CONSULTING Engineers South Africa (CESA) chief executive officer, Chris Campbell, was announced as the winner in the Built Environment Ambassador of the Year category at the inaugural Built Environment Recognition Awards, on December 7, 2023, in Durban. Hosted by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), under the theme ‘Road to Professional Registration’, these awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding achievements in the industry, as well as to inspire others to strive for excellence in the built environment.
Campbell is internationally recognised as being an active participant in promoting best practice in matters related to the Built Environment. He is currently an Exco Member of the Construction Sector Charter Council and serves on the Manco of Construction Alliance South Africa (CASA). He serves as Chair to organisations such as the Built Environment Professions South Africa and the South African Forum of Engineering; and is a Board member of BUSA, as well as being active in Nedlac negotiation forums related to legislation affecting infrastructure and the built environment.
Campbell has been involved in institutional work for the engineering and built environments for 26 years. He began his engineering career 43 years ago, during which time he has obtained various engineering and management qualifications; been employed in an engineering management position at Transnet; held senior positions in consulting engineering companies; and was an executive in a large precast concrete manufacturing company both locally and internationally. He has served as President of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), Council Member of CBE, Vice President of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), but also globally, served as Vice President and Chair of the Capacity Building Committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations and Advisor to the Board of the FIDIC.
Accepting this award, he said: “I am proud of this recognition in an industry that plays a critical role in the South African economy and the global arena. I have received this recognition from my industry peers, for which I am truly honoured. I would like to thank my colleagues at CESA, who play a critical role in ensuring we play our part in the sector and continue being the custodian of the wellbeing of the consulting engineering industry supported by about 600 member firms that employ about 19,000 people.”
