President's inauguration

CABE has welcomed new President Richard Flynn at a ceremony in the House of Lords.

10 May 2024 was a day for honouring CABE’s incoming and outgoing presidents and board members, those with 50 years of membership and the winners of the Association’s most prestigious awards at a celebration held at the House of Lords.

During the ceremony, presidential duties for the Association were officially handed over from outgoing President Richard Smith PPCABE FCABE to the new post holder Richard Flynn PCABE CEng CEnv C.Build E FCABE. Opening proceedings with a consideration of his own presidential year, Smith recalled his first official order of business − pledging to complete the Three Peaks Challenge alongside his NHBC colleague Alex Taylor and then-CABE CEO Dr Gavin Dunn. This achievement was indeed reached in September 2023, with the trio raising over £8,500 for the homelessness charity Crisis.

Smith also reflected on arguably the biggest challenge to face the industry – the regulation of the building control profession. He expressed his pride in the subsequent development of CABE’s Building Inspector Competence Assessment Scheme (CBICAS).

In his closing thoughts, Smith said: “[I have] seen the Association grow from strength to strength and am incredibly proud of what we have achieved. I now look forward to seeing what’s next in store.”

Flynn accepted his appointment as President with family members proudly watching on (including by video link for those who couldn’t be there in person). After greeting attendees in his native tongue of Irish, he said: “As your President, I will continue to support the great work being done … ensuring our commitment to high standards, and I look forward to carrying this message across our events and functions throughout my year.”

The new President’s first official duty was to announce the appointment of Richard Harral as CABE’s new CEO. Continuing the spirit of celebration, Flynn was then joined on stage by CABE Patron Lord John Lytton to give out awards and certificates to the special guests and friends of the Association in attendance.

The ceremony ushers in a new era for CABE. With a new Presidential Team and CEO at the helm, the Association will be in safe hands as they lead on its next chapter, continuing to help members raise competency and standards throughout the industry. 

The new President

Richard Flynn has worked in private practice since 1986 and is a recognised expert in on-site wastewater treatment in the Republic of Ireland. As a CABE Member he has served on the Republic of Ireland Regional Committee and has been a professional interview panel member for Chartered Membership and for the professional titles Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). Flynn was also until recently Chair of the Association’s Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC).

Welcome to the Board:

Paul Grinyer C.Build E FCABE – Vice President

Managing Director, Paul Grinyer Associates Limited – A chartered structural and building engineer, Grinyer has been on the Board since 2021 and is a current CABE Benevolent Fund Trustee. He is passionate about the Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC)’s work feeding into CABE’s ongoing development.

Christine Leigh C.Build E FCABE – Ordinary Board Member

Principal Fire Engineer, OFR Consultants – Leigh’s diverse career spans over 20 years, incorporating areas such as building control and fire safety. A mentor in her professional life, she also chairs CABE’s north-west region and represents CABE as a regional member of the Construction Industry Council (CIC).

Gary Cass C.Build E FCABE – Ordinary Board Member

Chief Executive Officer, Hertfordshire Building Control – Currently studying for a PhD, Cass has a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge. He was a policy board member for the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), has contributed to the CIC and National House Building Council review groups, and is a member of the MPSC.

Bestowed awards

CABE was thrilled to have the recipients of its highest accolades also in attendance at the inauguration ceremony. The Distinguished Service Award is awarded to CABE Members who have gone above and beyond in supporting the Association. The joint winners this year were Dr Gavin Dunn and Ken Ewing.

Dunn led CABE as CEO for more than five years and has been a Member of the Association for more than 20 years. He played an integral role in the development of CABE’s relationship with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and the establishment of CABE’s Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC).

Ewing has been imparting knowledge from his years of experience to building control professionals for more than ten years in his capacity as course trainer for the CABE Certificate in Building Control and Plan Interpretation Workshop. He has been a member since 1976 and recently announced his retirement.

The Peter Stone Award – named after one of the Association’s eminent presidents – was presented to Dennis Davis. Currently an international independent fire and civil protection adviser, Davis was previously Chief Fire Officer for Cheshire and HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland. He has been a powerful advocate for fire safety throughout his distinguished career.

The Gold Service Award is given in recognition of a member who has made a major contribution towards the advancement of the Association at an international, national or regional level, and was awarded to Rob Gary. Well known to Members as Chair of CABE’s south-west region, Gary was key to the creation of the buildeng conference series.

The presidential team, board members, executive team and all at CABE HQ would like to congratulate all the winners and thank them for their unwavering commitment.

Celebrating 50 years

CABE is delighted to have nine people celebrating 50 years of CABE membership this year. It was CABE’s honour and pleasure to be joined at the presidential inauguration by Kevin Dawson, Alan Latham and Meirick Davies to receive their certificates in person.

Unfortunately not every recipient could attend, but the Association thanks each of them for their loyalty and dedication to the industry:

• Harry Jackson C.Build E MCABE

• John Lowe C.Build E MCABE

• Donnajane Whitcombe ACABE Ret.

• Meirick Davies C.Build E FCABE Ret.

• Kevin Dawson C.Build E MCABE

• Robert Beswarick C.Build E FCABE

• Alan Latham ACABE Ret.
• Derek Stone ACABE Ret.

• Stewart Roberts C.Build E MCABE Ret.

Images: Paul Mockford