Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation, says his career has been shaped by a strong belief in the industry. Ahead of his retirement at the end of this month, he sits down with Siobhán Breatnach to talk about how construction has inspired him in leadership and in life
Hubert Fitzpatrick first took tentative yet excited steps into the world of work, joining Dublin County Council at a time when the capital welcomed the Central Bank’s new Dame Street HQ and Cork its regional hospital. What followed was a substantial career in local government, from senior management positions to consultancy level roles.
By 2003, when a post-millennium Ireland was riding economic highs as one of the EU’s wealthiest countries, Hubert had joined the CIF for what would turn out to be a two-decade chapter in his professional life story.
Job titles were varied and widely encompassing, from Director of Housing, Planning and Development Services to Chief Operations Officer, and of course, Director General since 2023.
“Some might call it gamekeeper turned poacher,” jokes Hubert as he recalls his career ascent and organisational changes. “I prefer referencing it as using my experience on the other side of the table to assist in making things happen.
“Prior to joining CIF, I had a career in excess of 20 years in local government working across many local authorities county-wide and gaining valuable experience in service areas such as housing, planning, environment, transport, roads and corporate governance up to county manager level. I also spent a couple of years with A&L Goodbody solicitors providing consultancy for project management and procurement, planning and private client services.”
Though not initially focused solely on the industry, Hubert’s engagement with the construction sector was steadfast along the way.
“I always enjoyed interactions from a developer or contractor perspective,” he says. “I saw how the local government system could facilitate sustainable development, and how the perception of local government could be distorted depending on the approach taken by key officials concerned. I saw how I could assist the industry in meeting the challenges posed and requirements of the regulatory agencies, including those in local government, and that this was an area where I could secure great satisfaction and enjoyment in a career.”
Hubert Fitzpatrick, pictured centre, with some of his Construction Industry Federation colleagues, industry leaders and peers
A federation to be proud of
Admittedly, growing up in Cavan, Hubert had no idea where professional life would take him, perhaps in itself showing an early openness to new and evolving opportunities.
“In your career, you should not plan more than five or a maximum of 10 years ahead,” he says.
But the 22 years he has enjoyed with the CIF have been shaped by a strong belief in the industry itself – its capacity to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to deliver, as it has demonstrated time and time again over the decades.
It’s somewhat fitting that Hubert will retire in a milestone year for CIF – the federation marked its official 90th anniversary in May, having begun its role of industry representation in 1935. From the financial downturn to shutdowns during covid, moments where its existence was more vital than ever, CIF showed its prowess as a support system and advocate.
“Leading our internal team through these defining periods in our history was a role I bore with the utmost care and a deep sense of duty,” Hubert says. “Over the past 20 years, CIF has been through good times and bad times. The organisation has been adaptable and resilient, able to pivot quickly to the ever-changing needs of its members.
“This was proven during the economic collapse when meeting rooms accommodating up to 200 persons were at full capacity at federation information sessions. Thankfully, I know many members today who sought out CIF support during those dark times, and are now running thriving construction businesses today.”
CIF is there for its membership, to listen, support and offer constructive suggestions at times when members are most in need of support. The federation also rose to the challenge at a time of industry shutdowns during the pandemic, delivering results by developing safe practices for working during covid and enabling a return to sites.
With Hubert at the helm in recent years, there has been further enhancement of key relationships with government departments, both political and executive. Among the latest progressions was the appointment of CIF as the registration body for CIRI, a new register of builders, by the Minister for Housing.
“CIF is regarded as a professional and respected organisation at government level,” Hubert says. “We influence the improvement of standards leading to enhanced industry culture for compliance with building regulations, fitness for purpose, and traceability of products and services within the industry.”
Clockwise l-r: Hubert Fitzpatrick pictured at one of the CIF’s many industry events over the years; Hubert supporting the launch of the Construction Industry Federation’s ‘Construction Safety Campaign 2024 with Frank Kelly of Walls Construction, Brigid Sinnott from the Irish Heart Foundation and Lauren Gregg, Health and Safety Adviser with Walls Construction (Picture: Conor McCabe photography); Hubert chats to keynote speaker Dr Katriona O’Sullivan at the 2024 CIF International Women’s Day gathering, and leaves a message on the International Women’s Day Summit board
How challenges are overcome
The industry continues to show its resilience and capacity to deliver, time and time again – whether that’s boom and bust cycles, closure by recession or by infection.
Having reached a peak of 280,000 people directly employed and building 90,000 houses, to building as little as 10,000 units, and now to a level of about 33,000 homes per year and a current employment level of around 175,000 people, the construction sector continues to rise and overcome its challenges.
Among Hubert’s hopes for the coming decade is further professionalism of the industry, alongside continuous training and CPD programmes being delivered by CIF to its growing membership base.
