Serving as a CIBSE Board Member is both a privilege and a responsibility.
In this role, you will help ensure that the Institution is governed responsibly, lawfully, and in line with its charitable purposes. Your leadership will shape strategy, uphold our values, and guide the work we do on behalf of our members and the wider profession.
You don’t need prior Board experience to apply. All CIBSE members, at every grade, are welcome. What matters most is your:
• Commitment to CIBSE and its values
• Dedication to working in the best interests of the Institution and its members
• Ability to inspire, influence, and lead with integrity
This is a three-year commitment that is both challenging and highly rewarding. By the end of your term, you will have made a lasting contribution to CIBSE, the profession, and the future of the built environment.
We encourage you to review the specific responsibilities and duties of a Board Member to decide if this is the right next step in your leadership journey.
Role description and competencies
The Board of Trustees holds collective responsibility for the Institution’s governance, strategic direction and financial stewardship.
Trustees exercise strategic oversight rather than operational control to ensure organisational structures, governance arrangements, and capabilities are fit for purpose in delivering the agreed strategic direction.
CIBSE is a UK‑registered charity, and therefore its governance, operations, and decision‑making are subject to UK charity law and the regulatory framework set out by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. All Board members are Trustees and must comply with the legal duties and responsibilities defined for charity trustees.
For detailed guidance on trustee duties, expectations, and legal obligations, trustees should refer to the Charity Commission document “Charity trustee: what’s involved (CC3a)”.
Trustees are required to be Corporate Members or Members of Council.
The following competencies/criteria for Board Members (Trustees) are desirable:
- CIBSE/Industry Experience and Awareness of Building Services Engineering Issues: Demonstrates an understanding of local, national and global building services engineering challenges and recognises how the Institution can lead or contribute to positive change.
- Commitment to the Institution: Demonstrates a strong commitment to the Institution and the ability to promote it positively and constructively. Able to commit the critical time required for the role.
- Knowledge of the Institution's Objectives and Activities: Possess an understanding of the Institution's objectives, its range of activities, the role of the Board and the key internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience Working in Teams: Teamwork and Role Understanding: Ability to work effectively as part of a team, with an understanding of one's role within the team.
- Listening Skills and Constructive Challenge: Demonstrates good listening skills and the ability to challenge ideas constructively.
- EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Awareness and Practice: Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to EDI principles and practices, ensuring they contribute to a culture of inclusion within the Institution.
- Strategic Thinking and Policy Development: Ability to think strategically with an understanding of the development and implementation of policies, governance, and the implications of these decisions on the Institution's resources.
The principal responsibilities of Board Members (Trustees) are jointly to:
Institution’s Purpose and Legal Obligations:
- Ensure the Institution operates within its Royal Charter, Byelaws, Regulations, and UK charity law.
- Adhere to the Board Code of Conduct and maintain high ethical standards.
Strategic Leadership:
- Determine and approve the Institution’s strategic direction, monitor progress against the strategic plan and evaluate outcomes.
Governance and Risk Management:
- Appoint and support the Chief Executive in performing delegated duties.
- Delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Executive team, maintaining appropriate oversight of performance.
- Monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, strategies, and business plans.
- Ensure organisational structures, governance arrangements and capability are appropriate for delivering agreed strategic direction (oversight not management).
- Maintain a relevant governance structure for all Committees and review it periodically.
- Represent the Board on Standing Committees and function as a communication link between them.
- Regularly review the Board’s own effectiveness.
- Ensure compliance with the Institution’s Code of Conduct and disciplinary processes.
- Publish the annual report and comply with all reporting requirements.
- Approve elections to the Board and Council and ensure that general meetings are properly convened and conducted.
- Review external opportunities, threats, and risks affecting the Institution and respond appropriately.
Financial Management:
- Approve the annual budget and oversee financial performance against it.
- Ensure proper financial procedures, authorisation controls, and transparency are maintained.
- Oversee preparation of statutory financial statements and recommend auditor appointments.
- Ensure effective investment and stewardship of the Institution’s funds.
- Promote goodwill, confidence, and support among Members and Stakeholders.
Board Members are expected to attend all four 4 Board and four Council meetings each year.
Members are required to set time aside to read and prepare for the meetings, so that they can confidently and effectively conduct their Trustee responsibilities.
The are expected to attend other institutions events to demonstrate involvement, support and be available to members and stakeholders.
Minimum time expectation is 1 day/month.