When Andrew Brownlee stepped into the role of CEO at the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) on October 1, he brought with him a deep understanding of Ireland’s economic landscape, and a clear sense of the pivotal role construction plays in shaping it.
With experience at the helm of SOLAS and a career rooted in economic development and skills strategy, Andrew is ready to help steer the industry through a transformative period.
“Construction is so pivotal to Ireland’s economic success,” he says. “It’s an incredibly exciting time to move into the industry. The CIF’s role in representing and supporting our members, providing the services and conditions they need for success, is vital. I think we can make a real impact in driving the delivery of Ireland’s housing and infrastructure needs.”
Andrew succeeds Director General Hubert Fitzpatrick, retiring after 22 years of service in the industry. “I want to thank Hubert for his support during this transition and wish him well in his retirement,” he says. “Hubert leaves behind a legacy of leadership and commitment that I’m proud to build upon.”
Members may also notice a subtle but meaningful change in title, from Director General to Chief Executive Officer.
“This is a purposeful shift, reflecting our ambition to modernise the federation, evolve how we support members’ professional needs, and position CIF for the future,” Andrew says. “It signals a growth mindset and a commitment to progress on members’ behalf. Over the coming months, my priority will be to meet with members across the country and across sectors to listen, learn, and reflect your needs in how we shape the federation.”
Andrew’s journey into construction began not on a building site, but behind the data, with the economics team at Halcrow in Edinburgh, Scotland. There, he got an early sense of the powerful ripple effect of infrastructure investment.
“The company was working on town centre improvement, urban regeneration and road development projects,” he says. “I was immediately struck by the power of infrastructure in driving social and economic change, and the critical role of construction in creating cohesive, sustainable communities.”
Before joining the CIF, Andrew led SOLAS, Ireland’s authority for further education and training. It’s a background he believes gives him a unique vantage point on one of the industry’s defining challenges: developing a skilled, future-ready workforce.
“At SOLAS, we oversaw Safe Pass and other safety schemes, as well as apprenticeships and training,” he explains. “Given the massive ramp-up in housing and infrastructure capacity that’s required, the development of our workforce and talent pipeline is fundamental to success.”
That pipeline, he says, isn’t just about traditional apprenticeships.
“The rapid pace of change in construction is requiring a wider spectrum of skills. Upskilling and reskilling are critical to ensure our workforce keeps pace with technological and industrial change, and the CIF can play a key role in helping members embrace that.”
Andrew takes up the CIF reins at what he calls a ‘milestone moment’ for the sector.
The Government’s recent Budget, which placed housing at the forefront, and the promise of an infrastructure revolution have created the right intent though, as he points out, the focus must now shift to delivery.
“We now have the policy intent and multi-annual funding allocated, but that needs to translate into real infrastructure delivery on the ground,” he says. “The sector needs to understand where, when and how water, energy and transport infrastructure will be put in place and how that aligns with large-scale housing developments. That’s what allows the industry to plan capacity and workforce.”
At SOLAS, Andrew played a key role in the development of the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Demonstration Park and the wider Construction Skills Campus at Mount Lucas, projects that underline his belief in innovation as a driver of productivity.
“There’s such an opportunity to use technology and innovation to drive construction output,” he says. “Many members are leading the way in adopting MMC, but we need to help more of them understand its value and practical application.”
He also sees artificial intelligence as the next frontier.
“AI is already having a massive disruptive impact. The industry will have to navigate how to exploit its advantages and avoid its pitfalls as we move through this period of rapid technological change.”
Despite the optimism, Andrew remains realistic about the hurdles facing the sector.
“We have the policy intent and funding, but we need a tangible project pipeline,” he says. “Public contracts must better reflect the risks that tenderers take on, and in housing, we need to continue tackling blockages around planning, zoning and investment.”
He stresses that implementation, not policy development, will make the difference. “Infrastructure needs to be clearly and carefully planned and delivered in line with our growing population and economic activity.”
Asked how he leads, Andrew’s answer is as straightforward as it is driven. “I bring passion and energy to everything I do, with a focus on moving things forward every single day. People are our biggest resource, so supporting and challenging them is at the heart of how I work. I have a real growth mindset, if you don’t have that constant focus on development, you lose relevance and competitiveness.”
Reflecting on his time at SOLAS, Andrew is proud of the transformation achieved.
“When I started, few people knew what further education and training really was, and apprenticeships were seen as a fallback option,” he says. “We set out to make FET accessible, high-quality and relevant, something that could take anyone as far as they wanted to go.”
That vision paid off: participation trebled, with one-in-10 adults in Ireland now engaged in apprenticeships, FET, or construction skills programmes.
“It required clarity of vision and a unified team,” he says. “If you’re clear about what’s possible and what it can achieve, people will get behind it. The CIF already has incredible expertise. By adding that same cohesion and growth mindset, we can take the next step in our journey and support the success of our industry.”
Just the day before he became CEO of the CIF, Andrew attended CIF’s national conference, a day he recalls as being a powerful reinforcement of the message he will carry from the industry to government.
“Irish construction companies have the labour force to deliver major projects, but there is a more viable, transparent pipeline of work overseas,” he says. “There is a need for urgent action, not just for the industry, but for the country.”
Pictured at the launch of the Construction Industry Federation’s Construction Safety Campaign 2025 is Andrew Brownlee, CIF CEO. Picture Conor McCabe Photography
A safety message from the CEO
The CIF Construction Safety Campaign is a central moment in our calendar.
Safety is a shared responsibility. It’s about ensuring that everyone gets home safely, that employers and workers act responsibly, and that safety is embedded in the culture of our industry.
This year’s campaign, which has been running since October 13 to 24 in partnership with Spinal Injuries Ireland, invites us to do something deceptively simple but deeply impactful – get back to basics. That means returning to the core safety behaviours that protect lives – simple actions, consistently applied, that prevent serious injury and save lives on site.
While Ireland prepares to accelerate its construction pipeline to meet pressing housing and infrastructure goals, we must ensure that pace does not come at the expense of safety.
The pipeline of work is critical to national progress, but safety is critical to the integrity and sustainability of our industry and its people. The CIF Construction Safety Campaign reminds us that protecting ourselves and our workforce is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a moral and professional imperative.
Every site, every project, and every worker deserves a culture where safety is embedded, visible, and actively championed. This year’s theme, Back to Basics, is a timely reminder to pause, reflect, and recommit to the fundamentals.
We’re asking members to take time out for safety – hold toolbox talks, coordinate awareness events, and share your activities on social media using #CIFSafety25. Visit cif.ie to learn more and become a campaign partner.
Thank you for your continued commitment to building Ireland safely, sustainably, and successfully. I look forward to meeting many of you in the months ahead and working together to shape the future of our industry.
