The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced the appointment of five new voluntary trustees to support their mission to foster a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce within the construction industry.

Rachael Cunningham, Nikki Davis, Stephen Gray, Julia Heap, and Herman Kok joined the Board on 01 April 2024, with each serving a four-year term. These appointments were made by the Secretary of State for Education and are pivotal in supporting the CITB's mission.

Trustees on the CITB Board are tasked with a significant responsibility to guide the organisation towards achieving its strategic goals. They ensure that CITB meets its objectives and delivers on its commitments to the construction industry.

Their role involves collaborating with industry stakeholders to address the skills gap and drive initiatives such as the transition to net zero. Trustees also provide governance and accountability for the organisation's activities, ensuring that the CITB operates with integrity and efficiency.


• Herman Kok

Herman Kok serves as the Company Secretary at Lindum Group, where he has been instrumental in driving organisational strategy and governance. His expertise in corporate structure and his commitment to the construction sector will be invaluable to the CITB Board.

• Julia Heap

As Principal & CEO of Hopwood Hall College, Julia Heap has a wealth of experience in further education. Her leadership has been characterised by a strong focus on vocational training, making her a perfect fit for the CITB's educational initiatives.

• Nikki Davis

Nikki Davis is the Principal & CEO of Leeds College of Building. Her background in leading one of the UK's premier construction education institutions will bring a deep understanding of the training needs within the industry.

• Rachael Cunningham

With her role as Preconstruction & Bid Lead at Laing O'Rourke, Rachael Cunningham brings to the Board a strong commercial perspective and extensive experience in construction project planning and execution.

• Stephen Gray

Stephen Gray, Head of Engineering Development & ICE Subject Matter Expert at BAM Nuttall Ltd, offers a technical edge with his in-depth knowledge of engineering development and his status as a Chartered Engineer.

Peter Lauener, CITB Chair, said: "I am delighted to welcome five new trustees to strengthen CITB's board. They bring great experience to the Board across both industry and further education. They will bring new ideas and will strengthen CITB's ability to achieve our core purpose which is to support the construction industry to have a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce, now and in the future."

CITB is confident that the new trustees will make significant contributions to the organisation's goals and the wider construction industry. Their collective expertise will be pivotal in shaping the future of construction training and addressing the current and future challenges faced by the sector.