Member Article

Eric Wright Civil Engineering MD appointed onto CITB Nations Council

CITB have announced the new members of its Nations Councils for England, Scotland and Wales and appointed onto the Nations Council for England is Diane Bourne, Managing Director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, based in Bamber Bridge near Preston.

The councils will play a key role in helping to shape the future of construction across Great Britain and provide strategic advice to the Board to better meet industry’s skills needs. Their formation delivers on a significant call by industry and government for CITB’s governance to be more representative in last year’s Consensus consultation and the Government’s ITB Review.

Eric Wright Group appointed Diane and initiated her ascent through the ranks. According to Diane, fairness and equality are core elements in creating success and in stimulating productivity. These values enabled her to become Managing Director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering in 2012 and she was tasked with bringing the infrastructure and water teams together. As a result, she oversaw a 70% increase in turnover despite challenges in this market.

As Chair of the Eric Wright Learning Foundation, Diane is leading the way in inspiring young people to consider engineering and construction as a career. ‘The Head of Quality and Environment used to be a bricklayer; the Head of Construction used to be a joiner,’ she said, demonstrating excellent career prospects for practical and hardworking individuals.

Seamus Keogh, CEO of Clancy Docwra Ltd, Tony Elliott, Group HR Director of Robertson Group, and Leigh Hughes, Business Development & Social Value Director at Bouygues UK, took up their respective roles as Chair of the Nation Councils in England, Scotland and Wales in July. They will now be joined by nine council members including Diane. Each Council represents a diverse cross-section of the industry with a presence for both SMEs and large contractors.

Guy Lawson, Director of the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association North West (CECA NW), said: ‘I am delighted that Diane, a former Chair of CECA NW, has been appointed to the CITB’s Nations Council for England. She has longstanding interest in training and development and has been instrumental in getting many of our initiatives off the ground in the North West, so it’s great news that a leading civil engineer now has an opportunity to share her experience and expertise across England.’

The councils will have their first meetings this autumn.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jo Leah .