Inspire the Next Generation

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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.

CIBSE 125 Challenges

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 President; Lucy Sherburn, CIBSE Graduate of the Year 2022; David Stevens, vice-chair of the CIBSE Facilities Management Group and member of the CIBSE LGBTQ+ panel; Gemma Taylor, the CIBSE Young Engineers Network global chair; and Maria Spyrou, Chair of the CIBSE Energy Performance Group.

However, the call to action does not end there! In the face of the climate and fuel poverty crises, engineers hold the solutions that we desperately need. The Challenges provide us with an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage support and engagement with the critical work that we do around mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.

Find out more about the #CIBSE125Challenges and get involved via https://www.cibse.org/about-cibse/governance/cibse-president/cibse-1-2-5-challenges

In the run up to and since taking on the presidency, I have had the opportunity to attend a number of events, including AGMs and presentations from many CIBSE Groups, Regions and Societies. The combination of virtual and live events provides an invaluable opportunity to engage with members and volunteers all over the world, and I look forward to attending future events whenever possible.

CIBSE is committed to supporting its members and delivering on our mission, vision and values. It was a pleasure to spend time with the Board of Trustees last month, reviewing the Institutions strategic aims and planning for the future. Additionally, I have now had the pleasure of chairing my first CIBSE Council meeting and was motivated and inspired by the level of engagement and enthusiasm from the Council members.

As I highlighted in my address, I am also keen to build and strengthen relationships and opportunities for collaboration with other institutions. I have met with representatives including, Sir Julian Young, President of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Mick Schwedler, ASHRAE’s Society President, whilst on a visit to London. I am looking forward to attending the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Toronto later this month. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of representing CIBSE members at Joseph Birt’s inauguration as President of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE); Phil Peel’s inauguration as President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE); the CIC annual conference; and I will be attending David Bogles inauguration as incoming President of the IChemE later today.

In addition to collaborating with other professional institutions, CIBSE is committed to working with the government and industry initiatives and professionals in delivering on its Climate Action Plan. It is excellent to see the work that CIBSE is doing as part of a coalition of leading industry bodies, working together to develop a Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.

This is the first CIBSE President’s blog and I look forward to providing regular updates and inviting your input and engagement with the #CIBSE125Challenges, along with any other feedback you might have.

If you would like to share any feedback with me directly, via president@cibse.org and if you have something that you would like to contribute to the Challenges or if you’d like more information about how you can get involved, please contact challenges@cibse.org

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