Levy Strategy Committee

The Levy Strategy Committee forms part of the representation of industry employers across the three GB Nations and works collaboratively to ensure the effective development of the 2022-25 Levy proposals.

It assists in assessing and informing industry’s view of any proposed changes to Levy legislation in advance of making final submissions to the Board and DfE concerning such changes. It supports CITB in testing options for wider industry consultation, and assessing the implications of different Levy rate models against CITB’s strategic objectives.

The Levy Strategy Committee considers the impact and potential impact on the CITB Levy of factors within the external environment and makes appropriate recommendations to address or mitigate those factors.

Current Members (as at June 2024) are:

Rachael Cunningham – Chair and CITB Trustee

Herman Kok - CITB Trustee

Vikki Skene - HR Director, Galliford Try

Vikki Skene is an experienced senior HR leader in the construction industry with a passion for the cultural change agenda and driving inclusivity to support the delivery of strategic business imperatives. As the Group HR Director for Galliford Try – one of the UK's leading construction groups – and Executive Member of its board since 2020, she is committed to the development of Galliford Try’s people, so they can play their role in improving the UK’s built environment and delivering lasting change for the communities around them.

Vikki has more than 20 years’ experience in both construction and HR and was previously UK Employee Relations Director at Balfour Beatty, where she held a number of senior HR roles.

Gareth Davies - Construction Director, Knox and Wells Ltd

Gareth is the Construction Director for Knox and Wells Limited. His role combines all aspects of Client servicing, from bid management to project delivery, together with responsibility for strategic liaison with key Industry stakeholders such as Welsh Government, CITB and CIOB.

Prior to joining Knox and Wells, Gareth was in post with Britannia Construction Ltd from 2010 as Regional Director (Wales), Wales Regional Director for Carillion Building (Mowlem Building prior to 2006 takeover) and from 2001-5 was Wales Construction Director for Mowlem Building.

During a thirty five year career in the construction industry Gareth has been responsible for delivering many prestigious projects in south Wales, south west England and Jersey, across a variety of sectors.

Gareth is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB) and was a member of the CITB National Council from 2015 to its reorganisation in 2018. He chaired the south-east Wales Regional Construction Forum from its inception in 2010 to its re-constitution in 2018. Gareth is also an active member of Constructing Excellence in Wales and a Professional Assessor for the CIOB and has been a judge and Panel Chairman on the CIOB's Construction Manager of the Year Competition since 2004. Gareth was also a member of the former CITB Levy Working Party and is now a member of the Levy Strategy Group

Neil Rogers – CEO, Scottish Decorators’ Federation

Neil is currently the CEO of the Scottish Decorators’ Federation which is one of the oldest Trade Federations in the UK. The Federation represent all sizes of painting and decorating companies from sole traders all the way up to some of the biggest painting and decorating companies in the UK.

Neil is also the CEO of Scottish Painting And Decorating Apprenticeship Council (SPADA) and Scottish Construction Operative Registration Executive (SCORE). SPADA deals with young people coming into the trade to ensure that they are paid a fair rate for the job that they are doing, offering contractual advice to employers and apprentices. While SCORE is competency card scheme that is able to offer a wide range of cards to operatives based on their industrial experience and qualifications.

Rob Tansey

Rob retired from Barratt Group in December 2020. He joined the Barratt Group as Group HR Director in 2012 from Dairy Crest Plc where he was Group HR Director for six years. Before joining Dairy Crest Rob was HR Director at Travis Perkins Plc and previously held senior HR roles at Celesio AG and Wickes. Rob was a member of the Executive Committee at Barratt Developments, with full responsibility for the creation and delivery of HR Strategy. His responsibilities included Training and Development for Trades, Apprentices and Graduates, through to Senior Management development, Remuneration and Benefits Strategy, Resourcing and Performance Management.

Rob was a member of the CITB England Nation Council until December 2020.

Annette Jones FCCA - Group Accountant at Foundation Developments Limited

Annette is the Group Financial Accountant at Foundation Developments Limited. Foundation Developments Limited have been providing Civil engineering, infrastructure, groundwork, and reinforced concrete frame solutions since 1991. Since joining the firm in 2012, she has seen the effect that good, targeted training can have on the competency and safety of operatives on site. Along with first-hand experience of the challenges both internal and external in achieving this goal. This position has given her good working knowledge of the CITB systems and procedures.

Annette has been a Chartered Certified Accountant for over 20 years, dealing with a variety of construction companies. Starting her career as an auditor she specialised in the construction sector; this gave an in-depth understanding of the differing issues arising in the various branches of the construction industry. Her understanding of the difficulties in creating and maintaining a skilled and competent workforce initially came from this invaluable experience.

Annette is a member of the CITB England Nation Council.

Ken Millar – Group Director for SHEQ, Springfield Properties PLC

Ken is the Group Director for SHEQ at Springfield Properties PLC. His role includes leading a Team of Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality professionals ensuring a service is provided to all operating businesses across the Group. In addition, Ken has responsibility for all matters Training and liaises frequently with all Approved Training Organisations and the CITB. Springfield also has circa 100 + apprentices across all businesses within the Group.

Ken has over 25 years experience within the construction and house building industry and has been involved in setting strategy at Board level and been part of various Teams overseeing some iconic projects. Prior to joining Springfield, Ken was in post with Robertson Group from 2015 as Group SHEQ Executive Director. 2004-2015 Ken was the Group Health & Safety Director at CALA Group.

Ken holds membership with IOSH and IIRSM and is currently a member of the CITB Scotland Nation Council.

Steve Anderson - Senior Development Manager at Construction Skills People (Skills People Group).

Steve is a senior development manager at Construction Skills People (Skills People Group). Assisting clients & businesses to access multiple funding streams available to them, providing qualification and compliance solutions alongside account management and business development within the wider construction sector.

Prior to joining Construction Skills People, Steve worked for several construction contractors in a number of roles in the M&E sector, working on-site as an operative. Steve has been in the construction industry since leaving school and has always been interested in the construction sector from a young age.

Steve also sits on the finishes and interiors sector skills board.

James Butcher 

James M. Butcher is the Director of Policy at the National Federation of Builders (NFB), and a member of the UK’s Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

As head of the Policy Department, James oversees the NFB’s public affairs strategy, policy guidance and advice services for members and the organisation’s campaigns. He also manages industrial affairs for the NFB, as well as its key relationships with other sector organisations such as CITB, the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC), the HSE’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) and the Contractors Legal Group (CLG).

The Policy Department's strategic mission is to help members’ businesses thrive by creating the optimum legislative and regulatory environment. To that end, the Department produces handbooks to help construction businesses navigate Government policy – such as on decarbonisation and technology, as well as policy reports across a range of key areas where the NFB would like to see reform.

Prior to working for the NFB, James was the head of public affairs for a public relations consultancy, a Parliamentary Aide to a Member of Parliament and a trained campaign manager for a major political party. He also served for ten years as a local councillor.

2024 Meetings

• 7 March
• 23 May
• 25 July
• 6 November