Merseyside & North Wales Region History

The origins of CIBSE can be traced back to 1896 when a few members of what was then the Institute of Sanitary Engineers became more interested in hot water distribution (heating) rather than cold water discharge (sanitation).

Around September 1897 a number of engineers decided to share their knowledge and formed a professional institution with the aim of improving the comfort of mankind. They would do this by openly discussing topics of uncertainty, by sharing professional knowledge and by spreading this knowledge through publications and lectures. They would train others to follow the best practices and examine them to ensure competence.

There were about 20 who agreed to form initially a board of directors (which was in effect a company) but around the time of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, it was quickly and more respectfully reorganised into the Institution of Heating and Ventilation Engineers. Its first office opened in Ludgate Hill.

Regional history

The Annual General Meeting of the IHVE recorded in 1934 that the branch in Liverpool (formed on 8th March 1933) was ‘making very satisfactory progress’. Its formal title was the ‘Liverpool Branch of the Associate Members and Graduates Section’. It was noted that there were 16 Associates Members and 3 Graduates. The elected Chairman was A. Holt Lake and the Secretary was M. P. Concannon. The four other Committee Members were W. Atkinson, J. L. Barton, H. Cockram and D. L. Sessions. This was only the third Regional Branch to be formed, the first two being in London and Manchester. The fourth Regional Branch was formed in Birmingham in 1934.

In 1976 a Royal Charter allowed the IHVE to amalgamate with the Illuminating Engineering Society (founded in 1909) to form The Chartered Institute of Building Services. Formalities at that time did not allow the use of Engineer or Engineering in the Institution’s title, however, this was overcome in 1985 and the organisation took on the present title of The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. The local Branch had, in the meantime, become the Merseyside & North Wales Region and it covers the whole of Merseyside, the whole of Cheshire and North Wales above a line from the River Dovey to just south of Wrexham.

CIBSE Merseyside & North Wales Members honoured with election to National Presidents