CIBSE has appointed Dave Cooper as President for 2026–2027, following his inauguration at the CIBSE Annual General Meeting 2026 at the institution’s headquarters in London. He succeeds Vince Arnold and brings more than four decades of experience in the lift and escalator industry.
Cooper has worked as an engineer, educator, author and advocate for safety. He has contributed to multiple editions of CIBSE Guide D: Transportation Systems in Buildings, a key technical publication for the sector, and has received a CIBSE Silver Medal and an MBE.
Alongside his presidency, Cooper continues to hold roles across industry, academia and charitable organisations. He has been a Professor at the University of Northampton, where he was involved with the MSc in Lift Engineering programme, and is currently a Visiting Professor at the University of East London.
He also serves on the executive committee and membership panel of the Society of Vertical Transportation, chairs The Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management Lift Panel for Authorising Engineers, serves as Middle Warden of the Worshipful Company of Engineers, and chairs both The Rumford Club and the Trustee Boards of the Lift Industry Charity and the Lift Symposium Educational Trust.
Cooper’s involvement also includes membership of British Standards committees for lifts, escalators and cableways, as well as participation in Safety Assessment Federation technical committees. In his Presidential Address, he set out the theme “Future-proofing through resilience,” focusing on buildings and infrastructure that remain resilient, efficient and adaptable.
“It is a tremendous honour to serve as President of CIBSE for 2026-2027. Throughout my career I have been passionate about advancing engineering excellence, sharing knowledge and supporting the next generation of professionals. As our industry continues to evolve, we must ensure that the buildings and systems we design today remain resilient, adaptable and fit for the future. I look forward to working with CIBSE members across the world to help drive that ambition forward,” Cooper said.