My presidential campaign story | Tom Gray MCIAT
As we approach the final nine days of the CIAT election process, I wanted to share my journey over the last nine months.
It all started at the 2023 AGM in Birmingham when I was approached by a member of the CIAT Executive Board who asked, ‘So, when are you going to stand as President, Tom?'
This instantly ignited a belief within me to stand for the position of President in the upcoming elections. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride to be recognised in this way and to be considered capable and worthy to stand for the position. I had honestly always wanted to stand for the position but never thought the opportunity would arise in the 2024 elections. Before I knew it, I had three CIAT Regional colleagues advocating and nominating me to stand for the position.
Since the idea was sparked, I knew there was plenty to be done and that I was not naïve to what this would entail during the campaign, and beyond should I be elected. This then developed into the formation of my election team who have assisted me along the way and to whom I owe a lot of gratitude. Special thanks go to Josie Hodges MCIAT (South East Regional Councillor), Dr Poorang Piroozfar FCIAT (Regional Education Officer), Hywel Davis MCIAT and Alex Judd MCIAT (Regional Committee Members) who have made the process a great experience.
Fast forward to 9 March this year and I was humbled to be standing at the lectern presenting to Council my vision for CIAT. To build on our strengths, increase outreach and push boundaries to expand our influence on the global stage of Architectural Technology.
Grounded on these four cornerstones, I presented my manifesto for a clear and ambitious path forward for CIAT:
- Education
- Promoting Our Profession
- Serving Our Community and
- Protecting Our Planet
Then followed my journey. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet members and Councillors from all over the world to present my manifesto and learn of the exciting progress their Regions are making but also the challenges they are experiencing. During this time, I was also grateful to have the opportunity to speak with each department of CIAT Central Office, to hear the successes of our Institute and to understand the help and support they need to operate successfully and importantly serve us, their membership.
Throughout my campaign, I have continued to actively engage and advocate for CIAT at events, including the Ideal Home Show. Attending school career events has provided me with an insight into the younger generations and what they seek in a future career. I was delighted to hear from one school's careers advisor that she knew who we (CIAT) are, and that she already had three students who wanted to be Chartered Architectural Technologists. This demonstrates positively the engagement we are generating as CIAT on the younger generations, and I will continue to build on this as part of my manifesto should I be elected.
The hustings then followed online in early July, I was again pleased to be sharing my vision and answering the excellent questions put to me and the rest of the candidates.
I was then invited to attend Central Office later in July, to present to aspiration a morning’s workshop on public speaking and the importance of it. This provided an excellent opportunity to speak to the aspiration community and understand how they would benefit from support if I were to be elected.
And fast forward to now, in between the many other commitments and visits I have to CIAT, we are in the final few days before you our members, affiliates, Regions and Centres decide who is the best candidate to serve our Institute as President for the next term beginning in 2025.
You can learn more about my manifesto, journey and vision on YouTube and LinkedIn, where I share my election story in conversation with acclaimed podcast host Matt Southam.
Looking to our future, let’s prioritise every member and affiliate and drive lasting change in Architectural Technology to build a brighter and more supportive industry.
A vote for me is a vote for Collaboration, Inclusivity, Autonomy, and Transition—because together, WE ARE CIAT.