Take five – time out with #TeamISG: Craig Battye

In this?latest ‘Take five’ interview, The Vine caught up with pre-construction director for major projects,?Craig Battye. Alongside Craig’s busy role –?he’s leading the pre-construction of our first new build prison for the Ministry of Justice –?he’s also a trustee of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), supporting the links between education, industry and professional services.

Tell us about your role with the CIOB. How did you get involved and what are the benefits??

A college tutor convinced me to take student membership with the CIOB back in 1993 and I progressed through the membership grades to Fellow. I became involved in the Leeds Hub committee in 2010, starting to link in with local education providers, in particular, Bradford College, and became a trustee in 2021. As a CIOB member, you play a part in delivering professional standards, while giving back to the industry via the next generation of professionals coming through.

How have you linked your CIOB role with your work at ISG?

It has been an easy link, as real-life industry experience provides valuable insight for education providers, and the CIOB and ISG are committed to developing future talent within the industry.

Over the past 14 years?I have delivered several lectures at Bradford College, covering specialist topics with a focused industry perspective. As ISG’s first female chief operating officer was announced [Zoe Price], I organised a meeting on our Leeds Arts University project with the CIOB’s first female CEO to share best practice, while discussing industry diversity and future strategies. After one of my lectures at Bradford College I was approached by Ben Sewell, who was looking for some practical experience, so I linked him up with ISG’s early careers team.

Can you tell us more about Ben’s journey??

Following my link up with Ben, we were able to offer him work experience as part of our National Skills Academy for Construction in support of his HNC Level 4 in Construction Management. He really enjoyed his experience, so he applied successfully for ISG’s degree apprenticeship programme. Ben has been working as an apprentice construction manager for four years while studying for his degree, which he will complete this year and move into a construction management role.

How does the CIOB support future talent development??

The CIOB has built relationships with education institutes across the region, and Bradford College was one of the first to engage, around 14 years ago. The students have received guidance and up-to-date information from local industry experts around careers, key subject areas and the latest innovations. I work closely with Kat Seymour, the CIOB’s?regional manager -?North, to support the CIOB’s initiatives, and also to advise on the latest skills requirements to guide future talent development.?

Through this relationship, we recently offered a 20-week work placement to Bradford College student, Baker Alasaad, under my mentorship, to advance his working knowledge of construction; a great example of industry, education provider and professional institute working collaboratively.

The local CIOB committee also offers student prizes for those achieving exceptional results or overcoming adversity.?

How else does the CIOB recognise the achievements of its members??

Recognition of project excellence is via the Construction Manager of the Year Awards, and this best practice is shared among the network. We’ve had some great success across the business in recent years, particularly in the region, with?James Fryer,?Anthony Mitchell?and?Steve Laughton?all scooping awards for their achievements. This has boosted their profiles and supported their development. There are also additional categories including ‘Rising Star’ now as well.

What has been the?highlight of your role with the CIOB and would you recommend it to others?

To date my input into the 2023 Corporate Plan, which shapes the CIOB’s activities over the next three to five years, has been a rewarding exercise. I am also enjoying the global engagement that the CIOB facilitates, and I am undertaking this through my role as trustee champion for the Americas region, as well as looking at global strategies for a future CIOB interface with construction across the world.

You’ve been part of a number of press features recently on your role in the innovative prisons’ alliance with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).?Will you be sharing this learning with the CIOB?

Definitely. The MOJ’s New Prisons Programme is being delivered via a Framework Alliance Contract, very much a first for the MOJ and not overly common within central government procurement. While there have been plenty of lessons to learn, the output and success of the Alliance has shown the industry that there is a different and more collaborative way of working, where the smart application of common resources can be truly focused to deliver added value for clients. I am very keen that this learning is shared via the CIOB, as I truly believe this way of working is the future.

It sounds like you’re kept very busy. What do you like to do in your spare time??

I’m a bit of a fitness fanatic. The 5am 10km runs serve as a great wake-up tonic in the winter months, and a post-work gym visit is a great way to round off the day. In between I squeeze in a little amateur photography,?but standing still for a while taking photos is certainly better in the summer!