Adrian Belton has been appointed as the permanent CEO for CITB, the Construction Industry’s Training Board. He will be in post from the start of April 2014.

Adrian is currently the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer for the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera).

He has led Fera since 2008, developing and promoting a successful growth strategy for the organisation amidst challenging economic conditions for UK public spending; whilst embedding a Continuous Improvement programme to deliver efficiency improvements.

James Wates, Chairman, CITB said, “Adrian is an excellent appointment. Identifying the right candidate for CITB’s next stage of development has been an exhaustive and positive process.

“Working with BIS, our sponsor department, this appointment is within government guidelines for senior posts.

“Adrian has proven experience in leading change and is motivated by success in building excellent organisations. Those are key attributes for CITB over the next few years.

“He impressed the Nominations Committee with his combination of relevant private and public sector experience and the way he has achieved success through leadership.

“I would like to thank William Burton for his input and efforts as Interim CEO over the last eight months. He has made a significant contribution to modernising the organisation by starting the reform of our governance and overseeing the work we are doing as part of the Government’s Triennial Review of our organisation.”

Adrian Belton said, “I’m delighted and feel honoured to have been offered the opportunity to lead the CITB.

“2014 marks its 50th anniversary but my brief is to deliver change that will equip the organisation for the next 50 years.

“What attracted to me to this job is the CITB’s pivotal role in the construction industry at a time of challenge and change for the industry; coupled with the potential to build on many of CITB’s strengths.

“I am also keen to play a key role in the Government’s Industrial Strategy and I’m looking forward to meeting and working with colleagues, customers and partners of the CITB”.