Institution News
Chris McGinty FCInstCES (right) has been appointed chair of CICES UAE replacing Dhammika Gamage. CICES would like to place on record its thanks to Dhammika Gamage for a long and loyal service to the region.
Mr McGinty is a chartered land and measured building surveyor, with more than 35 years of experience in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Far East, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi (licensed surveyor) and Dubai (registered surveyor).
Working with CICES HQ staff to develop and deliver a business plan, Chris McGinty is excited to take the region forward within the Middle East – he is respected within the industry and has an extended network of global contacts.
On being appointed to the post Mr McGinty commented: “Over the years, the region under Dhammika Gamage has seen an increase in CICES commercial management activity, allowing members to develop their knowledge and skills and engage with the institution.
The objective is to create a community where we can grow membership, knowledge and skills, exchange ideas and meet with like-minded people.It is my mission to now build on this success within the geospatial engineering profession.
Geospatial engineers working in the UAE region have varying qualifications and skills according to their country of birth, education, and available courses. Professional standards are not maintained and there is little or no training/CPD available.
This hinders career progression; it also impacts the industry due to poor standards. In addition to that, the institution is not recognised as a leading body for professional competence, training and development in the region. The business plan will create a forum for membership growth within UAE.
The objective is to engage industry experts to help and assist the creation of local branches, driven by a core team. The team will engage with government, universities, service providers and key civil engineering contractors in the region.
They will be encouraged to market CICES to enrol new members; especially early career. The forum will hold remote meetings, as well as face-to-face meetings – site visits will also be facilitated.
The objective is to create a community where we can grow membership, knowledge and skills, exchange ideas and meet with like-minded people.
It is anticipated that a pyramid of members will be built with the base being young/new members who are eager to learn, develop, and complete further education. The UAE forum will focus on building a community, knowledge and skills, professional development and job/career development.
My goal is to promote CICES to be a leading institution for career and professional development within the UAE community with a long-term aim to expand this model in all emerging markets”.
Profile
Chris McGinty is a senior survey manager at a large multi-disciplinary survey practice based in Dubai, which also operates across the Middle East.
His home and retreat from the heat of the desert is in the hills of Derbyshire in the Peak District. Free-time interests include walking, traveling, socialising and experiencing different cultures.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Chris McGinty at chrismcginty@pm.me
CICES media sales manager Alan Lees retires after 25 years
The institution would like to thank Alan Lees for his dedication and commitment over the years and wish him all the very best for the future in his retirement.
Alan retires after 25 years’ service and will be missed by his colleagues and clients.
Alan has been instrumental in the success of the institution’s publications and events and without his continued efforts the institution would not be the place it is today.
Throughout his time with CICES, Alan built up many friendships within the surveying profession over the years and is very well respected by all that have had the fortune of meeting him.
Operations Director, Darrell Smart said: “I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working alongside Alan for the past 24 years. It’s been an absolute joy, both in work and out, and I wish him a long and healthy retirement. Living locally, I’m pretty sure he won’t be too far away when the bacon butties are being ordered. Go well, Alan.”
Guy Helliker joins CICES
Guy Helliker has joined CICES as its new media account executive.
Guy brings with him over 30 years of advertising and events experience having worked on titles in both the public and private sector with clients such as Eurotunnel, Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries, Etihad Airways, Air France, Bombardier, BMW, Brother and Glaxo Smith Kline.
In his spare time, Guy owns three cats, a vintage VW campervan that he rents out to festival goers and runs websites and social media functions for various bands including Bruce Foxton, from The Jam.
For any media enquiries please contact Guy at guy.helliker@cices.org.
New EDI chair Simon Navin
A new chair has been appointed for CICES’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Council as it looks to steer change. Highly respected chartered surveyor, Simon Navin MCInstCES is tasked with driving the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda in the civil engineering surveying industry through education and innovation.
A geospatial services lead at international professional services consultants, Jacobs, Mr Navin said: “As within many areas of society, we have a challenge within the profession and the industry to ensure there is much greater equality and diversity and I’m thrilled to be in a position to help steer that change.
“I don’t think, as a profession, that we can design and deliver the built spaces and places of today and tomorrow, if we’re not fully represented by the people that will use those places.
“I think both the council and its membership need to fully reflect the future users of those environments, and I see that as my key role as chair of the CICES EDI Council.”
Traditionally, civil engineering surveying has been seen as a profession dominated by white males. The EDI Council is charged with changing that – by broadening access to employment opportunities amongst diverse groups which are currently underrepresented, sharing and promoting best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and encouraging a safe working environment where all members of society can flourish.
CICES students awards presented to two at the University of Glasgow
Two students at the University of Glasgow were presented with CICES students awards by Scotland regional chair, Isla Hill (left).
Best in subject for geoinformation technology and cartography was presented to Keelin Titzer (second from the left) and best in subject for land and hydrographic surveying was presented to Birgitta Fjellstad (second from the left.)
Right is William Kelly, a lecturer in geospatial science at the university.
Members visit Hinkley Point C nuclear power station
Several CICES members visited Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in October to contribute to the professional development of its staff from geospatial and commercial backgrounds. The aims of the day’s drop-in sessions were to provide a celebration of professional successes, highlight the importance of professionalism for the project, and inspire employees to progress their own personal development. The presentations were given by Magda Jawor MCInstCES (below left), Ben Brewster MCInstCES (right), both of Bylor, and Rob Jewell MCInstCES (below right), Balfour Beatty.
