Long time chief executive of charitable industry network will step down next summer

Julie Hirigoyen has announced she is stepping down as chief executive of the UK Green Building Council.

Hirigoyen, who has led the charitable industry network for seven years after joining it from consultancy giant JLL in 2015, will leave the organisation next summer.

julie hirigoyen

Julie Hirigoyen joined UKGBC in 2015, leaving her role as head of sustainability at JLL

A UKGBC spokesperson said Hirigoyen has yet to decide what to do with her career next. Hiriogyen said standing down will “allow for an infusion of new creative ideas” at UKGC.

Earlier this month she became a non-executive director of £1.1bn-turnover contractor Willmott Dixon replacing Jonathon Porritt.

She said: “My decision to stand down was a challenging one, but I believe that fresh direction will allow for an infusion of new creative ideas at a pivotal moment in time, ahead of the step-change required to 2030.

“My focus now is on supporting a smooth transition and getting the organisation ready to welcome in new leadership.”

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Under Hirigoyen’s watch, UKGBC has doubled its membership to more than 700 organisation and produced the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition, which is intended to provide clarity for the construction industry on achieving net zero. It also published the Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the UK Built Environment, which sets out industry-wide actions, at last year’s COP26 event.

Last month UKGBC called for standardised measures of carbon savings when re-using materials.

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