CIBSE Scotland 80th Anniversary Dinner 2016

CIBSE has grown and flourished in Scotland over the last 80 years because you, the members of the industry want to improve professionally, personally and technically.

In 1936 a group of heating and ventilation engineers led by Frank Raynes gathered in the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Elmbank Street in Glasgow. The group of individuals came together with a common aim of developing the industry in Scotland and improving their technical capabilities. 80 years on and I'm proud to lead a 2016 Committee with the same aim. 

Today CIBSE has evolved to represent more that just heating and ventilation engineers.

The wider building services industry which CIBSE now represents including public health engineers, facade engineers, lighting engineers, local exhaust ventilation engineers. The organisation is not the perceived closed shop to design consultants and University graduates. This includes chartered and incorporated engineers, technicians, academics, researchers, equipment suppliers, engineering contractors, energy analysts, sustainability specialists…and we even let in a few architects! There is a place for everyone in our industry within the membership grades at CIBSE. www.cibse.org/membership

Scotland region has had over 1000 members for many years and we really want to stress and encourage all our members to encourage those who are not members to get involved, join and use CIBSE to help you improve. 

It's all about getting better. From;

• a student learning the fundamentals;
• industry engaging with the university and college courses to improve the quality and number of graduates entering our industry;
• attending at one of the many technical seminars ran by the region;
• getting involved in the young engineers network;
• attending paid courses by CIBSE Services like the upcoming BIM Briefing;
• attending joint seminars with one of the other like-minded institution;
• or even attending the networking events such as this dinner or the golf championship;

it is all about getting better at what we do and developing relationships across the industry.

CIBSE Scotland aims to facilitate the improvement of the industry and of all of us as individuals by running these events. This doesn't happen by chance. It only happens by committed individuals getting involved in as large or small way as possible (some of the 2016 committee shown below). Attend an event, get involved in a committee, offer to run an event...it is YOUR Institution.

Building services engineering is a constantly growing, developing and evolving industry. I’m sure that Mr Raynes and his 1936 committee would be amazed and proud of the developments in Scotland over the last 80 years. Even in my relatively short time years in industry I have seen enormous developments.

I am delighted to show some of the developments in our Industry in Scotland by the production of a new book. Copies will be available to any member in Scotland that wants a copy, and we'll be uploading it to our website electronically soon too.

What I have really enjoyed during the editing of the book and taking a step back to see what people have achieved over the years. 

Even in terms of technology. It wasn't really that long ago that the slide rule was taken over by the pocket calculator.

At our Centenary in 2036, your smartphone is likely to be looked at in the same way as we look upon a slide rule today!

At the Dinner there were a number of very special guests. These men and one women were instrumental in the development of CIBSE Scotland and its contribution to the wider institution. I was also glad to welcome two sons of Past Chairs, themselves important individuals in our industry.

Last year we announced the new CIBSE Scotland Golf Championship was to be held on 28th April….well after a beautiful early morning, by the fourth hole blizzard conditions had taken hold and we were forced to abandon the event.

Despite the weather the banter and networking among the 80 members of the building services industry who gathered at Eastwood encouraged us to try again on the 25th August. Some fantastic weather welcomed us and a very smug and satisfied Remeha team we're crowed the first ever champions.

Onto important business. As part of our ongoing education and development initiative we instigated the first ever CIBSE Scotland Student Award to the top performing graduating students in the two accredited Courses in Scotland. 

Congratulations to Kiyomi Honjigawa, Heriot Watt University and Kieran McFadden from Glasgow Caledonian University who received their award at the Dinner from Immediate Past President Nick Mead.

I was also delighted to welcome honoured guests from Institutions, Government and client bodies.

I was absolutely delighted to announce that the raffle raised ￡2370 for the CIBSE Benevolent Fund, which beat our previous record by over ￡600!! Absolutely amazing and thanks to all for their amazing generocity and to all the sponsors for their support.

A great night was had by all and I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Kind regards

Gerry Brannigan

Chair, CIBSE Scotland (2015-2017)

CIBSE Scotland is all about getting involved. So make the most of your membership by getting more information and getting in touch:

• Website https://www.cibse.org/networks/regions/scotland
• Membership enquiries: www.cibse.org/membership
• Join CIBSE Scotland LinkedIn Group - https://www.dhirubhai.net/groups/4458037
• Tweet @CIBSEScot
• Get in contact with the Committee - [email protected]
• For see photographs from the evening: Click here for the dropbox folder
• For a copy of the menu from the evening: Click here for a copy of the 80th Anniversary Menu.