Nottingham Trent University students presented with CICES students awards
Two students from Nottingham Trent University were presented with CICES students awards by CICES HQ membership manager, Serena Egerton.
Paige Ferguson (left) received the outstanding engineering surveying coursework performance award, while Hamish Perschke-Knowles received the outstanding engineering surveying coursework performance award.
New leadership for CIC’s diversity and inclusion committee
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has elected Bola Abisogun OBE as chair and Rebecca Lovelace as deputy chair of the council’s diversity and inclusion committee. The committee is a collaborative forum and platform for members of all construction disciplines and professional bodies to identify and promote diversity policy and activities within the construction industry.
With almost 30 years of industry experience Bola is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a member of the Chartered Institute of Builders and the chair and founder of DiverseCity Surveyors, a peer-to-peer network for BAME surveyors.
While Rebecca has over twenty years experience in creating and connecting organisations, networks and partnerships across construction and the built environment. She has an MSc in urban regeneration, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2022 she received the CIOB’s inaugural award for equality, diversity and inclusion.
New chair appointed to RICS board
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has appointed Martin Samworth FRICS, to chair the new RICS board. Martin, who is now in the role, has experience in real estate and the built environment spanning nearly 40 years, working in the UK and internationally, leading cultural change and business transformations. He said: “As a strong advocate for change and evolution I believe passionately that this role has the potential to make a significant difference and positive impact on both the profession and its standing in both the built environment and the wider business world. "
The new RICS board is a key recommendation from this year’s Bichard RICS review. It will be a majority-member board overseeing day-to-day operations at RICS, delivering and executing on the strategic plan on behalf of Governing Council. The new structure also sees parity for the new RICS board with the Standards and Regulation Board with both accountable to Governing Council, but with a clear separation of RICS’ regulatory functions and its membership work.
Winter webinars thanks
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to and attended our recent winter webinars programme.
This includes Carolyn Porter, Andrew Rush and Oli Worth from Archor, Simon Brightwell and Peter Jones from Senceive, and Matthew Grellier from Kuits and Kenneth Salmon from Slater Heelis.
Keep an eye on our events page for the latest webinars at www.cices.org/events
New CICES disciplinary regulations
The institution has updated its disciplinary regulations. The new regulations were approved by Council of Management on the 8 December. CICES expects all members to act professionally and properly and to comply with the rules of professional conduct ensuring that the institution continues to meet the aims of its charter. Any member of the institution who may have acted improperly could be subject to these disciplinary regulations. The new regulations can be found via our website www.cices.org.
PAS 1892
Draft ‘PAS 1892: Connected and automated plant (CAP) – Defining, specifying and managing the use of CAP in construction works’ is now available for public comment on the BSI Standards Development portal. It provides requirements for defining and specifying connected and automated plant (CAP) and their associated systems and connectivity for the purpose of procurement and deployment.
The deadline for commenting is Wednesday 8 February. It can be found via: https://bit.ly/3wvhIks.
Inquiry launched to investigate urgent need to grow apprenticeships in engineering, manufacturing and technology
Former Labour and Conservative ministers Lord Knight and Lord Willetts, with support from charity EngineeringUK, have launched an inquiry to uncover the reasons behind the decline in engineering, manufacturing and technology apprenticeships seen over recent years in the UK. Engineering-related apprenticeship starts in England are 9% lower than in 2014/15, with a 34% decline of that within engineering and manufacturing technologies.
Given the skills shortage and a growing demand for engineers and technicians, the inquiry will look to identify vital solutions which could help to increase the number and diversity of young people taking up apprenticeships in the sector. Employers, training providers, young people and those who work with them, are all being urged to get involved by submitting their views, evidence or ideas to improve the career pathway into the sector.
The call for evidence for the inquiry itself ‘Fit for the future: growing and sustaining engineering and technology apprenticeships for young people’, which is open until 27 February, is seeking views and ideas from the sector on four key areas opportunities, state of play, barriers, and solutions.
For more information and to respond visit: www.engineeringuk.com/fitforthefuture.
Geospatial Commission calls for better use of location data in EV chargepoint rollout
The Geospatial Commission has published a report on how location data can support the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints. The report identifies how location data can help model future demand, select suitable sites, create a seamless consumer experience and track rollout. It announces the launch a feasibility study into how to widen access to demand modelling, explore the creation of a geospatial dataset for off-street parking, and support the government to make chargepoint data more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR).
2,345 engineers and technicians professionally registered in last three months of 2022
Following a successful assessment of their engineering competence and commitment, 2,345 engineers and technicians became professionally registered – a standard set by the engineering profession – during the last quarter of 2022. Almost 5,000 people were professionally registered during the second half of 2022. careers stages and levels. In the fourth quarter of 2022 1,296 people achieved chartered engineer (CEng), 293 people achieved incorporated engineer (IEng), 694 people achieved engineering technician (EngTech), and 62 people achieved information and communications technology technician (ICTTech).
Appointment of new Engineering Council chair
The Engineering Council has appointed Professor John Chudley to the position of chair of the Engineering Council’s Board of Trustees. John will take up the role in June 2023 at the Engineering Council’s annual general meeting, at which professor Chris Atkin formally completes his term as chair.
Nominated by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, John has served on the Engineering Council’s board of trustees since 2017 and chairs the registration standards committee. He was appointed as vice-chair of the Engineering Council in 2021, including supporting the implementation of the Engineering Council’s 2025 strategy.