Architect Ste Garlick and business growth coach Chris Iredale will lead the not-for-profit organisation going forward, helping grow its membership of more than 2,000 advocators of sustainable development.
The positions are new ones for the AECB as the organisation looks to enter a new chapter of lobbying for a built environment that actively looks at how to design and build in a greener way.
Manchester-based Garlick has been appointed chief executive of the Association for Environment Conscious Building and is charged with increasing the group’s industry influence.
He said he was ready for the task.
“The transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient built environment is an opportunity to create healthier, more adaptable, and more equitable buildings and places,” Garlick said.
“For more than 35 years, the AECB has been at the forefront of this mission.
“I’m looking forward to working with our members and partners to build on that legacy, strengthen collaboration across professions and sectors, and raise standards across the built environment.”
Meanwhile, Huddersfield-based Iredale has taken on the role of chief operating officer and is responsible for leading the daily operations and growth of the organisation.
Iredale said: “I’ve spent my career helping ambitious, founder-led businesses build the operational backbone to match their ambition.
“What struck me about the AECB is that same potential – a genuinely purposeful organisation with a strong community behind it, ready for the same kind of disciplined growth,” he continued.
“I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to supporting the AECB’s members and staff as we build on what’s already been achieved.”
Both positions are part-time, enabling Garlick to continue his work as BDP’s strategic and advisory lead for retrofit and decarbonisation and Iredale to grow his company Thriven, which works with entrepreneurs to help them scale up their business.
AECB has been pushing for sustainable development since its founding in 1989. The organisation was an early advocate of Passivhaus principles being brough to the UK and in developing Carbonlite certification.
Chris Herring, company secretary of the AECB and the co-founder of the Passivhaus Trust, praised the appointment of Garlick and Iredale.
“Ste and Chris bring complementary strengths across technical expertise, strategy and operations,” he said.
“The board is confident they will build on the AECB’s remarkable legacy, foster practical collaboration, and ensure the AECB continues to provide independent leadership for practitioners across the built environment.”
