Stephen Ratcliffe

Stephen worked in the construction industry for 20 years.  He was until recently Director of the UK Contractors Group, a trade body for major contractors and director of its sister body the Scottish Contractors Group.  Previously he was Chief Executive of the Construction Confederation and director of the Major Contractors Group.  He was also a board member of CSCS (the Construction Skills Competency Scheme).  

He has helped the construction industry improve its public image through proactive campaigns to improve health and safety, encourage young people to consider careers in construction and encouraging the industry to minimise the disruption of its construction sites.  He also helped defend the industry’s reputation when it was accused of bid rigging and blacklisting workers.  Stephen has appeared on flagship news programmes and has wide experience of working with national and local press.

Previously Stephen had worked in government in a variety of roles including British trade secretary in Vienna, private secretary to Lord Young of Graffham (a cabinet minister in the Thatcher government) and regulating the insurance industry.  He has first-hand experience of steering legislation through Parliament and in overseeing successful consultations with business and the public.

Stephen is Chairman of Youth Build UK, a charity that supports and celebrates the success of young disadvantaged people working or training in construction.  He is also Volunteer Manager at Opera Holland Park, one of the UK’s most successful opera companies.

Most recently, Stephen has worked with the NSMC on raising the visibility of the Read Your Way Hastings project, which aims to boost literacy amongst young people in the town.