INTERVIEW | RUTH CARTER OUR TIME IS NOW CIBSEs new chief executive, Ruth Carter, says the Institution is on the cusp of an exciting new era, in which building services engineers will be integral to the creation of a new generation of netzero buildings that will put occupants first C IBSEs new chief executive, Ruth Carter, believes she couldnt have taken charge of the Institution at a better time. Building services engineers have come of age, she says. Everything CIBSE stands for is coming front and centre, whether through environmental governmental pressures or consumer pressure. This is our era. Carter succeeded Stephen Matthews at the helm in May, and speaks enthusiastically of how CIBSE can lead delivery of the safe, net-zero carbon buildings required to meet new carbon emissions targets and building safety rules. Suddenly, the emphasis isnt just about making a building beautiful or cost-effective, its about creating a building that performs. Were at the front of that wave, she says. To ensure CIBSE grasps its opportunity to bring engineering to the fore in net-zero building design, Carter is intent on creating a modern, exemplar, professional engineering institution that can respond to the needs of the building services community. She says her first task as CEO is to understand what that means by listening to CIBSE communities, within and outside the Institution, and working out how best to serve them. One thing she is clear about is that CIBSE is in a position of strength; Carter says the Institution came through the pandemic and lockdowns phenomenally well: We were strong in how we facilitated the objectives of our community, and the way we quickly flipped into a digital environment was overwhelmingly positive. This is not a burning platform. Its a great place to be. Alongside its depth of knowledge, CIBSEs communities are one of its greatest strengths, says Carter. I love the concept of community and tribe. People like to belong to a sizeable community. The feeling of safety, power and reach. But people also like to belong to elite, niche, agile tribes that can react quickly and seize opportunities. We have that combination with the CIBSE umbrella providing community and our Societies, groups and regions providing the agile tribes. Carter has worked with business communities for much of her career as a senior manager in the events industry. She has been managing director of three high-profile companies in the sector EMAP, UBM Conferences and, most recently, Telegraph Events. She believes there are great similarities between the commercial events business and the role of CIBSE, in that both involve serving communities in the most impactful way possible. CIBSE may not have the same commercial pressures as for-profit organisations such as Telegraph Events, but Carter says healthy finances are still key. Unless were feeding the funnel with income, we cant do the things, 22 July 2021 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE July 21 pp22-24 Ruth Carter.indd 22 25/06/2021 16:31