Claire graduated in Mechanical Engineering at University College, Cardiff, and went on to obtain an MBA at AstonUniversity. She also has an honorary PhD in Technology.
Her industry experience was gained with Shell UK, rising to head of distribution & logistics for Chemicals and Downstream Products. This was followed with roles at Birmingham City Council initially as head of corporate affairs and later as chief executive of Birmingham City Council Laboratories. Claire then returned to university life as dean of the engineering and Business Department of the University of Wales, Newport, before moving into politics when she was elected as MP for Crosby.
During her time in parliament, Claire championed a number of issues on behalf of the construction industry and sat on three select committees: trade & industry, home affairs and science & technology. She also chaired all-party parliamentary committees on construction and utility related subjects and founded the Construction & Development Partnership, a charity dedicated to bringing schools and education to the children of Sierra Leone.
Claire left politics in 2010 and is currently chief executive of The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), a chartered institution providing services, training, and standards to the gas industry.
Digby Harper, chairman of the BBA Governing Board, said: “Over the last few years the BBA has made tremendous strides in transforming itself into a successful non-profit distributing enterprise dedicated to serving the construction industry. In appointing Claire Curtis-Thomas, I believe we have been extremely fortunate to recruit an individual with the rare combination of a strong academic record coupled with considerable industrial and political experience, a combination well suited to leading the business forward in meeting the evolving needs of the market it serves.”