Arnold takes over the presidency from Fiona Cousins, bringing over four decades of experience in Building Services Engineering, a deep commitment to professional development, and a long-standing history of service as a CIBSE volunteer and within the wider engineering community.
Arnold began his 45-year career as an Apprentice Electrician with Royal Mail before moving into academia as a college lecturer in Building Services, during which he completed a part-time degree and soon became a Chartered Engineer. He later held senior engineering roles at Royal Mail, including Executive Engineer in the National Policy and Standards Group. In 1991, he joined National Design Consultancy, eventually becoming a Company Director, leading the London practice for nearly 20 years. His career spans construction, maintenance, design, project management, compliance and health and safety across both public and private sectors.
Since joining CIBSE in 1998, Arnold has made significant contributions to the Institution. He has served as a Professional Membership and Registration Interviewer, Interviewer Trainer, Moderator and was Chair of the Membership and Registration Panel for over 12 years. He also chaired the Education, Training and Membership Committee and served as a member of the Engineering Council’s Registration Standards Committee for 6 years. In 2020, he joined the CIBSE Board as a Trustee.
Deeply committed to ‘paying it forward’, Arnold is passionate about mentoring the next generation. He chairs the Apprentice of the Year Judging Panel and frequently engages in educational outreach, including delivering CIBSE’s technical training on the Building Safety Act.
Reflecting on his appointment, Arnold said: “Becoming CIBSE President is an incredible honour and a privilege that I do not take lightly. CIBSE has been at the heart of my professional journey for many years, shaping my career, my values and my passion for paying it forward. To be where I am today, representing this global community of dedicated engineers, is truly humbling. It is a role that carries great responsibility - not just to lead, but to inspire, to give back and to champion the vital work we do in keeping buildings safe, efficient and future-ready. This presidency is more than a milestone for me; it is an opportunity to give back to the profession that has given me so much, and to help shape its future for generations to come.”
As President, Arnold is expected to champion lifelong learning, competence in the profession, and collaboration across borders and generations, reinforcing CIBSE’s commitment to creating a safe, sustainable and inclusive built environment.