Mark Farmer

Mark is Founder & Executive Director of Cast. He has 35 years’ experience in construction and real estate and is a recognised international commentator on a variety of industry and policy related issues. Mark authored the Farmer Review, an influential 2016 independent government review of the UK’s construction labour model entitled Modernise or Die. From 2019 to 2023 he served as the government’s Champion for Modern Methods of Construction in Housebuilding. In 2023 he was appointed by the Department of Education to lead the government arms-length body review of the two remaining Industry Training Boards which includes CITB. The review was published in January 2025, entitled Transforming The Construction Workforce making far ranging recommendations on the future of the construction skills system. Mark holds honorary doctorates from the University College of Estate Management and the University of Wolverhampton. He was recipient of the CIOB President’s Award in 2021 in recognition of his work driving long term change into the construction industry.