Volunteers’ Week 2025 is from 2-8 June, and gives CIBSE an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contribution of its volunteers. Without the commitment of this highly active and engaged community, CIBSE would not function as it does.
The opportunities for volunteers, across regions, groups and societies, include contributing to articles, interviewing potential corporate members, serving on knowledge and technical groups, and standards work. Leon Markwell, chair of the Electrical Services Group, shares insights into his experience as a CIBSE volunteer.
I have made many friends and learned a lot of things that I would not have done had I not volunteered
What is the role of the Electrical Services Group (ESG)?
The ESG is a group of engineers who are keen to disseminate knowledge, enhance health and safety, and generally help others. ESG members sit on various national and international committees inside and outside CIBSE, which allows us to input our experience and CIBSE views widely. It also helps us learn and share knowledge through written publications and lecture meetings.
Anyone is welcome to register for free through the CIBSE system, where they can also raise any questions they may have. As well as being on the ESG committee, I am a member of the CIBSE Technology Committee and have served on several other CIBSE committees in the past.
How did you originally get involved?
As well as being a CIBSE member, I am a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and was introduced to the CIBSE ESG by an IET colleague. At the IET, I worked with technical committees and found that I could have a similar involvement at CIBSE. I knew several people who were members of both institutions.
What have been your highlights from the past year?
My highlights have been becoming the ESG chair – and I was excited to recently be elected by ESG members to serve as chair for a further three years.
However, this was tinged with sadness, because I was invited by the previous ESG chair, Dr Tony Sung, to take over from him, which I was honoured to do – but I wasn’t aware he was seriously ill, and he subsequently died. Tony was a great and very knowledgeable electrical engineer.
What is the focus of the Electrical Services Group?
The ESG is focused on supporting the electrical industry and installation trade by sharing knowledge and promoting best practices, with a particular emphasis on engaging and empowering the next generation of engineers.
What do you get out of volunteering personally?
It allows me to give something back to the industry and use my knowledge and experience, especially with the younger generation of engineers and electricians.
Are there any career benefits to volunteering?
I am on the verge of retiring from full-time employment, having been involved with CIBSE and the IET since the mid-1990s, but I will certainly continue with the ESG. I have made many friends through my various roles, and have learned a lot of things that I would not have done had I not volunteered.
Volunteering with CIBSE
Whether you are just starting in your career, looking to improve your professional network and CV, or are well established and have a wealth of experience and expertise to put to good use, CIBSE has a volunteering opportunity for you. There is a breadth of volunteering roles to suit your experience and availability.
One of the main reasons people volunteer for CIBSE is to make a difference, and to develop and learn new skills and meet different people. CIBSE has many different volunteering opportunities, with varying time commitments, from becoming a mentor, to sitting on a committee, to assessing End Point Assessments.
CIBSE would like to thank all our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and time – you all make a huge difference.
For more information, visit www.cibse.org/get-involved/volunteering
