News: Membership stays strong

Membership of the Chartered

Institute of Building (CIOB) stayed strong during the 2020 covid-19 pandemic and new membership admissions actually increased, as the body was swift to offer support throughout the crisis.

Introducing the CIOB’s annual review and accounts for 2020, chief executive Caroline Gumble listed some of the organisation’s actions as the pandemic took hold, including the offer of financial flexibility to members, with extended payment periods and some discounts. The CIOB also froze its subscription rates for 2021 at 2020 levels.

It has also now formalised a ‘covid-19 support fund’ for CIOB members across the world who suffer financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

Gumble said: “We reached out to members on multiple platforms to make sure they knew about the support offered via our Benevolent Fund, including access to the services provided by Anxiety UK for those living with anxiety, stress or anxiety-based depression.

She added that the CIOB’s events and training courses moved online, including Construction Manager of the Year, while collaboration between the CIOB and industrywide groups such as Build UK and the Construction Leadership Council has increased during the pandemic in advocating the necessary measures to keep the sector going.

She said: “I am proud of the fact that CIOB adapted fast to the challenges encountered during the pandemic. We

CIOB membership stays strong amid pandemic

CIOB CEO Caroline Gumble proud of rapid reaction to covid-19 crisis in 2020

Tilbury Douglas delivered phase one of Birmingham’s Nightingale Hospital in seven days in April 2020. The project was led by CIOB member Dan Harmer implemented processes that are more environmentally sound and cost effective, while delivering a better customer experience, and have taken many of these new ways of working into 2021.”

The number of CIOB members across the world rose by 3.4% during the year to 45,475, with 1,712 new chartered members (up by 18%). The CIOB’s customer satisfaction score throughout the year was 95%+. Meanwhile, its reach has increased, with 3.4 million users of its online services during the year, up 84%. The CIOB also made 19 submissions to UK government and 33 briefings for UK parliament.

The publication of the figures came after the CIOB unveiled a new look, which signals its intention to be at the forefront of a cultural shift in the industry, as well as acting as construction’s “moral compass”. The CIOB is also seeking to reflect how it engages with a younger, more inclusive global community. l Members of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) will be recognised in public procurement in Northern Ireland in future. The news means that members now have access to a range of public sector building projects, achieving recognition for CIOB members at the pre-qualification stage of public procurement processes. l

CIOB launches new client group

The CIOB has launched a new group to help construction’s clients tackle the industry’s major issues, including building safety, quality, net zero and digital technology.

The group has been set up and will be chaired by incoming CIOB president Mike Foy, who works for the Department for Education (DfE).

“The group’s ambition is to be the professional body of choice for construction clients globally,” says Foy.

“There is a lot of work ahead on our client strategy, but I’ll be very happy if I can kickstart it by developing a strategy and start implementing the roadmap during the next 12 months.”

Group members are:

l Mike Foy OBE (chair),

Department for Education

l Caroline Gumble, CEO, CIOB l Virginia Borkoski, senior vice

president, program planning and delivery, New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority

l Gren Tipper, operations

director, Construction Clients Leadership Group

l Mike Smith, managing director,

Corniche Construction

l Jennifer Makkreel, deputy head of

capital projects, University of Oxford.

An additional international member will also be recruited to the group.