Anthony Oloyede: This year's LDSA President

At the London District Surveyors Association (LDSA) Annual General Meeting recently, 2016/17 President Tim Gillooly handed his chains of office over to the incoming president, Anthony Oloyede, BSc (Hons) FRICS, C. Build E FCABE, MFPWS.

Anthony had a double celebration - as well as becoming president in the 30th year of the formation of the LDSA, the ceremony also took place in his birthday week.

From small beginnings...

Anthony began his career in building control as a trainee surveyor at Hertsmere Borough Council, and has now been in local authority building control for the greater part of 21 years at Harrow, Islington and now his current position in the London Borough of Hillingdon, (there was a short break when he was employed as a London Underground building control surveyor).  

Support and training vital - and LABC playing its part

Anthony said in his opening speech that as a new entrant into the building control industry " the support and training most certainly made a 'huge' impact on my career progression and focus, something which due to the current building control climate is not heavily replicated within a number of Local Authority Building Control Departments."

He continued, "It is of great comfort to see the LABC playing their part to bridge this gap with training such as Boot Camp and other courses."

Emirates 

On a more personal note, Anthony included among his hobbies Arsenal Football Club and said that he has been a season ticket holder since the Emirates stadium opened in 2006 (but despairs somewhat of the current Arsenal team performance...).

Another connection with Emirates stadium is that he assisted with the Full Plans vetting, attending project team meetings and site inspections for the stadium from the receipt of the application to near enough completion on the site. 

He said that the Emirates Stadium Building Regulations application was a privileged experience for him and another pinnacle point of his career in LABC that impressively includes attaining Fellowship for both the RICS and CABE.

How to attract new blood to the industry?

Anthony talked about something that has been on many people's minds in building control - that increased competition, retirement and the moving-on of colleagues has meant that "an unquestionable amount of knowledge" is being lost.

He hopes to stem the tide within the London region by exploring current communication methods such as social media, the internet and other such tools to reach out to a new workforce. (Join him on Twitter at @PresidentLDSA and LinkedIn to follow his progress.)

What's in store for 2017? 

As part of his presidential role, Anthony, as well as chairing LDSA meetings, hosting the executive committee at Hillingdon as well as the 30th celebration Presidential Lunch later this year, will be hosting LABC's Building Excellence Awards.