New chair announced for CECA strategic forum

Esh Construction’s business development director Ross Markwell has been appointed chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) chairman’s strategic forum.

With more than 15 years of involvement in CECA, Ross is one of the longest-serving members of the North East regional board. 

He became regional vice chair in 2021, stepped up to chair in 2023, and most recently served as vice chair of the national forum.

In his two-year term as chair, Ross will lead on CECA’s six Core Pillars: sustainability and social value, clients, policy and workload, health and wellbeing, careers and recruitment, and skills and training.

He said: “I’ve been with Esh Construction for over 20 years and was proud to follow in the footsteps of one of our founders, Jack Lumsden, and now deputy chief executive, Stephen Wilkie, when I became a member of the regional board.

“I am all too aware of both the challenges and opportunities facing UK civil engineering contractors today, and as the new chair, in partnership with the wider forum, I’m eager to garner the strong voices from our members to continue raising the profile of civil engineering with a view to making improvements across the wider sector.”

Looking ahead, Ross is keen to find examples of such initiatives and best practices from CECA’s regions and nations. 

He added: “There are great things happening in civil engineering across the UK, and a key driver for me is to identify such opportunities and ideas that can be rolled out far and wide for the benefit of all CECA members. 

“We are all dealing with similar challenges within the industry and collaboration is key if we are to drive change as one.”

Alasdair Reisner, CECA chief executive, added: “The strength of our organisation comes from the commitment of its members, who help us to make the case for a better, safer and more productive civil engineering sector. 

“Ross has played a key role in refreshing and updating the association in the last few years, so I am delighted that this has been recognised by his peers from across the organisation with this appointment as our national chair. 

“I am confident that he will continue to provide brilliant guidance on how we can deliver outstanding services for members during his time in the role.”

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