The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is looking to appoint an interim chief executive “as a matter of priority”, after current head Mark Farrar this week announced plans to step down.
Farrar, who has been with the organisation for seven years, said he was leaving to explore new opportunities, but will remain in his post until an interim boss is appointed.
CITB head of corporate communications Trevor Cook said: “We are keen to identify an interim CEO as soon as possible. We are dealing with this as a matter of priority but there are no deadlines. We’ll make an announcement as soon as we are able.”
Farrar: new opportunities
The organisation is also working on a timetable to appoint a permanent CEO but no decisions have yet been made.
Responding to news of Farrar’s departure, CITB chairman James Wates said: “Mark has led the organisation through challenging times in the industry, securing ongoing levy and other funding. He leaves CITB with our thanks and wholehearted best wishes.”
Mike Smith, managing director Corniche Builders and chair of the Chartered Building Company Scheme, said: “Mark Farrar’s decision to step down has to be seen that he feels he has gone as far as he has been able and achieved his objectives. There have been a number of changes at the CITB under his leadership which have not been helped with the global recession.
“It is time for a change and modernisation of the delivery of training in the industry which has been of concern for a number of years. There is increasing competition from colleges and other training bodies. The new CEO needs to be from industry from grass routes/trade level, in particular has set up or run a business.”
Chris Kane MCIOB, director of Greendale Construction, said: “Mark took the helm in troubled times in 2008 and in my opinion has led with courage to keep funds available to the industry through a very challenging period. His successor will need to be innovative and forward thinking to help guide us to the long-awaited recovery.”
A previous corporate services director at CITB, Farrar managed the levy and grants system, working with industry-led committees to administer more than £100m of funding for construction skills and training.
Last year he took part in the controversial reconciliation between CITB-ConstructionSkills and CSCS, helping renegotiate a contract for CSCS to deliver the CSCS skills card scheme, having previously served it with a termination notice.
At the height of the economic downturn Farrar was invited to 10 Downing Street to represent construction in the prime minister’s crisis talks to protect employment and skills.
Farrar is a Trustee of the Buildings Research Establishment, a member of the Skills Funding Agency’s advisory board and sits on the Board of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. He is also a member of the Skills Sub Group to the Green Construction Board and has previously held positions on the Board of Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE) and The Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Public Sector Advisory Panel.
