New president issues challenge to the industry

Wyatt is well known for his quote "I feel sorry for anyone who isn't an engineer", and his first presidential address carried forward this theme of the importance of engineers. "Though we don't attract the publicity or have the glamour of architects, we are the critical industry in making a building work, which is of overriding interest to the building occupants."

Wyatt, head of research and development at Hoare Lea Consulting Engineers, also says that in spite of the success of the past few decades, the industry is not immune to change, and in his address spoke of the current feeling of uncertainty in the business climate, and in general. "Change, very rapid change is underway within construction and unless we respond quickly, creatively and with focus, we may find that a substantial part of our future earnings and work has disappeared."

He highlighted several major trends affecting the building services industry: globalisation, standardisation, climate change and the emergence of a carbon management market, rising concerns about health and well-being within buildings.

But Wyatt also sees many opportunities arising for CIBSE members including capturing the carbon management aspects of buildings, and as key sources of knowledge on climate change.