The CEO of Skanska has been appointed Chair of the CBI Construction Council.

Gregor Craig succeeds Sir James Wates CBE, Chairman of Wates Group, who has been Chair of the Construction Council since September 2017.

Gregor has been President and CEO of Skanska UK since May 2017. He joined the business in 2003 and has been a member of its Executive Management Team since 2015.

Speaking about his appointment Gregor said: "It's a great privilege to be taking on this role, especially at this critical time for the construction industry. We are heading towards a new relationship with the European Union and, although the pandemic has had a well-documented impact, there is also a lot to learn about what the industry can achieve when it is really focused. We need to take the best of that learning and make sure it is part of the template for the future of construction."


Sir James has steered the CBI's efforts for the construction sector at an unprecedented time, which has included the collapse of the industry’s second largest construction contractor Carillion, the UK leaving the EU and the current coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the challenging period, Sir James and the CBI have worked to ensure the construction industry is a focal point for government spending during the coronavirus pandemic, put the sector front and centre on new UK immigration proposals, and driven forward the CBI's landmark report on financial sustainability in UK construction, Fine Margins.

Sir James said: "It has been my privilege to serve as Chairman of the CBI Construction Council for the past three years. Construction is well known for being a fragmented industry, but we have worked hard to ensure the council is clear on its remit and actively brings together perspectives from across this diverse and amazing sector that is so critical to the UK economy. I am confident that Greg will continue this good work, which is now more important than ever, as we work with the government and the entire business community to deliver what the UK needs to recover from the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic."