CIBSE skills and collaboration more relevant than ever says new president
Incoming CIBSE President Professor Lynne Jack outlined the growing relevance of building services engineers to the challenges facing both national and international societies in her inaugural address.
Acknowledging that she was taking office at a time of unprecedented uncertainty and change, Professor Jack identified climate change and adoption of digital technology as areas where CIBSE expertise is playing an increasingly important role in delivering safe, healthy and affordable buildings.
Focusing first on climate change, a topic that is rapidly reaching the top of the political agenda in many countries, Professor Jack said: “We see progressively more challenging commitments to carbon reduction levels” and a “significant acceleration of decarbonisation required.”
Delivering on these targets requires collaboration both throughout the UK built environment and across international borders, embracing the potential of digital design technologies and developing more collaborative working practices to provide safe, healthy, functional and sustainable buildings that are not only fit for purpose today but are also adaptable to future climate change.
While highlighting the demand for the particular skills embodied by CIBSE members, Professor Jack also focused on the challenge of attracting and retaining highly skilled practitioners to the sector.
The new President noted successful recent CIBSE recruitment campaigns and the rising percentage of female practitioners in both graduate and student membership, and among the CIBSE Fellows, the most senior membership grade. “Supported by the work of our inclusivity panel we have a strong focus on increasing the proportion of female members and registrants. We also seek to embed an enhanced level of awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion throughout the Institution.”
Professor Lynne Jack succeeds Stephen Lisk as CIBSE President and will in turn be succeeded by Stuart Macpherson, CIBSE President Elect.
