Ruth has been the Chief Executive of CIBSE since May 2021. With over 25 years of experience, Ruth has a proven track record in launching, leading and transforming international, community-focused organisations to achieve sustainable growth across the education, publishing, information product, events, training, digital and media sectors. 

Ruth's global leadership experience spans from Shanghai to San Francisco and many places in between. Before joining CIBSE, she held senior roles in the media and information sector, including Managing Director at the Daily Telegraph and Divisional Chief Executive at UBM (now known as Informa Plc). 

Ruth is a board-appointed trustee of Engineering UK and serves as a Non-Executive Director for Actuate UK and the Association of Exhibition Organisers. She is passionate about developing people and is an executive mentor for the UK Government-backed mentoring program, ‘Be the Businesses’. 

David Cooper is the CEO of UK based lift consultants LECS (UK) Ltd. He has been in the lift & escalator industry since 1980 and is a well-known author and speaker. He holds a Master of Philosophy Degree following a 5-year research project into accidents on escalators, a Master of Science Degree in Lift Engineering as well as a Bachelor of Science Honours degree, Higher National Certificate and a Continuing Education Certificate in lift and escalator engineering. He is a co-author of “The Elevator & Escalator Micropedia” (1997) and “Elevator & Escalator Accident Investigation & Litigation”. (2002 & 2005) as well as being a contributor to a number of other books including five editions of CIBSE Guide D. He is a regular columnist in trade journals worldwide including Elevation, Elevator World, Elevatori and Lift Industry News. He has presented at a number of industry seminars worldwide including in Thessaloniki, Munich, Shanghai, San Francisco, Melbourne, Zurich, Barcelona and Vienna as well as numerous presentations within the UK. He is also a Founding Trustee and Chairman of the UK’s Lift Industry Charity which assists industry members and/or their families after an accident at work. In 2012 David was awarded the silver medal by CIBSE for services to the Institution. David also Chairs the Charity that runs the Lift Symposium and is an Honorary Visiting Professor at The University of East London. He also sits on the Board of CIBSE as its current President. In 2021 he was awarded the Sir Moir Lockhead Award by the SOE for 30 years dedication to safety in the lift & escalator industry. In 2023 David received an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours list for services to lift & escalator engineering. 

Imran Shaikh, Chairman of CIBSE UAE, is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Fellow of CIBSE with over 15 years of experience in technical and commercial management, energy efficient MEP design, site execution, green building, and energy auditing facilitation, supported by ASHRAE and other prestigious certifications. He is enthusiastic about technology driven sustainable design.

In his current role as Director of MEP and Specialisms for Ramboll Middle East, Imran leads the team and provides strategic guidance to the MEP and Specialism team on a wide range of high-profile prestigious projects including hospitality, mixed use developments in the Middle East region.

Dr. Bhakti More is the Dean of the School of Design & Architecture and Head of the Centre for ESF at Menipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai. She holds a doctorate from the University of Salford, UK, and has over three decades of experience in the design industry and academia. As a Project Architect, she has worked on various large-scale typologies for mixed-use developments in the UAE. Her research paper received the CIOB Best Paper Award in 2015 for its inonvation. She is a coordinator for the Manipal Environment and Conservation Students Club, which has earned multiple accolades, including the Best Sustainable Green Campus Audit and Best Sustainability Action Project from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. She was also recognised as the Best Coordinator for her commitment to the sustainable campus initiative. Dr Bhakti has led Team Tawazun in the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2021 to build a net-zero home and developed the Climate Action Plan for MAHE Dubai’s Race to Zero initiative under the UNFCCC. She is a volunteer for the Advancing Net Zero Group and serves as the Youth Engagement Co-Lead for the Universities Climate Network. She has guided the youth-led initiative ‘Seeding Sustainability’ by Water Alliance across schools in the UAE, which was selected as one of top 20 projects in MAJRA's Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025.

Mohammed Shamroukh is the Co-Founder and CEO of MCube Engineering Consultants, a specialist engineering practice focused on building performance, decarbonisation, sustainability and digitalisation across the built environment.

His experience covers energy audits, HVAC optimisation, commissioning, measurement and verification, energy performance contracting, calibrated modelling, smart-building technologies and portfolio-level decarbonisation planning. His work focuses particularly on converting sustainability ambitions into practical engineering interventions, investment roadmaps and verifiable operational outcomes.

Mohammed has completed an MSc in Energy at Heriot-Watt University, with research focused on solar-assisted absorption cooling integrated with thermal energy storage for hot climates. He is also a Certified Energy Manager, (Certified) Measurement and Verification Professional, Performance Measurement and Verification Analyst, and Certified Carbon Auditing Professional, and remains actively involved in regional industry and professional associations.

Paul Paterson is the founder and CEO of Elevation Carbon, a consultancy driving cost-led, performance-first sustainable building design across the Middle East. He’s known for connecting architecture and engineering to deliver real-world energy, carbon, and water outcomes, not just compliance models.

