Robin Jones Award
A fitting tribute
Having just read the October edition of CES, I was very touched to see the announcement of the Robin Jones Award.
What a fabulous way to remember a stalwart who was so passionate about the institution and professional training, but most of all developing the young people starting their careers in civil engineering surveying.
Robin interviewed me for a job in 1994 and the first task I was given was to update early career structured training that he was delivering to his younger quantity surveyors way back then.
That training lasted for his tenure with the company, and is still continuing today. So many young people saw their careers take-off under Robin’s unique mentoring style which, whilst sometimes strict, was always full of pride in his ‘bright young things’.
The three categories of award align so perfectly with Robin’s values.
- Equality and diversity were important to him. He positively encouraged the breaking down of any obstruction to personal capabilities, employing a diverse mix of staff that were there purely because he considered that they would succeed in their role.
- The adoption of innovation and collaboration also aligned with his values. He was always searching for better, more efficient methods of working with clients for mutual benefit. Why settle for one party being happy with an outcome, when some lateral thinking could provide a winwin outcome?
- If he saw a person fighting to overcome a challenge in their life, he gave his wholehearted support to them. This was shown time and again through supporting those having unique personal challenges for periods of their lives.
I see this award as the perfect way to honour the memory of one of the many great members of our institution who have played a big part in making us what we are today.
So well done CICES! I hope that the first recipients of the award might take a moment to reflect on the attributes that led to Robin’s distinguished career and his legacy to civil engineering surveying.
Ian Cowling FCInstCES, Past President
