CABE presidential inauguration

At Knebworth Barns, a new venue for 2026, CABE inaugurates new President Paul Grinyer and the rest of the team.

The annual presidential inauguration had a different flavour to it this year, being held for the first time at the beautiful Knebworth Barns, Hertfordshire. Immediate Past President Zoe Cox PPCABE FCABE C.Build E IEng welcomed her successor as President, Paul Grinyer PCABE FCABE C.Build E.

Cox reflected that her presidential term had demonstrated CABE’s resilience, relevance and growing influence, both at home and internationally. She pointed to her visit to Hong Kong and Macau as being “far more than a symbolic trip – it was a meaningful step in strengthening CABE’s global presence”.

The outgoing President was particularly proud of how closely the Association has been working “with industry partners and policy-makers to ensure that the voice of building engineers is heard, particularly at a time when competence, safety and accountability are rightly at the forefront of our industry”.

When passing the President’s Chain of Office to Grinyer, Cox expressed her confidence in the incoming President’s ability to lead CABE, praising his experience and commitment to collaboration. In closing, she said: “Let us continue to work together, to learn from one another and to uphold the values that define our profession.”

Celebrating 50 years

CABE is delighted to have 11 individuals celebrating 50 years of CABE Membership in 2026:

• Alan Madgwick MCABE C.Build E
• David Noble MCABE C.Build E Retd
• Stuart Barry MCABE C.Build E Retd
• Lee Thompson MCABE C.Build E
• Ken Ewing FCABE C.Build E
• David Gibson FCABE C.Build E Retd
• Philip Oldman FCABE C.Build E Retd
• Stephen Driscoll FCABE C.Build E Retd
• Raymond Jones FCABE C.Build E Retd
• Graham Masefield FCABE C.Build E Retd
• Indrawansa Samaratunga FCABE C.Build E

Happily, David Gibson , a former Association of Building Engineers CEO, was able to join us on inauguration day to receive his certificate in person. The Association thanks all those celebrating this milestone for their loyalty and commitment this past half-century.

Welcome to the Board

Gary Cass FCABE C.Build E – Vice-President

Cass has worked within building control for more than 20 years. As CEO of Broste Rivers Group, he has overseen the group’s expansion into consultancy areas while raising the profile of building control within local communities and beyond. He serves on CABE’s MPSC, is a former CIOB Policy Board member and supported the formation of the Association of Registered Building Inspectors.

Thomas Fleming FCABE C.Build E CEng CEnv – Ordinary Board Member

Starting his career as a site engineer, Fleming has been in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He is a Director at Smith Demolition Ltd, and has been a CABE Member since 2001, achieving Fellow grade in 2017. He went on to attain CEng status with the Engineering Council four years ago and CEnv status with the Society for the Environment last year.

Neil Horsfall FCABE C.Build E IEng – Ordinary Board Member

Horsfall was a Royal Engineer in the army before building his career across the regulatory and building control sectors. After time as a carpenter, he moved into training with NHBC before progressing to leadership roles within building control and warranty services. For the past six years, he has been Managing Director of ICW Building Control Ltd.

New President

Paul Grinyer is a chartered structural and building engineer with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry. Currently running his own consulting engineering practice, he has been actively involved with CABE since 2019, chairing the Membership & Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) for five years and playing a part in the Association gaining its Higher-Risk Buildings registration via the Engineering Council. He has also significantly contributed to the CABE Building Inspector Competence Assessment Scheme.

Grinyer congratulated Cox on her presidential term and went on to tell the audience about his professional path to date, as well as plans for CABE over the next 12 months. Grinyer also paid tribute to family members, thanking his wife Joanna and his parents for their ongoing support, as well as extending gratitude to Richard Flynn, who officially completed his term on the CABE presidential team when Cox became the new Immediate Past President.

When considering the future, the new President stated: “Professional engineering institutions must continue to ensure their members are accountable, maintaining up-to-date knowledge … and as such is qualitatively assessed. CABE will continue to support members throughout all sectors of its membership by constructively engaging at all levels.”

The event concluded, as is tradition, with the CABE Awards presentations, where almost all recipients were in attendance to accept their prizes. As always, it was a celebratory ending to a key date in the Association’s annual calendar.

Honorary Fellow 2026

CABE is pleased to present this year’s Honorary Fellowship to Eddie Tuttle, Director of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Tuttle was nominated for demonstrating exceptional leadership and influence over his 16-year career at CIOB, shaping its approach to policy and external relations while fostering a unified voice across the built environment. Widely respected, he has championed critical industry issues including housing quality, building safety and modern slavery, driving meaningful change through high-profile initiatives such as the Sir James Wates lectures and the CIOB Quality Commission. His strategic collaboration with professional bodies, government and regulators – combined with a considerable public sector background working with ministers on complex legislation – has positioned him as a key figure in advancing standards, the role of professional bodies and best practice. The Board concluded that Tuttle’s sustained impact, thought leadership and commitment to improving our industry make him a highly deserving Honorary Fellow.

CABE Awards 2026

Alongside the annual accolades, CABE presented two new awards this year to deserving recipients.

Earl of Lytton Award

The inaugural Earl of Lytton Award, so-called in honour of CABE Patron Earl John Lytton, has been established to recognise individuals holding CABE Membership who have made a significant contribution to the built environment outside of the Association. CABE was delighted to bestow the first Earl of Lytton Award to David Barley FCABE C.Build E . 

Barley was nominated for his commitment to education, qualification development and the unwavering support offered to others across professions. He has made a profound difference to hundreds of students for more than 20 years, offering accessible learning experiences and actively working to advance their professional grades of membership. A professional panel interviewer, CPD assessor and regional committee member for CABE for many years, he continues to give back to industry and remains committed to the positive development of education within the built environment.

A Special Board Commendation went to Bernard Halliday ACABE Retd. A CABE Member for almost 40 years, Halliday has offered long-standing support to CABE’s North West Region, currently serving as treasurer. Although retired, his contributions continue, with voluntary activity including community and hospice support. The Board felt that Halliday’s exceptional personal commitment and service to both the profession and the wider community was worthy of recognition this year.

CABE’s most prestigious honour, the Peter Stone Award, is a representation of a person, company or organisation’s immense commitment to the development of our industry and striving to bring about positive change. 2026’s fully deserving winner is Dame Judith Hackitt. Her support of CABE’s work over recent months is only a fraction of her significant and ongoing efforts to bring about meaningful change across the built environment. She offered her expertise to CABE’s Building Control Conference programme earlier this year and we were proud to feature her foreword within the Association’s Future Professional consultation paper last year. She has been steadfast in her commitment to improving building safety, devoting time to advocacy and numerous industry panels looking to change the industry’s culture, both nationally and internationally. This includes chairing both the Industry Safety Steering Group and the Building Control Independent Panel. 

Hackett was unable to attend the ceremony, but CABE was very pleased to have the 2025 Peter Stone Award winner, Mark Farmer, join us at this year’s event to receive his belated award.

Gold Service Award

The Gold Service Award was presented to two worthy recipients: 

Paul Eslinger FCABE C.Build E  has been volunteering as a committee member, assessor and technical reviewer for CABE for many years and is about to commence a third term on the MPSC. As such, he has shown continued determination to better the Association and ongoing commitment to supporting his fellow members and peers.

Daniel Fordham FCABE C.Build E  is currently Treasurer for CABE’s Eastern Region. He has been involved with CABE in many capacities, being instrumental in the Association first gaining its Engineering Council license, sitting on the Board for a term, and now serving as Chair of the MPSC. Fordham is committed to public service and to improving both CABE and our industry.

Image credit | Paul Mockford