Construction Product Information Ltd (CPI), responsible for managing the Code for Construction Product Information, has appointed its first independent chair and board of non-executive directors.
The board has been created to provide robust independent governance and accountability of the Code. The board is responsible for providing effective leadership in collaboration with CPI’s chief executive, Amanda Long.
The Code for Construction Product Information is a practical tool that construction product manufacturers can use to to provide assurance that their product information is clear, accurate, up-to-date, accessible and unambiguous. It aims to improve cultural maturity and leadership, driving higher standards and prioritising building safety.
David Topliffe (chartered chemical engineer; past chemical industry senior manufacturing executive) has been appointed as the independent chair of the skills-based board of non-executive directors of the not-for-profit organisation.
In addition to David, the Board comprises five non executive board directors: Sarah Atkins (insight led transformation not-for-profit industry standards body); Ian Bretman (extensive experience with voluntary standards initiatives, including Fairtrade); Catherine Fyfe (deputy chair of the CPA’s Marketing Integrity Group; divisional marketing director of Polypipe); Tom Loder (Multiplex as head of strategy; Landscape Architect) and Susanne Pugsley (marketing and business development specialist in the legal sector and beyond).
This composition of experience and expertise provides essential knowledge and understanding of standards organisations, business strategy and marketing practices in the construction industry and beyond.
As independent chair of the board, David Topliffe brings an understanding of major hazard safety management from 37 years in chemical manufacturing, where he chaired the Chemical Industries Association’s Responsible Care Strategy Group for 12 years as a non-executive director. Under his leadership, a strong focus was placed on Process Safety Leadership and a ‘Responsible Care Verification’ (peer-review/assessment) scheme was devised and implemented across the chemicals sector. David also has extensive experience from other sectors, including the healthcare sector where he serves as a non-executive director for an NHS hospital.
Speaking of his appointment David Topliffe said he is pleased and proud to be involved.
"The Code for Construction Product Information assessment process is at an important phase now, close to the launch of the first assessments. We are committed to working hard to deliver a robust process that will be crucial if we are to achieve the trust amongst users, specifiers and clients of construction products, as well as those who work in the industry, communities and the wider public.”
