Andy Reakes – CSCS Steering Group Chair nominee

I am pleased to put myself forward for the role of Chair of the CSCS Alliance Steering Committee. As Acting Chief Executive Officer of the JIB / ECS, I have direct experience of leading a major CSCS Alliance scheme and of working collaboratively across the Alliance to support competence, card verification, scheme assurance and practical industry adoption.

I have been closely involved in the development and implementation of CSCS Smart Check from its launch as Chair the Smart Check Group. This has required balancing strategic objectives with practical delivery – ensuring that card schemes, technology partners, employers and clients can verify cards securely, consistently and in a way that supports site safety and competence assurance. The progress of Smart Check demonstrates what the Alliance can achieve when schemes work together around clear standards, shared governance and user-focused implementation.

Through JIB / ECS, I also have substantial experience of governance, stakeholder engagement and sector-wide competence activity. This includes working with employers, trade unions, sector bodies, government and industry partners on competence frameworks, digital assurance, fraud prevention, data sharing and the practical application of CLC and CSCS Alliance recommendations. I understand the importance of the Alliance maintaining credibility with industry while also recognising the different structures, maturity levels and operational realities of member schemes. I am confident my experience and approach to broader CSCS Alliance matters would put me in good stead for this role.

If appointed as Chair, my focus would be on ensuring the Steering Committee provides clear, constructive and proportionate leadership for the Alliance. I would aim to support open discussion, transparent decision-making and a stronger link between the Forum, working groups and agreed strategic priorities. In particular, I would seek to maintain momentum on Smart Check adoption, data quality, fraud prevention, competence alignment and the consistent interpretation of licence and audit requirements across the Alliance.

I would bring a pragmatic and collaborative approach to the role. The Alliance is strongest when it acts as a collective voice for credible, industry-led certification, while giving members confidence that decisions are evidence-based, fair and deliverable. I would therefore work with CSCS, the Secretariat and Alliance members to ensure meetings are well structured, actions are followed through, and working groups are used effectively to turn discussion into progress.

I can commit the time required for the role and would approach it in the interests of the Alliance as a whole. I have no conflicts of interest to declare beyond my employed role with the JIB / ECS and my existing Alliance responsibilities. If successful is this application, I would look to hand over Chair of the Smart Check group to another scheme and support the transition and onboarding as necessary.