Phil Draper, Managing Director of Twenty One Engineering and 2024 CIBSE Engineer of the Year Winner, has a background in electrical installation and maintenance. He became a CIBSE Fellow in 2020 and is now the Chair of the CIBSE HVAC Systems Group and an Elected Member of the CIBSE Patrons committee. We caught up with him to ask about his experiences.
How did you come to volunteer with the HVAC Systems Group?
When the group started in 2017, I was approached by the very passionate Debbie Hobbs about joining. We had worked together when I was supporting buildings under her control, and I jumped at the chance to share my knowledge and passion.
Does your background in high pressure maintenance and manufacturing give you a different perspective on HVAC systems to those in the Group with academic backgrounds?
I believe that my training and experience by learning from an actual application and knowing how to operate and maintain the equipment does allow me to share a different preceptive on how changes can be made and how to implement improvements to a live building is beneficial.
As Chair of the HVAC Systems Group, you automatically became a Member of the CIBSE Council. You then also joined the Patrons Committee as an Elected Member. How do you balance your professional responsibilities and volunteering commitments?
I am very grateful for the position supporting CIBSE has given me to the wider industry, and I believe that if we don’t provide our input through time or knowledge things won’t improve, so I see my role with CIBSE as important as my role in Twenty One Engineering.
Did volunteering with CIBSE help with your application for Fellow membership?
Without my commitment to supporting CIBSE and the knowledge I gain from the other wonderful volunteers, I wouldn't have gained the required level to achieve the Fellow recognition so soon after starting on my membership route.
The HVAC Systems Group and Patrons committees are elected from their respective memberships, details of how to join are sent ahead of the Annual General Meetings between March and June to all members.
To join the HVAC Systems Group, sign up today via your profile. This is free for individuals. Step-by-step instructions can be found on the Special Interest Groups page.
To join the CIBSE Patrons, submit an application on behalf of your organisation for review.