Saul Humphrey FCIOB will be the new president of the institute, taking over from Paul Gandy FCIOB
The new CIOB president has stated that he intends to promote climate literacy and resilience, and sustainability in the built environment.
Saul Humphrey FCIOB is the founder of Saul D Humphrey LLP, a sustainable construction consultant.
Combining knowledge with practice
Saul is an expert in sustainable construction, and is a professor at Anglia Ruskin University who believes that construction professionals must play their role in responding to climate pressures.
Saul said: “If we are serious about responding to the challenges facing society, then professionalism is how we do it.
“We need to understand carbon, resilience, materials and impact, not as abstract ideas, but as part of everyday decision making. In short, climate literacy needs to become a core part of what it means to be a professional in the built environment.
“The built environment is not just part of the story – it is central to it.”
He added: “Through CIOB, through our learning, through our CPD and through the Academy, we have the opportunity to make climate literacy and resilience part of the baseline of professional knowledge across our industry.
“If we can do that, then we will not just talk about change. We will deliver it.
“This is our moment to build better. Build smarter. Build for life.”
The 123rd president of CIOB
Saul’s career has been built on raising professional standards and sustainability in the built environment, as well as encouraging and supporting future talent and continuous learning. He takes his core principles and applies them to projects by Saul D Humphrey LLP. Besides this, he also holds trustee, ambassador, chair, and non-executive roles to promote change in the construction, energy, and placemaking industries.
Of the new president, Dr Victoria Hills, CEO at CIOB, added: “I am delighted to welcome Saul into the role of CIOB President. Saul’s experience as a hugely respected practitioner and academic will help us continue strengthening links between industry and academia. His vast experience and commitment to sustainability will help to elevate CIOB’s environmental sustainability strategy further.
“I’m looking forward to working with the next president to seize opportunities to support the industry in its transition to a global green economy and continued professionalisation to speed up the uptake of retrofit and accelerate sustainable construction at scale.”
Dr Hills became the CEO of CIOB at the start of this year. In February, she wrote for PBC Today, outlining the Institute’s plans for the year, including promoting sustainability, quality, and closing the skills gap.
She wrote: “It is vital we continue to help improve sustainability and promote efforts to push to net zero, not least because more sustainable construction offers ways to deliver on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and provides huge opportunities for innovation and economic growth, including significant job creation.
“In policy terms, we are waiting on the outcome of the Future Homes Standard, reforms to the EPC system and Biodiversity Net Gain. These outcomes will have a big impact on housebuilding, so the decisions the government makes will play a big role in them meeting (or not meeting) their new homes target, along with other ambitions on infrastructure.”
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