The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has appointed a new President.

Tracey Richardson handed over the presidential baton to Christopher Northey at the CIPHE AGM held on 21 June. Mel Gumbs was elected as Vice-President.

Chris started his plumbing career in 1987 as an apprentice within the family business. After attaining his Craft and Advanced Craft plumbing qualifications with City & Guilds and a four-year plumbing apprenticeship through the JIB, Chris studied for a further three years at BTEC level, obtaining an ONC and HNC in Building Studies at Cornwall College. He then spent six solid years on the tools before the training bug bit again and he applied to study for a Building Services Engineering Design and Management Degree at Reading University. 

Moving into the design of public health engineering services, associated with water, drainage, fire, and gas engineering systems, Chris then gained Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration in 1999 and in 2006, obtained Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Chris attained his Master Plumber Certificate in 2004. For the past seven years, Chris has been a design director, responsible for leading teams of public health engineers on a variety of projects.

In his first Presidential address, Chris emphasised his belief in the importance of working in partnership with other bodies to improve the industry, raise standards and petition Government on important issues, such as regulatory change and the installation of residential sprinkler systems post-Grenfell. Chris also set out his personal interest in tackling the “ticking time bomb” of Legionella within our water supplies.

CIPHE Chief Executive Kevin Wellman said: “I’d like to thank Tracey Richardson for her hard work and dedication in her Presidential year. Chris, with his passion for the industry and interest in training is a perfect successor to Tracey, who made education and training pivotal to her year in office.

“Chris steps up to the CIPHE’s most coveted role after a year serving as Vice-President and will himself be supported by Mel Gumbs. With many challenges ahead, we look forward to using Chris’ knowledge for the greater good of the industry and look forward to working together in the year ahead.”