Jack Cook steps down as G4C national co-chair after seven years with network

Constructing Excellence is recruiting a new national co-chair for its young professionals network G4C after Jack Cook announced on 20 October 2026 that he is stepping down from the role.

The organisation said Cook had spent seven years with the network, helping to grow it and championing young professionals through the G4C Awards. Applications are now open for a successor to serve alongside the current co-chair, Sandra Janik.

Cook said: "After an incredible journey with G4C, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my role as National Co-Chair."

He said he joined G4C in 2019 as a committee member of G4C North West, became regional chair and then moved into the national co-chair position. He will remain a committee member of Constructing Excellence Manchester after leaving the post.

The role

G4C, which stands for Generation 4 Change, is described by Constructing Excellence as the young professional voice of the UK built environment industry. It is aimed at people new to the sector and offers them a community and a route to share ideas.

Cook named three highlights of his time in the network: helping to establish and deliver the first G4C North West Awards at Pen & Pencil, the 2024 G4C National Conference, and speaking at the Constructing Excellence National Conferences in both 2025 and 2026. The 2024 conference ran under the theme Shaping the Future Now: Young Professionals Taking the Lead.

Regional G4C Future Leader winners progress to the national Constructing Excellence Awards to compete for the national title. At the 2025 North West Awards, the Future Leader award went to Mustafa Kadigol of Stellar Heavy Industries UK. Constructing Excellence said the regional awards are designed to recognise talented individuals.

Cook said: "G4C has a very bright future ahead, and I have every confidence that the next generation of leaders will continue to grow the network".

Second change at the top

Cook's departure is the second change in the network's national leadership since March 2025. When Constructing Excellence appointed him national co-chair, he served alongside Lydia McGuinness, and the organisation said at the time that he had previously chaired G4C in the North West and showed dedication to improving the industry and supporting new talent.

McGuinness stepped down in March 2025. Constructing Excellence announced on 23 July 2025 that Sandra Janik would take over from her, serving alongside Cook.

Janik is a project manager (real estate) at Turner & Townsend. Like Cook, she previously served as G4C North West chair, and she was named New Professional of the Year for the North West region in 2023. The G4C North West chair position was filled in July 2025, according to Constructing Excellence's G4C news index.

What happens next

Constructing Excellence has published an application form for candidates interested in becoming the next G4C national co-chair alongside Janik. The organisation has not given a closing date for applications.