Driving Change in the Built Environment: Reflections on My Term as CIC Chair

These past two years have been defined by collaboration, reform, and strategic action — all aimed at helping our industry respond to pressing societal and environmental challenges. From building safety and future skills to sustainability, and not least the celebration of CIC’s 35th anniversary, it has been a time of meaningful progress and collective effort.

Diversity and inclusion have also been deeply important to me throughout my time as Chair. I was honoured to be the first female Chair of the CIC, and the first born outside the United Kingdom and Ireland. In a traditionally male-dominated field, I am proud of this milestone. My hope is that the momentum continues — that we see increasing diversity in leadership across our industry, and that future generations feel represented, included, and empowered to lead.

There is no age and gender difference in our spirit, no race difference in our soul. As long as we believe in ourselves, our vision and our effort, we can all make a lasting difference for good.

Building A Safer, Healthier and More Sustainable Future for All

The 2024 UK General Election placed the built environment at the heart of national policy discussions, with political parties outlining distinct ambitions for housebuilding and development. This moment represented a crucial opportunity for our sector to unite, and CIC played a vital role in coordinating a collective response from built environment professionals through the publication of [Building A Safer, Healthier and More Sustainable Future for All].

Construction is not only a substantial part of the UK economy but also a major factor in the health and wellbeing of our nation. This comprehensive document, developed over several months in close collaboration with our members, partners, and individual professionals, marks the first effort of its kind in both breadth and ambition, representing all 35 CIC professional body members.

This collaborative initiative showcased our sector’s firm commitment to tackling the UK’s most urgent priorities — from achieving net zero and increasing housing supply, to supporting regional development, enhancing public health, addressing future skills needs, and driving innovation. By aligning our collective voice, we offered policymakers clear, practical recommendations to harness the built environment’s power for positive societal impact.

Innovation and Future Skills

As we move forward, one of the most pressing priorities for the built environment is closing the skills gap and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. One of my first initiatives as Chair of CIC was to establish the Education and Future Skills Committee — a collaborative platform uniting professional bodies, educational institutions, and employers. Meeting regularly throughout the year, the committee provides a coordinated voice on the evolving technical and professional skills needed across our sector.

Equally important is the need to embrace a more interdisciplinary future — one where professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines work together to deliver integrated, innovative, and sustainable solutions. Innovation is not just about new technologies but also about fostering creativity and collaboration across disciplines to transform the built environment holistically. This makes the work of the Committee all the more critical. I look forward to seeing how it continues to shape a skilled, adaptable, and future-ready workforce by drawing on the collective expertise and insight of its members.

Looking Ahead: the importance of Collaboration

Collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do — a principle I highlighted in my very first blog post for CIC. Our logo, an agora, symbolises a gathering place for open discussion where there are no competing sides, only shared purpose. The committees within CIC and our collective work embody this spirit, driving the industry to come together and tackle its most pressing challenges.

For built environment professionals, it’s vital to remember that the true customers of the buildings we create are the communities we serve. That is why the entire industry must unite to ensure the spaces we design, and build are inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.

Finally, I want to extend my deepest thanks to CEO Graham Watts, Deputy Chair Ian Brant, the CIC board, CIC staff, member organisations, and our wider network for their unwavering support and shared vision throughout my tenure. I also wish Ian every success as Chair of CIC over the coming two years. I am confident that his vision, dedication, and leadership will continue to champion the CIC’s spirit of collaboration.

It has been my great privilege to lead the CIC over the past two years. Throughout this time, I have been continually inspired by the dedication and passion of our members, staff, volunteers and partners who work tirelessly to advance the built environment sector. While the journey is far from over, I am honoured by what we have achieved collectively and look forward with optimism to the future ahead.