Minster’s Thompson becomes CIOB junior vice president

Heritage specialist plans to throw spotlight on sector’s opportunities.

The CIOB has recently appointed Rebecca Thompson FCIOB, a former chair of its Leeds and West Yorkshire Region, as junior vice president of the institute. Thompson will become president in June 2017, succeeding senior vice president Paul Nash FCIOB who will be president in 2016/17.

Thompson is the acting chapter steward of York Minster, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, and intends to use her experience at the cathedral to focus attention on the heritage sector, apprentices and attracting more women into the industry during her presidency.

Speaking to Construction Manager, she said: “As the CIOB have chosen someone in this field to be the president, I might as well shout from the rooftops about the heritage sector.

“There is a place for every kind of construction in the CIOB, but I want to place heritage and the awareness of the roles in heritage at the top of the agenda. Everyone I meet is interested in my job. I carry an iPad on me at all times and show anyone who is interested the work we are doing to restore the cathedral.”

Before being appointed as acting chapter steward, the cathedral’s equivalent of a chief executive, Thompson spent six years as superintendent of works at the Minster, where she was in charge of all the people who care for the cathedral’s fabric. Prior to this, she had roles at modular construction specialist Yorkon and EC Harris.

She believes that being temporarily responsible for the cathedral’s estate, which includes a library, two schools and 35 residential and commercial properties – with shops, cafés, restaurants, galleries and a guest house – will be the perfect preparation for the role of CIOB president.

She explained: “The timing is incredibly fortuitous as I have the opportunity for 15 months to focus on the leadership and governance of the whole business. I’ll be getting great additional experience leading the teams in collections, interpretation, learning, finance and of course building works. It sets me in good stead for the role at the CIOB.”

In her role as acting chapter steward, Thompson gives Prince Andrew a tour of York Minster

As only the second female president, Thompson plans to encourage women into construction. She said: “The CIOB wants a diversity of people as leaders as we want a diverse membership. We need to get more young women into construction and I hope that by sharing my enthusiasm and demonstrating the opportunities available we can attract more women.”

She also believes her enthusiasm for the sector can encourage apprenticeships. “Apprentices are the future of the industry,” she said. Under her leadership, York Minster has operated a large programme of apprenticeships – with seven apprentices out of the 44 staff in its stoneyard.