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Ola Obadara is in line to assume the role as president of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in 2027, following on from current president Paul Gandy FCIOB and then next year’s president Saul Humphrey.

Ola Obadara is group director for property projects at the City of London Corporation and has been a member of the CIOB since 2003. She also serves as a committee member at the British Standards Institution (BSI) and is currently contributing to the development of inclusive personal protective equipment (PPE).

Obadara said: “Being appointed as the global vice president of CIOB for 2025/26 is a significant honour and I am grateful for the privilege. As the first black woman to assume this role in the institute’s 191-year history, I recognise the responsibility that comes with this office and I look forward to serving the institute that has been instrumental in my career development, with dedication and pride.”

As vice president, Obadara plans to focus on research, innovation and technology. With the global construction industry facing a significant skills shortage, she believes trying to attract new talent alone is not enough.

 “Adoption of technological solutions must play a key role in bridging the [skills] gap,” she said. “Innovation and technology will empower us to deliver better and faster, and we must lead the way in embedding these advancements throughout the design and construction lifecycle. With the advancement in technology and AI, the world is changing rapidly, but within this change lies an opportunity for construction to change the way we deliver projects.

“I am committed to advancing the development of technology, ensuring that our profession possesses the tools, skills, and knowledge to deliver the built environment of the future.”

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