les has also led Project Management and Architectural work streams and business units.

He has had the opportunity to work through a diverse career route from managing fast track fit-outs, listed building refurbishments, to successful delivery of award-winning landmark buildings and infrastructure schemes across the globe. Les has delivered in a wide range of sectors with a proven track record for delivering successful outcomes through strong commercial leadership and technical knowledge.

Les is also a Senior Officer of the Chartered Institution of Buildings Services Engineers and has worked with many other industry stakeholders throughout his career to help promote and support the built environment industry.

Kevin Corbett

Kevin is General Counsel & Company Secretary at Galliford Try Holdings Plc. Kevin is a solicitor and chartered civil and structural engineer. He joined the executive board of Galliford Try on 1 February 2012 and was appointed general counsel and company secretary on 1 March 2012.

Kevin was previously chief counsel global for AECOM and an executive member of AECOM Europe from September 2004. Between 2006 and 2012 he was a non-executive director of the Association of Consulting and Engineering, where he chaired the PI Insurance Group.

Between 2008 and 2012 Kevin chaired the Risk & Liability Committee of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers. He was also a member of the Legal Advisory Panel of the Institution of Civil Engineers, 2004 to 2007.

Kevin is a trustee and non-executive director of the charity CRASH.

Emma Clayton

Emma is a seasoned and award-winning marketing, communication, and leadership consultant with over 26 years experience across pharmaceutical, finance and professional services. Her career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep understanding of behavioural science and psychology principles that she has been able to implement in her all her roles whether they be global multi-matrix organisations or start and scale up companies.

Throughout her career Emma has demonstrated her expertise in strategic marketing and leadership, making her a trusted advisor for her clients. Her extensive knowledge spans across various domains including strategy, launch excellence, operational execution, insight development and leadership, combined with human skills such as collaboration, customer experience and team performance.

Emma is committed to her ongoing professional development and has qualified with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Leadership Communications from The University of Cambridge and a postgraduate diploma in Organisational Psychology from the University of Aberdeen. She is also a certified practitioner of DISC, Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Hogan, and Positive Psychology coaching.

Emma now runs a successful and renowned consultancy, known for its excellence in behavioural and psychology principles, which serves clients globally, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to helping clients drive growth and deliver excellence for their brands, leaders, and organisations, making her a highly respected partner in her field.

Jennifer Dixon B Arch Dip. Arch RIBA

An experienced Architect and Lead Designer, Jennifer works as a Client Adviser to a wide range of public, private and third sector clients.

Between 2013 and 2019 she headed the architecture discipline at consultancy AECOM across the EMEA region, directing the design teams
servicing public and private sector organisations including Network Rail, Schiphol Airport, Royal Dutch Shell, Novartis, Lend Lease, Heathrow, Dyson, Amazon and Moorfields Eye Hospital. A dual British and Australian citizen,
Jennifer has also worked for clients in South East Asia, the US and the Middle East.

Jennifer read architecture at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and University of Westminster. She set up her London architecture practice in 1993, which joined Austin-Smith:Lord in 2003, and became principal of Austin-
Smith:Lord's London studio. Achievements include AJ Practice of the Year in 2010 and an RIBA Regional Award for a new concert hall in Guildford, in 2011. She has directed teams in a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, arts & culture, heritage and regeneration, hospitality, residential and mixed use.

She maintains a wide perspective of the built environment professions
worldwide, and has led global design frameworks for multinational clients. She is known for her energetic and proactive leadership style, combining strategic vision with a capacity for fine detail where required.

Passionate about professionalism and the advancement of architectural practice, Jennifer is an elected Councillor of the Royal Institute of British Architects. She speaks regularly at industry events on the role of architects in the multi-disciplinary environment. She was appointed to the RIBA Board of
Trustees in January 2022.

Lorna Stimpson

Lorna’s career in Public Service Building Control spans over 30 years where she has held roles from building control surveyor up to senior managerial positions. Lorna joined LABC in 2008 as Business Development Director, advancing to Deputy Managing Director in 2015 and Chief Executive in 2019.

As LABC’s Chief Executive, Lorna leads the implementation of LABC’s strategic programmes on quality, standards, competencies and learning, including accredited qualifications and informal continuous professional development programmes.

Lorna is a member of the Joint Regulators’ Group working with MHCLG and HSE, National Fire Chiefs Council and the Local Government Association to define, pilot and test the new regulatory approaches outlined in Dame Judith’s Final Report. She sits on the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) and the Interim Industry Competence Committee; the BSI technical committee for competence in the built environment and other professional committees focussed on improving standards and outcomes in the construction industry.

Jessica Taylor

Jessica Taylor is a Partner and heads up the London Construction and Infrastructure Team of Ashfords LLP solicitors.

She has over 28 years’ experience in advising on construction and engineering law. Her expertise includes working with property investors, institutional clients, banks, contractors and consultants as well as for housing providers and local authorities on a wide range of projects in a number of sectors including the residential sector as well as in the commercial, hotels and leisure and healthcare sectors.

Her work involves the drafting and negotiation of major strategic and operational commercial and construction contracts.

Dirk Vennix MBA FCIPR

Dirk Vennix is a sector leader with substantial experience in managing major membership organisations. Dirk joined CIRIA as Chief Executive and Company Director of CIRIA and CIRIA Services in 2016 having previously launched the Confederation of Timber Industries which promoted offsite construction to Government and Parliament.

For more than 25 years Dirk has successfully delivered stakeholder engagement campaigns in the not-for-profit and private sectors. He previously worked for Centrica plc and Liverpool John Moores University. Dirk started his career as a journalist and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (FCIPR). Dirk gained an MBA with distinction at the University of Bradford in 2000.

Dirk chairs the Public Affairs Committee of the Construction Industry Council and is also Chairman/Trustee of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance.