Dr Victoria Hills has established herself as one of the most influential and respected leaders within the UK built environment sector. As Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building, she has consistently championed professionalism, competence, sustainability, and inclusion across construction and housebuilding.
With a career spanning planning, infrastructure, policy, and professional leadership, Dr Hills brings a uniquely broad perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Her professional background reflects deep expertise across both the public and private sectors, allowing her to engage effectively with government, developers, planners, contractors, and industry professionals alike. This breadth of experience has become particularly important during a period of significant change for the construction sector, where issues such as skills shortages, sustainability, building safety, and professional standards are reshaping the future of the built environment.
Leading the CIOB Through Industry Change
As Chief Executive of the CIOB, Dr Hills has focused strongly on raising standards and reinforcing the importance of professionalism across the industry. Under her leadership, the organisation has continued to advocate for competence, ethical practice, and improved skills development throughout construction and housebuilding.
A defining aspect of her leadership has been her ability to position the CIOB not simply as a professional body, but as an active voice influencing the future direction of the built environment. Through engagement with government, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, Dr Hills has consistently highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing some of the sector’s biggest long-term challenges.
Her work has also reinforced the importance of attracting and retaining new talent within construction. Dr Hills regularly advocates for greater diversity, improved career pathways, and better representation across the sector, recognising that the future success of the industry depends on building a workforce that is both skilled and inclusive.
Driving Sustainability and Modernisation
Sustainability and modern methods of construction have become central themes throughout Dr Hills’ leadership. She has consistently supported initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions, improving building performance, and encouraging more responsible approaches to development and infrastructure delivery.
Importantly, her approach to sustainability recognises that meaningful progress requires more than technical compliance alone. It requires leadership, education, and cultural change across the industry. Through both the CIOB and her wider public engagement, Dr Hills has helped push conversations around sustainability beyond policy targets towards practical implementation within real-world projects and professional practice.
She has also become a visible advocate for modernisation within construction, encouraging the industry to embrace innovation, digital transformation, and improved collaboration across disciplines. This focus on long-term industry improvement reflects her wider commitment to ensuring the built environment remains resilient, future-ready, and professionally accountable.
A Visible and Influential Industry Voice
Beyond her executive role, Dr Hills has become one of the sector’s most prominent public voices. Through speaking engagements, thought leadership, industry panels, and professional advocacy, she continues to influence conversations around planning, housing delivery, infrastructure, competence, and professional standards.
Her ability to communicate complex industry challenges with clarity and authority has made her a highly respected figure across construction and housebuilding. Whether discussing net-zero targets, skills shortages, or regulatory reform, Dr Hills consistently demonstrates a balanced and forward-thinking approach grounded in professionalism and long-term industry improvement.
