Graham Watts
Graham has been involved with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) since 1989, initially, as a member of the Council and its executive board, then as a director. He was appointed chief executive and secretary in October 1991. Graham is responsible for the general policy and direction of the Council, for maintaining effective communication with government, other external agencies and with members and for establishing and maintaining the CIC Secretariat and office.
He is a member of the Strategic Forum for Construction and its Executive Committee and an Executive Board member of ConstructionSkills. He is an honorary fellow of RIBA, CIBSE, the ABE, ICWCI, BIID and the Faculty of Building and an honorary member of the RICS and CIAT. He was awarded the president’s medal of the CIOB in 2000 and the Peter Stone Award of the Association of Building Engineers in 1996.
Prior to joining the CIC, Graham was chief executive of the British Institute of Architectural Technologists (a member of CIC) from 1983. He is a board member of several trusts and committees in the construction and built environment and was a visiting professor at the University of Northumbria for twelve years from 2000.
Graham had a long involvement in the sport of fencing and his competitive career culminated with a Commonwealth Medal in 1990. In 1992, he captained the British Sabre team at the Barcelona Olympic Games.
Graham received an OBE in the New Years Honours in 2008 for his services to the construction industry. He is married with two daughters.
CommentWhy new safety laws could do more harm than good
As increased liability pushes insurance costs beyond reach of most firms, capacity to fix unsafe homes or build new ones will plummet
CommentGrenfell Tower: A lesson in how not to manage a project
What we have heard has been a long saga of incompetence, says Graham Watts
CommentHow competent are you?
A report out today sets out new competency requirements which those working on higher risk buildings should act upon immediately to avoid another Grenfell-style disaster, says Graham Watts
CommentConstruction work has never been so important
Proud to Help: Negative press during the lockdown should not overshadow projects that are so vital to this country’s future
CommentMaking Hackitt happen
Creating a competence framework to respond to the Hackitt report has brought about the biggest-ever alliance of construction organisations
CommentStop reporting, start doing
The time lapse between reports into the state of construction is quickening faster than Usain Bolt stretching his legs down the last 50 metres
CommentIs the construction industry all white, male and middle-aged?
Two reports draw attention to the fact that the construction professions are as white, male and middle-aged as they were 70 years ago. It’s not good enough
NewsIndustry lags behind in diversity study
The construction industry is sidelining women and people from minority groups, a report carried out on behalf of the Construction Industry Council has found
NewsAll I want for Christmas: Graham Watts
The chief executive of the Construction Industry Council gives us a peek at his Christmas list
NewsA romantic affair between man and machine
London Fields played host this weekend to 'Transports Exceptionnels', a remarkable encounter between a svelte French dancer and a 13-tonne digger
NewsDigger takes centre-stage in contemporary dance festival
A bizarre duet between a dancer and digger will be appearing in the East End this weekend
NewsCome in number eight …
Graham Watts welcomes Ian Pearson, but wonders if construction will be his top priority
NewsFarewell to Beijing – next stop, London
Reminiscing over the highlights of the Beijing Games, what stand out most are the smiles of young Chinese people and the fantastic buildings – especially lit up at night
NewsOlympic gold: a measure of success
The milliseconds and millimetres that decide Olympic sporting victories put into perspective our own struggles to construct the London 2012 venues
NewsBeijing volunteers raise the bar for London 2012
The London organising committee will have a hard job emulating Beijing if everything is scrutinised to the nth degree
NewsMy part in the greatest show on earth
Marching into Beijing's Olympic stadium with Team GB was like coming out of the Wembley tunnel for the FA Cup Final
NewsMasked athletes are a mystery to Team GB
The Beijing 'smog' is a breath of fresh air after Typhoon Julian's rude welcome in Macau
NewsTyphoon over Macau fails to cloud Beijing excitement
Preparing in Macau for the start of the Games, our Olympic insider discovers hidden construction opportunities
FeaturesRace to the finishing line
As Beijing rushes to complete its Olympic venues Graham Watts asks how impressive they are
NewsAlistair's big day
The chancellor first Budget speech held few surprises having been leaked days in advance, now we need to decipher the small print