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 and Technical Education (IfATE).

Along with his work on the CITB Board, Peter currently holds a number of non-executive roles in the education, skills and health sectors. Since March 2020, Peter has been Chair of the Student Loans Company, 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 Sutton in South London, with sites across London and the South East. This college is a sponsor of a special needs academy trust with a number of academies in the same area.

In addition to his interests in the education and skills sector, Peter also has an interest in the health sector as a Non-Executive Director of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, one of a small number of specialist children’s trusts in the NHS, providing clinical and community services.

Employer members

Tony Elliott
Group HR Director, Robertson Group

Tony Elliott has over 25 years of experience in the fields of talent, people and learning, and is part of the senior team at Robertson, one of the UK’s largest privately owned construction and infrastructure services companies. Tony feels strongly about the development of people and the growing of internal talent, the attraction of new talent, and ensuring skillsets are enhanced and future-proofed within construction.

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. The company employs several tutors who help train apprentices in painting and decorating, and since 2012 has offered a four-week pre-employment programme for all ages. Kevin was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to skills and apprenticeships and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. Kevin also is a Member of GMB, Liveryman of Painters and Stainers, Freeman of the City of London, Member of the Federation of Master Builders Training Group, Member of the London Regional Construction Training Group, FIR Steering Group, Islington Skills & Strategy Delivery Group, Islington Living Wage Place Action Group and a member of the Alumnus Community for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Kevin is also a Director of McLoughlin Decorating Schools Community Interest Company, and 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
People and Culture 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 moving into her most recent role in 2020. Sophie understands the importance of nurturing young talent, as Novus offers numerous routes into construction for young people. She is also 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.

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, 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 YTS placement with Alfred McAlpine at Bircham Newton, to now, running his own, rapidly expanding glazing and curtain walling company, RED Systems.

Founded in 2003, the company has grown to become a £14m+ 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 33 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.

Independent members

Diana Garnham

Diana is Chair of Skills East Sussex, a member of SELEP Skills Advisory Panel, a Council Member of Christ’s Hospital School, President of King’s College London Alumni Association, Chair of King’s College London Alumni Advisory Group, and Director of Tavern Quay RTM Company. Previously, she was Chief Executive of the Science Council and a Governor of the East Sussex College Group. She has a continuing interest in the social consequences of science, in good governance and strategy, and in enabling young people to achieve their potential, particularly within the STEM environment.