Where do I begin?

Time for me to look back on a busy couple of months and I'll begin with the remarkable achievement of our Chief Executive.

Francesca Berriman was made an MBE in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours, for services to the Architectural Technology profession.

The MBE rewards a service which is outstanding in its field and has delivered a sustained and real impact— this recognition to Francesca reflects the true ethos of the award in addition to her significant contribution to not only the Institute, the discipline of Architectural Technology but also to the built environment. Francesca is, and continues to be, an inspiring role model within the community.

It was a very proud moment for the Institute and recognises the fantastic work and commitment that Francesca has, and will continue, to give to the discipline, Institute and industry. This is a true recognition of the sterling work that Francesca and the team at CIAT, both members and staff, have given and this has been rightly acknowledged by her peers, of which she is a distinct figurehead. A fitting tribute in this Diamond Jubilee year.

Francesca is congratulated by Honorary Secretary Gordon Souter MCIAT

   
Francesca has been Chief Executive at CIAT since 1995 and has worked within the Architectural Technology environment for over 20 years. Of her many achievements, Francesca led the Institute to receive its Royal Charter in 2005. Francesca is also Vice Chairman for the Society of the Environment and was Vice Chairman for the Construction Industry Council (CIC), of which she is still actively involved.

Catch up time!

I have to confess that I have let my blog lapse but it doesn't mean that I haven't been doing anything! However, that is no excuse and with September just around the corner, it will be a busy time for both work at university and as President.

Today, I am on my way to Central Office to attend a one off meeting of the 50th Anniversary Taskforce and then I Chair our Council meeting tomorrow (1 September).

I shall be updating this blog with what I have been up to since the end of June which has included Award presentations, speeches and the odd dinner to represent CIAT.

The Northern Home Show

Today I spent an hour at the new Northern Home Show which is the first to have an Ask a Chartered Architectural Technologist feature.

Held at the Trafford Centre, it was an enjoyable show and good to meet the public and fellow professionals.

A good showcase for our Members and the discipline.

Inaugural meeting of CIC West Midlands

29 May - I attended the inaugural meeting of Construction Industry Council (CIC) West Midlands .

CIC has a network of Regional Committees across the UK who aim to provide a single voice for the industry and establish a network of regional organisations to consider issues relevant to the region and to promote public awareness of the construction industry and provide an influential, collective voice for the Built Environment.  At local level, the CIC Regional Committees also create a valuable platform for member organisations to share their current themes and priorities, and facilitate the opportunity for joint initiatives.

With CIC West Midlands Chair, Richard Habgood

In 2012 CIC decided to complete its compliment of Regional Committees by reinvigorating CIC North West which was once a very active committee and starting up a committee in the West Midlands.  The inaugural meeting of the West Midlands Committee was held on May 29 at Birmingham Medical Institution and was attend by 18 attendees from the regions professional institutions (both staff and committee members), representatives from some of the regions universities and other interested parties relating to the sector.

CIC Conference

17-18 May saw Francesca Berriman, Chief Executive and I attend the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Conference.

This two day event was held at Downhall in Hatfield Heath and there was a wealth of representatives from across the built environment sector.

Andrew Wolstenholme OBE

In discussion at the conference

CIC held its AGM, followed by an informal dinner. The after dinner speaker was Andrew Wolstenholme from Crossrail. The following day was a conference entitled 'The Strategic Implications of BIM for the Professions' and CIC members were able to discuss BIM, soft landings and more.

Launch of RIBA Building ladders of Opportunity

Thursday 24 May - On behalf of  the Institute, I support this initiative to get professions together for the good of society. Myself and Francesca Berriman, Chief Executive were at the launch event for Building Ladders of Opportunity: How reforming construction procurement can drive growth in the UK economy.

Pictured are the expert panel consisting of Richard Saxon from Construction Industry Council (CIC, on behalf of Gordon Masterton), Angela Brady, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Sally Collier from the Cabinet Office and Owen O'Carroll (on behalf of Walter Menteth).

A return to Bolton!

I was very pleased to be invited to an evening arranged by our North West Region which combined a few presentations along with their Regional Business Meeting.

Held at the University of Bolton, my old university, on Thursday 3 May, I joined fellow members to first see a presentation by Professor Sam Allwinkle PPBIAT MCIAT entitled 'Membership Futures: Trends and Scenarios' - this I found very interesting and is a project which is very close to my heart especially whilst as President. There is a lot of work going on for this project and I look forward to Sam's next report and actions.

The evening continued with an interesting CPD seminar given by Paul Greenwood MCIAT, Regional Councillor and Secretary called 'Changes to the Construction Act - So What!' - very eye opening and very useful indeed for the membership.

Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for all the evening but I hope the Regional Business Meeting went to plan.

The North West Region