CIC Staff

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

Eve Farraud BEM

Eve joined the CIC in 1998 and is the Council’s Executive Assistant. Her responsibilities include supporting the Chief Executive and, in particular, being the front line manager of the Council’s relationships with its members; providing operational management for the CIC HQ including line management of the IT, administrative, Secretariat and HR functions; and overseeing the company and governance requirements, including management of the arrangements for Council and Board meetings. Eve was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours' List 2014 for services to the construction industry.

Please note Eve's working days are Monday to Thursday.

Tel: 020 7399 7402

Liz Drummond BA (Hons)

Liz has worked in the Built Environment industry for over 15 years and before joining CIC in 2009 had worked within the profession in both London and New York, and has a degree in Design Studies.

Liz is responsible for all CIC’s Communications and Marketing, creating awareness and profile for all CIC initiatives and projects in line with company objectives. Liz is responsible for organising many of CIC’s key events including the Annual Members' Conference.

Liz is also responsible for CIC’s Regional Committees and managing the delivery of the Committees initiatives in line with CIC’s key themes and priorities. Providing CIC representation at meetings, ensuring inter-regional coordination and supporting regional initiatives.

Please note Liz's working days are Tuesday to Friday.

Tel: 020 7399 7430

Chi Wong

Chi joined CIC in January 2016 as the Office Administrator.

With previous experience in retail, Chi's main responsibilities will be to provide general administrative support to CIC as well as receptionist duties.

​Chi also has a degree in Economics BSc and is currently studying for MSc Psychology.

Tel: 020 7399 7400

Gintare Barzdyte

Gintare joined CIC in January 2016 as the Finance Assistant and has recently completed AAT level 3 and 4.

Tel: 020 7399 7406

Karen Holmes

Karen joined CICAIR in July 2020, and has overall responsibility for the operation of the Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR Limited), the body designated by the Secretary of State in England and Welsh Ministers in Wales to approve private sector Building Control Bodies.

Karen has worked in professional regulation for over 30 years. Prior to joining CICAIR, Karen spent over two decades as part of the senior leadership team at the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the UK’s statutory regulator of architects. During the last six years, Karen held the role of Registrar and Chief Executive. Karen is committed to delivering effective regulation in a proportionate way, whilst ensuring the public interest is at the forefront of any regulatory model.

Tel: 020 7399 7403

Laura Jayne Willoughby BA (Hons)

Prior to joining the CIC team in August 2013, Laura previously worked within several facility management contracts across the London regions that served nationally across the whole of UK and also has a degree in Media, Culture, Communications and Media Marketing. Laura is responsible for being the first point of contact for the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR).

Tel: 020 7399 7403

Lawrence Bellinfantie

Lawrence is the Communications and Events Executive. His responsibilities include organising events, assisting with CIC committies (2050 Group, Education and Skills Task Force, Digital Forum) and updating the CIC website and social media channels.

He is curruntly studying for a Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing with CIM.

Makis Peppas

Makis joined the CIC in July 2013. He has had experience from the industries of Sports, Tourism, Marketing & Sales in managerial and administrative positions. He is privileged enough to have worked for the successful Athens 2004 and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Makis responsibilities include:

• Being the first point of contact for DQI enquires.
• Administering new applications, renewals and the engagement of DQI Facilitators from application to completion
• Maintaining distribution lists, updating DQI procedures and documentation
• Process applications for DQI Assessments
• Dealing with correspondence from candidates

Tel: 020 7399 7409

Manisha Umrania BA Hons

Prior to joining the CICAIR team in March 2021, Manisha worked within the banking and financial sector for some of the largest financial organisations in the UK. She has extensive experience in Management, Compliance, Customer service and Complaints. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

Manisha is responsible for managing CICAIR’s audit and monitoring processes.

Matt Mahony

Matt is the CIC Policy and Public Affairs Executive. His responsibilities include fostering political engagement and carrying out policy work on areas such as Climate Change and Building Safety.

He brings a wealth of previous experience in policy areas such as environmental strategy, construction and responsible sourcing and has worked within the civil service at MHCLG and DEFRA.