Leading the way: modelling modern professionalism for the sector

Construction has been my passion for nearly 50 years, and I have been privileged to be involved with some great organisations, exciting projects and incredible people. So I’m delighted to have the opportunity to serve as CIOB President for the coming year.

Over the past decade or so I have been heavily involved in delivering public sector projects – schools, hospitals, national security, water, justice – and this direct connection between building and public benefit has been extraordinarily satisfying.

In my Presidential year, I will be focusing on what the construction industry can, and should, deliver beyond the bricks and mortar of the built environment. In particular, I’ll be picking up on a few of the issues that are central to Modern Professionalism, such as social value, environmental sustainability, and the many aspects of competence – including education, experience, and culture.

I’ll also be championing the role that we as members of the CIOB can play in promoting our sector and our profession to young people, to make sure they understand the fantastic careers available in the built environment.

In a world dominated by social media, we hear a lot about ‘influencers’ – people who develop a following on social media, and who then seek to influence their followers’ decisions – everything from the toothpaste they buy to the politicians they vote for.

As members of a professional body, we don’t presume to seek such invasive influence. But we do have an obligation to be influencers in our own way. We have an obligation to spread the word about all the good that our profession of building delivers for society, such as generating social value in the community, helping the world meet carbon-reduction targets, delivering safe buildings and infrastructure, and providing rewarding careers.

While delivering all of that, we act with integrity, competence, and with consideration for the public interest. By so doing, we hope to have an influence on the entire built environment sector, to raise the tide of quality throughout.

That’s a big ambition! The International Labour Organisation estimates that 220 million people, or about 6-7% of the total workforce, work in construction globally. We may not be able to reach all of them, but with a worldwide presence of more than 50,000 members of CIOB, we have great power to influence.

My aspiration is that we the members of CIOB can spread Modern Professionalism, person-by-person. Much like you can spread the flame of a candle, one-by-one. In our daily work, let’s take it upon ourselves to be advocates of Modern Professionalism to our colleagues, our businesses, and our communities. To champion social value, environmental sustainability, and the critical need to develop and maintain competence. By doing so, we the members of CIOB can – effectively – change the world.