The Infrastructure Podcast: Episode 66

Guest:  Francesca Roberts, Chief Executive of construction industry charity CRASH.

CRASH - changing lives

Today’s podcast is slightly different and rather special as we talk about CRASH, the charity set up in 1996 to focus the philanthropic power of construction.

Since November 2007, CRASH has been run by chief executive Francesca Roberts, and over that time has grown in terms of its influence and impact and truly brought the construction sector on board to help changes lives across so many UK communities. 

But at the end of this month, after 16.5 years in the job, she is retiring and handing over the role – and her legacy - to new chief executive Trisha Pickersgill. 

Today, with support from industry, CRASH works with communities across the UK by helping homelessness charities and hospices with the specialist skills, equipment and materials needed for their vital construction projects. 

That means working to help transform hostels, day centres, night shelters and move on accommodation for homeless people across the UK; 

….it means working to create caring hospice environments where children and adults can spend precious time together;

….and it means helping to deliver meaningful social impact between companies and charities with long-lasting benefits to communities across the UK, whilst creating a more caring society.

Changing chief executive is a big moment for CRASH and a big moment for Francesca. So I thought now was a fantastic and special moment to hear more about CRASH and hear her highs and lows of the last few decades.

The Infrastructure Podcast

All episodes