Simon Girling, director of Ipswich-based construction firm SEH French, has been sworn in as the national chair of the National Federation of Builders (NFB).

Above: NFB past chair Simon Carr (left), new chair Simon Girling and chief exec Richard Beresford (right)

He takes over from Simon Carr, managing director of Henry Boot Construction and will serve the usual 12-month term.

Simon Girling has been a member of the NFB for 15 years and took up the role of chair for Suffolk in 2012, becoming eastern chair in 2014.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, said: “The NFB’s eastern region has a particularly strong network of building companies in membership and is a formidable hub of activity. It’s wonderful that Simon will be able to share the spirit of the region with our membership throughout England and Wales. The EU referendum results have created some uncertainty but investment in construction is vital for reinvigorating the economy. We have an opportunity to show that construction can lead the UK through economic uncertainty, so it’s an exciting time for Simon to take the helm.”