The CIBSE 30 under 30 Awards recognise the brightest engineering talent from the UK and CIBSE regions around the world. The 2026 winners, selected by the CIBSE Global Young Engineers Network (YEN), come from 10 regions in the UK, as well as the Middle East and North Africa, Hong Kong, and Australia and New Zealand regions.
They have been selected across five categories: Emerging leader; Sustainable champion; Digital and automation innovator; Project delivery champion; and Technical excellence engineer. The last two categories have been introduced this year to acknowledge the contribution of engineers in the wider building services sector and those responsible for delivering projects on site.
‘People have a misconception that CIBSE is only for HVAC engineers, and not other building services branches, such as lighting, sustainability and lifts,’ says Global YEN chair Aishwarya Chengappa. ‘By recognising them in the 30 under 30 Class of 2026, we are helping to showcase their extensive skills and knowledge.’
Headline sponsor: Baxi
Emerging leader
This category recognises the future leaders of building services. Leadership can take many forms, whether demonstrated through innovative projects, team inspiration, mentorship or wider industry impact.
Sponsored by Swegon
Top – left to right: Alexis Ciunek, Sustainable Energy; Alice Jackson, Hoare Lea; Stan James Elvis Thomas, Sontay; and Aretha Ahunanya, Savills UK. Middle – left to right: Elisabeth Eweka, ENGRL and Hoare Lea; Henry Metcalfe, Etch Associates; and Jordan Clarke, CPW. Bottom – left to right: Kieran Smart, WSP; Caryn Yeow, Introba; Matt Dickenson, Atelier Ten; and Alisha Kalam, Platinum Facilities
Digital and automation innovators
This category recognises those driving innovation within building services through the use of digital technologies and automation.
Left to right: Muhammad Izzul Hakimi bin Roslan, CAMS Assethub; Athiya Junaid, WSP; Banita Basra, Schneider Electric
Technical excellence engineers
This category recognises young professionals who have made outstanding contributions within a specialist building services discipline – lighting, public health engineering, data centres, building performance, building controls, vertical transportation, HVAC, or other technical domains – through solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, resilience, user experience or overall system performance.
Sponsored by the CIBSE Patrons
Top – left to right: Estella Haynes, Arup; Bushra Oosman, Red; Khizar Moti, Arup. Middle – left to right: Vino Muthuramalingam, Arup; George Stephens-Clark, InTandem Systems. Bottom – left to right: Saanil Joshi, Foster + Partners; Niamh O’Donovan, WSP; Mia Richardson, Schneider Electric
Sustainable champion
This category recognises those driving sustainability within building services. Their impact might come through championing sustainable change on projects or within organisations, contributing to technical guidance, or actively promoting the benefits of sustainable design across the industry.
Sponsored by Ideal Heating – Commercial Products
Top – left to right: Yara Machnouk, Introba; Gabriela Amaya, Arup. Middle – left to right: Gareth Samson Jeyapaul Egis; Daphne Chan, WSP (Asia); Margarita Kobrina, Atelier Ten. Bottom – left to right: Ismaila Chongan, Cudd Bentley Consulting; Suvarna Kumar, Buro Happold Middle East (Dubai)
Project delivery champion
Cameron Nielsen, KNG Building Services
Sponsored by Georg Fischer
Global YEN chair Aishwarya Chengappa sees the 30 under 30 Class of 2026 as an opportunity to recognise the industry beyond the MEP department. The Egis senior sustainability consultant, who works in the Middle East, says two new categories – ‘Technical excellence’ and ‘Project delivery champion’ – will put specialists and onsite engineers in the spotlight. ‘Building services are interrelated and specialists need to be recognised,’ she says. ‘Site engineers don’t tend to put themselves forward for awards.’ Contractors and suppliers often have better insight working on site than consultants, Chengappa adds. ‘Collaboration is key. Physically talking to your engineer or supplier is better than sitting at your computer. By going on site, I understand how the space limits the procurement of certain materials, for example.’ The benefits are two-way, she says, with engineers also learning from consultants. ‘I feel we should be on site to offer our advice. I always tell junior engineers not to be afraid to go on site – they will be treated seriously.’ The hope is that the 30 under 30 Class of 2026 will help promote CIBSE to more young engineers, including university and college students. ‘My mistake was not joining CIBSE when I was at university, when membership is free,’ she says. ‘Having a professional community gives you the confidence to get out there and be a better version of yourself.’Celebrating talent, from design to delivery
For details of all the 30 under 30, visit bit.ly/CIBSE30under30