CIOB NEWS
NI COMMITTEE CHAIR YVONNE CONWAY REINFORCED CIOB’S COMMITMENT TO RAISING STANDARDS, PROMOTING COMPETENCE AND SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY THROUGH CHANGE… CIOB supports Construction Close-Up
An inaugural Construction Close-Up event recently took place at the Galgorm Resort, bringing together construction professionals, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss one of the most important issues facing the sector today: building safety. Delivered by the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and supported by NHBC, the new roadshow series aims to create opportunities for industry and government to come together and discuss the key issues shaping the built environment. Opening the event, CEF Chief Executive Mark Spence highlighted the importance of creating a forum where industry can engage directly with policymakers and stakeholders on emerging challenges and opportunities. With building safety legislation on the horizon, he emphasised it is essential that Northern Ireland develops a framework that is practical, proportionate and informed by those responsible for delivering construction projects. CIOB NI Committee Chair Yvonne Conway welcomed attendees on behalf of CIOB and reinforced the professional body’s commitment to raising standards, promoting competence and supporting the industry through a period of significant change. With NI currently developing its own building safety framework, the timing of the event could not have been more relevant. Delegates heard from Department for Communities Director of Residential Building Safety Derek Kennedy, who outlined the emerging direction of travel for residential building safety reform and highlighted the importance of continued engagement between government and industry as policy and legislation develop. The keynote presentation was followed
L-R: Jenna Bell, Business Development Manager (Ireland), Yvonne Conway, NI Committee Chair, and Joseph Kilroy, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, CIOB.
by a panel discussion chaired by Mark Simpson, featuring RSUA Past President Professor Joan McCoy, GRAHAM Group Director of Quality Keith Patrick and CIOB Head of Policy and Public Affairs Joseph Kilroy. Together, the panel explored the practical implications of future building safety reforms and what they could mean for clients, designers, contractors, building owners and residents across NI. While several important themes emerged throughout the evening, one message stood out above all others: competence. The importance of ensuring that those involved in the design, construction, management and maintenance of buildings have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience was highlighted. Alongside competence, speakers emphasised the need for clear accountability and a collaborative approach between government, industry, professional bodies and building users. As building safety reforms continue to evolve, there is a clear recognition that the
industry must be proactive in preparing for change. Ongoing engagement, professional development and knowledge sharing will be essential in helping organisations understand their future responsibilities and deliver safer buildings. The discussion also reinforced the value of collaboration. Building safety is not something that can be addressed by any one organisation in isolation. Success will depend on government, regulators, professional bodies and industry working together to develop a framework that improves safety while remaining practical and proportionate for NI. One of the most powerful moments of the evening came during Derek Kennedy’s closing remarks when he reminded delegates that, “the cost of building safety is measured in people, not buildings”. The statement served as a reminder that building safety is ultimately about protecting people and creating environments where residents, occupants and communities can feel safe and secure.
Joseph Kilroy, Policy and Public Affairs Manager Ireland, Scotland and Wales T: +353 (0)1 513 8950 - M: +353 (0)8711 94 475 - E: jkilroy@ciob.org - www.ciob.org Want to know more?
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