The future of building services engineering was firmly in the spotlight as CIBSE celebrated the winners of the 30 Under 30 Awards 2026 at a special event bringing together some of the profession’s brightest emerging talent.
Organised by the CIBSE Global Young Engineers Network (YEN), the annual awards recognise young professionals making a significant contribution to the industry through innovation, leadership, sustainability, technical excellence and project delivery.
The 2026 cohort represents an impressive breadth of talent across 10 regions in the UK, alongside CIBSE regions in the Middle East and North Africa, Hong Kong, and Australia and New Zealand.
With winners, colleagues, sponsors and industry representatives gathered to celebrate, the event was filled with energy and enthusiasm. The atmosphere reflected the ambition and passion of a generation of engineers who are already making their mark on the profession and will play an important role in defining the future of building engineering.
Celebrating a new generation of talent
The 2026 winners demonstrate the breadth of expertise needed across today's building services sector and the wider built environment.
This year's awards introduced two new categories: Technical excellence engineer and Project delivery champion. The new categories recognise the vital contribution of professionals working across the wider building services sector, including those specialising in disciplines beyond traditional HVAC engineering and those delivering projects on site.
The awards are supported by headline sponsor Baxi, alongside category sponsors Swegon, the CIBSE Patrons, Ideal Heating – Commercial Products, and Georg Fischer.
Emerging leader
Sponsored by Swegon, this category recognises future leaders in building services who are making an impact through innovation, mentorship, inspiring teams and contributing to the wider industry.
The 2026 Emerging leader winners are:
- Alexis Ciunek, Sustainable Energy
- Alice Jackson, Hoare Lea
- Stan James Elvis Thomas, Sontay
- Aretha Ahunanya, Savills UK
- Elisabeth Eweka, ENGRL and Hoare Lea
- Henry Metcalfe, Etch Associates
- Jordan Clarke, CPW
- Kieran Smart, WSP
- Caryn Yeow, Introba
- Matt Dickenson, Atelier Ten
- Alisha Kalam, Platinum Facilities
Digital and automation innovator
This category celebrates young professionals driving innovation through digital technologies, automation and smarter approaches to building performance.
The 2026 Digital and automation innovators are:
- Muhammad Izzul Hakimi bin Roslan, CAMS Assethub
- Athiya Junaid, WSP
- Banita Basra, Schneider Electric
Technical excellence engineer
Sponsored by the CIBSE Patrons, this new category recognises professionals delivering outstanding contributions across specialist building services disciplines, including lighting, public health engineering, data centres, building performance, building controls, vertical transportation and HVAC.
The 2026 Technical excellence engineers are:
- Estella Haynes, Arup
- Bushra Oosman, Red
- Khizar Moti, Arup
- Vino Muthuramalingam, Arup
- George Stephens-Clark, InTandem Systems
- Saanil Joshi, Foster + Partners
- Niamh O’Donovan, WSP
- Mia Richardson, Schneider Electric
Sustainable champion
Sponsored by Ideal Heating – Commercial Products, this category recognises individuals championing sustainability through innovative projects, technical guidance, organisational change and the promotion of sustainable design.
The 2026 Sustainable champions are:
- Yara Machnouk, Introba
- Gabriela Amaya, Arup
- Gareth Samson Jeyapaul, Egis
- Daphne Chan, WSP (Asia)
- Margarita Kobrina, Atelier Ten
- Ismaila Chongan, Cudd Bentley Consulting
- Suvarna Kumar, Buro Happold Middle East (Dubai)
Project delivery champion
Sponsored by Georg Fischer, this new category celebrates young supplier- and contractor-side professionals who demonstrate excellence in delivering high-quality MEP installations, solving complex challenges and supporting successful project outcomes.
The 2026 Project delivery champion is:
- Cameron Nielsen, KNG Building Services
Looking to the future
The CIBSE 30 Under 30 Awards are about more than recognising individual achievements. They provide an opportunity to celebrate the people who are already contributing to the profession while highlighting the breadth of talent that will shape the future of building services engineering.
From digital innovation and sustainability to technical excellence, leadership and project delivery, this year's winners demonstrate the diverse skills, expertise and perspectives needed to create safer, healthier and more sustainable buildings.
The enthusiasm and energy in the room at the celebration was a fitting reflection of this year's cohort. With so much talent, ambition and passion gathered together, the event offered an encouraging glimpse of the future of the profession.
CIBSE congratulates all of the 30 Under 30 Awards 2026 winners and looks forward to seeing their continued contributions to building services engineering and the wider built environment.