Meet New CIOB President Rebecca Thompson

TL;DR

Rebecca Thompson, President of the Chartered Institute of Building, shares her journey from accidental entry into construction to becoming the head of the CIOB, and discusses the importance of the heritage sector in the industry.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to a very specialB1M video where i'm joined by Rebecca Thompson who is president of the Chartered Institute of Building which many of you will know as the CIOB. Thank you so much for being with us Rebecca. There are literally loads of things I want to ask you but I suppose really we should start at the beginning and find out a bit... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏗️ Rebecca Thompson's entry into the construction industry was accidental, but she discovered her passion for building surveying and pursued it as a career.
• 🤨 Thompson's background in the heritage sector has influenced her focus on raising the profile of heritage in the industry.
• 🏛️ The maintenance and conservation of historic buildings require specialized skills and an understanding of their cultural and architectural significance.
• 😀 The construction industry faces challenges in terms of gender balance, diversity, and an overall poor image.
• 🧡 Efforts are being made to improve health and safety, well-being, and attract a wider range of talent to the industry.
• 🌍 The industry offers diverse career opportunities and can take individuals to incredible places around the world.
• 📣 Thompson encourages young individuals to explore the industry and highlights the massive skills gap and fantastic career opportunities it offers.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Rebecca Thompson end up in the construction industry?

Thompson accidentally entered the field through a student work experience program and discovered her interest in building surveying, which led her to pursue it as a career.

Q: What is the significance of the heritage sector in the construction industry?

The heritage sector plays an important role in the industry, with 25% of buildings being historic. Skills in maintaining and conserving these buildings are essential, and incorporating new technologies while respecting their cultural and architectural significance is crucial.

Q: What challenges is the construction industry facing in terms of gender balance and diversity?

The industry has a poor image and faces a gender imbalance and a lack of diversity. To address these issues, it is important to make the industry more attractive and welcoming by focusing on health and safety improvements, well-being, and inviting a wider range of talent, including those with backgrounds in heritage, arts, archaeology, or retired Army veterans.

Q: What advice does Rebecca Thompson have for young people considering a career in construction?

Thompson encourages young individuals to explore the industry and its opportunities, emphasizing the massive skills gap and the chance for a fantastic career in construction that can lead to incredible experiences worldwide.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rebecca Thompson stumbled into the construction industry through a student work experience program, eventually becoming interested in building surveying and deciding to pursue it as a career.

• She has a background in the heritage sector and is focused on raising the profile of heritage in the construction industry.

• Thompson emphasizes the need for skills in maintaining historic buildings, incorporating new technologies into them, and attracting a more diverse group of people to the industry.