TV presenter and architect George Clarke has welcomed several esteemed new appointments to his educational charity’s board.

The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education works to raise design standards, inspire future generations into the building industry, and encouraging new ways of building homes.

To help drive this change, Clarke built a “powerhouse” team of “influential, esteemed and respected” industry experts.

Mark Southgate (pictured) has joined as Chief Executive. Southgate is a chartered town planner with more than 30 years’ experience in planning, environment and management roles in local government, non-governmental organisations and central government agencies.

He said: “I am thrilled to join MOBIE at such a crucial time for housing and home design.

“It is so important we engage and inspire young people through education to allow them to improve the design of their own homes.

“To do that we need to create a new advanced and innovative industry, exploring new ways of building and manufacturing homes.

Mark Farmer has joined as a Trustee. CEO and co-founder of Cast Consultancy, Farmer is a Chartered Surveyor with 30 years’ experience in construction and real estate and has become a recognised international commentator on a variety of industry and policy related issues.

Farmer authored the influential 2016 independent government review of the UK’s construction labour model entitled ‘Modernise or Die’ and is currently chairing a UK Government working group promoting Modern Methods of Construction in the residential sector.

He said: “We cannot miss the opportunity at such a crucial time to train a new generation of future home designers, manufacturers and integrators and this is what MOBIE is firmly focused on.

“I am looking forward to helping MOBIE flourish within the existing framework of education, industrial strategy and homebuilding policies but also where appropriate, fill the gaps that exist in the current landscape to accelerate change."

Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum and Board Director of Whittam Cox Architects, Nick Riley have both been appointed as ambassadors.

Callum spent the first 12 years of his career at Ford Design Studios, then managed Aston Martin. Now, he leads a team of designers at Jaguar and has received six honourary degrees from universities around the world.

Riley provides opportunities for new generations to achieve academic qualifications as his practice Whittam Cox Architects are involved with various initiatives. He also actively promotes and delivers buildings using modern methods of construction and offsite solutions.