The Green Construction Board was formed to oversee delivery of the government’s Low Carbon Action Plan and promote sustainable business opportunities and economic growth in the environmental sector.
The board has been designed to provide strategic leadership on key issues and promote the UK’s excellence in green construction. Hopkins’ new role on the Green Construction Board Membership will see him representing the interests of SMEs, a sector that has a critical part to play in delivering the government’s carbon reduction commitments through sustainable economic growth. He will work as part of the board’s Knowledge and Skills working group, based on his expertise in designing and delivering training courses within the renewables sector.
The Green Construction Board is co-chaired by business minister Mark Prisk MP and chief executive of Lend Lease, EMEA Dan Labbad.
It aims to challenge the decision making processes on green technologies both in business and in government, as well as looking to maximise the benefit of wider opportunities for growth within the renewable sector.
The board is representative of the construction sector as a whole, with members including large corporate organisations, professional services firms such as architects and insurers, as well as main contractors, property agents and building service engineers.
Business minister Mark Prisk said: “I am pleased to welcome Chris to the Green Construction Board. The Board and its working groups are instrumental in taking forward the UK’s low carbon agenda, and Chris will bring further experience and insight that will help us achieve our green objectives.”
Chris Hopkins said: “I was delighted to be appointed to the Green Construction Board and see my role as representing SMEs within the renewable sector. It is very important that the sector has a voice on such important issues as the Green Deal and the Low Carbon Action Plan. I am also looking forward to getting involved in having an influence on the training and skill sector, as the industry needs to encourage SMEs to upskill in order to stimulate growth opportunities within renewable technology.”
Ploughcroft was established in 1997 as a construction and roof contracting business. The company now offers a full range of training and renewable technologies, including being one of the UK’s market leaders in solar PV installation. Ploughcroft was responsible for designing the industry’s first solar roofing training course, which has recently been accredited by CSkills.