Executive

Executive Team

John Hooper C.Dir FIOD FCMI
Chief Executive

John started his career as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. He gained a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and worked for United Glass as a Project Engineer. He became a Chartered Engineer and moved to Cadbury Schweppes working in Dominica as a Senior Project Engineer before joining Glaxo as Deputy Group Chief Engineer. During this period he completed an MSc in Chemical Engineering and a PhD thesis in 'Energy Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry'.

He decided to pursue his career in charities and not-for-profit organisations and has held CEO positions in a range of organisations including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), and the Institute of Clinical Research, setting up the Institute of Clinical Research Professionals in India.

John worked for the British Polio Fellowship before returning to Engineering at the ABE.

Kate Ilott BA (Hons) DipM CMgr FCMI ACIM
Deputy Chief Executive (Operations)

With a background in marketing, Kate joined the Association in 2001 as Marketing Assistant. Over the years, Kate has progressed to Marketing and Events Manager, and, in 2008, was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive (Operations). Kate has direct line management responsibility for the membership, marketing and regional departments and is broadly responsible for all operational matters, service delivery, resources and systems.

Kate sits on the Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) Steering Group, and represents the ABE on the Construction Industry Council (CIC) if John Hooper is unavailable.

Kevin Blunden FBEng CEnv FCMI EurBE MWOBO
Deputy Chief Executive (Technical)

Kevin entered Building Control as a trainee on leaving school and spent over 25 years in this field before joining the ABE. In recent years he has specialised in Legislation, Fire Safety, Environmental Issues and Health & Safety. His wealth of experience enables him to determine the technical content for the Association's training courses as well as offer advice to members and the general public on areas such as the Party Wall Act.

Kevin has participated in working groups on behalf of DCLG assisted Construction Skills in reviewing National Occupational Standards and advises the Building Control Alliance in relation to training and education. He
also currently sits on the CIC Health & Safety committee.

Kevin has direct line management responsibility for the education and publications departments and is broadly responsible for all technical matters, health & safety, premises and professional conduct matters.

As well as being a Fellow of the Association of Building Engineers, Kevin is a Board Member of the Society for the Environment and a Chartered Environmentalist. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered management Institute and registered as a European Building Expert under the scheme operated by AEEBC.