Ruth Kelly Waskett. Four years with CIBSE.
After a wonderful four years working with CIBSE as a Trustee and Board Member, Ruth stepped away from her position on June 10.
As part of CIBSE, Ruth has been working to support and influence its direction. Together with other members of the board, she has driven positive change, helped the organisation thrive and guided it through a period of transformation.
We had a chat with her to find out more about her experience.
How did you get involved with CIBSE?
I first got involved with CIBSE through the Society of Light & Lighting (SLL) which is part of CIBSE. I became a Vice President of SLL in 2015 and was President in 2021-22.
During my SLL presidency I was invited to be a co-opted member of the CIBSE Board, and at the end of that year I was voted in as a full Board member for the next three years.
What is your fondest memory from your time at CIBSE?
Probably when I became President of the SLL in 2021. It was such a privilege to take on the role. It was bittersweet, because there were still so many restrictions in place due to Covid.
Because of this I didn’t get to do my presidential address in person as would normally be the case, but instead did the whole thing online. It was still an amazing experience, because being online meant that people from all over the world dialled in.
Since then, the SLL and CIBSE Presidential address events are hybrid, so that we can retain the benefit of having a global audience join in, which is an unexpected positive to come out of the experience.
How has CIBSE evolved over the last four years?
During my years with CIBSE it has undergone a significant period of growth and change, as the number of members within the UK and globally has increased exponentially.
Just as I joined the board, CIBSE appointed a new CEO and this has been transformative. The organisation has needed to grow to support the increase in membership and has introduced new structures and systems to support that.
One of the most significant changes during my time has been the sale of the old CIBSE building in Balham and the purchase of the new premises in Saffron Hill, Farringdon. This move has reinforced the evolution of CIBSE into a forward-facing and dynamic institution and will provide what is hoped to be a fantastic space in the heart of London for members to use and hold events in.
What have been some important lessons you have learnt?
Being on the CIBSE Board means being a Trustee of a charity. I learned a huge amount, from what an effective Board looks like and how it works, to what it means to be part of the governing body of a charity in the UK.
What are some key changes you’ve been part of whilst on the Board?
I helped shape the 2025–2030 CIBSE Strategy, an important piece of work that will inform the direction of CIBSE for the next five years. I was also a key member of the working group looking at CIBSE’s brand. I worked closely with the Director of Marketing at CIBSE on this project during the past two years, helping to select an external consultant and working with them to develop a new brand identity.
Why is it important for people to be part of industry organisations?
Being involved with a professional body in your field of expertise can be a great way to connect with industry peers. It also brings you closer to the latest knowledge and insights, which is beneficial. It was great to get to know people who work for other MEP consultancies, some of which were small and some much larger than Hoare Lea and to understand the issues we all have in common.
Most importantly, at Hoare Lea our involvement with CIBSE and other professional bodies allows us to shape industry guidance and standards and influence the built environment sector in a way that we cannot do alone.