“There is an acute need for industry practitioners to be kept up-to-date with the constantly changing construction environment, from both a regulatory and business perspective,” he says. Having sight of adequate and reliable construction project pipelines is also critical.
”No one disputes that the country has an infrastructural deficit and has the highest level of population growth in Europe,” Hubert says. “Members have the capacity to grow and deliver this infrastructure, and indeed deliver the required level of housing. However, the key ingredients to make this happen is advancing with certainty the entire forward-planning process for infrastructural approval from both a planning and regulatory perspective, and getting the projects out to tender and contract stage.”
Hubert says there can be a view that the industry is always to blame for cost overruns. He points out that Ireland is lucky to have such a professional industry capable of gaining market share in a very competitive environment in overseas markets.
“Cost overruns are most often associated with changes to project scope and variations for which the client has primary responsibility. The export side of the sector is growing at a faster pace than the domestic sector, which proves the competitive and professional nature of the industry delivering quality and value for money,” he says.
“While there have been instances in the past where workmanship didn’t live up to standards, I am happy to state that, with leadership and drive from the CIF, we now have enhanced regulatory and compliance standards minimising the likelihood of recurrences in the future. In embracing the entire principle of mandatory registration of builders, CIF is at the forefront in calling for standards, and in preventing individuals without adequate experience in the construction industry in offering construction services to the public.”
During his time with the Construction Industry Federation, Hubert Fitzpatrick has held roles from Director of Housing, Planning and Development Services to Chief Operations Officer, and most recently Director General. He is pictured above, over the years, attending key industry events and campaigning for members interests and policy reform at the highest levels
Never present a problem without a solution
Reflecting on the industry allows for looking back on progress made, but also forward to future priorities for the sector and CIF itself. The federation has completed its strategic plan for 2024 to 2027, in which it sets out the industry’s vision, purpose and values.
CIF covers a wide remit encompassing health and safety, tendering and contracting, housing and planning, building regulations, industrial relations, taxation and investment national development planning, education and training, environmental social and governance, alongside Construction 4.0 and modern methods of construction.
Its dedicated policy committee structure, enables all industry sectors to air their views and concerns to policy matters and the development of industry-wide policy. The federation’s structure also recognises the disparate views that may exist between sectors, but how a unified construction sector under the CIF umbrella body works to the wider benefit of the industry overall.
On October 1, CIF welcomes Andrew Brownlee, who will take up the role of chief executive, having previously served as CEO of SOLAS.
“I wish Andrew every success as he leads the federation into its next chapter, bringing fresh energy and perspective asCIF enters a new era,” says Hubert. “It’s a privilege to pass the baton on to someone so committed to the future of our industry, which has changed significantly over the past decade and will continue to change.”
According to Hubert, there is a realisation that innovation, continued training and modernisation of operations, is a prerequisite to growth and survival. “Companies continue to grow, expand and improve their competitiveness,” he adds. “A willingness to proactively pursue diversity within member companies will influence culture and vision.”
Hubert’s personal leadership philosophy is clear. He values those he works with and encourages an environment in which colleagues’ strengths can shine and teams can succeed.
“CIF has a strong and experienced team who know their subject matter in depth,” he says. “My style has been to support and enable them to progress with policy development and service delivery, while also adhering to the CIF vision of ‘together, we are the unified and influential voice of the construction industry’.”
Hubert’s own path was decorated with mentors who inspired him to utilise his knowledge, self-motivation and expertise to arrive at solutions to challenges. When asked what he’d take to a desert island, he laughs: “A survival kit to include a mirror to attract attention, boots for protecting my feet and a knife for crafting tools and preparing food.”
Solution-orientated for sure. In fact he says it’s ongoing challenges and the resulting satisfaction from finding solutions that motiviates him. “I was reminded to always have a solution to challenges as they arise. Never present a problem without a solution or a strategy to achieve a solution,” he adds.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It’s been an honour” – Hubert Fitzpatrick, CIF Director General
Embracing the next chapter
Hubert Fitzpatrick is looking forward to the spontaneity, freedom of choice and unexpected moments his new chapter may bring.
“I’ll certainly pursue my cycling and hiking hobbies and intend to clock up those kilometres over the winter, as I’ll now have the time to do it,” he says. “That said, I’ll take six months out and see what pursuits I can follow thereafter. Who knows, I might surprise myself in the months ahead,” he jokes.
“I want to have the independence to decide how I can spend the time pursuing hobbies and travel pursuits that I have dreamed of in the past.”
The construction industry, however, has left its mark.
“I have really enjoyed my career. The work has been extraordinarily interesting and exciting,” he says. “As I step away from role, I do so with deep respect for the work ahead and will follow the federation’s progress with interest in the years to come. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It’s been an honour.”
