"Professional bodies play an important role both in the industry and in wider society."

CIOB celebrates at MemCom 2017

The Chartered Institute of Building received two accolades at MemCom 2017, the most respected awards for membership organisations.

In the first of what was a double-win for the Institute Chris Blythe OBE chief executive received the prestigious Louis Armstrong Award which recognises outstanding leadership of a UK Professional Body.

The award was established in 2015 in the name of the deceased former chief executive of RICS and celebrates the importance of leadership in professional bodies, who not only set standards that protect the public but make a significant contribution to the UK economy.

After just six months since its launch the CIOB Academy was awarded a Highly Commended in the Best New Product Development category for launching the industry’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Construction Ethics and Compliance which in short space of time attracted more than 3,000 people in over 100 countries.

Speaking about the award Chris said: “It is especially significant for me to win the Louis Armstrong Award. Louis was an unofficial mentor for me when I joined the CIOB 17 years ago and was very supportive. While I take great personal pride it is actually a statement of how far the CIOB has come and its promise for the future. The real stars are the members and staff I have worked with over the years.

“Professional bodies play an important role both in the industry and in wider society. More often than not these organisations go about their work without fanfare and yet their impact can be felt across the globe. They raise standards, promote professional values and tackle uncomfortable truths. They are social enterprises for the public good.”

”We have focussed on ethics in construction which is an environment vulnerable to modern slavery and the abuse of migrant workers, poor payment practices and money laundering; so it is particularly pleasing that the work of the CIOB Academy has been recognised at these awards.”

For further information about MemCom 2017 please go to http://www.memcom.info/awards.
ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Chartered Institute of Building is at the heart of a management career in construction.

We are the world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership.  We have a Royal Charter to promote the science and practice of building and construction for the benefit of society, and we’ve been doing that since 1834. Our members work worldwide in the development, conservation and improvement of the built environment.
We accredit university degrees, educational courses and training. Our professional and vocational qualifications are a mark of the highest levels of competence and professionalism, providing assurance to clients and other professionals procuring built assets.
Further information is available by contacting Saul Townsend on stownsend@ciob.org.uk or +44 (0) 1344 630 766.