When Chris Allen BSc (Hons) MCIOB MCABE enrolled on the BSc (Hons) Building Control Surveying Apprenticeship with the University of Wolverhampton in 2019, he had no idea how much that decision would change his life.

At the time, he was simply excited to start a journey into a profession he admired. What he didn’t realise was that this decision would lead to him becoming Vice-Chair of the CIOB Northampton Hub Committee, a CIOB Assist Ambassador, and part of a community that continues to shape his career. 

A Student Member with big ambitions

My CIOB journey started quietly. In September 2019, alongside my role with the Stratford-on-Avon District Council Building Control Team, I took my first step by joining CIOB as a student member. The early years were a mix of study, site visits, regulations, teamwork, and the steep learning curves that every Building Control professional knows well.

Fast-forward to June 2023, I stood in front of a panel of Members from CIOB and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), delivering a presentation that represented years of effort; my dissertation, my portfolio, and my entire apprenticeship experience. This assessment format is unique to the BSc Building Control at the University of Wolverhampton, designed by CIOB senior Qualifications Liaison Manger Hassana Ahmed. To date 164 students have taken part in this assessment. 

A few weeks later, I received the news: I had achieved MCIOB and would graduate with First Class Honours. It felt like the beginning of something much bigger.

CIOB opens doors you don’t expect

After becoming MCIOB in August 2023, opportunities started appearing in places I never expected. I was invited to apply to join the CIOB Northampton Hub Committee, and with support from my employers, I stepped forward. Becoming a Committee Member in July 2024 expanded my world immediately. I was meeting new professionals, learning from different sectors, and discovering just how wide the built environment really is. This sparked a new motivation; to give back to the community that was helping me grow.

In September 2024, I volunteered to become the CIOB Assist Ambassador for our hub. This role changed my perspective deeply. Working alongside CIOB Assist Manager Emma McKay, I learned how crucial mental health and financial support is within our industry. CIOB Assist helps members, their families, and even non-members through some of the most difficult moments in life. To support, champion, and fundraise for a service that makes such a real difference, this quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

A role I never thought I’d apply for 

When the hub’s vice-chair role became available in June 2024, my initial reaction was “that’s a step too far for me…for now”. But then came encouragement, from our CIOB MSEC, colleagues, and peers. People saw potential in me that I wasn’t sure I saw in myself yet. 

After some reflection, I realised how much I had already achieved since joining the CIOB in 2019, so I stepped beyond my comfort zone and applied. A short while later, I received the news; I had been appointed Vice-Chair of the CIOB Northampton Hub for a two-year tenure starting July 2024. A moment of genuine pride.

Leadership finds you before you feel ready

My first challenge as Vice-Chair came earlier than expected. In September 2025, after attending a CIOB Biodiversity Net Gain CPD Event in Milton Keynes, UK, I arrived at our committee meeting ready to contribute, only to be told that I would be deputising for the chair in his absence. It was unexpected, but it was also a defining moment. Leadership doesn’t wait for the perfect timing; it asks you to step up. That experience strengthened my confidence, sharpened my leadership skills, and prepared me for what lies ahead.

Since stepping into this role, I’ve continued to show up wherever I can. A month later, I attended the CIOB Birmingham Hub Tomorrow’s Leaders Event at STEAMhouse, an inspiring gathering of students and employers shaping the future of our profession. Moments like these remind me how powerful the CIOB network truly is. 

What I’ve learned so far

Key tips I’d share with anyone in the industry are to:

• say yes to opportunities—even the ones that feel “too big”
• immerse yourself in the CIOB community; the support is real
• you truly get out what you put in

Becoming part of CIOB didn’t just help my career grow, it helped me grow and this journey is only just getting started.