The chief executive of Balfour Beatty has been appointed to the Construction Leadership Council
Leo Quinn, chief executive of Balfour Beatty, has been appointed a seat on the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
The CLC was created in 2013 to provide advice to the government on construction issues, and comprises of a panel of experts from the sector.
Quinn will take over from Laing O’Rourke’s Anna Stewart, who stepped down in December 2015 due to ill health, and will lead the CLC’s skills workstream. His role will involve him supporting the government’s target to create three million apprenticeships by 2020. This will be achieved by examining and reforming apprenticeship training, including the process of recruitment and retention.
Quinn’s previous experience will serve him well in the role. In 2013 he founded The 5% Club, which encouraged companies to increase the number of apprentices, graduates or sponsored students.
Quinn said: “I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on the council and with government to drive the changes required to protect the future of our industry.
“I am passionate about the provision of high quality apprenticeships that provide the skills to our young people that industry demands.
“It is imperative that young adults are aware of the vast opportunities available to them in our industry and that, most importantly, these opportunities are accessible and provide a solid foundation for a long, successful career in the industry.”
Co-chair of the CLC, skills minister Nick Boles, commented: “We are getting Britain building. Isabel, Ann and Leo will bring great expertise to the Construction Leadership Council as it continues to promote innovation, training and business improvement in this vital sector.”
Other changes will also see Anna Bentley, the chair of quantity surveyor Rider Levett Bucknall, take over the supply chain and business model work stream from former Bouygues chief executive Madani Sow.
Isabel Dedring, director of civil engineering consultant Ove Arup and formerly London’s deputy mayor for transport, will also take control of the stream for smarter infrastructure through innovation in procurement.
The council now comprises of:
- Nick Boles MP (Minister of State for Skills, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills)
- Andrew Wolstenholme (Crossrail)
- Ann Bentley (Rider Levett Bucknall)
- David Cash (BDP)
- Mike Chaldecott (Saint Gobain)
- Isabel Dedring (Arup)
- Brian Morrisroe (AJ Morrisroe & Sons)
- Mike Putnam (Skanska UK)
- Leo Quinn (Balfour Beatty)
- Simon Rawlinson (Strategic Forum for Construction / Arcadis)
- Stephen Stone (Crest Nicholson)
- Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- Other government departments – agenda dependent