An ultra-marathon runner who thrives on endurance and resilience, Paul brings the same mindset to sustainability consulting: doing the hard work early, focusing on the long game, and pushing through challenges to deliver results that last. His current focus is integrating AI and automation into green building strategy, ensuring that every project delivers measurable ROI from concept to operation.

Fuaad Feroze Alam is an architect, architectural design manager, urban-planning professional and environmental sustainability practitioner with 17+ years of multidisciplinary experience across Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. His academic background combines a B.Arch, MURP and MBA in Environment & Energy Management. He also brings teaching experience as a Lecturer / Module Leader and Visiting Faculty at IoBM, and holds MMUP/UPDA Grade A professional registration in Qatar. 

Samiullah Khan, CSO of Fakhruddin Holding, Advisory Board member Rochester Institute of Technology, A professor of Practice in Multiple Universities is a Radical and fugal Innovation expert and design thinker involved in research and implementation of advanced technology projects in the field of Positive Zero, Direct Air Carbon Capture, energy efficiency, circular economy, food security, waste management and renewable energy. 

Awarded International Patent on Improving Indoor Air quality and saving energy through Direct Air Carbon Capture.

Ex CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of The Island, (Lebanon Island – www.theisland.ae) one of the most exclusive, exotic and unique destination on the face of Earth. Ex Vice President SRM University (www.srmuniv.ac.in)  and Ex Country Head of Tata Motors.

Operated in over 55 counties, an active learner, sportsman and team leader with an uncanny ability to exponentially amplify the dormant potential in both senior and junior colleagues. 

Javad Mahmoodi is the Founder and CEO of Kotook, a Dubai-based platform combining AI-powered sustainability assessment with an ecosystem of green building solution providers. A former mayor with experience in urban development, real estate and technology, he focuses on connecting sustainability insights with practical action. Through Kotook, he brings together developers, consultants and technology providers to advance a more sustainable built environment. 

Sandra Woodall is a renowned British architect and urbanist recognised for a generation of pioneering work in sustainable and human-centred design across the Middle East and beyond. As Design Principal of tangramMENA, she leads social and critical infrastructure projects that seamlessly blend cultural identity, environmental responsibility, and innovation whilst creating spaces that enhance the way people and communities live, work, and connect.
Throughout her career, Sandra has been a leading voice in shaping modern architecture around context, community, and resilience. Her design philosophy is grounded in empathy and the belief that truly successful environments are those that respond intuitively to human needs and promote well-being for people and planet.
A Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) and of the Academy of Urbanism (AoU) she is a dedicated advocate for design excellence, sustainability, and mentorship, whilst delivering complexity with clarity.
Advocating that architecture is about people and sustainability is about life, Sandra’s work continues to shape the profession toward a more responsive and regenerative future.

Faisal Ali Al Rashid is the Senior Director of the Demand Side Management (DSM) Directorate at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, where he is responsible for overseeing energy demand management initiatives in Dubai. He has played a pivotal role in the successful development and implementation of the Dubai DSM program since its inception. In addition to his leadership in energy management, Faisal chairs the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team, which is dedicated to accelerating decarbonization efforts in UAE cities. Having 16 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Faisal has led several major EPC projects, demonstrating a strong track record of delivering Mega initiatives. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University, alongside Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials and accredited policy-making certification. 

Aishwarya Chengappa is a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Egis with over six years of experience in driving sustainability across large-scale developments in the Middle East. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and Estidama PQP, with expertise spanning sustainable master planning, green building certification, and carbon strategy implementation. At Egis, she focuses on embedding sustainability principles into every stage of design and delivery. Beyond her professional role, Aishwarya serves as the Global YEN Vice Chair at CIBSE, where she advocates for emerging professionals and promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing across the global built environment community.

Sales Director, Central Ventilation System (CVS), Dubai | Education Liaison Lead, CIBSE UAE

Marc Lynch is a Chartered Building Services Engineer with 17 years of international consultancy experience, specialising in award-winning workplace environments, retrofit, and smart building integration. His career spans both new build and existing building projects, with a focus on helping clients make informed decisions through feasibility studies, technical due diligence, and change-of-use strategies that shape resilient, future-ready assets.

He leads multidisciplinary engineering teams across MEP, sustainability, and smart building technology ensuring projects are delivered with technical excellence, commercial clarity, and client alignment. Over the years, he has designed and managed the delivery of complex, sustainable buildings across sectors including corporate real estate, hospitality, healthcare, education, and transport, with several projects recognised by industry awards for innovation and sustainability.

Beyond project delivery, Marc serves as Vice Chair of the CIBSE UAE Committee, where he mentors the next generation of engineers, engages with universities, and contributes to industry dialogue on decarbonisation, retrofit, and the future of corporate real estate.

He is passionate about advancing the building services profession and delivering engineering solutions that balance performance, wellbeing, and sustainability for clients and communities alike.

Senior Project Manager Sudlows Consulting | Chair for CIBSE UAE Energy Performance Group | Co Chair