BuildForce Team

Angela Forbes MBE

Angela is our Chief Exec, responsible for operational, business and financial delivery of BuildForce. Angela has an honours degree in Quantity Surveying, Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and awarded an MBE for services to the construction industry, with over 24-years experience as a Commercial Director.

Angela Forbes MBE

Caroline is our Programme Director, heading up our Industry programme and our Wellbeing & Sports programme. Caroline leads our employer engagement, addressing their recruitment, diversity and inclusion requirements. Caroline has a focus on our senior candidates and our female ex-military community, providing the depth and expertise required in placing their unique and exceptional skillset into civilian employment within industry.

Kathleen Cargill

Kathleen is our Senior Support Manager, leading our nationwide support team and heading up our Mentoring programme. Kathleen has an honours degree in Social Science and a higher diploma in Human Relations, with a successful 10-year career in HR. Kathleen is a military spouse, navigating her family and work around military life, both in the UK and abroad.

Kathleen Cargill

Bernie our Psychologist, has worked in the mental health field for over 25-years with extensive experience of supporting people with ‘severe and enduring’ mental health problems. Staff training has been an intrinsic part of his work throughout his career. Bernie is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the British Psychological Society, with a strong track record of leading mental health in both construction and veteran community.

Jessica is a Support Manager, enriching our Operations team with a focus on supporting our Service Leavers through their transition and into employment in industry. Jessica has a MSc in Science Communication from Imperial College, London and has had a successful 10-year career in Journalism.

Alex is a Support Manager responsible for the onboarding and induction of our ex-military community through the BuildForce programme. Alex also leads our Aftercare programme, and is a champion of the Mental Health programme. Alex has degrees in both History and in Law and has previously worked in private practice within the legal profession, specialising in Family Law.

Catherine Marie McGuire

Catherine is our Support Manager, providing support to our ex-military community, including CV's writing and job applications. Catherine has an honours degree in Criminal Justice, spending the last 10-years in an HR function with both HMRC and the Cabinet Office.

Catherine Marie McGuire

Beatriz is a Support Manager, enhancing the Operations team by providing tailored assistance to our ex-military community as they transition into the construction industry. Beatriz has a degree in Social Work with over 20-years experience working with international companies, helping teams improve workplace culture, engagement, and communication. Beatriz is military spouse navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of military family life.

Randa is a member of the BuildForce support team responsible for all administrative tasks in the engagement with our Service Leavers and Veterans and is EA to our Chief Exec. Randa has a wealth of experience including within the construction industry.

Carmel Smith is the Online Academy Product Manager, who lead the team creating the BuildForce pre-learning modules, hosted on the University of the Built Environment (formerly UCEM) Online Academy. Carmel has a Bachelor of Education and Psychology and a diploma in Marketing. With a background in online development, project management and product management both at University of the Built Environment and in the Financial Services industry.

BuildForce Ambassadors & Mentors

BuildForce are privileged to be supported by over 1,000 registered and trained BuildForce Industry Mentors and several hundred BuildForce Ambassadors - who are all an exceptional extension of the BuildForce team and help up support thousands of our service leavers, veterans, reservists and spouses. Teamwork is dreamwork and BuildForce have the best in Industry.

BuildForce Ambassadors & Mentors