It has been a strange 12 months, and I could not have imagined this time last year that the handover as Chair of the CIOB Belfast Hub committee from Gary Blair to myself would have been on Microsoft Teams. Gary was a fantastic Chair and achieved much for CIOB locally. The local committee, members and staff owe him a debt of thanks.
In the absence of face-to-face events, it was uplifting to see the success of the very first ‘Meet the CIOB in Ireland’ that we ran in January. This was a series of lunchtime seminars with discussions on key issues facing the construction sector in Ireland as well as information on the benefits of CIOB membership, the work that is being undertaken around policy in Ireland (Both NI and RoI), mental health and an opportunity to meet the local committee members – with our President Mark Beard dropping in to one of the sessions.
We are all waiting to hear when and how restrictions will be relaxed, but it is my desire that we will have face-to-face events, including our annual dinner in September and graduation in November if circumstances allow us.
Other priorities that I hope to advance during my two years include a wider co-operation with the Dublin Hub committee to ensure that members of CIOB throughout Ireland feel part of the set up. It is also my wish to see the profile of CIOB raised locally, and we need active members to help us with that. The CIOB’s membership of the Northern Ireland Construction Group is an excellent example of what we can contribute.
Education will also be a theme, building on relationships with local universities and colleges, and with that in mind it is fantastic to see a re-invigorated Novus – our group for young professionals.
I extend an open invitation for members (or potential members) to reach out and contact myself, local CIOB staff or committee members to find out more about what we do and even how you may help.
Roger Gillespie
As Chair of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Belfast Hub committee – the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, Roger Gillespie will oversee the development of the CIOB in Northern Ireland in alignment with the corporate plan. Roger is also Managing Director of Training LMS – a professional construction management training company.
Join the LinkedIn Ireland Group and connect with the CIOB Ireland Super-Region.
Julie Fizsimmons, CIOB Member Services and Events Coordinator
T: 01344 630729
M: 07760 164101
E: jfitzsimmons@ciob.org.uk
www.ciob.org
