CIBSE President's Blog

Last month, I had the pleasure of opening the CIBSE Young Engineers Awards. This event has long been a highlight of my year, celebrating the achievements, insights, and innovative ideas of those in the early stages of their careers. In fact, my personal experience of the Young Engineers Awards had a big sway on the theme for my presidential year, to inspire the next generation. In providing a platform for early career engineers, entering the industry from a variety of routes, the Young Engineers Awards complement the #CIBSE125Challenges perfectly. They shine a light on the future thought leaders within our industry, giving insight into the priorities, direction, and innovative approach that we need to overcome the urgent challenges that we face. It is an opportunity to celebrate the young engineers that are already making a difference, to highlight the various routes into a career in engineering, and to celebrate those employers that prioritise and see the benefits of boosting the ...

With fewer engagements over the summer holiday period, August brought time to plan, consolidate and for many, take a well-earned break. For anyone with school aged children, there is the additional challenge of making sure that they are occupied over the summer months. The holiday period made me think about how we engage with our family and friends about what we do. I feel that the term Building Services Engineering does little to convey the variety of specialisms we cover, the impact that we have, and the importance of the work that engineers within this sector do. When asked what I do, I have taken to referring to the role that engineers play in delivering buildings that are safer, healthy, and more sustainable. I have found that the reaction to this is far more engaging than I used to have when I replied that I am a Building Services Engineer.  Another term that I’ve heard used in reference to what we do is that we bring buildings to life. It is true that when buildings are ...

A lot can happen in a month! I am delighted to say that since my previous post, I have had the opportunity to focus on collaboration with other professional engineering institutions, planning and developing opportunities for us to work together. Kicking off with the ASHRAE Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada, I was accompanied by Ruth Carter, CIBSE CEO; Hywel Davies, CIBSE Technical Director; and Tim Dwyer, CIBSE Fellow and Editor of Building Services Engineering Research & Technology (BSER&T) journal. Toronto has very fond memories for me and my family, as we were fortunate to be based there for just over four years. It was wonderful to be back there and in such a positive context. Kevin Mitchell, CIBSE President and Mick Shwedler, ASHRAE President Having met with Mick Schwedler, ASHRAE President, in London the previous month, the conference provided an excellent opportunity to discuss plans for further collaboration. I was also honoured to be able to present Mick with a gift...

It’s been just over a month since I took up the role of CIBSE President and it’s been a busy and exciting time. As part of my presidential address and in celebration of CIBSE’s 125 anniversary, I launched the #CIBSE125Challenges . The aim of the Challenges is to encourage action, communication and collaboration. It’s important that we celebrate and support those who are beginning their careers but also champion and raise the profile of engineers throughout their careers. As an institution, CIBSE recognises the vital role that building services engineers play in delivering a safe and sustainable future. The Challenges are a vehicle for celebrating role models, icons, mentors, achievements and sharing the lessons we have learnt. I want them to be the spark for igniting imagination, inspiration and action. I’m happy to say that so far, we have had an excellent engagement with the Challenges, including contributions from of Fiona Cousins, Region Chair, Americas – Arup and CIBSE Vice P...