McLeod most recently served as a director of ‘The B Team’, an innovative and standard-setting non-profit initiative which was established to improve business practices to enhance the well-being of people and the planet. She has previously held senior sustainability roles with the Overseas Development Institute, the UK’s largest development research institute, and in the private sector with BT, Novartis and Allianz.
Commenting on the appointment, Albert Manifold, chief executive, CRH and GCCA president, said: “This appointment comes at an important time as our sector looks to build on our strong commitments to sustainability and accelerate our efforts in the area of climate action. Dinah’s impressive background and international experience in Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility will be an important asset to the GCCA in our work to position concrete as the sustainable building material of choice now and in the future.”
McLeod said: “I am delighted to be joining the GCCA. Concrete has a critical role to play in shaping a more sustainable world, and the GCCA is leading the way in ensuring that role is understood and valued by society. As its chief executive, I look forward to helping drive advances in sustainable construction and to further enhancing the industry’s contribution to social, economic and environmental goals.”
A dual British-Canadian national, McLeod holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School as well as a BA (Hons) from Columbia University. She began her career as social protection specialist at the World Bank, where she worked on community-based financing and social infrastructure projects for marginalised and vulnerable groups. She was also a policy advisor at the UK Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.
Outgoing chief executive, Benjamin Sporton leaves the GCCA at the end of July. Commenting on his departure, Manifold added: “On behalf of the Board of the GCCA and all of our members and affiliates, I would like to thank Benjamin for his significant contribution to the establishment of our Association and the successful commencement of the GCCA’s work programme.”
