In her last column as CIOB’s CEO, Caroline Gumble reflects with pride on the members and staff dedicating their lives to the construction industry.
A few weeks ago, I attended my last CIOB graduation ceremony in London in my role as CIOB’s CEO. I was thrilled to see more than 100 new members don their robes, have their moment on stage at our beautiful venue and, for many of them, celebrate with loved ones.
In my speech, it felt important to say that I was proud of them, not just for their individual achievements but also for what they have done for their families, their colleagues and our industry.
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That wonderful occasion, combined with this being my final CEO column for CM, led me to reflect on what an extraordinary global community we have in our 50,000+ CIOB members.
It is our members who bring our mission to life, and I believe that our purpose is constantly renewed and re-energised through the live, dynamic growth and renewal of our membership. I have often heard and felt this when meeting members, in their discussions about connections to our community and our hub network, and their commitment to always be guided by CIOB’s code of ethics, which is vital to our mission.
This is a constant and powerful reminder that our members are ambassadors to the wider industry, helping to rebuild trust in the sector and the institutions of society.
Departing with pride
It would be remiss of me not to also reflect that I have been privileged to see these qualities in the team I have worked alongside over the past six years. I depart CIOB with so much pride in what my colleagues have achieved in recent years; I hope I have encouraged them to play to their strengths and understand the power they have when they come together as a team and remember their purpose.
I am as proud of my colleagues as I was of our graduates: I know they will carry on delivering for our members and for the industry. After all, I have acknowledged on many occasions that CIOB is bigger than one person, be it the CEO, trustees, chair or president.
So I’ll take this opportunity to thank all those I have met during my tenure. I wish you all the greatest of success as you carry on with our mission, guided by our code of ethics and our public interest purpose.
I also offer my successor my very best wishes, plus the advice I was given six years ago: “Keep the lion flying”!
Caroline Gumble is CEO of CIOB.
