The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has reported strong membership growth, expanding digital services and increasing influence across the built environment sector as it delivered against the ambitions set out in its 2023-2028 corporate plan.

In its latest annual review, the institute highlighted growing international reach, investment in skills and professional standards and a widening role in shaping policy around building safety, sustainability and workforce development.

CIOB membership stood at 50,826 at the end of 2025, including 9,292 members outside the UK and Ireland. The organisation also reported an 80% rise in TechCIOB membership numbers, alongside the continued roll-out of its digital badging programme, with more than 25,000 digital credentials issued to members during the year.

The institute said the digital badges were designed to provide employers and clients with a secure and verified way of confirming members’ professional status and competencies.

Another significant development during the year was the integration of the Institute of Roofing into CIOB, broadening the institute’s professional base and leading to the creation of a dedicated chartered pathway for roofing professionals.

Skills and workforce development remained a major focus throughout the year. CIOB launched new research into perceptions of construction careers among young people and parents, with the findings helping to shape its new Aspire programme aimed at 14-19-year-olds and career changers.

The organisation also expanded its apprenticeship and training activity through the CIOB Academy. More than 250,000 people used the Academy platform during 2025, while apprenticeship learner numbers rose from 19 to 75. CIOB delivered 900 End Point Assessments during the year, with a further 1,200 apprentices registered for assessment in 2026.

The annual review also highlighted CIOB’s growing policy influence around building safety following the implementation of the Building Safety Act. During 2025, the institute launched a new Principal Designer Certification Scheme and continued to develop competency frameworks linked to the post-Grenfell regulatory environment.

Mental health and wellbeing also remained a key priority. CIOB Assist provided more than £63,000 in financial support and £10,000 in mental health support to members and their families, while the institute’s updated mental health research attracted widespread national media attention.

CIOB said its sustainability agenda continued to gather momentum, with a global network of 50 Sustainability Ambassadors, expanded CPD provision and ongoing engagement with governments on climate and retrofit policy.

The organisation also reported growing public reach, with its publications attracting around 1.6 million online readers worldwide and more than one billion media impressions generated during 2025.

Looking ahead, CIOB said future plans include expanding digital skills and AI training, growing client engagement initiatives and launching new mentoring and career development programmes to support the next generation of construction professionals.

CIOB chief executive Victoria Hills said 2025 was successful in delivering against the body’s 2023-2028 corporate plan. Highlighting the Institute’s survey to gather data on attitudes towards a career in construction, she said: “Much of CIOB’s work is focused on leading efforts to close the long-standing skills shortage in construction; to do that, we wanted to understand more about why those deciding on their future job roles aren’t considering built environment careers.

“That survey has provided useful data on where to focus our energy to get more people into the industry. It was repeated this year and will continue in directing our work to tackle this ongoing industry issue.”