Eastern Centre Chair's Address

I am extremely honoured to be elected as Chair for the CIOB Eastern Branch, and likewise to be elected as Essex Centre Chair for my second year in office.

Firstly I would like to pay tribute and say a special thank you to David Armstrong ACIOB (immediate past Chair) for his enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to the Branch, The CIOB and its members.

David has kindly offered his support to me during my two years as Chair which is greatly appreciated. As Managing Director of Devcon (UK) LTD a “Chartered Building Consultancy” and approved training provider for The CIOB, you will appreciate like so many of us, time is precious and in short supply.  Having the offer of David’s support and availability for advice and guidance over the next two years gives me peace of mind.

I am extremely fortunate also to have Terry Keen FCIOB as not only our Treasurer for the Essex Centre but also for the Branch.  The process of producing business plans will hopefully be a painless task with Terry’s assistance in preparing the documentation.

Thanks go out to Julian Winton MCIOB, recently elected as Vice Chair for the Branch and Junior Vice for Essex Centre for his 100 per cent commitment, support and loyalty in assisting with CPD events and also taking the role as Branch representative.

The Eastern Branch and its Centres were fortunate to have had the support of Carol White who held the position of Branch Manager, but due to personal reasons left The CIOB on the 21 May 2008.  We will miss her support not only at Branch level but also in connection with organising the Professional Interviews. I would personally like to thank Carol for all her help and advice over the years we have worked together and wish her all the very best for the future.

Despite this, we also have the support of Mandy Rix and Sally Hill - Centre Administrators for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Greater Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk.  Thank you to both ladies.
Currently our Branch has maintained the Seven Centres, and the committee is made up of sixteen representatives, meeting four times a year at Girton College, Cambridge.

By preparing a Business plan we are able to include costs for CPD events, and have planned excellent events up and down the country as displayed within this diary.

We are constantly striving to promote and raise the profile of The Institute by way of inviting other construction professionals to our centres for joint CPD events that prove very successful indeed.

Can I now take this opportunity of reminding all members of the need regardless of grade of membership that CPD is not only a requirement of membership, but is vital to all our career developments. Recording your CPD attendance on line on The CIOB website, is the easiest way of updating your records.

Throughout the Centres we offer a variety of quality CPD events that cater for the vast expertise we have within The CIOB. When attending your local Centres CPD event, remember to sign in and collect your CPD attendance certificate.  If you also give your email details to a committee member you will automatically be invited along to all future events.

I would like to thank all the committee members both at the Centres and Branch, some of whom I have not yet had the privilege of meeting for there hard work and commitment. As your Branch Chairman I intend to visit as many of the Centres during the next two years as possible.

Special thanks to my Essex Centre committee members some of whom have known for over twenty years.

I would like to show my appreciation to Ron Maylon FCIOB for his enthusiasm and passion he has shown for The CIOB and the construction industry in general.  He has mentored me over the years both personally and professionally for which I am truly grateful, especially in encouraging me to progress from Member to Fellow.

Lastly I would like to thank my Wife Jackie and Son Luke for there support over the many years not only along my career path, but for allowing me the time to commit to The CIOB for which I share the same passion.

Best Wishes,

Shaun Valentine, BSc(Hons) FCIOB FBeng MAPM MioD
Chair, CIOB Eastern Branch

Back