Construction industry leader Paul Gandy FCIOB has been appointed as the new President of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)¹ for the 2025/26 term. He brings decades of experience and a passionate commitment to championing the built environment’s vital role in global development.
As the former CEO of Tilbury Douglas and an influential figure in the UK construction industry, he has pledged to use his term as CIOB President to highlight the critical role that construction plays in supporting essential industries and global infrastructure, including healthcare, education, green energy, transport, and utilities.
Speaking at the CIOB’s annual Members’ Forum in Belfast, Gandy emphasised the responsibility construction professionals have in delivering projects that create long-lasting, positive legacies.
He also stressed the importance of promoting the construction industry’s role in tackling climate change, advancing social value, and attracting new talent by showcasing the sector’s ability to deliver sustainable, high-quality, and socially responsible buildings and infrastructure.
Gandy said: “As members of a professional body that is a critical enabler for delivering globally significant buildings and infrastructure, we should be influencers — advocates of modern professionalism to our colleagues, businesses, and communities.”
Building on a legacy of social value
Gandy acknowledged the work of outgoing CIOB President Mike Kagioglou, whose focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals highlighted how construction can drive social and environmental benefits.
While the concept of delivering social value through construction isn’t new, Gandy highlighted how the industry is becoming more structured and collaborative in this area:
“We’re managing our social value efforts much better now. Many contractors have dedicated social value managers, and we’re sharing best practices. The more we align on how we measure and manage social value, the more ingrained it will become in our industry,” he stated.
A lifetime of leadership in construction
Paul Gandy’s career began in 1979 as a trainee engineer with Trollope and Colls Limited. Over the years, he has held senior leadership roles at major construction companies, including Lend Lease, Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Tilbury Douglas.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Building since 1987 and a Fellow since 1999, Gandy has also served on the Institute’s Board of Trustees, demonstrating his long-standing dedication to advancing the profession.
CIOB CEO Caroline Gumble welcomed Gandy’s appointment, saying: “His many years of industry experience will be invaluable to our mission, particularly at a time of regulatory change and extraordinary demand across the sector. His commitment to the Institute and the industry will benefit our work to advance the built environment.”
¹The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. Headquartered in the UK, CIOB represents over 47,000 members worldwide, working to drive professionalism, ethical standards, and excellence within the built environment sector. The Institute works closely with governments, industry leaders, and educational institutions to shape the future of construction and promote sustainable development, social value, and high standards of competency across the sector.
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