Interview with the new CIAT President

CIAT has a new President: Usman Yaqub PCIAT! last October, right before the peaceful transition of power from one Eddie Weir at the AGM, the AT Journal team sat down with Usman to get to know him a bit better and learn what members can expect over the next two years now the reigns are in his hands.

ATJournal: Mr President Elect, hi! So, what do you hope to achieve over the next two years?

Usman Yaqub: Hello! I have been working behind the scenes to ensure that I can hit the ground running, implementing my manifesto’s key parameters of Develop, Value and Retain from my very first quarter. I hope that the membership will see the positive outcomes of these initiatives as they are brought forward.

ATJournal: I’m sure you’re both nervous and excited to start your two-year term. Which emotion is winning right now?

Usman Yaqub: You are correct; there are a range of emotions that are not limited to the two highlighted. I am energised and thoroughly looking forward to assisting our amazing team at Central Office to really make our membership feel valued and show our worth to both the construction industry and wider afield.

ATJournal: You joined the Institute in 2005. Can you give us a brief resume of your career?

Usman Yaqub: I started my professional career at Stride Treglown, where I have many fond memories. I worked on a wide range of projects during my time there; I oversaw a range of multi-million-pound projects, worked in Vietnam, and helped deliver The Station in the centre of Bristol. I then went onto establishing my own architectural practice, Studio Yaqub Architecture, and have been shortlisted and won a range of awards since. We really enjoy working on challenging schemes and have honed our ability to unlock potential. I also work at my local university, The University of The West of England, as an Associate Lecturer for the Architectural Technology & Design programme where there is always an interesting discussion happening with the students who are the future of the industry.

ATJournal: When it comes to running your own practice, how do you intend to balance your Institute work with your practice work?

Usman Yaqub: I have the support of my team in the office, the team at Central Office, the Executive Board, and my family. I have also strictly allowed myself a maximum of two days per month to dedicate myself to the Institute with some flexibility if urgent matters arise.

ATJournal: What will you bring to your Presidency as a practitioner?

Usman Yaqub: I will being a unique perspective to the Presidency as I have not only run my own architectural practice for more than ten years, but I also work at the local university and have held or currently hold a range of roles that have allowed me to have executive level impact in several organisations. Further to this, I have five years of experience in larger architectural practices and have worked with teams across time zones.

ATJournal: As a former aspiration Chair and Regional Chair, do you feel this has helped shape your vision for the future and how your Presidency will unfold?

Usman Yaqub: Being involved in a formal capacity has helped me to grow and discover the numerous ways you can get involved with the Institute and industry. It has directly informed the way I intend to steer the institute.

ATJournal: What has been the proudest moment of your time so far with the Institute?

Usman Yaqub: I am most proud to have been the 86th recipient of the Gold Award for the CPDin43 series, which has significantly impacted engagement within the Wessex Region on both a national and global scale. I have spent a lot of hours organising and curating this series and it is truly amazing to see the numbers of people showing their support and engaging during the live sessions and catching up when uploaded later.

ATJournal: How do you plan to promote and develop the profession and the Institute?

Usman Yaqub: Following lengthy discussions with the team at Central Office, we are proud to now be supported by a Network and Engagement Coordinator that I feel will be pivotal in providing the much-needed support and link to all the membership. I am really looking forward to working with Jayne Thomas and can really see this becoming the start of substantial improvements in engagement.

ATJournal: Looking at the longer term, where do you see the Institute in the next five years?

Usman Yaqub: I see the Institute as an expected friend in the halls of parliament, with a groundswell of support in the membership that is supported by a range of engaging events throughout the year. I see there being a range of opportunities for collaboration across educational institutions, into practice, and on an individual basis.

ATJournal: Official job description aside, what, to you, is the President’s most important job?

Usman Yaqub: I feel that the President’s job is to hear the voice of the membership whilst maintaining a view on his manifesto and translating it to the top tables of the Institute and to the halls of industry and government.

ATJournal: What life value/s are you integrating into your values as President?

Usman Yaqub: I am a very principled man and feel that I have found a great profession where I can not only feel free to be true to myself, but to self-reflect, continually improve, and look to a range of sources for inspiration for values. Particularly in implementing Kaizen, which is the process of small continual improvements in both my professional and personal life.

ATJournal: When you are not involved with Architectural Technology, what are your hobbies?

Usman Yaqub: I love to jump onto my road bike; I really value the freedom and ability to switch off that it brings. I also love watching major football championship, like the Euros, Champions League, and the World Cup, as well as F1.

ATJournal: If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you choose as your favourite book, film and song?

Usman Yaqub: I hope that I never end up stranded on a desert island, but… I would bring a notebook, along with a pen, pencil and sharpener, so I can draw and take notes. I would have to take Die Hard – Nakatomi Towers! – as I can’t go long without watching that and, yes, it is, a Christmas movie. I would need a song that would keep me motivated when exercising so would go with The Script – ‘Hall of Fame’.

ATJournal: What’s your favourite flavour of ice cream?

Usman Yaqub: I do love a great gelato and would either opt for a pistachio or bacio (chocolate with hazelnut). If you visit, I can take you to my favourite spot in Bristol.

ATJournal: Finally, what are you most looking forward to about being President?

Usman Yaqub: I am very much looking forward to the entire experience; I have spent years developing my skills and am excited to implement them in a position where I can effect change on a such a large scale.

This article appears in the AT Journal Winter issue 156 2025 as "Interview with the President".

--CIAT

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